5 Starting a Journey

Day 39

The first month has come and gone, I do not believe that the people of Tamriel have the same span of time as I once did however. Haven't had much of a chance to learn about those kinds of things. I feel as though I had been through some intense things so far and I'm really surprised to have survived. That first night I had spent outside of the ruins was terrifying and each day forward I had been afraid of not waking up at all when I lay my head to sleep. It seemed as though i am wanted by the empire, thalmor, the stormcloaks believed I could be a spy under tight watch, and I had no leads on any group of summoners or mages.

I settled back against the headboard and stared at the door, contemplating what to do next. Was able to pay for my room and eat comfortably but gold is running low, chopping wood could only get me so far. Luckily for me most inns in Skyrim supposedly paid for the labor of others to get their firewood, It made me wonder why so many people went in debt for not paying for their drinks. Why didn't they just go out, chop some wood and have it be even?

I chuckled a little at the thought then shook my head, needed to concentrate on the task at hand. I already picked up my dagger and sheathe as well as some more supplies that could last me a few days on the road. The decision to leave had already been made, I opened up my map and spread it across the bed. Needed to find a route that could lead me to a place to hide out for a time. I needed to be out of this city, not just for the fact that I was under careful watch by the stormcloaks but it seemed to me that tensions here in the city where reaching their peaks.

I looked over the map and cursed my luck. I knew that there was a village at the base of the Throat of the World but it wasn't marked on my map, and not remembering the name meant I wouldn't really be able to ask about it. I believed I knew the general area where it could be though, so if I searched the area then I may be able to see it. I lightly circled the spot I thought it was and waited for the ink to dry before rolling back up the map and stuffing it in my satchel. The village should be relatively safe enough from the war, or so I hoped.

After checking through my supplies I summed up that I could last around four days if I was careful. The biggest problem I could foresee would be bandits on the roads, I had always known the game to be famous for the abundance of bandits throughout the land of Skyrim. I would need to tread carefully if I was to avoid any while I traveled.

Early the next morning I set out with the weather being nice for a change. People were already beginning patrols and work when I reached the gate and headed through. Soon after reaching the main road and walking for about thirty minutes I noticed that there where a few others on the same road as I. They were Khajiit that carried large packs and pulled a cart, just the four of them. I caught up to them as it was faster for me to walk than they with the large packs and assured them I was no threat when they drew their weapons.

"I haven't traveled much myself and was wondering if you might allow me to travel with you a while?" I asked in the hopes they were friendly. I realized later though how travelers and merchants must be about allowing strangers joining up with them as It would mean possibly adding another person's troubles onto theirs and more risk to the already dangerous roads.

"Where are you headed stranger?" A female Khajiit with black fur came forward.

"I'm headed in the direction of Riften. I'm trying to reach a village just near the pass that brings me to the throat of the world but I can't recall the name." I remembered this group as a Khajiit caravan so I knew it would be okay to tell them my destination. In the game thought there where three caravans in total but I couldn't remember which one this was.

"Ah, we know of the place you speak of. Now I am going to ask why you would want to travel with us?" She asked. The others looked nervously around them and at me.

"There is safety in numbers. I don't ask that I be taken care of. I can pull my own weight, even help carry a cart if you wish. I just don't want to travel Skyrim alone." I realized I must have sounded like a helpless child as the Khajiit gave me a sympathetic look. Had they traveled alone before and wished to travel with another? What were their histories? I had never really looked them up other than to try and find their routes online so I knew nothing about them or if there had even been backgrounds for them.

"We are heading to Riften, there is a split in the road that will lead you to the village that you are searching for. We can travel together as far as that split." She turned to the others and nodded. They all nodded back and moved their goods to the side of the road and motioned me over.

"It would only be rude to travel the weary roads of skyrim and not know one another." A male Khajiit explained as he put down his pack. He wore heavy plate armor and had a steel mace strapped to his belt. His fur was black and silver, a unique blend of colors.

"I am Darius. A stranger to these lands but new to traveling." I bowed my head slightly and smiled. Not sure if that introduction sounded strange though as it had seemed better in my head.

"I am Kharjo a guard for this caravan." He bowed his head back as another came up. This one had gray fur with some black stripes and had light armor with steel plates on it.

