Don't really have much to say this time... but I will say that it is really easy to focus on your own story when those you follow haven't updated in a while. I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 10

"So, Dovahkiin, my men have yet to return but here you stand before me. With the Jagged Crown no less," Ulfric lounged back in his throne, looking at her with mistrust with a large scowl on his face.

"I brought the Jagged Crown back here. Why did you not let Ahkari into the city?" Neri stared back at him, holding the crown against her stomach. Several of the guards had taken a chance on grabbing it from her and even the jarl got up to retrieve it, but she wasn't going to let it go; not until he completed his end of the bargain. Four guards stood around Ulfric, six more behind Neri; she felt uneasy, to say the least. The odds were not in her favor today, and though she may be good, she wasn't sure if she was that good.

"Where is Galmar?" Uflric spoke again, ignoring her inquiry.

"I was under the impression that I was to go alone. So, perhaps he needs to brush up on his navigation skills." She could see that he was stalling, purposefully going after his own concerns before addressing hers.

"You have a knack for wearing my patience thin, Khajiit."

Uh oh. He didn't say dragonborn, or even my name, just went straight to the race.

"I want to know what happened to my men."

"Well, I don't know what happened to them. I was a little preoccupied getting the crown," she waved the crown in front of her but quickly tucked it back in when a guard took a half step forward. "And now that you have seen it, I want to know why you have not allowed the Khajiit in the city."

"I am afraid that the deal has changed."

You son of a bitch. Neri didn't reply. Her body reacted instinctually: muscles tensed, facial features changed, rumbling growl resonated, and grip tightened around the horns.

After a long pause, Ulfric continued, "Since I can only assume that you allowed my men to get killed, I charge you with treason. If you care to leave here with your life, hand over the crown."

Neri glanced around her as the guards took a step forward and placed their hands on their weapons. "And the Khajiit?" she asked.

"They will be unharmed. But I am never allowing those cats inside the walls of any city in Skyrim." He rose from his throne, staring at the crown and the female keeping it from him. After a long pause, he decided she had been given enough time to decide. "Kill her."

Kharjo paced back and forth, wearing a slick track into the snow. They had already packed up the caravan and were ready to move on to Dawnstar, but Kharjo insisted that they stay until Neri returned. Ahkari didn't protest, just nodded in silent understanding. He hadn't told anyone of his feelings for the dragonborn, he didn't half know them himself, but Ahkari seemed to see right through him.

"Kharjo."

He paused in his stride to listen to what she had to say. I am not leaving her, he silently spoke to her.

"They will probably keep her in there for a while. And if things happen to go…" Ahkari paused and although she could only see his back, she saw pain spread through him at the implications of her words. "We really can't be here long if that does happen. If she does manage to escape, we most certainly cannot be in the area."

He hung his head as he debated over the options, but knew that no matter which way he looked at it or who tried to convince him, he wouldn't leave her. "I have already offered my sword to her. When she gets out of there, she may need it."

"It has been an honor having you at my side, Kharjo."

The sincerity of her words caught his attention. Turning around, he faced the woman who had helped him so much in the past. He bowed his head to her, giving a half-hearted smile. "The honor has been mine, Ahkari."

She bowed in return and took his outstretched hand. "Until our next meeting, if such is fated." She began to walk away but looked back over her shoulder, giving him a small smile, "And Kharjo, just tell her. She could use some normalcy."

"Thank you," he whispered, as she waved Zaynabi and Dro'marash over. Kharjo gave his goodbyes to his former companions and moved closer to the Windhelm bridge. He crossed his arms over his chest and watched them fade away into the distance. Taking a heavy sigh, he faced the city walls.

"Kill her."

Neri felt herself grow cold. She pulled out a dagger and held the crown close in her off hand, crouching into her battle stance. She released a loud resonating hiss and turned in a circle as the guards surrounded her. A few guards lashed out but she deflected and ducked their blows, landing a few of her own; yet none went down. She wasn't equipped or prepared for this kind of battle.

A man rushed her from the front as another came up behind her. Arms wrapped around her neck and chest as the man before her grabbed at the crown. Bringing her legs up, she wrapped them around his neck as she used the body behind her for leverage. Snapping the bones between her knees, she kicked the body away. More rushed towards her, pushing her to the ground. She clutched at the crown as boots found their way against her.

She felt the bruises, welts, and cuts materialize along her body. Slashing her hand out she managed to cut several of the guards but nothing slowed them down. A guard slammed his foot down onto her wrist, ceasing her defenses and his other foot pinned her shoulder down. Others fell on top of her, pinning her entire body to the ground.

Ulfric stepped into view, staring down at her with disdain, "When will you learn that we don't want your kind here." At his final word, he brought his boot down onto her tail.

A tortured wail and hiss escaped her and echoed in the chamber. "You motherfu–"

A boot came down on her throat, cutting off her supply of air.

