Hey all. So school has started again and I have classes that give lots of home work, plus I'm in the marching band (Which has lots of after school practices) and Cross Country. So, I'm packed. I will try my absolute hardest to keep the chapters flowing like a river of...happiness. GET YOUR MINDS OUT OF THE GUTTER! Perverts. Here's the next chapter. WAIT! If you guys have a request for an OC character who will travel with Kell (This will be a thing) Then you have to PM me ASAP. I will take the one I like the most. No restrictions, other then they aren't Dragonborn...duh. So send in the ideas like a river of happiness. GUTTERS...OUT...NOW! Here we go.
Kell knew the journey to Whiterun was a short one. Just over the hill that was north of Riverwood and then he would cross the plains and he would be at the gates. He reached the small hill and climbed to the top. He looked out and saw the city of Whiterun in the distance. He made his way towards the city on the plains without any problems. Until he got closer.
He saw a group of people attacking a giant that was hurt, but very angry. Kell drew his sword and rushed forward. A man with a great sword slashed the angry beast from behind and was surprised when the giant turned around and slammed his club into him. The man flew back and Kell moved to the side to avoid being hit by the human projectile.
He had the back of the giant to him and knew what to do. He jumped up and slammed his shield into the large human like creature's back. It stumbled forward and Kell took the opportunity to slash the heels on the giant. It fell to its knees and turned to Kell. He slammed his shield into the giants face, knocking it to the ground. When it tried to get back up Kell stabbed his sword into the giants neck. He twisted and pulled out when the giant went limp.
He sheathed his sword and let out a sigh. He turned and a women with war paint and red hair walked up to him. She stared at him for a few seconds with her hands on her hips before speaking.
"You have skill. Have you ever thought about being a Companion?" Kell had heard of these Companions but never enjoyed the idea of going out when coin was the only motivation. Sure he had been a mercenary, but that was to make a living off killing. Not honorable, but at least he didn't project himself as honorable like they did. He knew he would never be honorable after dishonoring his clan all those years ago.
"I'd rather not. Not offense to you and the other Companions, but that life is not for me. Beside, I have some important business to attend to, so if you'll excuse me." Kell walked past the women who looked slightly shocked but just gave him a grin.
"If you ever change your mind then find us at-"
"I know where the Companions live. If I do then I will find you. Good day." Kell continued towards the city, while taking in the sights. The plains had many flowers that let off many pleasing smells that made him feel at peace. It was one of the reasons he loved visiting the city, or the plains in general.
When he arrived at the gate he was 'greeted' by two guards.
"Halt, Whiterun is closed with the dragons about. Unless you have important business." Kell nodded to the man to show his respect before he spoke.
"I'm from Riverwood. They may require assistance with the dragons about. They are defenseless." The guard stared at him for a while before nodding slowly.
"Very well. Let me get the gate." Said guard went to the large wooden gate and unlocked it for Kell to enter. Kell pushed the door open and was greeted with the familiar sight of the busy town of Whiterun. Some children were running around while playing tag. A women was working at the forges loudly slamming a hammer into a breast plate.
Kell walked to the square and saw many stalls where people were calling out their merchandise and others were scanning for items that peaked their interest. Kell walked past, catching a few glances from people. It's not everyday an Argonian in strange armor walks into Whiterun and then up to Dragonsreach.
When Kell reached the top a couple guards watched him closely, only to be disappointed when the strange Argonian ignored them completely. Kell pushed open the doors to Dragonsreach and was greeted with the sight of a large entry way and open central area where up against the back wall the Jarl sat on his throne. Kell walked up, still catching the glare from a few guards as he walked. On the left was a balding man with clothes that marked him of high authority and on the right was a dark elf in leather armor.
Said dark elf drew her sword as Kell approached and some of the guards did the same. Kell stopped walking and waited.
"State your business." All eyes were on him and he only focused on the one in front of him.
"I'm from Riverwood. They want more soldiers in case a dragon attacks them. Would you lower your sword so that I may speak freely to you Jarl without any fear of losing my head?" The elf was caught off guard and slowly sheathed her sword. The guards that got their weapons ready did the same as her. Kell walked forward and saw the elf was giving him a glare that dared him to try anything. Kell returned a glare that made her cower down.
"So, Riverwood requires aid?" Kell returned his silver eyes to the Jarl who was sitting at full attention. Kell nodded and bowed slightly. While he would never fully bow to anyone, he would always show his respect to those who either deserved it, or were in a position where it was supposed to be given to them. Having never met the Jarl before the latter was the only reason Kell gave his small bow.
