A/N: I know... I know... It's been awhile... Sorry, anyways... Here's chapter 4
Chapter 4: UnboundLyrica
The next few moments both flashed by and felt as if they were an eternity. The princess remembered vague impressions of orders "get the townspeople to safety." And "kill it!" However she remained motionless. Around her soldiers moved into action and everyone else into chaos. She remembered Hadvar trying to reach for her but being separated by a flying rock.
Lyrica stared at the beast and it almost seemed as if it was staring back. What do you want with me? She was a Nord, but even a sensible Nord knew when they've met their match. She scrambled to her feet, unsure of her surroundings.
"Princess! Follow my voice," Ralof called through the smoke to her, "Come on, the Gods won't give us another chance!"
Lyrica ran towards the sound of his voice, colliding against his chest, "By the Nine what's going on?!" She looked up at him in panic. Realizing he was still in bonds she tore at them, "I can't get them loose."
"Princess, now is not the time. Quick. Into that tower!" He ordered leading her towards a now open door.
Now wasn't the time to question authority, safety is more important. She thought, though Lyrica admitted to herself, "Now's not the time to argue over who's in charge."
Soon the two reached the tower and Ralof pushed her through the doorway. She fell to her knees and prayed he was right behind her. The room was full of Stormcloaks currently getting each other out of their binds. He's betrayed me, hasn't he? With a sigh she rose to her feet and looked around. Of course, just behind the door stood Ulfric himself. Lyrica kept her distance knowing she was already defeated. So many of them and only one of her.
Ralof looked her in the eyes as his hands were cut loose, "Jarl Ulfric! What is that thing? Can the legends be true?" He was clearly concerned. Once he was free of his bindings he came and stood next to Lyrica, as he knew it would make her feel a little more secure.
"Legends don't burn down villages. We need to move, now!" The Jarl ordered now, unfortunately, free of his gag. For once Lyrica completely agreed with him, but sadly she had no clue as to how to escape it. The door behind them had been blocked by a falling stone mere moments after she and Ralof had made it through.
Ralof looked at her then up the stairs, "Up through the tower, let's go!" Then he grabbed Lyrica's hand and practically dragged her behind him. Clearly he was unconcerned over his fellow brothers' condition. Perhaps he thought he owed her? For sparing his life? However right now wasn't the time to think about that. Now was the time to get to safety.
Soon they were near the top where two more Stormcloaks stood trying to move debris out of the way, "We just need to move some of these rocks to clear the way!" One of them yelled out. Ralof grunted in affirmative waiting as patiently as he could.
Suddenly the black dragon appeared again, this time tearing through the wall. The two Stormcloaks were pushed back, likely crushed under the now broken wall. Ralof pushed her down so they were pressed against the wall a few steps down. There was a great roar and Lyrica felt warmth. The beast was breathing fire!
She waited a few moments before looking up. Ralof tried pulling her back, but Lyrica was sure the dragon was gone for the moment being, "Come on, before it comes back!"
He looked at her as if she was crazy before also getting up. They ran to the now gaping hole in the tower. Ralof surveyed the area before pointing, "See the inn on the other side?" She nodded and he continued, "Jump through the roof and keep going!"
"You'll be behind me right?" Lyrica asked bracing herself to jump. If she judged the distance wrong she'd fall to her death.
"Go! You may not get another chance. I'll follow when I can!" He replied motioning for her to go.
"Alright… Please be safe!" She replied running and jumping at the very last moment. For a moment she was in the air before falling onto a half destroyed bed. Lyrica took a moment to make sure she hadn't broken anything. Confident she was mostly whole, she stood and looked around. The inn was on fire. Damned it all. It seriously was not her day. Week for that matter.
Finding a clear path to a set of stairs she ran her pants getting snagged on a broken log. She tore at it letting the pant leg tear off from the knee down. Behind her a beam crashed down. "Right, getting out of here now!" She yelped taking the stairs two at a time and bursting out a hole in one of the walls.
