POOF! BZZZZ! *Sportsy appears in tower of smoke* Hey guys another chapter another step for Leira. im surprised im putting these out as fast as I am so yay me! but soon here a lot of projects will be coming up for classes so please forgive me. Stupid Earthly customs requiring us to be "so called well rounded student to survive in the world"...PEH! I SPIT AT YOUR MATHEMATICS WITH ABC'S!

Enjoy...

Chapter 3: The Catacombs

Hadvar.
That was his name. The list man gave me his name as he undid my ropes. He swiftly but gently loosened the bounds then instructed me to find some weapons and armor. I didn't understand why. Weren't we in the clear? Safe from the dragon? Why would we need weapons?
He urgently rushed me to find some. I recovered some imperial armor. It was a gaudy brown leather piece with a red undershirt along with a similar skirt with the same undercoat. I also discovered a leather helmet and placed it on my cap. On the wall were multiple weapons displayed.
I've never wielded anything close to these utensils. I didn't even think you can count a spoon as a weapon.
The sword stuck out to me. It looked much lighter and a sharp glint of light reflected on it from the torches. It caught my attention to say the least. Taking it into my hands it...felt right.
Even though I held this weapon in my hand my thoughts still roared and reminded me, "I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO USE THIS DAMN THING!"
Hadvar was at the opposite end of the underground keep entrance, waiting for me. I walked over and stood before him. He looked me over in my new outfit. "this will have to do. You might feel awkward in these but it will protect you."
He started turning and unlocking the door but before he could I stopped him. "What do I need this armor for? Why the defense?" I asked with as much confidence as I could muster but it still came out shaky.
He turned back around and spoke only one word. "Stormcloaks."

Hadvar was right. The Stormcloaks were everywhere in the catacombs and they were unrelenting. They wouldn't have cared if you surrendered and they would still kill you. Not that you couldn't say the same for the imperials but at least from what I saw the Imperials have some form of consideration towards their comrades. I found myself a shield and Hadvar gave me a bow and a quiver full of arrows. The bow came much more naturally to me but only because of it's simplicity. Once the shield was in my left and my sword on my right I felt much more safer with myself. Simple tactic really, to block then attack, but it seemed to work wonders for me.
Killing was still unsettling to me. Hadvar and the others we saved had to come to my rescue many times because I didn't have the gall to banish my opponents existence. Though when we arrived in a different setting in the catacombs my fear was used as a fuel to kill.
All I must say about this experience is, "I fucking hate spiders...!"
Those damn bugs were huge! But thy didn't stall me from slaughtering the crawly bastards. Disgusting, vile, grotesque, insects. There is no use for them to exist!
After the bigger of the spiders was disposed of, I realized that the others were staring at me in awe. I guess I left an impression. One I had to live up to. Ugh... Way to set the bar Leira.
The tunnels began to shrink and enclose around us. Hadvar and two others were the only survivors from Helgen as well as me. We didn't run into Ralof. I checked every body and he was no where among them. I was kind of relieved. Ralof had manners and honor unlike the past Stormcloaks who didn't hesitate in attacking even though we all were fighting to escape the dragon. I'd hope to meet him again someday maybe to thank him in his ways of collecting calms in stress and getting me to move when i couldn't respond.
Ulfric. That man... I don't know if I should thank him, pity him, or blame him for my situation and getting me in this struggle. He was an enigma to worry about later. Now though I realized light. No light from torches but warm soothing brightness from the sun. The exit was approaching. I could already breathe in the fresh nature air without the raw frigidness of the crisp winter wind.
There were trees again. Except these were not weighed upon with snow. Barely any snow had graced the ground here. Grass was lively and lush swaying to invisible forces.
The other survivors already started making their way to their own paths. Each separating in direction of the unknown. Hadvar had turned to speak but instead tackled me to the ground. With a hard thump my back connected with the ground. I was about to protest but Hadvar silenced me. Overhead of us flew the dragon. He seemed to have become bored and left with evidence of his rampage behind in Helgen.
Hadvar got off of me after but I didn't face him until the blush left my face. Once I turned I realized he was still had a terrified look on him. Did I look the same? Was the horror struck visage on me as well?
"We best get out of here. But you Prisoner I need a favor."
Standing I straightened my spine and prepared myself. This I will accept as my thanks for all his generosity. "I owe you my life. What is it I must do?"
"I'm going to report this to Solitude but there may still be people in need of help of rescuing in Helgen. And Riverwood may be the next target. You must run to Riverwood and inform them of the dragon attack and prepare themselves. Afterwords you must go to Whiterun for aid. Tell Jarl Balgruf to send troops to Riverwood and to Helgen. Can I trust you with this important task Prisoner?"
I frowned at the fact that he still referred to me as Prisoner. "I have a name you know."
He stared a little surprised, then ashamed. "I apologize. There was no reason to forget my formals. Leira can I trust you?"
Smiling now, I answered, "Yes."
He directed me towards Riverwood. We then said our goodbyes and luck wishing. He than said something I'm sure he would be killed for. "Go with Talos' blessing."

