《Skyrim: The Dragon War》


 Chapter 1: Night of Tears. Book 1: The Dragon Cult.

    Part 1: Men of Heroic Lineage


    Chapter 1: Night of Tears


    Oh, sing low, song of ancient peoples, long lost to the cold wind of time. She, our goddess of the wind, Kyne, blew across a land of green, our land before the changing of the seasons and the cold of our home. To first settlement of the Atmoran people, oldest city of our land is now a ruin of our deepest despair. Weep for the city of Saarthal. For on one night, our people were slaughtered, and our home no more. Now hear Kyne¡¯s whisper of this tale for she speaks of what greed can bring.


    Ysgramor awoke from a restless sleep at a brush of cold wind up his spine. His rough spun blanket had fallen away from his hairy frame but even being a mass of muscle and hair wasn¡¯t enough to keep a man warm during these winter nights, no matter if they were warmer than the nights in the old homeland of Atmora.


    He lifted his head to look for it on the floor when his hearing registered a commotion in the distance. The sounds of shouting, clashing blades, and whistling arrows. He leaped out of bed, snatching his fur-trimmed tunic and belt while calling out, ¡°Boys, get up. Get up now. Grab your weapons.¡±


    His three sons stirred into wakefulness blearily. ¡°What is it, father?¡± asked the second eldest, Ylgar, a newly made man.


    ¡°It¡¯s still dark,¡± moaned the youngest, Yingild, still in boyhood.


    Only the eldest, Yngol, kept silent, doing as he was told, though with clumsy fingers and rapidly blinking eyes. None of the boys had been alive when the first settlement occurred. None had participated in the long sleepless nights on a watch or in the fights for survival in the wilderness of this new land of Skyrim. They had only known the comfort of their home in Saarthal and the training fields outside.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± said Ysgramor. ¡°There is battle nonetheless. Move quickly.¡±


    Raised voices outside meant the neighbors were up and wondering the same thing. A woman¡¯s gurgle penetrated the chatter and a child''s high-pitched scream followed but was abruptly cut off. A heartbeat of silence was followed by cries and screams as the Atmoran citizens panicked. Ysgramor grabbed his double-headed battle ax from beside his bed and moved to the door. ¡°Quickly!¡±


    The door was slammed inward and two figures appeared with bloody swords in hand. Their pale armor was barely visible beneath dark grey robes and their even paler faces twisted in masks of brutality. Ysgramor reacted faster than his sons could cry out, swinging his ax into the pointed-eared head of one and splitting his skull. The second swung at him but he blocked it with his ax handle and kicked out, launching the elf to the floor. A final swing down into the abdomen killed the intruder.


    His youngest, Yingild, was screaming. Ylgar was cursing as he struggled to pull on his shirt. Yngol approached him, fear in his eyes. ¡°Snow Elves. But we have a treaty with them.¡±


    Ysgramor looked down at the bodies to see them more clearly. They were Snow Elves: skin so white that appeared almost translucent, pointed ears, angular features, faded blond hair, and slanted eyes faded in death. Ysgramor turned away in disgust. ¡°Then the treaty is over.¡±


    He swung around, his plated beard spinning and almost striking his son who was a whole foot shorter. ¡°Put on your armor.¡±


    Yngol nodded and moved to the corner of the room where two armor stands were crammed. Their home wasn¡¯t large, barely big enough for four beds, a fireplace, a small table, two chests, and two armor stands. It was the modest accommodations of a military commander and lord of Saarthal with three sons and no wife, living in a frontier city. Ysgramor put on his heavy armor, with its sculpted symbols of dragon scales and dragon heads at the shoulders. It was an impressive sight, even shining in the dim firelight. Yngol wore simple iron armor with fur trimming and lining. The last thing they grabbed were their horned helmets. The horn was part of a mammoth tusk, used to create an extra line of defense to the head. His youngest sons wore only simple leather armor.


    ¡°Father, what is happening?¡± asked Yingild. ¡°Why are the Snow Elves trying to kill us?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± said Ysgramor, hefting his ax. ¡°Keep your swords ready.¡±


    His sons took up their swords, weighted larger at the tip and thinning closer to the handle. The elder two bore round wooden shields while the youngest simply held two daggers of similar shape to the swords. Ysgramor nodded to his sons and, stepping over the bodies on the floor, pushed open the door. The streets were abandoned, bodies of men, women, and children in the doorways of several houses.


    Screaming and begging came from one such house before it was cut off abruptly and a trio of Snow Elves emerged. Their axes were covered in blood. The blood of their people. ¡°Circle!¡± yelled Ysgramor.


    His sons fanned out while his youngest stayed behind him. Ysgramor charged, whirling his ax and slicing one of the elves across his torso. The other two circled him and encountered his sons who hacked them down. Upon killing his opponent, his second stared at his bloodied blade in alarm. ¡°Don¡¯t think,¡± said Ysgramor. ¡°We must make for the Keep. Follow me.¡±


    Five Snow Elves sprinted down the muddy street, weapons held high as they yelled in their accursed foreign tongue. Ysgramor was built solid as a mountain and took the lead, swinging his ax in wide arcs. The elves attempted to dodge, one failing and taking the brunt of the force, throwing him down the street with his chest split open. The other elves encountered the sons of the ferocious warrior and were so distracted with the whirling ax that they failed to notice the swords. One elf sliced Ylgar in the side before he was crushed into the cold ground by Ysgramor¡¯s massive battleax.


    All elves were dead, and Ylgar held his side. ¡°I¡¯m alright, I can keep going.¡±


    ¡°Help your brother,¡± said Ysgramor to Yngol, pulling Yingild beside him.


    They encountered no more elves along the way. Fireballs flew overhead from outside the city, flung by mages. Fires were starting all over as the fireballs hit the rooftops. From the distance, the clap of thunder could be heard, a mage of the highest potential firing lightning blasts. Cries and screams echoed throughout Saarthal along with the clash of combat. Ysgramor and his sons took back alleys until they reached the stone stairs that led up to an acropolis where the large citadel stood. Many of its carved dragon-headed spires were broken and destroyed.


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    The citadel was gutted, its stone halls smoldering and covered in burn marks. The councilor and his men were in the plaza around a circle of dead and dying. It was a brief respite before another attack. Ysgramor approached his counselor and said, ¡°Torm, we must depart.¡±


    ¡°My lord, glad to see you are still alive. Cursed elves!¡± said the Torm, spitting blood and holding his side. ¡°It was only a matter of time before they turned on us.¡±


    ¡°But why?¡± asked Ysgramor. ¡°They had no reason.¡±


    ¡°They hate us, my lord,¡± said Torm. ¡°What more is there? The elves fear our supremacy.¡±


    ¡°Lord Ysgramor, the men have abandoned the sanctum within to the elves.¡± A party of men in robes arrived from out of the citadel, the symbol of a dragon breathing flame upon their breasts.


    Ysgramor curled his lip at them in annoyance. Dragon priests, useless as ever except to point out the obvious. ¡°I can see that. There are bigger concerns. Our entire city is burning.¡±


    ¡°But sire, our work in the inner sanctum cannot be found. If it is they will surely destroy us.¡±


    ¡°What do they do now?¡± asked Ysgramor, the fury of a commander in his tone. ¡°If you had been up here with your magics, this attack might have been held off in the first place.¡±


    The dragon priest scowled and raised an eyebrow in superiority. ¡°Our work could not be stopped. It will lead us to power over the snow elves and all Skyrim.¡±


    Ysgramor faced him, towering over the priest''s wirey frame with his considerable bulk. ¡°And you wonder why they attack? It doesn¡¯t matter anyway, they have the upper hand.¡± He turned to Torm and said, ¡°Gather our men. We need to get the citizens out on the ships. Secure the docks.¡±


    ¡°As my lord commands,¡± said Torm, bowing and gathering the few men that remained. ¡°To the docks men, quickly!¡±


    ¡°We cannot abandon our work,¡± said the high priest, watching the guards run down the acropolis. ¡°It is vital that we-¡±


    He was cut off as an arrow pierced the back of his head and emerged from his nose. The man wobbled on his feet and then fell backward. The other priests, Ysgramor, and his sons turned to see another band of snow elves, armor shining in the moonlight, running up the stairs toward them. A fireball flew from an elf and struck the ward thrown up by a dragon priest.


    ¡°Form up!¡± yelled Ysgramor to his sons who created a triangle behind him. The priests fanned out behind them, throwing wards up and firing arcs of lightning. Sparks flew, fire ignited, and weapons flashed as the two sides collided.


    Ysgramor swung his ax in wide arcs, cleaving any elves foolish enough to get close. When one dodged under his blows, he pulled his ax back, trapping them between the handle and his chest. He head-butted the elf and crushed him with the handle, kicking away his stunned form and swinging the ax down into the elf and caving in his chest. An elf dove in to strike but was spitted on the sword of Ylgar. An explosion rang out behind them as a fireball exploded amongst the dragon priests, sending two flying and a third rolling on the ground, screaming and beating at his burning robes. The final priest lashed out with a chain of lightning and struck down two elves before an arrow hit his chest. He gurgled and fell to one knee. Yingild slid in between Ysgramors legs and stabbed up at the elf fighting his father then rose to his feet and flung his dagger at the archer.


    The dragon priest let out another gurgle and lifted his hands, cinders licking around his fingers and causing his body to glow as flames surrounded him. ¡°No, no!¡± yelled Ysgramor, knowing what was coming. ¡°Yingild! Get down!¡±


    He was struck in the back by an elf who tried to slash him with a sword. The blow grazed him, causing him to grimace in pain but he ignored the elf. He leaped for Yingild as the dragon priest threw his arms down and flames exploded outward. The elves charging him were thrown down the stairs, screaming and on fire, and Ysgramor felt his feet lifted off the ground as he cradled his son in his arms. He had enough wits to turn midair to land on his back and protect Yingild. The breath was knocked from him and he unfurled his body, dumping Yingild unceremoniously onto the stone street. As he gasped, an elf appeared in his vision with a raised sword but was run through by an Atmoran blade.


    Yngol dropped his sword and helped his father to his feet. ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± said Ysgramor. ¡°We need to get to the docks.¡± He lifted Yingild to his feet and checked him for injuries. ¡°Are they all dead?¡±


    Ylgar drove his sword into the wounded elf archer on the ground. ¡°They are now.¡±


    Yngol picked up his sword. ¡°Then let us leave before more come.¡±


    Ysgramor grabbed his ax from the ground. ¡°Not before I get some answers.¡±


    He approached the dragon priest lying on the ground, still alive and choking on his blood. He grabbed the man roughly by the front of his robes and lifted him. ¡°What were you doing down there in the inner sanctum? What were you planning against the snow elves?¡±


    ¡°Our¡­our¡­victory,¡± gasped the man before slumping in death.


    ¡°Gods curse you,¡± growled Ysgramor, releasing his body. ¡°Fine, keep your secrets. Let¡¯s get the citizens out of here.¡±


    Ysgramor and his sons ran down the steps and toward the port. Upon reaching the high street above the docks, they looked down in horror at the sight before them. The ships were all burning, the smoke filling the air with a hideous glow. The bodies of every Atmoran citizen, the guards under Torm, and the councilour himself were strewn about the wooden docks or bobbing in the water. Not a single man, woman, or child was left alive as the elves sifted among the bodies to kill any that might still be alive.


    Yingild choked out a sob. ¡°Father?¡±


    Ylgar cursed. ¡°May the Daedra take them!¡±


    Yngol, ever practical, took his younger brother''s shoulder. ¡°What do we do now, father?¡±


    Ysgramor shook his head. ¡°There¡­there is a boat moored down the coast that belongs to a local fishermen. It''s small but it will have to do.¡±


    As he turned to leave, arrows flew from the dark, missing him by inches. Then a firebolt struck his armored breastplate and he roared in pain. A blind rage filled him and he charged at the four elves that had appeared in the street behind them. A gout of flames spewed at him but he ignored it, feeling his skin burn and his hair begin to catch fire. He tore through the blaze and swung his ax in a great arc, nearly cleaving the mage in half. His son Ylgar was right beside him, his blade flashing death as he hacked at the elven archers and blocked their arrows with his shield. The final elf tried to flee but Ysgramor picked up the bow and fired. The elf fell without a sound. Ysgramor dropped the bow and patted his hair and beard to extinguish the burnt tips.


    ¡°Yingild! No!¡±


    Ysgramor turned to see his eldest, Yngol, holding Yingild in his arms. The young boy appeared to have fallen over and was dazed. Then Ysgramor saw the two arrows sticking out from his small frame. The boy was trying to breathe around the one in his throat and was letting out pitiful sobs. Ysgramor roared again, his anguish greater even than his fury, as he rushed to his son and knelt beside him. ¡°Hold on, son. Hold on!¡±


    Yingild, his mother''s favorite boy, clasped weakly at his father¡¯s hand, tears streaming down his face. Panic filled his face and he gurgled, spitting up blood. ¡°We have to help him!¡± said Ylgar, tearing a strip of cloth from his shirt.


    Ysgarmor knew his son¡¯s fate. He held his hand tight and spoke softly, ¡°My son. Wait for me in the halls of Shor.¡±


    The fear began to vanish from his son¡¯s eyes, the smallest smile touching his face. Then the eyes dimmed, his body slumped, and the last breath of mortal air escaped his small frame.


    ¡°No!¡± sobbed Ylgar. He screamed and slashed at the air with his sword. ¡°I¡¯ll kill them! I¡¯ll kill them all!¡±


    Yngol looked up at his father, tears on his cheeks. He appeared completely lost. ¡°Father?¡±


    Ysgramor took hold of his son''s shoulder and then lifted his young boy¡¯s body into his arms. ¡°Grab my ax, Yngol. Let us away from this city of death.¡±


    They left Saarthal that night, the only survivors of an entire colony of Atmorans. They rowed hard for the shores of Atmora, to bring word of their failed expedition. But in the heart of our father, Ysgramor, there was vengeance. Vengeance on the snow elves and the murder of our kin. But so too, for those who brought about this destruction, whoever they may be.

 Chapter 2: Ancestors Guide Us. Book 1: The Dragon Cult.

    Chapter 2: Ancestors Guide Us


    The storyteller finished his tale, of their father Ysgramor and the Night of Tears, with a long sigh. Asha leaned forward eagerly, brushing aside a strand of her blond hair and waiting to hear the moral of the story that she had heard so many times. She shivered, feeling a chilly breeze from the coming winter winds blowing from the roof above. The stone floor wasn¡¯t comfortable to sit on, but being this close was worth it.


    The old storyteller pulled at his long beard, his fingers playing with the braids in his hair as he squinted at the firepit in the center of Shriekwind Bastion. Tiered levels of stone rose above the circular central firepit, releasing its smoke into a hole in the roof above. This opening made the room often chilly but perfect for large gatherings and bright in the daylight. The young children and some teens sat around the storyteller while adults stood on the levels above, watching and listening. Storytelling was time-honored, not to be forgotten.


    The old man, Oran, came to himself and seemed to notice his audience. ¡°What can we see from this past? The loss of family? That vengeance must be meted? The evil of the elven kind? I pose a rather different lesson to you, young ones. That of fear. Fear of what might be has led to many a war, massacre, and death. The elves feared what our ancestors might do. The Atmorans feared what the elves might do. Inevitably, when there is fear, one will act in self-preservation. If you let fear rule you¡­you will lash out at the world around you in blind defense. Do not let fear control you and your decisions.¡±


    A silence followed then Asha applauded first followed by the rest of the children and teenage youth around her. Oran bowed and stood creakily from his seat. ¡°Enough tales, to bed. The hunt begins early tomorrow.¡±


    The dragon priest, Rukil, in charge of Shriekwind Bastion, called out from a tier above. ¡°Thank you, Oran. He is correct. To your beds.¡±


    Asha remained seated, waiting for the others to abandon the central hall of the bastion. A young man, recently achieving manhood and a year older than her, pushed through the crowded hall and stood beside her. His broad shoulders cast a shadow over her, his dark hair touching those shoulders. ¡°Are you ready, Asha?¡±


    ¡°Almost, Wulfin,¡± said Asha. ¡°I would speak with Oran before I retire. I¡¯ll see you tomorrow for the hunt?¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± he said. He hugged her and whispered in her ear, ¡°Meet me on the overlook when you are done.¡±


    He smiled and left her, disappearing into the fortress and to higher ground. As she smiled after him, she looked up to notice the dragon priest, Rukil, standing on the level above. He was staring at her in annoyance but didn¡¯t react or move away. He seemed to be waiting for her to leave first. She stood quickly and approached Oran. ¡°Master Oran, that was as wonderful as the first time I heard it.¡±


    Oran chuckled. ¡°You are never disappointed by a story, Asha. You make this old storyteller feel he¡¯s still worth a good deal.¡±


    ¡°But you are,¡± she said. ¡°Without your stories, our ancestry would be lost. How else would we learn to live in wisdom?¡±


    His smile grew sad and he patted her cheek. ¡°If only more heard and thought as you, child. Ancestors guide us from their lives before and continue to live in the retelling. That is how the mortal obtains immortality. But, you didn¡¯t just come here to thank me, did you?¡±


    Asha shook her head, her heart suddenly pounding as the moment came. ¡°Not exactly. I was¡­I was wondering. Have you considered whom you will choose to apprentice for your work? Someone must carry on the stories and I only thought that-¡±


    ¡°Asha,¡± he spoke softly, cutting her off. He glanced up at the dragon priest Rukil as he continued. ¡°Your path has already been chosen. You are the Intended of Wulfin and are to be one of the gatherers and mothers.¡±


    Asha immediately pushed back. ¡°Yes, well, I thought about that. I don¡¯t see why I can¡¯t do all of those things. I could still learn the stories in my spare time.¡±


    Oran laughed. ¡°Spoken as one who has never had or cared for children. They don¡¯t leave much time, trust me. If they aren¡¯t begging for help they are trying to kill themselves on the bastion parapets.¡±


    ¡°But I know I could,¡± said Asha. ¡°I will just bring them with me. I have it all planned out-¡±


    ¡°Asha,¡± broke in Oran again. ¡°Even if I wanted¡­I could not. Rukil has divided the labor and roles and he knows how best to serve the dragons. It is our way.¡±


    Asha felt her bubble of nervous energy deflating. ¡°But-¡±


    A crack sounded and they both looked up to see Rukil had struck his staff on the stone floor above. Sparks still emanate from its base and the eyes of the dragon''s head on its top glowed. ¡°Daughter of Lorak,¡± he said solemnly, ¡°It is time to leave.¡±


    She bowed low, fearful to meet his gaze and to hide the immediate press of tears. ¡°Yes, Lord Rukil.¡±


    She took Oran¡¯s hand, bowed quickly, and ignored his sad countenance as she hurried to the door. She entered the darkness gratefully, out of sight of Rukil. His power was terrifying even if he was their wise ruler. He knew best, she had been taught this since childhood. But why did this decision feel so wrong?


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    She walked quickly past the sleeping quarters and made for the higher levels. Shriekwind Bastion was a solitary mountain with two exits, the main one on the south side and a small one on the north which she made for. She exited through iron double doors, nodding to the guards on post outside and, turned aside, made for the path that led up the mountain. Up the steep path, she tread until she reached the overlook, a spot for lookouts in the day. It was the perfect vantage point, a solitary stone tower overlooking the forests of southern Skyrim. In the distance, Lake Ilinalta gleamed softly in the moonlight and, on particularly clear days when the sun shone bright, she knew one could see the great temple of Summer Falls across the lake, prominently set on the eastern slopes of the Brittle Mountains. And, even in the distance of the night sky, the dark form of The Throat of the World blotted out the horizon, its peak reaching to the very heavens.


