Here is the next chapter of this story that I hope everyone is enjoying. I love writing this so at least one person is happy. On with the adventure!
"Will I ever see you again?"
"If the Hist allows it. Until then, take care."
"I hope to see you soon, again."
Five Years Later
Kell awoke but kept his eyes closed. He heard the sound of a carriage and a horse snorting. He was rocking which meant he was moving. But, where was he moving was the real question. He cracked his eyes open and saw it was early morning with traces of fog around the side of the road. It was almost peaceful and dreamy. He opened his eyes the rest of the way and saw he was in rags like what prisoners wore and his hands were bound.
He looked around and saw three others in the cart with him. A man with blonde hair and a set of Stormcloak armor adorned on him. He saw a man with dark skin with mud and dirt on his face with longer hair. Finally he saw a man who had fairly long hair and a gag across his mouth to silence him.
"Hey you're awake." Kell looked over to the blonde man who was looking at him.
"You've been sleeping for hours. You were trying to cross the border same as the rest of us. Walked right into that Imperial trap. Just like that thief over there."
"Damn you Stormcloaks. Empire was nice and lazy until you came along. If it wasn't for you, I would have stolen that horse and been half way to Hammerfell by now." Kell turned his attention to the road and thought he could barely make out a town in the distance. Maybe a keep?
"We're all brothers in binds now." Kell looked back at the men and turned his attention back to the gagged man. The thief was looking at him too.
"What's his problem?" The blonde man seemed to be annoyed at the question and snapped at the thief.
"What your tongue! You're speaking to Ulfric Stormcloak, the true high king." The thief looked at Ulfric and started to panic.
"But, if they've captured you? Oh Gods, where are they taking us?"
"I don't know, but Sovengard awaits." Kell looked forward and saw the gates of a town approaching quickly. He knew death would find him sooner or later but wasn't expecting to die at twenty summers. Living his life didn't exactly guarantee long lives though. After returning Kim'bel he had gone to Solitude for work and eventually decided to settle on mercenary work.
He had worked enough to get enough food and pay for rooms at the inn. He had no complaints and knew doing so now would do nothing. He heard voices and saw the thief was praying to the Divines. Kell never believed in the Gods despite swearing with them. That was his outward appearance. Inside he believed in Talos but hid his faith when the Thalmor made their presence know in Skyrim. He hated the elves.
"General Tulius the military governor. And he's talking with the Thalmor. Damn elves, I bet they had something to do with this." The cart pulled next to a wall along with two others and a man called for them to unload.
"Oh Gods, what's happening?"
"What else? End of the line." The thief was starting to panic and cause a scene. It was starting to annoy Kell that this man could be so scared of death.
"We're not with you! You've got to tell them!"
"Face your death with some courage, horse thief." They hopped down and two Imperials walked up to them. One in the basic armor, only he didn't wear a helmet and had brown hair that was well kept. The other was a women who had armor that showed her high rank. The man had a list.
"Damn Imperials and their lists." The man looked down at the list and then back up.
"Ulfric Stormcloak." The man being called out stepped forward and went to the block located to the left.
"It has been an honor, Jarl Ulfric." Kell remained quiet and just watched.
"Lokir of Rorikstead." The thief stepped forward quickly and looked hysterical.
"No, I'm not a rebel! You can't do this!" The thief ran past them in hopes of escape.
"Archers!" Two men with bows drew them and released. The running thief was shot dead in the street.
"Anyone else feel like running?" Kell stood quietly and waited.
"Ralof of Riverwood." The blonde man stepped forward and went to the block. The man with the list looked at it and then back to Kell with confusion evident on his face.
"You. Step forward." Kell did as he asked.
"Who are you?" Kell looked him in the eye before speaking.
"Kell of Blackmarsh. The only one to dishonor his people and take the name Kell." The man seemed to have some interest while the women chuckled.
"What a stupid name." Kell turned to her and gave her a look that could kill a cave bear. She backed down a little before scowling.
"Captain, what should we do? He's not on the list." Kell was hopeful he would be let free. He wasn't trying to cross the border. He was on his way back from killing the leader of a bandit camp. He was innocent. The women glared at him and Kell's hopes of leaving alive dropped.
"Forget the list. He goes to the block." The man seemed upset at this and sighed.
