Dreadfall (Skyrim Fanfic)

• Posted by Rüby Psiberzerker April 13, 2016 - 3,471 views

  This is a FanFic. I claim no rights to the characters, events, nor places in The Elder Scroll v: Skyrim (Tm 2011, all rights reserved) All characters herein, with the exception of the narrator are (c) Bethesda Softworks, and used without permission. Any resemblance to persons living, dead, or the intellectual property of a third party are purely unintentional. (And not my fault!)
  
  I make no profit for this work, nor does Tamriel Vault, nor their advertisers. It's purely for my own entertainment, and anyone who doesn't think it's a complete piece of garbage. It's intended as a tribute, with some subtle criticism of what is for the most part a fantastic game. There is no historical legal precedent for copyright, nor trademark infringement for the purposes of Fanfic where Slander, or Libel where not motivating factors. 
  
  Should this change as it applies to this petty little work, it will be immediately delited the moment it comes to the Author's (or I suspect Host's) attention, and no doubt promptly forgotten. 

  That out of the way, let me start off by saying she's barely literate, self deluded, and a liar.  So, the speling erors, and grammar are the Narrator's, written in character.
  
  

  Helgen:
  
  I always wanted to be a writer. My friends say I read too much, but I guess I never had anything to write about. Who would want to read the exiting adventures of a girl working in a Tavern? Not even up in the bar, where at least you get to hear exiting rumors, and gossip. Oh no, but down in the cellar, rolling out casks of Mead as they run dry, and practicing with the bung starter, imagining adventures she'd never have?
  
  Or so I thought, whenever I got out, me Onmund, and Nevaris would spend all night playing Magelite tag. Onmund wanted to be a Wizard, just because his Da had an old staff he found in the attic. Anybody could use it, so we tried to shoot each other, and if you got hit, you were it! Onmund always said some made up incantation, pretending we was Bandits, or Soldiers, or something. Nevaris was so good at it, I always got caught, but he could just crouch in the shadows, and you'd swear he wasn't there with his Grey Elf blood.  Even if the one time he was hit he held the staff under his arm to aim it.
  
  So, I guess that's why we was friends. All misfits, a Nord who said he'd be Archmage some day, the only Dunmer in the hold for all we know, and me. A fatherless orphan reads too much.
  
  So anyways, we was out all night, throwing rocks at the Archers out at Neugrad, and I think Onmund blinded one. Then it started getting light, when we got back to town, everbody was all excited about the Carts coming in. Not the usual supplies from Falkreath, or The Rift, but people.  Prisoners by the looks of their bonds, most of them Stormcloaks. And Imperials, I never seen so many, a Captain, and General Tullius by the way she addressed him.
  
  "Ulfric Stormcloak," My heart lept, "Jarl of Windhelm." It was really him, trying to answer through his gag. I'd wondered, but it made sense. Why, they say he could shout a man to peices with just his Battle Cry! "Some here in Helgen call you a Hero, but a Hero doesn't use a power like the voice to murder his King, and Userp his Throne."
  
  "Mmh!" I crept closer, rubbing at my tired eyes to get a better look.
  
  "Who are you?" Behind me, another Nord, in rags was talking to Sargent Hadvaar. He was always busting us for shoplifting, or breaking curfew. "You picked a bad time to come home, Kinsman." or somethin somethin. Tchah!

  That bitch in the Captain uniform was like "Forget the list, he goes to the block!" And my jaw dropped. I looked over at Ulfric, but he was talking to the general, and this thief, Lokir, ran, but the archers shot him.  I realized this is for real, it was like a nitemare, but I couldn't wake up!
  
  Then what's her nuts pushed down this Stormcloak, and he was so brave. I mean, he never stopped talking back, even shut up that smug priestess, and hurried it along. He was so chill, I half expected his head to roll over in the basket, spit blood in her face, and say, "Is that the best you got, you pansies?" 
  
  "Next," the Captain pointed, "The Nord in Rags!"  Well, the one that wasn't dead in the road with 2 Imperial arrows in his back.  He stood bravely, and silently, no doubt reflecting on his breif life as the Captain forced him down, with a boot on his back.
  
  And then, He came. I never got to see an execution before, turned away from the first one, but even with the axe hanging over him, I couldn't help but see how beautiful He was. Magnificent. "Strun," he spoke to me, "Toor Kest!" What power, his voice like a thunderbolt, even the skies heeded his cries, and stones rained down on fire! Jah, serious! 
  
  The executioner got struck down by a bursting boulder, and his axe fell beside the block.. "Mine!" I grabbed it quick, and ran like a skeever with it's tail on fire. 
  
  "Legends don't burn down Villages," The first thing I ever heard Ulfric say. 
  
  Up the stairs, the wall burst open, and someone scrambled to jump past His massive horns.. "Jol," I didn't like the sound of that, "Toor'Shuul!" The tower filled with fire, so we ran back out, but at least the Dragon wasn't still in the courtyard. A Stormcloak, and that Nord guy jumped between the tower, and the burning remains of Tzolt's house. 
  
  "This way!" Ulfric waved, and led the rallying Stormcloaks toward the East Gate. The Imperials were too busy shooting arrows, and fire bolts at the sky, so we managed to smash through right before some burning logs collapsed behind us. They headded for a camp, but I went North, to the only place I knew... 
  

  Fort Neugrad

  It looks different by the light of day. With any luck, I could maybe sneak in, and find a place to crash. I know the place almost like Helgen, the guards, their usual paths, and the breaks in the walls. Just wish there was some shadows, or something to hide in.  I figured, I didn't have a place to stay.  So, might as well see if i can clean out the old fort, or at least one of the towers.
  
  I held my breath while one walked past, and quick sprinted to the Prison. Not that many guys in there, as soon as I got over the snow glare, I looked around, but only found the stairs down. There was just one guy, wandering around between the boxes, and crates, and barrels, and stuff. I hid behind a pillar, gripping the haft of my axe, and waited.
  
  Just like my Bung Starter, I guessed, only lighter, and sharp enough to cut a man's head off. How hard could it be? I swear, my heart was pounding so hard, I was sure he'd hear it. But he walked right past, muttering something about a whore, so I took a big breath, raised the axe, and "HUAH!" brought it down as hard as I could.
  
  Like watching Torolf in the woodlot, THUNK! It rang in the haft, and he crumpled to the floor. Dead, I killed him. "I just killed somebody!" I jumped, and giggled. It wasn't that hard, but didn't feel anything like I always imagined. Didn't feel like anything, really, except the impact of the handle in my hands.
  
  "What was that?" somebody ran up the stairs. "There you are!" Fire flew from his hands, and I just ran at him.

  "Keep your," I swung like a stickball bat, "Filthy Magic," then back, "OFF of me!" And cut him down. Oh well, they had some furry armor, so I gathered that up, spread it out behind some crates, and crashed out.
  
  Neugrad Prison
  
  "Uhg!" I rolled over, but felt a little better, anyway. I tried on some of the armor, had to stitch the fur shoes tighter around my feet, but the rest covered me pretty well.
  
  "I swear," I crouched again, "I'll find whoever did this..." Another one, where did they all come from? I snukt out, careful to watch my step, and hit her, hard. She fell, jerking my axe out of my hands, so I had to step on her back to loosen it. Never mind, she had a nice big iron sword, so I grabbed that instead, and gave it a few swings. It had better ballance, and I think I could swing it quicker anyway, so I just shrugged, and hung it on my back.
  
  There was some gold down there, and a tunnel out, but I didn't really feel up for a swim. On the way back, there was a barrel, and some weird purple gems on it, but a bear trap in the way, so I left them. Up top, there was the door I came in, and a ladder up. I figured, if I could get on the roof, maybe I could take out an archer first, or jump down, and run. Thank Gods it was dark, and I could crouch up there long enough to see where everbody was.
  
  There, the archers was way acrost the courtyard, and there was no way over there without jumping down, but I could see the door in to the main fort, so once there was nobody looking my way, I jumped, and ran for it before anybody saw me. I caught my breath, and crouched again. There was an Green Elf, right there, sitting with his back to me. I took down my sword as quiet as I could, and crept up.
  
  "Huh?" he stood up, but I got some swings in, and cut him down before he could pull out his mace, and smash me with it. "You picked a bad time to get lost, friend!" I totally missed the archer across the room, but he got 1 arrow in my armor before I charged on top of a table, and jumped down in front of him. "Huah!"
  
  "Agh!" his arms flew up, even as he fell with a slash across him. "We're under attack!" somebody upstairs yelled, so I quick hid in a dark corner. They all ran out, looking around, but I snukt quick through a side door, and around before they sawed me. "Hmh," down there, "Must've scared him off?" This was so exciting! I covered my mouth to giggle, but I sure was getting good at all this sneaking around stuff. 

  

  Fort Neugrad

  I ran in the first room quick, and shut the door before they started coming back up. Must be the boss's room, cause there was a real big chest, and stuff. Not even locked, I searched trough it to find a bunch of gold, and a real shiny battleaxe.
  
  It had kind of a blue glow, so I stuck the old sword away, and pulled it out. Must be magic, I wondered what it would do? KLUNK! The door started opening, so I got down behind the bed, and this big guy in steel armor walked in. He had a warhammer on his back, but he left it there, and wandered over to the bookshelf.
  
