Chapter 8: Ahk'Raska

Emily awoke late in the afternoon. Serana was still asleep so she up and dressed quietly. Her throat was dry so she left the room with a small pouch of coin and made for the bar. The man behind the bar was conversing with a young woman who was holding a lute. She was expressing her dismay at her bardic endeavours but the man responded in tones that bordered on affection, asking her to reconsider, praising her musical talent. At last the woman smiled and conceded, agreeing to stay on at the Inn. The man turned when he noticed her and the woman returned to her place by the fire.

"Is there something I can get you?" he asked.

"A pint of ale please," Emily replied, handing him the coin.

He poured her a mug of ale and set it down on the countertop. As Emily sat there, sipping at the ale, she spotted a group of four Khajiit sitting at one of the tables.

"This one still thinks it's a bad idea," said one, a tabby female in steel plated armour, "The pass is treacherous and we would have to pass through that pile of rubble. A perfect place for an ambush if you ask me."

"And I'm not asking you, Nahleena," replied a white spotted male whose appearance reminded Emily of a snow leopard. His tail swished angrily once as he fixed Nahleena with bright blue eyes, "I am telling you."

"But Ra'Thetabe," persisted Nahleena, "It would take us only another day, maybe two, to go around-."

"Not…another…word," hissed Ra'Thetabe, speaking slowly and deliberately. He got up so he was leaning over the table, looking into Nahleena's face, his tail swishing. Another Khajiit, a large male with a mane of dark fur which gave him the appearance of a lion, rested a large hand on Ra'Thetabe's shoulder.

"Enough, Ra'Thetabe," he said in a deep voice that carried easily. The bartender looked up from the mugs he was cleaning. He saw the Khajiit glowering over the table at the other and came hurriedly out from behind the bar, waving his hands.

"Hey, hey, I won't have any fighting in here," he said, "You take that kind of thing outside, you hear?"

"Very well," said Ra'Thetabe after a moment. His tone was civil but his tail still flicked from side to side, "It is time we were on our way anyway."

With that they got up one by one and left the Inn. The bartender wiped at his forehead as the door closed behind the last one and returned to his work.

As night fell they left the Inn. The sky looked to be heavy with snow and they anticipated a blizzard before the night was out. Indeed, the first flakes were already starting to fall before they had even crossed the bridge that led out of Ivarstead. Sofie was wrapped up in some furs she kept in her pack, the same furs she had worn during her expedition into Dimhollow Crypt so long ago.

"Won't you need them?" Sofie had asked as Emily fastened the clasp on the fur cloak.

"I'll be alright," Emily smiled, "I've had time enough to get used to the cold. One time Serana and I flew all the way from Winterhold to Dragon Bridge on that broom of ours. And that was even before…" She stopped herself.

"Before what?" asked Sofie.

"Before…I had time to become properly acclimatised to Skyrim's weather," she replied.

As soon as they had crested the first hill Emily called forth Arvak and lifted Sofie astride his bony back.

"We'd better make haste," she said to Serana as she climbed onto Arvak's back, "The pass could be treacherous if this carries on much longer." Serana nodded and fetched the broom from her pack. Arvak set off at a canter and Serana kept pace with the two riders.

The lanterns that hung from posts at the side of the road swung to and fro under the breeze that was quickly picking up. Already the mountains that made up the pass were hazy, becoming obscured from view. Sofie shivered in spite of the warm furs and huddled closer to Emily.

They came to the crossroads and turned westward. At the crossroads were several large lumps of rock. Unlike those scattered across the birch forest these were evidently manmade, the last remnants of some ancient Nordic fane.

"Sera, do you recall reading anything about any ruins around here?" she asked.

"There was once a village somewhere around here," Serana replied, "Back in the second era, known as Nimalten. I doubt this is anything to do with the village itself but perhaps this is all that remains of the crypt where they buried their dead." Sofie shuddered at the thought.

"In Windhelm they buried the dead in the catacombs beneath the city," she said, "I was always too afraid to go down into the graveyard. I heard tales from the boys in the Stone quarter. About draugr, about dead bodies getting up and walking about and skeletons with bewitched bones that haunted the forest paths."

"I share your sentiment on draugr," Emily replied, "We've come up against them more than once."

"Fortunately," Serana added, "They aren't too bright."

"Where did you come up against draugr?" Sofie asked curiously.

"Ustengrav," Emily replied, "An ancient fane up in the marshes near Morthal. That was the last time either of us saw any draugr."