    Wulfin was there, sitting on the edge of the tower with his feet dangling over, as he stared at the distant lake. He turned at the noise behind him and smiled. ¡°Asha, come, sit beside me.¡±


    Asha sat beside her Intended, trying to control her emotions so he could not see her upset. If he did, she knew he was kind enough to attempt to console her and would never leave her until he either solved the problem or soothed her distress. She had known Wulfin their whole lives and, thus, knew his ways. He took her hand and said, ¡°Will you come with me tomorrow on the hunt?¡±


    She shrugged. ¡°Am I allowed to?¡±


    He turned to her, confused. ¡°Why not? I want you with me on the hunt alone.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t that defeat the purpose of you being alone,¡± she said.


    He shrugged. ¡°Alone as in I¡¯m leading it. But I can bring whoever I want. You are better at sneaking than most and I want my Intended to be with me on my first hunt. Soon, I will have gone on enough hunts to prove my worth and claim my place as one of the hunters¡­and your partner.¡±


    She smiled and took his arm. Wulfin was excited, a newly made man at eighteen, and ready to establish himself in the tribe. His fresh stubble chin rested on her head as he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. ¡°So, will you come with me?¡±


    She looked up at him and smiled. ¡°Of course I will. I wouldn¡¯t miss your first hunt.¡±


    He leaned in and kissed her and she could feel the passion behind it. He leaned in further, pulling her close, when she broke the kiss and pushed him back. ¡°We might be seen.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s here to see us?¡± he said, pulling her into another kiss.


    ¡°The entire forest, we are sitting above it,¡± she joked but kissed him anyway. She leaned into it this time but, as he pulled her in again, he nearly lost his balance and fell from the tower. They grabbed onto each other and she laughed. ¡°Careful!¡±


    He laughed as well and pulled her close, staring up at the stars. ¡°I can¡¯t wait. For it all. For the hunt, for our uniting, for our future.¡±


    She leaned into him, feeling his warmth and strong body against her slimmer frame. It was worth waiting for this future. She had waited and prepared her whole life for it. Perhaps it wasn¡¯t worth trying to change.


    ***


    Wulfin was just in front of Asha, crouched low in the undergrowth with his hunting bow in hand. Asha held the pack, watching for any branches above that might snag it. They left in the early morning from Shriekwind Bastion, its towers disappearing into the trees as they descended into the valley. Now, the Jerall Mountains loomed above them and trees and undergrowth surrounded them. She knew this spot. A small pond should be just ahead, a prime spot for outings when she was a child.


    Wulfin put up a hand and she fell silent. He pulled an arrow from the quiver and put it on the string. Asha peered past his shoulder and could see a deer, its coat a rich brown, drinking from the pond. Wulfin pulled back the string, froze, and then lowered his bow slowly. He backed up and turned, putting a finger to his lips. The trees creaked in a gust of wind and Asha listened. There was a humming sound in the air, like a swarm of bees. Asha tapped Wulfin in the back. He looked back and held up a finger, fear in his expression. Whatever that humming was, it scared him. He leaned in and whispered, ¡°Spriggan.¡±


    Asha froze, a chill creeping up her spine. She had heard of spriggans before but had never seen one. Shepherds and guardians of the forest, spiteful in nature, and extremely hostile to humans whom they treated as invaders. ¡°Where?¡± she mouthed.


    Wulfin shrugged and gestured to keep an eye out. They backed away slowly from the pond, looking around. Asha spotted a shimmer in the air from a tree just ahead and she pointed. Wulfin¡¯s gaze flew to it as a green glow pulsed from the vague form. They both froze as the creature shimmered into view. It had elegant limbs of wood, a green glow pulsing from within its wooden chest. Its face was inscrutable, appearing human but frozen perpetually in an expression of disinterest that was more terrifying than any snarl. A swarm of green buzzing lights surrounded it, from gnarled root feet to its antlered head.


    It wasn¡¯t looking at them, staring instead at the deer as if standing sentry. Wulfin signaled to keep moving and they backed away slowly. Asha kept her eyes on the creature as she backed up. She felt a tug on her back and realized, too late, that her pack had snagged on a low-hanging branch. It snapped back into place with a crack and the two froze again.


    The spriggan turned and vanished from sight, blending in perfectly with the forest. ¡°Run,¡± said Wulfin, standing and bolting into the forest, pulling her up as he did so.


    Asha followed him, hearing the buzz of the approaching spriggan behind her. They pelted through the forest, pell-mell. Her face was slapped with branches and toes stubbed on roots. ¡°Woah! This way,¡± said Wulfin, taking a sudden and sharp turn.


    Asha tried to follow but slipped on a soft stone and tumbled sideways. She slid over an embankment and tumbled down a hill. She struggled not to begin rolling but still spun twice before reaching the bottom of the ravine. The breath left her as she landed hard and she gasped, struggling to breathe. It took a long moment of staring up at the blue sky and the treetops before her vision cleared and she was able to sit up. She removed the bag from her back and groaned. ¡°Shor, that hurt.¡±


    ¡°It looks like it, Atmoran.¡±


    She turned quickly to see a man emerge from behind a tree. He was followed by several others, all dressed in similar garb. They wore a mixture of rough animal furs, hide, and little else. Bone and feathers hung on them as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and hairpieces. They held crude weapons of bone, sharpened stone, iron swords, and axes along with a few bows and javelins. She turned to run but stopped when three more appeared to block her path back up the hill.


    ¡°Where are you running to, Atmoran?¡± asked the leader. ¡°You should get to know your neighbors.¡±


    She turned to face him and her untimely demise. She was trapped by the dreaded enemy of her people, the savage men and women of the Reach.

 Chapter 3: The Reachmen. Book 1: The Dragon Cult.

    Chapter 3: The Reachmen


    Asha stood, frozen to the spot, unable to move or even think as the Reachman approached her, lowering his sword as he did. He had dark face paint smeared across his features and he studied her with a gleam in his eye. ¡°Not the usual hunters we catch out here.¡±


    ¡°She was carrying this,¡± said a Reachman, lifting the pack.


    ¡°Running away?¡± asked the lead Reachman. ¡°Looking for a more exciting life? One away from the tyranny of your priests?¡±


    He lifted the back and shook it upside down. Aside from a small piece of dried venison that was her mid-meal, there was nothing in it as it was meant to hold the meat from the hunt. ¡°She¡¯s got nothing,¡± shouted a Reachman, throwing it down.


    She was roughly grabbed from behind by two Reachmen who pinned her arms behind her back. She didn¡¯t cry out, struggling to breathe in her panic. Their leader moved in, staring at her while his companions held her tight. She struggled against them, unable to look at their leader in his war-painted face. He leaned down, taking up her whole vision. ¡°Tell me¡­if not running, what are you doing?¡±


    ¡°H¡­hunting,¡± she stammered.


    ¡°Without a bow?¡± he asked. ¡°You aren¡¯t alone, are you?¡±


    She flicked her gaze down, struggling to hold her tongue. Nothing would get her to betray Wulfin. Hopefully, he would escape and tell the others. The Reachman pulled away and said, ¡°Keep your eyes out for others. Let¡¯s move out in case they have already spotted us and are getting help. Tie her up.¡±


    She was roughly pinned by one of them while the other went to grab a rope.


    An arrow flew from the trees and hit the Reachman holding her in the back. He screamed and fell as Wulfin yelled, ¡°Run, Asha!¡±


    She had just enough sense to bolt for the trees when she saw a familiar wavering in the air in front of her. She threw herself sideways as a wood hand, spiked twig finers splayed out, appeared and a spray of thorns missed her by inches.  The Reachman behind her who was about to grab her was pierced through the chest in multiple places and fell back with a gurgle. ¡°Spriggan!¡± yelled one of the Reachmen.


    The raiders panicked, two firing their bows at the woodland creature rather than Asha. Both hit its chest and it screeched in anger. It lashed out and slashed one Reachmen who collapsed in a spurt of blood, screaming for help. Asha pushed past their leader and into the undergrowth. The thorns of the bushes and trees scratched her face as she rushed heedlessly on. She crashed into a figure and fell. She screamed and scrambled away when she felt someone grab her arm. ¡°Asha, it¡¯s me!¡±


    ¡°Wulfin!¡± she cried, grabbing hold of his arm. ¡°What do we do?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s move!¡± he yelled, ¡°Back home!¡±


    He took her hand and ran, pulling her along so she almost fell many times. They found the rough dirt path through the forest and had just turned on it when Reachmen charged out of the tree line. ¡°There! They are ov-¡±


    The Reachman¡¯s call was cut off when Wulfin sent an arrow into his exposed midriff. The enemy continued to charge at the pair, blocking their path to Shriekwind. Wulfin handed Asha the bow while pulling out a knife. ¡°Use this.¡±


    ¡°But, you are a better shot.¡±


    ¡°I have other weapons.¡±


    Asha¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°What? You know you aren¡¯t allowed to use that.¡±


    ¡°Tell that to them!¡± he said, facing the Reachmen and extending his off-hand. Flames appeared and he threw out a hand, the flames shooting in a gout toward their attackers. They yelled, several attempting to dodge while two screamed as they caught fire. Asha drew back the bow and aimed at the Reachman drawing his bow to fire on her. She fired a split second before and threw herself aside as his arrow whizzed past while hers found its mark. The Reachman fell into the undergrowth where eight more appeared.


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    ¡°It¡¯s another raiding party,¡± yelled Asha, drawing and releasing a second arrow.


    Wulfin jumped back as a sword nearly cut him. ¡°Switch!¡±


    She spun around and shot an arrow into his attacker while he spun around her and unleashed another gout of flame. The undergrowth began to smolder and burn. Smoke filled the air and drifted across the path, causing Asha¡¯s next shot to miss. ¡°We need to get out of here.¡±


    ¡°Run, Asha,¡± said Wulfin. ¡°I¡¯ll follow.¡±


    ¡°Not happening!¡± she said, ¡°I won¡¯t leave you-¡±


    She was distracted when an arrow flew past her and grazed her shoulder. She yelled in pain and nearly dropped the bow. Another Reachman emerged from the trees and tackled Wulfin. They rolled on the ground, fighting to stay on top, and their knives forgotten on the ground. Asha drew an arrow. ¡°Wulfin!¡±


    A Reachman was almost upon her, she fired point-blank and pierced the man¡¯s chest. His momentum carried him into her and she pushed him aside, his body crashing onto the two combatants rolling on the ground. Wulfin used the temporary distraction to free himself, grab his knife, and stab the man. He stood, calling, ¡°Asha!¡±


    She turned to see a sword slashing down and her arm flew up as she fell backward. She felt its sting and she dropped the bow, cradling her arm. Flames shot over her head and engulfed the man who screamed and writhed away. Wulfin stood over her. ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± she whimpered, her words a clear lie. She hunkered down, clutching her arm and feeling the blood well up. Reachmen now surrounded them, men on all sides, warily watching the flames licking around Wulfin¡¯s fingers. The Reachman leader emerged from the smoke and yelled, ¡°Shoot him! Don¡¯t just stand there, shoot him!¡±


    A lightning bolt streaked from out of the smoke followed by a clap of thunder as the Reachman leader was lifted from his feet and flung like a rag doll over their heads and up the path. The smoke cleared as a party of horsemen rode into the clearing. In all the chaos and burning shrubs, they had failed to hear the hoofbeats until they were almost atop them. Most of the horsemen wore full-plated armor, each layer gleaming, dragon heads mounting the shoulders and helmets. At their head was a figure in dark robes and bronze armor with open-mouthed dragon heads on his pauldrons. The mask was a shining moonstone and held a stern expression, slanted eyes unreadable and slits for a nose. A spiked crown was upon his head and he spun a staff of bronze with another dragon¡¯s head. It was clear he was a high-ranking dragon priest.


    The dragon priest lowered the staff over the horse''s head and swept it in a slow arc. A beam of lightning came from the dragon''s mouth on the staff and sprayed in a line, crackling energy engulfing anything it touched. Reachmen screamed and fell writhing to the ground and Asha was sitting up just enough to see the beam of lightning moving her way.


    She struggled to stand but was too slow. The lightning was upon her when Wulfin jumped in, his arms outstretched. A shimmering ward stood between them and the lightning. It struck his ward and stuck, crackling and causing him to buckle and nearly collapse. Still, his arms held strong, his muscles shaking from exertion.


    The lightning died out and he released the ward. Wulfin collapsed to the path, almost landing on Asha. She grabbed hold of him and pulled him close. ¡°Wulfin? Are you alright?¡±


    He was shaking but nodded. The Dragon Priest¡¯s guards rode past them, trampling the writhing Reachmen on the ground and hacking at those who had their backs turned, fleeing into the thick forest. Asha helped Wulfin to stand up, both shaking from the effort and turned to face the dragon priest. Asha bowed low and spoke, ¡°My lord, thank you for saving us. We would have perished if not for your timely arrival.¡±


    The cold mask looked down at her in silence. Then the dragon priest turned to his guard and yelled out in the dragon tongue, ¡°MeyZ KENDOV. HET NOK GeiN VOTH Lah.¡±


    When he spoke in that ancient and magic of tongues, the air shook with power and fear filled Asha¡¯s heart. She clutched at Wulfin in terror. He, meanwhile, still seemed in a daze, swaying on his feet. The horsemen abandoned their pursuit and wheeled their mounts around. They surrounded the two Intended and brandished their swords menacingly. Asha felt the terror within her mount. ¡°But, my lord, we are Atmorans, not Reachmen. We are faithful followers of the dragon, of Alduin World Eater, of mother Kyne.¡±


    ¡°Our home is just north of here,¡± added Wulfin. ¡°Shriekwind Bastion is not far. Surely you were heading there when you rescued us?¡±


    The moonstone mask tilted and a voice spoke in common. ¡°Magic is forbidden to be wielded, unless under the service of the Dragon Cult. You have broken our laws.¡±


    ¡°It was to save us!¡± said Asha. Wulfin tried to pull her back, to silence her, but she continued, ¡°Surely, you would not punish a most faithful servant who only used magic in self-defense against the savage Reachmen?¡±


    ¡°We will decide your fate at the bastion,¡± said the dragon priest. He gestured to his guards, ¡°GRON NiiN.¡±


    The dragon tongue spoken was authority itself. She could not tell what exactly he had said but his intent was soon made clear. Four guards stepped down from their horses and roughly pulled the Intended apart, tying their hands behind their backs and throwing them over the pommels.


    They were prisoners of a dragon priest.

 Chapter 4: Young Hearts Tested. Book 1: The Dragon Cult.

    Chapter 4: Young Hearts Tested


    Asha struggled to breathe as she bounced on the saddle of the horse. Her stomach occasionally landed hard on the pommel and she groaned, the pain in her stomach mixing with the pain of her hastily bandaged arm. She could no longer see Wulfin, only the ground passing swiftly below.


    They were now riding up the rocky path of the solitary mountain in the southern forest, toward the entrance of Shriekwind Bastion. She could barely make out one of its towers if she craned her neck. A horn blast sounded, notifying those within of the approach of the party.


    The horses pulled up on a large rocky outcrop and the double doors opened with a soft clanking. The dragon priest Rukil emerged with his guard and Oran close behind. They fanned out and Rukil bowed low. ¡°Lord Morokei, it is a pleasure to have you here.¡±


    Asha felt her blood run cold. She had heard that name but only in the whispers of travelers. ¡°Lord Rukil,¡± said Morokei, the greatest and most powerful of the dragon priests. ¡°Your borders and subjects are in disarray.¡±


    Rukil lifted his head, puzzled. ¡°My lord?¡± He spotted Asha and Wulfin and stood tall. ¡°What has happened? Guards, seize them.¡±


    The guard moved forward and dragged Asha and Wulfin from the horses, holding them tight. Morokei dismounted, brushing his cloak in a flourish, and walked toward Rukil. His dragon-headed staff clicked ominously in the silence on the stones and Rukil¡¯s stance shifted to a half bow. His face betrayed his nervousness and he stammered, ¡°My lord?¡±


    ¡°I arrive in your hold to look for recruits and survey your holdings but find Reachmen raiders, crawling all over your forest. These two were fighting them and one was using magic.¡±


    Rukil glared at Asha and Wulfin. ¡°Believe me, my lord, if I had known they would never have been allowed to-¡±


    ¡°Your hold is all but overrun, Rukil,¡± said Morokei. ¡°If I have to come and deal with raiders, then perhaps your position should pass to another. One more capable.¡±


    Rukil shook and bowed, leaning heavily on his bronze dragon staff. ¡°My lord, I will do whatever it takes to rectify this error. I will send out my hunters and warriors to kill the Reachmen. I will also punish these lawbreaking magic users.¡±


    ¡°She did nothing,¡± said Wulfin, ¡°Only I used magic. Punish me, not her.¡±


    ¡°No, Wulfin,¡± said Asha.


    ¡°Silence!¡± yelled Rukil. ¡°You dare speak in the presence of Lord Morokei, master of magics and chief of the dragon cult?¡± He turned to Morokei, ¡°My lord, forgive them. I know nothing about this magic. We will execute them imm-¡±


    Morokei raised a hand, cutting the priest from continuing. ¡°I have my own tests to perform. I am here for those gifted in magic and from what I have seen¡­he may do.¡±


    He lifted Wulfin¡¯s chin and gazed into his eyes. Wulfin didn¡¯t look away, showing some level of defiance in the face of possible death. Morokei nodded. ¡°You have incredible power, but how much? I shall test you within the bastion.¡±


    Rukil bowed and nodded. ¡°Yes, yes lord.¡±


    Morokei turned to Asha and lifted her chin as well. Asha found the cold mask staring at her and her gaze flicked down. In the shining moonstone, she could glimpse her terrified face. She couldn¡¯t bear to see it, that fear of death. Morokei studied her then said, ¡°Let us see if you possess magic as well.¡±


    He took a deep breath in and whispered in her face, ¡°GaaN Lah.¡±


    The air shook with power and Asha felt her already weakened strength failing. She struggled to stand and she slumped in the arms of the guards, crumpling to the ground. Morokei took a deep sniff in, standing straight. She could feel her strength leave her body as Morokei stole it for himself. He shook his head, looking away dismissively. ¡°She has no magic within her blood. She is of no use to me. Do with her as you wish.¡±


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    ¡°No!¡± said Wulfin, ¡°Leave her be! It is I that-¡±


    Rukil struck his face with his staff and Wulfin slumped in the arms of the guards. ¡°Silence!¡±


    Asha began to sob, feeling her body shake with fatigue and fear. Morokei ignored her and commanded, ¡°Take him within to a private chamber where I will test him.¡±


    Wulfin was dragged into the bastion, followed by Morokei and his guards. The horses were taken by hunters to be stabled while Rukil brushed his robes. Her nervous expression never left as he looked at Asha, quivering on the ground. ¡°You have embarrassed me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, my lord,¡± murmured Asha, struggling to stand.


    ¡°Sorry?!¡± he yelled. ¡°I should cast you out. Let the Reachmen have you for their own.¡±


    He lifted his staff over her, considering if he should land a blow on her. Oran stepped out of the spectators and approached Asha warily. ¡°My lord, she was merely in the wrong place at the wrong time. There are Reachmen to be dealt with. The rest of the hunters must be alerted.¡±


    Rukil lowered his staff and backed away. ¡°You are right, Oran. She is a distraction.¡± He turned to a group of men, hunters who had either returned or hadn¡¯t left the bastion. ¡°Blow the warning horn from the towers. Then send the best of the hunters and warriors out to scour around the bastion. Kill any Reachmen you see and make sure all hunters are returned.¡±


    Oran helped Asha to her feet and led her toward the doors. ¡°Come, let us get you something to drink and a clean bandage.¡±


    ¡°What about Wulfin,¡± said Asha, leaning on him heavily.


