I looked at the orc puzzled. " No can't say I did what about it?"
The orc sighed as he took a big gulp of his ale, he seemed tired, exhausted even his big stature sulked down. His hair was breaded backwards, and the wrinkles on his face told the story of a man who has been through a lot.
" I didn't expect you too, no one dares to accept the Truth!" The orc said frustrated as he slammed his big fist in the table. He was clearly drunk, cause I don't think a man of his posture loses control.
" What truth?" I asked intrigued.
The orc faced me, a tone of urgency in his eyes as he spoke up.
" The vampire menace plaguing Skyrim... Haven't you noticed?"
My eyes opened wide, as I felt a sharp pain cursing through my body originating from my side.
* No no no no, not again I won't I will not! *
My mind went a hundred miles per hour, as my face turned paler than the snow on the mountains.
My hands couldn't stop shaking as I tried to grab the potion,Hilde gave me. When I finally caught a hold of it, I brought it to my mouth struggling to take a sip as my whole body shook.
The orc saw me struggling and helped me take the potion as he made me down it in one gulp.
Slowly but surely my body stopped shaking as the extreme pain in my chest subsided, my hands still trembled as I stared infront of me.
" Are you okay friend?" The orc said as he put a hand on my back.
My eyes were dark and glazed as I looked him in the eye, my voice was deep and broken, I spoke up.
" The answer is no... I don't care! I don't wanna care! I came here for a new start..." I got up from the bench, and walked away. I didn't even bother to say goodbye or look at the orc again, as I proceeded to my quarters. All the while my chest was killing me as I felt a force of a thousand man pushing on it.
"Not again..." I softly murmured to myself as I caved in on the bed. I closed my eyes as I tried to shake the memories from my mind. The screaming of all those people echoing in my mind. My vision went dark as sleep caught up to me.
** My vision was blurred as a dark voice was talking to me. " You know what I want you to do?"
My glazed eyes were focused on a dark corner in the streets. "Y...Yes master, kill them all." These words left my mouth, but they weren't my own,As I tried to fight them back.
" Well what are you waiting for? Go!" The dark voice commanded me. I struggled back as my body was moving on its own, after a few steps I managed to stay still. My body started to tremble as it took all my power to keep me from moving forward.
" Ah you are resisting, so interesting! I have never encountered someone as strong willed as you. But it is futile now MOVE!" The dark voice yelled.
I could feel my body starting to move again, I managed to hold my leg back with my arms it took all my strength. As I felt I was losing the battle. 'Nooo!' I screamed but no sound came out of my mouth
The figure came out of the dark, I couldn't see his face. As he approached me he grabbed me by the neck and lifted me up. He made eye contact with me and all the willpower left my body as my eyes became glazed again.
"Good! Now go." He commanded me again.
My body moved on its own again, I was an observer in my own body as I moved through the dimly lit streets.
' NO NO NO...RESIST DAMMIT!' I internally screamed, but my body didn't listen. As through my glazed eyes I saw a house coming closer and closer.
I drew my sword as I came closer and closer towards the door, a man stood outside of the home. He took a sip out of a tankard he was holding. He noticed me as he looked happy to see me.
" Ah Dracar you are back! Everyone is already inside waiting for you. Wait why do you have Nightbane drawn? Dracar..? What are you doing? Dracar... NO!"
I tried my hardest to stop my sword hand from swinging. But to no avail, blood spattered all over my face.
'NOOOO!' **
" NOOO..!" I screamed, as I sprung up straight. Covered in sweat and trembling from the god awful dream..
I slowly got out of bed as I stumbled to the corner of the room, where a bucket of fresh water was standing. I soaked my hands in it and splashed my face.
Tears were flowing down my face, as I grimaced from the memories of that faithful night.
A knock on the door got my attention.
'Thank the divines!' I thought as I opened the door.
The innkeeper stood before me with a worried look on his face. " Is everything okay sir?" The nord asked me.
" Yes..just had a bad dream that's all." I stuttered as I struggled to keep eye contact with the man.
