~ Chapter 1 ~

The Dragon, The Witch, and The Tower

The cart bumped and Luz slowly came back to consciousness.

They were surrounded by mist and tall trees, heading down a steep and narrow road. All around her were men and women dressed in blue cloaks, their hands bound.

"Ah, you're awake."

"Unfortunately," Luz responded, trying to reach up to rub her head, but her hands were tied and it hurt to move too much. Her head ached badly, too. Everything was so fuzzy. "What… happened? Where am I?"

Across from her, the large, blonde Nord leaned in, trying to keep his voice down. "If I'm right - and I'm sure I am - we're heading to Helgen."

Luz squinted at him. "Wait… I remember you."

The man nodded. "Aye, lass. Ralof. I'm sorry to have gotten you into this mess."

"Keep it down back there." The driver of the cart turned around, raising his whip menacingly. "I don't need this for the horse alone, you know."

Luz waited for him to turn back around, then stuck out her tongue.

Ralof leaned forward, his voice low. "You'd come out of the woods. We'd made sure you weren't a spy and then…" he raised his hands. "Ambushed."

"But I'm not a Stormcloak either," Luz whispered back, feeling fear well up in her gut. "I'm not. I'm just… lost..."

"Doesn't matter to them," said another man, crammed in at the end of the cart. "Me, you. We're not with them. We're not with them!" he yelled out to the driver.

"Shut it," the driver snapped over his shoulder.

"We're all kith and kin in binds now, horse-thief," Ralof growled. "Though, you were going after my mare."

"No," the man said, his fire dying a little. "I… I was going for his." He cocked his head at the bound and gagged man next to Luz. "Fine chestnut. Good bridal. Wouldn't have to steal for my keep if these damned Stormcloaks had stayed home. Empire was lazy, barely cared about a missed tax here or there. With you lot running around, I lost everything." He turned his glare to the man beside Luz. "And what about him? Master fancy boots. Why's he gagged?"

"Watch your tongue, horse-thief. That's Ulfic Stormcloak, true High King of Skyrim," Ralof said, puffing out his chest with pride.

Luz looked up at the man.

He was massive, with a mane of dark brown hair and a well-kept beard, both peppered with salt and frozen mist, currently disheveled by a crude gag, his teeth clamped down on it. He grunted at the thief.

"But… you're the leader of the rebellion," he said, panic clearly starting to get the better of him. "By the Eight. What's happening to us?"

Edalyn Clawthorne moved through the gathering crowd, in her best burgundy robe and cloak, careful to keep her hood up. She didn't know what all the fuss was about and didn't much care. But the guards seemed concerned - the Captain had already doubled the watch.

If she wanted out, now was the time.

"Martin," she called, leaving the crowd with a few more septims to her name than when she'd entered it. "Martin! Azura give me strength…"

"Unhand me, wretch!"

Eda sighed. "There he is."

Following the slowly escalating name-calling and higher and higher pitch demands, Eda eventually came up to a pair of Imperial guardsmen and a young, black-haired boy with golden eyes, a golden medallion swaying about his neck.

"Hadvar, Stefan," Eda said, smiling jovially. "Thank you for finding my boy. I've been so worried."

"Morning, Mama Eda," Stefan said, waving back. He wore the full helmet of a Hold guard, so Eda had never seen his face, but he sounded young and eager, and he was very partial to her personal mead brew, Honey Hoot. It had gotten her out of hot water more than once.

But his companion…

"Miss Edalyn," Hadvar said, frowning and tightening his grip on the boy. "I just caught your son trying to steal my coin purse."

"Martin Urieal Clawthorne," Eda admonished, reaching for Martin's ear. "How could you? These guards work so hard to earn all that clinky gold."

"Not so fast, Lady of Owls." Hadvar put himself between Eda and Martin. "I've been meaning to ask you a few questions-"

"Oh, come on Hadvar," Stefan said. "I greeted Mama Eda this morning when she came to town. They've been selling potions and junk-"

"Treasures," Eda corrected him, her saccharine smile slipping.

