Escaping Death

I woke up inside my friend's video game

In a snowy mountain pass, several Imperial wagons escorted by imperial soldiers are driving prisoners to Helgen. In one wagon, 2nd from the front, four prisoners are seated and bound; the one dressed in finery is gagged. In the leading wagon where the general of the imperial soldiers quietly sits beside the driver of the wagon being pulled by a horse.

"Hiya!" the driver cried as he whipped the horse. There are also soldiers escorting them and is riding their horses. At the back, there are several more wagons all carrying soldiers other than the imperial soldiers.

The wagon behind the leading wagon also carries a prisoner, a blonde, wearing a cuirass that has a blue cloth wrapped around the quilted armor, underneath it is a leather belt fastening around the torso. It also has chain mail underneath the quilted part of the armor, he also wears also wear fur boots and gauntlets. The other two prisoners aren't wearing sophisticated armor or clothing, they are only wearing rough spun tunic and foot wraps only, a typical attire of a prisoner. One of this two is none other than, Madi. The poor 23 years old fella who was so confused of his current situation as he woke up after passing out for whatever reason, he suspects it was the drinks he shared with his co-workers, and since it was his first time drinking so much liquors.

Madi was on a company trip with his fellow Electrical Engineers, he was at a grand hotel, after learning that he was on a wagon, with bindings in his hands, he began to get worried and start looking around.

'Where the hell am I' Madi thought to himself, and starting to worry about his younger sister, who keeps insisting to come with him on his company trip so she can spend time with one of his co-worker who happens to be his younger sister's boyfriend.

The prisoner in blue cuirass saw Madi was already awake. "Hey, you." he called out to Madi as Madi looks around. "You're finally awake." Madi looked at the blonde prisoner "You were trying to cross the border, right?"

"W-what border?!" Madi asked in terror. "As far as I can remember…"

"You walked right into that Imperial ambush, same as us, and that thief over there." The one who the blonde calls thief was the prisoner sitting beside Madi.

"Damn you Stormcloaks." The thief said. "Skyrim was fine until you came along. Empire was nice and lazy. If they hadn't been looking for you, I could've stolen that horse and been half way to Hammerfell." He and Madi caught each other's eyes. "You there." He said to Madi. "You and me, we shouldn't be here. It's these Stormcloaks the Empire wants."

"Stormcloaks?" Madi asked. And the thief enthusiastically answered "Yes, they are the stormcloaks, wearing the blue armor, they are led by Ulfric Stormcloak and have their base in Windhelm, they directly oppose the Thalmor and the Imperial Legion."

'Thalmor, Imperial legion? What the hell is he talking about?' Madi thought to himself, trying to make sense of what the thief tells him.

"We're all brothers and sisters in binds now, thief." The blonde said.

"Shut up back there!" the imperial soldier driving their wagon said, and whipped the horse pulling the wagon. "Hiya!"

The thief looks at the gagged man.

"And what's wrong with him?" he asked.

"Watch your tongue!" The blonde became furious "You're speaking to Ulfric Stormcloak, the true High King." The thief's face became pale and said. "Ulfric? The Jarl of Windhelm? You're the leader of the rebellion. But if they captured you..." the thief's complexion became even more pale "Oh gods, where are they taking us?"

"I don't know where we're going, but Sovngarde awaits." The blonde answered in a sorrowful tone.

"Sovngarde?" again, Madi asked.

"It is the afterlife created by Shor, it exists in Aetherius. And Nords who have died valiantly in honorable combat arrive in Sovngarde after death."

"What?!" Madi asked in terror. "The afterlife?! So you are saying, they are going to…"

"Oh gods." The thief cried once again.

"N-no-no-no I can't die here! I need to find my sister!" Madi was thinking about jumping out of the wagon, before he could do it, he noticed the soldiers escorting them, armed with bows, and swords. Tsk! Madi snapped to himself, he just wants to look at the other wagons if his sister was also here being escorted.

"No, this can't be happening. This isn't happening." The thief said, now he and Madi are on the same boat now. Thinking all this is a big mistake.

"Hey, what village are you from, horse thief?" asked the blonde.

"Why do you care?" the thief asked.

"A Nord's last thoughts should be of home."

"Rorikstead. I'm...I'm from Rorikstead." The thief answered.

They are now finally approaching the village of Helgen. A soldier waiting at the gate calls out to the lead wagon.