"Princess?! You're still alive!" Hadvar exclaimed. Lyrica was glad to run into him. From the looks of it he was trying to help out two citizens. She ran towards him dodging falling rocks as she made her way, "Keep close to me if you want stay that way."
"As you say, but what of them?" She asked holding onto one of his arms, "I won't be the reason an innocent person dies."
He considered it for a moment, "Gunnar, take care of the boy. I have to find General Tullius and join the defense!"
"On your orders! Divines guide you, Hadvar!" He replied pulling the boy towards safety.
Hadvar wasn't listening to him anymore. He was too focused on getting Lyrica to safety. Again the dragon appeared landing near them, "Stay close to the wall!" He asserted pushing her and himself up against it.
"By the Divines it seems everyone wants to push me around today." Lyrica remarked trying to keep the mood light. Hadvar gave her a "this isn't a joke" look. "Right, sorry, bad timing…"
"It's okay. Quickly follow me!" He ordered pulling her through a maze of now destroyed and burning buildings. They had to stop and double back a few times. Some because of timber falling down. Others because fire or an errant piece of rock fell in front of them. It seemed as if it took hours, but must has only been moments before they were in an open area again.
Before them General Tullius stood barking out orders. Hadvar lead her up to him. He took a moment before addressing them both, "Hadvar! Into the keep, soldier, we're leaving! Keep the princess safe!" Hadvar nodded leading Lyrica towards the keep. Behind them Lyrica heard one last order from the general, "Amelia, with me! I do not wish to write home to your father so soon after your assignment."
"It's you and me, princess. Stay close!" Hadvar stated as he lead them closer.
Lyrica smiled for a moment before refocusing. She ran behind Hadvar, feet near bleeding at this moment. Why did she decided to defy Ulfric just then?! As they approved the keep she saw a blond figure clad in blue approach from the other direction, "Ralof!" She called out running towards him.
Behind her Hadvar called out as well, "Ralof, you damned traitor! Out of the way!"
Finally the three of them were together. Ralof spoke, "We're escaping, Hadvar" he put a hand on Lyrica's wrist. "You're not stopping us this time!"
What was between this two? Now was not the time for their petty squabbles, "Dibella's tits, would you both shut up! With me, both of you! To the keep, it's not safe out here!" Lyrica sighed grabbing both of them by the arm and pulled them through the doors of the keep.
As the door opened she hear the dragon roar s final time, this time it seemed to speak. A language she was unfamiliar with, "Hin sil fen nahkip bahloki!"
Amelia
She couldn't move. It was if she'd been it with a paralysis spell. Around her it was if all Oblivion had broken out. A dragon, large as at least three mammoths, and dark as night, was currently flying around destroying the village of Helgen. What in the name of the Eight was going on? What was supposed to be an execution was turning into a full on massacre. Her training had taught her how to deal with a great many dire situations, but a dragon wasn't one of them!
"Amelia, with me! I do not wish to write home to your father so soon after your assignment." Her uncle's voice through her thoughts, and snapping her back into action.
She took a deep breath, "Yes, sir! What are my orders General Tullius, sir?"
"Follow me, to our horses, the others have already been ordered to evacuate." He said grabbing her by the wrist and leading her through the wreckage that Helgen was becoming.
"We aren't going to fight?" She asked, forgetting for a moment her uncle was her superior.
"We can't possibly defeat a dragon, we don't have enough men for that!" He replied, pulling her against a wall. Mere seconds later, where they were standing a gout of flames burned brightly. "There's no time to argue. I can see our horses from here. Go, now!"
Using as much speed as she could muster, Amelia ran, practically jumping into her saddle. She looked behind to see the General similarly mounting his own steed.
Soon uncle and niece were off, traveling as far from Helgen as possible. Amelia knew there were other troops behind them, scattering, so the dragon didn't follow one large mass. They would regroup later. Once at a safe distance they stopped, waiting to see who else would join them. Ahead of them were the Thalmor Ambassador and her guards, looking unscated. Suspicious, but Amelia didn't dwell on it.