The man's face expression softened as he spoke up. " I would have got the same nightmare's, after the things you saw in that crypt!" The man reasoned thinking that was the reason of the night terror I just had.
' I truly wished it was just that...' I thought.
I breathed in deep and out, as I closed my eyes focusing on the rising and falling of my chest. It calmed me down after the memories came, it was a handy trick to clear my mind.
Now that my mind was clear and, I straightened my back and stood tall again. There was no trace left from the weak broken guy just moments ago.
" So what time is it?" I asked the innkeeper.
The man seemed confused at the change in composure before he answered me.
" Its just about dawn, do you want something to eat? " He asked as he walked back to his counter.
I followed the man as I took a seat at the bar. " Yes I would like that." I said as I took around the inn. There were a few early birds up, already eating. The orc was also sitting at an table eating his morning meal.
He looked at me just briefly before continuing.
I stood up of my stool and moved towards him,as I took a seat next to him. He glanced at me briefly before focusing on his meal again.
The innkeeper brought me my meal. It was the same beef stew from last night with a piece of bread and a jug of milk.
We sat there eating and drinking silently for a while, as the orc finally spoke up.
"My name is Durak, nice to meet you." He said as he extended his hand. I took a firm hold of it and shaked it.
" Dracar." I just simply said.
The Durak looked at me with a smile.
" Haha, not as talkative as you were last night huh?" He laughed as he took a sip of his ale.
I just simply glared at him.
" So Dracar.. Have you changed your mind huh?" His tone now serious as he looked at me. All traces of his amusement now gone.
" I haven't quite made up my mind yet." I said frowning.
" You know it's the right thing to do... After seeing your reaction last night I presume you have dealt with them before." Durak stated.
I frowned at the thought of hunting vampires, they were cunning deceitful creature's. And most of all very dangerous.
Durak noticed my turmoil as he put a hand on my shoulder,he spoke up.
" Tell you what Dracar, you seem like a capable fighter. I heard all about it during your explanation yesterday. We are located behind Riften, you just have to find the cave entrance towards dayspring canyon. After that just walk past the waterfall and there you will see fort dawnguard. If you are interested in joining our fight just go there."
He gave me a hopeful smile as he stood up.
" Now forgive me, I have more recruits to find. Just remind yourself what happened to you, happens all around Skyrim right now. You could help!" Durak said confident as he paid the innkeeper and went out the door.
I watched him leave as he left me there pondering.
' Maybe I should go there, he is right if that vampire threat is as big as he says it is. More people will have the same faith as me.. I cant let that happen!' I thought to myself as I too went to the innkeeper to pay of my debts.
I moved to the counter grabbing my coin pouch, I took twenty septims from it.
" No need, the orc already paid for you." The innkeeper said.
A smile came across my face. "Well he does know how to make a man feel obligated to help, I give him that."
I grabbed all my stuff making sure I had the claw and the weird tablet. I said my goodbye's and went out the inn.
When I got outside a mist was hanging low on the streets, as I could hear birds singing their morning song. The sun was slowly creeping over the mountains giving the whole village of Riverwood a orange glow.
" Lets get this claw back to its owner." I said to myself as I moved toward the trader.
The door of the trader was still locked, what was I even thinking. 'Its very early ofcourse the man is not awake yet.' I scolded myself.
A few moments later I heard a key turning, Lucan stood infront of me.
" Hello back again so soon huh? Want some more supplies?" The imperial asked.
I rummaged through my backpack and pulled out the golden claw. " I actually came by to bring you this." I said as I presented him the claw.
A smile came across my face, as I saw the man's eyes open wide. As he called out to his sister.
" Camilla! Come here, that stranger had brought the claw back!"
Lucan pulled me in his shop. " Come in, come in we have to repay you!" He said excited, all the while patting my back.
His sister came down the stairs in her nightgown, I tried not to look and be respectful.
" By the divines! Where did you find it?" She extaticly said.
I smiled at them as I was happy that for once I made people smile.
" I found it in Bleak falls Barrow, a lowlife thief had it. He was trying to open an ancient door with it. " I explained to them leaving all the gory details behind.
