Soren's eyebrows crashed down as he watched Tédien get slammed into the ground, her wrists tied behind her back while her ankles were likewise bound by one of the Thalmor. Saedryk's claws dug into the bark of a near by tree as he shifted onto his haunches, body prepped for attack but suddenly Draven was there, and the dunmer commanded the twins back.
"She knows what she's doing, and if you reveal yourself, you'll get her and probably yourselves killed." the man said in a stern voice. Linel had moved along the mountain path, her sons following close behind. Tymaen was busy trying to get a better look at the Thalmor while Tymerillian was clutching his mother in fear. Ti'ij was also backing up, ears flat against his head in annoyance. There were more soldiers heading their way and if they didn't move, they would be caught and dragged off as well.
For good measure, another hail of arrows, followed by a flurry of fire, ice and lightning came their way and Soren hesitated as the others began running off, eyes locked onto the brunette who was struggling with her Altmer handler. Tédien struggled to her feet and then cursed the man, who backhanded her. The snarl that left his throat was loud, and Saedryk cursed at him to hurry. As Tédien licked the blood from her mouth, she smirked up at him, and Soren caught the barely noticeable nod from the woman. Groaning in frustration over not being able to help his friend, he took off, sprinting over towards his brother and disappearing behind the ridge altogether.
…
Tédien stared at every single person near her. There were horse-drawn carts filled with other men and women who were apprehended, along with the Imperial and Altmer who had no doubt arrested them all. One man was fighting two Imperials, his fists flying, legs kicking outward, and Tédien watched as one of the Thalmor, sighing in exasperation as though annoyed by the humans, swiftly plunged his dagger into the Breton's kidney from behind. Tédien's eyes flared, these bastards were crazy!
And their outfits were so different than what she was used to seeing. Most of the men and women there seemed to be donning a uniform crafted from chainmail that was tinted a bluish-gray color, and others were wearing tunics or sack-like prison garb. The high elves were wearing their usual fancy robes, the enchanted fabric shimmering in the sun. Tédien suddenly remembered that Draven had slipped a shiv into her hair, and she glanced around at the surrounding officers.
There was nothing she could do. Yet.
The prisoners were being sorted into categories: thieves, murderers, trespassers, and bandits. The Imperials were herding the bandits into a large cage after stripping them of their weapons and armor, while the Altmer forced everyone to drink potions that depleted their magika and prevented them from using spells in order to escape. Tédien choked down the bitter liquid, her eyes watering slightly. Others had the same reaction, including a man who not only choked, but vomited all over the Imperial guard nearest him, who groaned in disgust and kicked the man down.
There were cries of outrage suddenly, from
Her wrists ached from her binds, and she kept a close on eye on each person who handled her. One of the Altmer was busy ushering prisoners into carts, while the two others milled about, barking orders and giving the occasional whack with their weapon. The Imperials were talking amongst themselves, except for the lone female soldier, the Captain, by the state of her armor. She was glaring at everyone, while the red haired man beside her flipped through the papers in his hand.
"You," One of the Altmer returned and abruptly, Tédien was jerked upwards and shoved roughly into a cart, stumbling and slamming hard on her rump as she was forced into a seat. "This one goes to Helgen as well!"
The horses whinnied, and the cart jerked as it made its way to the road, and Tédien wished briefly that she would be able to make a getaway of some sort before actually being tossed into a cell.
She had no idea where she was really headed.
…
"We can't just leave her there!" Soren protested as Draven made the suggestion they all split up and rendezvous in Riften in three days. Hopefully that would be enough time for Tédien to escape and get away from wherever she was being taken.
Saedryk frowned severely, "My brother is right, Draven. Tédien's a strong woman, but she's not the brightest torch. Her instincts are good but she's lacking in common sense and that's what she'll need in order to get out-"
"She's being taken to Helgen!" Soren cried, turning to his sibling. "She'd not going to jail, she'd going to be executed!"
Ti'ij's tail flicked in agitation and he turned to the dark elf, "This one will go ahead to Riften. Perhaps I can explain to her brother what is happening and he can provide us with help." Draven nodded and Ti'ij grabbed his things, and with Linel and her children close behind, took off down the mountain and towards the south.
Linel had talked about her life among the Thalmor before she'd defected. They were cruel people, having no compassion for anyone not of their race or status, not caring whther the ones they hurt were man, woman or child. Some even relished picking on the fairer sex and smaller beings, especially if it was for an assignment. Linel had witnessed one of the higher ranked members beat someone to death simply because the Imperial had knocked into him while running and dirtied the Thalmor's robes. The boy had to have been in his teens, and had apologized profusely, but after the first hit, the high elf hadn't stopped until the kid had stopped moving.
Saedryk looked at Soren, the scent of fear and anger filling his nose. This is going to be tricky. Tédien is capable of getting out of this, but she's going to need help. And if something happens to her, Soren's going to go on a rampage and I'm not entirely sure I could stop him. He's too emotional. Not that I blame him, Tédien's like our little sister, but we can't afford to lose ourselves in this. We have to think clearly before planning any sort of break out.
Draven sighed deeply. This was no time to be panicking. Tédien had gotten out of tighter spots before, but then again, the Thalmor hadn't been involved then. He prayed to the Gods that they got through this, because without Tédien, they were screwed.
…
Tédien hadn't realized she'd fallen asleep until a particularly hard bump in the road jolted her awake. The second thing that registered to her was how fucking cold it was. Her armor had been tossed and replaced with threadbare prisoners rags, which did absolutely nothing to protect her from Skyrim's harsh winter temperature; and her magika reserve was still low, she wouldn't be able to summon anything at all!
