Hod and Gerdur's
Sundas, 10:13PM, 17th of Last Seed, 4E 201
We scrambled up the snow bank and stepped out into a dull afternoon. The sky had resumed its natural appearance, though grey billowing clouds veiled the sky while rain pelted the landscape. I heard the piecing cry of an eagle as it flew ahead, over a great a dale. The slopes of the valley were covered in towering pines and lush grasses. In the distance a long lake stretched westward, nestled below the foothills of the mountain ranges where streams and rivers emptied. To the north-east the White River flowed between the great mountain and another small range. The birds chirped wearily and the buzz of insects was prevalent.
I sighed with relief and beckoned my companion. "We made it! Let's get out of here."
Ralof nodded, a grin upon his dirty face.
Immediately after thinking that the beast was gone for good, birds flew from the trees in droves as the sound of a great rushing wind came from over the rocks behind us.
"Wait!" Ralof yelled.
He grabbed my belt and we ducked behind the boulders next to path. The Black Dragon roared as it flew above us, casting a great shadow. Its wings beat steadily as it moved, powerful muscles keeping it aloft. The down draft blasted upon us as I hunkered down. It soared over the White River with great speed before disappearing over the crags. I panted heavily as the the dragon disappeared.
"There he goes." Ralof announced. He stood and brushed himself off slowly. "It looks like he's gone for good this time."
I plopped onto my rump and leaned against the boulder with a sigh, thankful for the light rain drops that peppered my face, and then my pains returned. I was no longer sidetracked by our dilemma and all the wounds I had suffered screamed at me in a cacophony of pulsing nerves. I grimaced and clutched my shoulder. My rashes began to sting furiously, but to make things worse they itched at the same time. I caressed the clumps of dried blood that clung to my scarred cheek and winced as pain irrupted. I lowered my hand and examined them both. I was a sorry state. The burnt skin was peeling and I was coated in filth. Blood of both myself and others stained my hauberk and trousers. I looked up to Ralof with a pained expression. We just survived a Dragon attack... a Dragon attack! All those men and women are dead but fate decided that I was to live. Why? I'm nobody. I scowled and kicked the dirt with my heal. I'm glad I made it of course but it would have seemed so unlikely before. Even facing a spawn of Frostbite Spiders had been unimaginable. I'm a farmer's son not a warrior.
Ralof looked back to the cave and frowned. "No way to know if anyone else made it out alive." He glanced around bitterly and gestured. "This place is going to be swarming with Imperials soon enough. We'd better clear out of here." He started down the rough dirt path which had blended with the rain into a thick mud, leaving deep tracks in his wake.
I pushed off my knees and stood, shrugging my pack onto my shoulders and following after the Stormcloak. I warily eyed the sky in case the beast returned while trudging through the mire. I could feel the deep rumble of thunder coursing through my bones as we trekked. The trail pushed down the slight incline, bringing us further into the dale.
"Ralof?" I began as we plodded along, still shaking from what we endured. "What do we do now?"
He immediately replied with confidence. "My Sister Gerdur runs the mill in Riverwood, just up the road. I'm sure she'll help us out."
"Alright..." I replied, my mind still sifting through the entire event, formulation questions and looking for answers. I glanced back to the cave which was now quite a distance away. What do I do? My entire... plan has been destroyed, I can't just go on with my life, not after being caught up in this!
"Once we get there we can get things settled." He said as if reading my thoughts, "Right now though we need to get to cover." He gestured to the increase in rain fall, the droplets bursting on his skin. He lead me off the tail to a wide branched pine.
I ducked under the musty bows and sat upon the dried needles below. We remained there for some time, silently watching the storm rage. I could smell the moist earth and the indistinct scent of rain.
Ralof spoke. "You know, you should go to Windhelm and join the fight to free Skyrim." He paused as the proposal sunk in. "You've seen the true face of the Empire here today."
I pondered heavily on his suggestion while looking out into the storm. "You really think I should?" My allegiance is still with the Empire, despite this ordeal. I glimpsed at the blood on my armor. It was self-defense....
I'll keep telling myself that.
"Damn right, like all true sons of Skyrim should." He declared with a smile. His jubilant expression soon turned to a scowl. "Unlike those filthy Imperial-" His voice was cut off by the repetitive sharp crack of lighting followed by a terrible cannonade of thunder. I flinched.
"But I can't just go off to fight a war." I argued after the barrage subsided. "By the Gods, Dragons have returned!"
Ralof looked to the bespattered ground. "If anyone will know what the coming of the Dragon means, it's Ulfric."
"Well..." I hesitated, not wanting to insult him. I wasn't ready to take up arms in the name of Skyrim, or the Empire for that matter. "I'll have to think it over."
