"And the scrolls have foretold, of black wings in the cold, that when brothers wage war come unfurled!
Alduin, bane of kings, ancient shadow unbound, with a hunger to swallow the world."
- Legend of the Dragonborn
. . .
17th of last seed, 4E 201 (three days later)
Idrissa woke to the sound of gravel beneath wooden wheels, her head pounding as she opened her eyes, squinting in the too bright light. groggily, she looked around to regain her bearings, realizing with a start that her hands were bound together at the wrist by a thick rough rope. mind racing, she struggled to remember what had happened before she lost consciousness- and as she took in the forlorn faces of the men in the unfamiliar wooden wagon with her, the events of that day came rushing back.
She had been arrested.
"Hey! hey you! your finally awake!" One of the nords from the crossing exclaimed. "The guards sure worked you over." he was a dirty man in ragged clothing, with greasy brown hair that was just long enough to tuck behind his ears, and dark blue eyes that gleamed with a sort of dim innocence. blood still crusted on his lower lip where the soldiers had hit him in the scuffle.
Idrissa didn't bother to reply, rubbing the sore spot by her temple where she had been hit by the guard after they had yanked her from her Destrier. The blonde man in the Stormcloak armor and thick fur cloak sitting across from her looked up as the other man spoke, fixing her with an apologetic expression- He was a handsome man in his prime, with the typical light coloring of the nordic people. His dirty golden hair fell just above his shoulders, with a single traditional braid woven into the side, hanging proudly by his strong square jaw. His eyes were the deepest cerulean blue she had ever seen- like the ocean itself.
"I told the guards that you weren't with us, but they just grabbed you anyway- like that thief over there." He told her, nodding toward the dirty man in the rags. Idrissa could tell that the soldier had no love for him by the thinly veiled contempt in his tone. the thief rolled his eyes in response, huffing indignantly as he did so.
"Damn rebels," He complained. " I could have been half way to Hammerfell by now if they hadn't been looking for you." Idrissa scoffed inwardly, remembering the well bred horse he had been riding- the first guard that witnessed him riding the animal, dressed as he was, would no doubt arrest him on sight.
"You either stand with us, thief, or against us- either way, we're all brothers in binds now..." The rebel retorted, sighing as he eyed his surroundings carefully- no doubt searching for any possible means to escape.
The thief sighed, looking over at the other prisoner sitting at the end of the wagon, who had been silent thus far, facing away from them as he starred broodingly toward the General, where he road at the back of the procession with a single Captain.
"Whose he anyway- The gagged fellow in all the furs?" The thief asked curiously, regarding the silent man. Idrissa hadn't been able to see the thick gag that was tied around the mans face, but as the thief addressed him, he turned, and Idrissa recognized him for who he was- Ulfric Stormcloak. The jarl regarded the thief with cold, narrowed eyes- and if looks could kill, he wouldhave dropped dead where he sat right then.
"Watch your tongue, your speaking to Ulfric Stormcloak, the true High King of Skyrim!" The blond announced defensively, as if he had been disrespected personally. Taken by surprise, the theif looked back at the Jarl critically, his demeanor shifting negatively in response to the revelation.
"That's Ulfric Stormcloak?- The man who used the Voice to murder the high King? The leader of the rebellion?" He asked incredulously, with a disbelieving look that was borderline insulting. Despite the murder they all saw there, The thief didn't shy away from Ulfric's gaze, instead, glaring back full force.
"Traitor, You're the reason we're here in the first place!" He accused brazenly- and for a moment Idrissa wondered if Ulfric hadn't been bound, if the thief would still be so bold...
"At least sovngarde will be waiting for us," The blond man retorted on his Jarls behalf, imagining an afterlife in Shor's Hall. "...Our ancestors. Feasting. Mead..."
"Gods, what i would give for some mead right now..." The thief complained at the thought of the drink. Idrissa mentally agreed- Mead would go a long way toward numbing the aches of her body, as well as her mind.
"What brings you into the cold grip of the empire anyway?" The thief asked her curiously, as she had been silent since waking. " I know you're not one of the rebels."
"What hold are you from, horse thief? Whiterun? The reach? Haalfingar?" The rebel interjected quickly, saving her from having to answer.
"Why do you care?" He retorted suspiciously, eyes narrowing.
"because, there wont be any holds if the Empire gets its way. No Jarl's to rule over them- just legion soldiers and martial law..." The thief rolled his eye's at the rebels preaching, which made the blonde scowl in return.
"Should have known there was an angle- you rebels are all fanatics."
" Every man, woman, and child in Skyrim is a part of this rebellion, horse thief. Every. single one of us has to fight for the freedom of the nine holds."
"Oh please- Freedom of the nine holds? I don't remember the empire sweeping up every cut-purse in Skyrim before you bastards started butchering their soldiers!" The thief bit back with just as much ire- Idrissa had to agree with his statement, though, she would never voice that opinion out loud. It was all just politics, and she generally cared none for it.
Just then, a soldier called out from the front of the procession.
"General Tullius! The headsman is waiting!"
"Good," Tullius said in a tone that sounded like he couldn't wait for it all to be done. "Lets get this over with." He kicked his mount into a trot and rode ahead of the procession, meeting a group of soldiers outside the gates of a small keep. An older High Elf woman on a pale mare waited with them, speaking in urgent tones to the General as he approached. Her complexion was the pale gold color of the Altmer people, with hair paler than fresh hay and bright shaped almond eyes that seemed to glow gold from their depths.
"Look at him-General Tullius, the Military Governor... and it looks like the Thalmor are with him! Damn Elves..." He swore, frustrated by their current predicament. " I'd bet my life that they had something to do with this..."
"You might just get the chance." Idrissa told him gravely as they entered the gates to the keep.
"-I'm sorry, that's just not possible, it would cause far too many problems..." She heard the general telling the Elf woman impatiently as they passed on the dirt path that would lead them to the village courtyard. The mer looked up at them as they went, her gaze fixing longingly on Ulfric, who pointedly turned away.
"Uhg!" The blond man growled. "Thalmor bitch!" He spat in her direction. The woman's eyes snapped up briefly upon hearing the insult, but she remained stoic as she prodded her mare on to follow the general, unwilling to feed into his prejudice.
The trio looked around at the surrounding village with interest- Idrissa had never seen this particular keep, having kept close to her home in the rift for the entirety of her life prior to leaving- It was quaint, built with wood and feild stone, and smelling of smoke and livestock as the sounds of daily life went on about them.
"Where are we?" She asked the blonde man curiously.
