Bound in Blood - Ch. 1: The Dragon

Bound in Blood

Chapter 1: The Dragon

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"Ahrk fin scrollle lost prodah do ved wingge ko fin krah, tol rul brothedro win kein come fundein! alduin, feyn do kings, kruziik vokun staadnau, voth aan bahlok wah diivon fin lein!"

 

17th of Last Seed 4E 201

Theryn opened his eyes. He could see the morning sky and a few stars that still haven't dissapeared in the suns light. He was moving, in a cart. He sat up and saw that he was in a cart with three others. A young Redguard and two older Nords. The Redguard had nothing but rags on him but the two Nords were well dressed. One had heavy armor with a blue cloak wrapped around to keep him warm while the other more noble looking clothes with a blue-ish fur coat and on it was an insignia, a white bear head on a blue background.

He knew what happened. He wasn't attacked. He simply found himself at the wrong place at the wrong time. The Nords obviously are part of the rebellion. They call themselves the Stormcloaks. Theryn was informed of them, but still, he didn't expect to walk into this. He knew that, if you want to survive a situation like this, he had to stay calm and wait for the right moment to make his move.

The Redguard looked at him. "You there! You and I aren't meant to be here. We're not rebels."

 "I know." said Theryn. "But if you don't keep your mouth shut, we won't have a chance to get out."

The Nord sitting next to Theryn looked at the Redguard. "We're all brothers in binds now, thief. Your last thoughts should be of home."

Theryn smiled. "I've been alive for more then two hundred years. I don't plan on dying today."

***

After a while, Theryn managed to see a small town through the trees. They passed a small ridge and came upon a sign saying: Helgen. This was strange to Theryn. He thought they were going to the Imperial City. Someone like Ulfric would get a public execution. This was something else. They entered the city and the carts stopped in the central area.

"Look at that." said the Nord. "General Tullius, the military governor. And it looks like the Elves are with him."

Theryn looked at the armored Elves. They were Dominion soldiers. But the main Elf. Theryn knew her. He was looking at Elenwen, the Thalmor ambassador to Skyrim. They were told to get of the cart and then the Imperial captain started calling them out. 

"Lokir of Rorikstead!" she said. But the man started panicking.

"No! Please don't." he then broke off and started running.

"Archers!" the captain yelled. The young man fell down to the ground as the arrows hit him. He was dead on the spot.

"Next!" the captain said. "The Nord in the rags!"

Theryn was shocked when he saw a young blond girl step out of the line. She couldn't have been older then fifteen winters. He decided to do something.

"What in the name of Auri-El are you doing!?" he asked. "You can't kill a child!"

However, one of the Imperials hit him with his sword hilt, sending Theryn to the ground. The captain took the girl and pushed her to the executioners block. The girl was crying. She hit the girl in the legs, forcing her to her knees and then put her head on the block. At that moment the entire area echoed with a strange roar.

"What was that?" asked one of the guards.

"It was nothing." said the captain. She turned to the axeman. "Do it."

As the executioner raised his axe, one of the guards pointed towards the mountains. "What is that!?" he yelled.

Theryn was in shock. Everyone looked at the winged creature. Blacker then night.

"Dragon!" Tullius yelled. "Get the townspeople to safety!"

The dragon landed on the nearby tower. He then let out the roar that opened the sky and flames started raining down on the town. Several houses were set on fire. Theryn could see villagers on fire. Screaming for help as their very skin was melting from them. He then saw the girl on the ground, trying ti hide behind the small block.

"Hey." he said as he extended his arm to her. "You alright?"

"I am." she said.

"Then come on. We have to get to cover." said Theryn as the two of them started running towards a nearby tower.

As they entered the tower, they saw two Nords and Ulfric. One of the Nords closed the doors behind them. Then the other Nord took out his sword and pointed it at Theryn.

"What are you doing here, Elf?" he asked.

Ulfric placed his hand on the Nords sword. "Lower your weapon brother. The Empire wanted to kill him with us. As you said on the cart, we're all brothers in binds."

"Very well. But I'll be watching you pointy-ears." said the Nord as he sheated his weapon.

"We can't stay here." said Theryn. 

Ulfric nooded. "Agreed. Ralof!" he said.