    Oran shook his head. ¡°He is in the hands of the Dragon Priests now. Pray to the gods they find him worthy of their ranks.¡±


    ***


    Asha was led to the infirmary where she was cared for by the healers. Her mind continually wandered to Wulfin, wondering what he was going through, fearful for his life. What tortures would a Dragon Priest of Morokei¡¯s stature put him through? Would he be punished for casting magic without telling anyone? All magic users were supposed to tell the priests when they showed even the slightest bit of magic. What would happen to him?


    Oran could offer her no words of comfort. He merely helped her onto the stone slab for the healers to begin working on her arm and then sat in a chair in the corner. News arrived shortly on the hunters. Three of their hunters were found dead in the forest, slain by Reachmen. But the Atmorans had given back multiple times over, slaying sixteen Reachmen by ambushing them in the forests which they were unfamiliar with.


    Rumors were already being whispered among the healers. The Reachmen had come to scout out their bastion. They were planning an invasion. The Dragon Priests should be warned. Perhaps a dragon would come to pay back the Reachmen. ¡°Better they did not,¡± muttered Oran, now sitting beside Asha. ¡°Where a dragon comes, so comes destruction.¡±


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that be a good thing?¡± asked Asha, distracted in her thoughts of Wulfin.


    ¡°I suppose,¡± said Oran. ¡°Until our forests burn. They will not discriminate against friend and foe. I believe their lives are so long-lived they do not have any concept of how frail and short our mortal lives are. If they did, perhaps they would take greater care to preserve our lives and world.¡±


    Asha shifted uncomfortably. ¡°Is that¡­correct to say?¡±


    Oran eyed her and took her hand, smiling as he patted it. ¡°Perhaps not. Ignore the ramblings of this old man.¡±


    A healer approached and said, ¡°You are free to leave, Asha. Keep the bandages on for the next few days and replace them every other day for the next week.¡±


    Asha and Oran left the infirmary. ¡°Where are they keeping Wulfin?¡± asked Asha.


    ¡°In Rukil¡¯s private quarters,¡± said Oran.


    ¡°Can I see him?¡±


    Oran shook his head. ¡°I do not think that is wise. I will go and see what is happening and you wait in the main chamber.¡±


    Asha was reluctant to hear this but she made her way to the open main chamber, sitting on a bench on the first floor. Members of her clan were walking about on the different levels. Whispers echoed in the large chamber, a slow and monotonous buzz that flited toward the ceiling and out of the opening in the mountain. She struggled to remain calm, seeing images of Wulfin¡¯s burnt or blasted body as punishment by the priest Morokei. A breeze came in from the roof, somehow swirling its way to the bottom of the chamber. It brushed her cheek, feeling like a caress.


    Asha took a deep breath. She could almost feel it. Mother Kyne was comforting her. ¡°Oh, Mother Kyne, take care of Wulfin. Comfort him. He needs you more than me.¡±


    Oran appeared in the doorway and she stood. She nearly ran to him and took his hand. ¡°Tell me, don¡¯t hold back anything.¡±


    ¡°He is alive,¡± said Oran.


    ¡°Thank Kyne,¡± said Asha, breathing a sigh of relief. ¡°They will let him go?¡±


    Oran hesitated then and Asha felt her heart sink once again. ¡°What is it? Tell me.¡±


    Oran took both her hands. ¡°He is to be taken by the priests to the capital of Bromjunarr and be trained as a Dragon Priest.¡±

 Chapter 5: Worthy of the Dragons. Book 1: The Dragon Cult

    Chapter 5: Worthy of the Dragons


    It was a great honor. It should have been a great honor. Any clan member chosen to be among the Dragon Priests was to obtain the highest prestige. To serve the dragons themselves. It was a reason to rejoice. So why did she feel so¡­empty? Perhaps, and maybe this was selfish, it left her future in doubt.


    It was two days after the attack and Asha still hadn¡¯t been allowed to see him. When she heard from Oran that they were to leave on the morning of the third day, she grew desperate. ¡°Will they not allow me to see him?¡± she asked Oran.


    He shook his head. ¡®You are considered a poor influence on him. You are also his Intended. They consider it best you stay away so you don¡¯t cloud his judgment.¡±


    ¡°So¡­we are no longer Intended?¡±


    He shrugged, ¡°It seems that way.¡±


    ¡°I have to see him,¡± she said. ¡°Tell me how I can see him. I must see him before they leave.¡±


    Oran shook his head. ¡°It is not possible. I cannot get you anywhere near him. Only¡­¡±


    ¡°What? What Oran?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps he could go to you. Is there a place where you can meet him?¡±


    ¡°The overlook,¡± she said without hesitation. ¡°At the rising of Secunda.¡±


    He nodded. ¡°As you wish. Be careful, Asha.¡±


    She left Shreikwind Bastion at the rising of Masser, the larger of Skyrim¡¯s two moons. Its giant red mass filled the sky, shedding its light upon the earth. Under its light, she followed the path up the north face of the mountain and to the outlook tower on its north side. Late into the night, she sat, hoping her message would get through and that Wulfin would show.


    In the early morning, Secunda rose into the sky below Masser, its cold blue glow joined to the red and causing the world to shine brightly. The treetops glowed and she heard the crunch of rock as a foot stepped on it. She turned quickly, hand on a knife in her belt. Wulfin put his hands up. ¡°Just me.¡±


    She let go of her knife and clutched her arms again, shivering in the cold. Wulfin rushed to her side and sat beside her, putting his strong, lean arms around her. She leaned against him and tried to control the sadness that hit her. She huddled against him. ¡°You are leaving?¡±


    She knew the answer but she had to hear it from him. ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°When will you return?¡±


    ¡°I¡­I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Will you ever return?¡± asked Asha.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know that either,¡± said Wulfin. ¡°But if I can, I promise you I will. I will go through the training, become a powerful priest, and return to take over from Rukil. Imagine that. I will make things better here.¡±


    Another question rose in her mind but it felt too selfish to ask. He guessed her thoughts. ¡°I will come back to you, I promise.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t promise that,¡± she said. ¡°You might be training for years. Rukil might give me over to another.¡±


    ¡°He wouldn¡¯t do that,¡± said Wulfin, but the waver in his tone gave voice to his doubt.


    She lifted her head and looked into his face. ¡°Will you be alright?¡±


    He looked down at her and smiled. ¡°Of course I will. He said I had great potential, worthy to be one of the dragons¡¯ chosen.¡±


    ¡°How did he test you?¡±


    He shook his head. ¡°He told me I was not allowed to speak of it to anyone. He also hinted it was only the first part of my training. My larger test will come when we reach Bromjunarr.¡±


    ¡°The capital,¡± said Asha. ¡°That will be exciting.¡±


    ¡°Indeed it will,¡± he said, holding her closer. ¡°I¡­I don¡¯t know when we will get to see each other again.¡±


    She shook her head, laying her head back onto his chest. ¡°No more words on that. If this is our last night together in a while, let''s spend the time forgetting the world around us.¡±


    He pulled her close, kissing her deeply. This time, she didn¡¯t hesitate to hold back in the slightest.


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    ***


    Asha¡¯s world grew darker than it ever had before. She hadn¡¯t even been allowed to see Wulfin off to the capital. Instead, she sat on the outlook, replaying the night she had spent with him over and over, reveling in the joy she had felt. Yet, the more she thought about it, the more miserable she became.


    Now that she was no longer Wulfin¡¯s Intended, her place in society seemed to have been dislodged irreparably. Her clan treated her cautiously like she was a fragile urn about to break. Her old friends moved on with their duties and prepared themselves for their Intended¡¯s while she remained alone. As much as she tried to ignore it, she eventually had to admit it to herself. Her people were avoiding her. She continued her duties as a gatherer but this alone was not enough of a role to fill. She found much of her time was now empty since she no longer had lessons to be a wife or mother.


    Rukil didn¡¯t even bother to look at her anymore. Determined to believe that she embarrassed him somehow with the arrival of Morokei, he only spoke to her in cold commands. He had also told her, in no uncertain terms, that he would not find her another Intended since all the men had their roles to play and could not be spared.


    Oran was the only one willing to speak with her. His stories continued, as fascinating as ever: Ysgramor¡¯s return, the war of the snow elves, the origins of the giants, the tragedy of Yngol and the dragon priest Ahzidal, and the betrayal of the unnamed dragon priest, first of all dovakin. None of these stories, once filled with such wonder and hope, had any meaning to her. They were only old men in ancient times never learning their lessons or those who faced tragedy that could not be avoided. At least those stories of tragedy felt familiar.


    After a month of this, she felt desperation setting in. If she could not be a part of her clan anymore, what could she do? She began to spend more time out in nature, almost tempted to leave her home save for the fact that she was certain she wouldn¡¯t survive. The world outside was dangerous, filled with spriggan, Reachmen, and wild beasts, not to mention the dangers of the environment. Skyrim could be a harsh home for her people, hence the importance of community and clan.


    On a summer night, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She felt isolated in her bed, even surrounded by her clan members in the public sleeping quarters. She felt her heart beginning to harden and tears spring to her eyes. She lifted herself from her bed quietly and crept from the chamber. Even in the dark, by the light of only a few torches along the hallways, she could find her way easily to the north exit. The guards noticed her but didn¡¯t say anything. They also ignored her, like the rest of the clan, and she made her way up the mountain path.


    Asha stood on the outlook, staring at Lake Ilinalta and the Brittle Mountains which both glowed in the light of the two moons. She sat down and let her thoughts drift again, to her final night with Wulfin. She struggled to remember what he felt like against her, what his words had been, his piercing gaze. Her eyes snapped open. She was forgetting things; details of his face, his words, and his touch. Bitter tears welled up and she began to sob without control. Soon she would forget what he was like completely, left with an empty feeling of loss, alone within her clan.


    ¡°My dear, do not weep so.¡±


    She turned quickly to see Oran standing, hunched over a walking stick, staring sadly down at her. She hid her face. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Oran. I don¡¯t mean to disturb your walk.¡±


    ¡°I am here to see you, Asha. I had a feeling you would be here.¡±


    ¡°Why are you not sleeping?¡±


    He sat down slowly next to her, groaning as his joints let out muffled cracks. ¡°I¡¯m not as young as I once was, but I have lost none of my wits of youth. I know you have not been enjoying my stories. Anyone can see how miserable you are. So, I thought I would tell a special tale to you.¡±


    She shifted her position to give him more room to sit. ¡°I don¡¯t feel like hearing a story.¡±


    ¡°Asha, stories are that which teach us lessons. But they are there to give us hope too. Now, listen close and respect your elder.¡±


    She sighed but kept her mouth closed. Oran coughed, took a deep breath, and began. ¡°You see that mountain, far in the distance, its peak shining even in the moonlight. What peak is that?¡±


    ¡°It is the Throat of the World,¡± said Asha.


    ¡°You know that mountain holds ancient magic?¡± said Oran. ¡°It is the spot where sky and earth meet, where the gods placed their creation, the Atmorans before we were named such. The land of Atmora was not our home, but this land, Skyrim itself, was ¡±


    ¡°But we came from Atmora to these shores,¡± said Asha. ¡°Ysgramor came with settlers and returned with his five hundred when the Snow Elves betrayed us.¡±


    ¡°Indeed, he did,¡± said Oran. ¡°But that was the return journey. Our people were born on the Throat of the World, placed there by the loving breath of Kyne, our mother, and wife of Shor, slayer of elven kind. It was she who believed this land would best suit our people to be born to. But we thought we knew better¡­or perhaps the elves forced us out. Why we left is unknown. But tales tell of the many ships that sailed to the shores of Atmora and allowed us to grow strong. Only when we were grown from infancy and learned to be strong could we return to our home. Do you know why I tell you this?¡±


    Asha shook her head. ¡°No. Why?¡±


    Oran nudged her so she looked into his serious expression. ¡°The children of Kyne had to leave home to grow strong before they could return. It was perhaps even necessary. But for whatever reason, they left before returning home to Skyrim. It is the same for us. Sometimes we must leave our homes to learn what we must. Only then can we return home. Wulfin will do what he must before he can return. And, perhaps, it will be the same with you.¡±


    She looked at him. ¡°You think I should leave?¡±


    Oran shrugged. ¡°Leave or stay is your choice. But I only wish you to act with hope. We must all go through trying times and learn hard lessons. Only then can we be ready for what the gods have prepared for us.¡±


    She pondered his words, considering them as she stared at the distant, moonlit peak of the Throat. This land was the home of their true ancestors. They were meant to be here. She would find her place in this world as well. ¡°What is that?¡± asked Oran.


    She broke from her thoughts and stared down into the trees where he pointed. Near the foot of the mountain, dark figures were moving quickly from shadow to shadow. The more she stared, the more she thought she could see. They held no torches and gave no signal to the guards just up the path. She wouldn¡¯t have even seen them had Oran pointed them out. ¡°Who is it?¡±


    Oran tried to stand quickly and stumbled, nearly toppling off the tower. Asha caught him before he did and he leaned heavily on her. ¡°I do not know, but I can guess. Reachmen. The rumors of invasion are true.¡±

 Chapter 6: Wild Men and Wild Blades. Book 1: The Dragon Cult.

    Chapter 6: Wild Men and Wild Blades


    Asha felt her heart leap into her throat. ¡°What? Are you certain?¡±


    She helped Oran to a pillar and peered down the mountain. Oran grabbed her arm and turned her toward him. ¡°Asha, you must warn the bastion. I cannot run down fast enough.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t leave you here to them!¡±


    ¡°I will hide upon the slopes,¡± he said. ¡°You must be brave, Asha. There is no time. Now go!¡±


    Asha nodded, squeezed his shoulder, then bolted down the mountainside. She skidded on the rocks, nearly sliding off her feet and tumbling down the hill. She scrabbled and caught herself, scraping her hands in the process. ¡°Shor¡¯s bones!¡± she cursed.


    As she approached the guards, she yelled, ¡°Reachmen, they are coming!¡±


    They turned to look at her, blocking her as she reached the door. ¡°What are you talking about, Asha,¡± one said. ¡°Where is Oran? We know he went after you.¡±


    ¡°No time,¡± she gasped, ¡°Reachmen. They are here right-¡±


    The guard she was talking to received an arrow in the face and the second guard yelled as an arrow sprouted from his shoulder a second later. Asha had just enough wits to crouch and felt the breath of an arrow whizz over her head and hit the door. She turned to see the dark figures emerging from the treeline and running up the last slope of the hill to the door. She turned and fled, running through the doors and closing them with the wounded guard. He grimaced and held his shoulder, the arrow still protruding. ¡°I¡¯ll hold the door, get help!¡± he yelled.


    Asha ran into the bastion, yelling at the top of her lungs. ¡°Reachmen! The Reachmen are invading!¡±


    Cries began to echo around her as people awoke. The tramp of heavy boots as the hunters and warriors rushed to get into gear. When she reached the main chamber, Rukil was there to meet her. He grabbed her roughly by the front of her shirt. ¡°If you are lying to us, girl, I will flay you alive.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not! I¡¯m not! Listen!¡± she yelled, terrified.


    The sounds of battle were beginning to echo within the halls of the bastion. The Reachmen had made their way into the mountain fortress. Rukil shoved her aside, yelling, ¡°Get all hunters and warriors to the main chamber. We will hold them here!¡±


    Asha crawled out of the way as hunters rushed to the upper chambers while the warriors joined Rukil at the bottom of the main chamber. They formed around him as the first Reachmen rushed into the bottom floor. They were dressed the same, wild men in fur clothes and bone armor and wild blades of iron, bone, and wood. With whoops and war cries, they ran screaming toward the Atmorans. ¡°Stand firm!¡± yelled Rukil


    He lifted his staff and his left hand sparked with white light. Frost curled around his fingers and he threw his hand out. A shard of ice flew from his hand and struck a Reachman in the chest, piercing through his furs and knocking him off his feet. He followed this up with a spray of frost, tiny shards of ice, and deadly cold wind, from his staff.


    The Reachmen tried to dodge it but found themselves caught in its blast in such a confined space. They retreated into the tunnel from where they came. The Atmorans cheered, jeering at their foes as they retreated. Asha stood from her crouched position behind a bench, watching the enemy flee. Rukil waved his staff. ¡°Fools, they return! Be ready. Hunters, prepare arrows!¡±


    He was right. Renewed war cries came from the tunnel and the Reachmen once again swarmed out in greater numbers. Rukil sent two more shards of ice into the enemy, sending them flying. A hail of arrows rained down from the higher levels and the Reachmen began falling in droves. Yet still they came. Archer entered the room and fired at the hunters above. Asha screamed and ducked for cover as a hunter nearly fell on her from above. He convulsed in death throws, pierced through by three arrows. His bow was forgotten near his hand.


    Asha grabbed it and took up the quiver of arrows at his side. She took careful aim and fired at a Reachman. Her aim was good, hitting his chest and sending him spinning. She took another arrow and hit a second Reachmen in the arm as he raised his weapon. Her third shot missed as a blast of frigid air hit the charging Reachmen. Rukil was throwing out cyclones of cold air and ice shards, turning the room frigid.


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    Screams came from above. Asha glanced up and saw the Reachmen had reached the second level and were fighting the hunters. The hunters retreated, fleeing from their positions as those caught by the Reachmen were butchered and tossed off the level to the central floor. ¡°Fight, cowards!¡± yelled Rukil. ¡°Fight!¡±


    An arrow flew from the darkness and struck him in the shoulder. He screamed in pain and let out another cyclone of cold wind, blasting the Reachmen and warriors alike. The battle was no longer organized, Atmorans and Reachmen scrambling and fighting tooth and nail across the central chamber.


    Asha pulled another arrow and fired at a Reachman fighting with an Atmoran. A warcry came from behind and she spun, drawing an arrow back as she did. A Reachman was almost upon her, weapon raised. She released her arrow and it went through his neck and out in a spray of blood. His companion behind him charged Asha and dodged the arrow she fired. He leaped on her, knife raised to strike her.


    She fell backward, hitting the cold stone floor and dropping the bow. Asha pushed against the man''s arm, struggling to hold back the knife as it descended slowly and inevitably toward her chest. She could smell the blood on him mixed with his sweat and his heavy weight pressed down on her, the tip of his blade inches from her. An ice spike from beyond her vision struck him in the back. He groaned in pain and collapsed onto her. He dropped his knife and flailed at his back. She scrambled out from under him and lifted herself, seeing the staff of Rukil pointed directly at her face.


    She ducked again and a spray of spiked ice flew over her head and struck three Reachmen. They screamed and backpedaled furiously, clawing at the ice spikes sticking out of them. ¡°Get out of my way, girl!¡± yelled Rukil.


    Asha picked up her bow and strung another arrow. The warriors were now struggling, half of them dead and the rest backing toward the tunnels. Rukil turned on them. ¡°Stand with me, warriors, or die. There is no other choice.¡±


    The warrior backed up behind him and Asha joined them, finding herself in the front line. She slung the quiver of arrows around her waist and strung her bow. She didn¡¯t plan on panicking this time. It would not be as it was with Wulfin. She would die before the Reachmen took her as a slave.


    The Reachmen banded together across the room, the sounds of screams and combat still echoing from the halls around them. The main chamber, however, was eerily silent. A young woman, one of the many in the Reachmen horde, stepped out of the crowd. Her blond her was wild, tied into braids, and her clothes were the same leather and fur armor. She pointed an iron sword at Rukil and shouted, ¡°The dragon priest will be mine, I swear to the gods of the wild.¡±


    ¡°Not if he is mine first, Gormlaith,¡± said a tall, pale man who was a full head taller.