"General Tullius, sir! The headsman is waiting!"

"Good. Let's get this over with." General Tullius? I believe I recognize that name, Madi thought to himself again. But recognizing him won't help me escape death! He said in his mind and start thinking of a way to escape.

"Shor, Mara, Dibella, Kynareth, Akatosh. Divines, please help me." The thief said as they approach the place where they will face, death. Madi silently observe the place. He saw several soldiers, and… Wait, is he an elf? Madi asked to himself as he saw a Thalmor agent. General Tullius stepped out of the leading wagon as it slowly turned left.

"Look at him, General Tullius the Military Governor. And it looks like the Thalmor are with him. Damn elves. I bet they had something to do with this." The blonde said as he looks at the elf and the general.

'What's the business between the Thalmor, Imperials and Stormcloaks?' Madi asked to himself as he keeps looking for a way to escape. Madi was thinking of running and slip away by hiding, however, there are high walls. That means, the only way to escape is to make a run towards the gate. 'Before I could reach the gate, this fucking archers will ought to get me' Madi thought. 'Damn it!'

"This is Helgen." The blonde said "I used to be sweet on a girl from here. Wonder if Vilod is still making that mead with juniper berries mixed in. Funny...when I was a boy, Imperial walls and towers used to make me feel so safe."

As they are passing by, Madi notice a man and his son watching them prisoners pull into town.

"Who are they, daddy? Where are they going?" Madi looked at them, the father noticed. Madi suddenly felt the urge to get home and have a cup of coffee with his dad.

"You need to go inside, little cub."

"Why? I want to watch the soldiers." Says the kid.

"Inside the house. Now." I need to get out of here, Madi thought to himself.

The wagon stops near a chopping block. 'This place looks familiar, everything is old fashioned including this prisoner execution thing.' Madi's thoughts are filled with questions, however, escaping is more of an importance to him than looking for answers to all of his questions. 'I'll find answers later; I can't die here!' Madi thought to himself.

"Why are they stopping?" the thief asked. And the blonde answered. "Why do you think? End of the line. Let's go. Shouldn't keep the gods waiting for us."

The thief tried to keep on convincing the soldiers.

"No! Wait! We're not rebels!"

"Face your death with some courage, thief." The blonde stated as they step out of the wagon.

Under the Imperials' watchful eye, the prisoners start jumping out one by one. As the thief jumps out, he keeps asking the blonde prisoner "You've got to tell them! We weren't with you! This is a mistake!"

But no matter how loud he cries, no one can stop their execution. 'Damn it! How did I end up here anyway?' Madi's starting to lose hope, as he saw armed soldiers surrounds every escape route. 'There's no fucking way out of here.'

"Step toward the block when we call your name. One at a time!" a female soldier commanded in a bossy manner. The blonde retorted "Empire loves their damn lists."

"Ulfric Stormcloak. Jarl of Windhelm." A handsome young soldier who looks like in their mid-20s called out to the gagged prisoner.

"It has been an honor, Jarl Ulfric!" says the blonde.

"Ralof of Riverwood." The blonde stepped forward.

"Lokir of Rorikstead." The young soldier called out to the thief.

"No, I'm not a rebel! You can't do this!" The thief tried to run, but, even Madi can tell soldiers will ought to kill him and can never escape.

"Halt!" the female soldier commanded the thief. However, Lokir keeps running. "You're not going to kill me!" says Lokir as he runs for his life.

"Archers!" Oh fuck Madi thought and looked away.

Madi heard a piercing sound. Lokir was shot, and his body falls down to the ground. Soldiers starts picking Lokir's body.

The captain eyed Madi. "Anyone else feel like running?" she asked rhetorically. Madi noticed that her armor is different from the other soldiers. Maybe she's an officer, Madi thought so since she has the bossy attitude, and even commanded the archers to shot Lokir.

"You there. Step forward." Madi, with his head down walks forward and saw his reflection in a water puddle. 'Is this it? How lame… dying in a place that I didn't even know. Dying without seeing my family' "Who are you?"

"M-Madi." Madi answered.

"You picked a bad time crossing the borders." Madi felt how sorry the young soldier was for him.

"Captain, what should we do? He's not on the list." The young soldier was trying to free Madi, and Madi noticed it. Yes, that's it, I'm free, I am not in the list! Madi thought.