The Nord turned to him. "You and the Elf go up top. See if we can jump on the roof of that inn." Ulfric said.

"I'm not sure if you saw what I saw." said the girl. "But there's a fucking dragon outside."

"I know." said Theryn. "But if stay here, we're as good as dead."

"Let's go then pointy-ears." said Ralof.

As they went up the steps, they saw the other Nord. But then the wall next to him collapsed, burying him under the debris. Theryn could see the black dragon outside, looking directly at him. Then the dragon opened his mouth. Theryn and Ralof jumped on the floor as the entire room was engulfed in flames. Theryn could feel the immense heat on his skin. But this heat was different. It wasn't like putting your hand above the fireplace. It was something else.

The flames dissapeared as the dragon flew off the tower. Theryn and Ralof stood up and looked outside through the hole. Helgen was entirely engulfed in flames. Luckily, the inn was mostly intact and they could jump on the hay roof.

"Come on. Let's jump." said Ralof.

"Wait." said Theryn. "I have to get the girl. We can't leave her."

"You do what you want to do, Elf. I'm not dying for a little brat." said Ralof.

"And you call yourself a Nordic freedom fighter?" asked Theryn.

"I fight for true Nordic warriors. She can't even lift a sword. How will she fight for Skyrim?" said Ralof.

"Not everyone can fight." proclaimed Theryn.

"Then she has no place among the true sons of Skyrim." said Ralof.

Ralof jumped out the hole, landing in the inn. Theryn looked at him and whispered to himself. "I'm gonna kill you one day."

As Theryn made his way back down, he saw the girl and Ulfric by the door. "What is it?" he asked.

Ulfric slightly opened the door. "Look. The dragon is on the other side of the down. We can make a run for the keep." he said.

"I don't know." said Theryn. "Too risky."

"And jumping from a tower isn't?" said the girl.

"You're right." said Theryn. "Let's do it."

They opened the door, and Theryn stepped outside. The keep was right in front of them, they just had to run across the courtyard. The girl was right behind him and Ulfric was last. They started running. As they reached the arc passage separating the courtyard from the keep grounds, the dragon flew right into the nearby tower, knocking it down and separating Theryn and the girl from Ulfric.

"We have to help him." said the girl.

"We can't." said Theryn. "It's too dangerous."

"But we can't just..." she said as Theryn cut her off.

"Listen. He can take care of himself. You can't help everyone." he said.

They made their way to the keep and closed the door behind them. Theryn started looking around in chests.

"What are you doing?" asked the girl.

"Looking for weapons. Can't run around Skyrim unprotected." he said.

"Can I get one?" she asked.

"No. You're too young." he said.

Theryn took out an old iron sword and a small steel dagger. "Don't have my equipment but this will do." he said to himself.

He turned to the girl. "You ready to go?" he asked.

The girl smiled. "I am."

"What's your name?" Theryn asked.

"I'm Val."

***

Theryn and Val entered the basement of the keep. As they made their way across the hallway, a part of the ceiling collapsed, blocking their way. Theryn looked at the door near them.

"Through here." he said. "Storage rooms usually have two doors."

"How do you know?" asked Val.

"It's easier to move and pick up supplies during crisis." said Theryn.

"Makes sense." said Val.

They made their way through the storage room and came out on the other side of the debris. They came upon stairs and made their way down. As they descended down, Val stopped in shock.

"What is this place?" she asked, her eyes wide open.

Theryn pulled her with him. "It's a torture room. Close your eyes, I'll guide you." he said.

They passed several remains of captured Stormcloaks. Their finger cut off or twisted, their hands and legs broken. Their teeth pulled out. As they passed towards the jail area, Theryn saw a body in one of the cells, his scalp missing.

They came upon a small hole in the wall, leading into a cave system.

"You okay with this?" asked Val.

"There's no other way." said Theryn. "Come on."

They entered the tunnel. As they moved through it, they could see the cave on the other side. After getting through a tight spot, they managed to enter the caves.

"These don't look like normal caves." said Val.

"No." mumbled Theryn. "Probably old Nordic ruins. Stay close to me. And stay away from the walls."

Val nooded. "Right. Lead the way."

But as they continued, they were stopped by two Stormcloaks.