    Asha stared at her, confused. She looked to be no more than two years older than her. Yet this Gormlaith had a wild light in her eyes and a determined posture. She had already seen many battles and had lived a harsh life. Asha had never seen anyone quite like her before. She would have been impressed were this woman not trying to kill her and everyone around her. Rukil stepped forward, staff raised. ¡°You think so, filth? Die!¡±


    He lifted his staff and smashed it onto the ground, sending out a wave of swirling cold energy across the room. Many Reachmen were knocked off their feet and Rukil shouted, ¡°Slay them, sons of Atmora!¡±


    The warrior charged with Rukil. Asha lifted her bow and fired. The tall, pale man took her arrow in his side but didn¡¯t seem to flinch. He pulled the arrow from his side, spattering his six-pack with blood, as he screamed in fury and lifted his two swords. He flipped an Atmoran over his head and flung him over his shoulder like a rag doll. Asha shot a second arrow and it hit him in the shoulder. He spotted where she came from and he pointed a sword at her, snapping the shaft of the arrow from his shoulder.


    He charged at her, shoving past Atmorans who gave way to his considerable bulk. Asha felt the panic rise in her. She drew and fired a third arrow, hitting his chest. Still, he pressed forward. She rolled sideways as he took a swing at her. He aimed up and shot another arrow, hitting him in the thigh. He swung down again, striking stone as she spun away again. She continued to roll as he limped after her, swinging and cursing her with every miss.


    Asha crashed into the back of Rukil¡¯s legs and he swung around, shooting an ice spike into the Reachman. Asha fired a fourth arrow and it hit his chest along with a second ice spike. He stumbled backward, hung limply in a standing position for a moment, then crashed onto his back, dead.


    Rukil roared in pain as a blade sliced him in the back. He swung his staff, nearly striking the girl, Gormlaith. She had snuck through the combat to reach him and now took a second swipe. It struck him in the chest and he backed away, gasping. ¡°You¡­you wretch!¡±


    Asha took aim and was about to release and hit Gormlaith when Rukil send his staff cracking down onto the earth again. This time, the hurricane of wind and ice shards that exploded out fill the chamber, sending Asha flying across the room and into the body of the giant dead Reachmen she and Rukil had just killed. She saw stars as her head struck the floor and she shook it to clear her vision.


    Rukil was holding his chest, believing he had a moment of respite. Gormlaith had avoided his blast, though. She rose from the floor from where she had dropped and charged him. He looked up just in time, shot and ice spike, and sent a spray of ice shards from his staff. She rolled effortlessly beneath the attack and came up behind him. As he turned in alarm, she swiped her dagger across his neck. He choked, gurgled, and dropped his staff to clutch his neck. He fell to his knees, glaring up at his killer.


    Gormlaith stood above him, her back to Asha, and said coldly, ¡°Daedra take you.¡±


    She kicked him over as the life left his eyes and Rukil, dragon priest of Shriekwind Bastion, crumpled to the ground. Gormlaith stood over his dead body, breathing heavily before turning to Asha who drew another arrow.


    Asha now stood alone, facing this wild woman, the last of the survivors in the main chamber against a crowd of Reachmen.

 Chapter 7: Lord of Hunters. Book 1: The Dragon Cult

    Chapter 7: Lord of Hunters


    Asha stood across from Gormlaith, her breathing ragged. As the wild Reachwoman turned to face her, she lifted her bow and drew back. ¡°Stop. Don¡¯t move.¡±


    She should shoot her. She had just killed a dragon priest, one of the dragons chosen. It was sacrilege to harm one, let alone kill one. It was to invite the wrath of the gods upon you or, at the very least, the wrath of the dragons. But she felt her limbs going numb. Her hands trembled and the arrow shook in her grasp. Gormlaith stared back at her, completely unphased by the arrow pointing directly at her. ¡°Put that down, Atmoran.¡±


    Asha didn¡¯t move, stiffening instead when the woman moved closer. Gormlaith froze and put her hands up, stopping her fellow Reachmen. ¡°Not just yet, boys. She has potential.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± asked Asha, extremely confused. Her arrow wavered again as the woman turned back to her.


    ¡°Listen, Atmoran, we are the true sons and daughters of Skyrim. We are the true inheritors of this land, free from the tyranny of the dragons and their priests.¡±


    ¡°They are the gods on earth,¡± said Asha, ¡°And the dragon priests are their chosen.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what they¡¯ve told you,¡± said Gormlaith. ¡°You¡¯ve known nothing else but this lie. But what have they ever done for you?¡±


    ¡°What¡­what do you mean?¡±


    Gormlaith began to circle and Asha followed her. ¡°What have they done for you? Have they kept you safe? Have they brought you peace in your life?¡±


    ¡°They bring purpose and order,¡± said Asha but her voice faltered. Hadn¡¯t the last month been filled with similar thoughts?


    ¡°Do they? I can see it in your expression, you know the truth. They have enslaved you and you praise them for it. Do you have peace?¡±


    ¡°Enough of this Gormlaith,¡± said a Reachman. ¡°Kill her and be done with it.¡±


    ¡°Put the bow down,¡± said Gormlaith, approaching Asha again. ¡°Let us show you the truth.¡±


    Asha pulled the string back again, centering it on the woman¡¯s chest. ¡°Stay back!¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t do this forever.¡±


    Asha began to breathe heavily. She should fight. Go down in battle like her ancestors. But was that the only path? She heard a sword rasping behind her and could sense an attacker moving.


    A flash of light came from the highest level of the chamber and an explosion of fire threw Asha off her feet and across the room to crash into the ground. Her vision went blurry for a moment and her hearing echoed strangely. There was screaming, a Reachman on fire running past her prone form, and Gormlaith rising disoriented to her feet. She looked up and yelled, ¡°Dragon Priest!¡±


    Asha looked up and, sure enough, the silhouette of a dragon priest was leaning over the edge on the highest level. How he had gotten up there was a mystery but he wasn¡¯t alone. Joining him were many other hooded figures with drawn bows. The priest''s dragon-headed staff pointed down as he yelled, ¡°Fire at will.¡±


    Asha curled into a ball, desperately hoping she wouldn¡¯t be killed, as a rain of arrows descended from on high. Reachmen fell to arrows or dove for cover. Gormlaith grabbed a fallen Atmoran shield and held it above her head just in time. An arrow struck it a split second later and she growled in fury. ¡°Cowards!¡±


    A firebolt descended from above and struck the shield. She nearly buckled as she ran for a tunnel. More firebolts continued from the dragon priest, striking any Reachman that wasn¡¯t fast enough to escape into the tunnels. Asha remained in her curled-up position, wondering if it was safe to move or if she should play dead. She closed her eyes as the sounds of the Reachmen retreated into the tunnels and the whizzing of arrows and the whooshing of fire receded. She didn¡¯t know how long it was before she finally allowed herself to move. When silence was all around her save for the whistling of the night wind from the hole above, she finally stirred and rose to her feet.


    Asha tried not to look at the bodies around her. At the crumpled form of Rukil to the burnt bodies of Reachmen. She stepped over the corpses crowding the main room. The faces of her friends stared up at her and she stopped, catching the sight of Wulfin¡¯s friend. She couldn¡¯t remember his name and his pale face stared back at her accusingly. It reminded her of her mother who had died so long ago from the rattles. She looked away quickly, panic filling her chest. ¡°Oran!¡±


    She rushed down the tunnel, heedless of what might be ahead. There were a few Atmoran and Reachmen bodies but no living soul. The door on the north side had been broken in, the guard hacked to pieces as he tried to hold it. She pushed past it and nearly ran into a tall figure. She screamed and backed up as a raised hand burst into flame, filling her vision.


    She fell backward, staring up at the dragon priest looming over her. His mask was bronze, with a giant arrowhead carved into the forehead of the mask, and a hood. The slit eyes looked down and the solemn frown on the face seemed to glare at her. The hand holding the flame clenched and extinguished the fire with a hiss. ¡°Stand up, daughter of Atmora.¡±


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    She did so, quicker than was wise and she felt her head rush with adrenaline. She wavered on her feet and grabbed the nearest object. When her head cleared she realized she was holding the dragon priest''s staff. She released it, horrified. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, my lord! Please forgive me!¡±


    He stared at her, his mask''s blank expression unreadable. ¡°What are you doing out here?¡±


    ¡°I came to find my friend, our storyteller, Oran. He was on the overlook.¡±


    ¡°We have already found him,¡± said the dragon priest, turning away and staring into the forest.


    ¡°Is he alright¡­my lord?¡±


    ¡°He comes now.¡±


    Asha turned aside to see two hooded figures in cloaks and with fine bows on their backs helping Oran down the last of the stone steps. ¡°Oran! Are you alright? Are you hurt?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± said Oran. ¡°They didn¡¯t spot me until a few went to high ground. I thought I was dead until the Reachmen were hit by a storm of arrows. Are you hurt? Who¡¯s blood is this?¡±


    She brushed his concern aside. ¡°It is not mine.¡±


    He turned and bowed low to the dragon priest. ¡°My lord Krosis, how can I ever repay you? How can we? You have saved our people.¡±


    Asha sank to the stone steps suddenly feeling drained. They had been saved. By rights, she should be dead. But so many had not been saved, including Rukil. Krosis, Lord of the Summer Halls, crouched down to her level and spoke through his bronze mask, ¡°You are bleeding.¡±


    Asha looked down. She realized that her clothes were shredded and her arms were oozing blood. She suddenly recalled a burst of pain when Rukil had hit her with the cyclone blast. The hit to her head had taken her primary focus and then a horde of Reachmen were about to kill her, causing her to forget such minor injuries. Krosis held his hands out, and a golden glow pulsed from his palms. The glow intensified and the light swirled around her body, brushing against the wounds. She shivered and felt a warmth spread through her. Her wounds began to itch and close, the skin stretching and stitching back together.


    Krosis lowered his hands and breathed deeply, the glow disappearing from around his hand and Asha. He stood, using his staff to lift himself to his feet, then lowered a hand to Asha. She took it hesitatingly and bowed. ¡°My lord Krosis¡­you are too kind. What did you do? How did you do that?¡±


    ¡°It is a simple healing spell. I can heal any damage done on the surface but had it been fatal, I could not have helped. Were you in the fighting?¡±


    ¡°I was, lord. I was in the main chamber.¡±


    ¡°And Lord Rukil, where is he?¡±


    Asha hesitated and looked down. ¡°He¡¯s dead, my lord.¡±


    Krosis looked away and cursed. ¡°Of course. I warned him time and again to keep watch over the border between the forests and the Reach. Even to station scouts to watch the mountain passes. But he always believed he knew better, relying on the strength of his mountain bastion. Well, he has paid for his arrogance.¡±


    Asha shivered, unsure how to react to these words of censure about her former lord. She shivered again, the adrenaline from her body draining and leaving her feeling dizzy. The death she had seen was beginning to fill her thoughts. What she had done. Her breathing began to quicken and her vision swam. ¡°Get her inside,¡± said Krosis. ¡°Hunters, grab her before she passes out.¡±


    Two hunters reached her just as darkness swam in her vision and she collapsed to the ground.


    When Asha awoke again, it was to a soft light and hushed whispers. She opened her eyes and squinted in the torchlight. She was in the medical room, surrounded by many others who were in far worse condition than her. Moans were faintly audible and soft crying from loved ones standing over newly deceased friends and family. Asha sat bolt upright from her bedding on the floor then regretted it. Her head pounded and her vision swam but she ignored the pain. She held her head and tried to stand. A healer came over to her and took her arm. ¡°Good, you are awake.¡±


    ¡°How long has it been?¡± asked Asha.


    ¡°It is midday,¡± said the healer. ¡°The bodies have all been removed and the wounded taken here. I¡¯m afraid, now that you are up, we need you to leave. There is not enough room as it is.¡±


    ¡°Where is Oran?¡± asked rubbing her eyes and taking a few faltering steps.


    ¡°He is in the central chamber with the lord of Summer Falls,¡± said the woman.


    Asha pushed past without another word and made for the central chamber. Her thoughts were still confused, her body ached, and she felt sick. But she had to see him. She had to see her savior and the one who healed her. When she reached the chamber, she was surprised to see the place filled with dark-robed hunters of Summer Falls and what was left of the bastion¡¯s warriors and hunters. Oran stood near the middle but in the direct sunlight from the hole above was Krosis. He was majestic, even regal, in his flowing robes and bronze mask.


    ¡°I am sorry,¡± said Krosis. ¡°It cannot be any other way. I have my lands to govern and protect. You must defend your own.¡±


    ¡°You are abandoning us?¡± came a voice from the crowd.


    ¡°I must,¡± said Krosis. ¡°I will remain until your affairs are in order and your dead buried. Then I depart with my hunters. You must learn to survive on your own, not under my watch.¡±


    ¡°We will be slaughtered! Please don¡¯t leave us!¡± The general outcry rang through the halls.


    Oran stepped forward. ¡°My lord, we have lost our dragon priest. Who shall rule?¡±


    ¡°You will,¡± said Krosis. ¡°The storyteller has wisdom. He can delegate and rule until you send a message to Bromjunaar. They will sort out who shall rule here instead.¡±


    Oran bowed, ¡°I am not in a position to rule. I am a lowly man, no servant of the dragon.¡±


    ¡°Then you will die or fall into confusion,¡± said Krosis. ¡°The strong must survive and work together. Those who cannot step forward or act when needed invite their death. If you wish to remain in fear and wait for salvation from without, you may do so. But I will not step in again. I have already overstepped my bounds of command by abandoning my province. But if you wish to survive, you must control your own home and your destiny. So do what you must to survive or die.¡±


    Murmurs filled the chamber but no one spoke up again. Asha felt a strange admiration for his statement. She had lived an entire month, perhaps even much of her life, under the rules of others. Never standing up for herself. Never fighting for what she wanted or what she needed. She had been living a life of isolation and fear. She didn¡¯t fit in. Perhaps it was time to take control of her destiny herself.


    A sudden thought struck her as she watched Krosis sweep from the chamber followed by many of his hunters. If she couldn¡¯t find a life here, she would make it elsewhere. She would make it with the hunters serving, by her choice, the lord of all hunters.

 Chapter 8: A Disciple of Krosis. Book 1: The Dragon Cult

    Chapter 8: A Disciple of Krosis


    Asha wasn¡¯t sure who she could tell about her plan. Her burning desire to leave her home, to join with Krosis and his hunters, would be called out for the madness it was. She was disobeying the will of Rukil and his wishes for her role in society. But he was dead, and she no longer wanted to be part of the bastion. Surely this could set her free of her role. But would anyone else see it that way?


    In the end, she decided it was too dangerous to tell anyone. She couldn¡¯t even ask Krosis while he remained at their home. He was constantly surrounded by his hunters or her fellow Atmorans, never alone and always giving orders. Besides, if he disapproved, he could alert Oran to her plans. He had such a way with words, she knew he would find a way to convince her to stay. She couldn¡¯t face the idea of disappointing him either.


    So, her best course of action was to sneak away in the night, out the north entrance, the same way Krosis and his members would be leaving. On the fourth day, true to his word, Krosis left the day after the last of the burials took place. His hunters followed behind him, their impressive bows strung and ready for any dangers. Asha stood among the crowd that watched them vanish into the trees and toward the path that circled Lake Ilinalta. The Atmorans muttered among themselves, fear and worry thick in the air. They were now on their own, responsible for their defense until word could be sent to Bromjunaar. A messenger was sent out immediately and then, the people retreated within their mountain fortress.


    Supplies were measured and rationing began. Few would be allowed out into the wilderness until reinforcements and a new dragon priest could be summoned. Their entire society seemed to crumble apart without its dragon priest to lead it. Even Oran, wise as he seemed, was reluctant to make any rash moves. If they did anything wrong, the dragon priest might punish them for their presumption.


    Asha couldn¡¯t help but remember the words of Gormlaith, the Reachwoman who had spoken with her. We are the true inheritors of this land, free from the tyranny of the dragons and their priests. Did that mean she was free from the fear of the dragon priests? No one was ever free from the dragons. That such figures of awe and inspiration could fill them with such fear¡­Asha wondered how she hadn¡¯t seen this before. But the priests were the chosen of the Dragons. Surely they had a divine right to rule. They were chosen for a reason, an understanding beyond that of mortals.


    Asha¡¯s mind spun with confused thoughts as she slowly began to pack a satchel throughout the day with what food she could take. Her small ration for the day was placed in the satchel as well as the jerky she had forgotten to eat the day of the hunt with Wulfin. Wulfin¡­what would he think of her if he could see her now? See what decisions she was making. She promised herself she would make it right with him, explain herself, and rejoin him in Shriekwind as soon as he was a dragon priest. She hadn¡¯t given up entirely on her future here.


    By the days end she didn¡¯t have much food but it would have to do. She was also able to swipe a careless guard''s ration off a table, though it plagued her mind with guilt. She couldn¡¯t hesitate now. As soon as night fell, and the majority of her people were asleep, she rose from her pallet in the communal dormitory and snuck toward the north entrance. She grabbed her satchel from behind some barrels and slung it over her shoulder.


    Almost to the entrance. She turned the corner and came face to face with Oran. He was blocking the doorway and holding a hunting bow.


    ¡°Going somewhere, Asha?¡±


    She froze, fear and guilt clenching her heart. Did he mean to threaten her? The bow was strung but he didn¡¯t have an arrow drawn. At the very least, he meant to talk her out of her decision. ¡°Please don¡¯t stop me, Oran. I have to get out. I can¡¯t stay here any longer.¡±


    ¡°So you say,¡± said Oran, still keeping the bow at his side. ¡°But why, dear girl? What is it you plan to do?¡±


    ¡°I¡­I wish to join the hunters of Krosis,¡± she said, feeling like an idiot.


    ¡°And why do you want to join them?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t belong here, Oran. I haven¡¯t since Wulfin left and Rukil smeared my name. Everyone looks at me with revulsion or uncertainty. I have no place here any longer.¡±


    ¡°My dear girl, running from your home is not a good enough reason to join with Krosis. You could run anywhere else. Why do you want to join him? Why do you want to be a hunter?¡±


    She paused, her mind clearing. This didn¡¯t feel like Oran trying to convince her to stay. He just wanted the truth. ¡°I want¡­freedom. I want to be able to defend myself. I want to belong to something again. But more importantly, I want to control my destiny¡­just this once.¡±


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    Oran didn¡¯t react. There was no smile, no frown, just a nod of understanding. He seemed to ponder her statement, the silence stretching between them. When he answered, his voice was choked with emotion. ¡°I would have helped you if I could. But¡­I envy your choice. It is too late for me. I found freedom in the tales of old. Now you must live the tales of old. I do not know what destiny you invite upon yourself¡­but it will be one of your own making. Of that, I am certain.¡±


    He paused and Asha felt tears welling up. Oran¡­the old man she had loved most in her home, the man who had inspired her with so many stories, was giving his blessing. ¡°Oran¡­I¡­¡±


    He stepped forward and took her arm. ¡°Come with me.¡±


    They stepped together through the doors and Oran waved the guards aside which had doubled. They walked slowly down the steps and to the forest edge. There he stopped and removed the quiver of arrows from his side. ¡°Here, you will need a weapon for protection. And, no doubt, you will need to show Lord Krosis that you have some skill with a bow.¡±


    She took it from him, still stunned at this turn of events. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    He pointed toward the trees. ¡°Follow the dirt trail till you reach the road by the lake. From there, turn right. If you hurry, you can catch them before they reach Summer Falls.¡±


    She nodded then lurched forward and hugged him fiercely. ¡°I can¡¯t ever repay you for what you have done.¡±


    He hugged her back, murmuring gently, ¡°Live, Asha. Live well and you will fulfill every debt you believe you owe me.¡±


    He released her and gave her a small push toward the tree line. ¡°Now go. Kyne¡¯s blessing be with you.¡±


    Asha smiled through the tears, waved, and turned around. Her home, all she had known, was to her back now. The world lay ahead.