"I am Dro'marash I suppose you could also count me as a guard for the caravan." He bowed his head then turned to another khajiit who was covered in black and dark brown fur. Her clothes where those that merchants wore in the game with a dark blue tint. "This is Zaynabi. She doesn't speak much unless she really trusts you. Which is no one." Dro'marash added the last part with a sad look. Did he have something for her? If so then he was really bad at hiding his feelings.

"I am Ahkari. Head of this caravan." The black Khajiit I had first spoken to bowed her head and smiled. "It is a pleasure to meet you Darius. Now, we should continue moving. It would be best to make as much distance as we can before nightfall." She motioned to the others to resume their labors in carrying things and continue walking. I adjusted my own packs to a more comfortable position and followed behind them.

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Day 41

"Look out!" Flames coated the road as the group dove out of the way. Kharjo, the heavily armored Khajiit, had been a little too slow however. His body landed beside mine and he began to flail and panic as his tail had caught. I rushed closer to him and pat his tail down with my robe and hands. The flames burned a little but I forced myself to ignore then pain and focus on the large creature that was circling over head.

"They had never hunted on the roads before!" Kharjo cried as we moved farther away from the path we had been on. Ducking between a large group of trees, Kharjo watched as the carts burned and looked around for the others. "They will be okay." Kharjo breathed, probably more to himself than I. "We need to be moving. Else we will end up the beasts' lunch." Kharjo winced then turned to make his way along the tree line, I followed after him and kept my eyes on the sky. The dragon continuously circled the area we had been in, crying out a deafening roar.

We followed the tree line while cautiously watching the dragon and looking out for the others. I watched as the dragon renewed the line of fire along the road each time it began to die out. The cloth of the robes I wore felt uncomfortable as they clung to me from the heat.

"We need to get across somehow." I heard Kharjo say as he stopped to catch his breath, smoke was spreading around us as the trees had now caught fire. I looked up at the dragon and judged from its size that it must be an old one. Maybe it was an ancient dragon like in the game? Those mainly showed up when the dragonborn was a higher level to fight them. But then again, this wasn't the game. It was as I was looking at the dragon that a loud sound originated from somewhere behind us. A burst of energy, what looked like a large blue stream made it's way towards the dragon and went into it's body. With a shriek the creature fell to the ground, tossing and turning in it's own flame.

Kharjo and I stayed rooted to the spot as we watched the dragon inhale and suck in all the fire on the ground and get back to it's feet. Its scales were emanating a faint blue that beat in tune to my own heart. It let out an enraged roar before speaking in a tongue I couldn't understand. I assumed it was the language of the dragons but unlike in the game, the tone in which the dragon's voice was almost impossible for me to understand. While it was speaking, a cry of pain cut off it's voice as three arrows forced their way into it's left eye and muzzle.

I looked around to see who must have shot the arrows, had one of the caravan members got hold of a bow? Where they okay?! While I had been looking around I didn't notice the figure that appeared atop the dragon's back until they had delivered a blow to the dragon. From where I was I could see that the figure was slim, hooded and armored in what looked like dragon scale from the game. I had a hunch on who the person was and my suspicions where confirmed when the dragon bellowed a very audible "Dovahkiin!"

The figure continued to slash away at the back of the creature with their two menacing swords then proceeded up it's back and to its neck. The dragonborn delivered the final blow with a downward stab into the area where the dragon's head meets the neck. With one final cry it fell to the ground, lifeless.

The dragonborn dropped to the ground, slowly placed their hand on the dragon's head and bowed their own. It was something I hadn't ever seen in the games and very surprising. The dragonborn seemed to have a love for the dragons and I wondered weather or not they wanted to kill it given their reaction. The air suddenly changed around us, the dragon's body began to burn away as the air was sucked into it. when the body finished burning away the air was suddenly dispersed and guided to the dragon born. A flurry of colors coated their body as the soul was absorbed.

The dragonborn raised their head and looked around, with a nod they sheathed their swords then held up a stone. It looked almost like a soulstone but it was hard to tell from the distance. Kharjo and I stood from where we hid just as the dragonborn crushed the stone and was covered in black mist before disappearing completely. I had never seen anything like that in the game! Where had they gone? Why did they leave suddenly? Luckily for me though I had glimpsed something about the dragonborn that gave away their race. I had seen a fuzzy tail protruding from the backside of the armored person. While I wasn't able to discern the sex of the dragonborn I was able to tell that they where a Khajiit.

"So she's alive after all." I heard Kharjo whisper next to me before a smile formed on his furry face.