"What were you doing there?" Sofie asked.

"We're adventurers," Emily replied, "We'd been sent there to recover something. We weren't successful but we had a look around just the same."

"You didn't take anything from there, did you?" Sofie asked.

"No, I didn't think Arngeir, the man who sent us, would approve if we did," Emily replied.

The wind was howling in their ears as they reached the foot of the Haemar Pass. The snow already lay thickly here, the product of many a storm without a thaw in between. They passed by a small shack, barely more than a lean-to. Battered by the elements, it was a wonder it still stood. Out front there was what remained of an alchemy lab and a fenced off area at the back was choked by weeds and thorns.

Serana kept pace with them, occasionally scouting ahead to check around the next bend. The road hair pinned back and forth between great rocky cliffs which reached towards the heavens like the points of some great crown. The ground beneath Arvak's hooves had been worn smooth by numerous travellers but the tightly packed snow made for slow going. Emily spotted, in the gloom of the shadows, a small cave. It's narrow opening was bedecked with sharp-looking icicles which presented a potentially deadly challenge to any who might seek shelter. Sitting just outside it was a crate and a rickety-looking old handcart. The lantern that stood on the crate had long since gone out and the ice collecting at its base had rooted it to the spot. Emily looked up the road and saw that this was merely the halfway point and they had still higher to climb. Ahead of them she saw a shadowy shape pulling steadily away from them. A wagon perhaps.

As she was surveying the area ahead another sound cut through howling wind. It was a distant roar.

"Oh no," she said under her breath as she squinted into the blizzard. Over the top of the pass she saw a ragged black shape in the swirling snow.

"What is it?" asked Sofie as she followed Emily's gaze. Before Emily could reply there came another roar, much closer this time. It cut through the wind, grating against her ears. Then the great black shape dropped out of the sky like a stone, great taloned claws digging into the rocks on the edge of the pass. The shape she had seen ahead of them was suddenly lit up by a tongue of flame and Emily saw several figures silhouetted against burning wood, fleeing like ants from a flooding nest.

"Serana, get Sofie to safety," said Emily as she scrambled out of the saddle, "I'm going to see if I can help those people up there." She pointed to the burning wagon.

"But Emily," Serana protested.

"Please, Sera," Emily persisted, looking into the vampiress' eyes, "There isn't time." Serana looked as though she might say more for a moment. Then she leant forward.

"Be careful," she said as she drew back. Then she took Sofie by the hand and hurried towards the rocks that lined the edge of the road, hoping to find some small alcove or overhang.

Emily took to her heels, sprinting up the road towards the dragon. She saw two silhouettes, distorted by the shimmering heat haze, lunging at the great beast. Its eyes burned like hot coals and its hide was of green scale, great red thorny protrusions covering much of its body. It roared, the echoes shaking the very rocks, before unleashing another tongue of flame. Then its head jabbed forward with the lightning quickness of a snakes, picking up one of the two figures. Emily drew her dagger and she saw the other figure lunge at the dragon, a yowling bellow of rage filling his lungs. Emily joined the fray as the dragon spat out the limp form of the other. Their body, for in its mangled state there was no telling who or what it had once been, dropped into the snow where it made no move.

Her dagger pierced the dragon's comparatively soft underside and she leapt back as it jabbed its sharp head in her direction. The other figure, the large Khajiit she had seen earlier in the tavern, saw his opportunity and brought down his large steel greatsword upon the beast's neck. The dragon reared back, unleashing flame and blood from its open maw. Its snake-like eyes rolled forward, focusing on the two battlers and it lashed its tail against the rock, sending chunks cascading down into the valley below. Emily's eyes widened as she found herself staring into its flaming gorge. She hastily grabbed the arm of her battle companion and yanked him down to her side as she conjured a ward.

The flames licked over and around them, rippling across the surface of the ward and Emily felt pure terror rising within her as she realised the ward was all that kept her from instant death. But as quickly as it flared, the flame extinguished and the dragon was staring coldly at them, the fire dying on its bloodied lips. It lunged once more and Emily and her companion took off in opposite directions. The dragon's head instead butted against the rock and it recoiled. It turned its head to the left in time to see Emily come to a halt on a rock. Once more it opened its mouth and Emily saw her chance.