"Yeah sure, I understand." Ralof scoffed at my indecision, though it was clear that he hoped I would come around. "No need to decide now." He paused as the thunder growled again. "But I know that after you think about what you saw today, you'll realize that Skyrim deserves to be free."
I looked away, feeling uncomfortably pressured after such an ordeal. "Right..."
"We'd better keep moving." Ralof said despite the downpour.
"But we just took shelter from the storm!" I protested, just wanting to sleep and let my troubles wash away. "Can't we wait it out here?"
"I wish we could but I don't want to run into any Imperials who know what happened at Helgen." He explained.
I hesitantly stood and gazed over the hills to the east where I could see the smoldering ruins of Helgen amongst the trees. I turned to Ralof with another exasperated sigh. "To Riverwood."
The muddy path lead us north-west through the forest, past boulders and earthen rises until it converged with the main road. We walked downhill along the worn cobblestones but stopped at a steep bend.
Ralof pointed between the trees to the mountain range on the opposite side of the White River. "See that ruin up there?"
I raised a hand to shield my eyes from the rain and saw distant arches atop the mountain's north-eastern ridge. "Yeah. What is it?" I grumbled as water dripped from my beard.
"Bleakfalls Barrow." He shivered, but not from the biting rain. "I never understood how my sister could stand living in the shadow of that place." He shrugged. "I guess you get used to it."
I've heard the tales of the old crypts, how the undead roam the halls and protect their slumbering kin, haunting the living and so on, but like I've stated before I don't put stock in the superstitions... but then Dragons used to be superstition until today. We took off down the bend, following the wide road which weaved down the steep hill. Turning again I could see the lake beyond the road, its surface disrupted by the many splashes of rain drops. At the bottom of the hill the road turned to follow the White River after passing three ancient standing stones on a crumbled platform.
"What are those?" I asked as we trudged toward them.
Ralof glanced to the stones. "Those are the Guardian Stones, three of the thirteen ancient standing stones that dot Skyrim's landscape."
"What are they for?" I asked.
"It's said that each stone has... abilities." Ralof explained. "Connected to the stars in the night sky."
I had been taught about the constellations as a boy. There were many, the Serpent, the Lord, the Steed, and so on. "Which stars do they represent?" I asked, my interest peaking.
"The Thief, the.... Mage, and the Warrior." He scowled as the word Mage escaped his lips. "They're said to... grant you unique blessings."
I nodded while turning my gaze back to them. "Blessings, eh?"
"Go ahead, see for yourself." Ralof gestured to the three upon the root cloven stone.
As I stepped upon the platform I felt a strange nagging which guided me to the warrior stone. That blessing would definitely do me good in the days to come. I've survived a Dragon attack...so.....maybe I'm more than just a farmer after all. I turned toward the ancient pillar and scanned it's carved surface before taking a deep breath and resting my hands upon its cold face. Suddenly, from within a hollow circle in the stone a bright light began to glow. My hands became fastened to the rock as if by mortar and I felt a strange energy passing through me. A glimmering azure beam shot up from the stone and into the stars. My hands were abruptly freed causing me to gasp and fall back. The bright pillar dissipated leaving me breathing hard.
Ralof had been watching in astonishment. He starred at me blankly for a moment before approaching. "Warrior..." With a reflective expression, Ralof thought for a moment. "Good.... Those stars are sure to guide you to honor and glory." He said hopefully.
I got to my feet and panted for quite some time. Did it work? I did not feel anything but a strange numbing sensation in my limbs. Something definitely happened.
We soon departed after I caught my breath. As we walked Ralof and I conversed; discussing and speculating on what choosing the warrior stone meant for me. We moved along the rocky road as the water rushed by our left; surging over rapids. It ran northward between the mountains which were now blanketed by a chilling mist. I had a lot on my mind and my spirits were dampened by the weather. The rain constantly pecked at me and a steady stream of droplets dripped from my garbs.
"Remember, this isn't Stormcloak territory." Ralof cautioned. "If we're ahead of the news from Helgen we should be alright as long as we don't do anything stupid."
There was a brilliant flash of lightning and a ferocious clap of thunder cutting off my reply.
"If we run into any Imperials, just let me do the talking, all right?" Ralof continued.
"Sure thing..." I agreed. What have I gotten myself into? Dragons are on the loose and I'm an escaped 'convict'!
"I'm glad you decided to come with me." Ralof said. "We're almost to Riverwood."
