Shinbira: Journal of a Survivor. Part 1, Chapter 2

  • We’re in a town somewhere; “Helgen”, I thought I heard someone say.

    We’re pushed off the cart & lined up in front of some Imperial captain. She seems angry. Ulfric is gagged as well as bound.

    At least the gods have granted me that mercy.

    Some petty official has a list, a list of names, and he begins to read them out.

    There is another who says he doesn’t belong here, another thief, a Lokir from Rorikstead.

    He runs! I’m good at running; I’ve been running most of my life. Will he make it?

    “ARCHERS!” the captain commands.

    They shoot. He falls.

    “Anyone else feel like running?!”

    I did. Now I don’t.

    The official is talking to me. He seems confused.

    “And who…are you?”

    “I am Shinb….”

    I don’t even get to finish! Am I to die nameless?!

    “Captain”, he interrupts, “he’s not on the list. What shall we do?”

    “Forget the list: he goes to the block!”

    If I somehow get through this you’ll be on my list, captain….

    The Stormcloak is walked to the block, his head is pushed down onto it.

    Strange noises.

    It’s over quickly: axe raised, axe falls, head rolls. The Stormcloak is dead.

    More strange noises.

    It’s my turn. My head is pushed onto the block. It smells awful. I see the Stormcloak's head, lifeless eyes staring back at me. I close my own eyes & breathe silent prayers to whatever gods may still be listening.

    That noise again, & louder - much louder!

    I open my eyes. Painfully twisting my head I look up.

    There’s a dragon looking down at me. A dragon. There are no such things as dragons!

    Is this what death is? Or am I having a last mad dream, death-throe imaginations in a head that in reality is rolling around on the ground?

    My dragon emits an ear-splitting roar. I feel its force on my face, and once again my world goes dark...

    Any who may chance upon this journal – or at least the more perceptive among you – will have surmised that as I have been able to record these events that I indeed did not die. Or you have joined me in the mad imaginings of my afterlife. Either way you are correct: my story is not over! 

    Table of Contents

Comments

13 Comments
  • Andrew Shepherd
    Andrew Shepherd   ·  August 23, 2015
    I'm finally getting around to reading this:
     Or am I having a last mad dream, death-throe imaginations in a head that in reality is rolling around on the ground?

    Research suggests that this can actually happen, and there are some histori...  more
  • Idesto
    Idesto   ·  May 31, 2015
    Truly, you are the Tolstoy of Tamriel :)
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  May 31, 2015
    LOL, and that word count is only for one, count 'em ONE questline. 
    I am a beast. 
  • Idesto
    Idesto   ·  May 31, 2015
    Wow - that's some dedicated writing! I like what I've read so far :)
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  May 31, 2015
    We've been following each others stories from their humble beginnings on the blog. We've both wrote epic (in length) stories and are slowly transferring them to the site. Lissette has I think around 40-50 chapters equalling around 450,000 words. My chapte...  more
  • Idesto
    Idesto   ·  May 31, 2015
    Ouch! :D Maybe Lissette should subtitle her story 'War and Peace in Skyrim'? ;) I take it you two know each other well :)
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  May 31, 2015
    Just bear in mind it's 500 words. Other people seem to think its 10,000. Oh hi Lissette. How's things?  'Cough, cough' .
  • Idesto
    Idesto   ·  May 31, 2015
    Thanks again Sotek. No offence taken! I welcome any constructive criticism, & am not totally averse to other kinds! I'm new at this so I have much to learn, especially from accomplished writers like yourself & Lissette. 
    I wasn't watching th...  more
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  May 31, 2015
    Hi Idesto
    For me the description isn't an issue. It's easy enough for me to follow however there is one thing you'll have to watch out for. Blogs have a minimum length of 500 words so make sure you hit that limit. We don't want you falling foul of t...  more
  • Idesto
    Idesto   ·  May 31, 2015
    Haha - thanks for the invitation, I'll keep that in mind! I love your writing style but, for me, it may take an investment of time. I don't read as much as I'd like to. I will though, and I'm sure I can learn from you as well as enjoy your stories. I'll j...  more