"By your orders captain. I'm sorry, we'll have your remains shipped back to Blackmarsh." Kell chuckled causing them both to eye him suspiciously.
"They won't take them. Just dispose of them anyway you see fit." The man nodded and motioned to Kells left.
"To the block prisoner. Nice and easy." Kell nodded and walked to the block. He wasn't scared and he stood next to the blonde man from the cart. General Tulius stepped forward and looked at Ulfric Stormcloak.
"Ulfric Stormcloak. Some here in Helgan call you a here, but a hero doesn't use a power like the voice to murder his king. You started this war, plunged Skyrim into chaos, and now the Empire is going to put you down." Then there was a loud echoing roar of sorts. Something Kell had never heard before.
"What was that?"
"It's nothing. Get on with it."
"Aye, General. Read them their last rights." A priestess stepped forward and raised her hands and started to almost chant about commending souls and the like. Then a Stormcloak soldier stepped forward looking bored and annoyed.
"For the love of Talos, shut up and let's get this over with!" The priestess looked offended and sighed.
"As you wish." The man stood next to the block and the captain pushed him down. The headsman walked forward and raised his axe above his head.
"My ancestors are smiling down on me Imperials. Can you say the same?" The axe dropped and with a sickening thud and sound of flesh being sliced the man's head was detached from his body. The captain kicked the body aside and the people watching started to call out.
"You Imperial bastards!"
"Death to the Stormcloaks!"
"Justice!"
The captain looked at Kell and then pointed at him.
"Next, the lizard." Kell went to walk forward when the roar echoed out again. This time louder and almost seemed to be filled with anger and hate.
"There it is again."
"I said, next prisoner." Kell walked forward and looked at the captain.
"You may think killing me will make you feel better. But, know this. You are a evil as you claim the people you kill are." She punched Kell and he fell on his back. He stood and looked her in the eye. He towered over her being 6'3". He turned and lowered himself onto the block and turned to the headsman.
"Forgive me, my clan, my family. Hist guide my soul in the afterlife." The man raised his axe when a black creature flew towards them at an alarming speed.
"What in Oblivion is that!?" It landed on the tower next to the block and the force knocked the headsman on the ground. The creature was a dragon. The ancient harbingers of death in ancient times. It opened its mouth and a blue mist flew from it and hit Kell. He was launched a few feet and was seeing doubles once he hit the ground. He got to his feet but fell down to his knees. Someone helped him up and he saw it was the blonde man from the cart.
"Come on. The Gods won't give us a better chance." Kell stood and saw an open door leading to a tower ahead. He sprinted forward and inside. He climbed the stairs and saw a man by a wall. The wall burst open and the man was crushed. The dragon tried to fit his head in and just settled with launching a stream of fire into the hole instead. Kell moved to the side and avoided the flame.
The dragon took off the wall and flew away. Kell looked out the hole and saw a house below with the roof blown off. He jumped to the next building and when he landed the floor gave out beneath him. He landed on his feet but was off balance. He ran towards the door and saw a boy in the open.
The dragon landed a ways away from him and glared at the boy. Kell ran forward and shoved the boy behind cover while diving behind it as well and narrowly avoiding the blast of fire. He looked and felt relief when he saw the boy was just fine. He stood and saw the man with the list come up next to them.
"Nice job back there. Boy, stay down. Prisoner, nice to see you're still alive, come with me if you want to stay that way." Kell followed the Imperial as he sprinted forward. They came to a opening and the blonde Stormcloak came forward.
"Ralof, you damned traitor, outta my way!"
"We're escaping Hadvar and you can't stop us."
"Fine, I hope that dragon sends you all to Sovengard! Prisoner with me." Kell followed the Imperial into the keep. The Imperial turned to him and then back to the door.
"Was that really a dragon? The harbingers of the ancient times?" Kell responded with a nod and then held his bound hands up. The Imperial chuckled with pulling out a dagger.
"Right. Let's get those bindings off you." He cut the cloth off Kell's hands which sent relief through the Argonians hands.
"Thanks."
"No problem. See if you can find some gear. Name's Hadvar by the way." Kell nodded and saw some gear on a wall. Boots, chest and leg pieces, with some gauntlet as well. All Imperial which caused him to groan. He preferred the armor he made. If he made it out of Helgan alive the first thing he would do is make some new armor. Kell grabbed them and put them on. He saw an iron sword and shield on the opposite wall and grabbed those as well. He returned to Hadvar and saw he was unlocking the gate that stood in their way. He pulled the old chain and with a loud creak it flew open.
