Sorry for the short chapter and the delayed update. I'm working on four stories at once.
To Protect My Family
It was unclear to Rivaine what had startled her awake. All she knew was that she had sat bolt upright in the small bed and was straining to hear any sounds. Then the screech echoed even through the walls. She gnashed her teeth even as she flung the blankets from her body. The night dress she was wearing did little for her in terms of armor, but she didn't have the time to go searching. Snatching Dragon bane and her Ebony bow from their place of honor next to her bedside she ran out the front of the quickly growing manor.
Sure enough, bearing down on her land was an enormous elder dragon. Raya and Lydia were already outside sending arrows into the belly of the beast as it circled above them. It wasn't enough.
"JOOR ZAH FRUL!" The words erupted from her mouth, eased with practice and frequency of their use. The mighty beast cauht it full on and, though it struggled, was made to land. Rivaine was ready and on it instantly. Dragonrend was a temporary shout. Her time was limited and if she didn't finish the worm now, then it'd soar up and possibly away. She wouldn't let that happen.
She couldn't.
Glassy eyes stared up at her, still frozen in shock and fear.
No. Nononononononononono. Red clouded her vision. Her arm was hacking away at something and she could feel more resistance. She registered a dull clanging noise as well.
She couldn't hear the snap, but she felt it.
"My thane?" The hesitant question sounded so very far off.
Screams echoed from the village...
She felt something warm envelop her. Her stabbing persisted, tears welling in her eyes.
Fire, burning huts, despairing cries. "Mama! Mama! Mama!"
"Mila!" Someone was screaming. Someone was screaming very close to her ear. Someone had her wrist. She struggled. Someone had wrenched Dragonbane from her fist. The weight of her bow was gone as well. The red mist prickling her vision ebbed. A pearly whits skull of a dragon winked at her, chipped in places where her blade had insistantly hacked away at it. Lydia was restraining her. Rayya was holding Dragonbane limply in one hand, her mouth slightly agape and her eyes riddled with concern. The srceaming, who was screaming. It took a moment for Rivaine to realize she was screaming.
She stopped, the haze fading from her mind. She went limp in Lydia's arms and her housecarl-turned-steward realeased her. She flopped uselessly to the ground, panting heavily while the two women hovered over her. Rayya offered her weapons to her. She took them, cradling them carefully to her chest. She didn't look at either of them as she tied Dragonbane in place at her hip. Her bow she continued to hold. She could feel the frightened gaze of her companions at her back. Slowly she rose.
"I...shall be in the cellar. Training. No distractions." Rivaine walked away.
Vilkas stared at the griseled old man. He was loud and unruly, but never once said a vulgar thing about Aela, like he thought the old man would. Instead he complimented her archery and boasted about his daughters skills. He spun tales as they walked, sang bard songs and boasted his strength and battles. Farkas and Aela warmed to him as they walked, joining him in his songs as they walked. He would have made a fine member of the companions.
As for Vilkas, well, what could one say when one had shoved a sword in his father in laws face?