The Outsider Act 1: Inocence - Chapter 1- Ruby

• Posted by Soneca the Exiled September 25, 2013 - 856 views

  Damm it, I really wish this idiot would stop complaining, I need to think. I remember escaping, through the border and into Skyrim, I thought I was finally safe. Next thing I know, there are a band of warriors, running right towards me! I thought they knew who I was, so I began reaching for the dagger at my back, but then they shouted something about me being a true daughter of Skyrim, I risked a yes, and apparently that was the answer that saved my hide.

  
  -Hail sister, you should come with us, the Imperials are coming, they ambushed us, but we managed to escape with the king! - 

  
  -But wont they come looking for you?- I asked.

  
  -No need to worry sister, we left them with quite a large raiding party, they will be busy with them for quite some time.- said a tall blond man which I imagined to be the leader of the group.

  
  It was by no means a large group, but they all looked fearsome, and while I could take two or three out I would not have made it out if this turned into a direct conflict. While they started planning there next move I began sensing something was wrong, we were being watched, I could smell them. I was about to start running for my life, when I got hit in the arm by a small dart, I looked at the group and they appeared to have suffered the same fate, and when they began falling to the ground a dizzy feeling overcame me. I was brought to the ground by it, and I saw men coming out of the trees and bushes, few of them, but the wore the colors of the penitus oculatus, who were these people? Why did they have such an elite force hunting them? It would appear I would not have my answer this soon, as the poison started taking effect I felt paralyzed, and began slowly drifting to sleep.

  
  -Hey you, you’re finally awake! Are you okay? Did you manage to see who got us?- said the tall blond soldier.

  
  -Yes, as a matter of fact I did, who are you? Why was the oculatus hunting you?-I answered

  
  -I thought you were one of us, and I did not think the imperials would have their hounds on us... - 

  
  -I said that because I thought you were going to kill me otherwise. You did not answer my question, where are we being taken, who are you? - 

  
  -I’m Ralof, and the one next to me is the honorable and true high king of skyrim, Ulfric Stormcloack. As to where we are going, well, I can only imagine, one thing is certain though, this is probably the last time you will see the light of day...

  
  This is worse than I thought, but I can't reveal my true identity here, the headsman’s axe is a better fate than what they would do if they found about me. I began to look around and tried to have a better idea of my surroundings, the chances for escape would be slim, but if the situation got too dire, maybe I could use that... No, not with this many people here, besides, I can smell something, and it does not smell like prey. There were quite a few carts, some with soldiers, but most with prisoners, or bodies, the soldiers guarding the carts were on foot, most carried bows, so if I ran I would not get far. As the other prisoners were discussing their birthplaces and their gods, already preparing for their inevitable fate, I took a closer look at the Stormcloak king, before I arrived in Skyrim I heard rumors about how the high king was murdered, how the usurper used his voice to kill him. I see now why they gagged him, with a power like the voice he could attempt an escape that would leave many wounded if not killed. There was something else though, as I turned my head I saw a man, atop a dark steed, hooded and in Imperial armor. There was something strange about him, his eyes, they emitted a negative energy, like looking into oblivion itself, was he like me? No, his scent was different, but it did not leave me at ease, like a wolf when he sniffs a bear, my senses told me to keep my distance and stay vigilant.

  
  We were getting closer to the walls now, as we made our way into the keep and stopped, I could see a man in commander’s armor, that was soon introduced to us as general Tulius, next to him was the hooded figure, and a Thalmor officer. They started calling upon the prisoners to walk towards the block as they received their final blessings and were executed, my own turn was nearing.
  
  -You there! Who are you?- said a young soldier, holding the list of prisoners.

  
  -Look, there must be a mistake, I was crossing the border when I got caught up in all of this, I have no part in this rebellion I swear! -

  
  -We can see this soon enough prisoner, your name? - 

  
  -Ruby Nored, I’m an alchemist, if my pouch was not stolen in the confusion I can prove it!- I lied, hoping it would work.

  
  -What should we do captain? Her name is not on the list.- said the young soldier.

