Chapter 9 — The Black Dragon
— A Dragon's Game —
I wake up with a huge headache, because I'm being shaken around. I blink and raise my head from… a wooden something?
I look up. I'm in a wooden cart, with my hands bound in front of me. Opposite of me is a blond nord in stormcloak armor, and next to him a nord with short, brown hair in rags. To my right is another blond nord, this one also gagged, and wearing more expensive armor.
Around us are imperials on horses.
The stormcloak opposite of me speaks. "Hey you. You're finally awake."
"What's happened? I just remember going to sleep…"
"I don't know the details, but I know they just picked you up, and dropped you in here with us. So now we're in trouble together."
"So… You're stormcloaks, right? Prisoners of War?"
I see a wince on the man's face. "I hope so, lad. Right next to you is Ulfric, the true High King of Skyrim."
I look to my right. The gagged man in more expensive armor…
He's definitely got some silver in his hair near his temples, but it's clear he's still strong. In his eyes, I see a sort of… resignation.
The eyes of a man who believes he won't see another sunset, and while not happy about it, too cynical to believe in a miracle.
I look to the man opposite me. "You think they will just execute you?"
"I think they'll execute us." He answers. Then his gaze softens. "I'm Ralof, from Riverwood."
I take stock of my surroundings. There's definitely too many Imperials to fight. I'm certain I can inventory by bindings, but there're soldiers and mages around.
I don't think I can run. My best chance is to explain myself and try to talk myself out of trouble.
Charisma is my highest stat after all.
Ralof looks expectant.
"J'samma, adventurer." I look around. We're close to Helgen, coming up on the eastern gate. "And I haven't given up yet."
Ralof nods. "You'd have done well in this land." He looks to his left. "And who're you?"
"Lokir."
"What d'you do for a living?" I ask more to distract myself than out of interest.
"Ah, what's it matter… I'm a thief. I stole a horse, was planning to go to Hammerfell to get some honest work."
"Where from?" Ralof asks.
"Why do you care?"
"Because a Nord's last thoughts should be of home."
"R-Rorikstead. I'm from Rorikstead."
An uncomfortable silence falls, as I try to think up a way to escape. All ideas fail because I can't think of a way to get past the Imperial escort all around us.
We ride through the gate, and I hear an Imperial report to his superior.
"General Tullius sir! The Headsman is waiting!"
"Good, let's get this over with." A gruff voice replies.
Next to Ralof, the thief suddenly starts becoming very religious.
We pass General Tullius, an older Redguard, while he's talking with a few high elves in the uniform of the Thalmor.
I can't help but think of Dibella myself. Would she really bless me and then leave me to die little more than a week afterwards?
Or would she just not know that I would die this soon? It's just stupid bad luck after all. I can probably ask her myself in a bit…
"Funny." Ralof says to no one in particular. "When I was a boy, imperial walls and towers always made me feel so safe."
We enter an open area, containing a chopping block and an executioner. We stop next to one of the walls.
"Why are we stopping?" Lokir calls panicked.
"Why do you think?" Ralof responds. "End of the line."
I tune the thief's protests out, as they line us up and call our names.
"Ralof of Riverwood. Ulfric Stormcloak. Lokir of Rorikstead."
"No! I'm not a rebel! You can't do this!"
His hands still bound, Lokir makes a run for it. I can't do anything but watch as he gets shot in the back with two arrows. A soldier walks up to him, as he's still alive, and ends his suffering.
Moron. Even if the archers hadn't gotten you, the mages would have.
I could summon an Atronach as a distraction. Didn't Festus mention that idea once?
"Give them their last rights." The female Imperial Officer says. Her armors looks a lot thicker and heavier than that of most others.
A woman in priestly robes steps forwards.
"As we command your souls to Aetherius, blessings of the eight divines upon you…"
"Hey lady!" I call. "I'm already an agent of Dibella. Why don't you tell these morons here that that means they can't kill me when I'm innocent?"
The priest stammers in her speech, clearly off balance. I see a spark of recognition in her eyes. She takes a step back.
"Shut up, and lets get this over with." One of the stormcloaks steps forward. I have no idea about his name, but he might just have stopped me from talking my way out of this.
I can't help but think he deserved it as he kneels at the block without visible hesitation.
"Come on, I haven't got all morning." He taunts the headsman.
The headsman is silent, and instead just raises his axe.
It comes down with a sickening crack, and the stormcloak's head rolls off into the basket.
"Next, the uppity cat!" The Officer calls.