"This is helgen... I used to be sweet on a girl here- I wonder if Vilod is still making that Mead with the Juniper berries mixed in..." His tone was wistful as he took in his surroundings. " Funny. When i was a boy Imperial towers used to make me feel so safe..." Idrissa looked at her brother in binds with a queer expression- juniper berries were poisonous, and often put in potions and tictures to bring an end to an unwanted pregnancy- idly, she wondered if the girl he had been sweet on hadn't been the recipient of this mead...
as they entered the courtyard, a boy pointed at them from the safety of his porch. "who are they papa? Where are they going?" He asked his father curiously. The older man looked at the wagons with a stony expression as he patted his son on the back.
" Go inside, little cub." He told the boy firmly, his face serious.
"Why? I want to watch the soldiers." the child pouted, looking from his father to the wagons with longing as they pulled into the courtyard.
"Inside the house. Now." His fathers tone told the boy the subject wasn't up for negotiation, so he turned on his heel and scurried inside their hut, looking over his shoulder at them as he went. By the time they stopped by the keeps south gate, a gathering of gawking villagers had amassed in the village square behind the Legionares- Idrissa wasn't certain the number of imperial soldiers present was really necessary to guard the two carts of rebels they had brought into the keep- but then, she supposed that the General wasn't trying to take any chances with his prize- Ulfrics execution would put a quick end to the rebellion, and Tullius would no doubt receive high honors from the Emperor.
"get these prisoners out of the carts!" A deeply tanned female captain barked harshly to the guards. "Move it!" They scrambled obediently to follow her orders, pulling the rebels from the first wagon, and filing them into two lines.
"Whats going on?" The thief asked, his voice filled with worry. "Why have we stopped?"
"Why do you think, horse thief?" The blond replied dryly. "End of the line..." he looked over to the center of the yard, where a wooden stump was being placed by a soldier wearing a black hood, with a monstrous ax strapped around his shoulders- the Imperial headsman, no doubt.
" Let's go, " He said, addressing her as he stood straight and tall in his confines. "We shouldn't keep the Gods waiting..." Idrissa held his gaze for a long moment, feeling a strange sort of comradery with the blond man whom she would share a fate with. His bravery was inspiring, and she respected him for the absolute faith he possessed for his cause- not many were so willing to become martyrs'.
"What is your name?" She asked him strangely.
"Ralof," came his proud answer. "Ralof of Riverwood."
"You've got to tell them!" The thief's panicked voice interrupted, demanding their attention. " We weren't with you!" Ignoring the theifs plea's, the soldiers roughly pulled him down from the wagon by his restraints, their expressions remaining careless as he continued to beg. "This is a mistake!" The terror in his eyes made Idrissa's stomach clench.
"face your death with some courage, horse thief." Ralof told him, disgusted by his whining- surely the horse theif would not be entering Sovngarde with him on that day.
"Shut up!" The female captain barked. "out of the cart, get in line!"
Ralof and Idrissa were pulled roughly out of the wagon and shoved in line, where another imperial captain- the one that had been riding with the General on the way from the crossing- was standing with a scroll, and quill. He had silky dark chest nut hair that fell just below his ears, and pretty hazel brown eyes with high cheekbones and a strong jaw- clearly of mixed nord and imperial heritage.
"The Empire loves their damn lists..." Ralof complained as the man began to call out the names of the rebels from his list one by one, sentencing them as they approached- Ulfric was second in line.
"Ulfric Stormcloak, guilty of treason, sentenced to death." The captain passed the sentence monotonously, without even looking up from the paper as he checked his name off the list. Ulfric moved proudly to the front of the line behind the first man, looking at every one of his soldiers as he did so, silently speaking to each of them with his eyes.
"It has been an honor, Jarl Ulfric." Ralof told him fervently as he went.
"Next in line!" The captain called out. Ralof stepped forward ahead of the horse thief, boldly taking charge of his fate by opting to die after his chosen king- and for the first time the captain looked up from his list to make eye contact with ralof for a long moment. there was an obvious spark of animosity between the two men, and she could tell by the look in their eyes that there was history between the two.
"Name." The captain ordered, eyes narrowed- though it didnt sound like a question.
"Ralof of Riverwood- proud son of Skyrim." Ralof retorted pointedly, chin raised in defiance as he stood ready to meet his fate. The captains jaw clenched.
"Stormcloak, Guilty of treason. Sentenced to death." His words seemed to carry a physical weight as the sentence passed his lips and hung in the air, and he watched Ralof join the Jarl in line for the block with a sort of veiled contempt that seemed to shift to dissapointment even as she watched. There was no question in her mind then that they knew one another somehow.
"Next in line." The female captain snapped. The horse thief stepped forward, trembling. There would be no more postponing the inevitable for him.
"Name?"
"Lokir, and im not a stormcloak!" He told the captain urgently, still hoping he might escape his fate.
"Says here that you are, sorry." The captain responded without sympathy, his mouth a hard line as he regarded the thief's ragged appearance- no doubt he had decided that Skyrim would be well rid of him regardless.
"No, please! All i did was steal a horse! i'm not a rebel, you cant do this!" He pleaded pathetically, refusing to resign to the end fate had planned. Much to their surprise, When one of the guards moved to shove him into the line, Lokir the horse thief summoned all the bravery he had... and made a run for it down the dirt road, toward the gate...
"Archers!" The female captain bellowed as he passed her. right on que, the archers aimed from the battlements upon Helgens walls and gaurd towers, and let loose their arrows. One arrow caught Lokir in the leg, and as he stumbled, another pierced clean through his chest as the rest embedded themselves into the ground around him. He landed heavily on the ground, staining the dirt red where he fell as he choked to death on his own blood.
"Anyone else feel like running?" She asked ironically, as lokir died. Nobody responded, watching silently as his body became still and silent at last.
"Next in line!" The male captain ordered impatiently, obviously annoyed by the events that had transpired. Idrissa stepped forward stiffly.
"Name?" he asked her, meeting her gaze full on. She swallowed hard.
"Idrissa, of Riftin." She answered weakly, feeling sick.
the captains eyes squinted as he looked over the names on the list once, than twice. He blinked, brows knitting together in confusion as he realized her name was clearly not on the list of rebels.
"Captain," He said, turning to the woman. "Her name isn't on the list."
"Hang the list- She goes to the block." She hissed, fixing Idrissa with a scathing cold stare. He looked like he wanted to protest, but the words died in his mouth as he looked to Tullius, who only shook his head.