  THUNK! I don't know if the magic did anything, but it sure didn't kill him, so I swung back, and forth before he could turn around, and get out his hammer. He raised it, sideways to block, and even hit me with it, but just the haft, so I had to take a step back.
  
  He swung, so I beat him to it, and hit him first. He fell at my feet, and I took a minute to pick up his hammer. It was heavy, heavier even then my bung starter, tho it had a smaller head. I guess it was on account of it being iron, and all.
  
  "Hey," the archer at the table turned around, and got out her bow, so I charged, and struck her down. Man, but that thing was clumsy! I shrugged, and went back to my new axe, I like it much better. Anyway, nobody heard, so I snukt around, and there was another table with some guy sitting with his back to me. 
  
  Easy breezy, I didn't have to hit him twice, but the door bust open, and this lizard guy started shooting sparks at me. He threw up some magic shield, but I cut right threw it, and the other guy circled around with his handaxe. I blocked like his boss did, and hit him with the handle to get a shot in. He recovered, but just hit me once before I backhanded him down.
  
  "Ow!" I rubbed my arm, and put away my sword. The boss had a nice bed, so I took a quick nap until I felt better, and looted some more. Now I found some potions, a bunch of healing ones, some blue juice I don't need, and a couple of the green ones. I wished it were more, that stuff is as good as skooma for staying up all night.
  
  Oh, and a key, so I went to see if there was a lock it fit. It was downstairs, acrost from the front door, and down the stairs was a wizard. A real one with black robes, and everthing! He stopped shoting sparks as soon as my magic axe cut through his ward, and he had to take a step back, so I cut him down.
  
  There was another chest, but the key didn't fit it, so I left.
  

  

   Skyrim
  
  Okay, I managed to find a fairly dark corner to hide until the first archer walked past, but as soon as he fell, the alarm went up, and I had to fight my way out. Okay, I didn't have to clean out the whole place, but I had some idea that I could make this my personal base, and then got overwhelmed. Once I made it down to the gate, I could at least get 2 of them at a time, with the nice stone walls to stop all the arrows.
  
  I had to block, a lot. If I bash one, I can hit the other while he's stunned, then get my guard back up, but then another stepped over the body, and it was back to 2 on 1. Whatever, so not worth it, I ran. What I really needed was some help, so I kept going east, and found a camp full of Stormcloaks. Yeah, He was there, but left immediately, and I was invited to go see Him in Windhelm to join the cause.
  
  Thank you for all your help. Whatever, I was headed north all ready, so I kept going to the end of the valley.
  
  Skybound Watch
  
  I just found this Barrow Arch, but it had, like 3 bandits in it. Camped out, I took the first one out by beating through his shield, then the mage blocking the door to get to the archer inside. Nice little camp, and I had this book I found in the bottom of Neugrad, so I figured it was a good time to start my journal while I was taking a break. 
  
  Finally, some adventure! Now I got something to write about, and most of the books had just a couple pages, so it was easy to rip those out, and start over.

  Unfortunately, there were more under the stairs, so i kept getting interrupted.  I guess i better check out the door they keep coming out of...
  
  Skybound Pass
  
  Right under the barrow arch was a door, and down a little from there was a couple more bandits. They heard me coming, but I blocked, bashed the one with the dagger, and quick cut down the one with a sword. The other got a couple slashes in, so I took his armor. Archer, I guessed from the bow, and kept headding down to where they had 2 full sets of Fur Armor, leather boots, and a locked chest. 
  
  I suck at picking locks, but I finally got it open to find a few potions. Anyway, I kept headding down, and opened a door. This corridor is full of webs, and egg sacks, so I expected spiders. Make that 1 humongus spider! Wow, I never believed the stories about them getting that big! I kept blocking, and bashing it back, then quick popped potions when I could instead of swinging. I went through all my green ones, and still wound up exhausted.
  
  Got some Venom, though, never know when that'll come in handy! Then came a couple more guarding a chest. I ran in to take out the archer, then the other one ran down with a shield. I bashed him, but he still blocked, so I bounced my sword back, and cut down over my head to flatten him. Not even worth it, the chest had some weird stones, and a little gold in it, so I kept going. Up some spiral stairs, I crouched at the top, and looked around before going up, but there was nobody there. Just more stairs, "Great." Would this place never end?
  
  Skyrim
  
  Okay, so the next door led out to a tower thingy, and there was a sort of trail after that, but when I went down it, this ghost came out, and started shooting these whispy glowing balls at me. They didn't fly straight, like arrows, but circled around me, and it was so cold. I swung all around, but then I got one, and it exploded, freezing me more.
  
  I ran, she was coming, and now there was 2 more, and they were shooting more of those flying ice-balls, so I just ran for the edge of the cliff, scrambled down, and hoped they didn't come after me.  There were a couple more bandits here, but I saw their fire first, and managed to get a drop on the archer.  Now, I'm taking a break, but I think I see Whiterun below, or a roof between some high rocks.  It's got to be around here somewhere, but can wait until morning.  I think i got enough money for a room at the inn.

  I wonder about these bandits, or all of them, really. I mean, they're not real tough if a 15 year old girl who never picked up a real weapon before yesterday can take them on 2, or 3 at a time. Maybe that's why they're bandits, it's not like you have to be good at anything, just hang out, and wait for someone to rob.
  
  Anyway, I decided that was as good a place as any to stash my stuff a while, since it's way out in the middle of nowhere, and I can come right back. I could see a little village down there, so I changed back into clothes, so they wouldn't think I was raiding them, and climbed down.
  
  I had a lottle money, and it was light by the time I got in there, so I went in the inn, got a room, and tried some mead. They never let me have any up in Helgen, since they all know how old I am, or they did, any way. Ah well, I don't figure I ever really liked that place anyways, but I got to wonder if Nevaris got out? 
  
  It'd be real sad, if he was dead. Onmond just missed it, left for school right before the Imperials showed up, I hope they accepted him. His da always said he should use his smarts. I'm pretty tired, though, so I better get some sleep, and see what I can find out tonight.

  
  Riverwood
  
  I was hanging around the forge, waiting for the old guy to wander off, when I met this guy, Sven. The Smith said as long as I was moping around, maybe I could help, but he only gave me enough to make a wee dagger, so i sold it back to him.  

  He's like a Bard, I guess, but he had the hots for some Imperial chick. Said if I was looking for work, they could use some help over by the mill, so I went to check it out before it got dark, and everbody went to bed. I'm not much of a day person, but just had a good nap anyway.  Anyway, there was already this elf guy, cutting some wood, and he asked if he saw me talking to Sven. 
  
  I told him I wasn't interested, and he seemed to like this Camilla lady too, but it turned out he liked her too! "Huh," a little Elf, and an Imperial, eh? "Nice bow," I guessed. I grew up around them, like any Nord kid, but never really got the hang of them. Just another way to not fit in.
  
  "Here," he handed me a folded piece of paper, "Since you're going to see her, anyway, do you think you could give her this," he looked away, "And tell her it's from Sven?" Oh, tricky! I looked it over on the way, and it seemed clever enough. I was mostly curious to see if it would work.That guy from Helgen was there, looking at some Golden Claw thingy, but he had on a mix match of Stormcloak, and Imperial armor so i hardly recognized him.
  
  She was so upset, sayed she'd never speak to Sven again, which Faendal thought was wonderful. Whatever, he said he could teach me to shoot, but I sayed "I'm not really interested, but I could use a good shooter on my adventures, if you're bored with this sleepy little town?"  
  
  "What sort of Adventures?" So I told him about Helgen, and Neugrad, and how I came to be here. He allowed as how, "The bandits Have been becoming a problem around here lately," and rubbed his bare chin. I dunno, he wasn't nothing like Nevaris, but I never knew a brown elf before, and there didn't seem like anybody better around anyway. "Sure," he nodded, "I'll give it a shot."
  
  I had some fur armor left, a full set with even the cap, so he accepted it, and took me by his house to grab some more stuff.  "Grab your axe, and shield," I suggested.  "Never know if they might come in close."  How I handle Archers.  He rolled up his furs, and hung them under his bow.  Amazing he can carry all that.  I had quite a few spares I figured on selling down the road, or to replace my damaged armor, but I let him have enough for a full suit at the Skinning Rack.
  
  
  

  Whiterun
  
  Wow, the big city! I never been in a hold capitol before, I bet Falkreath is even bigger! Anyway, after a quick meal at the inn, Faen helped me figure the next step might be to head up here to talk to the Jarl about the bandits. The guards stopped us at the gate, but when I told him why we were there, he let us in.
  
  There was some Imperials talking to some lady in a Blacksmith's apron about more swords, so when they were done, I asked her if she could maybe sharpen my axe for me. It's not too slow, but if it's not going to be as quick as a sword, it should at least be sharpened, right?
  
  She told me the same thing the guy in Riverwood sayed. Well, he wanted to get back to his nephiew, while she told me it was late, and she'd already been kept up with the Imperials, but also my axe is enchanted, so she can't sharpen it. Maybe Eorlund, up at the Sky Forge could, tomorrow.
  