"They do. The dragons could be a major threat." This caused a chuckle to come from the man to the left of the Jarl.
"Dragons. Only false tales my Jarl. Surely you wouldn't. Not only that, but the Jarl of Falkreathe could see this negatively and believe you are preparing to attack his hold." Kell stepped forward and looked at the man. The man of Kell's interest looked back at the Argonian and tried to hold his gaze. Most who looked Kell directly in the eyes said he had an aura around him that was demanding and powerful. One look could cause a bear to cower in submission. He dropped his eyes and Kell spoke quietly.
"The dragons are a threat sir. I was at Helgan when the dragon attacked. I only know of me and my ally getting out alive. To me, everyone else was killed that day. Even the children. You will send soldiers to Riverwood or you can watch them suffer the same fate if a dragon attacks. Then their blood will forever be on your hands. Is that what you really want?" Everyone was deathly silent that the Jarls right hand man was talked to in such a way in such a calm tone the emanated such a threatening malice.
The man shook his head slowly while keeping his gaze on the ground. The Jarl never took his eyes off the strange Argonian. Kell looked at the Jarl and they held eye contact. The Jarl understood why his Steward was so submissive. He wouldn't back down though, not only because of his title as Jarl, but because his Nord blood caused him to be very stubborn in nature.
"We will send troops. Thank you for your help. You are just the man I think my court wizard has been looking for. Come with me please." The Jarl stood and walked to the room to Kell's right, the Argonian warrior in tow. When Kell entered the room he saw two people. One in leather armor with a hood on that hid her facial features. It was clearly a women though. The second was a mage, seeing as his cloak gave that away very easily. This women was strange to Kell and caused him to be curious.
"Farengar, this man here is someone who I think can get your little 'project' done." The Jarl stressed that word and caused Kell to wonder what they had planned for him. The wizard looked up and at Kell. He smiled. While Kell could be very intimidating when he wanted to be, he knew he didn't need to have his hard gaze any longer. He replaced it with his normal observing gaze that didn't cause others to cower. Sometimes that was the only way to gain respect in Skyrim though, as much as Kell disliked it.
"Good. I'll be brief and quick. I want you to delve into a tomb filled with Drauger to find an ancient tablet that may or may not exist. Still interested?" Kell thought about it before turning to the Jarl.
"I will need to be paid seeing as I don't exactly have a job right now." The man being addressed by Kell nodded and calmed when he saw the menacing glare was no longer present.
"Very well. In case you didn't know, I'm Jarl Balgruff. Your name?" Kell bowed his head slightly.
"Kell of Blackmarsh, scourge and hated Argonian." Balgruff was caught of guard by the bluntness but paid no attention.
"I see. Complete this and you will be rewarded with the gold and my thanks, and respect." Kell nodded one last time before getting the name of the crypt from Farengar.
"Bleakfalls Barrows. I'm sure you have a fairly good idea where it is if you came from Riverwood." Kell did know the location of the crypt. After escaping Helgan with Hadvar, the Imperial soldier had pointed the crypt out and said he used to have nightmares of Drauger crawling down the mountain and into his room at night. A silly kid problem to them both now. Kell gave his signature nod as an answer and left Dragonsreach.
He walked through the town and couldn't help but feel like someone else was there. Not just the people walking around the town. Someone else who was following him. He couldn't find any evidence of this to be true but his Argonian instincts were telling him to be on guard. So he was.
He left Whiterun and began the march to Bleakfalls Barrows. He started to climb the trail to the crypt when he heard the sounds of fighting. To the left of the trail and just behind the trees. Kell ran through and found a single Orc with strange armor and weapons fighting a group of what appeared to be Vampires with similarly strange armor, but regular swords. Four on one wasn't fair and Kell hated Vampires. He had seen the filthy beasts attack and destroy villages. He even saw one feed on a child. He stopped it by removing the creatures head from it's shoulders.
Kell drew his sword and charged the nearest one. It had its back turned and wasn't prepared for Kell to run his sword through the vampires heart. Kell pulled out and the Vampire dissolved to ash. (Don't remember if Vampires actually do this in Skyrim, so for my story they will.) The other three turned to him and hissed. There was a strange clicking noise and a small arrow lodged itself into a Vampires chest. She let out a scream before turning to ashes. Kell saw the Orc had a strange weapon in his hands. It was wooden and looked highly advanced.
