Day 1: 17 of Last Seed, 4E 201 Beatrix Delacroix
I awoke on the back of a cart today, tied down like a wild animal. I looked at the men in the cart with me, a horse thief, a noble out of his element, and a peculiar warrior. The warrior said his name was Ralof and the noble was Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak, guess he’s the guy the Empire’s been talking about. The horse thief began ranting that he was innocent, blamed his capture on the Stormcloaks, and then pleaded to the Divines.
After a few minutes we arrived in Helgen and were met by a grim sight, an executioners block, but even worse…Thalmor. I HATE THALMOR. My blood began to boil at the sight of that High Elven scum. I wished my hands were untied, not so I could run and avoid death, but so I could strangle that golden skinned bitch.
(My sketch of that Thalmor bitch)
They took us off the carts and lined us up to be named off, horse thief ran, died….I didn’t know the guy and really shouldn’t feel sorry for him, but the fact that the Empire so willing killed a man by shooting him in the back unsettled me a bit. The Empire has never been that cruel, at least not to anyone besides High Elves.
They had a priest recite the blessing, some Nord told her to shut it, and then they killed him. In one swift motion of the Headsman’s axe his head rolled off his neck and into the basket. Then they called my name, the Imperial Renegade. I wasn’t even really afraid. I came here to find my brother, and I regretted that I didn’t, but at the same time…I welcomed death. Then the unthinkable happened, a dragon, as black as the soul gems Mother told us never to touch, swooped down and began destroying Helgen and slaughtering everyone. In that moment it didn’t matter who was Imperial or Stormcloak, who worshipped what gods….they all died the same.
(My memory of that Dragon)
In the confusion I managed to escape into the Helgen Keep with Ralof (He’s a Stormcloak but he seemed nice), after jumping from a tower to a burning building and nearly being seared by the dragon’s fire myself. Once inside he told me of some Nord legend that the dragons would destroy the world. Great. I just find out my brother might be alive and the world is about to end…maybe I am cursed?
Anyways, Ralof had me put on some armor from his dead friend Gunjar; it was loose considering it was built for a Nord male. Some Imperials charged in to attack us soon after, they died quickly. I took the female officer’s armor; it took me a few minutes to get the armor on. She had a similar build to mine, so her armor fit nicely (Note to self: Wash her blood off the armor). Unfortunately, I was forced to wield these pathetic “long swords” that the Imperials prefer, can’t wait to grip a two hander again, these puny weapons just don’t feel right, at least I found a bow too.
We eventually made it out of the keep, after surviving giant spiders, an angry bear, and spilling much Imperial blood. Ralof told me we should head to Riverwood to get aid from his sister, Gerdur. It felt odd, siding with someone who is against the Empire, that I served with…but then again, they were trying to kill me a few minutes ago. So I followed him. Along the way, he pointed out some old ruins atop a mountain and showed me the Guardian Stones, telling me about their powers. I wanted to choose warrior…but something pulled me toward the mage…maybe it was mother’s guiding spirit?
We eventually made it to Riverwood and Ralof introduced me to his sister Gerdur, a nice enough woman. She gave me some supplies and said we could rest at her house, but she also wants me to inform the Jarl of Whiterun about the dragon threat. I decided to stay in the village for awhile before I set out to Whiterun, catch my grip some.
(The little town of Riverwood)
I visited the trader in Riverwood, said his store had been broken into, some golden claw was stolen. I promised him I would get it back; his sister showed me to the edge of town and told me the bandits were in those old ruins atop the mountain. I’m going to set out tomorrow.
It was getting dark so I returned to Gerdur’s house, we sat around the table and had a nice dinner together (haven’t had a family meal in a long time). After that it was off to bed, which is where I write this journal from. Well, it’s late and I fell tired. I believe it’s time for me to rest.
(Well that's the start of a long journey! Criticism is welcome!)