  Couldn't even tell me what it was enchanted with, blue usually means Magicka, but besides that, she's not an Enchanter. "You could try Farengar, the court wizard, and while you're headded up to Dragonsreach, you could help me out if you deliver this sword to my Father, the Jarl's steward."
  
  Yeah, I was so impressed. Anyway, she said she'd be grateful, and I hoped that ment money, or at least a discount later, when she could be bothered to pick up a hammer. She handed it over, and walked to the Inn, so I checked it out on the way to the palace.
  
  Must be steel, I turned it over in my hands, maybe not as fine as the Legendary Eorlund's, but nicely balanced for all it's weight. "Have you tried Mercenary work?" some guy almost ran into me at a circle around some big tree, "Might suit you."
  
  "You're one fine judge of character," I grinned at him, "Lets say if I was interested, where would I go to sign up?"
  
  "You want to talk to the Companions," he pointed, "In the great hall of Jorvaskr." Hm, I just might, after I take care of a little business.
  
  Dragon's Reach
  
  I had to wait. The Jarl was talking to some guy, looked kind of familiar, and then went to talk to the Wizard, so he was busy too. Great, at least the Steward wasn't occupied, he sure looked Imperial, like his daughter. He thanked me for the sword, anyway, and kicked me down some Septims, but just 25.
  
  "So," the Jarl came out, "What can I do for you two?"
  
  Faedal did most of the talking, which is great, because he was the one who's face went red, when the Jarl laughed at him. "I've got Dragons to worry about, and you bother me with this?" He slumped back into his throne.
  
  "Actually," I stepped up, "I'm from Helgen, and since I got my home, family, friends, and everything I've known burned out, I can't count how many times I was attacked just to get here."
  
  He straightened, a little, "I was not aware that many escaped, are we to expect more refugees to be heading our way?"
  
  "Not if they're all killed by bandits," I grinned, "But let me offer an easier solution for you." He stopped, closed his mouth, and waited. "My friend, and I," I patted Faendal's shoulder, "Would be more than happy to deal with this problem if you could find it in your heart to compensate us for our trouble."
  
  He thought a moment, "All right," he turned, "Avenicci, write up a bounty of 15 coin per head?" he looked back at us, and noddeded, "For each bandit between here, and Helgen until this refugee crisis is resolved."
  
  "That's great," I got out my journal, "I have here a record of all my travels since I left."
  
  The Steward haggled shrewdly for each one, since Neugrad is south of Helgen, he wouldn't pay for them, and the pass east to the Rift is a different Hold, I just got credit for the ones in Skybound Pass, and the small camp overlooking Riverwood, but he gave us another 5 each for some wolves we ran into on the way from there. 

  

   Jorvaskr
  
  Faendal decided to go home, for some rest, but as I didn't want to get a room for the night, and wasn't tired, I said goodby, and went up to the Companion's longhouse. There was a brawl going on, but everbody was just watching, and not breaking them up, so I didn't neither.
  
  The girl beat up the Grey Elf, "Yeah!" then they all seemed to notice me. The girl, Nadja didn't seemed impressed with me, even if I was rooting for her, so I talked to the big guy with the steel greatsword. He sayed that I had to go down to talk to Kodlak, even though they all say they don't got a leader, he's the one they all listen to, and who decides who get to join them. I didn't ask.
  
  Anyway, he was down in the basement, and told this guy Vilkas to go "Test her arm." Okay, I got out my axe, and bashed his shield until he said "Okay, maybe you can make it, but I won't go so easy on you next time." Whatever, he didn't even take a swing at me, but he made me take his sword up to the skyforge, and I got to meet Eorlund. He said I had to prove myself before I could get him to do any smith work for me, and gave me a shield to take to Aela.
  
  Whatever, I guess everbody had to do this stuff when they joined, but I couldn't help but think they was thinking "Sure little girl, you can be one of us, no take these dishes to the kitchen." OoohhH! I wanted to punch someone, but Aela was nice. She joked around a little, asked if I could take Vilkas in a real fight.
  
  "Idaknow," I shrugged, "I never seen him fight."
  
  She frowned, "You might be smarter than you look." I swallowed it. "Farkas!" the guy with her called, and that guy with the great sword came up. He showed me where I could crash, and asked if I was looking for work.
  
  "Yeah!" I wasn't tired yet, "That's what I'm here for!" So he sent me down to the stables to beat some guy up. "Okay," I shrugged, went out to find him, and beat him up. He was so weak, barely scruffed the fur on my armor, so I went back to see him, and he sent me back to Skjor. Then, me, and Farkas went out for a real mission. Finally, all this running around wasn't very tiring, but it sure was boring.

  

  Dustman's Cairn:  No Spoiler.

  

  
  "Okay?" I looked around, "Uh, you dropped your sword!" I held it out to him.
  
  "Why don't you hang onto it a while?" he shrugged, and took my Iron one. "From what I saw, you need it more than me."
  
  "Wow," I turned it in my hands, "Really?"
  
  "Tell you what," he laughed, "You don't tell anybody about what you just saw, and it's your's."
  
  "Okay!" I grinned, "Your secret's safe with me!"
  
  "Come on," he took off, "There's still the Draugr to worry about." Oh yeah, Draugr. I heard about them, but all the crypts, and halls of the dead I ever been in before just had Bandits raiding them, or at worst skeletons, but these ice mummies were tough. As soon as we came down a level, two of them even blew frost from their hands, and sapped my arms. Yeah, that had to be it, I'm just not used to this kind of fight, like that freezing ghost, thing, whatever up on the mountain.

  But most of them were laying in the shelves, so it was almost as easy as backstabbing bandits.  I like the look of their swords, but I figured I could find another, and the silver is more valuable.  Wish Faen came along too, but Farkas wouldn't touch them.
  
  But ooooh, as soon as I got to swing that Skyforge Steel, I knew what everbody was talking about. I was in love, for the fist time in my life, I wasn't scared, all I needed was this, and something to swing it into. Draugr, Silver hand, didn't matter. They all fell to the might in my hands!  
  
  

   Skyrim
  
  "Hand over your money, and you won't get hurt."
  
  I laughed, "Nice Armor!" I reached back for my handle. It looked like Leather, but unlike that Grey Elf Housecarl's, it had a hood, and lots of handy pouches to stash my stuff around the shoulders. "It'll look much better on me."
  
  "Your mistake!" he drew a sword, and dagger, but I got the first hit in, Blocked, and smacked him with the handle. "HUAH!" I brought my blade down on his head, then bent to strip My new armor off of him. He had a note, too. I lost it, but it said something about the Theive's Guild, and Riften.
  
  "Now where's?" I looked it up on the map I bought from the Breton in Whiterun. Huh, way down there, eh? Well, I had to be around here, by the unmarked symbol shaped like a Standing Stone (The Ritual.) Maybe I can take a short-cut over here?
  
  White River Watch
  
  There was a couple guys out front, but I charged up the hill to cut the Archer down quick, then turned to spar with the other one. Maybe this is on the way from Helgen? That's three with the guy under the table here. He never even saw me sneaking up for the kill.
  
  Deeper in there was a bunch of Archers up on the ledges with a few guys with hand weapons. Kind of tricky, getting shot while I dueled down on the floor, so I started backstabbing them off the bat, then running up to get the archers. I found a pull chain, to release their wolf, and that helped. Until it turned on me, and I had to kill him.
  
  "Uh," I wiped my face, "It so hot in here, with my new armor, and the sweat kept getting in my eyes at the worst time. Maybe I need to lay down, I don't feel so good.
  
  The Boss was real tough, I couldn't sneak up on him, or charge him before he pulled his Iron Axe.. He hit so hard, and I could barely scratch his armor, but I kept blocking, and bashing to get a quick swing in. He blocked too, so I smashed through it, and knocked him down the cliff. I'll climb down, and see what he's got when I catch my breath. I'm definitely coming down with something. {Rockjoint.}
  
  I found a nice Amulet in the Chest, though. It's pretty, so I think I'll wear it. {Honest, a Necklace of the Iron Hand from the chest. To make up for the disease, and Hajvarr's gauntlets being Heavy.}
  
  Skyrim
  
  I passed another Stormcloak Camp, and found a nice pass through the mountains. This Guild Armor sure is warm, and maybe I can set up a deal with the Rift for refugees, like I did with Whiterun? No need to tell them next to nobody made it out of Helgen. I have to stop for a break after every fight, though. There's been bears, and spiders, thank goodness not as big as that one. Then, I got down to the valley, and there was a Troll! I had to run, I was in no shape to fight him.
  
  At last, I met a bunch of Katmen, on the road. One of them was a peddler, and he gave me a good price on a Potion of Cure Disease. Thank goodness!

  

  The Rift

  I found this green stick of an axe.  I think it's Orcish, or it looks like the 1 axe I seen, but it was so short, and heavy it swung like a hammer.  Well, I jumped a black guy on the road, and took it, but it handled a bear, and sabercat all right.  Soaked up a bunch of claws, and bites.
  
  "Margot?" I turned, a snarl on my lips, then let my hand fall, empty from over my shoulder.
  