"- all day in the market."

"It's not the theft," Hadvar said, his voice lowering. "I know all about the pickpocketing, Edalyn. But I'll forget all about it for today."

"If," Eda prompted him.

"If you tell me what you know about The Beast," Hadvar said. "It was seen a few weeks ago, just down the road, on the outskirts of Riverwood. I told my uncle I'd look into it. You live in these woods. You must know something."

Eda pretended to think. "Huh, no. Sorry, Hadvar. I travel a lot. I might have a little cottage over there, overlooking the lake, but something like 'the Beast' would avoid it anyway. You know-" she wiggled her fingers at him. "Spooky magic."

"Then you must tell me what you do know." Hadvar let go of Martin's arm, who immediately ran behind Eda, blowing a raspberry at Hadvar as soon as he was behind her skirts. "There have already been three attacks in the last few months."

"But, no deaths," Eda said, with a wink. "Pretty considerate for a monster, wouldn't you say?"

"No," Hadvar said. "I wouldn't."

"Tribune!"

Hadvar turned and saluted the approaching Captain. "Yes, Captain?"

"The General just arrived with the prisoners. You're to help me account for them and record their deaths."

"At once, Captain." Hadvar made an 'I'm watching you' sign at Eda with his hands, before jogging away.

Eda snorted as she watched Hadvar go. "Lapdog," she muttered. "You can almost see the tail wagging."

"Yeah, la-" Martin started to yell but Eda planted a hand over his mouth "Meh?"

"Let's not antagonize them more than we have to," she said, taking his hand and nodding to Stefan. "Seems like we'll be leaving just in time to miss the ceremonies. How unfortunate."

"Take care," Stefan said, adjusting his sword belt. "Probably not a bad idea really."

As she and Martin headed toward the northern gates where her caravan and horse were tied, a horn blew from the southern gates. Eda turned to watch the two carts, jammed with Stormcloaks, enter the town proper. The crowds that had gathered boo'd or threw old vegetables at them, like the commoners they were.

Eda sighed. She didn't have a stake in this fight, and it was good for business. Everyone needed healing salves, restorative potions, and vitality tonics. Everyone needed a little mead to wash it down or sleep the sleep of the drunk, forgetting the pains and horrors of the war-days.

"Come on, Eda," Martin said, already climbing up into the caravan. "What are you waiting for?"

"Just watching the doomed, kid. You're right though. Come on."

"Doomed?" Martin craned his head to look past her as the witch drew herself up into the caravan. "I want to see doom."

"No, you don't. Wake up, Hooves," she said, snapping the reins gently. "Let's off home."

Luz could feel tears burning her eyes as the carts came to a halt and the prisoners started to get marched off, their names called.

She could see the headman.

The block, with old, black stains.

She wondered if Mami would ever find out what happened to her.

She grasped the small token of Kyne around her neck, trying to get her breathing under control.

"Get these prisoners out of the carts. Now!" An angry-looking woman barked out orders, soldiers moving to keep the townsfolk clear and corral the prisoners toward the block.

Luz had stood with the others but suddenly realized she had no idea how to get off a cart without her hands.

"No, wait!" the thief shouted. "Wait, we aren't rebels. Please!"

"Face your death with some courage thief," Ralof said, shouldering him forward.

"No, you've got to tell them. We weren't with you. Oh, gods…"

"Step toward the block when we call your name. Nice and organized now, one at a time," yelled out the angry woman, pacing like some caged wolf.

Ralof rolled his eyes. "The Empire and their damned lists."

A tall Nord with brown hair and a sad face, cleared his throat and looked at said list. "Ulfric Stormcloak, Jarl of Windhelm."

Luz felt Ralof take her arm, helping her to jump from the cart. "Thanks," she said, feeling the cold mud squelch over her worn shoes.