"I'm sorry kinsman- please, get in line." He told her apologetically, looking almost as sick as she felt as he realized she was barely a woman grown- Refusing to panic, Idrissa closed her eyes, breathing in deep through her nostrils and exhaling heavily, nodding an affirmation. When she opened her eyes, She was able to make her legs move, taking the steps necessary to join Ralof, and his Jarl in the line for execution. As she approached, she beheld the wide oak stump where their lives would end, keeping her expression even so that nobody would accuse her of being craven.
This was it.
"Ulfric stormcloak," Tullius addressed the jarl in a loud voice so that everyone could hear, standing between them and the block. "Some here in Helgen call you a hero- but a hero doesn't use a power like the voice to Kill his King and usurp his throne." Ulfric's eyes were blue fire as he met Tullius's dark stare, listening to his biased speech.
"You started this war," He continued. "And plunged Skyrim into chaos! Now, the empire is going to put you down, and restore the peace!" The generals statement was punctuated by a strange, thundering sound from the sky off in the near distance, like thunder on the wind. Everyone glanced up in unison, eyes turned toward skyward.
"What was that?" Someone asked shrilly from within the gathering of witnesses around them.
"It was nothing- Carry on." Tullius ordered sternly, eager to put a quick end to Ulfric Stormcloak, and his thrice damned rebellion.
"Yes sir." The female captain affirmed, turning toward a golden robed priestess who was positioned aside from the butchers block. "Give them their last rights." She ordered.
The priestess- a priestess of the God of death, Arkay- Raised her hands to the sky and began to pray for their souls, so that they may pass peacefully into the Aether after death. It was the right of every man in Tamriel, to receive last rights before an execution.
"As we commend your souls to Aetherius, blessings of the Eight Divines be upon you, for you are the salt and earth of Nirn, Our beloved-"
"-For the love of Talos, shut up! Lets just get this over with!" instigated by the priestess' blatant lack of respect for their religion by leaving Talos out of their last rights, the brave nord at the front interrupted the insulting sermon before sauntering fearlessly to the block.
"As you wish." The priestess amended stoically, stepping back to give him room. The rebel stood still, looking down at the block as he prepared himself.
"Come on, we haven't got all day." The Captain complained, stepping forward and pushing the rebel to his knees, using a boot against his back to force him onto the block. He took a deep breath, stealing himself so that he may face his death with bravery and valor.
"My ancestors are smiling upon me, imperials- Can you say the same?" He asked as the headsman raised his axe.
Idrissa flinched when the headsman brought it down, effectively cleaving the rebels head from his torso in one swoop. It landed in a basket just below the stump as scarlet blood sprayed the dirt around it and stained the wood deep red. her stomach turned as the smell filled her nostrils, and a chill ran down her spine.
"You imperial bastards!" A female rebel shouted from the line. Several legionares moved in to subdue her as she struggled against her restraints in anger, tears pouring down her cheeks.
"Justice!" One of the civilians called out.
"Death to the stormcloaks!" Called out another.
"As fearless in death as he was in life..." Ralof said, offering his fallen brother a short eulogy as he passed on to Sovngarde. As she observed him, Idrissa wondered idly how much death a person had to have witnessed to be so calm in the face of it.
"Next- The nord woman in the black armor!" The captain shouted, pointing at her. Idrissa's heart skipped a beat as the tan skinned imperials finger singled her out, and she swallowed hard, forcing her legs to carry her forward toward the block before the imperial guards could shove her toward it.
As she stood before the block, another rumble from the cloudless sky caused everyone to look to the heavens once more.
"There it is again," The male captain told Tullius. "Didn't you hear that?"
"Continue." the general snapped, ignoring his captain as irritation caused the vein at his temple to throb. The young captains jaw clenched and he looked back to Idrissa, nodding toward the block.
"You heard him," He told her softly. " Nice and easy now, you wont feel a thing." The promise made her laugh nervously, tears welling up despite herself as she looked from him, to the block. In that moment she almost thought that maybe it was all just a nightmare, and after she was killed maybe she would wake up at home, safe in her bed at honeyside, where Brinjolf would be waiting for her at his stall with a warm smile...
Idrissa took a deep breath to steady herself, then dropped to her knees in the dirt beside the headless body of the stormcloak rebel before her. His blood was still warm on the block where she laid her cheek, looking up at the headsman as he readied his axe. The sunlight glinted off its metal surface menacingly, making her squint.
"What in oblivion is that?!" Someone shouted, before the crowd broke out into a cacophony of squeals and screams as people pointed to the skies- some beginning to flee.
"Sentries!" The female captain called out. "What do you see!?"
Another thunderous roar filled the air, this time loud enough the shake the ground beneath their feet and make her ears ring painfully- and suddenly the sunlight was blotted out as a large black winged figure seemed to hang in the air above the guard tower behind the headsman just as he was ready to swing.
As the hulking shadow landed atop the tower, the ground shook and the headsman stumbled, dropping his weapon as debris from the crushed stone building fell around them, smashing him where he had fallen so close beside her... His exposed hand twitched as blood spattered the ground beneith the rubble he had been buried beneith.
Idrissa lifted her head from her position on her knees, starring with open mouthed wonder at the monster before her eyes. It was a dragon! She thought for sure then, that she had to have been dreaming- Dragons had been gone for centuries, killed off by the Blades within the first era.
"By the gods- Its a Dragon!" one of the rebels exclaimed in disbelief. "But how?"
"Its a dragon! Gods help us!" A woman cried shrilly near by. "The end times- They've come!"
The rays from the sun glittered off its polished black scales, sending fractals of colorful lights skittering off their multifaceted surface- like living obsidian. It was the most beautiful and awe inspiring thing Idrissa had ever witnessed in her life- even as it spread the folds of its leathery wings, opening its jaws wide to display rows of sharp ivory teeth.
Something deep inside Idrissa shifted in that moment- though she couldnt say what.
"Don't just stand there!" The general yelled at his legion of warriors and archers who seemed to be at a loss. "Guards! Get the townsfolk to safety! Someone get the battle-mages out here!" Tullius spat out directions one after another in earnest and drew his sword, urging his men to act, while quelling his own sense of dread in the face of the red eyed beast.
"Hey! Kinsman!" Ralof shouted at her from somewhere, but his voice sounded far away through the roaring in her ears. "Come on woman, the Gods wont give us another chance!" He yanked her by her arm upright, and lead her quickly to the shelter of a near by guard tower, where the rest of the surviving rebels had gathered inside with their leader, Jarl Ulfric- Idrissa barely noticed them as Ralof lead her inside, looking back at the Dragon as it spit fire along the top of the keeps walls, charring the brick and incinerating several archers that had been stationed there.