  "Nevaris!" I ran up, and hugged him, "You made it out alive!?"
  
  "Good to see you too," He stepped back, and put away his Bow.
  
  "Oh," I grinned, "It's Dread Fall, now."
  
  "What is?" His ash grey face fell in a frown.
  
  "My name!" He looked tired.
  
  He chuckled, "Way to turn around your teasing." They used to call me "Dreadful Margot" when I was a kid. I never had friends before, Nevaris showed up.
  
  "So we're Refugees, now," I guessed.
  
  "Now you know how I always felt." he nodded.
  
  "Well," i thought, "Better get going."
  
  "Where?' he shook his head.
  
  "Riften," I decided, "I'm going to join the Thieve's Guild."
  

  Riften
  
  "Uh!" that water stank. Nevaris wrung out his sleeves, but at least we got around to the docks. "Can you believe the guards tried to shake us down to get in?"
  
  He laughed, "I get the feeling this is that kind of city," and nodded. So, we had to sneak into this warehouse, it really smelt of mead, but I kept looking back at Nevaris. Even right behind me, he never made a sound. 
  
  Nobody said nothing about us coming out behind the counter, so we went out, and we were in Riften! Nice try, guards. Anyway, the market was right there, and we ran into this redhead guy, who talked in circles. 
  
  "I don't know you, and I know everyone in Riften. You didn't earn that armor you're wearing, or I would know you." What?  I tore the sleeves off?  He allowed as how we might could make some money if we helped him with a little job he had going.
  
  Good thing Nevaris knows his way around some tumblers, because there was a couple locks to pick while Brynjolf made a distraction, and I looked out for the guards. Then, he handed over the ring for me to plant on the other guy. I snuck up behind the crates ok, but then he felt my hand, and called the guards!
  
  So, I got to see where the jail was. They took the money, and and the guild armor, but let me go. By then, it was dark, but Nevaris met me at the empty market, and said Brynjolf decided to give us another chance. All we had to do is make it down to a bar down in the Ratway, wherever that is.
  
  The Ratway
  
  It was dark, and wet, and smelly, but I could hear some guys talking ahead over the dripping water. Nevaris pulled his bow, the weird one he said was from his father, from Morrowind. It's got this stick down the middle, to hold the arrow, and he held it up to his shoulder, but that ment he could carry it loaded. I snuckt around to behind the archer, with a green leafy bow, and carefully raised my axe. THUNK! 
  
  He staggared, "I'll get you!" the guy he was talking to pulled a mace, and shield, so I stepped back with my haft up, and THUNK! Nevaris shot him. I bashed his sheild, then hammered at it until he kneeled, then brought my axe down. The other archer got up, but Nevaris shot him, and reloaded his bow before hanging it on his back.
  
  We found a drawbridge, but it was up, so we had to drop down. We followed a tunnel to the side, and there was a locked gate, so Nevaris unlocked it for us. I gave him all the lockpicks I got off all the bandits, on account of I wasn't using them, and he kept breaking his. Anyway, we went up these stairs, and there was this other guy Nevaris shot, and he flew back with this surprised look on his dead face.
  
  At last we made it to the Ragged Flagon. 
  

  Riften
  
  So Nevaris made it in right away. Brynjolf sayed "Looks like you're just the kind of guy we could use," and clapped him on his back. Then, he turned to me, and told me "You still need to prove y'self, lass." and sent me to go beat up some shop keepers. They was all so easy, on account of not wearing any Armor, so I beet them, and took back the money.
  
  I thought about just taking it, and running, but then I wouldn't see Nevaris again, and I just found him again, and that would just be a shame. So, I went back down to the Flagon, and asked for Brynjolf. The bartender said he was busy, but some girl in guild armor came up, and said she'd take the money. She grinned, and told me she had another job for me, a real one, and sent me here.
  
  I think they're trying to get rid of me. There's so many mercenaries around, and the place is locked up tight. I yawned, waiting for it to get dark again, and wishing I'd had a chance to get some sleep today. I'll show them, they want me to fail, but obviously underestimate me. Those mercenaries don't look much tougher than Bandits, sure there's a lot of them, but if I'm careful, maybe I can take them one at a time?
  
  Yeah, don't think like a warrior, or a thief, even. I am an assassin, if I fight, I'll die. So don't fight, just kill them before the see me. 
  
  

  {Image Note:  I don't have a picture of Nevaris, a completely made-up character I can't have standing right next to Dreadfall.  So, use Faendal, or Jenassa as a standin, nothing I can do about the Dunmeri Crossbow, either.  He's from The Elder Scrolls III:  Morrowind.  Or, a direct descendant of the Nerevarine.}

  Goldenglow Estate
  
  "Whew!" Okay, it didn't go completely as I planned. I found a way to climb up behind the hives, but my flint, and steel were wet, and then it started raining. I finally decided to come back to it, and see if I could sneak over to the mansion. 
  
  I managed to backstab a couple of the Mercenaries, but this one, across the fire from him yelled, and by the time I killed him, the others came running. Great, I ran, under a platform, and squeezed through the support logs so they could only come at me 1 at a time. The surrounded it, though, and kept shooting arrows in, so than goodness for potions.
  
  I had quite a lot from the bandits, and their chests, and never needed them so much before. I don't know how many i killed, but I managed to make a break for it, and get to the Mansion. It's much better in here, they're more spread out, and can't spot me from the next island over, so i'm getting lots of practice sneaking around, and backstabbing.
  
  Gods, how many are there? I lost count, downstairs, then up here. At least most of these were sleeping so I could cut them down in their beds. At last, i found the brown elf, cowering in the attic, so I could loot the key from his body. There was a chest, too, with a staff in it. I pointed it, and Flames burst out, so I'll go see if that will light up the hives.
  
  Goldenglow Cellar
  
  I almost died! The heat died down before I went back out, but the sky cleared, and I got spotted by the light of the moons. Somehow, I fought my way to the hives, then I had to kill everyone before I could burn them. They just kept coming, so I had to run around this wood pile, and platform to fight them 1 on 1. They all had bows, so I kept moving so they mostly missed.
  
  It wasn't until I was the last one alive that I could finally get the job done, and return to the Estate to find the safe. It's down here, in the basement, and thankfully, the key worked on it. I'm not even trying to pick the chest, looks like there's a trap door to the sewer. better get out of here.

  Riften, Fredas 13th of Frostfall:
  
  "Huh, huh huH!" I caught my breath, and wring out the stripe of thick blond ropes before replacing my hood. Not wanting to crawl straight back to the Flagon, I headded for the B&B to see Maven. The real power behind this town, I was growing bored with the Guild, their lock picking pockets, and cowardly fear of killing. She'd mentioned the Dark Brotherhood, and that sounded like a much more appealing prospect.
  
  Notoriously secretive, I ran past Maul, since he was never any good for information without the price to pay for it. Much cheaper to get a room, with a warm bed that isn't in some sewer. Enough of this slumming, I decided. I even took a bath to get the lake chill out of my bones. "Ahh!" so worth the extra Septims, and a chance to reflect. Just care to keep my hands dry so as not to wet the parchment, quill, nor delute the ink.
  
  She was "not pleased by the way you handled Goldenglow." Sayed she'd have to replace a lot of workers, to say nothing of the scores of Mercenaries to fall by my blade. No wonder this Skyforge Steel was so Legendary, I made sure to dry it carefully after it's bath in the lake, and carefully stitched new leather over the riccasso. Must be an Imperial word, did I spell that right?
  
  Anyway, she finally opened up about the Brotherhood. Sayed she would put in a good word for me, if I'd do a little job for her. Weak little fetch quest, run back to Riverwood, and see what I could get out of that innkeeper. Now, how am I supposed to do that? I only talked to her once, and she sure didn't seem open to Intimidation. Certainly couldn't just kill her, but maybe I could threaten her Husband? Sapphire seemed to know a little about that relationship, but wouldn't give much up about it, as usual.

  Riverwood: Loredas 14 Frostfall:
  
  "Uh!" she wasn't even there! Her husband said she was up at Dragonsreach on business, so rather than wait, I went up there. That guy from Helgen was there too, talking to the Wizard. Damned Bretons, and their Damnable Magic. But so was she, I recognized her even in that Leather Armor, and Hood that looked like it might be Thieves' Guild.
  
  I didn't catch his name, at Helgen. Now he had on a weird mismatch of Iron, Hide, and Imperial Armor, handing over some dusty old stone. Make up your mind, will yah? Or at least find a better looking helmet, I never liked those heavy things. I don't think she saw me, but then the whole place went crazy.
  
  The Jarl was upstairs, and his Grey Elf Housecarl comes running in babbling about a Dragon! Finally, she started moving, so I followed her out, let her go down the stairs, and crept behind buildings as she made her way to the gate. I was getting pretty good at all this Sneaking but my Steel felt heavy on my back. It was almost begging me to let it down, and give it some action. 
  
  But that's not the mission, Gods damn it. Wow, It was a clear night, and I could see the Dragon circling about a Watch Tower to the west. She had the right idea, so we just kept heading south, back to the town. I thought this place was dead in the day, but after dark, it was just her, and the Guard walking over the gate. Fat lot of good that would do against a Dragon!
  
