The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

A Tale of Two Dragonborn

Chapter 3: Survival

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Kaivar turned towards the door. "Beyla. Ralof. Pack whatever you need and meet me outside." he ordered and unsheathed his sword.

Kaivar went out the door and Beyla went to work. She grabbed a large knapsack and put in her full sets of shrouded and Nightingale armor along with her Nightingale sword and bow. She considered taking her old Stormcloak gear but decided against it. Ralof was packing food and water. Beyla quickly grabbed a quiver of steel arrows and strapped them to her back and then repeated the process with her hunting bow. When they had finished they went outside and saw Kaivar and Iona ducked behind a fence. Kaivar saw them and shouted. "Thalmor! Get down!"

Ralof and Beyla took cover. "Iona shoot them." Kaivar ordered.

"My Thane I can't see them." she replied, nocking a steel arrow back on her hunting bow.

"I'm on it. Laas... Yah Nir." Kaivar shouted.

Suddenly the Thalmor's location was revealed by their aura. "There's one two feet to the left of that tree. One on a rock ridge about two feet up dead ahead. The last two are standing to the far right next to that stream." Kaivar explained.

Iona nodded as Beyla took her bow and nocked back an arrow. Iona shot the first while Beyla took the second. Iona then took out the third as Beyla shot the fourth. "Well I guess that's taken care of." Kaivar quipped.

"Don't be so sure." a voice came from behind.

Ralof turned around to see the Thalmor wizard just before the bound sword went through his chest and killed him. "Ralof!" Beyla screamed.

Kaivar moved unbelievably fast. He pulled Ralof of the blade and threw him back into Iona's arms. "Yol... Toor Shul!" he shouted and flames burst out of his mouth igniting the wizard.

The elf screamed in agony before Kaivar cut off his head. When he turned back he saw Beyla cradling Ralof's body. He knew Ralof wasn't just dead. The bound weapon had trapped his soul in a soul gem. He searched the wizard's body and found the black gem. "It's one thing to kill a Nord. But it's worse when you prevent his soul from reaching Sovngarde." he lamented.

"Free his soul Kai. Please." Beyla pleaded.

Kaivar nodded and crushed the gem. Ralof's soul flew out and ascended to Sovngarde. Kaivar turned and Beyla off the ground. "You'd better get on Lyna." he told her.

Beyla stood up. "I have my own horse." she whistled and a horse with dark reddish-brown fur and glowing red eyes ran up to them.

Kaivar stared at the menacing horse. It was almost as intimidating as Arvak. "His name is Shadowmere." Beyla explained before mounting him.

Kaivar nodded and conjured Arvak. "Iona take Maeri and Lyna back to Riften. Sell Lyna and return Maeri to her stable. Then get some rest at Honeyside." he ordered.

"Yes my Thane." she replied.

Iona mounted Maeri and took Lyna by the reins before galloping to Riften. "So where to now?" Beyla asked.

"Now we go to Hjerim in Windhelm. You're going to meet your family." Kaivar replied.

Both Nords turned and made for Windhelm. When they arrived Arvak returned to the Soul Cairn and Shadowmere ran off to what Kaivar assumed was the general direction of the Pale. They entered the city and made their way to Hjerim. When they got inside Calder looked up. "My Thane. Who is our guest?" he asked.

"Calder this is my sister Beyla. Where are Sylgja and the kids?" he asked.

"Lady Sylgja is minding the stand in the market. Hroar and Sofie are off playing." he replied.

Kaivar nodded. "Follow me." he instructed.

Beyla followed Kaivar to the children's bedroom. "Where are your kids going to sleep?" she asked.

"Here. You're not staying in this house. It's the first place the Thalmor would check. I'm sending you to my steading in Falkreath hold. I wanted to give you something before you left." he replied.

He opened the wardrobe and moved the false back panel. He entered the enchanting and alchemy lab and move toward the bookshelf. He pulled a necklace off it and handed it to Beyla. "You lost this the night of the fire." he explained.

Beyla smiled at the old charm and took it. "So... Falkreath?" she asked.

A few hours later Kaivar and Beyla had arrived at Lakeview Manor. Beyla marveled at the steading. He had his own cow, chicken, horse, and carriage driver. Beyla noticed a woman in a set of steel plate armor with a Redguard hood patrolling the area. She had an Imperial bow and steel arrows strapped to her back. She also had a steel sword sheathed on one side and a classic Redguard scimitar on the other. "That's Rayya. My Housecarl." Kaivar answered the unspoken question.

Suddenly a Nord in steel armor with a steel greatsword on his back came out to greet them. "Hello. I'm Erik the Slayer. Former brigand and steward for the steading of Thane Sky-Wing." he greeted.

"Erik this is my sister, Beyla. I want you and Rayya to keep her here. Don't let anyone know about her. If anyone comes knocking hide her in the cellar." Kaivar ordered.

Erik nodded. "Come with me. We'll get you settled." he told Beyla.

Beyla nodded and followed Erik into the house.