    ***


    Asha was frightened, there was no doubt, but the thrill of her journey kept the fear in check. The shadows around her lengthened with the rising moons and she thought she could see movement in the darkness of the undergrowth around her. When she reached the road by Lake Ilinalta, she stood and gazed upon it in wonder. She had never been this close before. Its waters shone brightly in the light of the moons and the far shore was a blur of darkness, the Brittle peaks lit against the stars of the sky and jutting out like teeth. She turned right and followed the path, following the lake around. She moved as quickly as she dared in the dark, turning her slow and careful steps to a jog. Her breathing grew to a steady rhythm and she continued this way for several hours.


    As the sun¡¯s light began to touch the horizon, she stopped to breathe. The path had begun to slope upward as the path left the lakeside and rose to cliffsides near the lake end. As she took her seat, the slightest movement in the brush caught her eye. She turned to stare closely at it and stood quickly when she saw eyes peering back at her. Suddenly, several cloaked figures emerged from the undergrowth, surrounding her with drawn bows.


    Asha threw up her hands and called out, ¡°Wait! Wait! I¡¯m an Atmoran! I¡¯m here to speak with Lord Krosis. I¡¯m from Shriekwind Bastion.¡±


    The hunters kept their bows trained on her as one of them, presumably their leader, stepped forward and said, ¡°You will give us your weapon.¡±


    She handed it over willingly and was led, without bonds, up the road and to the top of the cliff. On a promontory overlooking the lake on its east side, a makeshift camp had been set up. Krosis, with his mask still covering his face, rose from his seat and listened to the whisper from his commander. He moved to face Asha and held out a hand. ¡°Return her weapons. She is of no danger to me.¡±


    The bow and quiver of arrows were thrown at her feet but she didn¡¯t bend to pick them up. Instead, she bowed to the dragon priest. ¡°My Lord Krosis, I am here to petition your favor. I wish to join your hunters and your clan.¡±


    A murmur ran through the hunters. She could just catch the word, ¡°presumptuous¡± in the whispers. Krosis raised a hand and they fell completely silent. ¡°Tell me, why do you wish to join my hunters?¡±


    ¡°Because of what you said,¡± was Asha¡¯s rehearsed response. ¡°You said we should control our destiny. I am doing that even now. I do not belong with my people anymore. I was an outcast even before the invasion. I want to find my purpose again.¡±


    ¡°For what were you an outcast?¡±


    ¡°For¡­for disappointing my dragon priest, lord,¡± said Asha, feeling her face grow red as she raised it to stare into his mask. ¡°My Intended left to become a dragon priest and Lord Rukil blamed me for humiliating him in front of Lord Morokei.¡±


    ¡°And did you?¡±


    ¡°I¡­I don¡¯t know. Wulfin, my Intended, and I were caught by Reachmen and had to be saved by Lord Morokei. Lord Rukil found this¡­offensive, especially since Wulfin had used magic without consent.¡±


    She felt her stance slipping like she was digging her own grave. The hunters were no longer showing any reaction. There was no murmur, no look, no movement. A single wave of Krosis¡¯s hand had silenced them completely. What Krosis thought was anyone¡¯s guess. The mask hid every reaction entirely. He circled her, studying her up and down. ¡°Tell me, what is your name?¡±


    ¡°Asha, my lord.¡±


    ¡°Asha, are you skilled with the bow?¡±


    ¡°I have some skill, my lord.¡±


    ¡°Show me.¡±


    He moved away from her, pointing outward as a swirl of dark purple energy erupted from his hand. The hunters scattered to the side as a burst of flame erupted from the ground several feet away. A figure emerged from the flames, with a feminine shape but an inhuman appearance. Its body was made of flames, encased in burn stone at various points to give the impression of armor. Her head had lips and a nose but any eyes were lost in flame. Horns protruded from her head and she floated off the ground, spinning in a graceful somersault as she approached Asha.


    Krosis turned to her. ¡°Pick up your bow, Asha. To be a disciple of Krosis, one must show their worth.¡±

 Chapter 9: Summer Falls. Book 1: The Dragon Cult.

    Chapter 9: Summer Falls


    The circle of hunters widened further, leaving Asha with her back to a cliff and a flaming woman in front of her. She glanced at Krosis who walked calmly beside her. ¡°My¡­my lord?¡±


    ¡°Simple,¡± he said. ¡°Confront my flame atronach.¡±


    Asha looked back at it as it approached slowly. The heat of its flame could be felt now, the grass beneath it wilted. Its hand raised behind it. ¡°Move, hunter,¡± Krosis barked in a commanding tone.


    Asha snapped out of her reverie and snatched up the bow and quiver. As she ducked to grab them, the atronach flung its hand forward and a firebolt flew over Asha¡¯s bowed head, missing her by a hair¡¯s breadth. She scrambled upright, batting at her singed hair, and drew an arrow. The atronach threw another firebolt and Asha leaped aside, drawing the bow back as she did. She released and, to her delight, it struck the creature. It let out a hiss but, otherwise, seemed unfazed by it. Its advance continued. Asha panicked and pulled another arrow and released it. This one flew wide as the atronach floated to the side. It flew over the heads of the hunters and into the treeline.


    The hunters took cover behind the trees and cleared the clifftop as the atronach bore down on Asha. She pulled back and released a third arrow, the creature so close she couldn¡¯t miss if she wanted to. It took this arrow to the chest without so much as a flinch and clawed hands lashed out at Asha. Asha pulled away, backing up and nearly tumbling off the cliff. She rolled under its second slash and sprinted away, trying to give herself distance.


    Asha had just enough sense to dodge left to right when a firebolt followed her and nearly hit her in the back. It clipped her shoulder and she tumbled to the ground, crying out in surprise more than pain. She couldn¡¯t feel much at the moment, her thoughts only on the task at hand. She growled in anger, stood quickly, and drew an arrow while she turned into a crouch. The creature was following her again. She released the arrow and it flew toward its head. It performed a graceful midair somersault and the arrow flew between its legs.


    Asha watched in horror as her arrow missed its target and nearly struck Krosis. He produced a barrier of shimmering magic just in time to block it. Asha gapped, expecting her death to be swift and instant for such a mistake. She was so stunned she failed to notice the atronach was on her again, hand raised. It struck Asha a glancing blow across the other shoulder and Asha rolled into it, feeling every stone dig into her body as she tumbled down to the path. She stood quickly to face the creature but noticed her hand was empty.


    Her bow lay at the creature''s feet, smoldering and broken from the strike that had just missed her. She had nothing now but her arrows. She took two in either hand and stared at the approaching, flaming woman. She had no other choice. She rolled aside as a firebolt flew at her and it struck the path. She charged forward, ducking under the atronach¡¯s swipe as she stabbed her arrows triumphantly into the creature''s back. Her triumph turned to pain and she cried out as her hands were burnt on the demonic creature''s skin. She scrambled away but was struck in the back by the creature''s foot which flew around in a graceful arc to knock her over.


    She turned over from her prone position and saw the atronach looming above. She rolled aside as a firebolt missed her and she tried desperately to crawl away. The creature leaned in to strike her when she removed another arrow and plunged it into its hand. It hissed again and spun away briefly. Asha had just enough time to stand when it was upon her again, hand raised.


    ¡°Enough.¡±


    The creature dissolved in an instant, its fire going out and its body crumbling to dust as it fell to the earth. The ash from its body melted into the ground and left no trace of its existence save the scorched earth from its passing. Asha took the moment after this to begin breathing heavily. Her body hurt from being struck, her skin felt raw where it had been burned, and she suddenly realized that her heart felt like it was going to explode from her chest.


    She slumped to the ground, her mind reeling. She had failed. She had failed to kill it. It had been about to kill her when Krosis decided to end her embarrassment. Krosis. She suddenly realized he was standing beside her and she rose quickly to her feet. ¡°My Lord, I¡­I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to shoot at you.¡±


    ¡°An amateur failure,¡± said Krosis. ¡°You must see what is beyond as well as in front of you before you fire.¡±


    ¡°I have failed,¡± said Asha, bowing low and feeling her cheeks flush with shame. Whether the test had been fair or not didn¡¯t matter. She had failed to achieve it.


    ¡°Look at me, Asha.¡±


    She looked up. His inscrutable mask stared down at her, perhaps studying her. ¡°I never named the goal, young Asha. You failed to kill it. You did not fail the task I set for you: fight for survival with any means possible. You fought without giving in to fear or overconfidence.¡±


    She stared up at him, confused. ¡°I was never meant to win?¡±


    ¡°You might have,¡± said Krosis. ¡°But if you did, I would have counted you among my elite. Instead, I welcome you, Asha of Shriekwind, as an initiate of the Hunters.¡±


    Asha¡¯s mind whirled with emotions. Excitement, trepidation, confusion. She had done it. She was in. But if this was the entrance test, what would the rest of her training be like? And what sort of master was Krosis? Was he any better than Rukil?


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    She bowed low and said, voice trembling, ¡°Thank you, lord Krosis.¡±


    He nodded in return. ¡°Gather yourself together. We are continuing our march to Summer Falls.¡±


    Asha bowed again and bent to pick up her bow. She suddenly realized it was broken and burnt, likely beyond fixing. She picked it up and held it forlornly. Krosis approached. ¡°You won¡¯t need that,¡± he said. ¡°It is part of your old life. You are a Hunter now. Put aside the old you and embrace the new.¡±


    ***


    Asha followed close behind Krosis as he led the party of Hunters down the path. They were following a river flowing from Lake Ilinalta, circling the Brittle Mountains. The hunters and Krosis were completely silent, always listening to the forest around them. Asha, in like manner, tried to listen for anything out of the ordinary. Insects, frogs, rippling water, birds, wind in the trees, gravel crunching underfoot. There were so many sounds around her she didn¡¯t know where to focus. A distant roar echoed through the forest and Asha stiffened. A dragon.


    She looked to the skies, hoping to see one. She had only ever seen a dragon from a distance, soaring high over her home and the solitary mountain. They were so insignificant, however, that a dragon had never bothered to land. The trees blocked her view, frustrating her search as another roar echoed across the mountains.


    A clearing was ahead. As the party entered it, she looked toward the Brittle Mountains and gasped in surprise. Summer Falls lay across the river and high up on the Brittle Mountains, shining in the afternoon light in magnificent glory.


    Summer Falls had large, stone pillars rising around it with dragon heads mounting the towers. The arched stone pillars held a massive wooden roof over the great hall. In front of it, a giant courtyard sat on a manmade stone acropolis, surrounded by stone arches and with shade clothes over the edges. A crowd of people, distant but still visible, moved around the courtyard. Highlighting the sight was a multitude of small waterfalls that ran down the mountainside around Summer Falls, flowing in rivulets into the stream below. Asha had stopped to gape and was bumped into by a hunter from behind.


    ¡°Keep up,¡± said Krosis without looking back.


    A horn sounded from a distant tower on the fortress, its wail echoing across the valley in a mournful tone. Asha hurried behind Krosis. ¡°Is that good?¡±


    ¡°They alert our people to our arrival. We will feast tonight.¡±


    The party continued to follow the path around the mountain and Asha found they were in a valley between the Brittle Mountains and the foothills of the looming Throat of the World. She looked up to see its distant peak and gasped again. There were large, dark forms circling the peaks. Dragons. Still too far away to see clearly. Krosis slowed his pace to follow beside her.


    ¡°You will see our overlords soon enough. They often visit the Summer Falls with news from the north.¡±


    Asha didn¡¯t respond but tried to take everything in. It was all so much. Her mind and heart were full of so many thoughts and emotions, that she could hardly contain herself.  Their path turned and they crossed an old stone bridge over the stream just before it plummeted into a series of waterfalls. The path led uphill around a peak and the grand expanse of Summer Falls appeared before them. Asha had never seen a building so large in her entire life. It was beyond anything the mind could comprehend, a massive hall built into the mountainside.


    An honor guard of hunters was waiting for them at the base of the mountain. A single hunter stepped forward and bowed to Krosis. ¡°Welcome back, Lord Krosis. We are glad to see you safely returned.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, captain,¡± said Krosis. ¡°The threat was more real than we could have imagined. Summon the council immediately. I will attend as soon as I housed our new initiate.¡±


    The captain glanced at Asha but didn¡¯t give away what he thought of her. ¡°Very good, Lord Krosis. The council will be ready and waiting for you.¡±


    Krosis continued and the hunters bowed as he passed them. Asha hesitated only briefly before running to keep up with him. They climbed the steep stairs up the stone acropolis, Krosis¡¯s staff cracking loudly against the steps, and to the platform on top. To one side, overlooking the valley, was the massive courtyard which Asha barely caught a glimpse of. They turned immediately to the opposite side and entered through the double doors of the great hall.


    The faulted ceiling rose high above, its wooden beams and stone arches hazy with smoke from the fires in the center and edges of the hall. Tables and benches filled the center while open areas around altars were around the edges. She sped so quickly through the hall she couldn¡¯t get a good look at the altars and statues. They descended from the hall into the mountainside, down open and clear corridors lit by torches. There was so much to see that Asha couldn¡¯t take it all in. Before she knew it, she was led through a doorway and into a small room lit by a lamp on a wooden stool. A small bed on a wooden frame was against the wall along with a chest, the only pieces of furniture in the room.


    ¡°These are your quarters,¡± said Krosis.


    ¡°I have my own room,¡± Asha spluttered.


    For the first time ever, a chuckle emitted from behind the mask. Asha turned, shocked at this. The sound died as quickly as it came. ¡°Of course, child¡± he replied, a hint of cold in his voice now. ¡°We are not the poor, secluded members of Shriekwind Bastion. This is Summer Falls, one of the fairest and most powerful fortresses in Skyrim. When you are ready, return to the great hall for food.¡±


    Asha nodded, looking around her small room¡­her room. ¡°Of course. When can I start training?¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow,¡± said Krosis. ¡°You will go to the courtyard after the morning meal. If that is all, I must attend my council.¡±


    ¡°One more question, Lord Krosis.¡± Asha felt bolder by the second. Asking a question would never have been tolerated before under Rukil.


    Krosis turned back in the doorway and asked, ¡°What is it, child?¡±


    ¡°When will your storyteller begin their tales? I¡¯m looking forward to hearing new legends, perhaps one of how this fortress was founded.¡±


    Krosis huffed in derision. ¡°We have no storyteller here, child. We have neither the time nor the need for stories.¡±


    Asha blanched. ¡°What? No¡­no stories?¡±


    Krosis huffed, his voice tinged with annoyance from behind the mask. ¡°Stories are for children to awaken their minds. We, as hunters, must spend our days training, surviving, and fulfilling our destinies, not reliving the destinies of others. You must do as I have said; put aside the old you and embrace the new. I will see you in the training ground tomorrow.¡±


    With that, he swept out her door and down the hallway. Asha was alone in her room which suddenly lost some of its charm. It felt small and cold. Her favorite thing since childhood, the thing that had given her such hope¡­didn¡¯t exist here. She sat forlorn on the edge of her bed.


    ¡°No stories?¡±

 Chapter 10: The Way of the Hunt. Book 1: The Dragon Cult

    Chapter 10: The Way of the Hunt


    Asha¡¯s training began in earnest the next morning.


    After eating a modest breakfast which she could barely touch due to nerves, she was led outside by a hunter. It was the first time she got a good look at the training grounds. The large circular training ground, all stone, was so large it covered the same amount of space as the temple in front of it. Giant stone arches, built by some ancient beings or the dragons themselves, rose over the training grounds and, around the edges, shade clothes hung to offer places of rest or conversation. Banners and ribbons hung from the stone arches and blew softly in the morning breeze.


    On one end, targets for the trainees were set up while a brawl circle was on the opposite end. A third section was for hanging, swinging, and moving targets with obstacles for the hunters to leap over and duck under. Asha was led to a group of teens who were sitting on cushions beneath a shade. She realized, with some embarrassment, that she was the oldest of the group by several years. She sat on a cushion in the back and tried not to look back at the myriad of eyes that were staring at her. The whispers began and she felt her face growing red.


    ¡°Initiates!¡±


    The snap in the tone rang out and the young hunters all looked forward. Krosis walked up behind them, his mask glowering down on them all. ¡°Have you already forgotten your training? Does one new pupil mean you must lose your control?¡±


    Silence followed the statement from all. Krosis now stood in front of the students, letting the silence stretch before cracking his staff down and making everyone jump. ¡°Today¡¯s lesson is a continuation of your archery. Twelve bullseyes by midday. As for our new initiate, I leave her in your care. It is your responsibility to teach her. If she does not improve by the end of the training, the consequences are on all of you. Now, Asha, see the quartermaster for your garments and weapons. Then, begin training.¡±


    He swept away, his robes bushing against Asha as he passed. The other students rose, shooting glares or looks of resignation her way. Whether any of them wanted it or not, she had become a burden to them. Asha suddenly realized that she had no clue where the quartermaster was. She looked to the other initiates, her expression pleading. None of them moved to help her or greet her. They were busy picking up their bows and moving to the targets. Asha cleared her throat.


    ¡°Excuse me. Where can I find the quartermaster?¡±


    One of them turned around and pointed to the opposite end of the courtyard. Asha turned to see, near the base of the temple, a smithy set up with barrels and boxes stacked nearby. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said.


    The quartermaster gave her an outfit of mottled green, consisting of a hood, pants, shirt, boots, and cloak. It was the same outfit as the rest of the hunters. She was then sent to the smith to collect arrows and a bow. It was not as large as the hunter''s bows but it was a step up from the old hunting bow she had used in the past.


    Asha returned to the targets to find the rest of the initiates firing arrows, talking quietly among themselves. All talk ceased when she arrived and she took her place at the end of the line. Those closest moved to other targets and left her to her own devices.


    Asha took up the bow and drew an arrow. She stared down the length of the firing range at her target. It was so far. Or maybe she was nervous. She drew an arrow back, took aim, released her breath, then fired. It flew across the firing range and struck the target. She was glad it had actually hit the target. At least she hadn¡¯t embarrassed herself completely. It was, however, no where near the center. Asha frowned and drew another arrow.


    The next few hours, she spent time firing at the target. She was elated when she hit the bullseye, more out of luck than skill. When she approached the trainee hunters who had stopped to rest, they gave her the cold shoulder. One spoke up to her to say, ¡°Clear off, peasant. You don¡¯t belong among the Hunters of Summer Falls.¡±


    Asha blushed. ¡°Krosis believed I had potential. Your issue is with him, not me. I simply seek a new life.¡±


    ¡°We heard how you threw yourself at Krosis. It was your presumption that led you here.¡±


    Asha¡¯s mouth fell open in shock. ¡°I¡­I didn¡¯t think-¡±


    The trainee sneered. ¡°I expect you wouldn¡¯t. We have been training since childhood for this honor. If you think to come in and rise higher than us, you are mistaken.¡±


    The trainee hunter turned away, his companions joining him in muffled snickers as they went back to training. Asha went back to her shooting silently, her heart sunken with bitterness into the pit of her stomach.


    When Krosis returned, he examined the targets. ¡°Asha has made the bullseye only once and has not completed the task.¡±


    ¡°What do you expect?¡± spoke up a trainee.


    The staff cracked and sparks flew from it. A dangerous glow emanated from the dragon''s eye at its head. ¡°You will hold your tongue,¡± said Krosis. ¡°It was your task to aid her. Now, you will all suffer the consequences. Double watch and half rations for all of you tonight.¡±


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    The glares thrown at Asha made her heart sink all the more. Through no fault of her own, she was an enemy to them. Her thoughts were brushed aside as Krosis spoke to her. ¡°Come, Asha. The second key to your training begins. Follow me.¡±


    *


    The sun split through the branches of the trees between the Brittle Mountains and the Throat of the World. Krosis had led Asha from the fortress down the path to the river. When they crossed the bridge, they left the path and entered the forest, toward the base of the looming Throat of the World.