  
  -Forget the list, she is clearly trying to fool you soldier, she is a rebel and needs to die along with her traitorous kin!- said the captain, a middle aged Imperial woman.

  
  -I’m sorry, at least you will die here, at your homeland.- said the soldier, while he hung his head in sympathy.
  
  I was then pushed towards the block, but before they made me kneel I saw the hooded man looking up, right after that I heard a loud roar, and I heard the man whisper something as he jumped on the general's back and moved with him in the blink of an eye to the other side of the patio. A second after that I saw the Thalmor officer ward herself and pillar of fire crashing down on her. No time to think, as I sprinted to the open doors of a keep the blond stormcloak closed it behind me, but not before I got a glimpse a giant winged beast that came crashing down into a group of soldiers.
  
  -What was that?- asked the blond soldier, Ralof.

  
  -I think that was a dragon, like in the legends!- said a young stormcloak girl.

  
  -Legends don't burn down villages- this time it was the king that spoke, he was already free of his gag and bindings.

  
  They began to argue what the best move was, but as another soldier handed me a dagger I made myself free and bolted up the stairs. I reached the top of the keep and tried to plan my escape, I saw the dragon flying above some soldiers, they were trying desperately to wound him with spells and arrows, but the small attacks seemed to not even scratch his hide. I heard something move behind me and as I turned I was faced with the biggest woman I ever saw, she had long brown hair and matching eyes, was wearing light fur armor, but it showed Imperial colors, had multiple tribal tattoos throughout her arms, but the things that really had my attention were her massive muscles, and equally large sword, ready to rip me apart if she had to.

  
  -I don't why the boss wants me to get you out alive, but count yourself lucky "Ruby", if that is your real name even.- she said, as she sprung in my direction, grabbed me onto her shoulder and leaped into the nearest house, crash landing through the roof and into the lower floor, and resumed her sprint.

  
  Who in oblivion was this woman? And who was this "boss" she spoke about? Could it be that hooded man, probably, considering all the weird stuff happening to me. She kept running with me on her shoulder, I cached a glimpse of the stuff around me but I felt like I was about to puke from all the shaking. As we headed into the other end of the patio she let me down in front of a locked door.

  
  -Don't even think about running girl, you will get cut down before you go two steps away from me- said the massive nord, as she backed away from the door.

  
  -What are you doing?- I asked

  
  -What do you think? Making a path, we need to get underground before this dragon destroys this place.- she shouted the last part of the sentence, as she threw herself at the door, it did not give much resistance though, and collapsed before her sheer force.

  
  Inside we saw a small group of stormcloak soldiers, they seemed scared out of their minds thinking it was the dragon, but seeing only a two women standing at the broken doorframe must have given them a little courage, because the next thing I saw was two of the five soldiers lunging at her with axes ready to kill. Their rush was short lived though, as she also lunged forward, grabbed them by the throat and smashed their heads together. As a small puddle of blood started to emerge from one of the downed soldiers she pulled out her blade, a magnificent great sword, as red as blood, and swigged it three times at the direction of the remaining group. She swung that sword with amazing speed, surprising, seeing as how both the blade and the woman were of incredible size. As she finished each swing, energy jumped out of the blade, and wounded each of the remaining aggressors.

  
  -Come on little one, no time to lose!- she exclaimed as she bolted forward and unlocked the hatch down to the sewers.

  
  The way out was filled with enemy soldiers, but they proved no challenge to this mysterious woman, as she cut them down and ran along the path. As we arrived at the end of the tunnel I began to see the light of day, and a carriage, with a dark elf, an Argonian, a high elf, two Imperials, a Breton, and the hooded man, all looking at me and the woman. The hooded man's eyes glistened for a second while I was looking at him.

  
  -There she is daddy, all nice and safe, just like you asked!- said the woman

  
  -You know I don't like that name Sophia.- answered the hooded man while he moved at an inhuman speed towards me -Im sorry, but introductions will come later, I swear - he said.

  
  After he finished talking I was about to inquire why I was being taken, but he jammed his hand at my face and I could sense a burning sensation through my body, it felt like being buried in ash! As this pain overcame me I felt paralyzed, and soon gave out into blissful unconsciousness...