Hadrian
They had fled the burned remainder of Rorikstead without looking back; from what Hadrian saw it seemed as if they were the only survivors.
Luckily they had not run into bandits on the road, nor any wolves or bears or any other type of dangerous wildlife. Although Hadrian wouldn't mind running into a stag or rabbit; they had not brought any food with them, nor water.
Although in the Reach Rivers had been in abundance, they had no flask to keep the liquid in so they had to drink their fill before moving on. They had to get to Markarth, and warn them of this threat.
Hadrian did not know if the Draugr followed them, it did not seem like it, but the Draugr did not move as fast, so if they were following Hadrian would never know.
The innkeeper and his son had been good company, mostly because they did not speak often and let Hadrian lead the way; they had never been to Markarth before, and were not aware of the dangers that inhabited this land.
The mountainous terrain would hold of the Draugr for a while, assuming they were coming this way, if they passed through the mountains, than maybe the Forsworn would keep them at bay for a time, before they became overwhelmed as well; and then the Draugr would march on Markarth. Markarth could be held for a time, but without a wall surrounding the city, as soon as the gate was broken, the city would be lost.
The three had been trekking up the mountains, their feet soon becoming sore; Hadrian had been glad that the innkeeper had not been like other Nords, he did not shun Hadrian because he was a Dark elf.
They had stopped in their tracks when the sun went down and nighttime came upon them; Hadrian had been the only one that knew how to make a fire, a trait you learned when serving the Legion. The others had been thankful, it was warm during the day, but in the Reach it was terribly cold by night, so they all gathered around the fire, and rested for the long day ahead.
When they awoke the next day, they immediately prepared to head towards Markarth. The city was not far away, for Hadrian had visited this land before, they were only around ten minutes away from their destination; Hadrian's stomach growled, and he began to move a little faster.
When they passed the last mountain, Hadrian looked onward and found the bridge leading to the city of stone. Markarth, the safest city in the reach; Hadrian thanked the gods that they did not find any Forsworn along the way; if so, the group would not have lived to get to Markarth.
"Come, follow me." Hadrian told the innkeeper and his son, who followed without question, they had grown to trust Hadrian, and to that he was thankful, it was difficult to find good people in Skyrim these days.
The question of where those Draugr had come from had been in Hadrian's mind since the day they had attacked Rorikstead, he had heard they came from the Nordic Crypts, but there were only a few dozen in Skyrim; and none had such a vast force within them; not even Saarthal, the largest ancient Nordic city in history had housed as many Draugr.
Hadrian, followed by the innkeeper and his son had run down the hill towards the stone bridge, a few guards stood at the base; and as they went down Hadrian greeted them kindly. But they, unlike the innkeeper and his son; did not seem to possess the same tolerance to elves.
Hadrian ignored them, and kept on moving forward; he saw a famer tended by the farmer to his right; picking the leeks he had planted for harvest. Then Hadrian looked to his left and saw a mine, and workers using he smelter; but then he looked forward.
He saw guards preparing barricades and other contraptions, readying ballistae and catapults; trebuchets; and mounted crossbows. He saw guards hauling wagons full of weapons and armor. They are preparing…they already know. Hadrian thought, he had planned to warn the Jarl of the threat, but it seemed as if they knew beforehand.
The guards paid him no mind, keeping track of their daily duties. Hadrian saw as the horses were being given armor; and the war hounds were as well. Perhaps Hadrian had come too late to warn the Jarl now.
Hadrian climbed the stone steps, checking to see if the others were following him; and they always were.
When Hadrian made his way to the top of the steps, the door to the city was just before him; but one of the Markarth guard had stopped him, stepping just in front of him, blocking Hadrian's way, but he kept silent, these Nords were a brutish bunch, and the guards could lock you away even if they started the fight.
"You've picked a bad time to come to Markarth traveler, talk of danger abroad." The guard told him.
"We have witnessed this danger firsthand, I assure you; the Jarl would like to speak with us."
"A filthy Grey-Skin like you isn't fit to speak to the Jarl."
The innkeeper backed up a few paces, and Hadrian pretended that the guard did not just say that. "If you can let us inside; we would be very grateful, we only wish to stay for a few days, and then we will be on our way."
"Be quick about it then, and stay out of trouble."
Hadrian sped past the guard, the other two following, he had ignored the guards comment, but had he not had the power to put him away for life, Hadrian would of punched that man so hard his nose would have bent sideway and he would not have been able to breathe.
He pushed open the stone doors, and revealed the beauty of the city of Markarth.
A stone city purely od Dwemer make; the stone seemed to illuminate as the sunlight hot the solid; there were several levels in the stone city, the first occupied by most of the businesses and market stalls; the second had been dominated by the homes of the citizens. But to the left ran a river, and above it the lowest level of Markarth, where the workers and poor served their masters. Inside Markarth also dwelled a great waterfall that made the city a pleasure to look upon.
Hadrian led the innkeeper and Erik past the array of market stall sand citizens, who seemed very grim; this did not surprise Hadrian, most of these people had never seen a siege before; and it was a scary event.
He made his way from the market to the stone steps leading to the Jarl's keep. A few guards stood on duty, but Hadrian ignored them; he did not wish to have to punch a man on this day, he had to speak with the Jarl.
When Hadrian made his way up the steps and towards the doors leading to the keep; he summoned his strength and opened the door, heading inside.
He saw more guards; and the keep looked like it had been thousands of years old, with crumbled walls and dim lights. More guards stood at the passage way; and Hadrian sped past them, not giving them time to speak to him. He had a duty to speak to the Jarl, nobody would stop him.
He did not know if the others were following him; and he did not look, they were safe for now, and inside one of the greatest cities in Skyrim, he no longer had to watch over them.
He climbed more steps, his legs tiring greatly; but as he climbed he soon finally saw the Jarl of Markarth upon the Mournful Throne. Jarl Igmund, the Lord of Markarth, the city of stone saw Hadrian; and his steward shouted to him.
"You are in the presence of Jarl Igmund of Markarth, Lord of the Reach; and the city of Stone, what is your business here, traveler?"
"My Lord," Hadrian began, "I have noticed that your men are preparing for siege."
"A new threat is coming, and we must prepare." Jarl Igmund said. "Why have you come here, friend?"
"My Lord, we have just come from Rorikstead; a village that was attacked by the Draugr."
"Truly? And you survived, how?" the jarl asked.
"Indeed, I was able to escape; it is because of this that I tell you that you are embarking on a hopeless endeavor; Markarth cannot be held; once the gate is broken, the city will be lost; My Lord."
"We have no other choice traveler, the city must be held."
"No my lord," Hadrian began, "There is still time, lead the citizens out of Markarth, make for Solitude, you will not survive in Markarth."
"My Jarl, if I may," The Steward said, "Markarth is the safest place we can be! If we leave you can be sure that the Forsworn will see to it that we don't make it out of the Reach alive"
"Forgive me, traveler; but Markarth is the safest place we can be, the stone city will not fall; but I admire your concern, we would greatly appreciate it you-"
The Jarl; became silent when a guard from Markarth ran up the steps, panting and shouting, "My Lord!"
"Calm yourself, lad; what is it?"
"At the bridge…the stone bridge…they are here…the Draugr are coming."
Here it is, they are coming! the Draugr are coming for Markarth, the city of stone!
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