"Forget the list. He goes to the block." Oh fuck! Madi starts shivering. The only way of his escape has slipped away. That motherfucking bitch, Madi cursed the female officer.

"By your orders, captain." The young soldier said. "I'm sorry. Follow the Captain, prisoner." He added.

Madi goes to stand with the other waiting prisoners by the block. All prisoners other than him and Lokir are wearing blue cuirass too, like the blonde prisoner who were with him earlier.

A soldier with white hair was standing in-front of the line of prisoners, he was none other than, general Tullius and spoke "Ulfric Stormcloak. Some here in Helgen call you a hero, but a hero doesn't use a power like the Voice to murder his king and usurp his throne." Madi starts to feel nothing.

Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak was grunting, protesting to General Tullius. He can't speak since he is gagged.

"You started this war, plunged Skyrim into chaos and now the Empire is going to put you down, and restore the peace." General Tullius added.

A distant roar rings down the mountainside. What is that? Madi asked in his head forgetting about his execution.

"What was that?" the young soldier asked. But, the general doesn't seem to care at all.

"It's nothing. Carry on." The general said.

"Yes, General Tullius. Give them their last rites." The captain commanded. And a woman wearing yellow robes stepped forward, and began to recite a prayer. "As we commend your souls to Aetherius, blessings of the Eight Divines upon you, for you are the salt and earth of Nirn, our beloved…"

One of the prisoners from the lead wagon walks forward. "For the love of Talos, shut up and let's get this over with."

"As you wish..." says the priestess. The prisoner kneeled and lay his head on the chopping block. "Come on, I haven't got all morning. My ancestors are smiling at me, Imperials. Can you say the same?" They behead him, causing responses from the onlookers.

"You Imperial bastards!" a female stormcloak yelled.

"Justice!" an onlooker said.

"Death to the Stormcloaks!" another onlooker said.

Madi keeps on observing everything as the execution carries on. As he was looking around, he and the blonde stormcloak catches the eye of one another.

"As fearless in death as he was in life." The blonde stormcloak said while Madi is looking at him.

"Next!" finally, it was Madi's turn on the block.

Another roar rings out on the mountainside, this time much closer.

"There it is again. Did you hear that?" the young soldier asked, starting to get worried and scared. 'What the hell is that?'

"I said, next prisoner!" the captain said.

"To the block, prisoner. Nice and easy." The young soldier tried to ignore the distant roar.

Everything slowed down to Madi's perspective as he was brought to the chopping block. He finally remembers where he was. 'Yeah, this is definitely that game, Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. And… I guess this is the end of the line for me' Madi thought and closed his eyes. This was the game his friend used to play during their break time at the office.

A large creature swoops over the southern peaks, barreling toward Helgen.

"What in Oblivion is that?" General Tullius shouted. Madi who was still laying his head at the chopping block with his eyes closed patiently waited for him to get beheaded.

"Sentries! What do you see?" Madi heard the captain shouted.

"It's in the clouds!" a soldier answered.

'What are they shouting about?' Madi opened his eyes and seen a flying creature, it lands on the tower, surprising everyone.

"Dragon!" a stormcloak soldier shouted.

The dragon roared on the crowd, killing the headsman who was thrown into a wall with a strong force.

"Nngh!" was the headsman's last cry.

"Don't just stand there, kill that thing! Guards, get the townspeople to safety!" Tullius commanded his soldiers. Madi raised his head, and looked around. Everything was in chaos. Fire started in every houses. Everyone is in hysteria.

Ralof noticed Madi, and called out to him "Hey, you, get up! Come on, the gods won't give us another chance! This way!" the blonde stormcloak leads Madi to a tower where the other prisoners and Ulfric are hiding.

"Jarl Ulfric! What is that thing? Could the legends be true?" he asked to the leader of the stormcloaks.

"Legends don't burn down villages. We need to move, now!" Ulfric said.

"Up through the tower. Let's go!" Ralof commanded the other stormcloaks. "This way, friend! Move!" the blonde stormcloak said to Madi.

As they reached midway to the top of the tower, there are several rocks blocking their way "We just need to move some of these rocks to clear the way! Now…" The dragon, breaks in through the wall, blasting fire everywhere.

"Get back!" says the blonde, and everyone including Madi stepped back as the Dragon breaths out fire through the broken wall.

"Toor shul!" 'Did that dragon just talk?' Madi asked himself after hearing the word Toor shul before the dragon breaths out fire.