"Lokir of Rorikstead."

"You can't do this," the thief cried. An Imperial soldier gripped his arm, keeping him steady. "I'm not a rebel! You can't do this!"

"Captain," the Nord said, tapping his quill on the parchment. "He's here, but there's no connection-"

"He's a thief at best," the Captain snapped. "Probably stealing for them. He goes to the block."

"No!" Lokir slammed his head into the face of the soldier holding him, sending him to the ground, blood pouring from his nose. "You're not going to kill me."

He ran, and Luz watched in panicked horror as the Captain just raised a hand. "Archers!"

There was a hiss, and two arrows took Lokir in the back and leg, sending him into the dirt. The archers from up in the tower strung more, waiting for him to get up.

He didn't.

"Anyone else feel like running?" the captain barked, having never taken her eyes from the group of prisoners in front of her. "I've got two arrows for each of you. Next!"

"Ralof… of Riverwood."

"Hadvar," Ralof said, stepping forward. "How's the Legion treating you, cousin?"

Hadvar's face was like stone. "Well enough, traitor."

"I'll see you in Sovengarde then," Ralof said, before he was pushed away by a soldier. "We'll toast this day, perhaps."

"Next!"

Luz felt her legs shake, hot tears in her eyes.

"You there," Hadvar said, gesturing to her. "Step forward."

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Gods, when she said she wanted adventure instead of the life of a innkeeper, this was not what she had in mind.

Her legs carried her on, her mind not truly in sync with her body, almost like a dream.

"Name?"

"Luceada Noctim of… of Cropsford."

Hadvar cocked an eyebrow, but just looked at his list and then back at her. "You're a long way from the Imperial City. What are you doing all the way up here?"

"I… I was supposed to go to the Temple of Mara in Riften..."

"Captain," Hadvar said, taking a moment to look away from Luz. "She's not on the list."

"Doesn't matter. She was with them. Knocked the General off his horse." The Captain was already turning away. "She goes to the block with the rest."

"By your orders, Captain," Hadvar said. He tucked the quill into the parchment board and stepped toward Luz. "I'm sorry. May your ancestors guide you to Aetherius."

Luz felt numb. She barely felt Hadvar's hand on her arm, barely saw the line of prisoners to either side, barely heard the distant thunder in the mountains…

"What was that?" Hadvar muttered, but no one seemed to hear him. The Imperial General was talking and a hush had fallen over the crowd.

"Ulfric Stormcloak. Some in Skyrim call you a hero. But a hero doesn't use a power like the Voice to murder his king and usurp his throne. You started this war. Plunged Skyrim into chaos. And now, I'm going to put you down, and restore the peace."

There was scattered applause from the crowd, a few murmurs.

Another rumble of thunder in the mountains, growing closer.

"What is that?" Hadvar said, directly to the Captain next to him. "Do you hear it?"

"It's nothing," the Captain said.

"Captain, carry on," the General said, turning back to his horse and slinging up to its saddle.

"At once, General Tullis. Give them their last rites."

As the priestess of Arkay stepped forward, Luz sniffed and drew herself up. There was nothing to be done about it. She was about to die and no one could save her.

She began a small prayer to Kynareth, asking for fair winds to bear her from here, for her mother not to fear, not to be sad.

"Oh for the love of Talos." A Stormcloak interrupted both Luz's reverie and the Arkaian priestess, marching forward. "Shut up, and let's get this over with."

The priestess retreated and Luz couldn't keep her thoughts on her own prayer. Her heart was in her throat, no matter how many times she swallowed it back down.

As the Stormcloak knelt before the headsman's block, he laughed. "My ancestors are smiling upon me, Imperials. Can you say the same?"

"As brave in death," Ralof said, bowing his head. "As he was in life."

There was a terrible whistling and a wet thunk, but Luz had already closed her eyes and turned away.

"Next, the renegade from Cyrodiil!"

