Mychael
The group kept on through the snow, journey in the Pale went slower than any other places in Skyrim. The snow would constantly wear you down and make you tired quickly, and the cold was treacherous. If it was not for the occasional traveler, they probably would not even know where they were going.
The worst part had been Jarl Balgruuf; he was in no fit condition to be wandering the cold wilds of Skyrim. He is too use to the comfort of Dragonsreach. Mychael thought, and he knew it was true. He would often be in the back, panting and breathing heavily, one time Irileth had to help him walk. It had been a sight that no Jarl would want to be seen in.
Every night they camped, Mychael noticed that there was smoke that would often rise in the distance. It was a small amount of smoke, perhaps another traveler was abroad, or maybe the two queer folk they had met not that long ago.
Mychael still remembered the two, the man looked dangerous. And the woman, well…she was very beautiful, Mychael had admitted that to himself. But something had been odd about her as well, Mychael could not pin point it out, but the two seemed luck a very weird type of people. They probably came from Falkreath, everyone from there were weird people.
It had been midday when they stopped to rest. Aela the Huntress had been leading them, due to her ability to track through the wilds successfully. Mychael had begun to converse with the Companions more and more as the time went on, he felt very comfortable around them. Specifically Aela, Vilkas, and Athis; they had spoken to each other often during these troubled times.
They stayed for an hour before setting out again, their energy renewed. They couldn't be more than fifteen minutes from Morthal if Mychael remembered correctly. He had been there once, an odd little town, but it served well enough. Mychael only hoped they could get to Solitude soon, to safety.
"Stop!" Aela shouted out, and everyone did as she said, even the Jarl of Whiterun obeyed the Huntress' command.
"What do you see?" Farkas asked.
"There is a camp not far ahead, look!" Aela said, and Farkas made his way forward to the bush that Aela was crouching behind. Mychael watched him look through the plant.
"See?" Aela said, "A camp of Legionnaires; looks like they just got here, too!"
Mychael himself went forward to see it, and he too saw a large camp in the distance. He could see the tents from here; it would only take around five minutes to get there. So the group moved fast, Aela sprinting in the lead, Mychael followed close behind, as did Farkas, and the rest of the group. The snow tried to hold them back, but they ran through the snow, the prospect of a warm fire and other people gave them new energy to pursue the Legion camp.
When they eventually made their way down the hill, the group found themselves approaching a very open Legion military camp. Soldiers ran their errands and did their duties without giving Mychael and the rest a slight glance. The battle-maidens took care of the injured, and the smiths tempered blades and forged new ones.
The farther they went into the camp, the more people began to notice them. And it seemed as if a few recognized the Companions, perhaps a few of the soldiers had signed them up for jobs one time.
It had taken a few minutes of slow walking for the Legate of the camp to emerge from his command tent. He looked burdened in his heavy Imperial armor, he had a small beard, and head was shaven. He approached the group quickly, a smile upon his face.
"My Jarl, it is a good day indeed to hear that you survived the massacre at Whiterun." The Legate said.
"Indeed," Jarl Balgruuf spoke up, "And who might you be, friend?"
"Legate Hrollod, General Tullius charged me with seeing to it that the Pale is protected until he takes Whiterun." The soldier replied, "And I see the Companions are with you as well, it is good to know that the greatest band of warriors in Skyrim still lives. Is there anything I can provide you with?"
"Perhaps," Aela said, "We seek refuge to Solitude."
"Aye, I can give you that." Legate Hrollod said, "Although, we are short on men; I would have to ask that the Legionnaires that are here must stay."
He is going to make me stay. Mychael thought, he understood the Legate's reasoning. He needed more men if he was to hold the Pale, but Mychael had gone through enough fighting, he just wanted to get to Solitude and out of this cold.
"You want my men?" Jarl Balgruuf asked.
"I need more men if am to protect the Pale, don't worry, I will put them to good use." Legate Hrollod replied.
Mychael shot a look at Balgruuf, but the Jarl did nothing but sigh. "I understand, you can have the men; but make sure they come back to me when you are done with them."