The Vampires waited no longer and charged. One at Kell and the other to the Orc. Kell raised his shield and stopped the sword of the Vampire. He pushed forward and pinned the stunned Vampire against a tree. Kell held it against the tree and stabbed his sword under the shield and into the Vampire's gut. He released his shield and the Vampire leaned forward. Kell spun to the Vampires side and dropped his sword onto the creatures neck. The head came off cleanly which caused Kell to grin a little.
He heard a grunt of pain and saw the Vampire had stabbed the Orc in the side with his sword. Kell ran forward and slammed into the Vampire, using his shield as a ram. The Vampire fell on his stomach, dazed and slowly rising. Kell sheathed his sword and took his shield in both hands. He stomped on the vampires back to get it to flatten to the ground. He raised his shield and then brought the shield down on the Vampires neck and the sharp bottom sliced the head off. He put the shield back on his left arm and went to the injured Orc.
He was bleeding out of his mouth and Kell knew he wasn't going to make it. He kneeled next to the Orc who chuckled a little.
"Nice...job kid." The Orc gasped in a breath before looking Kell in the eyes.
"Do a dying Orc... one last...favor." Kell nodded and watched as the Orc took the strange weapon he was using earlier and held it out. Kell took it and watched as the Orc grabbed a quiver with the smaller arrows. Bolts, he thought they were called. He wasn't sure. The Orc coughed up a large amount of blood before putting a hand on Kell's shoulder.
"It's called...a crossbow...load the bolts on the top...pull trigger...kill every last...fucker." With that last whispered word the Orc's grasp loosened and his hand dropped. Kell looked at the bolts and the crossbow. He tied the bolts on his back with the bolts on his left shoulder. He put the crossbow on his back with the handle by his right shoulder. He looked back at the dead Orc and frowned.
"May the Hist guide you in the afterlife." Kell continued back on the trail to the crypt. The rest of the journey was uneventful and he eventually reached the top. The temple was definitely ancient. Kell saw what looked like a door near the far base of the temple. When he reached the bottom of the steps he perked his head up. He jumped to the side and dodged the arrow that flew at him.
He drew his sword and looked up. Three bandits. One with magic, one with a bow, and the final had a great axe and was rushing down the stairs to meet him in combat. Kell rushed forward while dodging another arrow and smashing an ice spike to pieces with his shield. When the man with the axe met him he tried an over head swing to smash Kell.
Kell just held his shield up and easily stopped the attack. He pushed against the man and launched him over his shoulders while slicing his gut open, causing his internal organs to fall out. Kell ran up and stopped an arrow with his shield while ducking his head against the incoming spike of magical ice. He reached the top of the stairs and rushed the archer who was on his left first.
He blocked another arrow and slammed the shield into the archer. The man fell on his back and Kell stomped on his neck, which gave out a loud snap. Kell turned back and narrowly moved away from the incoming ice spike. Kell rushed towards the man while dodging or blocking the ice spikes that threatened to end his life.
Kell felt a spike slam into his shield and instead of shattering, it imbedded itself into his shield. He got an idea and rushed the mage. He ducked under another spike and jumped forward. He slammed his shield into the mages chest and with the ice spike on the front he impaled the mage. Kell jerked his shield and pulled out. The spike had shattered but did it's job well. The mage fell to his knees and coughed up blood. Kell spun and in a clean slash took the bandits head off.
Kell simply sheathed his sword and went to the large door. He pushed against it and grinned as it slowly gave way and he entered. He came to a large room of sorts and heard voices. He ducked down and went to a pillar that was in front of him. He peeked around and saw two bandits standing by a fire. Kell couldn't hear what they were saying but decided it didn't matter.
Kell took the crossbow off his back and loaded a bolt and made sure it was going to work before aiming the advanced contraption at the bandit on the left. He pulled the small lever and smiled when the bolt flew through the air and sliced cleaning into the bandits chest. He fell over and died while the other looked around confused. Kell loaded another bolt and took aim. The man turned his back to Kell who fired.
It hit him in the middle of the back and he fell to his knees. Kell loaded a third bolt and took aim. The man seemed to know his death was coming so he straightened up and stopped moving. Kell aimed, fired, and heard the sickening crunch of the arrow slamming into, and breaking the man's skull. Kell put the crossbow on his back and walked forward. He looted a few gold coins from them before continuing further into the crypt.
"Hopefully this doesn't take too long." Kell had been to crypts like this before and found then a waste of time. He had only found a few gold coins, Drauger, traps, puzzles, and near death experiences when he went into these ancient burial tombs.
