A/N:Whenever this symbol * appears in italic dialog, that means the conversation is happening in Dragon Tongue. I've been studying the dragon language a lot, but it's practically impossible to use it completely to carry out a conversation.

The soldier struggled against the rope tying him to the barrel. His armour was broken in several places, and bandages were wrapped around his entire left arm. Serana swore she could smell the dull scent of charred skin.

"I found him while I was leaving Rorikstead." Aela explained. "He was creeping around some rocks, trying to hide. It didn't work, clearly."

Serana stepped into the shade of the alcove, using her magic to make herself look human. She pushed her hood down, examining the soldier.

"You have no right to keep me here! Let me go!" He demanded.

"We have every right, actually." Serana said. "You're not supposed to be here."

"And what are you? The Dragonborn's little servants?" The man sneered.

"I suggest you watch your tongue." Aela growled.

Serana approached the soldier. "Tell us why you're here."

"I don't have to tell you anything."

"He's real good at keeping his mouth shut." Aela said. "I couldn't get him to say a single word the whole way here."

"And you still won't get anything from me. So you might as well go ahead and kill me."

"Now that would be counterproductive." Serana told him. "I can make you talk."

"You don't scare me, wench!"

Serana crouched beside him, bringing her frost magic to her hand. She noticed his eyes go a bit wide, fear creeping into his scent. She placed her hand on the lower part of his exposed chest, and he let out a strained gasp.

"You ever see what it's like when someone freezes to death?" Serana asked. "It's not pretty. It's slow, and painful. First, the body becomes cold. It starts to lose it functions. Soon you won't be able to move. Then, it gets hard to breath. Then, everything goes numb."

Torturing somebody was the last thing Serana wanted to do. She'd seen it happen before at the castle. And it had happened to Akiseta. It made her sick. But they needed to know why this soldier was here. Using her magic on him was the best way to do that. If she could scare him with magic enough, maybe he'd talk.

The man shivered, his teeth chattering rapidly, but he didn't talk.

Serana held up her other hand, calling her lightning magic to it. "Lightning magic has the capabilities to paralyze people, at least temporarily. But some say the strongest of those spells feel like getting struck by actual lightning. Want to test that theory?"

"S..st..st..st..stop! I'll t..t..t..talk!" The man gasped.

"Then talk." Serana said, pulling her hands away.

"I w..w..w..was with a small t..t..t..troop. W..w..w..we were ordered to m..m..m..move to Eastmarch from Solitude, by G..g..g..general Tulius."

Why were you going through Whiterun territory?" Aela asked. "Why not go through Hjaalmarch?"

"T..t..t..too much Stormcloak activity in The Pale. W..w..we were planning on cutting through Whiterun territory after crossing through The Reach."

"Then why were you near Rorikstead?" Serana asked.

"I wasn't planning to be there. I went the wrong direction when running from the dragon."

"Dragon?" Aela and Serana asked in unison.

"Yes, a dragon. I swear to the Eight, it was a dragon. Green scales, frilled fins on the back of its head, its back, and its tail. Damn beast swooped down on us out of nowhere, tail swinging, teeth snapping, breathing fire down on us. It was horrible. None of the other soldiers made it."

"How did you survive?" Serana asked.

"The beast set a tree on fire. It crashed down near me, and one of the branches burnt my arm. Hurts like hell. I laid still, pretending I was dead. There was so much blood and dirt, the beast bought it. I got up and tended to my arm after it left. I knew I couldn't stay, so I stumbled off in any direction. At some point, she," He directed his head towards Aela. "Found me, and dragged me here. There. I told you everything. Now untie me."

"Not so fast there." Aela said. "You just confirmed that General Tulius broke the deal he made with Akiseta."

"You call that a deal? If your precious Dragonborn cared about Skyrim, she'd be doing something to help the Empire restore the peace! And she promised that the dragon crisis was over. Face it. Your little reptile is useless!"

Clenching her hands into fists, Serana approached the soldier, and drew her sword. The sword had once belonged to her father. Since the enchantment only worked for vampires, it was suited well for herself.

"Go ahead and kill me. It won't change anything."