  So, she finally went inn, and I could stand up. I cracked my back, and set myself before entering, but she must have changed quick. There she was, right by the door, sweeping. "Can I help you?" or some such nonsense. I ordered a mead, just a normal Nord one so as not to give away how much money I was making in the Guild.
  
  She looked me over, but I was smart enough to switch back to my scaled armor, fur shoes, and leather gloves. Just another bandit, coming in to spend the day's take, they said, so I didn't have to. "And a room," I added, so I could watch her all night, if I had to.
  
  Later, the whole room shook, and it almost sounded like a loud voice. "DO VAH KIIIN!" She looked up, eyes wide, and shook her head. With her hair down, it looked like she was even smiling? 

  Riverwood: Sundas 15 Frostfall
  
  "So," she sat right next to me on the bench, "What're you writing so intently?"
  
  I snapped shut my journal, and winced. "Just a story?"
  
  "Really?" she squinted at me, "What about?"
  
  "Oh, you know," I thought fast, "the Dragonborn?"
  
  "Dragonborn," her eyes widened, "What do you know about the Dragonborn?"
  
  "Nothing?" I just read that one book. They took everthing from me in Helgen, and I had to grab something to read. It was pretty good, though, gave me ideas.
  
  "Am I in it?" she smiled.
  
  "No?" I shook my head, "Why would you be?"
  
  She laughed, "You seem to have taken an interest in me," more like a humorless chuckle, "I saw you, you know, in Whiterun?"
  
  "Oh," I looked around, "ah?"
  
  She put her arm around me, "Relax," grinned viciously. She didn't look that strong, but I realized her elbow was pressing the handle of my sword into the bench, so I couldn't draw it. "We should go talk."
  
  To anyone else, it probably looked like she was being friendly, but I realized I must have underestimated her. "Come on," she took my sword! "You won't be needing this." She propped it up against the door in my room, and leaned back against it. I looked down, at the jagged green blade on her hip, but she just crossed her arms. "Who sent you?"
  
  Softer than the conversation outside, she dropped the friendly barmaid act, and her voice rang like steel. "Uh," I sat on my bed, "Noone?"
  
  "Don't give me that," she opened my journal.
  
  "Hey!" I sat back down when her free hand came down to rest on the pommel of her weapon.
  
  "Hmm," she flipped back to the last pages with ink still drying on it. Carefully pulling them apart, she read it silently. Then, "Maven Blackbriar, huh?" She looked up, "Is she working with the Thalmor, now, too?"
  
  "Who?" I shook my head.
  
  "Oh, come on, who else would send you?" She laughed, "Though it was clever of them to pick a Nord so incredably inept that I'd never suspect the connection."
  
  "No, really!" I shook my head, and crossed my arms, "Who are these 'Thalamores'?"
  
  "You really don't know," she shook her head, "Do you?" A deep breath, and a sigh, "That doesn't mean they can't be using you through Maven Blackbriar, but if you're with the Thieves' guild, maybe I can get some use out of you, after all."
  
  "What kind of 'Use'?" I wondered.
  
  "Stick Around," she left, and I got my sword back. Following her back out, she went in another room, but locked the door so I couldn't tail her after that. I thought about getting out my picks, but everyone was watching me, and even crouching down seemed to make them more suspicious.
  
  Then, that guy came in, looked around, and asked the bartender about "Delfine." He tried to keep his voice down, but even at a whisper, it was deep, and powerful. That was her name, I just waited. After a while, she came back up, and talked to him first. He tried to rent the Attic room, but I looked up at the rafters clear to the Thatch. Idiot.
  
  She gave him another room, and slipped me a note before shooing me off:
  
  

  Okay, child. You want information, so you can earn it by going to get me some in return. Go to Thalmor Headquarters, in Solitude, and see what you can find out about what they're up to. If you survive, and bring me back something good, I might be able to give you some in return. Or, you can return to Maven, and tell her you failed. Up to you.
  
  D

  Great. I definitely underestimated her, and she definitely had me. Never mind Maven's my only link to the Dark Brotherhood, she knows them. That means I can run, but with their reputation, how long would that last?

  Whiterun Hold: Morndas 16 Frostfall
  
  While I was in the neighborhood, I decided to stop by, and visit Aela. She's like the big sister I wished I had, so strong, and confident, and awesome they called her The Huntress. She said maybe we could go hunting together some time, but she was too busy, so she sent me on alone. She just called them "Beasts," but last time that ment Trolls.
  
  Great! I needed the exercize after all this snooping around, and talking to people, I was getting bored. Farkas patted me on the shoulder, and called me Sheild Sister again. "I see you're giving my old sword a workout." I guess it was kind of sweet, or more like sweat. He might be kind of cute if he washed his face, and didn't smell like a skeever's butt. It's okay, I'm pretty sure he's not going to read this.
  
  Vilkas is what he'd look like if you cleaned him up a bit. Now there was a man. Every bit as tough, and powerful, but he could talk, and you can stand next to him without your eyes watering. Speaking of which, the snowberries I'd used as War paint that night, hard to believe it wasn't yet a week ago, but it didn't wash off. 
  
  Even with swimming in a lake, sweating, and scrubbing at it, all that did was add some redness to the stains. Worst of all, the bloodlike red faded to this nasty pink! No wonder Vilkas never looked at me, I looked like a milk drinking snowback little girl. Probably like Braith to him. Gods, I had to get out of there!
  
  And everbody was talking about the Dragonborn. Great, how was I supposed to get a name for myself with that going on? The bar in the inn was all a buzz, and even the Guards wouldn't shut up about it! This time it was Kynes Grove, wherever that is. Kynereth, I guess, but it didn't sound all that peacefull. Well, I guess I'll just have to go find one. They're everwhere now, right?
  
  But first, I went to spend some money. No use lugging it around with me all the time, but the blacksmiths just have Steel, and Iron, and crappy hide, or Leather. Damn, I asked the Avenicci lady where I could get something better, and she pointed up the hill at the Archer's Bar. Ha ha, so damned funny, but I can't be weighed down with stovepot, and nobody can look good in that horned bucket that guy always wears. You know, the one from Helgen?
  
  No good, though, lots of light stuff, but at most as good as my Scaled. "Blade and Shadow, silence, and death, these are my Arts." I turned around, but the guy just wandered off to the back door.
  
  "What was that?" She shrugged, and turned to me.
  
  "For a modest fee," she smiled, "I'll make great art for you!"
  
  "Are you an Assassin!?" Wow, I thought Grey Elves were dirty little scavengers, and got their asses kicked by lizards, but.
  
  "The art goes by many names," she nodded, "but it all ends the same."
  
  Chill! "Can you teach me how to be one too?"
  
  She sighed, "I don't do that kind of work." Very serious, "Point me at something I can kill, and let me loose. For 500 coin, I will be your Arrow."
  
  "Uh," I patted my pouch, "hang on."
  
  The guy behind the counter said he bought, and sold all kinds of weapons, and if I'm gonna travel all the way to Solitude, I better go light anyway. With the old Iron Warhammer I don't know why I was still carrying around, and some potions that were starting to pile up, I managed to have enough left over for a few drinks down the road.
  
  "Here," I handed it over, "Let's go see what you can do." She sure had the act down, if nothing else I could pick it up just watching her.
  
  So first, I led her around to this Bandit Camp I found north of the city. It was deserted, but there was still the Chest I never could gimmy the lock on. "Can you open that for me?"
  
  She nodded, "Will do." I kept an eye out, but at least there was some gold in there. 
  
  "You picked a bad time to get lost, friend."
  
  All right! I unslung my blade to get a little blood polish on it, but she took off like a shot! My arrow indeed, she whirled, and spun, striking through the lizard's magic shield like it was nothing!
  
  "Hrraagh!" I tried to chop straight down through another one, but he brought his hammer up to block. He still had to take a step back, so I side swung, then back to cut him down.
  
  She just looked at me, raised her blade, and studied it's edge. "Anything else?" I looked down at the bodies at her feet, and shook my head. "Lets go."

  Graywinter Watch: Morndas 16 Frostfall
  
  {Now, I know this is out of order, and so is the Infiltration of the Thalmor. That's for the Dragonborn, though, and this isn't the Dragonborn. She's moving in parallel to the main storyline, and occasionally crosses paths. (You know, "That Guy"?) She lacks the inborn gift, but the story is progressing around her, so she can do stuff like fight dragons, without doing other stuff, like Absorb Souls, nor learn Shouts. I've played her both ways all ready, but that isn't her Destiny.
  
  Also, this Jenassa can, and will act more intelligently than the NPC AI.}

  Aela just said "Beasts."
  
  I sniffed, but even before I heard the distinctive grunts, I Knew. "Yup," I whispered, "Trolls." We crouched just inside the entrance, and planned a little.
  
  "How many?" even in a hushed whisper, her voice was exoticly refined.
  
  "Dunno," I shrugged, and weighed my sword in my hands. "Let's try to do this stealth like, until they know we're here."
  
  "Fine by me," she pulled her bow. Creeping foreward, she sighted, pulled carefully, and let go. She missed! But the stupid trolls rumbled around, and went after it. After the sound, Brilliant! I snuck further in, and managed to get under one, on the ledge above.
  