Madi and the stormcloaks surveys the damage. The broken wall is big enough for anyone to fit in, on the other side is an inn slowly burning down. The blonde thought of an idea.

"You" he calls out to Madi. "See the inn on the other side?" he asked. "Yeah" Madi replied. "Jump through the roof and keep going! Go! We'll follow you when we can!" Madi nodded, and he proceeds alone, encountering the list-giver with some refugees. He also saw a kid who was running in the open yard. The young soldier who happens to be the list-giver called out to the kid as the Dragon hovers right above them.

"Haming, you need to get over here now!" the young soldier said, the kid run towards him "Thataboy. You're doing great!" The dragon was preparing itself to breath out again, the young soldier commands everyone to retreat "Torolf! Gods...everyone get back!" They all got back on time and survived the blast of fire breath.

"Still alive, prisoner?" the young soldier asked Madi. "Keep close to me if you want to stay that way." 'Should I trust him? Should I trust the imperials?' Madi asked himself in his head.

"Gunnar, take care of the boy. I have to find General Tullius and join the defense." The young soldier said to a fellow soldier named Gunnar.

"Gods guide you, Hadvar." 'So Hadvar is his name. I'm not sure if I can trust him yet.'

"Prisoner, stay close to the wall!" Hadvar shouted to Madi and the other soldier. They take cover as a dragon perches right above.

"Vol toor shul!" the Dragon breaths out fire again. But they avoided it. As the dragon flew away. Hadvar commanded everyone. "Quickly, follow me!"

As they reach the main gate's carnage. Soldiers are firing arrows in vain. "Tell my family I fought bravely!" a soldier said.

"Hadvar! Into the keep, soldier, we're leaving!" General Tullius commanded.

"It's you and me, prisoner, stay close!" Hadvar said to Madi.

"Die, dragon!" the other imperial soldiers continue to fight against the dragon as Hadvar, Madi and the other soldiers make their way to the keep.

"How in Oblivion do we kill this thing? Just...die!" a soldier cried as he struggled to fight against the dragon with other fellow soldiers.

Near the keep, the blonde stormcloak with other stormcloak soldiers was seen.

"Ralof! You damned traitor, out of my way!" Hadvar said to the blonde stormcloak.

"We're escaping, Hadvar! You're not stopping us this time." Ralof replied.

"Fine. I hope that dragon takes you all to Sovngarde." Hadvar said.

"You, come on! Into the keep!" Ralof said to Madi. However, Hadvar also invited him to come with him. "With me, prisoner! Let's go! Come on! We need to get inside!"

Madi was afraid that they will keep on executing him if he come with Hadvar, so, Madi decided to go with Ralof. 'I'm sorry Hadvar' Madi thought to himself.

Upon entering the keep, Ralof goes to check on a fallen comrade.

"We'll meet again in Sovngarde, brother." Ralof said, and turned to Madi. "Looks like we're the only ones who made it." Madi only nodded. "That thing was a dragon. No doubt. Just like the children's stories and the legends." It really is, that really is a dragon. "The harbingers of the End Times. We better get moving. Come here, let me see if I can get those bindings off." Madi stepped forward to Ralof, and Ralof freed Madi's binding.

"There you go. May as well take Gunjar's gear... he won't be needing it anymore."

"You mean him?" Madi asked as he pointed out to Ralof's fallen comrade.

"Uhuh, get that armor on and give that axe a few swings. I'm going to see if I can find some way out of here." Madi took the armor, gloves, boots and the axe. He worn the stormcloak armor and asked Ralof. "What's the axe for?"

"We might encounter some Imperials; you will be needing it to defend yourself." Madi gulped dry saliva. 'Defend? How the hell am I able to chop someone for the very first time?'

"This one's locked. Let's see about that gate." Ralof said as he moves to the other side of the room where there is a big gate. "Damn. No way to open this from our side."

"Come on, soldier! Keep moving!" the imperial captain shouted.

"It's the Imperials! Take cover!" Ralof said as the imperials tries to open the gate.

"Get this gate open." Says the imperial captain.

Ralof unsheated his axe, and firmly gripped the hilt. The gate finally opens, as the imperial captain and soldiers stepped out.

"Imperial dogs!"

The captain and her associate are ambushed and killed by the hands of Ralof.

"You never killed someone?" Madi nodded.