"You're right. It won't. That's why I'm not going to."

Serana used the sword to cut away cloth from the soldier's undershirt. Then, she used the cloth to make a gag to tie around his mouth. He struggled, but the rope tying him to the barrel didn't leave him much room to move.

After making sure the gag was secure, Serana pulled her hood up, and had Aela follow her out of his earshot.

"How do you think we should handle this, Aela?"

"Well, we can't just keep him here until Aki gets back. I think he should be put in the dungeon. I can explain this to Caius."

"Okay. But I don't think the rest of the townsfolk need to know an Imperial soldier crossed into the territory. So how do we keep them from finding out?"

Aela looked over at the soldier, whose voice was muffled through the gag. A wide smirk came to her face.

"I have an idea."

The soldier struggled in vain as Aela and Serana walked him into town, most likely muttering curses through his gag. His hands were tied behind his back, and he was stripped of almost all his clothing, save for his loincloth.

"Aela! Serana! What is this?" Caius asked, walking over.

"Ran into a bit of a problem on my way back from Rorikstead, Commander." Aela explained. "Got someone here who needs to be escorted to the dungeon. I'll accompany you, and explain what happened."

"Alright, Companion." Cauis said, motioning to a couple guards to take the soldier away.

Aela turned to Serana. "I'll explained everything to Caius privately, and get that man put very separate from the other prisoners. This does need to be kept on a need-to-know basis. But I think you should inform Balgruuf."

"Why should I be the one to inform him?"

"Because I have to talk to Caius. You're better with political stuff." Aela said, offering Serana a smile before walking off.

Serana gave the departing woman a scathing look, and then sighed. It wasn't that she had issues with talking to the Jarl. Balgruuf was a very respectable man. He'd had Akiseta and herself join him for meals a few times in the past year.

She just didn't like the idea of Akiseta getting caught up in some political mess. She'd had enough of stuff like that herself back at the castle. It was all the same. Lies, secrets, manipulation, mind games. Since this soldier was following Tulius' orders, Akiseta was going to get dragged into it.

Serana readjusted her hood, and made sure her magical disguise was up, and then began walking through the town.

Living in Whiterun was an interesting experience. After all those years being surround by people Serana couldn't stand, her instincts had been to try and keep to herself for the most part. But with how involved Akiseta was with the townsfolk, and having Lucia, that wasn't really an option.

Serana had actually come to like the people in Whiterun, minus a couple members of the Battleborn family, Nazeem, and Mikael. And they liked her as well. At least, the her they knew of.

The town saw her as a hero who'd helped Akiseta solved the vampire problem. Serana couldn't help but think the people in the city would turn on her if they knew she was a vampire herself. And that thought left a bitter sting inside her.

As she got close to he market stalls, she sidestepped to avoid Mila and Lars, who were chasing each other in a game of tag.

"Mila! Watch where you're going!" Carlotta called to her.

"Sorry, Serana." Mila apologized, to which Lars followed up with.

"It's alright, kids." Serana assured them.

"Can Lucia come play with us?" Lars asked.

"Of course she can. I think she's back at Breezehome."

"You've definitely got a mother's patience, Serana." Carlotta said as the kids ran off.

"Well, I'm a patient person. Comes from years of needing it."

"I take it your family was the cause of that?"

"You've got no idea."

"I'm sorry. I know you don't like to talk about your family much. I can't imagine how hard that had to have been on you, losing your family the way you did."

"We've all lost something in some way, haven't we?" Serana asked, eager to change the subject. Even though the townsfolk didn't know what really happened with her family, talking about them in general wasn't her favorite thing to do. Some memories were still hard for her to think about.

"I suppose so. Forgive me for prying, but why do you always wear that hood when you're out? A little sunlight never hurt anyone, you know."

'It does in my case.' Serana thought. "Neither has a little shade."

"A little? Aside from when you're inside, you wear it all the time. Is that some universal mage rule or something?"

"That's really a secret of the wizarding world, Carlotta. If I told you, I'd have to kill you." Serana joked.