"Hey!" Ralof shouted again, trying to force her to look away.
"I think she's in shock." Ulfric told him, pushing him aside and using one hand to gently grab her chin to turn her face toward him- A soldier screamed outside as he was burned to death, and the shrill sound was the only thing she heard over the thundering of her own heartbeat, until it faded as his skin charred and crackled away from his bones.
Her mind was strangely blank, but as she met Ulfrics level, ice blue gaze, the world seemed to slowly refocus. She blinked as he said something to her, but she couldn't quite comprehend it yet.
"What?" She asked him in a small voice that sounded strange even to her.
"What is your name, woman?" He repeated in his deep bass, rumble of a voice. Idrissa fumbled through her sensory overload, willing herself to recall her own name.
"Idrissa...My name is Idrissa. " She told him.
"Well, Idrissa," he said calmly, the corners of his mouth pulling up into a wry smile. " I would ask you to join the rebellion, but i think we're all a little busy just trying to stay alive for now."
"Ulfric, what is that thing?" Ralof asked his Jarl, looking for guidance. "Could the legends be true?"
"Legends don't burn down villages." Ulfric answered simply, before turning back to her. "We need to move- will you be alright?" He asked, the calm of his voice comforting her through the terror of the moment.
"Aye." She replied, nodding an affirmation. He nodded back, then stood and turned toward his men.
"Up through the tower." He directed, and at his behest, they began climbing the stairs of the guard tower, barely making it to the second tier before the wall was blown out as the dragons flames blasted the stone away. The unfortunate rebel that had been at the head of their group didn't make it, having been hit with the rocky explosion of debris, his body pinned beneith the scalding rubble.
"Fuck! the stairs are blocked and there are too many legionares down there for us to pass by if we go down this way!" Ralof swore as he observed the gravity of their situation.
"Then we will have to go the other way- through the square. We will sneak over to the keeps entrance while Tullius is busy with the dragon." Ulfric decided easily. It would be risky, but if they were caught, it would more likely be by the dragon than the legionares.
"Idrissa, they likely wont notice you if you drop down through that hole in the Inns roof, and make your way through the streets to the keep entrance. It may be safer for you." Ralof told her kindly, cerulean eyes full of worry. She looked down, judging the distance between her and the floor below. The height made her stomache tighten, but she pushed her fear aside, nodding to him before she took the leap.
hands still bound at the wrist, she tucked and rolled as soon as she hit the floor boards to keep the impact from jarring her knees. When she looked back up, the others had already gone to fight their way through the court yard. Shaking off, she checked her surroundings quickly for any hint of immediate danger, pausing as she spotted a few scattered bottles of junper berry mead strewn across the inn's debris covered floor.
shaking the loose strands of her silver hair out of her eyes, she pushed herself to her feet and dashed outside, running straight into the Imperial captain who had been passing the sentences earlier- He steadied her with two firm hands on either of her shoulders, and regarded her with a surprised expression that melted into releif.
"Still alive prisoner?" He asked, giving her a broad smile. "Stay with me if you want to keep it that way." He drew his sword then, eyes alight with excitement as he turned to continue with his task of saving the townsfolk.
"Haming, you need to get over here right now!" a civilian barked at the child who was kneeling in the road next to his father, who appeared to have a serious injury that rendered him immobile. The child only held his father tighter, tears streaming down his soot stained face. "Torolf, talk some sense into your kid! he needs to get over here now!" He told the injured man urgently, eyes wheeling in search for the dragon.
"Get up papa, get up!" The child begged his father, pulling at his arm. The man was clutching his side, blood staining his hands and rapidly soaking into the fabric around the wound- It was the same father and son that she had seen on the porch when they had arrived in Helgen, she realized vaguely.
Idrissa could tell already that even if he did manage to get up and move to saftey, without a healer around, he would likely bleed out within the hour.
"Listen, little cub." The man told his child seriously, clutching the boys shoulder with a shaky hand and making him look him in the eyes as he spoke through the pain. "Im done for- you need to run!" The child shook his head, sobbing again at his fathers fervent words.
"Get off the road!" The captain bellowed in warning as the dragon landed heavily in the road just ahead, opening his maw once more as the flames formed in its throat. Hamming tearfully kissed his fathers hand, and turned to scurry away to where the captain and the other villagers had gathered behind the shelter of a stone wall.
"That's it son, make me proud!" The man called after him with misty eyes as he watched him run away. Moments later, the whole road was ablaze, his suffering at an end. Idrissa watched in fascinated horror as his body was consumed, reducing it to ash in seconds before they blew away in the wind being kicked up by the massive beasts wings as he pushed back off the ground, reascending into the sky.
"Gunnar, take care of the boy," The captain ordered the civilian. "I have to find General Tullius and join the defense." The other man-Gunnar- nodded, briefly clapping the boy on the shoulder before ushering him onward- heading in any direction but where they had came from.
"Gods guide you, Hadvar." He told the captain over his shoulder as they departed.
"And you." He responded in kind, before grabbing Idrissa's wrist and leading her down an alley way, skirting the keeps stone wall as they went. All through the tiny village, buildings burned and rocky debris flew through the air, filling it with dust and ash that fell from the sky like snow. The screams of the dying filled her ears.
"Stay close to the wall!" Hadvar called to her over the noise, pushing her roughly against the stone just as the dragon landed on the wall above them. Its massive wings hung over the stones so close to them that if she only reached out an arms length, she could have touched them. They waited as it burned down another helpless trio of local nords who had been brave enough to attempt to shoot at it, then after it climbed back into the sky to begin another circle around the keep, they scurried up a shallow set of burning steps into the remains of what was once someones hut, exiting out the former front door into the street of the other side of the keep.
All around them was chaos; people running, screaming in terror. Buildings burning and debris falling and littering the streets as ash fell to form a grey blanket over the rubble.
"Its you and me, prisoner." Hadvar told her, firmly holding her by her bindings so as not to lose her. "Stay close- Ill get you out of here." he promised- and it was a small relief to know that if they made it out of there alive, that she might stay that way. Idrissa nodded, briefly thanking any gods that may be listening for the people that had helped her to survive that day, then let him lead her toward the entrance to the keep.
As they approached, Ralof and Ulfric entered from the other side of the yard.
"Were escaping Hadvar, you wont stop us this time!" Ralof told the captain sternly as they met before the doorway. Hadvars dark eyes hardened at the challenge in Ralofs tone, but as he regarded Ulfric and his drawn sword, he backed down, knowing it was a fight he could not win. Ralof nodded, motioning quickly for Idrissa to join them.