    Krosis pointed down at a set of indents in the ground. ¡°Determine for me, Asha, what these tracks belong to.¡±


    Asha stared at the various tracks on the ground. Some were birds, some rabbit, some deer, and many more unrecognizable. ¡°Well, those are deer, and those-¡±


    ¡°Of what sort?¡±


    She paused, startled at his question. ¡°Sort?¡±


    ¡°Tell me the sort of animal. Not simply the animal.¡±


    Asha flushed and looked back at the marks. ¡°How am I supposed to know that? Do they have special markings?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps,¡± he said, looming over her. ¡°But there is an easier way to tell. You know the local creatures in the area, their behaviors and movements.¡±


    ¡°But I don¡¯t know those.¡±


    ¡°So you ask.¡±


    She looked up at his impassive mask, confused. ¡°Who do I ask?¡±


    ¡°Those most knowledgeable,¡± he said. ¡°In this case, myself. And before¡­your fellow trainee members.¡±


    Asha caught her breath and looked back at the tracks, trying to hide her embarrassment. Krosis continued. ¡°They failed you, Asha, as well as themselves by not helping you. But you failed yourself by refusing to stand up and demand the help you needed.¡±


    Asha froze, still crouched to the ground. She was unsure what to do. Was his statement a lesson? An accusation?


    Krosis looked up and proceeded to walk into the forest. ¡°Come, Asha. There is much you need to learn.¡±


    The words he spoke to her that day as they walked beneath the shade dappled trees would echo in Asha¡¯s mind as her training turned from days into weeks. She would remember his words every day she shot her bow, the arrows circling the targets center closer every day. She would meditate on it when she snuck from one shadow to the next, becoming one with the forest. She would repeat it silently to herself as she studied the tracks of animals or hunt for food. It rang in her ears when she left the brawl circle or the obstacle course in pain. She would breath it in her heart when she sat on warm sun-kissed stones from the sun. Even when she sat alone at the dining tables at meal, she would chew to the rhythm of the words she had set them to.


    ¡°Asha, the Way of the Hunt is not just a way of life, it is a way of thinking. You must believe in everything you do and say or the world will know who you truly are. Nature cannot be anything else than what it is. It does not deceive, it does not manipulate. It cannot be fooled and will not be mocked. If you are not completely confident in who you are and what you want, it will know. The Way of the Hunt is to know your body intimately. To know what you can give with every breath and what you can take. It is to know the world you live in. To know the ground you walk, even when you have never walked it before. It is to know every creature and its ways though you have never seen it before. It is to become one with the truth of this world.


    ¡°Do not think to hold back, to not hesitate to be honest with all you do. Practice hard every day to perfect your crafts. Become one with the shadows, hunt the animal with precision, fire the bow with intent, but most importantly, understand yourself more than anyone could. It is the lesson most will fail to achieve and thus will rarely, truely, become one who follows the Way of the Hunt. Know yourself, Asha, know the truth of this world, and not just this path but many more paths open up to you.¡±


    Asha worked as hard as she could, determined to prove she could achieve what Krosis had set before her. She would even watch him when he hunted or meditated. His hunting was astounding, his robes making no sound as he glided through the shadows of the trees and levitated arrows, firing them at the speed of a bow without the use of one. Emulating that was impossible for her. But his meditations were a different matter.


    He seemed to almost float on his platform among the waterfalls around their mountain. She would watch him from a distance, staring at him from the training ground as he walked out to the platform of stone centered between two rushing falls. Then he would sit, heedless of the sound of arrows, wind, water, or the birds that flitted about him to their nests. How he could remain so focused with the noise around him was a mystery. She guessed it had something to do with his statements about nature. If nature was true without guile, than the seamless noise should blend easily with the mind of one who believed in themselves. Perhaps that was where she truly failed.


    Asha was struggling daily to find what Krosis meant by ¡®knowing¡¯ herself. She found her mind constantly distracted by thoughts of eing better than she was, her other training, or of home, Orin, and Wulfin. Would Wulfin know she was here? Did he still even care about her? She had no one to talk to about these thoughts either. The trainees were still avoiding her, ¡®helping¡¯ her with backhanded comments when she asked. The hunters treated her with civility but pointed out that familiar talk was not meant for them but for those in her training group. Their society was so rigid, structured in such a way that everyone had a part to play and were unwilling to leave it, that she found the loneliness getting to her once again.


    This time, however, she had purpose. Asha focused more than ever on her training to keep her mind busy from her thoughts and emotions. It was during this training, when she was aiming at a target, that a distant roar filled her ears. She was no longer alarmed by the sound. Dragons often flew near or roosted upon the slopes of the Throat of the World, not far from her home. She paid no heed as she released an arrow. The roar came again, this time closer. It wasn¡¯t coming from the Throat but from the Brittle Mountains behind the fortress.


    She turned to look at the peak of the fortress, through an opening in the shade cloths. A dark shape appeared over the fortress and disappeared over the shade cloth. Asha gasped turning to the heavens and scanning the shade cloth. A shadow passed over it, massive wings buffeting the cloth as it whipped in the wind. A roar split the air and Asha yelled in excitement, ¡°It¡¯s a dragon! A dragon is here!¡±


    The hunters scattered from the central grounds as a dragon soared underneath the cloth. Its white and blue tinged scales shone in the sunlight, creating a dazzling spectacle. An elongated jaw opened to roar again, the horns on its head nearly snagging on the canopy above before it landed with a earth shuddering thud into the courtyard. The dragon then spoke, causing the air to shake with its power.


    ¡°Krosis! MeyZ HET!¡±

 Chapter 11: Far-Flung Words and Deeds. Book 1: The Dragon Cult

    Chapter 11: Far-Flung Words and Deeds


    ¡°MeyZ HET, Krosis!¡±


    The dragon¡¯s voice was deafening as it roared. Though she could not understand it, she could distinguish the word Krosis. The dragon priest emerged shortly from the temple, the double doors swinging open as he approached the dragon. He spoke the same language of power to the dragon.


    ¡°I MeyZ, DROG DOVah. HIN VahRUKT SARaan.¡±


    The dragon tilted its head, its slanted eye dilating as it focused on him. It then scanned the crowd of onlookers and growled. ¡°DaaR ROT NI Fah FIN BRON.¡±


    Krosis turned to the assembled hunters and waved his staff. ¡°The dragon lord will not treat with me while so many watch. Make your way indoors. What we have to say is between us alone.¡±


    Asha looked around hesitantly at the other hunters. They bowed as one to the dragon and Krosis and hurried toward the double doors. Asha followed reluctantly. The first dragon she had seen in her life was standing before her, more majestic and terrifying than she could have imagined. Its sharp teeth stuck out from its mouth. Its claws held fast to the rock below. Its folded wings still shifted in the breeze. The massive spikes on its back, nearly half her height, bristled and its bright white eye turned toward her as if noticing her longing gaze. ¡°MAL RaaN,¡± it hissed at her.


    Krosis turned and spotted her. ¡°VEN.¡±


    A gust of wind issued from him and buffeted Asha, knocking her to the ground. She scrambled up and away in terror, fleeing into the fortress. The laughter of the dragon rang in her ears.


    She could not bring herself to look at her fellow hunters around her, such was her shame. Krosis had punished her and humiliated her in front of the hunters. And the dragon, her lord, had laughed at her. It was too much to bear. She and the rest of the hunters sat silently in the hall, staring at the double doors and waiting for their master to return. The boom of voices could still be heard outside for some time.


    The initiates were at it again, pointing her way and sniggering. She ignored them and stared at the doors. Would he tell them what the dragon had wanted? She almost punched herself at the thought. It was not for small people like herself to know what the gods of the earth spoke of with their chosen lords. The hall felt confining. Her thoughts and her shame made her feel warm and the stuffy hall made it far worse.


    The hunters stirred around her, looking toward the double doors. It wasn¡¯t until Asha listened that she realized all was quiet from outside. The Tongue was no longer being spoken. Asha stood from her seat and joined the throng of hunters around the door. They swung open softly and Krosis stood framed in the sunlit opening. The hunters bowed and the senior hunters moved forward to speak. He held up his hand to stop the questions. He spoke clearly to the assembly, ¡°What I have to say concerns our whole fortress.¡±


    The seniors backed off as Krosis moved past, the doors closing in his wake. All eyes followed him as he walked through the hall toward the podium at its end. As he passed Asha, he didn¡¯t even look down at her, his impassive mask fixed ahead. He mounted the steps and stood at the podium, above the heads of everyone in the hall. Silence fell as his staff cracked and then he leaned it against the podium and then leaned heavily on it himself. A concerned murmur went through the hall. He appeared to hold a great weight on his shoulders. Asha had never seen him so defeated.


    This momentary relapse in his figure was over as quickly as it had appeared. He stood strong and gripped his staff, cracking it again to regain their attention. Silence followed as his voice rang out. ¡°Hunters, I know you wonder what news the dragon brings. He arrived from the north, from our capital of Bromjunaar.¡±


    Asha felt a warmth spread through her, the name now synonymous with Wulfin. The murmurs around the hall were anything but warm; dark whispers and concerned voices swirled in the smoke-laden air. ¡°Lord Morokei speaks, troubling news from the lands around. The farms are suffering drought and farmers leave their fields. The fish grow fewer from the north where their people grow hungry and need aid. Lord Morokei has gone to the mountains of the East, to the seat of our oracle, Nakrin. He has sought the advice from the servant of Alduin World Eater.¡±


    A chill ran through the hall at the name. The embodiment of the dragon spirit, the god of twilight, and the eventual bringer of the end times, Alduin World Eater was a living god on earth. When he spoke, his word was the law of the divines. Krosis continued in the silence. ¡°The World Eater has given his command; all are required to play their part. We are to hunt for more game, to be sent to Bromjunaar to help in the relief efforts.¡±


    Whispers resumed and an elder hunter stepped forward. ¡°Lord, how can we meet such quotas? We will overhunt.¡±


    ¡°We must wander further afield,¡± said Krosis. ¡°It is up to our hunters to fulfill this need. Let it be a challenge for our initiate hunters. You initiate must travel into the lands beyond our fortress and find the food our lords demand.¡±


    ¡°When do we leave!¡± called out an initiate in excitement and received a cuff upside the head for his impudence.


    Krosis raised a hand, ¡°I am not finished. There is more at stake. Whatever rumors you hear of rebellion within our provinces, let these rumors fall on deaf ears. More malcontents are arising in the outer provinces, turning to banditry to feed their greed. Any of these, if found, should be killed on sight for there is no mercy for those who disobey the dragons. But we remain strong and united as a people. The dragons will lead us through our struggles just as they always have. Trust your dragon priests, we will serve as we always have.¡±


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    The hunters lowered their heads in submission and Asha quickly followed suit. Krosis raised his staff and spoke clearly, ¡°Your hunt begins on the morrow, spreading far and wide into the Brittle Mountains, the valleys of the south, and around Lake Ilinalta. Prepare yourself, hunters.¡±


    The hunters bowed again and dissipated to their tasks as Krosis stepped away from the podium. Asha looked down as he passed her, unable still to look at him after their last interaction. He stopped and turned to her, forcing her to look back up. His unreadable mask stared back at her and he spoke softly, ¡°You would be wise to heed the words of a dragon quickly, Asha. They are not kind to those who do not obey their word immediately.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes my lord,¡± she said, bowing low.


    ¡°Tomorrow, you will follow the lake and the base of the mountain,¡± said Krosis. ¡°There, I want you to scout the land rather than hunt. Report on the animals and their number. We must learn what the land can offer before we hunt without abandon. Whatever we take must be replenished. Do you understand what I ask?¡±


    ¡°I do, Lord Krosis,¡± Asha responded.


    That evening, the conversation around the tables was more subdued. Whispers rose to the wooden beams above and though Asha wasn¡¯t a part of any of them, she could still faintly hear some words repeated consistently.


    ¡°Hunt¡­famine¡­Alduin¡­rebellion.¡±


    *


    Asha followed a well-worn path from Summer Falls until she reached the river that led to Lake Ilinalta. She turned to follow it upstream to the shores of the lake. She had never been on the north side before. There was no path and the shore was rocky. Scattered trees led to the mountain slopes where the Brittle peaks loomed above. She scrambled over stones and searched the land for edible plants and animals. Though berry bushes were in abundance, the animals on this side were scarce. A few rabbits, wild goats, and a pair of foxes.


    Asha continued to wander westward along Ilinalta. She wasn¡¯t sure how far she should go but as no limit was given, she felt the desire to explore. In the past, she might have been afraid to go out and wander far from the confines of home. Now, with a bow in hand and arrows at her side, coupled with a desire to get away from the watchful yet suspicious eyes of the hunters, she was eager to see what lay over the next ridge. Further along the mountain, she wandered, though she knew it could be dangerous. Wolves were a common sight in Skyrim and, for the most unfortunate, sabertooth cats or bears. But, on these rocky and bare shores, it seemed unlikely she would find predators with so few prey. That also meant there was no hunting to be had. Surely that was sign enough to go back.


    She ignored the voice of reason within, pushing further along the lake and the Brittle Mountains. She had never seen their western end. Perhaps, she thought with some excitement, she would find them today. She mounted another rise and had a beautiful vantage point to survey the surroundings. Lake Ilinata shone in the light of an afternoon sun and Asha spotted an island in its center that she had never seen before. It jutted out in a promontory and, on its highest slope, a circle of stones stood. Some ancient shrine, perhaps a standing stone, from her distant ancestors. A memory of Oran¡¯s old tales remerged, speaking of the standing stones with imbued magic. They were set up by the early Atmorans and blessed by Jhunal, god of magic. All prayers at these stones were said to be carried on the breath of Kyne to their respective gods, such was her desire for their prayers to be heard.


    These stories caused a sadness to creep into her heart. She missed them, more than she liked to admit. She looked away and saw a small bay carved out by the lake and inland, the forest grew thick against the mountain. Asha smiled and pointed with her bow. ¡°I¡¯ll bet anything there¡¯s game in there.¡±


    She made her way toward it and walked briskly into the shade of the trees. She gave a sigh of relief, happy to be out of the sun and not longer scrambling over rocks. She scanned the trees and spotted a few deer, keeping still to avoid her gaze. She smiled, whispering to herself, ¡°Perfect,¡± but let them be. No hunting for today, but she hoped this bode well. She delved further in, even to the foot of the mountain with its steep slopes. There was a number of deer, goats, and small game. But so too were there wolves. She spotted a pack of three burrowing in the earth to get at a rodent in its hole. She snuck quickly away before she was spotted and, in an effort to avoid them, nearly ran into the cave before she saw it.


    It was an overgrown entrance but a clearly defined cave opening nonetheless. It lay before her, dark and foreboding, but tantalizingly clear to explore. She had never heard of tunnels beneath the Brittle Mountains. As large as they were, she had always heard they weren¡¯t impressive enough to hold Dwemer holds or old Atmoran temples. But this tunnel¡­


    She cleared away some brush and saw a statue on one side then the other. They were Atmoran in nature, weathered and half-destroyed faces of old men with long beards. They must have been very old, images of Shor, before the time when dragons were the only statues that could be carved. So this tunnel might have been part of an old Atmoran ruin. She hesitated at the entrance, unsure if she should proceed.


    An echo came from within, faint and incomprehensible, but a noise nonetheless. It sounded like a human voice. Asha¡¯s curiosity got the better of her and, after grabbing her single torch from her pack and lighting it, she marched into its dark depths.


    It used to be a temple, no doubt. Away from the weathering on the surface, there were rough stairs fashioned out of stones. The passage was narrow and she struggled over collapsed bits of the roof. On and on the tunnel went, with no sign of any structures or carvings. The sound came again, clearly a voice. It was yelling. Asha felt nervous energy pumping through her. Someone was down here. She pulled out a arrow and notched it to her bow, holding both awkwardly in one hand while lifting the torch high in the other.


    She reached a set of clear stone steps leading down into the earth and hesitated again. ¡°Back! Get back!¡± came the voice, a man¡¯s, screaming.


    Followed on his heels was a strange, chittering sound that was altogether foreign to Asha. But she knew that voice was someone in trouble. She hurried forward, keeping her eyes down to watch her footing. She reached the bottom and looked up, crying out in surprised alarm. A massive stone face of Shor greeted her and she cursed herself for her outburst.


    ¡°Whose there?¡± called the voice, echoing strangely. ¡°Please help me!¡±


    More chittering. Asha couldn¡¯t stop to ponder what to do. She moved forward quickly, around a bend and toward a light at the end of the tunnel. When she emerged, she gasped in surprise.


    A massive cavern opened up before her. Pillars of stone, natural stalagmite, and stalactite formations formed the support beams. The room was lit by holes in the rocky roof above, allowing sunlight to stream in through multiple openings. Rough, Atmoran carvings were on the walls and a central platform was on one end of the room, a sacrificial altar for offerings to the gods. On the platform was a man, swinging an old ax in one hand, yelling at the creatures pinning him down.


    Asha had never seen them before but had heard all about them. Hairy bodies, eight legs, and too many eyes for any creature, black and merciless.


    Giant spiders.

 Chapter 12: The Farmer and the Hunter. Book 1: The Dragon Cult

    Chapter 12: The Farmer and the Hunter


    Asha was frozen for only a moment, taking the scene in. The spiders were as high as her waist, mottled skin, and dark black eyes. The man spotted her and yelled, ¡°Hey! Look out!¡±


    A spider turned and let out a hiss as it rushed her. Asha reacted on instinct, dropping the torch, pulling back the arrow, and releasing it into the creature''s mass of eyes. It screeched as the arrow pieced an eye and its legs flailed about. Its charge continued as Asha drew another arrow and hit it in the eyes again. The creature collapsed, writhing in its death throes.


    A spider charged the man with the ax and he swung at it, chopping off a leg and it hissed, toppling onto him. It¡¯s mandibles went for his face and the man pushed it back desperately, the ax handle keeping it at bay. He screamed in panic.


    Asha spotted another spider turning to rush at her but aimed at the spider on the man. She fired and hit it in the large thorax. It fell, thrashing on the man as he pushed it off. Asha fired again and hit its eye, killing it.


    Out of the corner of her eye, the spider that had turned to her launched a stream of something from its mouth and she dove aside. She grunted in pain as her shoulder hit the stone floor. A splatter of web hit the wall behind her and stuck. The spider rushed her, its legs moving in a blur. Asha scrambled up, grabbing an arrow from her quiver and running across the chamber. As she reached a pillar, she turned, fired, and ducked behind it. She cursed, knowing she had missed the shot, a mistake Krosis would have scolded her for.


    She peeked around the corner and pulled back as the spider leaped at her exposed face. It flew past the pillar and landed hard, making furious clicking sounds as it tried to turn. Asha fired off a rapid series of three arrows into its side until it fell dead. She emerged from around the other end to see the man, yelling, as a spider leaped at him. He drove his ax into a spider''s head again and again as it hissed, writhed, and finally slumped to the ground. Breathing heavily, he yanked it out and scanned the room, looking for Asha. He spotted her and smiled. Then his eyes looked up and grew wide.


    She looked up and screamed as a massive spider, larger than the rest, emerged from a web cocoon in an opening and fell toward her.


    She dropped to the ground as its massive bulk landed on top of her. It was as long as she was tall, the bristles on its underbelly brushing her face and she gagged in horror. The creature shifted and its rear moved toward her, stinger held high. She rolled away desperately as it stabbed the ground. The creature overbalanced and it fell on her. She couldn¡¯t breathe or move, feeling its weight bear down upon her and the horror of that bristling, rough skin press against her face.