Kell descended further and further, completing the puzzles, avoiding the traps, and killing the Drauger, while occasionally being rewarded with a few gold coins. Other then that, he was bored as he traveled through. Then Kell saw them. Webs. Large webs. Ones that belonged to those damned Frostbite Spiders. Kell had grown to hate them ever since his encounter with them with Hadvar. Despite living in Skyrim for as long as he had, he had never seen the terrifying creatures until that day. And he hated them.
Kell walked slowly and had his sword drawn. As he got deeper, the webs became thicker and he started to see egg sacks as well. He saw a few small spiders under foot every now and then, to which he responded by crushing them underfoot. He saw room with an open ceiling that had webs around a tunnel of sorts. On the far wall was a passage and Kell could see a dark elf wrapped up in the webs. He was alive as he was thrashing around silently.
Kell walked out and heard a rustling from above. From the hole above his head a giant Frostbite Spider dropped down and in front of him. It let out a mix between a hiss and a growl and walked towards Kell. The Argonian could see it was injured from a previous fight as it had bloody slashes and was slightly limping. Kell decided to fight offensive and rushed it.
It swung a leg at him and he stopped it with his shield while slicing the leg off with his sword. The spider rammed him and sent him into a wall. It was pissed at the injuries Kell gave it and he knew it. He readied himself and waited. It closed in slowly and eyed him with its multiple eyes. Kell charged suddenly but moved to the left. The spider tried to turn but was missing a leg and the others were injured. Kell slashed a hind leg off and watched as the spider fell to the ground from the sudden lack of balance.
Kell ran up the back and jumped into the air with sword held pointing down in both hands. When he came down he stuck the sword into the creatures head and sighed in relief when it stopped moving and only let out the occasional twitch. Kell pulled his sword out and sheathed it. He slowly walked up to the man while keeping his eyes peeled for any more of the spiders.
"Cut me down. Please." Kell nodded and pulled his sword out.
"Hold still." The man complied and Kell went to work on slashing the spider threads that suspended the man. When the last one was severed the man dropped to the ground and slowly got up.
"Thanks. Now scram. The treasure's mine!" He took off running and Kell watched with confusion as the dark elf undoubtedly ran to his death. Kell sheathed his sword and walked down the path the man took. He heard a scream that belonged to said dark elf and shook his head, annoyed.
"Fool." Kell came to a hallway that had writings and pictures of sorts of the walls. At the end of the hall was a strange circular block of stone. And a Drauger with a sword, standing over the dead dark elf. Kell casually drew his sword and walked forward. When the Drauger finally noticed the Argonian it had Kell's sword driven into it's heart, or where one would lie after the thousands of years of decay. Regardless, it was enough to kill the creature.
Kell sheathed his sword and looted the dark elf. He found a golden claw and eyed it curiously. In the palm was the picture of an owl, on top. Moth in the middle, and a wolf on the bottom. (Just so you know, I'm bullshitting this. I don't remember if it's this combination or not, LOL) Kell looked at the circular stone and saw the same pictures. He had a hunch and tested his theory.
When the stones on the wall moved he knew what to do. He made the wall match what was on the claw. He saw the holes where the fingers on the claws would go. He put it in and waited. When nothing happened he twisted and smiled when he heard noises. The symbols on the wall spun and rested on three owls. The wall slowly started to drop until it allowed Kell to enter.
When he did he saw a large chamber that was breathtaking. He saw a small set of stairs lead up to the top where there was a coffin and a stone epitaph of sorts. Kell walked up and when he got closer to the epitaph he heard voices. Almost a chanting of sorts. Kell saw a couple of the strange markings on the wall begin to glow blue. He was in a trance and walked forward, closer to the words until his face was almost touching them.
A blue current of what was almost like wind flew into Kell and he grew dizzy. He backed up and fell on his back. He sat up and heard a loud noise. He saw the coffin was open and a Drauger in a large set of royal armor was climbing out. It pulled the war hammer off its back and approached the dazed Kell. He stood as fast as he could and raised his shield and braced with both hands.
When the hammer hit he was launched back, and into the epitaph. He fell to one knee but quickly rose. He moved to the side, falling on his side and the hammer slammed into the part of the epitaph where he was a few seconds before. He half crawled half stumbled away. He reached a table that was by the coffin and braced himself against it. When he turned the Drauger was still coming at him. Kell bent back and the swing went over him. He tried to get up but the Drauger pushed down on his with the hammer in an attempt to choke him with the handle.