  "TWILL!" it roared, and jumped down. Right in front of me, I brought my heavy blade down in a hack to it's exposed back. "THUNK!" I could feel it all the way through the handle, to tell me I done it right, and it lost it's ballance a little. In the zone now, I followed through with a couple side swings, before it could turn around.
  
  Uh oh, "Raugh, Raugh!" Ow! My turn to stagger back, but all stealth broken, I stood up, and let lose my Battle Cry. Just like the stories, and the Legends, the wounded troll heard me, stopped mid tantrum, and fled. "Yahahahah!" I chased after {Level Up! Health* Great Critical Charge*} "HRUHN!"
  
  "THUNK!" I never felt it likeat before, lessen I had time to set up on a defenseless target. This time it felt good, and right. Solid through the handle in my hands, and the Troll slumped lifeless to the sandy cave floor. {Dunta tada dunt dunt dutaH!} Oh kripes, she was falling back, blocking with her torch, and bashing to set him on fire. "HARR!" it growled, "Raugh, Raugh!"
  
  "Yahhhrrrr, HRUHN!" Uh oh. That time it survived, and I don't think it liked that. 
  
  "Raugh, Raugh!" It's still smoldering arms came down, and almost flattened me. "HRhr." It fell, and she stood behind it. 
  
  Almost straightening with her sword high over the torch, she cocked her head. "I think that's the last of them."
  
  "I sure hope so," I gasped, "Let's see if there's any loot?"
  
  She smiled, sayed "I think we are both very much alike, you and I." I think she ment it, "I'm glad to have met you." Even through the aches, and pain, I felt much better.
  
  I decided to spend the night, but she looked around the camp piled up in the back of the cave, and sniffed. "I thought about becoming a bandit once," she sneered, "I decided I like clean clothes, and fresh Mead." I didn't want to show how busted up I felt, but there was a bed roll right there, and it looked so good. I had some potions saved up, but better not to waste the magic until the heat of battle. Got a bit of writing done, then we talked until I convinced her to show me some stuff. {Oh yeah, and she's a Backstab Trainer.}
  
  "Here," she grabbed an old bow that was lying around, and jerked the string out so it straightened like a stave. "You appear to have the general idea, but next time, try cutting their throat if you can get close enough." She handed it to me. "I'm just going to walk over here, and watch the entrance..." Her voice deepened, and went gruff. "Need some Skooma, one last time. Some of the Imported stuff." I tried not to giggle, snuck up behind her, and gripped the unstrung bow tight in my hands.
  
  "No no nO!" she scolded me, "I could have let out a yell, and alerted the rest of the bandits!"
  
  "Oh," I looked down, "But it's a 2 handed sword."
  
  "So what?" she shrugged, "Nothing says you can't put one hand over their mouth, and use the other to pull it across their throat." She made the motion, "CSHRHK!"
  
  "Okay," she turned, crossed her arms, and walked further off.
  
  "Mead mead mead," she muttered in her bandit voice, "What I wouldn't give for a beer once in a while. Stupid bees, and their stupid honEH!?" I pulled her back, and jerked the unstrung bow hard across her neck. "OW!"
  
  "Sorry," I looked down, and wrung the shaft in my hands.
  
  "No, don't be." she patted my shoulder, "That's exactly how you do it. Don't practice for training."
  
  "Okay," I nodded.
  
  "Now get some rest," she snorted, "I'll take the first watch."

  

  Katla's Farm: Middas 18 Frostfall
  
  "Hey, Delfine!" I waved. "What're you doing here?" Despite having not slept in days, I brightened knowing it was about time for my quest.
  
  "Why don't you yell a little louder?" she snarked, "Hey guards, over here! I don't think they heard you all the way up at the Embassy."
  
  "Sorry." I looked down.
  
  "Well, that's great. If I haven't made it clear enough for you, I'm in Hiding here. At least I'll die with the satisfaction of knowing you were 'sorry'." I bit my tongue, almost said it again. "Who's that?" she nodded over to Jenassa.
  
  I shrugged, "A mercenary I picked up." Not a good plan to go around telling everbody you're a couple Assassins about to break into a heavilly guarded Embassy to the Empire, not around here.
  
  "There's been a change of plans," she led me back to the windmill, "You'll be creating a distraction while he goes in for the Evidence."
  
  "Well, who in Oblivion is he?" That guy, turned around. I didn't recognise him at first, all dressed up like a noble, or something. Without his stupid helmet, the first time I saw him, he was in rags, about to get his head chopped off. Then the dragon came. Couldn't wait one more second, huh?
  
  "Show some respect, eh?" He puffed out his chest, "I'm the Dragonborn."
  
  "Great," no wonder he's been shadowing me this whole time. At first, I thought it was an improvement, with his golden hair combed straight to set off his sky blue eyes. Then, he opened his loud mouth.
  
  "So, follow the carraige, and wait for him to get inside before you distract the outside guards. You don't even have to go in, but if you do manage to get around the walls, support him until he gets the evidence.
  
  So, that was the plan, he gets to ride in a cart, while we get to do all the work, terrific. "What about you?"
  
  "I won't get within miles of the place, they'd spot me in a second, and I remind you, these are the ones with a price on my head?" Right, for the greater good, and all. Capable as she may be, she sure was a coward. "It's getting dark, better get going."
  
  "Yes Captain!" I saluted, and kick-stepped off. "Oh no!" safely out of ear shot, "I can't take on the Thalamores, they'd kiill mee! Better you go risk your lives, I'm much too important."
  
  "Are you done?" Jenassa asked calmly.
  
  "Yeah," I sighed, "I guess."
  
  "Good, because I've tangled with the Thalmor before. They can be a very clever foe for the unprepaired."
  
  "Yeah, well." I reached back to pat my handle, "So can we, and they aren't expecting us."
  
  "Not yet," she agreed, "Better not call ahead to warn them."
  
  On second thought, I felt blessed not to have the shaking noisy cart. Where it not for the one up from Whiterun, maybe I would've gotten some sleep yesterday. I yawned, and checked my Stamina Potions. The little ones were almost as good as Skooma, but the few big ones even better!
  
  "Of course," I nodded, and crouched down. By the time we approached the place, the cart was already started down, and darkness fully fallen. The Gods blessed us with clouds, thick as smoke to shade us from the moons, and trees to crouch beneath. "We have a plan?"
  
  "I see 2 soldiers," she pointed with the arrow sticking out of her bow, "and two Wizards. They are usually in command, and wield powerful Destruction Magic. They may Also conjure an Atronach."
  
  There's different kinds of magic? News to me, I only know about Spells, Enchantments, and Potions, can't do none of them.
  
  "So," I figured, "Take them out first. Hmmmh, the soldiers will probably charge right in, while they hang back?"
  
  "I assume, yes?"
  
  "Yeah, ok, well then how bout you [Wait Here], then start shooting wile I circle around. I should be able to get some sneak hits in, and we can flee if it comes to that for another try?"
  
  "Yes, that may work."
  
  "Ok," I sidled away, and circled around. I tried looking for her, but crouched in the shadows, she might as well be invisible. Too bad I can't see myself.
  
  I wanted the one by the door, but the way he leaned back, in the light, there was no way to get behind him unseen by one of the others. The other robed one became bored, though, and there was a low wall behind him...

  

  Thalmor Embassy
  
  He stood up, "what whm?" Just like she showed me, cover his mouth, press the stud to his throat, and pull. "SCHLIKT!" He slomped to the snow, and melted it a pretty pink pool.
  
  "You there!" the guards turned, "UHN!" An Arrow appeared in the side of one of their heads.
  
  Then, the strangest sound from the other. Not a word, or noise from this world, but a line of light appeared in front of her, and took the shape of a ghostly jagged blade with whispy tendrils as she reached out for it.
  
  "HRUHGN!" I didn't give her a chance, but ended my charge with the crunch of metal into whatever that leafy golden armor is made of. Good stuff, apparently, because she took a step back, but remained standing. Then shocks erupted around me from the door. I batted the elf asside, and charged up the steps. 
  
  My blood boiled with the pain, bringing my stamina back up in a surge of Rage. "YAHRHUHN!" I didn't even bother swinging, but stabbed foreward, twisted, and spun around to backhand him against the wall. Now where? The other guard seemed to dissapear, but I heard the sounds of combat from the trees.
  
  "I'll see you Burn!" By the time I made it back there, the body was on the ground. Remarkably in tact, I probably split the golden girl like a log, but this one's armor looked untouched except for the blood soaking through it. Impressive stuff, I crouched down, and my Arrow watched out while I changed. "Wow," I marvaled, "This stuff is Light!" and twisted to settle it around me.
  
  "Ready?" She stopped scanning with her bow, and let it straighten back out.
  
  I nodded, "Let's go."
  
  "Fus!" from the courtyard, "ROHDAH!" 
  
  We charged for the door, but it was barred from the inside. "Damn It!" I bashed it with my Butt. "Let's see if there's another way in?"
  