"General, what now?" She asked, looking to her uncle for orders.
"Now? I will head to the closest camp, and regroup with the rest of the legion." He replied, taking a drink from his waterskin. "I must be there to lead my men. However, I have a task for you."
She nods, reaching for her own waterskin, "I await my orders."
"Amelia, ride for Solitude. Inform Legate Rikke of what has happened here in Helgen. Tell her to begin all necessary precautions."
"Yes, sir!" She saluted her uncle. "I leave immediately."
He saluted her back, "Divines watch over you, now go!"
Lyrica
"We're safe." She announced pushing the door closed behind them, "for now anyways."
Behind the door Lyrica could still hear the screams of citizens and soldiers alike. All fighting for their lives. In front of her the two men that had helped her this far were staring each other down like two feral wolves. Great now I need to calm them down. "So boys," she began, "care to explain why you two want to maul one another to death?"
"Princess, with all due respect, this matter is personal." Hadvar replied, gritting his teeth.
"No, she's got a right to know," Ralof began, surprisingly calm. "So, Hadvar, why did you join the legion?"
Hadvar sighed, body slowly untensing, "You know as well as anyone else in Riverwood. My father was a legionnaire, and his father before him. I never considered doing anything else."
Lyrica nodded, "My uncle was in the legion as well, on the day of my twentieth birthday I too would have taken the oath."
"Princess, you were going to join them? Even though they ban Talos worship?" Ralof asked surprised.
"I have my reasons," she replied looking around the room. Ahead of her there were a couple of swords on a weapon rack. Stalking across she grabbed one weighing it in her hand. Now was not the time to discuss this.
Hadvar turned to look at Ralof again, "Alright, you've got my answer. Tell me, why did you join the Stormcloaks?" He asked following Lyrica, and giving Ralof a moment to think, "Princess, that chest should have a few bits of armor. I'll do my best to protect you, but better safe than sorry."
"You know I can take care of myself, right?" She asked putting the sword down for a moment and walking over to the chest. Hadvar opened it, revealing a set of legion armor. Light by the looks of it. It would do for now. In any case she pulled it on and strapped the sword to her hip. "So, Ralof, have you got an answer yet?"
The blond nodded, "Aye, I do. I joined the Stormcloaks because I am a true Nord. I joined to avenge my cousin. He was taken by the Thalmor one night, likely they found signs he worshipped Talos. Wasn't long until I found myself under Ulfric's banner." Lyrica could see the hurt in his eyes, "I don't see how you'd understand. Both of you are imperial supporters. Princess you saved me, but why?"
Lyrica blinked, stunned, "Because you kept me from the majority of Ulfric's wrath. Yes, I support the Empire, and the Empire are allied with the Thalmor, but don't think they're friends." This conversation was not going how she wanted it to. "Now is not the time for this. Both of you, I consider friends as of today. Friends I would not like to see dead. We must get out of here. When we get out I will answer any questions either of you have."
Both men looked at her, partially shocked. Hadvar was the first to react, ever the soldier, "Yes ma'am. This way, we'll head down and out through an old exit. Created in case of emergencies. I suppose this qualifies."
Lyrica smiled pleased she could get them to cooperate. If only for now. Grabbing the other sword off the wall she tossed it to Ralof, "you heard the man, this way. Let's go while we still can."
"Alright, as the princess wishes." Ralof replied attaching it to his hip. "Lead on Hadvar, and see to it you don't get us lost."
"It was one time Ralof, and it was not my fault a bear chased us half way across the lake." His reply came as he lead them through a doorway towards a circular room. She watched as the two men shared a knowing glance. Clearly another friendship this damned war tore apart. Ahead Lyrica could hear talking, someone was already there. "Stormcloaks, maybe Ralof can can reason with them."
Aforementioned man stepped forward, "I'll see what I can do, but no promises. Keep your hands on your blades just incase. They'll likely see me as a traitor." His voice was grim no doubt unpleased.