The lightning brightened up the path before us and I saw a gateway in a portion of rock wall emerge from the forest. The structure was built much like the walls of Helgen but was smaller, and, instead of large wooden gates there was only an arch. Water dripped from the boarded roof of the wooden ramparts and flowed between the cobblestones. To our left the river divided around a landmass. Upon the earth sat several large logs next to the town mill; a wooden structure with a stone base. A few people walked about, chopped wood and carried logs over the small wooden bridges connecting to the riverbank. We stepped through the gateway gladly. The sound of bellows blowing and the clang hammer on metal resonated from a building across the water from the mill. Wooden houses with thatched roofs flanked the road which continued along the bank.
"Looks like nobody here knows what happened yet. Come on. Gerdur's probably working in her lumber mill." Ralof stated as we stepped into the village.
Solemn villagers garbed in drenched cloaks tended to their business, paying us no mind. To our right an elderly woman sat upon a chair, she was waving her crooked finger at a young man.
"A Dragon! I saw a Dragon!" She declared in a coarse voice.
"What? What is it now mother?" The man asked, arms folded.
"It was big as the mountain, and as black as night! It flew right over the barrow!" She said hysterically while shakily pointed across the river.
"Dragons, now, is it?" He scoffed. "Please, mother. If you keep on like this everyone in town will think you're crazy." He shook his head with embarrassment then added. "And I've got better things to do than listen to more of your fantasies."
The woman frowned. "You'll see! It was a dragon!" The man began to depart as she shouted after him. "It'll kill us all and then you'll believe me!"
We turned immediately and crossed one of the wooden bridges. The mill's large waterwheel dipped into the river, water churning below it. We passed by a Elf with distinctly pointed ears and sharp features. His hair was white and drawn back in a pony tail. With a friendly nod he headed toward the smithy with an arm load of wood. The clunking of feet upon wood transitioned into the spludge of slush. Ralof and I turned around the corner of the sawmill, passing the large log pile as we did so. A low picket fence separated us from the river bank, a small roofed dock split off from the land to our left and several barrels, axes, and tools lay scattered about on tables and the like. Ralof looked about for his sister and soon grinned. Further along the fence, passed the dock, stood a nord woman. Her hair was blonde like Ralof's and she leaned upon the fence while fiddling with her gloves. Her dress was plain and covered in wood shavings.
"Gerdur!" Ralof called with a joyous tone.
She immediately turned at the sound of his voice and smiled. "Brother! Mara's mercy, it's good to see you!" We came closer as she continued. "But is it safe for you to be hear?"
"Gerdur..." Ralof said gently.
"We heard that Ulfric had been captured."
"Gerdur I'm fine...." He assured her. "At least now I am."
"Are you hurt? What's happened?" Her dirtied face became creased with worry. She turn her gaze to me, concern prevalent in her deep blue eyes. 'And who's this? One of your comrades?"
"I'm Wilrrick." I replied wearily.
Ralof grinned. "Not a comrade yet, but a friend." He patted by shoulder with a bloody hand. "I owe him my life, in fact." Her expression changed to surprise as she looked me over. "Is there somewhere we can talk? There's no telling when the news from Helgen will reach the Imperials..."
Her expression grew dim once more. "Helgen? Has something happened...?" She pulled off a glove and ran a hand through her hair. "You're right. Follow me."
As we left the mill behind she called out. "Hod, come here a minute! I need your help with something!"
From atop the mill at the end of the belt appeared a man who replied. "What is it woman? Sven drunk on the job again?"
Gerdur's tone became impatient. "Hod. Just come here!"
The man caught a glimpse of us and his voice became suddenly delighted. "Ralof? What are you doing here? Ah... I'll be right down!"
Gerdur lead us north along the small island to a large stump by what probably used to be its twin tree. I took a wary stance beside Ralof while looking around nervously. We stood in the sun now, because the storm clouds had partly dispersed as we trekked.
Suddenly I saw a short blonde boy in a red tunic come racing across another of the wooden bridges with a woolly dog in tow. His eyes were wide with glee as he approached. "Uncle Ralof!" The Stormcloak wheeled around with surprise. "Can I see your axe? How many Imperials have you killed? Do you really know Ulfric Stormcloak?"
Gerdur frowned at the boy. "Hush, Frodnar. This is no time for your games." She motioned for him to leave with her hands. "Go and watch the south road. Come find us if you see any Imperial soldiers coming."
The boy looked up at her with puppy dog eyes. "Aww, Mama, I wanna stay and talk with Uncle Ralof!"
Ralof chuckled. "Look at you, almost a grown man! Won't be long before you'll be joining the fight yourself." He encouraged, trying to help his sister out.