  She circled the other way around, but when we met in back, the wall turned out to be insurmountable all the way around. I found another guard, but in the dim light, he mistook me for an Elf, and ran the other way shouting about "Check over there!" Big mistake, he didn't see me following, and coming up from behind.
  
  I panted, "You remember, huh, Fort Greymor?"
  
  "Yes?' it was a couple days ago.
  
  "It had, hah, ah, secret entrance." I remembered, "Let's see if this one has, uhn, tooh?"
  
  "Okay!" she moved, but I keep within line of sight so I didn't lose her. "Over here!" she called, and I rushed over. After a short drop, there was a cave, and Mer, did it Stink! 
  
  "Uh," like Troll, only stronger, "It reeks like Farkas' boots!"
  
  "This way!" from within, "He's Coming!" Sounded like Elven voices, "We're routed, Fall Back!" I pointed my blade at the other side of the cave, and crouched behind a small drift. "We must get these plans to safeDagH!" The robes did little to stop my yard of steel running through him, and I slammed his body to the ground.
  
  "Ambush!" one swung a strange golden hooked club at me, but it just scraped over their armor with little more than a bruise. "Nerevar Guide Me!" From behind, Jenassa stabbed, slashed, whirled, then swept with both blades. A quick swing was all I needed to dispatch the last of them.
  
  "Huh, huh huH!" I cought my breath, "Well," I crouched over the wizard, "Let's see what they got?" Books, four of them. Then the Dragonborn came out with all his gear on, right down to the "Stop picking on me!" helmet, and a couple more people. Some serving elf with one of those maces, and this guy in rags...

  Sleeping Giant Inn:
  
  {I'm abandoning the whole datestamp thing, but I might go back, and clean it up later.}
  
  So, I finally got a chance to get my journal back from Delfine. She probably read the whole thing, and I started another on the road, but I can always stitch the new pages in later. 
  
  And I got to talk to Him. The Dragonborn. Completely convinced of his own Legend. Honestly couldn't stand to listen to him that long, but if I just shut up, and stopped asking questions, he stopped talking. Then, he'd sing, or hum, "The Dragonborn Comes" was one of his favorites, and some song I never heard before. The only word I could make out was "Dovakiin, Dovakiin," blah bla lalalalaH! over, and over, so I guess it was pretty much the same thing.
  
  One thing they don't talk about in the storybooks is apparently he's a Dragon Magnet. Kinda fun, if you like that sort of thing, but every day? Sometimes twice, it gets old. And he totally steals the show. Not that I mind, cause with all his shouting, and stuff, I can take a wing (watch that tail!) and Jenassa just stands back, and shoots it.
  
  Okay, I got to admit, when he soaks up all that light, and it starts burning away to the bones it's pretty impressive. Or like Jenassa says, "Quite a sight!" What a merry little band are we, except, to hear him tell it, he takes them on all by himself, with his hands tied behind his back, and nothing but his Voice. 
  
  That helmet doesn't just look stupid, aparintly it also messes up his sight. Jenassa wears the Elven stuff better, we peiced a Matched Set together off of all the bodies, and scrubbed most of the blood off with snow. I went back to my scaled, it doesn't poke, and pinch me whenever I sit down, or lean over. And those boots, I have no idea how anybody Sneaks in those klunky stiff things. I don't think it's made for Nordic bodies. Even found a matching helmet off a body that was being picked over by Scavengers. It's got these cute little horns in front!
  
  Stupid ones, at that. If you're going to impersonate Stormcloaks, or Legionairs, pick one. Way more beleivable. The peice-mail thing makes me wonder if they were related to the "Dovakiin?" Oh yeah, that so his name now. Everbody else calls him "Dragonborn," but he just has to use the old tongue. "My name is not important," when I asked him.
  
  "All through history, there have been people like me, Men, and Mer of Destiny. They had names once too, Mothers, and Fathers, I'm sure. But now, they are only known as the Nerevarine, The Champion of Cyrodil. We know she was a Dunmer, like your friend there, and He was of Imperial Blood. They are gone, now, but what remains, what they did is Immortal."
  
  "Likewize, what I was is gone. Now I am a part of history. That's all that matters." I swear, that's exactly what he said, he let me write it down, as he said it to help preserve his legend. He doesn't just talk likeat, that's the way he thinks. I sense a little dishonesty in Delfine, I can't really trust her. But he swallowed it, the whole line until she's got him by it, and can't escape. Yeah, there's your destiny. "So what's Your real name, 'Dread Fall'?"
  
  "I'm tired," I curled up in the bedroll, "Why don't we get some sleep?" He insists on traveling by day, and sleeping at night, but there'es no arguing with Him. He's the Chosen One. He's pretty easy to convince, though, like how I talked him into going along with our little trick for camping on the road with no gear. 
  
  There's always Bandits, lots of bandits, so you find one of their camps, clear it out, loot the bodies, and post watch. He's not bright enough to think of a better plan, and we forgot to stock up in solitude, so it's not like he has a choice. After all that happened, it wasn't hard to fall asleep. Even without the Light. I can see Jenassa, by the fire, but how does she see? Nothing can hide in the day, or sneak up on the guard.
  
  So, anyway, Delfine finally let me into her secret basement. Ooh, the false backed cubbard door trick, never seen that before! Turns out that guy from the stinking cave was Theives' Guild, recognised my armor when I changed back for travel. I loaned it to him, to get him to Riften. Anyway, he said the Thalmor were looking for some guy named Esbern down there, and Delfine acted real exited.
  
  I never can tell with her. I can see she's a real good liar, I've known a few, but that doesn't tell you what the truth is. Anyway, since I had ties down there, she decided I should go get him. Whatever, I need to go see Maven anyway, and maybe see if these books are worth anything. Oh no, Delfi doesn't even know about them, I sure don't trust her with that kind of information. I gave her the one with her name on it, that satisfied her, but their Plan, and USC?
  
  I'm not even going to say his name. He's too important, and the dirt on him is too good to risk it. And this weird gem I found in The Dovakiin's sachel. That's got to be worth something too, right? 

  Helgen
  
  I saved up, and at least Delfine let us borrow a room, probably to keep an eye on us, but I doubt she picked our pockets in our sleep. Stripped of the covers, the papers were not that uncomfortable, and extremely safe. We didn't need to keep watch, though, and both got a good day's sleep. As dusk began to settle and the shadow of the ruin stretched over the villiage, we set out, the best way I know to Riften.
  
  The first time, I just kind of wandered, but now, I had a destination and perpose. What day was it now? Has it been just a week? Wow, and the Bandits already moved in on Helgen. The fires barely out, and here come the scavengers. I don't mind people mistaking me for one of them, it's my cover. Jenassa is a Sell Sword, and I'm just a young pretty bandit, that's it!
  
  "You picked a bad time to get lost friend." I get so tired of hearing that, but Jenassa's right. I found I like a warm bed, and being underestimated. Not even a challenge, didn't even take the evening chill out of the air, I won't bore you with the fight. It lacked elegance, no sneaking, predicting the enemys' movements, trying to think down to their level. Just hack them down like wheat before the scythe, and move on.
  
  To think, I used to call that Home. I'm glad it's gone. Alduin did us all a favor. I don't even miss "Aunt" Reja. She wasn't real family, just took me in, and put me to work. My friends, both of them. I know Onmond got out, packed up his staff, and went to school weeks ago. At least Nevaris got out all right too.
  
  Out the East gate, and follow the road, a little richer from the bandits. This time, we decided to stop at a cave. I passed it by before, but now, I noticed it had a draft blowing out of it. That means another exit, possibly a short-cut through the ridge? Might even save us some time!
  
  Haemar's Shame
  
  Loyal as always, Jenassa even shot the bandit up on the catwalk. From the shadows, he never knew we were there. "Oh dear," she shook her head over his body while I looted it. "You see those marks?"
  
  "No?" I looked, just like normal Nord skin.
  
  "I forget, Nord eyes." She turned his head over, and stretched his neck. "Vampire's thrall," I could just make out the bruise. "They feed their masters, and serve them under a powerful Illusion."
  
  "Oh," I shrugged, "Well let's kill them."
  
  "Yes," she nodded seriously, "That would be best. The Dunmer always had a close association with the Blood Feeders," she went on, "Not, officially, but our strengths make up for their weaknesses, and also reinforcce with some of their, Abilities."
  
  "sh!" I crouched, "there's one." On the cavern floor below, she slipped soundlessly around the platform, and down a ramp, while I went for a more direct approach. The thrall was watching his mistress, working on something on the platform above. He slumped lifelessly to the floor, and I dropped the grip of my blade back to my free hand again. Just before her arrow hit.
  
  SNAP! An armor spell closed over the black robed figure instantly, and she turned faster than I could see to raise her hands at me. I felt weakened, and watched dumbfounded as my life force slipped away to her outstretched hands. "I'll see you Burn!" Jenassa sprinted past me, torch low under her sword. The Vampire drew a sword of her own, but was blocked, bashed, and set on fire. It shreiked, and was cut down quickly with a few rapid slashes.
  
  "Keep your wits about you." I closed my mouth, and swallowed, "They are not to be underestimated." I nodded.
  