Lucan smiled at me as he patted my back once again. " Tell me how can we repay you? You want some gold, food, a place to stay whenever you need?" He rattled on
" I don't want anything for it just glad to help." I exclaimed as I was ready to leave again.
" No we can't let you leave empty handed!" Lucan said as he handed me a pouch of septims.
I opened it and my eyes widened, in the pouch were at least two hundred septims.
" I can't accept this..." I stuttered.
Lucan smiled at me." Well you best do cause we aren't taking it back, see this as a gift to get you started around here." He said as he patted my back again.
I sighed in defeat. "Fine, thank you a lot Lucan Camilla." As I opened the door Lucan said one more thing.
" If you ever need gear or sell something, you know where to find me!"
I nodded as I took off.
" Now let's first get to Whiterun to inform the jarl of the dragon. And after that to Morthal." I said to myself as I crossed the bridge again, as I felt the spot in my side tingle again.
This time I made sure to take the road down instead of up as I followed the path next to the river. The road twisted and turned as it winded down. I looked to my side the river now turned into a series of waterfalls and salmon where jumping up it.
It didn't take long for me to find myself facing a huge city in the distance, its huge walls were broken down but still impressive. As wooden guard towers were placed on broken down stone towers. And wooden palisade walls filling up broken parts of the wall.
On the far right a huge keep stood its roof was pitched high in true nordic fashion.
I looked at it in awe not noticing I missed a bridge by just a few metres.
" Fuck!" I yelled as I tumbled down its bank in the cold water.
A few moments later I was walking along the path again, only this time I was soaked and pretty agitated.
" Really fuck my luck, you hear me divines you and your sick plays!" I yelled at the skies as I stomped down the road.
a farmed which plowed his land looked at me amused as he laughed a bit. I just looked at him angry as I kept going, which made him laugh even harder.
I just sighed as I took a look around me, I saw a few farms around me. The castle entrance was a few hundred meters in front of me,there was a stable right next to the first gate house.
It took me a few minutes to reach the stables, two figures were talking about an weird jester. Which had a broken cart with a huge casket on top of it. I just shrugged it of as I moved towards the first guard house.
It looked pretty defendable a winding road led up to a second gatehouse with a drawbridge. I crossed it and finally saw the main gate leading to the city.
Two guards stood in front of it as I made my way up. One of the guards stopped me.
" Stop! No entry to the city with the dragons about!" He said stern.
I just looked at the man annoyed, I could already tell this wasn't going to be my day.
" I have important news from Helgen, it was attacked by the dragon.." I said as convincing as and urgent as I possible could.
I saw the man contemplating as he looked at his fellow guardsman. The other guy nodded and the guard stepped aside.
" Fine but I got my eyes on you! No funny business!" The guard said stern again.
They opened the gate for me, and I proceeded in the city. The streets were not as busy as I expected. There were a few people walking the streets talking and laughing, as a few kids were running along playing tag.
I grimaced as I did not like being in a city again, to much bad memories. I saw a man blonde broad man in imperial armor and decided to ask him for directions.
" Hey you in the imperial armor." I said.
The nord turned around and glared at me.
" Grey Mane or Battleborn?" He asked me.
I looked at him puzzled before answering.
" Uhm excuse me?" I said confused.
" Wadya got rocks in yer'ears? I asked you a question! Grey Mane or Battleborn." He asked again louder this time, narrowing his eyes at me.
I quirked my eyebrow at him as I answered him again.
" I am really sorry, I don't know what you are talking about. I just want to have directions to the jarl's courthouse." I asked the blone nord, still very confused.
The man's face expression lightened, as he spoke up.
"Ah I see.. New here in Whiterun are you? I will tell you after you answered me. My name is Idolaf Battle-Born and my family backs the empire! While those traitor Grey-Mane milk drinkers back the stormcloak rebellion! So which side are you on?!" He asked me, I was truly dumbfounded.
' Best give him what he wants or I will never get my answer.' I thought as I sighed in defeat.
" Battleborn ofcourse, long live the Empire!" I said convincingly.
The blonde nord smiled.
