Memoirs of Larz D'Ovakine ~ Now that's Retirement

• Posted by Guy Corbett January 6, 2012 - 750 views

  I awoke suddenly, sitting up covered in a fine film of cold sweat. My head was swimming, surely I didn't consume that much mead around the fire. My vision was blurred and I didn't feel at all rested.

  It took a few moments before my brain caught up and I recognised where I was. The Stormcloak Rolaf had kindly allowed me to stay in the small wooden shack. It wasn't much, straw bed, a few sets of shelves and table littered with an array of alchemy supplies. Trimmings and old fauna obvious debris of someone using it as a respite while collecting in the White Birch forest outside.

  My senses now aroused I glanced out the window of the shack. The three hearths surrounded by the stormcloak contingent and caravan escorts had burned down to embers barely a glow emanated from them. 

  I sat transfixed by the deep red glow of the fire for a moment. My mind slipping back over the mountain range to the warmth of my wife and love of my daughter. The silence of the forest surrounded me and with a gust of wind the clouds broke and the cool blue light of the moon caressed the clearing.

  A flash in the dark. My eyes instantly flicked to the shadows of the trees. Nothing. Again the wind blows, the trees tops shimmy and the dappled blue light glints off a row of six arrow heads poised.

  Before I can inhale to shout the alarm I hear the order.

  FIREEEEEEEEE

  Arrows flew in from two sides like a swarm of hornets. Pinning both stormcloak and escort alike in a deathly sting. Those lucky enough to survive the first volley had seconds to muster their senses and rise to their feet.

  Ralof was up first he seemed to rise from the ground sword already drawn. The second flaming volley rained down on the men igniting shield, flesh and ground. The battlefield was lit as the Imperial troops charged into the camp out of the shadows.

  The remaining Stormcloaks battle cries must of been heard in the next valley no wonder they have such a fierce some reputation as warriors. They quickly evened the numbers, the less experienced Imperial troops were no match for the nords. Equally though the Imperial Champions were ripping a bloody mess through the ranks of the Stormcloaks.

  Ralof was supreme in the heat of combat I saw him pick up a secondary hand axe and proceed to spin and hack through four soldiers shield, armour and limb. Leaving a bloody wake of death and screaming milk maids. The numbers were against him.

  I watched frozen as the nords fell, one by one, valiantly and with true honour until only Ralof remained. I remember seeing him drop to his knees his weapons falling from his grip.

  Pain....Sharp and fast........Darkness

  Old fool, who did I think I was. An Imperial Scout had snuck in behind me and with a grin on his face I bet. One quick whack to the back of my head with the butt of his dagger and down I went. I am not proud of myself. Why did I just sit there and watch as all of Ralof's and my own men get killed. Its been to long since I did all this stuff its time to dig deep old man.

  I drifted in the darkness, numb and seemingly unaware until I heard it. Deep in the shadow........Dovakinn.........

  I spun in the blackness trying to find the source of the voice. Again...

  Dovakinn.....

  A star of light in the dark. A beam of salvation. I ran towards it with the voice repeating that word over and over, faster and faster as the star of light engulfed me.

  17th of Last Seed, 4E201

  My eyes flicked open. I was moving? 

  "You're Awake" A voice close to me.

  "Are you OK?"

  I raised my head to find I'm bound and sat in the back of an Imperial Prison wagon. Ralof was sat opposite me and two other men. A horse thief and after a particular comment by said thief Ralof exploded he had no business speaking to Ulfric Stormcloak like that as he was the true King of Skyrim.

  Excellent. Not only did that imbecile Altan got me arrested by my own country, he signed me up with the leader of the Rebels. The man who "shouted" the previous King to pieces apparently. I remember thinking when I get home I will wring that sorry excuse for a nords neck. Who was I kidding I knew I was dead.

  Now the next part of this journal is primarily the main reason why you find me now sitting in a quaint inn called The Sleeping Giant writing this down because I myself still don't quite believe what happened to me.

  Ralof informed me that they had taken us from the ambush and were bringing us to the Fort of Helgen to be executed as enemies of the Empire.

  As the wagon pulled into the fort a crowd had gathered around the block and a group of other prisoners and guards. The thief in my wagon went a bit insensible and as we were unloaded from the back of the cart he made a run for it. His reward was an arrow in the back. The  Imperial Legate showed no mercy and I was consigned to my fate.

  I listened as they made a show of parading Ulfric before killing another stormcloak. As his head rolled from the block a roar, is probably the best way I can describe it, echoed from above. Everyone froze and looked to the skies.

  A shout from the crowd "Kill the Stormcloaks" kick started the proceedings again. They called my name " Larz D'Ovakine".

  I stepped forward towards the block. Only the whites of the eyes of the executioner was visible through his black shroud.

  Again that Roar. That deep rumble like the voice in the black. I looked up again as I was thrust down onto the block. My neck sticking to the ruby shine of its previous victim. I turned my head and opened my eyes to the wielder of my death. As the axe reached its peak a black shadow appeared over the mountain side. Closer it Flew! Soaring onto the top of Helgen tower.

  A massive black DRAGON! It was the biggest creature I have witnessed. It arched its neck and brought its orange eyes to meet my stare. It seemed to peer into my very soul before opening its jaws and unleashing a sound I will never forget and will hear in my dreams to the end of my days. It rippled the very air around me and threw people off their feet. The very sky appeared to open up in a vortex of wind raining fire and rock on the ground.