    She faintly heard yelling from somewhere and the creature screeched, pulling itself off her as the man attacked it. It charged after him, leaving a trail of green blood on her. She gagged but pushed herself to her knees.


    The spider was on top of the man now, biting at him as he held it back with his poor ax. Its handle was beginning to splinter under the attack and he released one side to punch at the creature''s eyes. The squelch that came was vile and the spider chittered, pulling back. The action yanked the ax from the man''s hand and splintered the handle, sending both ends clattering across the floor. He was backed up against the wall, hands out, no defense as the spider charged again.


    Asha¡¯s arrow flew true. It struck the back of the creature''s legs and caused it to stumble. The man leaped aside and Asha fired again, hitting another leg. The spider turned and struggled toward her as Asha emptied her quiver into the creature, hitting it in multiple places. Yet it still refused to go down. It seemed possessed by some manic power to keep it alive until it killed its assailant. Asha began to panic as it closed the gap, backing away and hitting a pillar behind her.


    The man made a flying leap from behind. He held the broken head of his ax above his head and buried it into the head of the creature. It collapsed under his weight, struggling to move, its legs waving and bucking. The man held on, his face etched with grim determination as green goop spurted from the ax wound and sprayed his face. Still, he pushed the ax in further, yelling as he drove it completely into the creature''s head. It finally gave a last shudder and fell limp to the floor.


    Silence filled the ruin, save for the dripping of water from the ceiling. The man rolled off its body and collapsed with exhaustion into a puddle of goop. Asha slumped against the wall, the bow dropping from her nerveless fingers to clatter beside her. Both she and the man lay in their positions, breathing heavily and listening for the sound of any more assailants. A breeze came from the holes above, shifting the empty web. They were gone.


    The man was the first to move, turning himself onto his stomach with a grunt and leaning up to stare at Asha. His face was distorted through the gore and he wiped some from his face. When he stood, he was much taller than her, by at least a head. His muscular frame shook with an involuntary tremor and he moved toward her. ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    She took his offered hand warily and stood. ¡°Yes. Were you bitten?¡±


    ¡°Scratched, bruised, but nothing major,¡± he responded. ¡°Luckily I spotted them before they got the jump on me.¡±


    Asha looked down at her arms, covered in gore, and felt the guts in her hair. He was in worse shape, his face still sticky and green. She shivered as well. ¡°Well¡­this is disgusting.¡±


    The man pointed to the other side of the chamber to a pool of water lit by the sunlight. ¡°There¡¯s a pool of water. I don¡¯t know about you, but I¡¯m washing everything off in it.¡±


    Asha followed him hesitantly to the pool where he began to strip himself down. Though Asha was used to being open in dress with others, living in a commune with shared sleeping areas before her time in Summer Falls, she was unused to strangers being so free. He stripped to his loincloth and lowered himself into the water. He sighed with relief then beckoned her over. ¡°The water is warm. It must be a natural hot spring.¡±


    Asha finally followed suit, stripping to her undergarments and lowering herself in. He was right, it was pleasantly warm and surprisingly clear of any moss. ¡°This pool must be running water,¡± she said.


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    He didn¡¯t hear, his head under the water as rubbed his hair vigorously. Asha followed suit and they spent the next few minutes cleaning themselves off thoroughly. As the man grabbed his clothes from the bank and began to wash them, Asha finally took the time to study his features.


    The man couldn¡¯t be more than a few years older than her. He was handsome, well-built, and muscular with familiar Atmoran pale skin. Unlike the men from her home, like Wulfin, he was built more sturdy, was much harrier, and had a tanned hue to his skin. His hair was a short dirty blonde, a small beard hid his strong jawline, and his eyes were a shining brown. She noticed those eyes were studying her now and she quickly looked away, grabbing her clothes to wash them and leave them out on the edge to dry in the sunlight.


    They both sat in silence for a moment in the shallow water. The man lifted his arms onto the sides and leaned back, sighing. ¡°This is not how I expected my day to go.¡±


    Asha gave a nervous laugh at this. ¡°Nor I.¡±


    He smiled at her. ¡°Thank you, by the way, for saving my life. I would be dead if it wasn¡¯t for you.¡±


    ¡°You are welcome,¡± she responded. ¡°Thank you for saving me as well.¡±


    He nodded graciously. ¡°What is your name and where do you come from?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Asha, originally from Shriekwind Bastion in the southern forests. Currently, I¡¯m an initiate hunter of Lord Krosis at Summer Falls.¡±


    His eyebrows lifted. ¡°I didn¡¯t realize I was bathing with one of the legendary hunters of Summer Falls.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not that yet,¡± she said, blushing, ¡°What about you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Hakon from the Kendov Tribe of the plains.¡±


    Asha shook her head. ¡°I''ve never heard of them. I remember from the old tales that there are many tribes on the plains. Do you know the tribe that lives around Jorvaskr, the hall of heroes?¡±


    He smiled, rubbing his neck with embarrassment. ¡°That is my tribe.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Asha sat up with excitement. ¡°You must have so many tales to tell! I¡¯m dying to hear some. The hunters of Summer Falls don¡¯t tell any. Krosis forbids it and they don''t seem to care.¡±


    Hakon put up his hands to stop her flow. ¡°Well, first off, I¡¯m not a warrior from the hall. I¡¯m a farmer. But there are warriors in my lineage. My grandfather was a warrior from Jorvaskr. But after a battle that he would never speak of, he retired to the peaceful life of a farmer.¡±


    She noticed the defensive tone and decided to back away from the topic. ¡°What were you doing down here?¡±


    ¡°I was looking for food.¡±


    ¡°In a cave?¡±


    ¡°Well, no, not in a cave. I was trying to reach Lake Ilinalta. I¡¯ve heard it has plentiful fish within and I was hoping to bring some back to my home.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t even know this pass existed,¡± she said, looking around at the cavern and its ruins.


    ¡°Few do,¡± he said. ¡°I only found out from an old tale. Fjori the Huntress used it to escape the warlord Holgier but he followed her in here alone and they fell in love.¡± He paused, considering the story. ¡°They don¡¯t give details on how that happened.¡±


    Asha blushed deeply at this and sat lower in the water. ¡°I¡¯ve heard of them. I didn¡¯t know this was the pass they spoke of.¡±


    He studied her with interest. ¡°You know a lot about stories, don¡¯t you?¡±


    She nodded. ¡°I¡¯ve loved them since I was a child. My parents died when I was young and so our storyteller Orin helped raise me. I learned as much as I could from him. Tales from our founders, the gods, heroes, villains, nature, even the dragons¡­¡±


    She noticed his smile had grown larger as she went on. She faded out and he gestured for her to continue. She shrugged. ¡°I learned a lot.¡±


    He nodded. ¡°I¡¯d like to hear you tell a story sometime. My mother died when I was young and my father is getting on in years.¡±


    ¡°You said you were trying to find food, I heard there was famine in the plains. Are your people starving?¡±


    His face changed instantly from a smile to a scowl. ¡°We are, but not by the will of the gods¡­well, not all of them.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    He shook his head. ¡°The dragon priests are taxing us heavily and taking most of our food. They say it is the wish of the dragons¡­but we¡¯ve not heard from them. We have reason to doubt the dragon priests have our best interests at heart.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± asked Asha, her breath catching in panic. She had never heard anyone openly criticize a dragon priest before. ¡°How can you say that? They work to our betterment.¡±


    He stared at her, his cheerful demeanor suddenly more hostile. ¡°What have they done for us? Take our food? Treat us like inferiors? Extort us by force if we refuse to obey them?¡±


    ¡°They protect us from the evils of the world, like the Reachmen.¡±


    He shook his head. ¡°We haven¡¯t seen them in generations. We do not need protection against them.¡±


    Asha struggled to organize her thoughts. ¡°Well¡­they speak to the gods. They act on the will of the dragons. They ensure we maintain our power against¡­against the elves.¡±


    She knew her argument was weak the moment she said it. Elves hadn¡¯t been seen in over one hundred years at least. Hakon knew it too and gave a cold smile. ¡°What have they done for you, Asha?¡±


    She remembered everything with Rukil growing up. He had always been cold. Cruel. Uncompromising and uncaring. But then she remembered Krosis and clapped back, ¡°My master, Krosis is a caring ruler. He wants what is best for the hunters and had taken time to teach me personally when he didn¡¯t have to.¡±


    She neglected to mention the instant with Krosis the day before. Hakon looked unconvinced but shrugged. ¡°This is also the master that discourages telling tales of our ancestors, the lifeblood of our people.¡±


    Asha didn¡¯t respond and they sat in silence. Hakon was the one to finally break it. ¡°Look, I don¡¯t know where you are from. Maybe they are kinder where you are. We aren¡¯t ruled by dragon priests but by Jarls in the plains. They have done nothing but take from us for years now.¡±


    Asha didn¡¯t know how to respond but considered his statement. He lifted himself out of the path, his hair dripping with water as he sat on the sulit, rocky ground. She joined him and finally had the courage to speak. ¡°I¡¯ve never been anywhere outside my home until a few months ago. So¡­I am unused to the world and what¡­what happens.¡±


    He shifted, his chest rising and falling in a deep sigh. ¡°I haven¡¯t either. This is the farthest from home I¡¯ve ever been. As I¡¯ve said, my people need food.¡±


    ¡°I am here because we were ordered by Alduin himself to collect more food for the capital, Asha said. ¡°Thus, I hunt further afield. I only discovered this cave by accident.¡±


    He nodded and a small smile returned to his face. ¡°Well¡­I¡¯m glad you did.¡±


    She nodded, smiling in return. The silence stretched again as she pondered this meeting. What she had learned was¡­confusing. She was glad to have met him but his world view on dragon priests was so wrong¡­or at least different from what she knew. But the more she discovered in the world, the more she realized that many of her views were potentially incorrect. All except the lessons from her stories. A strange feeling crept over her, one that she would have dismissed in the past with embarrassment but now, she seized with pleasure. She wanted to know more and she wanted to know him more.


    She leaned back, ¡°You know, I could show you a thing or two about hunting and fishing. I could help you¡­maybe catch something to bring back to your people? What do you think?¡±


    He paused and cocked his head, his body still wet, glistening, and distracting. He smiled and bowed. ¡°I accept, hunter Asha. It seems fate has smiled on me today in more ways than one.¡±


    His smile was more charming than she would have liked to admit.

 Chapter 13: A World Made Known. Book 1: The Dragon Cult

    Chapter 13: The World Made Known


    Asha went hunting with Hakon until the sun had reached the golden hours of the evening. They caught a deer for him to carry home and two rabbits for dinner that night. As they sat around the campfire, cooking the meat and preparing the deer to be carried back to his home, Asha found the questions from before mounting. She had caught a glimpse of the world outside and she had to know more.


    ¡°Hakon,¡± she began, hesitantly. He looked at her with a raised eyebrow, an invitation to continue. ¡°What is your home like?¡±


    He stared into the fire. ¡°In what way?¡±


    Good question. ¡°How do you live? Do you live in a community or¡­in a bastion?¡±


    ¡°I live in a farmhouse with my father,¡± he said. ¡°It¡¯s made of thatch and stone. It''s not pretty but it keeps us warm on the cold winter nights.¡±


    ¡°So, you are a farmer?¡±


    ¡°I am. My father and I own a small patch a mile out from Jorvaskr.¡±


    ¡°I remember saying you lived there. Do you see the warriors often?¡±


    ¡°Not at all. A farmer''s life is too busy to visit the warriors. We have fields to care for, crops to harvest, and boundaries to keep. The wild goats used to be a problem until they vanished. I would have tried hunting them otherwise. Some say the dragons are scaring them away. They have been flying across our fields at more regular intervals of late.¡±


    ¡°About the dragons,¡± started Asha. ¡°You seem to have a very low opinion of them.¡±


    ¡°And you don¡¯t,¡± said Hakon. ¡°I¡¯ve never met any Atmoran who wasn¡¯t wary around them.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never met one that didn¡¯t revere them.¡±


    He laughed. ¡°What is there to revere? They are impressive I suppose but they have lives far above our own. They don¡¯t care about us mortals except to demand worship. The dragon priests take advantage of them as gods to demand more taxes and crops from us.¡±


    ¡°But they do speak for them,¡± said Asha. ¡°It is their job.¡±


    ¡°Have you ever actually seen them speak on the dragon¡¯s behalf?¡± asked Hakon, his lip curling in disdain.


    ¡°I have,¡± said Asha, vehemently. ¡°I saw Lord Krosis speak with one and receive orders to hunt further afield to help in the relief efforts.¡±


    This took Hakon aback for a moment before he shook his head. ¡°I haven¡¯t heard anything like this before. But, as I said, we are ruled by Jarls and the dragon priests command from afar in Bromjunaar. We have not heard the command of a dragon in generations.¡±


    A silence fell between them and Asha struggled to control her discomfort. ¡°Tell me about your father. Your home. What has your life been like?¡±


    He chuckled at this change of subject but didn¡¯t argue with it. ¡°It¡¯s not very interesting, but I¡¯ll tell you if you share what your life has been like thus far.¡±


    Asha nodded. ¡°Deal.¡±


    Deep into the night they talked about their homes. Asha told of the bastion and the forests of southern Skyrim while Hakon told her tales of the plains, the open skies, the giants of the plains and their mammoths, his father and their fields, their festivals and even the hall of warriors at Jorvaskr. Asha then shared her stories she learned from Oran and he listened with rapt attention until both were almost passing out from exhaustion. When they slept, Asha dreamed about the open sky of the plains and longed to see it. In the morning, she felt a sudden urgency to return to Summer Falls with her news of her hunt.


    Hakon slung the deer over his back and stared awkwardly at her. ¡°Well, I guess this is it.¡±


    Asha nodded, looking him over to take in his frame. She wasn¡¯t sure when she would see him again, and she wanted to fix an image in her mind. ¡°I suppose.¡±


    He nodded. ¡°Goodbye.¡±


    He then turned abruptly and began walking away, toward the cave. Asha was taken aback and stared after him before turning to leave. ¡°Hey,¡± he called and she turned back. He gestured up to the deer on his back. ¡°This is only going to last so long. Maybe I could return and you can teach me some fishing skills? Maybe how to set a snare¡­¡±


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    She smiled and nodded. ¡°I¡¯d be happy to. See you here in a week¡¯s time?¡±


    He nodded and returned her smile. ¡°I¡¯ll see you then.¡±


    She turned to leave first and didn¡¯t hear him turn to walk for a good beat as he stared after her.


    Asha returned to Summer Falls and hurried to report to Krosis. The dragon priest was at meditation on his rocky platform when she was brought to him. ¡°Lord Krosis,¡± said the senior hunter that led the way. ¡°The recruit from the Bastion has returned.¡±


    Asha had never been on his meditation platform, the water roared around her and the sound of wind felt ever present. It was as if Kyne¡¯s presence was always around them. Krosis rose from his cross-legged position and turned to face her. ¡°Leave us.¡±


    The senior hunter bowed and left Asha alone on the rock shelf with Krosis. He circled her as he picked up his staff that had been leaning against the wall. ¡°I¡¯ll have your report, initiate.¡±


    Asha cleared her throat. ¡°I explored down the Brittle Mountains southern side. There isn¡¯t much to be found until you reach an inlet about half a day¡¯s walk from here. There is a small pocket of forest with wild game: wolves, deer, and rabbit. Some good fishing spots too.¡±


    Krosis had circled her fully and was in front of her again, his back to her as he looked out over the valley. ¡°And what kept you so long? There were many that believed you couldn¡¯t handle this simple assignment and were either dead or run off.¡±


    Asha blushed. ¡°Not at all. I discovered a cave, a path that leads to the north side of the mountains. There were ancient Atmoran ruins in the mountain. As I explored them, I was attacked by giant spiders.¡±


    ¡°I trust you handled them efficiently.¡±


    ¡°Yes, lord. But I took so long exploring that night was descending and I thought it best to stay the night in the vale.¡±


    Krosis still didn¡¯t look at her but his barely imperceptible nod caused her a sigh of relief. He turned back. ¡°Well done, initiate. I will assign a hunter to the vale.¡±


    Asha felt her throat catch at that statement. Krosis turned away and waved his hand. ¡°You are dismissed, initiate. Good work.¡±


    Asha still hesitated, trying to force out the words but nerves kept her mouth shut. He turned back to her slowly, the narrow eyes in his mask staring at her accusingly. ¡°Unless you have something else to admit to me, Asha.¡±


    ¡°I¡­I would like to be the hunter assigned to that vale,¡± said Asha.


    Her brazen request was not missed and Krosis¡¯s head cocked as he took her in. He prowled forward like a sabretooth ready to pounce. ¡°And, why would I do that, Asha? There are more competent hunters. And why would you request it?¡±


    ¡°I am capable,¡± said Asha, ¡°I will show you that I am just as able as any hunter.¡±


    ¡°But why this vale?¡±


    ¡°Because¡­I know it well already. It seems only practical.¡±


    Her hesitation was her undoing. She knew that her lie wouldn¡¯t stand up to his scrutiny. Krosis¡¯s staff glowed and the eyes burned with fire as he towered over her. ¡°Lie again, Asha, and you will not like the results.¡±


    ¡°I met someone,¡± she blurted out, her words tumbling like the torrents of water around them. ¡°He was a young farmer from the plains that I met in the tunnel. He shared so much about his home that I wanted to learn more and he wants to hear more of my stories. I also promised him I would teach him to hunt and fish since he and his people are starving under the heavy taxation of the Bromjunaar.¡±


    She gasped at her final statement, feeling she had gone too far. Krosis remained silent but the fire from his dragon staff died away and he stepped back. When she stopped, he turned away. ¡°What did he tell you exactly? I want every word.¡±


    Asha felt like she was betraying Hakon but she spilled everything he had told her about their troubles. She even revealed his belief that the dragon priests were abusing their power and using the dragon''s command as an excuse to tyrannize them. Her heart pounded as she spoke. Surely Krosis would send a note to Bromjunaar. He would have Hakon killed. Yet he still hadn¡¯t asked the young man¡¯s name. His interest appeared to be elsewhere. ¡°I had not heard it all¡­¡± Krosis muttered.


    ¡°My lord?¡± asked Asha.


    He shook his head. ¡°Nothing. Very well, Asha. I grant your request.¡±


    Asha was taken aback. ¡°M¡­my request?¡±


    He turned with a swish of robes. ¡°You asked to be assigned the vale. I give it to you. But I have a task for you besides hunting.¡±


    ¡°Anything,¡± said Asha, her heart soaring. ¡°Anything lord. What would you command?¡±


    ¡°You will continue speaking with this young man. Learn what you can about his home and their troubles from him. I will send my own scouts but they can only learn so much when the locals will not speak with them.¡±


    Asha felt her heart soar with happiness and quiver with a sense of dread in equal measure. ¡°Lord¡­might I ask why you want me to ask these questions?¡±


    ¡°There is some work in the lands of Skyrim that I know nothing about,¡± said Krosis. ¡°It does no good to remain in the dark.¡±


    Asha wasn¡¯t sure what to make of his statement so she opted to bow. ¡°Yes, my lord.¡±


    Asha looked up and noticed he was no longer paying attention to her but the valley and river below. As she backed away, Krosis rounded on her again. ¡°Asha.¡±


    ¡°Yes, lord?¡±


    ¡°If this young man should ever ask you to return with him to his village, you will accept. A friend on the inside is useful to me. If, on a hunt, you do not return, I will assume this has been your task. If that should happen, you will learn everything you can from them: their struggles, thoughts on the dragon priests, who speaks out most against us, and if this anger goes to the dragon¡¯s themselves. And if someone does oppress them, I will learn who. Do you understand?¡±


    Asha felt the mixed feeling return but she only dutifully bowed. ¡°Yes, Lord Krosis.¡±


    Her task was set. Asha was now the hunter of the Brittle Vale and new spy for her lord, Krosis.