Kell pushed back but was seeing doubles. He heard the ping of glass falling over and looked to see a bottle with poison next to him. Kell used one hand to keep the hammer back and the other to grab the bottle. He slammed it into the Drauger's head and it fell back. Kell got up and saw that part of the dead mans face was dissolving.
Kell drew his sword and stabbed the Drauger before it could recover. Kell leaned against the table panting for a bit. What had happened with that epitaph? He shook his head and saw a stone tablet. He didn't care if it was the one he needed or not. He grabbed it and his sword from the Drauger corpse and made his way back to Whiterun as fast as he could.
When he returned to Farengar he still saw the women though she wasn't talking. They both noticed Kell and he put the tablet on the table as his answer. Farengar was so happy he looked like a piss drunk giant to Kell.
"Thank you for your help." He handed Kell some gold and he smiled at the hefty amount. He figured it would be enough to last him a week or two if he was wise with it. There was shouting and a panic coming from the main room. Balgruff's House-Carl came sprinting in and pointed to Kell and Farengar.
"You two, Balgruff needs you upstairs now! There's been a dragon sighting near Whiterun." Kell had never run faster before. He knew that these dragons were deadly and every second he spent waiting around was another that this beast would have to tear people to shreds.
He reached the war room with Farengar right behind him. Balgruff was talking to a guard. He turned to Kell and nodded.
"I see Irileth got you. I know you just returned but we have need of you. Can I count on you in helping against this dragon?" Kell nodded and looked at the soldier.
"Where was it located last?"
"The Western Watch Tower." Kell nodded and went with Irileth to gather some troops. After a not so rousing speech they started to make their way to the Watch Tower. When they got there they found that there was no longer a Western Watch Tower though.
"Spread out. Search for survivors." Kell went to what was left of the main tower and saw some soldiers poke their heads out.
"What are you doing here. It's still around, it grabbed Hroki and Tor when they tried to run for it." Kell knew that they were right. Especially when he heard the loud roar. He raised his shield and saw the silhouette of a dragon closing in fast. When it arrived Kell saw it wasn't as big or as dangerous looking as the one at Helgan, but still dangerous nonetheless. It looked at Kell and roared with anger.
"Dovahkiin!" Kell braced for a long and grueling fight.
The shadowy figure waited a fair distance away as her target and the guards of Whiterun made their way to the tower. She didn't have an opportunity to attack yet. Well, she did. When he was stunned after looking at the wall and the strange wind flew into him and dazed him. She was too stunned to attack at the sight of what happened. When she was about to that Drauger attacker him first. She was hopeful it would do her job for her, but it didn't.
She was about to strike but the Argonian left quickly after and seemed to have his wits about him again. She would just have to wait a while longer before her chance presented itself. She had a bow with a poisoned arrow at the ready but knew it would only mildly affect the Argonian so she had to wait for the perfect moment.
She needed him to be tired, preferably injured, while his senses and attention were elsewhere. Then she would shoot him with the poison and strike. The poison wasn't as strong as most but did have the capability to disrupt people's senses. When hit with this the Argonian would see doubles and be dizzy, as well as having his energy drained. It would be like a lamb to the slaughter at that point and that was how she liked her missions to go.
Maybe after this dragon would kill him and she could go home. At the very least it would mortally wound him and then she could strike him. She couldn't explain the nagging feeling at the back of her head. Something about this Argonian was familiar, she just couldn't place her finger on it. She pushed said feeling aside and refocused. He is just a contract, nothing more and nothing less. She just wanted to get this over with and finally relax. She had been busy the last couple of weeks with her missions. During this time of war a lot of people wanted others to just lose their lives.
She would gladly do so for coin for her and her family. Well, her adopted family. She left her real family years ago and regretted the decision at times, but at other times she was glad she did. She always made sure to visit her family at least once a year. They had no idea what she was doing, and every time they asked she said she was a freelancer and stayed in one city for a few days while working at the inn. Then she would go to the next city and repeat the process.
They believed her and for that she was thankful. She didn't want anyone, especially her family to know about her second life. She refocused as the Argonian and the dragon started to begin their fight with each other. This was going to be very interesting.
Whatcha all think? Remember to send in that OC. One rule, you can only send in one and I will only accept one. I don't want six people traveling with Kell. That's dumb. Sorry. Make sure you have a general idea for a back story as well. Don't bullshit it too much either because then I won't do it. I will take requests for how Kell will meet them and if I like it then I will do it. Just know that Kell won't be doing any side quests. May sound dumb, but I don't want to waste seven chapters on him being someone's slave. So anyways, keep calm and may the Aura be owith you all.