"Maybe one of these Imperials had the key. Let's see here... Here we are, found a key." Ralof found a key on one of the imperials body. He noticed Madi was in shock and couldn't utter a single word and watched Ralof do everything instead.

"You better start to learn how to fight my friend." Ralof said to Madi, "It's either you fight or get caught by these imperials." He added as he tried to push in the key.

"Let's see if it opens this door." The door clicked and Ralof managed to open the door. "That's it! Come on, let's get out of here before the dragon brings the whole tower down on our heads.

Madi and Ralof go downstairs, they were almost got trapped under the collapsing ceiling.

"Look out! Damn, that dragon doesn't give up easy." Ralof said as he opens the door in their left. 'Why do I feel like I am the one that dragon wants? First, in that tower, now even here in the underground' Madi thought.

"Grab everything important and let's move! The dragon is burning everything to the ground." Ralof and Madi hears the imperials inside a room. Ralof sneaks in, and Madi followed.

"Just need to gather some more potions." An imperial said. "My friend, you got this, it's either you, or them." Ralof said and once again unsheated his axe. Madi gulped his dry saliva. Ralof killed one of the guards. However, there are two more imperials, armed with a great sword and the other one, equipped with a sword. The imperial with a great sword swing his weapon towards Madi, Madi managed to slip away from the attack and managed to land a hit on him on the throat, oh god, I sliced him Madi thought and began to Shiver as blood gorged out of the imperial's throat.

"I-I just killed a man!" Madi cried as he fell down on his knees. "Yes you did, now snap out of it and see if you can find any potions. We'll need them." Ralof commanded poor Madi trying to distract him from what he had done.

Madi searched the room for potions and grabbed them, and gave them to Ralof.

"Okay, let's get moving." Ralof said, "What's your name again?" Ralof added.

"M-Madi."

"Okay, Madi, friend. I just wanted to say, just keep it together we're going to get out of here okay?" Ralof reassured Madi.

They go downstairs to the torture room, where Stormcloaks are fighting.

"Troll's blood! It's a torture room. Hear that?" Ralof asked Madi.

"I hope you're prepared to kill more." Ralof said as they went in the torture room. Madi have no choice but to keep on killing. They killed the torturers.

"Is Jarl Ulfric with you?" Ralof asked the other stormcloaks. "No, I haven't seen him since the dragon showed up." A stormcloak answered as Ralof wanders around the room.

"Wait a second. Looks like there's something in this cage. It's locked." He said to Madi. "See if you can get it open with some picks. We might need that gold once we get out. Grab anything useful and let's go." How am I supposed to use these? Madi, without knowing if he can do it tried to lockpick the cage. There's a body in the cage, who seems like a mage.

Madi found a set of books titled, conjure familiar, flames, sparks, healing, books of the Bretons, and book of Dragonborn. He also found a potion, 6 gold coins and a satchel containing a lockpick.

'Good, these books can fit in this satchel.' Madi thought to himself. He placed everything inside the satchel except for the book titled Healing. He opens it and read.

'Wait, this is a magic spell book?' Madi learned the basics of spell casting. It seems easy as the book says, but Madi still wants to test it out.

"Who among you guys are hurt?" Madi asked.

"Me, but it's just a scratch." A stormcloak said. Madi changed from armor to robes and walked towards the stormcloak. "Let me heal you."

Madi raised his right hand, green essence starts to accumulate in his hands. 'Okay, here goes nothing' Madi thought and successfully casts the healing spell. The stormcloak soldier's scratch instantly healed.

"Thank you." The stormcloak soldier thanked Madi. "No problem" Madi replied, but, he feels like he can't cast another spell after that. 'Dang, I don't feel tired but I can tell that I can't cast another spell anymore.'

"You better conserve magicka my friend." Ralof said.

"Magicka?" Madi asked.

"Yes, magicka, it's the magical energy every one of us have. Every person has a certain amount of magicka in their body which is consumed after casting a spell. But don't worry, it will replenish once you drink a magicka potion or wait for a certain period of time." Ralof explained.

'So that's what I feel, my magicka, but how come I can tell if I can cast another or not? Does that mean I have two staminas from now on? No, that can't be right…' Madi tried to make sense of everything. But, Madi know, he has to look out of three things from now on. His health, magicka, and stamina.

"Brothers, wait for Jarl Ulfric, me and Madi will make our way and try to inform the others." Ralof commanded to the other stormcloaks.

