Chapter 22

Day 63

"Back to Riften!" Mjoll was down the stairs in seconds. I hefted up my shield and followed after her. "Darius. You and your men stay here. We may need to return!" Mjoll was out the gate with the remaining soldiers. I watched as they rushed along the road, back to Riften where an alarm bell was ringing. My mind reeled, we had been tricked? How would they know that we would send someone to try and take Fort Greenwall?

"What about our families?" A soldier came up behind me, his face filled with grief. I looked around, unsure of what to say or do. I had been placed in charge of these people, I was to ensure they lived. A responsibility very unknown to me.

"You five. Head back to Riften. If they need to evacuate, then bring them here!" I pointed out five of the volunteers then pointed back to Rfiten as I spoke. "Those of you remaining, take that wood and start setting up barricades around the gate!" Since the gates of Fort Greenwall where heavily damaged, we would need to try and reinforce them with what we could. I placed my shield on a table in the small smith, sheathed my blade, then went to help them.

It took us some time to set up adequate barricades around the gate. We also where able to gather some rubble and add to the barricades. I had just sent two men into the fort to check what supplies where here when I saw a group of people come from the direction of Riften. I recognized two of the five I had sent, they where leading a group of people. I noticed Kharjo and Zaynabi in the mix, there was also Laila Law-Giver and a few of her guards.

"You two, guard the other gate." I ordered the two nearest to me then went down to meet the group. "What's happened?"

"The city was overrun within an hour." One of my men reported as the group made it into the fort. "Mjoll and the remaining gaurd are holding off a majority of them while we help the citizens escape."

"How many are left in the city?" My mind was reeling, there was hardly anyone here. Hoe many where alive?

"This is what's left. We couldn't even get to the orphanage." His face went dark as he lowered his head. I sighed heavily and placed my hand on his shoulder.

"You did what you could. Take stock on what they brought with them. We need to know how many supplies we have." No one was escaping this nightmare, not even the children. This news put me into an even darker state. I stared at the road for some time, hoping to see others but I knew that there was little hope. We had only a handful of people who wielded weapons, it would be difficult to defend ourselves at the moment.

"How are you two holding up?" I asked Zaynabi and Kharjo. They where over in a corner of the small smithy. Zaynabi had found a seat to set Kharjo in.

"We are doing the best we can." Kharjo groaned. His face twisted in pain.

"The fool had tried to raise a sword." Zaynabi scolded him, almost like a parent would scold their child. "What of you? This isn't easy for anyone." Zaynabi looked around, her face filled with worry.

"I'm as okay as I can be. There's a lot to do and I think I found myself in a higher position than I bargained for." I followed her gaze. The survivors looked worse for wear. Their faces full of dread and loss brought tears to most of their eyes.

"We need to keep on moving. We are too close to Riften." I heard a voice in the crowd. It was the Jarl. They had just survive their city being overrun by undead creatures, how could she expect them to keep moving now? But I knew she was right, no one was out of this yet. This fort was hardly the most ideal position to hold up in.

"What would you have us do?" I walked up to her and bowed my head, though cercumstances hardly called for it I still needed to remember who she was.

"We need to gather what supplies we can and keep moving. We should make for Windhelm, no doubt Ulfric could provide us with protection."

"A group comes from the south!" A guard shouted from the walls. I drew my blade and ordered my remaining soldiers to gather what supplies they could. My feet brought me to the southern road where I saw a heartening sight. Mjoll and a few other guards where making their way to the fort. I made my way over to them with a small smile.

"It's good to see you all made it out." I regretted my words however as they all had the look of defeat on their faces. They trecked past me, Mjoll stood in before me however.

"We lost too much. The city, so many people, now what?" Mjoll had tear streaks running down her face. Mud and blood plastered her armor, hair, and face. She looked like she could be one of those things herself.

"The Jarl says we should keep moving. But let's get you cleaned up first. There's a trough near the smithy." I guided the defeated warrior into the fort and brought her to the trough. She washed her face and hair and did what she could for her armor. While she washed up I had run over to the volunteers under my command and checked on the supply situation. Overall we maybe had a days worth of supplies for this many people. "We'll need to make them last. There's nothing in Shor's stone and we'll need to avoid it anyway."

"What do you suggest?" I was surprised to see the Jarl come up behind me. She was asking me?

"I honestly don't know much about this area. Most of my time traveling between Windhelm and Riften had been during a snowstorm and holed up in Shor's stone." I answered honsetly. I wished I could have remembered more about this area in the game. But it was difficult to recall anything now.

"My adviser would normally have some insight. But she shielded me against those...things." She lowered her face and grimaced. "But we all must press on despite our losses. I hope I can count on you to help?" She looked up at me, a determination showing on her face that told me she was not made a leader my luck or blood.

"I will do all I can, my Jarl." I bowed my head and placed my hand over my heart. I don't know how I came to be here, in this place and in this position. But someone needed to help and I refused to be powerless and watch as others suffer again. I would make a difference, I had to have come here for a reason and I was going to live through this and find it!