My consciousness slowly crept back as the carriage gently rocked back and forth past a stony grey crag. I blinked the stars out of my eyes, head still humming from the blow I'd suffered a few… hours ago? Maybe it was yesterday? Time could be hard to tell in Skyrim; the sky so often was cloudy and grey, I had only seen the sun only once since crossing the border. Now it was no different, looking up I could see nothing but rolling clouds the color of dust.
"Finally awake, huh?",
A Nord man across from me asked. He was tall and muscular, with shoulder length blonde hair and bright blue eyes, a typical look of the people of Skyrim.
"That Imperial must have really done me in, I haven't taken a hit like that since…"
I thought back to the many scuffles I'd seen in my years, most of them resulting in some nasty scars and bruises.
"Hah!", the Nord chuckled, looking me over. "Your'e naught but skin and bones, Argonian. I can only imagine you getting run through in a real scrap!"
Ignoring his insult, I simply feigned a weak smile and finally started to take in our surroundings. Massive grey pines stretched for miles to the left of the path we were carried down, and beyond the trees to our right rose a mountain. It seemed a modest one, given the tales I'd heard of the great Nordic ranges, but certainly nothing to scoff at. Ahead of and behind us, several well armed Imperial soldiers rode barded horses, and one on either side of each carriage. We were in the middle of an Imperial prisoner convoy. Three carts in total full of men and women, mostly Nords, and all in irons. Many of them wore a blue tunic over their leathers and chain mail, with empty sheaths and scabbards at their hips. I wracked my brain, hoping I might recall something about a faction dressed in blue, when my thoughts were interrupted.
"Stormcloaks. That's what we are." The blonde man spoke up again, a grin on his face."Rebels, as the Empire would have you believe, but Talos knows his kin, the true children of Skyrim."
He turned to address the two soldiers driving the carriage,
"Mark my words you Thalmor loving scum, when Ulfberth learns what you've done-"
"What, what'll the old War Bear do?", jested the soldier on the left. "Hah, that old codger couldn't lift his hammer, let alone rescue a bunch of sorry sots like you! Now shut up back there, or do I need to knock your lights out like I did this Argonian here?", gesturing to me.
So, this man driving the cart was the very same one who'd put me down just hours before… I had to think of something. I didn't know where they were taking us, but it couldn't be anywhere good. Even if I'd had a map, I didn't know where I was when they'd captured me. Judging by the number of Imperial soldiers around us, and the dejected faces of the prisoners, we were likely headed for execution. I had no other choice except…
Despite his insult and apparent rebel status, this Nord looked strong, and I'd need all the help I could get breaking free. With some difficulty thanks to the shackles, I waved my hands and muttered an arcane phrase. My ears popped, letting me know I'd succeeded. The blonde Nord glanced back to me, noticing I'd just done something.
"Listen, we haven't got much time", I explained. "I've just cast a silencing spell, they won't be able to hear us for the next minute. You got any ideas on how we might get out of here?"
He seemed momentarily impressed, but the look quickly faded, and he grinned at me again.
"I just might, Argonian. You still don't look like much to me, but feel free to prove me wrong." He glanced around, then swiftly reached behind him and produced a small shiv, only a few inches long, but sharp looking. "You take the one on the left, I'm not one to keep a man from his vengeance. Just give me a nod when you're ready."
We would have to be quick, we'd only have a few seconds before the whole convoy was after us, and they were on horseback. But wait, that could be to our advantage.
"What's beyond those trees to the left? Is there a village down there?" I asked, my plan now relying on his response.
"Yeah, Riverwood, my aunt lives there. Think we can make it?"
His grin told me he would try for it either way.
"Listen, these Imperials are all mounted, they think they can run us down easy. But those pines are pretty dense, I don't think a horse would be any faster than a man in those woods. With a bit of luck, and some help from the gods… yeah, I think we can make it."
I turned to keep the drivers from seeing, and waved my hands again, this time conjuring a glowing dagger, Daedric runes glowing along its blade. Taking one last look at the cart behind us, I nodded to the Nord and we struck.