  I was stunned in complete awe of this majestic evil that took off pounding the huge wings flaming the out buildings as it went.

  "LARZ.......LARZZZZZ"

  The courtyard was a ruin, I looked in the direction of voice that called my name Ralof. Waving me to go into the other tower on the opposite side of the courtyard.

  I clambered to my feet hands still bound and sprinted over to the tower. People and timber exploding in blooms of fire and cinder. Ralof slammed the door shut as I stumbled into the tower. Righting myself I noticed Ulfric stood on the other side of the door. Ralof turned and shouted over the noise of the chaos outside

  "WE NEED TO GET HIGHER, WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO JUMP ACROSS ONTO THE LOWER ROOFS".

  I nodded and set off up the stairs. Winding up to the first floor, the cacophony of the dragon was unbearable, I stepped onto the landing as the beast punched it's face through the wall of the tower. Its black snout engulfing the space in fire and that noise. My ears, I missed being toasted by feet, the heat felt like it was cinching my beard off. The damage blocked further progress but Ralof noticed a building lower down that had been damaged and set on fire. He told me to leap down and they would catch up.

  I leapt down through timber and flame rolling onto the floor. Gathering myself up quickly I moved forward out into the court yard stumbling into an Imperial called Hadvar. He said he would escort me to the keep for safety. As we started to cross the decimated yard bodies and fire strewn everywhere. The dragon dropped down and unleashed its flame at the pair of us. I managed to pull Hadvar in a dive for cover. It took to the air again.

  Hadvar lead me round to the Keep entrance yard. As we ran across I stumbled on some rubble and fell. Hadvar didn't notice in the mayhem and in the same instance Ralof appeared behind me heading for the other entrance to the keep. Not moments later the dragon dropped down in between myself and Hadvar, Ralof scooped me up as he barged into the Keep and a little more safety.

  Ralof cut my bonds and lead me to a circular room with two gated arches either side on the far wall a table and the body of a Stormcloak.

  "Gunjar...my friend, the imperials must have got him, go loot his gear im going to need help to survive getting out of here" Ralof instructed as we entered the space.

  I'm not proud to say I wore the Stormcloak cuirass, it offered better protection than those rags. The axe though as I grasped the handle and balanced the weight in my hand I felt strong.

  I took a couple of practice swings as Ralof tried to open the gate. Voices from the other arch. Imperial survivors, Ralof crouched to the side of the gate and I positioned myself on the other. But as the officer unlocked the gate she spotted us. Shouting "Kill the Stormcloaks".

  I had to defend myself but I regret killing those Imperials. Sometimes though you have to resort to survival of the fitness. I may be old but I'm not weak.

  My old form seemed to gush back into me. I swung the axe at the first soldier approaching with all my might. The axe moved swiftly cleaving into the top of the surprised lads left shoulder. He fell in a geyser of red as I parried the lunge from the second. Ralof had entered a one for one battle with the heavily armoured officer, he seemed in control. I countered and sliced across the imperials throat turning to help Ralof finish off the Officer.

  In the moments after I made the decision I needed to get as many supplies,gold and try to make contact with the Imperial city to get home. So I looted the Imperials corpse's, exchanged the stormcloak armour for the Imperial Plate and Officer Helm. If all else failed I could always pull off a convincing officer to other soldiers. The other equipment I gathered up until I could carry no more. At first chance I could unload it all and make a tidy profit to help me on my way.

  We used the key from the officer and headed deeper into the Keep. Meeting little resistance, we did come across a torture chamber but had to dispatch the executioner and his assistant. I collected what little food,potions and gear I could to trade. The more vigilant I am  now the more well off I will be later. Luck at last, I found a two handed Great sword, this will do me well.

  Down deeper until the keep ran out and we were navigating caves. It wasn't long till I saw sunlight and we both exploded out onto the snowy mountainside as the black dragon curved out of sight high up down the valley.

  Ralof thanked me for my help and offered for me to go see his sister Gerdur. She ran the timber mill in a little hamlet called Riverwood. He marked it on my map and told me it would be better to make our own way and meet up there.

  I have to be honest I walked down that mountainside in a shocked daze. But I remember looking out at the stunning scenery before me. Skyrim is a truly wonderfully beautiful realm. The landscapes of fables, the very air seemed to rejuvenate me. Nearing the bottom of the trail I was drawn to three standing stones to the side of the path.

  They looked old, covered in vines and weathered by time. I instinctively stepped up and placed my hand on the right stone. Amazingly the constellation of the warrior began to glow from the rock and a beam of green light shot from the tip of the stone in to the sky. I felt a warm rush like when you lower into a warm bath pulse through me. I grabbed my axe and felt a new strength and confidence in my grip. Smiling, shaking my head I strode back on the path towards Riverwood.

  As I entered Riverwood I headed directly for Gerdur. I found her outside her timber mill. I introduced my self and told her about the dragon attack and that I escaped with Ralof. I told her he told me she would be able to help me in some way.

  Gerdur agreed and gave me some supplies and a silver garnet ring to trade. She also directed me to the inn but asked if I would do her a favour in return. Marking my map she asked if I would send word to Whiterun's Jarl about the attack and to send troops to protect Riverwood. I agreed I would take the message.

  Now that I'm at the inn the days events and my years have caught up with me. I think I will spend the night and contemplate my options in the morning. 

  One thing can be said I am grateful to be alive, by the gods, by destiny or by sheer dumb luck I am grateful to be alive.