They walked forward and heard voices. Hadvar looked around the corner and then back to Kell.
"Stormcloaks. Maybe we can reason with them." Hadvar came around the corner and smiled.
"Now then, we just want to-" He jumped back to dodge the swing of a war hammer. Hadvar drew his sword and got in a fighting stance.
"Ok then." Kell came around the corner with his newly acquired sword and shield at the ready. He went to the man who had a single axe and left the one with the hammer to Hadvar. The man tried an overhead swing only to get Kells shield smashed in his face. He landed on his back and as he tried to stand Kell dug the sword into his chest. Kell pulled out and turned to see Hadvar had killed his man.
"Let's keep moving. There has to be a way out of here somehow." They went to the door that was behind the Stormcloaks and followed the hallways. The heard more voices and something being hit.
"We need to go. That dragon is tearing this keep apart."
"The Imperials have health potions stashed in here. We could use them." Kell rounded the corner and saw two more Stormcloaks. One was using a small hammer to hit a barrel in an attempt to break it. His friend was standing behind him just watching. Kell turned to Hadvar who just nodded.
They drew their weapons with a hiss that got the attention of the two men. They drew theirs and each took a man. Kell faced one who had a great sword. He tried for a horizontal slash which Kell blocked with his shield with relative ease. He used his sword hand to stab the man in the lower body. He leaned forward and Kell spun, knocking the man to the ground. Kell pulled his sword out and stabbed the man again in the upper chest to kill him.
He saw Hadvar was spinning his man around and then stabbing him in the back. Kell and Hadvar sheathed their weapons and continued. They saw cages and heard the sound of magic being used. They sped up and came to a torture room and saw two Imperials fighting three Stormcloaks.
One was struck with lightening and dropped dead. Kell rushed in and stabbed one who had two swords from behind. He saw the last one get his skull caved in by a man with a mace. Kell pulled his sword out and sheathed it. Hadvar went to the two men quickly.
"We need to leave. A dragon is attacking Helgan, we have to hurry." The one with the hood that shot the electricity scoffed at him.
"Come now boy, dragons are old stories."
"Did you not hear me? I said a dragon is attacking." The hooded man took a seat in a chair and chuckled.
"Right, and I'm the high king of Skyrim." The man with the mace stepped toward Hadvar and nodded to him.
"I'll come with you." Hadvar nodded and started to head down the path opposite where they entered from. The three of them walked until the got stuck by a bridge that was up. Kell saw a lever and pulled it. He chuckled when the bridge lowered and they crossed. They came to a large open room and saw five Stormcloaks.
Kell ran forward and stabbed one through the chest right when he turned around. He pulled back and dodged an axe that nearly took his head off. The man was hit in the face by the tortures assistant who smiled at Kell. He shuddered and fell to the ground. Kell saw he had two arrows in his back and looked to see two arches on the other side of the room. He raised his shield and jumped behind a pillar. He saw Hadvar killed a man leaving only the two archers.
He saw Hadvar duck under an arrow and Kell ran out with his shield raised. He felt an arrow smash into his shield but he kept pushing. He looked and saw the two archers were drawing swords and charging him. Kell ducked under the first slash and spun while slicing up and took the head off the first soldier. He blocked the swing from the second and kicked the knees of the man. He fell to his knees and Kell stabbed him through the neck. He pulled out and sheathed his sword with a grin.
"You're a damned good fighter." Kell nodded to Hadvar as they quickly continued down the corridors. They came to an open cavern and saw spider webs everywhere. They were confused when four large spiders came from the ceiling and charged them. Kell quickly drew his sword and rushed forward. He smashed his shield down into the first one and killed it. He turned and didn't see the second one.
He was knocked on the ground and rolled to his back. He held his shield up and the spider landed on the shield and tried to dig its fangs into him. He swung his sword and knocked the spider off, and onto its back. He got to his knees and plunged his sword into the underbelly of the creature. He stood and saw Hadvar was impaling one through the head. He kicked the other away and pulled his sword out. He slammed the sword down onto the beast and it died. They both sheathed their weapons and sighed.