" Ah an imperial loyalist, what did you want to know? Ah yes, the way to the keep. You just keep walking straight towards the market place, after that you up walk the stairs. You will then find yourself at the main plaza infront of Jorvaskr. Then just follow the stairs next to the Talos statue and that will lead you right to the keep."
Idolaf explained as he was pointing his vingers every direction which made me smirk just a bit.
" Thank you a lot Idolaf." I said as I moved towards the marketplace.
A few stalls were scattered across the small plaza infront of what I presumed was an inn.
The sign read the bannered mare.
' Well atleast I found a place to sleep for the night.' I thought to myself as I followed Idolaf's direction's and went up the stairs.
It looked quite pretty,along the steps water flowed in small channels. And the steps led to an arch above the upper part of the stairs.
I soon found myself facing a huge tree, surrounded by one of those wooden circle structures that flowers grew on. Benches surrounded the tree making it an Ideal place for the citizen's of Whiterun to relax.
" It is a beautiful sight, even though I don't know the name of the structure." I muttered
On the left side of the tree there stood a temple of Kynareth, and on the right side a huge... 'Upside down boat?' I thought as my eyebrows quirked. At the strange building, it looked like a boat was flipped upside down and they made a meadhall out of it.
Finally I spotted the statue of Talos, I walked up to the statue as I felt a strange force pulling me towards it.
'Talos the godking of mankind, the man who founded the Empire. And raised the numidium to conquer all of Tamriel. What an idiot all to be a divine being.' I scoffed at the thought.
The stairs leading up to the keep were right next to the statue. I looked back to the statue, as I walked up the stairs.
" I will forever curse you divines! for my twisted past..." I muttered.
The walk up the stairs was not long, and I soon found myself before a huge gate leading into the keep. Two guards opened the huge gate for me as I strolled in.
The great hall was amazing, all along the main path up stood huge pillars ornate pillars with horses depicted on it. The ended up in big arches all along the ceiling supporting the impressively huge roof.
To my surprise the whole hall was lit up nicely, natural light shone in through skylights in the roof giving the whole room the same golden glow that was outside.
Chandeliers were hanging on every other arch, and as i proceeded up the small stairs leading up from the meeting hall into the main court hall. I saw two huge dinning tables sitting across from eachother, a square fire pit in the middle.
Several smaller ornate support struts held up a balcony on each side of the dining tables. Between the struts were a few decorative ornate arches depicting dragons.
On every other strut the flag of Whiterun was hanging proudly, it depicted a yellow tribal horse head.
Across from the fire pit was the throne of the jarl it stood on a raised platform. And right above its head hung a huge dragon skull.
' I just forgot how huge the mouth on those creatures are... Yikes!' I thought to myself as I grimaced remembering the black dragon.
There were three people standing next to the jarl arguing. What looked like an imperial advisor, a dark elf and what looked like the captain of the guard. The dark elf noticed me and drew her weapons approaching me.
" What is your business here? Jarl Balgruuf is in a meeting right now!" The dark elf yelled.
She had red hair, and a fair grey skin. She wasn't the tallest elf out there but she wasn't small either. Her figure was quite sturdy as you'd expect from a housecarl. Atleast that was what I presumed she was.
" I asked you a question imperial!" She said again.
I just ignored her and turned towards the Jarl which eyes were now on me.
" Jarl Balgruuf... I come from Helgen and have news about the dragon." I said as I tried standing tall and proud composing myself.
' I wouldn't want him to know I was about to get my head chopped of...' I gringed at the thought of how close I was to my death.
The tall blonde nord stood up from his throne, his posture tall and proud as a sense of authority resounded from the man.
" Oh really? tell me more.." the mans voice boulderd through the hall.
I swallowed a bit as I tried to keep my composure under this man's intimidating stare.
" Well lord... The dragon headed over the mountain straight past Riverwood! And the villagers asked me too ask you for help..." I Fluttered the words out, nearly facepalming at the way it came out.
the man's intense stare softened as he looked at the Captain of the guard. A broad partly bald imperial.
" Caius.. send a detachment of troops to Riverwood... at once! " The Jarl commanded
Then the imperial advisor spoke up.
