The sun broke through the morning mist as I arrived upon the walls of Helgen. “Who are you?” a guard shouted down from the gate. I waved, “I've walked here from Bruma and was hoping for a place to stop and rest.” He opened the gate and allowed me passage, “What's a Breton traveling to Skyrim for?” “Too many people are afraid of the war. Plenty of money to be made from adventuring and merchantry,” I said, pulling hood off my jet-black curtained hair, “May Zenithar reward you.” With that, I strolled to the courtyard and saw a group of men lined up for the chopping block and a young, golden haired Nord woman is about to be separated at the neck.
Suddenly, a great beast landed on the central watchtower and roared. The sentries yelled dragon and I am stuck in place, from fear. A flaming hunk of stone landed near me and the Nord woman tackled me down. Another rock came down in the place I once stood. “Thank you.” I noticed her malachite color eyes and demure facial features as she stood up, “No time for that now. Let's follow them.”
The men in blue lead us up the tower, from which we jumped into an inn's opened roof. A beam fell and my body reacted as I pushed the woman out of the way and it crashed between us, which caused us to fall to the first floor. She smiled, “Looks like I have to thank you once we get out of the place.” I nodded, “They mentioned the Keep. Sounds like the way out.”
We entered the Keep and found a dead man in the same blue garb as the others. She crouched, “Imperials must've found this one. The axe is still rather sharp and useful.” As she became acquainted with weapon, I tested both doors, “No way out but backwards.” A voice called from the far side of a gate, “Quick this way soldier.” The mysterious woman hid on the right of the door; I followed suit and hid on the right. The gate rose and two Imperial soldiers rushed through. Flames spouted from my hand at the one in silver armor as my compatriot cleft the other's chest.
“Barring any further interruptions,” she uttered, “my name is Sigrid Audhild.” She crossed her right arm over her chest with her fist to her shoulder. “I am Teufel Delacroix.” I repeated the gesture. Her eyebrow rose, “A Breton believing in Ysmir?” We began to walk through the Keep after I unlocked the other gate.
“Well, I believe in Zenithar, Julianos, Dibella, and select Daedra. However, I do not condemn Talos worship and honor your bravery in the belief of him during these dark days.” I smiled, attempting to explain my beliefs.
“Daedra?” The concern was louder than the dragon to my ears and I sighed softly. “I worship Clavicus Vile and Nocturnal. First to represent the deals I make as a, quote, 'traveling merchant.' Second to represent the theft that got me through my first years of independent life.”
We made the remainder of the way to the exit in silence between fights with other Imperial soldiers. “So what are you going to do now, Sigrid,” I asked. She pondered, “I think Riverwood is a little ways north of here. Probably head there then to Whiterun.” I gazed off into the clear sky. “Mind if I tag along?” “Two people survive a dragon attack and walk out almost completely unscathed. Of course you can.”
We shared a smile and walked to our next stop: Riverwood.