"Come on," He urged her. "If Tullius finds you again you may not find another chance to escape." Idrissa nodded and moved to join them, not willing to place her life in the hands of the imperials again.
"Arg!" Hadvar growled in frustration as they ran for the cover of the keep. "I hope that dragon takes you all to sovngarde!"
. . .
Being inside the shelter of the keep was a small comfort. The sounds of horror were muffled by the surrounding stone walls, but the ground and walls shook, unstable beneith the onslaught of the relentless beast outside.
"So, your still alive then," Ulfric exclaimed, sounding almost impressed. "The gods seem to favor you- that's good enough for me. " They looked over to Ralof then, where he knelt over the recently deceased body of a fellow rebel.
"We'll meet again in Sovngarde, brother." He told the dead man as he used his fingers to shut his sightless, starring eyes, before standing once more and heaving a heavy sigh of exhaustion and sorrow.
Ulfric shook his head as he looked between his last two companions. "This is it then eh? Nobody else made it?" He asked Ralof solomnly, who shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.
"No my lord- at least not this way. Maybe some of them found another way out..." His tone was optimistic, and Idrissa had to admire him for still holding on to hope after all they had been through that day.
"I dont know where that dragon came from, but if it hadnt, we would all be a foot shorter and a lot less talkative..." Ulfric Jested despite the gravity of their situation. a short moment passed and Idrissa laughed loudly despite herself as the adrenalin in her body settled, the irony of the Jarls joke overwhelming her.
"Maybe she's still in shock," Ralof offered as he and the Jarl shared looks of concern. "Should i slap her?"
"No," Idrissa told him, taking a deep breath to still her freyed nerves. "I just need some time to process is all."
Ulfric had indeed been correct- many people had lost their lives since they had gotten off that wagon- but they were still there. She thought back to Lokir the horse theif, and the man who had been executed on the block before her. If they had just been patient, maybe they too would still be alive...
"Dragons, just like the legends..." Ralof agreed in disbelief. " Harbingers of the end times..."
"We can talk about it later- Lets get her bindings off." Ulfric directed, gesturing toward Idrissa's wrists, still bound together by the rough hemp rope. they were tied so tight that they had chafed against her skin in the struggle, and raw lacerations now circled her wrists, tinging the ropes red. She hadn't noticed before, but as she looked at it the wounds began to sting against the material.
Ralof pulled a small dagger from his boot, and moved toward her to cut her ropes.
"Find a weapon," He told her as her hands were freed. "After all- the gods help those who help themselves."
"You might as well take Gunjar's gear," Ulfric told her, nodding toward the dead man on the floor. "He wont be having need of it any longer."
Idrissa picked up the dead mans axe gingerly, making a face- she had never practiced with an axe- daggers and bows were more her style, since she relied mostly on stealth to do her killing- mercer frey being the only person she had ever killed. Even that had been more of a stoke of luck than a real victory.
"I'd give that ax a few practice swings, if i were you." Ralof advised, seeing the awkward way she held it. She took the advice, swinging the axr as if she were cutting a stack of logs. Ralof and Ulfric shared a look, making her grimace in despair.
"You may want to stay behind us..." Ulfric told her, looking away from her and trying not to let the amusement in his eyes show. Ralof didn't find her lack of experience with the weapon amusing though- She would need protecting, which would make her a liability along the way. He wondered briefly if it wouldn't have been more convenient for them if he had left her to die in the village square- immediately feeling guilty for even thinking it.
"Hey, lets get this door open." Ulfric told him, moving toward the wrought iron door at the far side of the chamber. It was firmly locked, but Idrissa thought that with the right leverage applied at the hinges, it may break free to let them through- she didn't get the chance to voice her thoughts though, as they could hear voices approaching from down the hallway beyond. She recognized the voice of the dark skinned, female imperial captain.
"Come on soldier- keep moving!" She barked at a lone imperial soldier, who was limping heavily and clutching his ribs with one hand.
"Imperials- Take cover." Ulfric warned quickly. They moved to the sides of the door, with their backs against the cold stone wall, waiting for the captain to unlock the door and step through. Ralof immediately ran his sword through the back side of the injured man as he passed through the thresh hold, leaving Ulfric to engage the captain in battle.
She was quick, blocking his initial onslaught with her silver short sword, and spinning around away from him to counter attack. Idrissa was about to swing on the woman herself, but Ralof grabbed her arm and stopped her.
"Don't- let them be." He told her, eyes never leaving the battle. The captain was quick- but Ulfric was stronger. The next time she moved to block his sword, he brought it down so hard that it knocked the weapon from her hands. Defenseless, she hesitated in her movements, and Ulfric ran his sword clean through her gut.
She looked from the sword in her belly to ulfric, her eyes pained and unfocused as she clutched the sword with shaking hands, blood spilling from her lips onto his already slick blade. As she fell to her knees, Idrissa remembered lokir, choking to death in the dirt. Ulfric pushed her back with his boot, releasing his blade as she fell lifeless to the floor.
A rush of satisfaction coursed through Idrissa. It felt like justice.
"Good work." Ralof told Ulfric, grinning from ear to ear.
"Between us and the dragon, not many imperials will be making it out of Helgen today." Ulfric replied with easy humor.
As Idrissa observed the famed "bear of markarth"'s handiwork, she noticed the thin silver key tied to a loop on the captains armor, and bent down gingerly to pick it up. Ulfric made a throaty humming sound as she lifted it to show them.
"Good work," He told her before taking it, and turning toward the gate. "We need to get this door open, now." They watched nervously as he slipped the key into the lock, relief flooding them when they heard the tumblers release, and it swung open to let them through.
"Thats it!" Ralof exclaimed joyously.
"Lets move before that dragon brings this tower down on our heads!" Ulfric suggested as he lead the way through the mishappen corridors and down a spiralling staircase. As they reached the bottom, Another ground shaking roar from outside caused the keeps foundation to shake, and a whole section of hallway before them collapsed, showering them with dust and debris.
quickly, Ulfric pinned her against the stony wall, shielding her small frame with his big body as loose stones fell around them- Ralof coughed when the quaking subsided, waving his arms around to clear some of the dust out of the air. when the building settled, Ulfric pulled back, looking down at her to make sure she was uninjured.
Idrissa's heart skipped a beat and her breath caught in her chest when she locked eyes with him, so close that she could feel the warmth radiating from his body and feel his hot breath roll crossed her cheeks. After a long moment, he mercifully moved away from her, straightening to resume the lead and allowing her room to pull in a ragged breath to still her hammering heart.