" But Jarl Balgruuf that is Falkreath territory! Ulfric Stormcloak will see this as an declaration of war." The man pleaded.
Jarl Balgruuf stood up from his throne, his eyes locked on the advisor as he spoke, but a few words.
" Let him come..!" His hoarse authoritarian voice resounded of the walls giving it more power.
The Imperial advisor wanted to speak up again but was interrupted by a guard running through the gate.
The poor man was covered in sweat his armor burned and ripped. The helmet was missing from his head, as he had a very panicked expression on his head.
" A...a...a" the man tried speaking through heavy panting.
" Speak up! What is the matter?" The Jarl said stern.
" A... Dragon! He is attacking the northern tower!" The man finally said after regaining his breath
The Jarl faced the dark elf.
"Irilith... go there with a detachment of guards! And take the Imperial with you he's got experience with dragon's..." He commanded
I couldn't even uther one complaint before I was dragged by my collar by the dark elf. She commanded six guards to follow. After a while of running through the city we reached the gate. And the dark elf stopped put her hand on my chest.
I stopped running and quirked my eyebrows at her. " Why are you stopping me? Don't we have a dragon to hunt?"
Irilith glared at me as she spoke up.
" The Jarl may trust you to help us.. But I don't, I know people like you... Always hiding something always a hidden knife somewhere! So if you turn out to be what I think you are you hang!"
'Damn... That hit close to home! But she isn't wrong. Guess I have to proof myself!' I thought to myself, as I smiled at her.
" Then let me proof it, and kill this dragon together!" I said as convincingly as I could.
She just nodded but she didn't let me run behind her. I could feel her killing intent all the way to the tower.
Speaking of which, it was all ruined. Burning rubble and molten stone were all over the place. As the stench of blood and burned flesh filled the air.
We spread out over the field, searching for survivors. I made my way up the ruins into the remains of the tower. In the corner sat a guardsman rocking back and forth.
I moved over to him as I stretched out my hand to him, as I touched him he sprung up yelling.
" No no no! Don't eat me! The fire is hot !"
The man was obviously in shock, I focused my Magicka in my hands. And cast the only other spell I knew on him. The man immediately calmed down as he broke down on the ground.
After a while he recovered his posture.
" Thank youu.." he softly said. " I... I just.. that beast is so savage he ripped Bormir's head straight of. And after that he incinerated Bjorn and Fergel..." The man sadly explained.
I had pity on the man, as I knew how terrible these beasts are.
" Was this one black and huge?" I asked the man.
" No." Was his reply.
My eyes widened. ' There are more!? You got to be kidding me!'
" Where did he go?" I asked him after a few seconds, as this time I had to regain my composure.
" He circle's arou..." The man was cut of by a huge roar.
" THERE HE IS AGAIN!" The man yelled as he crouched down in the fetus position.
I ran outside, and was greeted with a huge red dragon. Its wings had blue patterns on it and all along its spine were spike like appendages. Its huge wings generated a powerful gust of wind, as he flew over the tower. And headed straight towards the guardsman and Irilith..
" WATCH OUT !" I yelled as hard as I could.
They turned around with Shield's up just in time, as they got in a turtle like formation with Irilith in the middle.
I saw the throat of the dragon lit up as its fire breath shot out of its jaws. It engulfed the turtle formation completely.
Seeing this I realized I was next if I didn't act.
I shot an arrow aimed at its face, it hit the target but it bounced right off. The dragon then noticed me as he flew straight towards me.
" What the fuck...!"
The dragon roared as he charged me, I instinctively rolled down to evade his fire breath. It flew high up in the sky as it turned around. 'Fuck fuck fuck! Its fucking terrifying, why did I go with them ! I should have stayed in Cyrodill. Beter chances surviving a whole legion than this!'
I thought as it dive bombed down.
This time I rolled to the side and stuck Nightbane up in its wing. It cut straight through the membrane, as I used its momentum to inflict more damage.
The dragon roared loudly as it connected to the ground a few hundred meters away from me. Leaving huge skitmarks.