Carlotta shook her head, though an amused smile played at her lips. "I think Akiseta's been an influence on you."

"She really has. I like to think She's been a good one."

"That's debatable, depending on who you ask."

"That's why I don't talk to Mikael much."

Carlotta laughed. "You're not missing out on any stimulating conversation there. By the way, has Akiseta returned from Riften?"

"Not yet. I hope she returns soon."

Serana had been thinking about what the Jarl of Riften had needed to see Akiseta about. It had to be something serious, and that made Serana worry.

"I do need to be going, Carlotta. I'll see you around."

"Alright. See you around."

Serana made her way to Dragonsreach, pushing her hood down when she got inside. Aside from the maids and a few guards, no one was present in the main hall.

"Excuse me, is there a chance I might find Jarl Balgruuf about?" Serana asked one of the maids, Gerda.

"He's out having his afternoon meal on the great porch, milady Serana." Gerda said. "I'm sure he'd receive you, so long as it's important."

"It is. I wouldn't waste his time otherwise." Serana said.

"I understand, milady. Please, go on up."

"Thank you."

Serana started to make her way towards the steps, but paused when she heard Farengar call her name. She poked her head into his study. The mage was working on some sort of enchantment project.

"Serana, so good to see you again." He said, lifting his head from his work.

"Same to you, Farengar. What are you working on?"

"Oh, just a simple enchantment experiment."

"Still trying to see if magic can match dragon fire?"

Just talking about fire made Serana's skin crawl. But, for a person as fascinated by dragons as Farengar, it was an element of choice.

"Nothing slips past you, eh? I'd just like to see if I can get magic-based flames to be as intense as a dragon's fiery breath. Granted, the fire Akiseta can Shout had helped immensely. Though, studying fire from an actual dragon would be a dream come true."

"Well, I doubt any dragon would want to let you study them, after you decided to pluck out some of Odahviing's scales."

"Right you are again. I suppose I'll stick to my current subject matter. I just wish Akiseta was more adept at other fields of magic. Her help would be doubled then."

"She prefers to stick to the Restoration school."

"It's a commendable school. But there is so much more to be discovered in the tranquility that comes from the study and harnessing of magic."

"I know that."

"That's why I'm glad Akiseta found you. Having someone else to converse with about higher magical arts is welcome immensely."

Serana had to admit, she liked that as well. The priests and priestesses at the temple knew a lot about magic, but they were more inclined towards healing arts, and their prayers and temple tendings. Being in the temple itself made Serana uncomfortable, given what she was.

And there was Arcadia. She was a very talented alchemist, though nowhere near the talent Serana herself was, or the talent Valerica was. But having someone to talk to about the deeper convolusions of magic was nice.

"You know, I remember when I first met Akiseta. Torn clothes, covered in dirt, and interested in dragons like I was. I remember telling her to check out the college in Winterhold if she had the aptitude."

"She certainly did at that."

"Indeed. Anyway, sorry to ramble. What brings you to Dragonsreach?"

"I need to see the Jarl about something."

"I see. Well, I won't keep you any longer."

"Let me know how your project turns out."

"I will."

Serana made her way up the stairs, and went outside to the Great Porch, pulling her hood up. Several guards were doing there training exercises. Jarl Balgruuf, his brother Hrongar, his steward Proventus, and his housecarl, Irelith, were dining at the long table. Upon noticing Serana, they rose in greeting.

"Serana. What a nice surprise." Balgruuf said.

"I wish it was, Jarl." Serana responded, dipping her head in respect.

"Is something wrong?" Proventus asked.

"No, not exactly. I just have a message for the Jarl." Serana replied quietly.

"Well, what is it?"

"Well, it's more of a private message. Not to offend any of you, but it's not something that should get out."

"I understand." Balgruuf said. "You can tell me in the privacy of my quarters, and I'll inform them later."

"Balgruuf, at least let me remain outside the door." Irelith insisted. "To ensure the conversation remains private."

"Alright, Irelith." Balgruuf relented.

After moving to his quarters, Balgruuf had Serana sit across from him in a chair. "So, what is it you needed to tell me?" He questioned.