Good job, Tédien. Good. Fucking. Job. she cursed herself, wishing like hell that she hadn't followed through with her idea to rush the throng of soldiers, but it was the only way to make sure her friends were safe. I really need to get out of here.
A voice to her left made her turn, "Hey, you. You're finally awake. You were trying to cross the border, right? Walked right into that Imperial ambush, same as us. And that horse thief over there." A blond Nord was confined to the seat.
The Breton beside the man responded in a scathing tone, "Damn you Stormcloaks! Skyrim was fine until you came along. The Empire was nice and lazy. If they hadn't been looking for you, I could have stolen that horse and been half way to Hammerfell by now." he turned to Tédien and she blinked, the dredges of sleep fogging her mind. "You there, we shouldn't be here. It's the Stormcloaks the Empire wants."
The blond Nord frowned, "We're all brothers and sisters in binds now, thief."
"Shut up, back there!" came an order form the soldier driving the cart.
"What's wrong with him, huh?" another man asked, motioning to the large man beside Tédien, who was surprised to see a gag in his mouth. He was big, stern looking, and wearing robes that Tédien instantly recognized as ones of nobility. Who was this guy?
"Hey, watch your tongue! You're speaking to Ulfric Stormcloak, the true High King!" the Nord said hotly.
The Imperial who had posed the question frowned. "Ulfric? The Jarl of Windhelm? You're the leader of the rebellion…but if they've captured you, oh Gods!, where are they taking us?" his voice rose in pitch and Tédien shifted away. She had no idea what rebellion was going on, or what the hell a Jarl was, all she knew was she had a job to do.
"I don't know where we're going," the Nord spoke again, his voice softer, forlorn. "But Sovengarde awaits."
The jittery Imperial looked panicked, "No, this can't be happening!"
"Hey, what village are you from, horse thief?"
"Why do you care?" When the Nord explained that a man's last thoughts should be of home, the man paled and hesitated, "Rorikstead. I-I'm from Rorikstead."
Tédien felt a lick of fear go up her spine and she turned to look at the road before them. They were nearing a village, the entrance swarmed with soldiers, one of whom called out: "General Tullius, sir! The headsmen is waiting!"
The cart beside theirs held the short haired man who Tédien had kicked, and she glared at him. "Good, Let's get this over with."
Names of the Divines fell from the lips of various people, and Tédien sent up a prayer as well. She didn't know whether she'd get out of this, but it didn't help to ask. She envisioned her home in Morrowind; the lush green pastures of the Grazelands, the swamps that dotted the Bitter Coast, the places she'd been to and those she'd never see.
Shit. Draven and Saedryk are going to kick my ass if I die. Soren's gonna be pissed too. My brother, my friends, damn it all!
More soldiers came into view as the carriage made its way into the village which she now knew as Helgen, the Nord reminiscing about his childhood sweetheart, and Tédien watched as two more Thalmor agents appeared. A little boy standing on the porch of his home watched as the prisoners were rallied, but his father ushered him inside.
Tédien looked up as the Captain from before ordered the prisoners out of their carts and into lines.
"Why are we stopping?" asked the horse thief in alarm.
"Why do you think?" There was a heavy sigh, "End of the line."
One by one, the prisoners filed out and into lines, and made their way to the chopping black as their name was called from a list. Ulfric was called first and made his way, proud as you please, towards General Tullius, while Ralof, the blond Nord, said words of admiration.
The Imperial man, Lokir, was too far gone in his fear, and he took off, "No! I'm not a rebel, you can't do this!"
"Halt!" cried the Captain, but Lokir had already started running.
"You're not gonna kill me!"
The woman snarled and called for her archers, and Tédien winced as an arrow struck the man down. The Captain turned towards the rest of them. "Anyone else feel like running?"
Tédien turned as the redhaired man with the list motioned to her, "Wait, you there, come forward." Tédien did as told, reminding herself that she had a shiv in her hair and could use it if need be.
"Who are you?" the soldier asked.
"I am Tédien, from Morrowind."
The soldier frowned and turned to his superior, "Captain, what should we do? She's not on the list."
The woman gave a derisive snort and it was then that Tédien decided that if she was able, this bitch was going to die. "Forget the lists, she goes to the block."
"By your orders, Captain." The soldier looked at Tédien with pity, "I'm sorry. We'll return your body to Morrowind."
Tédien walked in line and watched as General Tullius berated Ulfric for starting the war and plunging Skyrim into chaos. Tédien really didn't care, she wanted out.
An eerie sound echoed over the mountains, and pain lanced through Tédien's skull. Gods, not this again.
"What was that?" a man asked, and General Tullius waved the question away, ordering them to carry on. A priestess had begun to give final rights and in that moment, Tédien felt tears burn her eyes. Her chest ached, and she suddenly wished she were a regular citizen instead of a member of the Fighter's Guild. Where she wouldn't have to risk her life to do anything, where she and her family could have been happy. She had so many things she wanted to do-!
A swirl of silvery pink and blue flashed in front of Tédien's eyes and she swayed, only vaguely aware that a man had already been executed and that people either cheered or yelled in anger. As another mysterious sound came, Tédien walked numbly towards the chopping block. So this is it…this is how I die.
The sound was louder, the colors brighter to the point where she was almost blinded and then there was a mighty crash as General Tullius cried: "What in Oblivion is that?!"
"Dragon!" a woman screamed, and Tédien caught side of the massive shadow above them.
The thing was bigger than the Inn, black and spiked, and Tédien's eyes watered as the pain in her head rose to a cresendo. Nope, this is how I die.