Molag fucking Bal take the bitch to oblivion. When I make no step, an imperial steps up from behind me, and I have no choice but to act now, no matter how slight my chance of success.
I Inventory my bindings and launch a lightning bolt at the soldier behind me. I take off running away from the group, but put a flame atronach right next to the archers who shot Lokir. Try to aim under her attention, assholes.
I have at least some magical resistances, so I might be able to take a few hits from the mages…
A soldier runs at me. I shock him with a lightning bolt, twice, but he grabs me by the legs and I trip, face first on the ground.
Before I know what's happening, I'm face first on the ground and there're two imperial soldiers on my back.
The one I shocked is taken into a building, and rougher than technically necessary, I'm forced to the block, my arms held behind my back painfully as I'm pushed to the block no matter how much I struggle.
A knee gets pushed in my back, as they hold me down onto the block, forcing my head to the side of the headsman.
In the distance, I hear an imperial archer shouting. "What in oblivion is that?"
I'm forced to look the headsman in the eye as he lifts his axe above his head, looking down at me. The sun is right above his head from my point of view.
Then a dark shadow passes before it.
A huge black dragon lands on top of the tower, and the world shakes. The headsman falls down. The dragon raises its head to the sky, and I hear words that I cannot comprehend.
The clouds churn, and fireballs rain from the sky.
"Dragon!" I dimly hear a shout. I'm suddenly released, one of the imperials holding me down falling over while on fire. I get out from under him. The other gets away, taking out his bow to shoot at the dragon.
"Come on, J'samma! The gods won't give us another chance!"
I recognize Ralof's voice. He's behind me, heading into a tower with a few other stormcloaks.
I jump to my feet and run after him.
— A Dragon's Game —
Entering the tower, I notice some stormcloaks cutting each other's hands free. They got their hands on a few swords and axes.
"Jarl Ulfric! Could the legends be true?" I hear a panicked Ralof ask.
Looking around, I see most of them are on the edge of panic.
But Ulfric stands strong, his back straight. A beacon of clarity for his men to rally around.
Whether or not you agree with his rebellion, the man's a leader.
"Legends don't burn down villages." He answers, then turns his head to me. "You with us?"
"I don't care about your war, but as long as we're under direct threat here, I'll fight with you and your men. I'm a mage. I know the school of Destruction to a moderate amount, very little conjuration, and I can heal the wounded."
"I'm glad to have you with us. Up through the tower, find a way out!" I can't help but agree with him. How high IS that man's Charisma attribute?
We all travel up the tower combined, but just when the first reaches the first floor, the wall bursts inwards, and dragonfire floods the front half of our group. I take two quick steps back.
Only one stormcloak survives with burns. The others that got hit are dead. I spend a few seconds healing the man, while Ralof scouts out the hole made by the black dragon.
"The Inn on the other side. We can jump to the first floor." He reports.
The man I healed stands up. "Any hostiles in sight?"
"No, it seems they're all gone towards the dragon. I'll jump first. Then the mage, Jarl Ulfric, and then Gunjar."
"Good plan, go!" Ulfric answers him.
Ralof takes a running start and jumps out of the hole. I look, crouch, and jump after him, landing lightly on my feet. It's only a short way down.
We spread out slightly, making room for the others. Two thumps on the wood later, we go for the ground floor.
Just as we exit the structure, we see the same Imperial who read the lists before us.
"Stand back!" He calls. With his off-hand, he pushes a boy behind him. "Stay behind me, Haming." He looks to us. "Where are you going!"
"We're escaping, Hadvar. You can't stop us." Ralof answers.
"I won't let you!"
"Take the boy and leave, soldier." Ulfric says. "Don't risk the lives of innocents."
Hadvar looks back at the obviously terrified child. "Fine! I hope that dragon takes you all to Sovngarde!"
He backs off towards a gate where other imperials are gathering to fight the dragon. Ralof leads us towards a keep.
"I once heard there's a secret exit from the keep. We may be able to make our way out without too much fanfare."
"That's a high risk, Ralof." Ulfric sighs. "But I don't have a better idea either."
We turn two more corners, and the four of us enter the keep. It looks like we're in the barracks — there're several chests and beds, all neatly made, showing discipline.
When we pass into the next chamber, however, we're attack by three imperials. I recognize the middle one — it's the officer who sent me to the block first.
The three stormcloaks engage them, but I jump sideways. I shock all three of them with a lightning bolt. Their spasms stop them from defending themselves, and the stormcloaks easily take advantage of the openings I give them. I can't help but feel satisfied when I see Ulfric run the bitch through.