But, Luz thought as she was pushed forward. I'm not…

Then she was on her knees, the body of the Stormcloak resting next to her, his blood soaking the ground. She could see the headsman, the tower in the center of town behind him. The morning sun was just cresting the pass, bright light making her squint and close her eyes.

The axe brushed her neck and she bit down, clenching her jaw. She would face death as bravely as that soldier did. She wasn't just some peasant girl, she wasn't nobody.

Even if her grand adventure had ended just as it had begun.

The thunder came again, so close now she could feel it in her chest.

"Wait." Hadvar. She recognized the voice. "What's that in the clouds?"

The thunder came again, but this time it didn't echo through the valleys and mountain peaks.

It roared.

"What in Oblivion is that?"

"Dragon! It's a dragon!"

Luz opened her eyes as a cold shadow lay over her, and the earth - her very bones - shook. The dragon - it could be nothing else - had landed upon the tower, its great head leering down at them. Behind it, the morning sun was vanishing behind a storm of black clouds that seemed to come from everywhere at once, whirling and gleaming with fire.

"Zu'u lost daal."

She felt the words more than heard them. They were loud, making her curl up, trying to cover her ears with her hands and shoulder. She saw the headman drop his axe and fall to his knees, grabbing at his head.

The thundering tones made her feel like her heart couldn't beat. Her vision dimmed.

"Di kiirre fen alok. Daar Lein los dii."

"Don't just stand there," the Imperial General shouted, clasping one ear while his other hand drew his sword. "Bring it down!"

There was a rumbling - like rolling thunder, or, perhaps… laughter - and the dragon drew its head back, inhaling.

"Fus…Ro…Dah!"

There was a crack of thunder and Luz's world went black. She felt herself tumble back, rock and mud and bodies hitting and rolling over her for what felt like forever.

There was a roar that made her chest hurt and when she managed to shake her vision back into focus, Ralof was dragging her across the ground as fire rained from the sky.

She was handed off to another Stormcloak as they entered a tower. Her last sight of the outside, before Ralof pulled the door closed, was an Imperial soldier being struck by the hale-fire. It passed through him, leaving a gaping hole and crushed armor in its wake.

The Stormcloak pushed her up against the wall, looking into her eyes, twisting her head back and forth, before holding up a finger. "Can you hear me?"

Luz nodded.

"Follow my hand."

Luz watched the finger.

Seemingly satisfied, the Stormcloak drew an Imperial sword from her belt and sliced through the ropes on Luz's wrists.

"Good enough."

"Jarl Ulfric," she heard Ralof say. "What is that thing? Could the legends be true?"

"Legends don't burn down villages." Ulfric's pale eyes pierced Luz's and she had to look away. "We can't stay here."

"Up the tower," Ralof said. "If we find some rope, we can repel down the side of the fort, get onto the mountainside."

"Good plan," Ulfric said. "You take her and get up there. We'll follow when we can."

Ralof took Luz's arm, making her look at him. "Don't feint on me now. You've got a strong stomach for an Imperial. Come on. Let's get out of here."

Luz just nodded.

She wasn't dead yet, Kynareth be praised. She quickly kissed the amulet and then tucked it into her shirt. Her legs were shaky, but as she forced them after Ralof, up the tower stairs, two at a time, they regained some strength.

They'd almost reached the top when they felt the tower shake violently.

"That can't be good," Ralof said.

"Look out!" Luz grabbed his belt and hauled the larger man back, just as the wall exploded and the dragon's maw - sharp teeth, burning breath - snapped shut on the soldier in front of them.

The dragon pulled out, a spray of blood covering the walls and Luz, even as the floor gave way and she fell.

Time seemed to slow. She saw Ralof reach for her. She saw the dragon flying across the rooftops, the town ablaze.

Then everything caught up with itself, and the tower shot by, then the wall.

Luz landed with a crunch in the snow, felt her body hit rocks and blackness took her.