"If you don't get the hang of fighting yet, let me do all the fighting, I'll let you handle the healing." Ralof said, and Madi nodded in response.

"Let's go on ahead. See if the way is clear. Let's see where this goes." Ralof and Madi keeps on moving, as they crossed a bridge, they narrowly avoid falling rocks.

"No going back that way, now. We'd better push on. The rest of them will have to find another way out."

Ralof and Madi follow a stream to a dead end.

"Hmm, that doesn't go anywhere. I guess we'd better try this way."

They went to narrow pathway and found frostbite spiders. "Damn, I can't handle them on my own." Madi brought out another spell book, titled Flames. He read it and learn how to cast it.

Madi raised his right arm, fiery essence starts to accumulate in his hands and test out casting it.

Fwoooh~

Fire burst out from Madi's hands. "Let's do it." He said, Ralof nodded.

With the help of Madi's Flame spell, he and Ralof dispatched some frostbite spiders.

"I hate these damn things. Too many eyes, you know?"

"We used to play it when I was a kid." Madi comments, Ralof was surprised. "Playing with frostbite spiders?!"

"N-No, what I mean is spiders which is smaller than a thumb." Madi replied.

"How do you play with spiders anyway?" Ralof asked, however, Ralof covered Madi's mouth, and they came to a halt.

They come upon a sleeping bear.

Hold up. There's a bear just ahead. See her?" Ralof whispered. "I'd rather no tangle with her right now. Let's try to sneak by. Just take it nice and slow, and watch where you step." He and Madi slowly sneaked their way. And, finally reach the exit.

"That looks like the way out! I knew we'd make it!" Ralof said, and they went out of the cave.

As they got out, they saw the dragon was flying far away.

"Wait! There he goes." Ralof said "Looks like he's gone for good this time. No way to know if anyone else made it out alive. But this place is going to be swarming with Imperials soon enough. We'd better clear out of here."

"And where would we be going then?" Madi asked.

"My sister Gerdur runs the mill in Riverwood, just up the road. I'm sure she'd help us out."

"Okay." 'I have to stick around with Ralof for now. I'll find out what to do next later' "I wouldn't have made it without your help today." Ralof said as they walked on a pathway.

"It's nothing really, all I did was heal and cast that flame spell." Madi said in reply.

"You know, you should go to Windhelm and join the fight to free Skyrim. You've seen the true face of the Empire here today." Madi did see what the imperials do, but it's still too early to decide what he's going to do. He still knows less about Skyrim. 'If only I played this game when my friend tells me to, I shouldn't be having trouble knowing about Skyrim in the first place' "If anyone will know what the coming of the dragon means, it's Ulfric."

"Let's head to riverwood my friend."

As they walk down sloped path, Madi saw a big ruin above a mountain.

"See that ruin up there? Bleak Falls Barrow." Madi looked at Ralof and nodded, and returned his gaze at the ruin.

"I never understood how my sister could stand living in the shadow of that place. I guess you get used to it."

"That place… is that the worst place to be?" Madi asked.

"If you can't stand Draugr's and bandits, then it is the worst place to be."

"Draugr?"

"The Draugrs are what remains of humans of Atmoran and Nordic origin whose souls never left the bodies."

"You mean undead?" Madi asked, for Ralof's confirmation.

Ralof nodded, and they quietly continue walking along the path.

They passed through three pillars of stones with three different carvings each. Ralof noticed Madi eyeing the stones. Ralof smiled and decided to take a short stop.

"These are the Guardian Stones." Ralof said to Madi "Three of the thirteen ancient standing stones that dot Skyrim's landscape. Go ahead, see for yourself." He said, and Madi stepped closer to every stone.

'I can feel some kind of energy in every stone. Madi thought to himself. But why do I feel like I should touch this stone in the middle?' Madi touched the middle stone.

White essence accumulates in the stone, which was later absorbed by Madi's body.

"Mage, eh? Well, to each his own. It's not for me to judge."

"That's a mage stone?" Madi asked "The Mage Stone, it bless you with fast improvement with your magic associated skills."

"I see." Ralof and Madi continue to walk towards Riverwood. "Then, I chose the right stone then." Madi said.

Ralof smiled, but he gave Madi a warning "Remember, this isn't Stormcloak territory. If we're ahead of the news from Helgen, we should be fine as long as we don't do anything stupid." Madi nodded. "If we run into any Imperials, just let me do the talking, alright? I'm glad you decided to come with me. We're almost to Riverwood."