A door and two corridors later, we enter what looks like a torture room. There are no living victims currently, but that doesn't stop the stormcloaks from violently showing their disapproval.
At the left is a cage with what looks like a dead mage inside.
I kneel down, and pry open the lock. The mage's outfit is basic… but enchanted.
Novice Mage Hood: A basic hood for mages. Increases Mana by 50.
Novice Mage Robes: A basic set of robes for mages. Increases Mana Regeneration by 5.
I suddenly realize that so far, I've only fought bandits, and never actually sought out other mages. Nor have I looked to acquire typical mage gear. And these enchantments look… useful.
I quickly equip them and turn to the others.
Ralof looks at me with an eyebrow raised. "How d'you put them on so fast?"
I shrug. "Just a cantrip. But this isn't the time."
"Right, lets get going."
While we are far enough away from the surface to not have to fear a dragon crashing through the structure, we still hear some distant sounds and impacts. Sometimes there's a bit of dust shaken off the ceilings.
However, as we go deeper, even those fade out.
Next door we open, we come into what looks like a natural cave, even if it has been built in.
What's less great is that there're ten Imperials, and some of them have bows.
The path curves around an open spot, but it's about a man deep, so going through against their archers won't be effective. However, it lets me cast spells their way, so I throw a Fireball their way, along with an Ice Storm to slow down their melee warriors before my comrades will have to face them.
There must have been some oil or something around there, because the entire area on their side of the room seems to ignite from my fireball. I catch two archers and work the third with lightning bolts.
"Force B̸͈͌ă̷͉̄ͅl̴̻͇͘ȁ̵̠͇̚n̸̢͂c̸̭̍e̵̜̖̾ ̶̞̐P̴̠̎͑ü̶̥͍̏s̸̽̔͜h̵͎̎̕" Fus Ro Dah
I hear a sound of thunder behind me. A quick glance shows several imperials flying through the air, away from Ulfric. He and his soldiers fall upon the enemy, killing several before they regroup.
The third enemy archer falls, which means I can concentrate on the last one.
I lean on the railing when the last imperial soldier falls.
Wow, between me and Ulfric as force multipliers, we're seriously effective.
Gunjar, though… before I managed to take out all four archers, he caught an arrow in the throat. I didn't even notice in the heat of the fight, but he's already dead. Nothing I can do anymore.
Ulfric and Ralof seem unharmed, so I pull the arrow from my left shoulder and heal myself.
"We will meet in Sovngarde, brother." Ulfric speaks softly as he closes the eyes of our casualty. Then he stands up. "Come on, we should hurry."
After the next corridor and a drawbridge, we're left walking downstream over an underground river. It seems Skyrim has quite a lot of caves running underground. Perhaps because it's such a mountainous country?
Eh, I don't really know anything about that, so I should put it out of my head.
But it seems we fought our last imperial. We have to take out a group of five Frostbite Spiders and a bear, but then we see daylight, and before long we stand under the open air once again.
"We're out." I take a moment to realize I was the one to say it.
The others look at me, but before they can speak, we hear a loud roar. We collectively press ourselves to the stone of the entrance, ready to run in again.
The black dragon passes overhead, and flies out of sight.
"Free again." Ralof says.
"But our cause is more important than ever. No longer just the Empire and the Thalmor, we now also have to defend Skyrim from dragons." Ulfric speaks. Then he turns to me. "Are you sure you won't join us? You're young and inexperienced, but you're very promising. We could help you nurture your strength, and you could help us work towards a free Skyrim."
While tempting, something inside me doesn't want to serve under anyone.
"I feel flattered by the personal invitation from you, but I have to refuse. I'm afraid I have some of my own business to attend to."
"Very well. But if you ever change your mind, please come find me in Windhelm." He looks at me for a moment, then downhill towards Lake Ilinalta. "I have a favor to ask of you, J'samma. Would you go to Riverwood, about a day and a half in that direction, and warn them about the dragon? The guards will need to know. And if you can, visit Jarl Balgruuf. He is a good man who cares for his people. If you report to him what you've seen, it may help him protect them."
"I thank you."
He turns to his remaining soldier. "Come, Ralof. We have a long trek to make. J'samma, fare thee well."
"Farewell, Jarl Ulfric." I answer. "And may the nine be with you in your fight."
Gained 20 reputation with the Stormcloaks for escaping Helgen with them.
Gained 15 reputation with Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak for fighting alongside him, supporting his fight, and acknowledging Talos as one of the Divines.
Gained 20 reputation with Ralof for fighting alongside him.
— A Dragon's Game —