"Well, Aela had recently come back from a job at Rorikstead. She brought an Imperial soldier with her."

"What?" Balgruuf asked, confusion crossing his face.

"He crossed the border into Whiterun territory. He was with a small troop movement. They were planning to cross through Whiterun to Eastmarch, to avoid Stormcloak activity in The Pale." Serana explained.

Balgruuf clenched his hands in anger. I assume this was Tulius' doing?"

"Yes."

Balgruuf stood up, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Damn him! After everything Akiseta said at High Hrothgar, he has the nerve!"

"Balgruuf, do you think Tulius would really disregard Akiseta's threat so carelessly?" Serana asked. Everything she knew about Tulius came from Akiseta, who was probably the only person in Skyrim to have unbiased opinions on him, Ulfric, and their respective armies in general.

"No." Balgruuf said, sitting back down. "He's a military general for a reason. He knew what would happen if he broke Akiseta's terms. He must've had a reason for this. I just don't know what. And that makes me nervous."

"I feel the same."

Balgruuf sighed. "Where is this soldier now?"

"The dungeon. Aela is explaining things to Caius, and requesting this man be kept very separate. I hate to say this, but we may have another problem."

"What problem?"

"This soldier said his troop was attacked. By a dragon."

Balgruuf paled a considerable amount. "A dragon? Are you sure? Is he sure?"

"He described the attack and the dragon pretty well, and his arm was bandaged. I saw a glimpse of burns." 'I could smell them too.'

"By the gods..." Balgruuf clasped his hand together, and pressed them to his forehead. He remained that way for several moments before speaking again. "I'll see to it that this man is kept to himself. I trust you'll be informing Akiseta upon her return?"

"Of course I will."

"I would like to speak with her about this when she gets back as well." Balgruuf said. "It was bad enough that Tulius broke the agreement. Now, she may have another dragon problem on her hands. And I don't know how much I can do to help. Whiterun's defenses need to be ready in case something happens."

"She'll understand, Balgruuf. She won't put the city in a compromise-able position. And she won't be dealing with either of these situations alone."

Balgruuf looked at Serana. "You realize the weight of what you'd be getting into? Not just with the potential dragon problem, but with Tulius and the Imperials?"

"Of course I do. It doesn't worry me. I can take care of myself. And I won't let Aki deal with any of this by herself."

"You've got a lot of heart and courage, Serana. I've seen it in Akiseta as well. That must be why you two work so well. The strongest bonds are forged in battle, after all."

"Then nothing should ever drive us apart."

'I only hope whatever Jarl Laila wanted to see Aki about isn't as serious as all this.' Serana thought to herself. With Tulius breaking the deal, and a potential dragon problem, Akiseta had enough on her plate. The last thing she needed was more problems.

Arvak's sudden stop pulled Akiseta from her thoughts. She looked towards his head, which bobbed slightly as he snorted. He pawed at the ground with a bony hoof, making grooves along the road.

"What's the matter, boy?" Akiseta asked, leaning towards the horse's head.

Arvak snorted in response, pawing harder. He bobbed his head violently, almost ripping the chain from Akiseta's grip.

"Woah, woah! Easy boy." She said in a soothing manner. "What's the matter?"

While Arvak let out several soft, agitated nickers. Akiseta sniffed the air. She picked up the scents of plants and animals, and the faded scents of travelers. She turned her head, sniffing more. There was another scent, a fresher one.

Arvak reared suddenly, going almost completely vertical. Akiseta lost her grip on the chain, falling to the ground as an arrow lodged into Arvak's bony neck. The horse fell back on all fours, and took of in the direction the arrow had come from.

Akiseta stumbled to her feet, grabbing her sword from the ground, and took off running after Arvak. She picked up the scent better now. It was an Elven scent.

"WULD NAH KEST!"

The Shout carried Akiseta across the ground, and she stumbled into her invisible assailant, whose invisibility faded at they crashed to the ground. A bow hit the ground, and arrows spilled across the forest floor, all Elven in make. The elf was covered completely in dark clothes.