They finally entererd the sleepy village of Riverwood.

"Looks like nobody here knows what happened yet. Come on. Gerdur's probably working in her lumber mill." Madi looks around, all houses are old fashioned, mostly made out of wood.

There are black smith's workshops and tanning racks. Everything is old fashioned, no cars, no modern day technologies.

'Dang, I really am inside that game' Madi thought.

Finally, they find Ralof's sister nearby.

"Gerdur!" Ralof called out at the woman on the lumber mill.

"Brother! Mara's mercy, it's good to see you!" Ralof's sister said and immediately went down to Madi and Ralof.

"Gerdur..."

"But is it safe for you to be here? We heard that Ulfric had been captured..."

"Gerdur, I'm fine. At least now I am."

"Are you hurt? What's happened? And who's this? One of your comrades?"

"I am M-Madi mam." Madi greeted.

"He's not a comrade yet, but a friend. I owe him my life, in fact. Is there somewhere we can talk? There's no telling when the news from Helgen will reach the Imperials..."

"Helgen? Has something happened...? You're right. Follow me. Hod! Come here a minute. I need your help with something." Gerdur called out to her husband and the three of them gathered near the river.

"What is it, woman? Sven drunk on the job again?" Hod asked.

"Hod, just come here." Gerdur said to her husband. As Hod walks towards them, he noticed Ralof and Madi.

"Ralof! What are you doing here?"

The all sit by the river.

"Uncle Ralof!" a kid runs towards the four of them. "Can I see your axe? How many Imperials have you killed? Do you really know Ulfric Stormcloak?" the kid asked simultaneously.

"Hush, Frodnar." Gerdur said to her son. "This is no time for your games. Go and watch the south road. Come find us if you see any Imperial soldiers coming."

"Aw, mama, I wanna stay and talk with Uncle Ralof!" Ralof kneeled down and pathed Frodnar's head.

"Look at you, almost a grown man! Won't be very long before you'll be joining the fight yourself."

"That's right! Don't worry, Uncle Ralof, I won't let those soldiers sneak up on you."

Frodnar walks off with their dog. Finally, four of them left alone, they proceed with their discussion.

"Now, Ralof, what's going on? You two look pretty well done in."

"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. Like they knew exactly where we'd be...that was two days ago, now. 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 retorted. But Ralof, carried on with his story.

"They wouldn't dare give Ulfric a fair trial. Treason, for fighting for your own people! All of Skyrim would've seen the truth then. But then, out of nowhere...a dragon attacked!" Gerdur and Hod seemed surprised.

"You don't mean a real, live..."

"I can hardly believe it myself, and I was there. As strange as it sounds, we'd be dead if not for that dragon. In the confusion, we managed to slip away. Are we really the first to make it to Riverwood?"

"Nobody else has come up the south road today, as far as I know." Gerdur replied to Ralof.

"Good. Maybe we can lay up for a while. I hate to put your family in danger, Gerdur, but..." Ralof was so hesitant to asked for a risky favor, but "Nonsense. You and your friend are welcome to stay here as long as you need to. Let me worry about the Imperials. Any friend of Ralof's is a friend of mine. Stay as long as you like. If there's anything else you need, just let me know."

"Thanks, sister. I knew I could count on you."

"Thank you so much mam!" Madi thanked Gerdur.

"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 would take more than a dragon to stop Ulfric Stormcloak."

"I'll let them into the house, and, you know, show them where everything is." Hod said.

"Hmph, help them drink up our mead, you mean... Good luck, brother. I'll see you later." Gerdur went back to the lumber mill as the three; Ralof, Hod, and Madi make their way to their house.

"Don't worry about me. I know how to lay low."

"I told you my sister would help us out. I hope to see you in Windhelm."

That night. Madi couldn't fall asleep.

While Ralof and the others were asleep, Madi brought out the book Dragonborn and sat beside the fireplace and read.

[ THE BOOK OF THE DRAGONBORN

Many people have heard the term "Dragonborn" - we are of course ruled by the "Dragonborn Emperors" - but the true meaning of the term is not commonly understood. For those of us in the Order of Talos, this is a subject near and dear to our hearts, and in this book I will attempt to illuminate the history and significance of those known as Dragonborn down through the ages.