"Lets keep moving- by the sounds of it, it looks like that dragon is determined to have this tower down." He told them, shouldering open a door that was only partially obscured by rubble.
"hurry up, we have to get out of here!" Someone exclaimed inside the room- which looked to be a common room of some sort.
"I just have to grab a few more potions..." Another replied.
"I knew i heard something!" Ulfric exclaimed as they entered, catching the legionares by surprise. They were dispatched quickly- no match for the dynamic duo.
"Wait-" Ralof called out to Ulfric as he moved to the next doorway. " There may be some useful supplies in here." He said, giving Idrissa a look that told her to start looking.
"Quickly." Ulfric responded, standing sentry by the door while she and Ralof searched the room, scrounging for anything that may be of use. She picked up herbs and a few scraps of non perishable food items, shoving them greedily into her pockets for later use- waste not, want not, after all.
"Alright, come on." Ulfric ordered impatiently after a few minutes had elapsed, moving to lead them through the door and down a short hallway that brought them to a spiraling stairwell. hearing the unmistakable sounds of battle echoing up from below, Ulfric and Ralof picked up the pace, hoping to join the battle below and add some numbers to their troup.
"Troll's blood," Ulfric swore as they reached the bottom, which opened up into a dungeon-esk room filled with cages and various instruments of horror. " Its a torture room!"
A battle-mage from across the room turned away from the fight upon seeing him enter, and shot a bright surge of lightning at them from his hands. The odds weren't with him though- his partners fell at the hands of the rebels, and as his comrades fell the others quickly rushed at him from behind and killed him before his magic could do any harm.
The stormcloak soldiers were relieved to see Ralof, and their liege lord unharmed, rushing to him with a million questions on their lips.
"The reunion will have to wait," Ulfric told them as they gathered around, all business. "We have to find a way out of here."
"Wait, there's some gold in that cage over there-" Ralof pointed to a cage to the right side of the room, where a deceased mage still clutched a worn spell-book, his gold scattered around his legs. "Were going to need that once we get out of here." He told Ulfric earnestly. Ulfric nodded, looking around with a searching expression.
"We need to find something to unlatch the door." He told them as he moved around the room. Idrissa blinked, remembering the lock-pick that she usually kept hidden in her shoes. A flicker of hope ignited inside her as she reached down and felt around by her heel, pulling the small metal piece from its hiding place.
"Move aside." She told Ralof and another soldier as she shouldered her way to the cage door, sticking the pointed metal pick into the keyhole. She wiggled it around carefully as she turned the knob ever so slightly, until she felt the tip slide in and the gears turn, releasing the locking mechanism. The door swung open, and she triumphantly knelt to gather the fallen coins.
Ralof raised a brow, giving her an inquisitive look. "Done that a few times?" he asked suspiciously.
"A couple..." She responded sheepishly, turning away from the weight of his stare as the wheels in his head started turning. She hoped he wouldn't have too much time to race to conclusions during their escape from the keep.
The dungeons were an expansive maze of torch lit stone corridors filled with cages and the smell of death and feces, where rats skittered amidst the decay and clutter- In a way, it reminded her of the Ratway warrens back in Riften. They moved quickly, the sound of their foot steps echoing down the halls.
Finally, they came to the end of the stone hall, where the walls and floor gave way to a rocky tunnel. doubtlessly it would lead them down to the sewers, which, if they followed, would eventually lead them outside the keep. Eager to escape, they wasted no time, following the tunnel in a single file line in their search for an exit. halfway down, they hugged the walls as voices from the main water chamber echoed through the tunnels, reaching their ears over the sound of the subterranian falls within.
"Shhhh..." Ulfric warned them as they snuck toward the entrance, where the tunnel opened up into a wide cavern supported by century old stone supports- Brick bridges had been built over the wide rushing underground river, allowing access to the sturdy stone platform that lead to the next exit. The room was filled with Imperials, either looking to escape themselves, or ambush their party as they made their escape...
"Any suggestions?" The jarl asked Ralof as they peeked around to survey the danger. Ralof's eyes scanned the room briefly, weighing their chances in his mind. He grinned at his liege-lord, knowing the odds werent in their favor, but that they could not turn back.
"Aye, I suggest we rush up behind them, and fuck them in their asses!" He exclaimed fearlessly. Idrissa could see the veins in his arms and neck swell as the Adrenalin pumped through them, and she shook her head incredulously at his bravery. Ulfric too, considered the light in his subjects eyes as he fearlessly prepared himself to take on the enemy, and was immediately grateful for his presence.
"Alright," He nodded, clutching the hilt of his sword tighter in his hand as he looked at his remaining soldiers. "Lets do it."
"FOR SKYRIM!" They all seemed to shout in unison as they leapt out from behind the threshold into the cavern.
. . .
Idrissa regarded her surviving companions nervously, eyes searching their bodies for any signs of injury when they joined her by the exit- They were spattered with gore, but none of the blood seemed to be their own- save for a small slash on Ralof's right cheek bone, which would make a handsome addition to his already impressive collection of scars. Their eyes were alight with the excitement of victory.
"Where do you suppose this leads?" Ralof asked nobody in particular, gesturing to the drawn bridge in front of them.
"It most likely leads along side this river, to another set of sewer tunnels- i grew up in tunnels like these." She revealed, glad that her experience in the ratways could help her in their time of need. "They were built by the workers who constructed the aquaducts, to channel the keeps waste."
"And at the end?" He asked, a hundred questions forming in his mind as he thought about the statement she had just made.
"The exit." She told him gravely, looking back at the raised drawbridge barring their passage. He looked thoughtfully at the lever that would lower the bridge, then back at the remainder of their rag tag group of survivors.
"We should go on ahead of the rest of you, to see if the way is clear- I wouldn't put it passed Tullius to have multiple ambushes set up between us and the way out." He suggested thoughtfully. Idrissa nodded her agreement, and let him pass to pull the lever.
They started across the moss covered wooden bridge, slowly at first to see if the wood would hold their weight, then paused when another ground shaking roar from above shook the earth. dust and debris started to fall off the loose rock walls around them, and a strange scrape and cracking noise warned them that they were about to be crushed beneath a ton of rubble.
Ralof shoved her forward from behind, urging her to move faster.
"Go go go go!" He yelled as they sprinted across the swaying wood bridge, rocks falling all around them. Displaced water splashed up from below, soaking the planks as they crossed. Idrissa covered her mouth with her arm in an attempt to keep the dirt out of her lungs, and as they got to the end, they dove through the grand archway into the next section of corridors within the bowels of the castle just as it was blocked completely by the fallen rubble.