"That's right! Don't worry Uncle Ralof, I won't let those soldiers sneak up on you!" Frodnar was already half-way across the bridge when he finished. Apparently he hadn't taken notice of me.
Hod was coming toward us as the boy rushed by. He leaned out of the way with a smile and came near. Ralof sat upon the stump when Hod began. "Now, Ralof, what's going on? You two look pretty well done in." He looked at me kindly and I nodded.
Ralof sighed. "I can't remember when I last slept... Where to start? Well, the news you heard about Ulfric was true. The Imperials ambushed us outside Darkwater Crossing."
"Aye.." I commented.
"Like they knew exactly where we'd be. That was... two days ago, now." I remained quiet and let Ralof finish the tale. "We stopped in Helgen this morning, and I thought it was all over. Had us lined up to the headsman's block and ready to start chopping."
"The cowards!" Gerdur declared with a balled fist.
"They wouldn't dare give Ulfric a fair trial. Treason, for fighting for your own people! All of Skyrim would have seen the truth then. But then...out of nowhere... a dragon attacked..."
Gerdur's jaw dropped and her strong voice wavered. "You don't mean, a real, live..."
"I can hardly believe it myself, and I was there." I said, just as bewildered as she.
"As strange as it sounds, we'd be dead if not for that dragon. In the confusion, we managed to slip away." Ralof explained. "Are we really the first ones to make it to Riverwood?"
"Nobody else has come up the south road today, as far as I know."
"Good. Maybe we can lay up for a while. I hate to put your family in danger, Gerdur, but..." His voice trailed off as his sister cut in.
"Nonsense. You and your friend are welcome to stay here as long as you need to. Let me worry about the Imperials." She turned to me with assurance. "Any friend of Ralof's is a friend of mine." She reached into her pocket and revealed an iron key which she handed to me. "Here's the key to the house. Stay as long as you like. If there's anything else you need, just let me know."
I took the key with a great full nod. "Thank you very much. I'm truly indebted to you. If there's anything I can do?"
She hesitated. "There is something you could do for me. For all of us here. The Jarl need to know if there's a dragon on the loose. Riverwood is defenseless... We need to get word to Jarl Balgruuf in Whiterun to send whatever troops he can. If you'll do that for me, I'll be in your debt."
"Thanks, sister. I knew we could count on you." Ralof said with relief.
Shifted and rested her hands gently on her hips. "I ought to get back to work before I'm missed, but... did anyone else escape? Did Ulfric..."
"Don't worry. I'm sure he made it out. It'll take more than a dragon to stop Ulfric Stormcloak." Ralof assured her.
We remained silent for a while, thinking over everything. I fiddled idly with the key until Hod broke the silence.
"I'll let them into the house and, you know, show them where everything is..." He explained with a timid grin.
"Hmph. Help them drink up our mead, you mean." She replied with a chuckle. "Good luck, brother. I'll see you later."
"Don't worry about me. I know how to lay low." Ralof said while she walked back to the mill. He pushed off his knees and stood.
We followed after Hod who lead us across the wooden bridge nearby and into the village. Light smoke drifted across the road and the blacksmith's hammer continued to drum. We continued passed the village crossroads and followed Hod between the local shop (on our right) and the inn (on our left). The great mountain rose up ahead of us. I kept my head down as not to become dizzy. We neared another archway in a wall that lead to a mountain pass, but turned right, into a house's garden just before. Two blonde woolly cows and several black chickens idled around as we stepped onto the ground level deck. A cow bellowed softly when a chicken walked underfoot. Hod lifted the latch and motioned for us to enter with a polite nod. I passed the doorpost hanging lantern and entered the house quickly.
The darkening day gave way to a warmly lit house. Smoke hangs in the rafters and the table was spread. Several beds lay in one corner. I scrapped by boots on the stone floor before taking them off and placing them by the fire to dry. The hides on the floor felt good under my aching feet. Ralof took a seat by the table and plucked some chunks of bread. Hod entered behind and began stirring some soup next to me. The scent of soup was wondrous after such a long day. He may have asked if I was hungry but I was far to tired to realize. I sighed with relief and articulated my sore shoulders. I've sat down on one of the beds and have taken off my pack. The relief on my back is astonishing. I fell back onto the hide blankets and smiled. Peace at last. Eventually Gerdur came in but I did not notice. I'm sure they've eaten without me but I'm busy writing this chronicle. After laying back in the bed my eyes darkened and a thick fog engulfed my mind so I sat up and pulled out this journal from my pack. I can feel the fog pressing against the backs of my eyes as my wits fade. Soon enough I'll slipped into a deep slumber where I'll forgot all about my troubles. The last thing I'll hear is the soft crackling of the flames.
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