"Let's keep moving then." Kell nodded and they kept going deeper down the path. Anywhere was safer then with that damned dragon. They saw a bear in the distance and took cover behind a cart. Kell saw a long bow and some arrows. He grabbed them and readied an arrow. He pulled back and aimed. He hated using bows but knew fighting a bear head on wasn't the smartest plan of attack. He released and the arrow stuck into the side of the bear.
It stood and roared at Kell and Hadvar. They drew their weapons and got ready as it charged them. It started to slow down until it was barely standing when it reached them. It raised a paw and dropped to the ground dead. Kell poked it a few times just to be safe and eventually decided it was in fact dead. He sheathed his sword and followed Hadvar.
They saw the exit and sprinted to it. They stepped into the daylight and had to shield their eyes from the blinding sun. They heard the flapping of wings and jumped behind a rock. The dragon flew over head and they sighed when it didn't come back.
"Looks like he's gone for good. We should keep moving in case he changes his mind." They started down the path and Hadvar told Kell numerous things. One of which was to join the Imperial Legion.
"With all due respect, I don't wish to live the life of a soldier. If I had to then I would chose the Imperials, but I would much rather stay out of the war." Hadvar smiled and shrugged.
"If I wasn't already signed up I would be saying the same exact thing right now. We're almost to Riverwood." They continued and found no other problems on the way there. They walked beside a river and eventually saw the town up ahead. They entered and Hadvar walked to the blacksmiths house.
"My uncle's the Blacksmith here. He should be able to help us." They walked to the forge and a man covered in soot walked over to them.
"Hadvar? Is that you? What are you doing here? Why do you look like you just lost an argument with a cave bear? And who's this?" Hadvar motioned for his uncle to quiet down.
"We'll explain, but first we need some privacy." He nodded and lead them to the door. He opened it and the two men entered and slumped into the first chairs they saw. Alvor entered behind them and sat across from them.
"Alright then, what happened?"
"We were at Helgan earlier today when it was attacked...by a dragon." Alvor shot up and looked over to his wife who was cooking. She too shot up at this news and seemed worried.
"What else happened?"
"Not much. We escaped. We might have been the only ones. This is Kell by the way. Saved my life he did." Kell bowed a little but was eyeing the food on the table with hunger in his eyes. He hadn't eaten for a while and having just escaped from a dragon and fighting Stormcloaks, Frostbite Spiders, and almost fighting a bear does tend to make one hungry.
"Did you now? Well, I thank you Kell. But I must ask a favor of you." Kell looked at Alvor and nodded.
"If there is a dragon skulking about then we need some help from the Jarl of Whiterun. Riverwood is defenseless if a dragon were to attack. We would be indebted to you." Kell nodded and looked back at the food. Hadvar chuckled and threw him an apple. The Argonian gladly ate it quickly. Alvor motioned for him to have as much as he wanted and the Argonian was very happy with this.
"I will get help. I just require help from you." Alvor nodded and leaned forward.
"Anything you need."
"I would like to use your forge to make myself new weapons and armor. While iron is fine, I prefer the power of Argonian craftsmanship. I could find the supplies easily and I would just need your help in making it." Alvor ran his fingers through his beard and nodded.
"Deal. How long will it take you to make?"
"I'll be done by tomorrow morning. I saw where the items I need are located not too far from here." Alvor nodded.
"Very well. You may use my forge however you wish." Kell nodded and stood while grabbing another apple. He went out the door and went to the woods where he and Hadvar entered from. He saw a pack of wolfs. Three of them. He drew his bow and shot one. He shot another and drew his sword and shield. He smacked the final wolf to the side with his shield and stabbed it. He sheathed his weapons and started to skin them quickly.
After a few minutes he had the pelts he needed. He went to the river and dove in. He saw the mushrooms he needed. Argonian's Venom. He grabbed all the ones he could and heard something moving quickly in the water. He saw a slaughterfish swimming towards him. He waited till it was close before moving to the side of the big teeth and stuck his hands into the gills. He squeezed and a dull thud echoed through the water. He used his claws to slice the top and bottom of the fish and pulled all the scales off. He also grabbed a tooth.
He came out of the water and chuckled to himself. All he would need is some iron and steel ingots, and one last touch for him to be ready in the making of his armor. He knew Alvor would be more than willing to help him with the ingots. Kell started to head towards where he saw the last ingredient.