Mychael, along with the three or so soldiers that had come with them from Whiterun took a few steps forward. "I have some horses for you; they will take you all the way to Solitude. As for the rest of you, come with me."
Mychael looked to the Companions, then to Balgruuf. He had gone with them to seek refuge in Solitude, but now he was being dragged to fight the creatures he was trying to escape from. Mychael saw as Aela gave him a wave goodbye, and Vilkas did the same, until they went to their horses.
Legate Hrollod still stood in front of the soldiers, "So, you folk are from Whiterun? Perhaps you should follow me then."
The Legate led them through the camp, Mychael searched for the Companions, but he could not find them. Mychael accepted the fact that they were probably getting ready to leave without him. He wished he could go to Solitude as well, but that did not seem possible.
"We found some survivors from the massacre at Whiterun Hold; we kept them here until they were ready to leave. Perhaps one of you knows some of these people." Legate Hrollod said as they approached a large tent. Mychael opened the flap.
Inside were four people, survivors from Whiterun. Mychael knew them all. The first one was Nazeem, a Redguard, who although claims he is rich and spends his time with the Jarl al day; is never seen in Dragonsreach and does not even own a house to call his own. He did not look happy to see Mychael.
Second had been Jon Battle-Born, in his iron armor. Mychael had spoken to him a few times and knew that he was a decent fellow. His blade was sheathed, and he did not say anything either.
The third person Mychael did not know, she was a woman clad in steel armor. Her hair was dark brown and long. She had a blade, although it was sheathed. And set down on the floor was a steel shield that Mychael assumed was hers. Mychael though that he had seen her at Dragonsreach a few times, though he was not completely sure.
The fourth survivor was someone that Mychael was finally glad to see. A woman, very pretty by Mychael's standards stood up. She was a Nord, and her skin was light. Her hair was not too long, but it was not short either, its color was brown. And the woman looked at him and said, "Mychael?"
"Ysolda?" Mychael asked, he had known Ysolda for a very long time. They had been friends for a while, and eventually become more than friends as well. Though that did not last long, Mychael had not spoken to her in some time as well.
"I see you two know each other, I will leave you folks to speak, come to me when you are done." Legate Hrollod said, leaving Mychael with the four survivors.
"How did you make it out of Whiterun?" Mychael asked.
"Lydia helped us escape." Ysolda began, "She found a way out through the sewers, and she kept the Draugr inside the city distracted while we escaped. We had though the Draugr had killed her, but she came down not long after that."
"Well done, Lydia." Mychael said, now knowing her name. "Well, it is good to see that there were other survivors, I only hope that there are more out there somewhere."
"As do I," Jon said, "My family may very well be dead…and Olfina to."
"There is still hope." Mychael said, "If you survived, then there is a chance that more did as well. Keep faith."
"Faith? How can I keep faith in anything after my home was destroyed and my family most likely slaughtered!" Jon Battle-Born said as he left the tent in anger.
Nazeem left to, "I have better things to do all day then listen to you folk talk about your meaningless lives."
Lydia left as well, so soon enough Mychael and Ysolda were alone in the tent. He did not say anything; his mind was filled with a thousand thoughts. Whether the Companions had left yet, if Mychael would have to fight the Draugr, and why Ysolda kept on staring at him.
She walked forward slowly, and gave him a soft hug. "I'm glad you're alive." She said, releasing him very slowly. Mychael responded, "So am I."
"It Looks like I will never get to but the bannered mare from Hulda." Ysolda jested, and Mychael laughed softly.
"Well, you can always open up your own inn someday." Mychael said, "Perhaps in the future, if they rebuild Whiterun; you can open an inn there."
"Maybe, if they rebuild it, assuming that the Draugr are defeated." Ysolda said, "I can't think of anyone who could possibly defeat them. General Tullius doesn't have the men."
"Perhaps the Dragonborn could defeat them." Mychael said.
"Valor?" Ysolda asked, "I haven't seen him since he sold me some of the Sleeping Tree sap a few years ago."