Once the shaking stopped and the dust settled, they could hear Ulfric yelling to them from the other side of the blockage.
"Ralof!? Ralof are you alright!?" He called out to his comrad, greatly concerned.
"Aye!" Ralof gasped out between fits of coughing. "We're unharmed- for the most part." He replied breathlessly.
"Listen to me Ralof- you need to go now, for your own sake!" Ralofs jaw clenched at his lieges words- he didn't enjoy the thought of leaving his jarl behind. If Ulfric should fall, it was his wish the die with him gloriously in battle.
"...May Talos shield you from all harm." He amended after a brief pause- Idrissa could tell it was a physical struggle for him to turn away from the scene and move forward without Ulfric, but he knew that they needed to find a way out- or the sewer tunnels of helgen may become their tomb. "Lets move- the others will have to find their own way now." He told her, shouldering passed her and making his way down the crushed stone steps toward a thinner section of the underground river.
. . .
. . .
Dense evergreens rose high around them as Ralof lead Idrissa down a hill, following no discernable trail that she could make out as he held her hand to steady her while they waded through waist deep crab grass- The curtesy wasnt necessary, but she felt it may be rude to refuse his help- so she let him aid her as they climbed down steep rocky drop offs and over fallen tree's- They had emerged from the underground riverway, into a humid cave that had allowed them to resurface by early afternoon- and again, she found herself greatful for Ralof's guidance through the dense hilly alpine terrain, as she was unfamiliar with the geography of the area, and he seemed to know exactly where he was going.
"you know," He was telling her. "You should go to windhelm and join the rebellion- youve seen the true face of the empire today."
Idrissa shrugged, pondering the idea silently as she walked. She wasnt really sure what she planned on doing at this point, now that she was safe again- she just knew she couldnt go back to Riftin.
"-And, if anyone knows what the coming of the Dragon means, its got to be Ulfric." he continued. Idrissa fought the urge to roll her eyes at his words- Ralof truely admired his jarl- she hoped that Ulfric appreciated his faith and loyalty.
"Where are we going now?" She asked him warily, changing the subject.
"To my home village, Riverwood- my sister Gurder runs the mill there. I have to warn them about that dragon."
Just then, they stumbled out of the brambles and into a marked section of cobbled road that led down hill toward a tall ivy covered tower built at the edge of the cliffside. Idrissa gasped, seeing two gaurds clad in steel plating, wearing yellow cloaks emblazened with the sigil of whiterun-a simple white bridled horse head- patrolling its perimeter. She froze, afraid that they would hear their footsteps and be alerted to their presence if she so much as breathed.
Ralof grimaced, quickly reaching down to unbuckle the straps of his armor, ditching it and his chain male in the weeds at the side of the road, leaving him clad in a thin cream colored linin tunic soaked with sweat, and soot stained, tanned leather breaches.
"Whiterun maybe neutral in the war, but its best not to take chances. if we're ahead of the news from Helgen, we should be fine though- just let me do the talking if we run into any imperials." He warned her, offering her an arm. hooking her own small arm around his larger one, Idrissa let him lead her down the hill and passed the tower- the gaurds regarded them warily for a breif moment- no doubt unsure what to make of Idrissa's black leather and plated nightengale armor- then dismissed them as simple travelers, allowing them to pass without interruption.
As they neared the cliffside, Ralof pointed to a distant stone structure that was built into the mountain acrossed the valley- it was ancient, an immense ruin that seemed to exude an ominous aura that shrouded the entirety of the blustery mountainside.
"See that ruin up there?" He asked her- as if she could miss such a sight. "Thats Bleakfalls Barrow- i never could understand how my sister could stand living in the shadow of such a place."
Idrissa starred across the valley floor, looking at what remained of the doubtlessly once grand temple- durring the reign of Adluin and the dragons, the preists he appointed to rule over men and mer had erected them all over the land, serving as their seats of power- beggar's and Lords alike had been expected to journey to the local temple annually, to make an offering to their God-kings atop the mountains. At the time, nobody ever thought the Dragons rule would end- but here she was, centuries later, looking at the skeletal remains of a once great and terrible- dynasty.
"I guess you just get used to it." She suggested in answer.
As they rounded the corner, Idrissa could hear the roaring of the white river as it cascaded down the rocky cliffside, its mists coelescing at the base and spilling over the cobbled road that followed its sandy banks- fish leapt out of the waters as they carried them downstream, swallowing the swarming water bugs that buzzed over the shifting surface- She could tell they were getting close when the sun began to set, because Ralof seemed to absent mindedly pick up the pase, until they were moving at a near jog along the cobbled path, which was lined by bright colored, fragrant mountain flowers.
"Im glad you decided to come with me," He told her. "We're almost to riverwood." As he spoke, Idrissa could already see the wooden gateway, supported by thick stone supports so old they were covered in silky green moss, and tendrils of dark green ivy that wound around the whole structure- Riverwood didnt have a full wall, like Helgen-only thick wooden gates to mark the entrances on either side, as it was closed in by the steep mountain foothills on one side, and the rushing waters of the white river on the other.
By the time they had made it out of the forest covered foothills, the sky was aflame with burning oranges and pinks that contrasted sharply against the muted purple of the clouds, bathing the little alpine village in gold. As they enetered, Idrissa was struck by how quaint and homey it was- children ran around the houses, chasing a shaggy gray hound while cackling joyously. Chickens pecked at the dirt, and smoke from the blacksmiths forge perfumed the air as a big man hammered away at a glowing metal rod.
"looks like word of what happened hasnt reached here yet." Ralof said, observing the peaceful town. "Come on, Gurder's probably working down at the lumber mill."
She let him lead the way, following a wooden bridgeway over a forked section of the river, behind the rows of cabins that lined either side of the cobbled road. Gurders lumber mill was impressive- wood was stacked high in piles all around it, and the sound of the saw ripping through the thin tree trunks drowned out the bubbling of the river. Ralof guided her around the mill, to where a tall woman with braided golden hair stood puzzling over a book of accounts, wearing a work soiled gown and apron.
"Gurder!" He called out to her.
The womans head turned sharply upon hearing his voice, and her familiar cerulean eyes widened when she recognised him. Gerdur gasped, immediatly rushing forth to wrap her brother in her arms. Idrissa was struck by how much they looked alike- they had the same, thick golden blond hair that was so prominant in the nordic people, and large blue eyes that could rival the beauty of sapphires. Though the planes of her face were softer, she could still see him in the strength of her jaw line, and the angle of her high cheekbones.