He heard the screech and drew his bow. He looked up and saw a black silhouette above him. He aimed his bow and fired the arrow. It hit the mark and the black hawk fell from the sky. He went to where it landed and knelt next to the dead bird. He pulled out the feathers and cut off the talons. He stood and went back to Alvor with everything he collected.
He returned to see Alvor waiting for him with a smile.
"Need anything for these weapons and armor?"
"Some iron and steel ingots please." Alvor pulled out a couple and Kell pulled out the ingredients he collected. Alvor was confused and pointed at them.
"What are those for?" Kell took the mushrooms, feathers, talons and threw them into the forge. The fire started to glow dark blue at the base of the fire and a sharp green at the top.
"Ancient Argonian technique. I'll show you." Kell tanned the wolf pelts into straps and leather pieces. He melted some iron and steel ingot in one spot and the rest in another. He threw the slaughterfish scales into one of the piles and chuckled when it flashed a faint red. He threw the tooth in the other pile and smiled when it did the same. He waited and when it started to flash a bright vibrant red he pulled the molten metal out.
"Now we shape it." They started on the long task of shaping the armor to fit Kell and get him ready. It was just starting to become evening time when they started.
It was nearly morning and Kell was still working with Alvor. They were just making the final finishing touches to the armor. The sword and shield were finished long ago as they didn't have to be as precise as the armor.
"Done. Try it on." Alvor pulled the cooled armor out of the water and gave them to Kell. Kell took off his 'borrowed' Imperial armor and donned his new armor.
"Perfect." He didn't have a helmet as having one would mess with his vision and he had a hard time fitting his horns into helmets. His chest piece was small and lightweight despite being stronger then any known steel or metal. It had shinning scales scattered throughout it because they had slaughterfish scales in them. They glowed a dull silver that was very fetching. It fit close to him while also being loose to allow him free movement in it.
The gloves were also small and glowed the dull silver with the slaughterfish scales in them. They had room for his claws built in for comfort and so he could fight with them. They were just as strong as his chest piece. His leggings were slightly large to allow easier movement. They were silver and very light. Scales and silver glow still present.
His boots were pointed at the toes and had small spikes in the knees. He looked very intimidating while also regal all at once. His sword was slightly curved and had a serrated edge on one side and dangerous looking spikes on the other side. His shield was a strange circular shape that had spikes on the sides and front. (Think the Daedric shield, just grey and slightly bigger) Both were incredibly light and deadly.
"Thank you Alvor." Kell looked at the blacksmith and smiled.
"No problem. Any friend of Hadvards is a friend if mine." Kell shook the mans hand and asked where Whiterun was from where he was. He thanked the blacksmith again and started on his way. He wondered if Kim'bel was still at Whiterun. He hadn't seen her in five years. How was she fairing? Kell refocused himself on his mission. He had to get help for Riverwood. He would make sure they got it.
"What is my mission?" The women who spoke was kneeling before the women clad in black in front of her.
"There was an attack on Helgan yesterday. A prisoner supposedly escaped and that isn't good now is it?" She said in a teasing voice. The kneeling women shook her head. He face hidden by her hood. She had armor that most people knew was donned by the thieves of the thieves Guild. But hers was black instead of the normal brown and she had many knifes strapped to her figure. She had red highlights along the armor including a red hand print on her back right shoulder.
"That isn't good mistress. I'll deal with him. Any information on him?"
"An Argonian that was seen heading towards Riverwood with an Imperial soldier." The women in the thieves armor was getting curious.
"How do you know all this information after just a day?" The women who was still standing chuckled and drew a knife and inspected it.
"Someone set up a trap to capture him and get him executed by the Imperials. Somehow he escaped and the person who wanted him dead saw him and contacted us asking to have him killed. He paid a pretty sum of coin. So don't mess this up ok?" The kneeling women stood and bowed a little.
"I shouldn't be too long mistress." She fled into the shadows, though the faintest silver glow from her silver furred tail could be seen. It looked as silver as the moon. Her eyes flashed and they were a gold color. She would kill this prisoner and show no remorse in doing it.
Whatcha think? Make sure you leave a review to give me some feedback ok? Anyways, keep calm and may the Aura be with you all.