Couldn't stop writing this weekend so I pumped out a quick one. I'm hoping next chapter will be at least 2000 words. Also, Gabriel12345 is going to write a story about his character, Cassius (who will also be in this story) which will be tied to mine. I will post a link when the story is posted.

Well, enough of my blabbering, enjoy.

Chapter 3: The Lion's Den

Hammerfell, 4E 203

Freyja Wintershield's party rode into what was left of a small village. The wood of cottages were burton black and charred bodies littered the ground. The village was only made up of half a dozen buildings, all on the side of the dirt road. Her guards had tried to send her away with the servants but she denied the request.

The nord woman dismounted from her horse and let one of her guards lead the animal away. She opened a gate in between two buildings which lead into a small courtyard. On the ground was the burnt remains of a child. Sadness over came her and she approached the corpse. Suddenly, she felt sharp metal against her throat.

"If you yell, my lady, I will slice your beautiful neck open and let your blood decorate the ground." Her assailant whispered, into her ear.

Freyja trembled and felt sweat pour down her body from the combination of heat and adrenaline.

"I will stay quiet." She said in fear.

The attacker pulled the blade away from her throat. "Good girl, open that door in front of us and start walking."

She did as was told, and moved through the building, feeling the man's blade pricking into her back. They came out the other side and were greated by two redguards wearing clothing that redguard travellers would commonly carry and blue tagelmusts, a strange hood that was worn by the people of Hammerfell. One of them spoke up.

"Well what have we here, a noble lady perhaps?"

She felt the man behind her relax.
"That's right, I overheard a horseman talking to her, she sounds important."

The redguard who spoke removed his hood, he had long messy hair and dark brown eyes that seemed to look straight through her.

"Maybe we'll make a few septims of this one." He turned his attention to Freyja.

"What would your name-"

He was cut off by a knife lodging itself in his forehead, collapsing to the ground. The prick in her back disappeared and she heard a gurgling sound from the man who attacked her. The final redguard attempted to run but he had not gotten fifty meters until one of her guards, mounted on a warhorse, ran him down and plunged an axe into his back.

Freyja stood completely still for a few moments in shock.

"From now on, my lady, don't wander from the group." The voice of Jolgar hissed.

Finally, Freyja pulled herself together and was escorted by her men back to her horse. Not long after the column began to move again, Jolfar rode to her side.

"Do you know what they would have done to you if we didn't notice your absence?" He said in a slightly angry tone.

Freyja said nothing.

The warrior sighed and spoke again. "Your brother entrusted me to protect you. But I can't do that if you decide to wander off. Do you understand?"

She nodded slowly without speaking a word.

The Captain of her guard began to ride off.
"Wait-Julfgar." She called. He turned in his saddle and waited for her to speak.

"Can you teach me to fight?" She shouted.

Julfgar thought for a moment before replying. "No, protecting you doesn't mean putting a blade in your hand."

Freyja woundn't budge.

"I would be able to protect my self."

Julfgar Swiftblade was silent for a few seconds.

"I will you at dawn tommorow." He said before heading off to attend to his duties.

Imperial City, The White Gold Tower

Emperor Attrebus Mede II, one of the most powerful men in Tamriel sat at the round stone table of the Elder Council, made up of generals, lords and priests. Beside him stood Cassius, the Emperor's right hand, and one of his loyal friends. An emergency meeting of the Elder Council was called after news reached the Imperial City that the Dragonborn had broken through the Pale Pass and now has a foothold in Cyrodiil.

"So what you're telling me, is that we now have twenty thousand Nord screamers in the Imperial Province?" The Emperor said in anger.

No one said a word, unsure of if Attrebus just made a statement or asked a question.

Attrebus sighed before speaking again. "Well? You're my advisors, advise me you fools!"

Finally, one of the legion generals spoke up.

"Sire, we could command Bruma to drive the barbarians back."

Attrebus rose and slammed his fist down on the table.

"In the field? You do understand that these 'barbarians' already destroyed an army twice the size of Bruma's garrison. Sometimes I wonder why I keep you half wits around!" The Emperor took in a deep breath.
"First Hammerfell, now Skyrim! And it's only a matter of time before the Aldmeri Dominion shows up."

"My Lord," Cassius said quietly to the Emperor, who turned his head to face him, his face burning bright red from fury.
"Forget the Nords - the real threat is the elves. I will go and deal with the
barbarians."

Attrebus managed to calm himself down and consider the offer for a few moments but decided against it.
"No, I need you around in case the Altmer make their move."

Cassius was not convinced.

"The Nords rally behind a single leader of strength - if we can just prove
that he can be bested-"

"Damn it Cassius, you may be my friend, but that doesn't mean you can make demands of the Emperor."

Cassius nodded in understanding and they sat in a rather akward silence for a few moments.

Finally the Emperor rose his voice once again.
"If that's all there is, this meeting is adjourned."

And with that, the Elder Council stood, and filtered out of the room, one by one.

Five minutes later a figure clad in a long black cloak and robes appeared from behind a pillar in the room that the most important men in the empire had just been in and slipped out of the Imperial Palace and into the great gardens, home to the final resting places of many great lords, unnoticed.