"Mara's mercy! It is so good to see you, brother!" She exclaimed, overjoyed. Ralof held his little sister close and looked down at her, appreciating how much she had grown in the few years they had been apart- she bore a startling resemblance to their mother now, whome had died of an illness shortly after seeing Gurder married to her man, Hod. looking upon her face was like looking back in time.
"Its good to see you too." He admitted, mussing her hair.
"Is it safe though? We heard that Ulfric had been captured...you arnt hurt are you?"
"Gurder, im fine- or at least now i am." Ralof told his little sister, hoping to reassure her. She didnt look convinced.
"Than tell me whats happened? and who is this- one of your comrades?" She demanded persistantly, brow creased with concern as she looked suspiciously from Ralof to Idrissa, standing politely off to his side while they got reaquainted.
"Not a comrade, but a friend- i owe her my life, in fact." He told her matter of factly. Idrissa was about to protest- it was Ralof who had saved her life, several times that day- but he cut her off. "Is there somewhere we can talk? Theres no telling when news of Helgen will reach the Imperials..."
"Helgen? Lorkhan's breath, Ralof- Tell me whats happened!?" Gurder swore, frustrated at his way of down playing dire situations.
"Okay okay, just quiet down..." He told her fervently, looking around nervously incase anyone had noticed them. Gerdur rolled her eyes, then shouted up toward the man working on the mill.
"Hod! come here a minute, I need your help with something..."
"What is it?" A broad man in his thirties, with arms thickly corded with hard muscle, poked his blonde head over the railing to look at his wife. " Sven drinking on the job again?" He asked, looking around with accusing eyes.
"Just come down here, Hod." She told him, not unkindly. Hod's eyes found Ralof, and a look of pleasant surprise lit his expression.
"Ralof!" He exclaimed, immediatly regretting how loud he had spoke. "What are you doing here?- Ill be right down." He told them, lowering his voice and peering around anxiously for any prying eyes.
Gurder lead them over by the edge of the river, where the rushing waters would drown out their conversation if anyone should attempt to eavesdrop. They congregated around a wide tree stump as Gurders son, Frodnar, ran up excitedly upon seeing his uncle Ralof.
"Uncle Ralof!" The child shouted, overjoyed. "Can i see your axe? How many imperials have you killed? Do you really know Ulfric Stormcloak?" Ralof grinned at the childs questions, his excitement contagious.
"Hush, Frodnar- this is no time for your games." Gurder chided her son. "Go watch the south road, and tell us if you see any imperials coming this way." She intstructed. The blond boys face fell in dissapointment.
"Awe, mamma, i want to stay and talk to uncle Ralof..." he whined.
"Look at you, Frodnar," Ralof told his nephew, sizing him up. " You'll be a man grown, soon! You'll be joining the fight yourself before you know it!" He exclaimed, making the child beam.
"Thats right! Im going to be a soldier, just like you!" He declared, puffing up with pride.
"Ofcorse you will, Ill even train you myself- if i dont get arrested for treason that is!"
"Dont worry uncle Ralof- i wont let those imperials sneak up on you!" Frodnar promised his uncle, turning on his heel and scurrying off toward the southern gate to protect his future prospects. Ralof watched him go with a small smile, thinking of himself at that age- he had been quite the handful as well.
Hod mussed his sons hair as he ran passed, and joined them around the oak stump.
"Now, Ralof, whats going on?" He asked, looking between them. "You two look pretty well done in."
"I cant remember when last i slept." Ralof responded, pausing as he sifted through his tired mind for the beginning of the story. "Where do i even start? The news you heard about Ulfric was true. The imperials ambushed us outside Dark water crossing- it was as if they knew exactly where we would be...That was two days ago now."
Ralof's eyes grew far away as the days events undoubtedly replayed in his minds eye, his expression becoming haunted.
"We stopped in Helgen this morning, and i thought it was all over. They had us lined up to the headmans block, and were ready to start chopping. They wouldnt dare give Ulfric a fair trial...Treason- for fighting for your own people! All of Skyrim wouldhave seen the truth then..." He stopped for a moment, and seemed to search for the words he would need to tell them what happened next. "but then...out of nowhere...A dragon attacked."
Hod and Gurder shared a doubtful expression, then looked to Idrissa as if for confirmation.
"You dont mean...A real, live..." Gurder asked in disbelief.
"Aye- I can still hardly believe it myself, and i was there." Ralof told her seriously, heaving a tired sigh. "Strange as it sounds, if not for that Dragon, we wouldnt be alive. We only managed to escape because of the confusion."
"Are we really the first to make it to Riverwood?" Idrissa asked them softly, sadness in her voice. The village had been so full of people- families, children...
"Nobody else has come up the south road today, as far as i know." Gurder answered her solomnly. Idrissa thought about the boy, hamming, who had lost his father as they attempted to flee the village, hoping he and his protector had made it to safety somewhere.
"Its for the best," Ralof said, sounding tired. "Maybe we should lay up for a while- Gurder, I hate to put your family in danger, but..."
"Nonesense," She told him quickly, shaking her head. "You and your friend are welcome here as long as you need. Let me worry about the imperials now." She reached into one of the folds on her work gown and pulled out a set of keys, sliding one off the ring and handing it to Ralof.
"Here is a key to the house. If there is anything you need, let me know." She told him.
"Thank you Sister, I knew i could count on you." Gurder rolled her eyes at her brothers thanks, smiling a little.
"I ought to get back to the mill, before anyone misses me, but...Did anyone else escape? Did Ulfric...?"
"Dont worry, im sure he made it out. Not even a Dragon can kill Ulfric Stormcloak." He assured her, only half joking. Hod cleared his throat, before he spoke to his wife.
"I'll uh, show them around the house and what not..."
"Hmph," Gurder tisked, giving her husband a sideways look. " Help them to drink up our mead, you mean." She rolled her eyes and looked to her brother once more. "Good luck brother, i'll see you later."
"Dont worry about me, I know how to lay low..." Ralof reassured his sister as she turned to resume her work- The colors of sunset had nearly faded from the pre dusk sky, casting the valley into shadow. Fondly, Idrissa reflected on Ralof's behavior since she had met him that very morning, somehow doubting he knew how to lay low at all.
. . .
. . .
Hello readers! thank you again for staying with me thus far. :) welcome to the soundboard!
this chapter was a little harder to write, what with all the action- in the game, Bethesda cut its original content to make the tutorial shorter. To make things more interesting, I re added it, making the dialogue more relevant to the plot and giving readers a chance to get to know the dynamic between Ulfric and Ralof. In game, this cut content can be restored via mods.
if you enjoyed, hit that follow/favorite button, and feel free to leave a review!