"Ralof." said Theryn as he griped his sword hilt. "What do you want?"

"I'm not gonna let a Nord be taken by a Thalmor." said Ralof.

"I'm not a Thalmor. Elenwen was here, she would've stopped the Imperials." said Theryn.

"No. All of this was a trick to fool us." said Ralof. "So we would trust you. Now let the girl go."

"No." said Val.

"Looks like she made her choice." said Theryn. "Now step aside."

"I don't think so." said Ralof. "Bjorn! Kill him!"

The Nord lunged at Theryn, but he managed to dodge his attack. Theryn pulled out his sword and prepared for the fight. The Nord lunged again. This time however, Theryn was ready. As the Nord raised his axe above his head, Theryn lunged as well, slicing the Nord across the chest. The Nord fell on the ground, blood gushing with every breath that the Nord took. Soon, however, he fell to his wound.

Theryn stood up. "Look at him, Val. The Great Ralof! Sending others to do his dirty work for him. And now his comrade lies dead."

Ralof stood there, gripping his sword as he raised his shield. "You got no place in Skyrim. None of you do."

"Then kick me out!" yelled Theryn.

"I'll kill you!" yelled Ralof and lunged at Theryn.

Their swords collided, sending sparks flying. Theryn took a step back to regain his balance, and countered by kicking Ralof. Ralof blocked his kick and swung his sword, missing Theryn by a hair. They stepped away from each other for a moment.

"Not bad Elf." said Ralof. "You had practice."

"Couple hundred years." said Theryn.

They lunged again. Ralof tried to slash Theryn across the chest, but Theryn blocked his attack, countering with a fist to Ralofs face. The Nord stepped back, before attacking again. He managed to hit Theryn across the hand, but not deep enough to cause him any problems. Ralof attacked again, this time catching Theryn off guard but missing again. Theryn recovered and slashed Ralof across his hip. As Ralof stood back up, Theryn kicked him in the chest, sending him to the floor.

Ralof stood back up, ready to attack, but at that moment a fireball hit him in the shield, sending him flying across the room, the force of the blast knocking him out. Theryn turned around to see Val with her hands engulfed in flames. Slowly the flames went away.

"You're a mage?" Theryn asked with shock on his face.

"I'm not." said Val. "I mean... I am. But I can't control it."

"We're lucky you controlled it now. Come on. Before anyone else tries to stop us." said Theryn.

***

As they made their way through the ruins, they managed to see daylight. They stepped outside into the fresh mountain air.

"Finaly." said Val with a smile on her face. "Never thought I'd be this happy on a mountain."

"Same here." said Theryn. "So... is Val short for something?"

"Valina Flame-Giver." said Val.

"Flame-Giver? That explaines molag magicka." said Theryn.

"What?" asked Val.

"Molag." said Theryn. "It means fire in Altmeri."

"What are we gonna do now?" asked Val.

"First I'll take you home." said Theryn. "Then I'll continue with my mission."

"What is your mission?" asked Val.

"Doesn't interest you." said Theryn.

"But it does." said Val. "That's why I asked."

"You don't really get what ''doesn't interest you'' means. Do you?" asked Theryn.

"Oh." said Val. "Now I get it."

"Come on." said Theryn. "Let's get you home."

"I don't have a home." said Val.

"What do you mean?" asked Theryn.

"The Stormcloaks burned it." Val explained. "My father was Nord and my mother was Imperial, so they killed her and burned our house."

"Then were is your father?" Theryn asked.

"Dead as well. Bandits killed him a couple of days later." said Val. "Then they took me..."

"Okay." said Theryn. "You don't have to continue."

"Maybe you can take me to Riften." Val proposed. "There's a orphange there."

"No." said Theryn. "I'm not taking you to that dump."

"Then what are going to do?" she asked.

"I'm not sure yet." said Theryn. "There's a town a little north of here. We'll buy a room for the night and think about our next step."

"Sounds good to me." said Val.

"You ready to go?" asked Theryn.

"Never been more ready in my life." said Val.

Theryn smiled as the two of them made their way down the mountain trail, black smoke rising behind them as a dragons roar echoed through the mountain peaks.

 

                                              Table of Contents                                                              Part 2

 

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