Akiseta sliced her sword across the attacker's throat, the dragon bone blade cutting through the clothes, the white quickly staining crimson. Akiseta stood up as the elf's choking gasps came to a slow stop, panting. Arvak walked up to her, nickering softly and nudging her arm with his nose.

"You probably saved my life, boy." Akiseta told him, pulling the arrow from his neck. She patted his cheek before approaching the corpse of her attacker.

Crouching, she pulled the cover from her attacker's face. It was a male High Elf, roughly in his early forties, perhaps.

'An Altmer. He tried to assassinate me.'

Akiseta bit the scales on her lip. This couldn't be a coincidence. She'd only left Whiterun a few days ago. Which would mean she was being watched.

'But, why wait until now to attack me? Why not attack me on my way here?'

This was not a good sign. Her attempted assassin was an Altmer. The Thalmor had to be behind this. And with Ulfric breaking the deal...

"Xhuth." Akiseta muttered.

She went back to the rode and gathered up her backpack, and then got back in Arvak's saddle. She departed from the rode, riding him alongside the river instead. She needed to get to the Throat of the World.

The cold bit into Akiseta, even through her coat. She huddled deeper into said coat, and adjusted her face cover to be more secure. Her tail was freezing, but there was nothing that could be done about that.

Akiseta pulled her face cover down as she reached the summit of the mountain. Several dragons rested along the rocks, or circled in the air. Paarthurnax rested on his wall. He turned his head in her direction, and greeted her with a grin.

"Drem yol lok, Dovahkiin." He greeted her as she approached.

"Drem yol lok, Paarthurnax." She greeted in return. She placed her hands on the sides of his face, and touched the end of her nose to his snout.

"*What brings you here today, my friend?*" Paarthurnax asked.

"*I need to speak with Kreinyolag. Is he about?*"

"*Indeed, he is. Let me call him.*"

Paarthurnax tilted his head up, and roared out Kreinyolag's name. After a few moments, the dragon the soldier had described landed in the snow near her. After greeting Paarthurnax, he turned his head to Akiseta.

"*Greetings, Thuri. What is it you want?*"

Akiseta greeted Kreinyolag the same way she greeted Paarthurnax, and then explained about the wounded soldier.

"*My apologies, Thuri. I thought I got them all. I was so sure I had.*" Kreinyolag apologized.

"*Unable to carry out our sister's wishes, brother?*" A deep, female voice teased, drawing their attention to the upper rocks.

A beautiful dragon rested above them. Her scales were a beautiful shade of blue, flecked with purple hues. Spines lined her back, and a horn protruded from her nose.

"*And I suppose you could do better?*" Kreinyolag questioned.

"*We jill are better at fixing things then you drakes.*" The female taunted, earning a snarl from Kreinyolag.

"*Be nice, Britfaashahnu.*" Akiseta said. "*The task I've asked of all of you is a large one. It was only a matter of time before one of the soldiers slipped through the cracks.*"

"*And if the cracks get bigger?*" Britfaashahnu asked.

"*I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. I have a different problem right now, with Ulfric.*"

"*Are you sure you're prepared to handle this problem?" Paarthurnax asked her.

"*Honestly, I don't know. But I have to do something. I need to get back to Whiterun, and figure this out.*"

"*May I give you a ride?*" Kreinyolag asked.

"*I would appreciate it, brother.*" Akiseta said.

Akiseta situated herself behind the large dragon's head, and gripped his massive horns as he lifted off.

'First, Ulfric breaks our agreement, and then the Thalmor attempt to kill me. Could this get any worse?'

In case anyone is interested in what the two dragons names translate to:

Krein-yol-ag: Sun-Fire-Burn

Brit-faas-hahnu: Beautiful-Fear-Dream

A/N: Okay, so I know there weren't any female dragons in the game, but they do exist in the lore. They are referred to as 'jills', while the males are 'drakes'. The difference is that males are confined to time, while females exist outside of it. In a sense, male break time, and the females fix it. So, it would make sense that females would show up after Alduin was defeated. So, I thought I'd include some jills into the world. I also want to note that it is canon in the lore that dragons don't breed or take mates. So no baby dragons, I'm afraid.