  "Wait," I shook my head, "Let me see what she's got." Robes, little iron sword, and she seemed to be drying out before my eyes. Though not a Dunmer, that's what Jenassa, and Nevaris call their people, but literally ashlike, it got on my hands, and I looked at them.

  
  "Vampire dust," she nodded, "It does strange things to the light, for a few moments. I rubbed my hand on it, turned it over, watched the back reappear. "They are saturated in Illusion, by their very nature."
  
  "Wow," I collected all I could, and tore off a peice of robe to hold it. it didn't disappear, nor even ash down to a skeliton, but just the top of the skin flaked off, but it was about a half cup of flaky powder. I sure didn't want to feel that drain again, so. "I have an idea." I crept forward, cupping the sachet to the hilt, and snuck around to the next encounter. 
  
  Poof! I flipped it up, so the dust flittered down over me, and snuck invisibly around the corner. Right in front of another vampire! "What was that?" I choked down the giggle, but it was to late. Or almost, I cut him down with a couple quick swings, but my dust puffed off with the first impact, and floated invisibly down. I couldn't re-collect it, it was invisible on the frozen floor.
  
  Ah, but here was another vampire, already starting to deteriorate before my eyes. I quickly cut another swatch from this robe, having lost the first one, and packed it with as much as I could get. This was truly precious stuff! I neglected everthing else in my haste to get it all. Now this was magic I could appreciate!
  
  You ever been ignored? How about humiliated? You ever want to dissapear? Make yourself so they couldn't look at you, or point, and accuse you? And for an assassin, this could be truly useful. It sure helped killing Vampires. ! at a time, of corse, she wasn't lying about a few moments, something about being on the flesh of the living. Perfectly harmless, she assures me, but unable to maintain it's vampireness for long. It can be stored indefinitely, though, unlike Eider Cheese in the heat of summer. Fortunately, it never gets that hot here, because when that stuff goes bad, it's the worst.
  
  There was one tough patch, though. After one down in a sort of pit, he was tricky just because Jenassa couldn't get a decent shot, and he had lots of bodies down there to send after us. Bandits, dead ones, moaning, and swinging at us, but easilly struck down to colapse into a pile of Ash. Not even Vampire Dust, but useless as dirt with some Septims in it.
  
  Anyway, After that we had to go up this sort of sloped tunnel to a big room, and 3, or for of them attacked at once. I dusted out to get the first one, and the other three immediately rushed in to surround us. All draining at once, between my steel, and her iron, and fire, we managed to kill two, but the last was unbelievably hardy. He fell back, draining with both hands, and it took both of us to silence him.

  
  "He was the Master," she judged, and had more than the usual ammount of dust. with the other two, and one I saved, I had maybe 5 pouches worth. In return for I don't know how many potions it took. It was so worth it, though, for potions are everywhere, and I can heal on my own. This Vampire Dust is rare, and difficult to get, and powerful, and precious.
  
  Then I looked up at the statue. "Wow," I blinked, "Would you look at that!"
  
  "Oh," Jenassa finished wiping the Master's steel sword, and strapping on the sheath. "Yes, that."
  
  "That's not," Talos, or Kyne, or Dibella, "One of the nine?"
  
  "No," she shook her head, "That's Cl," she stopped herself, "He is not Aedra."
  
  Right, which probably means, even if you know His name, you probably don't want to say it. Right there, in front of his Shrine. 
  
  "There is something Missing," she noted a conspicuos space next to Him, "We must leave, Now." We hurried around either side, and opened the spear gate. "I Don't think he noticed us."
  
  "I don't know my Deaedra," we came out, on a very high cliff. "Was that," I lowered my voice, 'malacath?'
  
  "No, that is Clavicus Vile, without his Conciense.?"
  
  "Oh," that's probably not good. I'm pretty sheltered from that kind of thing, I only heard about Malakath when an Orc stopped by Helgen long enough to swear by him before being run out of town. Aunt Reja would only say I must never speak that name, nor even think of any Daedric Lord, lest they hear me. "Is this the other side?"
  
  "No," she pointed down to a Cairn marking the side of the trail, "It is not." 
  
  Riften
  
  Well, we managed to scramble down safely, and the rest of the night was spent getting back to the city. I didn't miss the smell, almost forgot, since I'd gotten used to it before I left.

  Even the Gate Guards were talking about "The Goldenglow Massacre."  So, I hung in the corner by the stables to listen.  They suspected the "Morang Tong," on account of the steel bolts.  "Aren't they all up in Morrowind?"

  "Not any more,"

  They shrugged as I walked between their torches.  "Hey!" Maul grunted, and chucked his head. He stood up from his usual post, and uncrossed his arms, "Maven's been asking for you."

  "I've been out of town." I shrugged.
  
  "Yeah, well, she wants a report as soon as possible."
  
  "Tell her I'll be in the B&B," I started that way.
  
  "She wants you to go see Her," he followed, "Now."
  
  I turned to him, not all that comfterble with him behind me, even with Jenassa watching my back. Another thing I'd forgotten. Where I was, and what that means about my continued survival.
  
  "She's waited till now," I crossed my arms, "She can wait for me to make myself, Presentable." I held up a hand, "If you must, tell her she doesn't want me stinking of the road when I walk into her nice clean house."

  I can just imagine that:
  
  
  "Fine!" he grunted, not unlike Farkas, but a lot less friendlier, and if anything, at least as scummy. "I'll give her your message, but you owe me. I'm not your courior."
  
  No, of course not. We both know who's boot he licks. Got to wonder what she has on him? Can't be his familly, because Dirge doesn't seem to have that problem. I just poured myself into a tub, tried to scrub the stains from my eyes, at least it hid the fategue in them. "Huhh."
  
  I got some clothes in all my travels, so I figured that would be better than my filthy Scaled armor. It had all kinds of blood, fur, spider muck, and Gods knew what else all over it from fighting over here. I lent my guild set, but that would probably look bad, going into her place. I mean, everbody knew, but that doesn't mean she wants to hang a sign out front.
  
  "Hmh," I layed it all out on the bed, the dress I got from the Tavern was probably a bit too much, exposure. Nice, and cool, but I was used to a tighter chest. I settled on the nice black one I got from Solitude, and an Amulet of Kynareth. Some high black cuffed boots, and plain gloves. A copper, and garnet circlet to top it off, and keep the unruly chords in place, I even shaved the stubble off the sides.

  The Goldenglow Massacre, eh?  Not like he did it alone, but I'm glad Nevaris came out so well from it.  I'm not Thieve's Guild anyway, so it's better not to have that noteriety, I decided.  "Goldenglow Massacre," I like the sound of that.

  Riften
  
  "All freshened up, princess?" Maul, real sense of humor. 
  
  "Don't you have a wall to hold up?" If he was to be my escort, I certainly wouldn't be enjoying myself today. 
  
  "Watch yourself." He warned me.
  
  Despite heading in for some more boring talking, I was actually a bit excited. With any luck, this would finally earn me the information I need to get in with the brotherhood. I actually Hoped, a little.
  
  "Miss," the Mer at the door looked me over, "Dread Fall, is it?"
  
  "Yes?" I rolled my eyes.
  
  "This way," he looked back, and forth before allowing me in. "She left instruction for you to meet her in the basement." He pulled a key on a gold chain from the pouch at his hip, and carefully unlocked the door. I heard it click behind me, and noted that while the bar was up, there was no keyhole on this side.
  
  "Is that you," she turned to me, "Dreadfull?"
  
  I didn't correct her, merely nodded.
  
  "Have you seen one of these before?" She stepped aside, revealing a ring of candles, with some objects on the floor. Objects of death, obviously, a dark ritual of some sort.
  
  "You're a," I shook my head, "Necromancer?"
  
  "Uhahahahaha." she laughed humorlessly, "Of course not. If I were, you would think I could conjure up some results." Obviously used to people laughing at her attempts to joke, I tried to smile, but not all that hard. "No, this is, was supposed to be the Black Sacrament, but it seems no one is Listening.'
  
  Ahh, the Black Sacrement. Right. Uh. "So, what's this got to do with me."
  
  "You know," she turned away, "Your ignorance, and niavetay cease to be charming." Okay? "Why, there are children who know of the Sacrement, the ritual to contact the Dark Brotherhood?"
  
  "Yeah?"
  
  "Here." she pretty much hit me with a piece of paper. "I want you to to take this to my contact, Gabriella, in Falkreath."
  
  "Uh?" really? Another Fetch Quest?
  
  "Go on, now," she waved, "We've wasted enough time already."
  
  I turned back at the stairs. She just picked up a dagger, and knelt on a pillow on the floor. "Sweet Mother..."
  
  I sighed, and hoped the Carriage went to Falkreath. At least I had a room for today, and some money, for some Mead.

  {Author here, I'm limited to 100 characters, so I'll have to continue on another page.  Reread it, to see what I've added, and then move onto the sequel, tomorrow.   The You Eye is intentional, this is how she sees herself.  She wears the Thalmor gloves, because they're her favorites, purely for looks, wears Light Armor pretty much for the same reason.  She's literally a Poseur, but growing out of it.  Not unlike Harley Quinn's imagination, with the blackened faces, and +,+ out eyes, and everything.  She's a walking lampshade, muttering to herself.}