"Well I'm sorry I wanted you spared, and now you have to be seen with two people in Legion armor." She replied sarcasm seeping in every word, "Now please, go talk to them. We'll be right behind you."
Ahead of them Hadvar lowered the door allowing Ralof to walk through. Lyrica followed on his heels ready incase trouble followed. In front of them stood three Stormcloak warriors, looking down on a fourth fallen brother. Ralof looked down, sorrow in his eyes, "Gunjar… We trained together. May Talos guide him to Sovngarde."
The other Stormcloaks looked up at him, spiteful, one spoke for them, "Ralof, you traitor! How could you help these imperials?!"
"There's a dragon outside and you feel the need to argue over a damned civil war?" He asked hand reaching for his blade.
Another, a woman, replied, "Brother in arms? You're a turncoat! You'll die."
Hadvar and Lyrica exchanged a look before unsheathing their swords, this battle would not be won with words alone. The Stormcloaks drew their weapons as well rushing towards the two nords in Imperial Armor. Both groups ran at each other ready to take blood.
She let out a war cry, allowing years of training with her brothers to prove its worth. Steel clattered against steel as her sword meet the Stormcloak's war axe. Lyrica would not be bested. Around her she heard steel and leather clashing and words being exchanged. Now was not the time to be distracted and she allowed herself to focus only on her opponent. She dodged and blocked swings at her. Occasionally Lyrica managed to get in a few slashes of her own. Finally the two combatants were locked for a moment before she was able to knock his weapon from his hands. "May the daedra take you!" With a final savage move she stabbed him straight through the heart.
By now she was breathing heavily, eyes wide, a few pieces of hair hanging in her face. Never before had she killed another person. Beasts? Of course, countless times had her brothers taken her out on the hunt. That was never close up. Always with a bow.
The fighting around her had ceased. Ralof and Hadvar stood nearby. Both breathing heavily from exertion. Realizing it was over Ralof lowered his weapon, "That felt, wrong. I'm sorry it came to this brothers in arm."
Hadvar nodded, displeasure in his eyes as well, "I didn't like it much either, killing our own people…" He stopped looking over at Lyrica, "Princess, are you alright?"
She considered it for a moment, "Alright? Am I alright?" Lyrica laughed sheathing her sword. "Four days ago I had little to worry about. I was a royal. My biggest issue was what dress I'd be forced to wear to court. Now? I just killed a man. I've never killed a person before. I was kidnapped by the man who killed my brother. And on top of it all off. THERE'S A DIVINES DAMNED DRAGON OUTSIDE TRYING TO KILL US ALL!"
She didn't mean to scream, or get cross. Lyrica never meant to frighten her companions, but unfortunately that's effect her little speech had on them. Ralof cringed looking at her. Hadvar on the other hand, his jaw dropped nearly to the floor. She blushes looking at her feet. "Sorry," she mumbles, "I didn't mean to snap like that… It's well, it's been a long few days. Come on, Hadvar? Please lead on…"
They stumbled across a torture room. All three showed distaste. "Why do you Imperial's need a torture room?" Ralof asked.
"I wish I knew, also wish we didn't have them." Hadvar had tried reasoning with the torturer and his apprentice. Trying to make them see reason and escape with them. Alas they were too stubborn.
Lyrica was not paying attention too well, a book had caught her eyes. 'The Book of the Dragonborn'. Curious she grabbed it, and the pack it was near. She tossed it into the bag and threw the pack over her shoulders.
Ralof gave her a questioning glance, "A book? What happened to escaping this dragon?l
"It caught my eye," she shrugged then addressed Hadvar, "Forget them Hadvar, let's go."
"As you wish, princess."
They worked their way through the rest of the keep, neither of the men mentioned anything of Lyrica's outburst. There were other more important things to worry about. One being the Stormcloak soldiers they kept running into. Then there were giant spiders. Lyrica had tried to burn them, but it seemed she couldn't cast magic. "Damn Ulfric and his poison."
"Poison?" Both men asked curiously.