I ran towards it while it was still down, but by the time I reached it. The beast was already on its feet again.
As he spewed its fiery wrath at me I ducked behind a piece of rubble. I felt like being cooked as the rock seared my back.
" Fuck thats hot! I got to get the upper hand or I will be seared..."
The dragon roared again as it stomped towards step it made, made the ground tremble.
I peered out from the rock and saw it coming closer. Scanning my surroundings I saw another rock close to the dragon.
Then the dragon got distracted by Irilith and the guards.
" This is my chance!" I said to myself as I bolted towards the rock. The dragon turned its head to face me. But it was to late as I jumped on the rock and used it as a step to jump on the dragons back.
The beast tried its hardest to shake me of, but I was determined. As it violently shook its neck I grabbed a hold of its horns.
" AHHH... DIEE!" I yelled as I thrusted Nightbane through its skull.
The dragon fell down with a loud bang, now lifeless.
"I..i..i.." I stuttered,as the adrenaline that was rushing through my body. Made it hard to speak.
" I killed it!" I roared
Then something happened that left me shook. The dragons skin disintegrated in thin air. Colourful spirals of energy danced around it, as the dragons bones were now visible.
And suddenly all of the spirals bolted towards me.
" Whaaa..!" I yelped as I held my hands infront of my face.
The same powerfull feeling as in Bleak falls Barrow, entered my body. And I felt power overflowing in my whole being.
I tried to speak but only a single word came out..
**FUS**
The word thunderd through the tundra around the tower, Echoing off the mountains.
" What the fuck is happening to me..." I muttered to myself. as my vision went blurry, I tried to keep standing. I stumbled on my feet as the last thing I saw were the guards running towards me.
My eyes shot open and I heard voices whispering in the background.
" He is completely healed! How can that be Farengar?" I heard the voice of Irilith speaking to a man named Farengar.
I groggily got up as my vision was still blurry.
" I don't know Irilith. I have never seen anything like this.."
My vision returned and I found myself in a room next to where Irilith and the Farengar guy were talking. I got out of the bed they placed me on and openend the door. As I moved into the next room, I saw Irilith and a hooded figure, probably the court mage.
The man looked at me suprised as he began to rattle excitingly about the dragon. " So how was it?! Was it grand? What were the colour of its wings!? Is it intelligent? Do you mind getting a live specimen?! How exhilarating must it have been to see one up close!"
I glared at the man.
" You are insane! Those beast are not interesting! They are even worse than fucking vampires!" I ranted as the stress from the last few days left my body, in furious words.
The man sulked down from his former excited posture. As he brought up the dragon stone, I could only presume they saw it between my stuff.
" Well anyway, this stone you found is the key to finding out what is happening." Farengar said but I interrupted him immediately.
" I really don't care... I killed the dragon to help and that's it! Dept solved, you have the means to find out what is going on... Goodluck!" I said as I walked out of the room.
"Dracar... Wait! You can't do this. You are dragon born! Only you can permanently kill dragons!" Irilith yelled as she grabbed my arm.
" I did my part.. I have enough problems on my plate!" I sneered back at the dark elf.
" The divines gave you this fate Dracar, you can't escape it." She blatantly said.
" Fuck the divines! I make my own fate!" I yelled as I proceeded towards the grand doors.
Then the authoritarian voice of Jarl Balgruuf resounded from the walls. " No mortal escapes their fate Dracar, you will find that out yourself one way or the other. Its up to you how many lives you are going to throw away for that."
I simply nodded as I waved my hand in goodbye walking out the huge ornate gate. A slight feeling of guilt washed over me, as the words from Balgruuf hit me right where he intended.
Durak flashed through my mind.
' Its time to face my past!' I thought as I walked out of Whiterun determined to find fort dawnguard.
* Hello guys here is chapter two sorry that it took so long. I had a hard time finishing this part with lack of inspiration. But I am back with new insperation and I am currently working on chapter three. Quess who is going to make an appearance there...
Make sure to give me feedback where you can and tell me if you like the story. Thanks a lot and i will see you guys in chapter three.*