FO KRAH DIIN

Ice erupted from her mouth, flooding the dragon's sight with a white piercing light. It felt the flame within its body wither and die, its limbs turning numb under the onslaught. Its eyes rolled in its head as it listed to one side, crashing down among the rocks where it fell limp and its eyes, once red with rage, were now dull and lifeless. But the stillness did not last and the Khajiiti man watched as fire erupted anew and he raised his greatsword in readiness lest the beast should rise again. But the fire melted the scales of the monster, leaving it skeletal in form. He watched as the light from its body flowed from it to the woman he now stood before. When the light cleared he approached the stranger.

"What manner of magic was that?" he asked.

"That was the Thu'um," she replied, "We saw the dragon, my partner and I," she gestured over her shoulder, "and I came to help. My partner's over there with our daughter." These words gave the Khajiit pause and he turned away to the body lying in the snow. It was then Emily spotted two more bodies lying in the wreckage of the wagon along with the burnt remains of their horse. The Khajiit dropped to his knees by the still form, his ears flattened against his skull.

"Nahleena," she heard him say in an anguished tone, "My Nahleena." His great hands, large and powerful looking, touched the figure's face, closing the glassy green eyes with unimaginable care and gentleness. Tears leaked from his great amber eyes and slid down over his nose. Emily knelt by him.

"I'm sorry," she said gently, resting one hand on his shoulder.

"She was my mate," he said, "Now she has gone to Llesw'er, to the sands behind the stars. Oh Khenarthi, watch over and guide my Nahleena." Emily bent her head in sombre silence.

Soon after the dragon's demise, Serana and Sofie joined them. Emily got up when she heard their approach and walked quickly to where they stood.

"It's not a pretty sight, Sera," she said, "Three of them were killed before we could slay the dragon. Sofie stood behind Serana, trying to avoid eye contact with the grisly sight that lay before her.

"What will you do now?" Emily asked the Khajiiti man quietly as she turned back to him.

"I don't know," he replied, "My mate has gone, our caravan and all that was in it is destroyed. I have lost everything." Emily looked to Serana. Though they spoke nought their eyes said a great deal.

"If you wish, you could come with us," she offered, "We have a home in Falkreath. You could stay there until you decide."

"That is very kind of you," he replied, "I will bury my fallen comrades. And then I will be glad to join you."

One by one the fallen Khajiit were buried where they lay. The disturbed earth devoid of snow was all that was left to mark their presence. The Khajiiti man made a sign of respect at each grave and then he turned to the three travellers.

"I am ready," he said in a sombre tone. Emily nodded.

They spoke little as they left the Pass, making their way westward into Falkreath Hold. The fight with the dragon had slowed them down so they marked Helgen as their next place of rest. Sofie looked up at the great Khajiit as they walked, seemingly in awe, looking down quickly when he caught her gaze. His greatsword was now slung across his back in a leather scabbard. His attire was exotic, consisting of a cream coloured jerkin and blue jacket, white breeches tied with a sash and worn-looking dark boots.

At last they reached the ruins of Helgen. She recalled their last visit here which had culminated in the deaths of several bandits. The town was now the true definition of a ghost down: lifeless and empty. The Keep still stood and they ventured inside.

Once inside Emily lit a torch and wedged it into one of the brackets. Serana rolled out the bedrolls and Sofie sat down on one, clutching Fang to her chest.

"And who are you, who saved my life?" asked the Khajiit as he fetched several logs for kindling, setting them up in the centre of the stone floor.

"My name's Emily," Emily replied, "And this is Serana, and our daughter, Sofie. Who are you?"

"My name is Ahk'raska," he replied, "I am…" He stopped himself, "Or rather, I was, a caravan guard for Ra'Thetabe. My mate, Nahleena, and I, came here, seeking business opportunities. At first we thought we had found them. We joined a group of traders led by a Khajiit named Ri'Saad, running our trade between Rorikstead and Ivarstead, covering the smaller settlements. I wish now we had taken Nahleena's advice. She might still have been here." He fell silent then and Emily chose not to ask further.

She sat down next to Serana and Sofie.

"He's going to need some time," she said quietly, "We'd better give him some space for now." Serana nodded.

"We'd better get some rest," Emily continued, "We've still got a long way ahead of us."

"Emily?" asked Sofie.

"Yes, kiddo?" Emily replied.

"Please don't go off fighting any more dragons," Sofie said, still gripping Fang tightly, "I don't want to go like father." Emily smiled.

"I can't promise that, Sofie," she said gently, "I've got a family to protect, you and Sera. And I'm not about to let anything happen to either of you."

"Next time though, I'm coming with you," said Serana, resting a hand on Emily's arm.

"And me too," Sofie added, hugging Emily tightly.