Riverwood was not hard to find. I came to it and found Alvor, Hadvar's uncle. To get on his good side I made him some iron daggers. Once I turned to give them to him he was gone. Whirling my head I spotted him talking to Hadvar! I approached the men and entered their conversation.
"Hadvar? I thought you were stationed at Helgen? What in the world happened to you boy?"
"I'll explain everything once we are inside." instructed Hadvar. He glanced at me and smiled.
Alvor noticed. "And who is this dirty but polite woman?" I looked at my appearance. I was dirty. Blood still caked into the leather armor and dirt from tussling around with enemies.
Hadvar showed his disapproval of the term. "She's a friend, uncle."
We entered his uncle's house and we all took a seat. Hadvar did most of the talking, until Alvor asked me what I thought about the Thalmor.
"Who is the Thalmor?"
"You don't know who the Thalmor are? Why they're the whole reason this war started! The Thalmor are a group of people, mainly elves, that threatened the empire to ban the worship of Talos or they would bring about war onto the Empire."
I contemplated this over. The Thalmor. What reason would they have to start this up?
Alvor continued, "So the emperor signed a peace treaty with them and they now roam about Skyrim arresting anyone who they believe worships Talos or does them wrong. Now this doesn't make up for Ulfric starting this other war now."
So that's what Ulfric is fighting for. The freedom of worship.
"Poor Eliseif."
Who?
"Who is Eliseif?"
Alvor and Hadvar quirked an eyebrow at me. Then Hadvar began talking. "Ah I forget you are new to Skyrim. Jarl Eliseif is the high queen of Skyrim. Her husband Jarl Tarryg was murdered by Ulfric Stormcloak because Jarl Tarryg signed a paper allowing the Thalmor into Skyrim. But he did not have to be killed."
I then spoke up. "Well of course. If the Thalmor have enough power to scare the empire then he had no choice in the matter.
It seems to me that the Thalmor are the real enemy."
Alvor looked at me with proud eyes. "That's how we see it as well. But Ulfric dug his own grave after killing Tarryg. Now Skyrim has to fight this war against him. Instead of keeping calm and planning something to overthrow the Thalmor."
After a while of chatting Hadvar pulled me over. "You should sometime go to Solitude and join the legion. They could use someone like you. Especially if you have the same feelings of the Thalmor as we do."
"You really think I should join?"
"Of course, Leira. Your skill was shown to me in those catacombs, and they saved my life. But before you do, you must make your way to Whiterun."
"Right that is what you mentioned before."
"Find Jarl Balgruf. He doesn't exactly have a side in the war. He has in fact evaded the battlefront but I highly doubt he will be able to for long."
I nodded as a response. We shook hands and said goodbye.

I received quite a good load from Riverwood. My armor was stronger and a lot more intimidating. I warned the citizen's of Riverwood of the dragon attack. Once the fright and dread settled they realized the seriousness of my trek. They packed me with some provisions and pointed in the way of Whiterun.