Most scholars agree that the term was first used in connection with the Covenant of Akatosh, when the blessed St. Alessia was given the Amulet of Kings and the Dragonfires in the Temple of the One were first lit. "Akatosh, looking with pity upon the plight of men, drew precious blood from his own heart, and blessed St. Alessia with this blood of Dragons, and made a Covenant that so long as Alessia's generations were true to the dragon blood, Akatosh would endeavor to seal tight the Gates of Oblivion, and to deny the armies of daedra and undead to their enemies, the Daedra-loving Ayleids." Those blessed by Akatosh with "the dragon blood" became known more simply as Dragonborn.

The connection with the rulers of the Empire was thus there from the beginning - only those of the dragon blood were able to wear the Amulet of Kings and light the Dragonfires. All the legitimate rulers of the Empire have been Dragonborn - the Emperors and Empresses of the first Cyrodilic Empire founded by Alessia; Reman Cyrodiil and his heirs; and of course Tiber Septim and his heirs, down to our current Emperor, His Majesty Pelagius Septim IV.

Because of this connection with the Emperors, however, the other significance of the Dragonborn has been obscured and largely forgotten by all but scholars and those of us dedicated to the service of the blessed Talos, Who Was Tiber Septim. Very few realize that being Dragonborn is not a simple matter of heredity - being the blessing of Akatosh Himself, it is beyond our understanding exactly how and why it is bestowed. Those who become Emperor and light the Dragonfires are surely Dragonborn - the proof is in the wearing of the Amulet and the lighting of the Fires. But were they Dragonborn and thus able to do these things - or was the doing the sign of the blessing of Akatosh descending upon them? All that we can say is that it is both, and neither - a divine mystery.

The line of Septims have all been Dragonborn, of course, which is one reason the simplistic notion of it being hereditary has become so commonplace. But we know for certain that the early Cyrodilic rulers were not all related. There is also no evidence that Reman Cyrodiil was descended from Alessia, although there are many legends that would make it so, most of them dating from the time of Reman and likely attempts to legitimize his rule. We know that the Blades, usually thought of as the Emperor's bodyguards, originated in Akaviri crusaders who invaded Tamriel for obscure reasons in the late First Era. They appear to have been searching for a Dragonborn - the events at Pale Pass bear this out - and the Akaviri were the first to proclaim Reman Cyrodiil as Dragonborn. In fact it was the Akaviri who did the most to promote his standing as Emperor (although Reman himself never took that title in his lifetime). And of course there is no known hereditary connection between Tiber Septim and any of the previous Dragonborn rulers of Tamriel.

Whether there can be more than one Dragonborn at any time is another mystery. The Emperors have done their best to dismiss this notion, but of course the Imperial succession itself means that at the very least there are two or more potential Dragonborn at any time: the current ruler and his or her heirs. The history of the Blades also hints at this - although little is known of their activities during the Interregnum between Reman's Empire and the rise of Tiber Septim, many believe that the Blades continued to search out and guard those they believed were (or might be) Dragonborn during this time.

Lastly, we come to the question of the true meaning of being Dragonborn. The connection with dragons is so obvious that it has almost been forgotten - in these days when dragons are a distant memory, we forget that in the early days being Dragonborn meant having "the dragon blood". Some scholars believe that was meant quite literally, although the exact significance is not known. The Nords tell tales of Dragonborn heroes who were great dragonslayers, able to steal the power of the dragons they killed. Indeed, it is well known that the Akaviri sought out and killed many dragons during their invasion, and there is some evidence that this continued after they became Reman Cyrodiil's Dragonguard (again, the connection to dragons) - the direct predecessor to the Blades of today.

I leave you with what is known as "The Prophecy of the Dragonborn". It often said to originate in an Elder Scroll, although it is sometimes also attributed to the ancient Akaviri. Many have attempted to decipher it, and many have also believed that its omens had been fulfilled and that the advent of the "Last Dragonborn" was at hand. I make no claims as an interpreter of prophecy, but it does suggest that the true significance of Akatosh's gift to mortalkind has yet to be fully understood.

When misrule takes its place at the eight corners of the world

When the Brass Tower walks and Time is reshaped

When the thrice-blessed fail and the Red Tower trembles

When the Dragonborn Ruler loses his throne, and the White Tower falls

When the Snow Tower lies sundered, kingless, bleeding

The World-Eater wakes, and the Wheel turns upon the Last Dragonborn. ]

…

There are several texts written, but Madi had finally fallen asleep.