"I should have killed you long ago. You lost your purpose after Alduin had been dealt with. That was the time that we should have put you down like the cat you are." Ulfric held his hand out to the guard beside him. He glared down at her as the blade was placed in his hand. "I would give you a chance at your last words… but we both know how that might go."

The Nord towered over her as she gasped in a few quick breaths. This isn't how she wanted to go. I knew I wouldn't have much of a future after Alduin. There are so many people I wish I could have said goodbye to: Lydia, Brynjolf, Vex, J'zargo, Ri'saad, Ma'dran, Ahkari… Kharjo.

Ulfric raised the sword high over his head.

The cold bit at Kharjo's face, his fur blowing back and forth but he never noticed. He had tried several times to bargain with the guards to let him in, to no avail. It was hard to tell how much time had passed but no matter what, it had been too long. She may be the dragonborn but she wasn't invincible, and he was pretty sure that she couldn't fight her way out.

He started to plan an escape route for them if she did manage to pull off a miracle. He would insist that they go back to one of her homes and regroup before taking part in anything else. Whiterun would probably be the better place for her but I don't know the way there. She can lead the way as long as she… makes it out alright, he forced himself to think those last thoughts. If… if not… he rubbed his forehead and took a heavy sigh. He didn't want to think this way. As a warrior, he was trained to look at things logically, but he couldn't when it came to her.

Time seemed to drag on and on, until a loud boom sounded from inside the walls. The ground seemed to vibrate ever so slightly and he heard shouts and screams erupting from Windhelm. The guards at the gate looked at each other then at the doors, debating whether or not to leave their post. Long moments seemed to drag by then another loud rumble sounded and seemed to pierce the skies. Everything went silent save for a few small shouts of men inside.

Kharjo felt his heart beating ever faster, pounding against his chest like it would break through any moment. This was it. That was Neri on the only side, fighting to free herself. He was sure of it. Grasping the handle of his sword, he marched forward, determined to get into the city one way or another. The guards weren't even looking at him, it would be so easy.

He brought the steel down across the back of one guard who screamed out in agony. The other man turned on Kharjo, but drew his sword too late and soon he was sprawled on the stone walkway, his blood filling the cracks between the stones.

Sheathing his blade, he rushed forward, pushing and pulling on the doors. They wouldn't budge. They were barred from the inside. Kharjo roared his fury as he pounded against the heavy doors. He had to help her. He had to get to her.

A great gust of wind blew across the bridge, knocking Kharjo off his feet and into the doors. His shoulder ached from the force of his collision but he managed to stand, shaking off the pain, and looked up for the sudden change in weather. Instead of finding large storm clouds or the rarely seen funnel of winds, he saw something much more common in Skyrim: a dragon.

The dragon landed on the wall and wrapped his head around to stare down at Kharjo, looking into his very soul. He was a grand beast, his red scales glistening in the sun like freshly spilled blood. His look made more menacing and fearsome because of the rows of spikes down his back and horns jutting from his skull. Kharjo grasped his sword and raised it in defense. The dragon only turned to face the souls inside Windhelm, ignoring the little threat Kharjo possessed.

Rearing his head back, the dragon arched his neck forward releasing a grand column of flame into the city. Screams rang out over the walls as fire rained down upon them. Arrows were fired at the beast, most just glancing off his battle-worn scales.

Kharjo stood in awe of the dragon before him. He had drawn his weapon to the beast, yet it had still just looked at him and turned away. Why would the dragon even be here in the first place? Of course he knew that dragons came close to cities, his travels alone had proven that, but he had never heard of one attacking inside city walls. And what was happening to Neri? Surely she wouldn't feel obligated to dispatch the dragon before making her escape, would she?

His thoughts were cut short as he heard the scraping of the bar being lifted off the doors.

Ulfric raised the sword high over his head.

Neri closed her eyes, not wanting to believe that this would be the end.

No. This is not how she wanted to die. I may not have the right to die of old age but I will not let Ulfric have the satisfaction of taking my life.

Squirming beneath their boots, she managed to knock one shoulder free and threw some of the others off balance. Managing to dislodge the boot on her neck ever so slightly, she gasped for breath and, placing every ounce of her being into it, released her shout.

"FUS RO DAH!"

Men were scattered in all directions, some being thrown back against the walls. Furniture had moved and the walls shook from the force. She sucked in the air and staggered to her feet, stumbling into a run for the doors. In her scramble to leave, she didn't bother to look at the men or to see if any had died from the shout alone; as long as she could make it outside, she would have a chance.

The sound of the doors being slammed open echoed through the city. All of the citizens stood frozen in place as they stared up at the palace and at her. Tightening her grip on the crown in her hand, she felt her claws scrape into her palm at the force. She could hear moans and shouts from behind her as she charged into the courtyard.

Guards at the gate left their post, rushing her with their swords drawn. She drew her dagger tighter but knew that she was in no shape to fight them. Her muscles screamed in pain and her throat burned at the recent use of the Thu'um. Veering off to the side, she jumped onto the side of Candlehearth Hall and hoisted herself up. Every movement caused an aching in her bones but she pushed through, forcing herself to reach the roof. She looked down at the men in their heavy armor struggle to climb up. Of course she couldn't stay up there forever but that wasn't her plan.