"Ralof, you fed me… You didn't notice a magika blocking poison? It's why I didn't just burn you all and make my escape." She replied frowning. Perhaps he is more innocent than I suspect. He may make a loyal guard yet. "Just as I could have burned these damned spiders to oblivion. Now quick before we get bitten." There was no more conversation as the trio made quick work of the over sized arachnids.
Further down into the cavern they encountered a bear, and Lyrica found an iron helmet. "Hmm. Do I look like a hero yet?" She asked placing it on her head.
"You look like a fool." Ralof replied raising a bow he took off a fallen Stormcloak earlier. Killing his brothers and sisters had been hard she figured, but after the first it seemed he'd made peace with it, "Now be quiet or you'll wake that bear sleeping further down."
"A bear?" She asked taking the bow from his hands, and an arrow from his quiver. For a moment she concentrated. Lyrica breathed in taking aim. She pulled back, the string growing taunt. Exhale and twick, the arrow loosed itself from the bow and flew. Her companions were quiet, waiting. However, her aim was true and the arrow made its mark sinking into the bear's head. Lyrica let out a laugh smiling.
"You had too much fun with that." Ralof sighed taking the bow back. "However, your form was flawless."
"I know," She smirked, "I practice everyday."
From there it was smooth sailing and soon the trio was stepping out into the light.
Aron
Later that evening Aron found himself sitting by the fire with Erik and his father Mralki. The usual farmhands who came for dinner were long gone and the few travelers who were staying the night were retired to their rooms. "So, Aron, are you finally going to tell us why you're in Rorikstead? Wasn't expecting you back this way for at least another week." Erik asked, polishing his blade.
"Aye, now's as good a time as any I suppose," the man replied taking a swig from a bottle of mead, "remind me. What was it you asked earlier?"
"Is Princess Lyrica okay? Rumor has it Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak took her prisoner. The other rumor is that your brother High King Torygg is dead, again the Jarl of Windhelm is the reason." Erik replied placing the weapon down.
"First off, yes, Torygg is dead, slain by Ulfric in an unfair match." Aron said again taking a sip.
"Why was there a fight?" Mralki asked passing both men a bowl of stew, "last I heard the Jarl only wished to speak to the High King."
"Oh he spoke to him. Shouted to him to be exact." Aron replied nodding thanks for his bowl. "Knocked him off his feet then ran his sword right through Torygg's heart. Torygg would have spoken with him if he hadn't challenged him like that."
"Ah," the innkeep sighed, "A shame to lose his life that young, and in such a dishonorable way. . Your brother was not High King for long, but was a fair ruler in his short reign. May his soul rest in Sovngarde, and the Divines punish Jarl Ulfric accordingly."
"They will, if Lyri doesn't punish him first." Aron said with a frown. "She is alive, by the way. Ulfric took her captive as he left Solitude. From the reports it sounded as if he was going to take her back to Windhelm, where he'd keep her his captive."
"What is your next move then?" Erik asked.
"Well, I was going to head to Whiterun first, and enlist the help of a friend of mine." Aron replied with a small smile, "And then I was going to sneak into Windhelm and spirit Lyrica away before anyone was the wiser."
"You aren't going to do anything about Jarl Ulfric then?" This time, it was Mralki who spoke, "No retribution for the treason?"
"No, at least, not yet." He began. Aron sighed, taking a deep breath before continuing, "We cannot possibly do a full scale infiltration of WIndhelm, and I certainly am not skilled enough to face Ulfric in single combat. No, for now I'm more interested in my sister's wellbeing. Once Lyrica is back, and on the throne in Solitude, we can decide what would be the best way to take down Ulfric and his Stormcloaks."
Aron, for one, did not want to get into the politics of it all, but Ulfric taking his little sister hostage had made it personal now. For now, he would get his sister back, and then he would get retribution for wrongs on his family. He yawned, realizing just how exhausted he now was. Turning to the father and son he gave a small smile, "It's been nice and all, but I'm going to hit the hay. As always, thank you friends for your hospitality."