"But perhaps someone could find him." Mychael said, though he did not believe it himself, nobody knew where the Dragonborn had gone. Perhaps he had been killed, or worse.
"I don't think so." Ysolda said, "Unless we-"
Ysolda had been cut off from the sound of screams. Mychael quickly walked outside, and Ysolda followed. He couldn't identify the problem at first, until he saw the arrows soaring through the air. A few landed not that far from Mychael. He took a few steps back as one was about to land right in his chest.
He saw Nazeem run back to the tent not long after, shouting, "The camp is under attack, run! Run-"
He was silenced by an arrow that came upon his head, sending him to the ground below. Ysolda let out a short scream, and Mychael unsheathed his blade as quickly as his body would allow him. How did the soldiers not see this coming? He thought.
The soldiers at the camp scurried to gather their weapons and fight back, but many were brought down by the flurry of arrows that came from the woods. Mychael could not tell what direction they were coming from. He did not waste any time, he grabbed Ysolda's hand firmly and dragged her along as he ran. He saw Lydia not that far off, and shouted her name as he approached her. "How do we get out of here?"
"We have to leave quickly, find a horse and get out of here!" Lydia said, "Find Jon as well!"
Mychael didn't have time to find the Battle-Born, but he would do what he must. "Stay here with Lydia!" Mychael told Ysolda as he ran forward in order to find Jon. He shouted, "Kill them all!" the soldiers listened, though most of them did not get close enough to the trees to pose a threat to the Draugr. Arrows continued to storm the skies and rain down upon the Legionnaires. And still Mychael searched for Jon.
Probably ran to the Bard's College for all I know. Mychael thought, dodging the occasional arrows that would come nearby. If I don't find him soon, I am a dead man.
The soldiers that remained attempted to flee, some did this successfully, while others felt the pain of the ancient Nordic arrows. It was then that Mychael found Jon fleeing the battle; Mychael grabbed his arm and shouted, "Follow me!" Jon did this without question.
Jon followed close behind Mychael as he tried to find his way back to Lydia and Ysolda. It was hard to see where anybody was with all the soldiers fleeing for their lives. Mychael checked every so often to see if Jon was still behind him, which he always was.
Soon enough he came upon Lydia and Ysolda. Lydia stood near a horse and Ysolda just stood there staring at the animal. When Mychael approached with Jon, Lydia sighed with relief, "Good, now we can get out of here!"
"Mychael, Ysolda, get on this horse now!" Lydia shouted, and Mychael did as he was bod. But Ysolda did not, standing there in hesitation. "Come on!" Mychael shouted, holding his hand out, but for an unknown reason she did not move for a few moments. It took a lot of shouting from Mychael and Lydia to get her on the horse.
"We will go find another horse," Lydia said, "You two go, head to Dawnstar; it's only half an hour from here. Jon and I will meet you there!"
Mychael was about to bod Lydia and Jon farewell, but skipped that part when an arrow almost hit his head. He took the reins and rode away from the scene, Ysolda holding on from behind. He looked back only a few times to see the disaster that had happened to the military camp.
Tullius needs to send more men. Mychael thought, if he did not, then the Pale would be lost. It would only be a matter of time before the Draugr made their way to Dawnstar, but Mychael would get there first. He had to get to there first, to warn them.
There it is folks! I really hope you guys liked it!
So just to let you know, I marry Ysolda in every Skyrim character I make since Serana wont marry me…So I had to put her in this story because she is too awesome to not be in it!
Also, this chapter takes place simultaneously with the Battle for Whiterun. So yes, Legate Hrollod's embarrassing defeat at the Pale and the battle at Whiterun take place at the same time!
And now:
ASOIAF quote of the day: "Her own father got this child on her? We are well rid of her, then. I will not suffer such abominations here. This is not King's Landing." –Stannis Baratheon, The rightful king of Westeros, last of the Baratheon brothers, the future slayer of Roose Bolton, Father of Shireen, AND Rhllor's champion.
Ps: I am really bad at Romance, so even the little snippet in this chapter between Mychael and Ysolda was very difficult, so bare with me!