More men poured out from the palace and she saw Ulfric leaning against a wall, glowering up at her. Without looking, she knew that they men were getting closer to her; some were bringing reinforced ladders, capable of holding the weight of a man wearing armor. Her throat still burned but she couldn't wait any longer. Leaning her head back she mustered up as much of her strength as she could behind the shout.

"OD AH VIING!"

Collapsing onto the thatched roof, she took a shaky breath; the icy air burning like fire in her lungs. Neri could hear her call travel for miles around her; she only hoped that he would hear it. Clutching her dagger, she raised an unsteady hand, her entire body shaking from exhaustion and pain. She prayed to any gods who were listening that they let him fly on swift wings.

Two ladders rattled against the side of the building on either side of Neri. This was it. At least she would die fighting. The creak of the first step seemed to echo through her skull.

A large gust of wind blew at the side of her face and, without looking up, she knew what had caused it. All movement around her seemed to stop at the sound of the beast landing upon the wall. A smile crept across her face, I have a chance. With hope welling inside her chest, she glanced up at the dragon, Odahviing. He seemed to be looking at something, or someone, on the other side of the wall, but soon he brought his attention to the beings on the ground before him. Taking in a deep breath, he spewed fire onto the ground before him. Guards and civilians alike scattered in all directions, trying to escape the blaze.

Crawling to the edge of the building, Neri lowered herself to the ground. Her legs gave out from under her but she pushed forward, the last bits of her adrenaline fueling her escape.

There were no guards at the door, only chaos reigned now. Stowing her dagger, she pushed up on the heavy bar that locked the doors in place, but she couldn't budge it. Normally it would have been an easy task for her, but now her strength failed her, spent from the fighting, pain, and exhaustion. Her muscles felt like pudding and her legs were as unstable as a newborn fawn.

She closed her eyes and leaned against the doors continuing in her failed struggle to lift the bar. Relief flooded her when it moved but when she opened her eyes the bar was nowhere in sight. Hearing movement to her left, she looked over. The young man next to her threw the bar aside and looked at her with a small smile across his lips.

"Einar," she whispered.

"Just go. He never deserved your help. I am sorry I couldn't warn you, I had no idea."

"Come with me. He will kill you if he finds out you helped me."

Taking a glance at the bodies burning behind them, there wasn't a living soul in sight, all of them running for cover from the dragon that roared above. "I'll be fine. Just go."

"Thank you," her voice cracked as she spoke those words, half from the overuse and pain in her throat, the other cause being that a Nord, practically a stranger, was helping her escape, with the probable cost of his own life.

Kharjo stared at the doors with his blade held ready. He couldn't be sure if it was friend of foe; if it were Neri, finally coming back to him, or a guard escaping the devastation that ran rampant through the courtyard. The dragon above him let out a mighty roar and crunched his way along the wall causing several large chunks to break off and fall into the river below. It was absolutely terrifying and mesmerizing, all at the same time.

The door began to creak open, calling his attention and causing his muscles to tense, ready for a fight. He dropped his sword, not even bothering to sheathe it, as she fell through the opening just big enough for her body. Catching her gently in his arms, he stared down at her, relief flooding through him. She stirred slightly, moaning and growling at the pain.

"Neri! I knew you would make it out!" he exclaimed pulling her upright.

She gripped his shoulder with her free hand to steady herself and lifted her head to look up into those welcomed blue eyes. "Kharjo? What are you doing here?"

"Waiting for you. Now come on, let's go," he pulled her arm around his shoulders and practically carried her away from the disorder behind them.

"The caravan needs to leave. Ulfric betrayed me," was all she could get out before she started going completely limp.

He leaned with her as she began to drop. Swinging his arm under her knees, he cradled her against him as he ran for the stables. "Neri, please, stay with me." He glanced down at her but her head was rolled back against his arm, bobbing with his movements.

Setting her down gently, he rushed through the stables trying to find the horse she arrived on. Passing one of the stalls he heard a whimpering from a man hiding in the hay he had often seen on the wagon. Thanking the gods above that the horse was still bridled, he pulled the mare out of her stall.

Moving over to Neri he shook her lightly, "Please, I need you to wake up." Her eyes had cracked open ever so slightly, but he knew that she wasn't back for long. Pulling her to her feet, he struggled with her and the horse. He gritted his teeth in frustration at the lack of cooperation for the four-legged beast until he finally got Neri and himself astride the animal. Wrapping an arm around the frail Khajiit leaning against him, he noticed that she was still holding that damned crown.

Shouts were now coming from Windhelm but they were no longer directed at the dragon. Looking across the landscape to the gate, he saw figures running down the bridge towards them, smoking rising from the burning city. The dragon was nowhere to be seen.

Pulling the reins to the side, he spurred the horse to a gallop, clutching Neri protectively to his chest.