 Chapter 14: Dark Tales on Dark Wings. Book 1: The Dragon Cult

    Chapter 14: Dark Tales on Dark Wings


    Asha went about her tasks with feelings of confusion. True to his word, Hakon met with Asha a week later and they spent the day fishing by Lake Ilinalta, catching as many fish as they could and gutting them for his return journey. She didn¡¯t have to press him hard for stories from the outside world for he was a willing speaker when she sat beside him.


    ¡°The plains have suffered far less than other reaches,¡± said Hakon, continuing on the troubles from beyond the Brittle Mountains. ¡°I hear the north shores are in a bad place, pushed by the dragon priests for more supplies than usual. And we haven¡¯t even heard from the Eastern lands from beyond the Throat of the World. Some say they are even more oppressed.¡±


    ¡°Do you have any proof?¡± said Asha, frustration clear in her voice. ¡°You cannot claim to say we are oppressed when you have never even seen our people to the east.¡±


    ¡°Travelers bring word,¡± said Hakon. ¡°The plains are the central location for all trade. Everyone who travels from east to west, north to south either passes through our lands or skirts the edge. We traffic heavily in tales, remembering those from the old and learning the new. We have heard almost nothing from the east in years and the tales from the north speak only of hunger and poverty.¡±


    ¡°Even if that is true,¡± said Asha, ¡°It cannot be said it''s the dragon priest''s fault. The world could be turning¡­the gods angry with us, perhaps? Has anyone spoken to Alduin World Eater about this? He can speak for the gods.¡±


    Hakon gave her a skeptical glance. ¡°Alduin World Eater? The most harsh of the gods that is destined to end the world? I don¡¯t think I would trust him to speak the word of our slain father Shor or his loving wife Kyne.¡±


    He yelled out in surprise, startling Asha as he yanked at his fishing line, pulling out a large fish. They laughed and pulled in the fish, moving from the shore to begin gutting the fish. The silence stretched between them when Asha thought of another group they hadn¡¯t mentioned. ¡°What of our people to the west, on the borders with the Reachmen? I hear Lord Otar has made great progress in settling in the Reach and establishing peaceful relations with some of the tribes. Even I heard those stories in my isolation. Of course, many of us thought he was crazy to attempt making peace with the Reachmen.¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± said Hakon, ¡°Even those considered good are strange. And besides, for every good story of Otar I have heard, I have heard worse from Volsun, Lord of Volskygge, who works his people night and day to build him a new city. Or Lord Hevnoraak who experiments on the Reachmen they do catch. You see? For any good priest you can tell me about, I can tell you of two that are worse.¡±


    Asha huffed, ¡°The Dragon priests are the reason we exist. They built wonders. The city of Bromjunaar, the tombs of our ancestors, the monument to Ysgramor¡­not to mention the destruction of our hated enemy in the Snow Elves.¡±


    ¡°Yes, they did help with that, didn¡¯t they,¡± said Hakon. ¡°And yet it''s over a hundred years since any Snow elves were even rumored to be seen, let alone fought by our people. They fled into the earth to be protected by the Dwemer or fled to other lands. I thank the dragon priests for their aid but that service has long passed.¡±


    The silence stretched between them again as Asha processed this. She didn¡¯t like it but he had a point. ¡°It¡¯s true. The last war we fought with them was on the island of Solstheim. It was said, that during that final battle at Moesring, the Snow Prince was the only elf the warriors of Atmora ever admired. He was so powerful, riding on his white steed, that even our finest couldn¡¯t best him in combat.¡±


    Hakon looked at her, his interest immediately aroused. ¡°That can¡¯t be though, they lost the battle. Surely he died.¡±


    ¡°Oh, he did,¡± said Asha, ¡°But not in the way anyone expected. It was said, in that final conflict, that he took down many famous warriors, each seeking to fight him one-on-one, each failing to achieve an honorable victory. But, when he struck down the mighty warrior woman Jofrior, her daughter took up her mother''s sword. The twelve-year-old Finna was so enraged at her mother''s death, that she charged the Snow Prince to fight him herself. His amazement was great so he did not react to her attack. The young girl hurled her mother''s sword at the Snow Prince and struck him in the chest. He fell from his horse dead and his army routed in fear. Thus, the final battle against the Snow Elves was won by a young woman.¡±


    Hakon laughed. ¡°That can¡¯t be true! What was a twelve-year-old girl doing in the middle of the battle?¡±


    Asha laughed as well. ¡°They don¡¯t say in the old tales. Some suggest she was her mother¡¯s shield bearer. Some say she was a warrior in training. Whatever the case, young Finna won the battle.¡±


    Hakon was staring at her, his smile infectious. She smiled back. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. I just¡­like hearing your stories. You tell them well.¡±


    She blushed and stood up. ¡°I always wanted to tell stories. They kept my spirits up and reminded me of a past that¡­seemed so far away.¡±


    Hakon stood and followed her to the water''s edge. ¡°We could use a Finna these days.¡±


    She laughed. ¡°What enemies are there to¡­oh, right. Never mind.¡±


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    ¡°No, tell me.¡±


    ¡°I forgot that you think the dragon priests are our enemy.¡±


    He sighed and sat down, throwing his line into the water again. ¡°Well, not yet. But someday they might be. Strangers things have happened, even in your stories.¡±


    ¡°True enough,¡± she said, sitting beside him again.


    Their fishing turned to conversation and that meeting turned into many more. The months turned cold and when the snows of winter covered the ground, he still found a time to come visit her. They would spend time in the cave, sitting in the hot spring. She would tell him more stories and he would talk about the stories from the world that he heard from travelers. More and more rumors came from the north and west. The east fell silent, a silence that was almost as ominous as any news.


    These months were some of Asha¡¯s most treasured. Half of her waking hours were spent training and the other half was spent hunting and talking with Hakon. Krosis asked her for the updates on occasion to which she would reveal all she had heard from Hakon. Her stomach twisted in knots when she did this but she convinced herself that it wasn¡¯t to harm him. No harm would come from sharing stories that anyone could have told Krosis if he just lived on the plains himself.


    She was also willing to admit that Hakon, with his blond hair and beard, shining brown eyes, and his friendly nature were enticing. She still felt guilt over her emotions toward him. Wulfin still entered her thoughts but with less frequency. Hakon was replacing him. Which was absurd. They were only friends and he had never admitted any kind of affection toward her in that regard¡­openly. His expression sometimes told a different story. He stared so deep that his eyes felt like pools of light pulling her in. His smile was also infectious. For a man that was often so serious and somber, he still had a lively spirit and could joke and laugh like a man with no worries.


    The winter months thawed to spring and, as the edges of the lake melted to reveal the fresh water, they once more took up their fishing. ¡°Father thanks you for the deer,¡± said Hakon as they sat together fishing once more. ¡°He always appreciates a good venison but will take fish when he can get it.¡±


    ¡°Tell him he is most welcome,¡± said Asha.


    ¡°I hope you can tell him that yourself someday,¡± said Hakon.


    She held her breath. It was the not the first time he had referenced inviting her to join him but he never outright asked. Maybe this time would be different. He was looking at her again with his intense stare. ¡°Asha¡­¡±


    A noise caught Asha¡¯s ear. The months of training and hunting had sharpened may of her senses and she held up a hand. ¡°Shh. I think I heard a-¡±


    A roar split the air, far closer than she would have liked. Hakon leapt to his feet, fear across his face. ¡°Dragon. Where?¡±


    Asha looked to the sky, the beating of wings now more prominent. ¡°Close.¡±


    Hakon snatched her hand in his own and pulled her toward the tree line. ¡°What are you doing?¡± asked Asha.


    Hakon ignored her and pulled her into the shade of a large pine. A shadow passed overhead and the roar echoed across the waters of the lake. The dragon soared overhead, flying low and headed east. As it passed, Asha pulled her hand from Hakon¡¯s and rushed out to stare at its path. ¡°It¡¯s headed for Summer Falls. I should head back. Something may have happened.¡±


    She rushed to pick up her bow and stash the rod in their spot under a boulder. ¡°Asha,¡± said Hakon, following her. ¡°Asha, wait.¡±


    She turned back to him, slinging her bow over her shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I can¡¯t stay.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± he said, pulling her hand into his again. ¡°I just¡­can you return here once you know what is happening? I want to know what''s happening too.¡±


    She paused and stared at him. He had other reasons as well but she didn¡¯t feel the need to ask him. ¡°Of course. I¡¯ll be back before nightfall if I can, I promise.¡±


    Asha nearly ran the rest of the way home, scrambling along her familiar path over and between boulders. As she reached the path up the mountain to the fortress, the dragon took off from the courtyard with a roar. It soared low again and nearly clipped Asha. She had to duck and cling to the rock to avoid being buffeted over by the wings of the dragon. It was the same one that had spoken to Krosis some months before.


    She hurried up the mountain and into the fortress. All the hunters were rushing about, packing items and hugging family members. Asha¡¯s heart sank and she hurried to Krosis at the head of the hall. ¡°My lord, what has happened?¡±


    Krosis shook his head, sitting down in a chair on the stage. ¡°There is word from the north. Rebellion in Volsun¡¯s land. He requests my hunters to track down a band of runaways. I¡­cannot refuse the order of a dragon, as much as I would never help that idiot, Volsun.¡±


    He sighed again and leaned on his staff. Asha remained silent, wondering what was coming next. Krosis continued. ¡°I¡¯m sending a detachment of hunters to help with this and return home immediately. No other orders are to be followed.¡±


    ¡°Am I to go?¡± asked Asha.


    He chuckled, a strange and rare sound from behind his mask. ¡°No, Asha. That is beyond your skills. I have another task for you. I cannot wait any longer. I must know what is happening in other lands. Do you still talk with the farmer from the plains?¡±


    Asha¡¯s heart skipped a beat. ¡°I do.¡±


    ¡°Good. You are to ask him to take you to his homeland. Take the time you need there to gather information about the people and what their circumstances are. Then you are to return and report to me before the coming of the warm winds. Do you understand?¡±


    Asha nodded. ¡°I do, Lord Krosis.¡±


    ***


    When Asha returned to Hakon that evening, he was sitting by a fire cooking a fish. He stood, hand on his ax when she entered the camp. He smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°You¡¯re back. I¡¯m glad. What news?¡±


    She sat on the opposite side of the fire and warmed her hands. ¡°Word up north. Hunters have been summoned to hunt down runaways and rebels. Lord Krosis is not pleased with this order but must follow it.¡±


    Hakon scowled as well. ¡°Of course. But he still follows them. And now oppressed people will die to your hunters for wanting to escape their dragon priest.¡±


    Asha shook her head, staring into the flames. ¡°I don¡¯t know what will happen. But I¡¯m tired of not knowing what the outside world is like.¡±


    She looked up at him and his frown had vanished. Hakon had a look of expectation, his eyebrow cocked in an unspoken question. Asha spoke the words she was dreading and yet longing to say. ¡°Hakon¡­will you take me back with you to see your home?¡±


    His smile was made brighter in the firelight. ¡°I was about to ask.¡±

 Chapter 15: The Plains and the Sky. Book 1: the Dragon Cult.

    Chapter 15: The Plains and Sky


    They spent the night in the forest, deciding it was unsafe to travel in the dark from the cave to the plains. Not much was said between them that night, which was fine with Asha. Her excitement was palpable for the morrow when she would finally see the open plains of Skyrim. Hakon was also excited, eagerly talking about his home. ¡°Everyone will be excited to meet you,¡± he said. ¡°My father, the neighbors, even our chief Hamvir.¡±


    Asha¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°What? How does everyone know about me?¡±


    ¡°I told them.¡±


    ¡°But¡­why?¡±


    Hakon laughed. ¡°I had to tell them where I got the food from.¡±


    Asha shook her head. ¡°You could have just told them you caught it.¡±


    Hakon shook his head. ¡°That wouldn¡¯t be the truth. Besides, meeting a legendary Hunter of Summer Falls who knows ancient tales is a far better story to tell.¡±


    Asha was silent and stared into the flames. It was strange, to be known and liked by people she had never met before. She wasn¡¯t even sure how she felt about that. Hakon must have noticed her confused or concerned expression. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± he reassured her, ¡°They will like you, I promise. Your food has saved a number of them this winter, I promise you that.¡±


    She nodded and smiled but didn¡¯t respond.


    The next day, they continued their journey into the mountain and past the hot spring. Hakon led her to the opposite side of the cavern into a tunnel she had seen him emerge from countless times. She eagerly followed him in and, as the path grew dark, he stopped and lit a torch. ¡°It''s dark from here but it isn¡¯t as far as you might think,¡± he said, holding the torch high. ¡°The tunnel goes to another valley. Whoever built this temple built it at the thinnest point in the mountain range.¡±


    Asha nodded but didn¡¯t say anything. She felt sweaty and nervous. She was about to see a whole new world she had only heard about. He seemed to notice and he held out a hand. She took it and they proceeded into the dark. The path led them up flights of stairs and craggy, half-excavated tunnels. This side was much less cared for than the lakeside entrance.


    A faint hint of light appeared in front of them before long and Asha gasped, releasing his hand and pointing. ¡°Are we almost out?¡±


    ¡°Yes, not far,¡± he said.


    The entrance was smaller and more overgrown on this side but, when Asha scrambled out of the brush and into the sunlight, she felt the touch of Kyne¡¯s breath upon her cheeks and she smiled. She was blinded, and couldn¡¯t see in the dazzling sunlight for the briefest moment. Then her eyes adjusted and the world opened around her.


    They were in a canyon, like the other side, but it could not hide how open the land was around them. Almost no trees could be seen, a few scraggly, small pines clinging to the mountainside. The sky opened up around them, large white clouds dotting the azure blue. A single, lonely mountain was in the distance, sitting alone in the middle of the plains. Asha clambered up a rocky outcrop to get a better view of the land around her. It was unremarkable in that it was only rolling hills of grass with boulders jutting from the earth in random places. But to Asha, it was unlike anything she had ever seen. She could see so much around her, nothing to obstruct her view. The wind picked up again, rustling the grass and causing it to shift like a wave. It was like she could see Kyne moving across the plains.


    Hakon stood beside her. ¡°Welcome to my home, Asha.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful,¡± she said, her voice cracking.


    She looked at the lonely mountain sitting in the distance and noticed movement around the base. She gasped and pointed. ¡°What are those moving by the mountain? It¡¯s some sort of massive creature.¡±


    ¡°Those are mammoths,¡± said Hakon, ¡°Giant, hairy beasts that are the cattle for giants. A word of caution, they are dangerous creatures if startled or if they feel threatened. Be careful around them. Come on, we have a ways to go before we reach home.¡±


    She followed him down the rocky outcrop and onto the plains, beginning the trek through the tall grass toward the lone mountain. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, did you say they were cattle for¡­giants?¡±


    ¡°Giants? Yes. You¡¯ve never seen a giant?¡±


    ¡°No!¡± said Asha. ¡°They don¡¯t exist in the dense forests of my home, probably for a good reason.¡±


    ¡°Fair point,¡± said Hakon. ¡°What do you know about giants?¡±


    ¡°Only what the legends say,¡± said Asha. ¡°That they are our brethren who never left this land when we fled to Atmora. I also remember the tale of Sinmur and his battle with Ysgramor.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± asked Hakon. ¡°Our father Ysgramor fought a giant?¡±


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    ¡°He fought a clan of giants, actually,¡± said Asha.


    She launched into the tale, recounting the battle of Ysgramor and his five hundred companions against the giant Sinmur and his clan. The tale continued as they made their way across the plains, often causing her to pause for breath and stop before continuing. When they left the canyon, the plains opened up even more and they turned to the east, heading away from the herd of mammoths near the mountain.


    Asha was wrapping up her story as the grass and sky surrounded them. ¡°Ysgramor¡¯s famous ax, Wuuthrad, was established into legend with the slaying of Sinmur. His son, Yngol, had forged it, and his father¡¯s tears mixed into the iron, making it harder than any other metal. From its start, it was destined to slay the enemies of the Atmorans whether snow elves or giants.¡±


    Hakon turned at her, his face trying and failing to hide a smile. ¡°His tears made the metal¡­harder?¡±


    Asha laughed and shoved him playfully. ¡°It¡¯s just how the story goes! Maybe it''s a metaphor for how his anger gave it strength.¡±


    ¡°Of course it did,¡± he said, shoving her back. ¡°I¡¯ve seen it happen in the Skyforge all the time. Men crying into the forge fires.¡±


    ¡°Any man would be lucky to forge at the Skyforge. They would cry with joy,¡± she said.


    Asha shoved him once again and took off across the plains. He followed her, laughing and chasing after her. She felt completely free in that moment. The wind blew again, whipping her hair as she ran through the tall grass, the blue sky and clouds above visible from almost all sides.


    As she crested a rise, she skid to a halt, almost tumbling down the steep hill on the opposite side. Hakon nearly ran into her but stopped himself enough to bump into her and hold on to her shoulders to prevent them both from falling over. Below them, an open patch of dirt sat at the base of a small rocky cliff. On top of the cliff, a lone tree grew on its edge and cast its branches over the campsite blow. And there was a campsite.


    ¡°Back up,¡± said Hakon, pulling her back to just below the hill where they crouched and studied the campsite. It was a campsite for giants, three of whom were standing around a cauldron of boiling soup. The shade of the tree shrouded their appearance but even from this distance, she could make out their savage appearance. Their faces were a strange mixture of human and something else, maybe elven¡­not that she had even seen one. The parts of their body that weren¡¯t covered with animal hides were covered in tattoos. Swirls and patterns of blue paint covered their arms and legs especially and their long, dirt brown hair was pulled into extensive braids. All three were men, with long beards.


    ¡°Giants,¡± breathed Asha.


    ¡°Giants,¡± agreed Hakon from beside her.


    She looked over the walls of the cliff and noticed there were paintings all over it. Some were of mammoths, some giants. Most were swirls. ¡°What are those swirling symbols on everything?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I was hoping you could tell me, seeing as you know all the old tales,¡± he said. ¡°No one knows why they do that. They are secretive people and tend to keep to themselves.¡±


    Asha also noticed a collection of leather and wood containers at the base of the cliff filled with a yellow, gooey substance. ¡°What is that?¡±


    ¡°Mammoth cheese,¡± said Hakon. When she gave him a skeptical look he added, ¡°I guess when you herd and care for mammoths, they allow you to milk them.¡±


    ¡°They herd mammoths?¡±


    The trumpet of a large animal sounded and, as if on cue, a fourth giant led a group of twelve mammoths around the bend. Asha¡¯s mouth fell open at the sight, drinking in the sight of the magnificent and terrifying creatures up close. They were easily ten to twelve feet tall, hairy, with large tusks that had carved symbols in them. She was so enamored by the lumbering behemoths that her normally keen senses missed any other movement until Hakon hissed, ¡°Idiots!¡±


    She glanced his way, confused, and saw him looking toward the containers of cheese. Two figures in fur clothes, dirty and disheveled, were sneaking around the back of the containers. They crouched behind them and pulled out knives. The giants hadn¡¯t noticed them yet, also distracted by the incoming mammoths. ¡°Who are they?¡± asked Asha.


    ¡°Bandits,¡± said Hakon, spitting the word. ¡°Desperate men who have abandoned society to plunder and steal from people as desperate as him.¡±


    ¡°They must be very desperate to go after giant cheese,¡± said Asha.


    The men had cut through the leather container and were collecting cheese in leather satchels as best they could. It slopped onto the ground and Asha felt sure they would be spotted by a giant. But they continued to tend to their mammoths, brushing hands through their shaggy coats affectionately.  The mammoths, however, seemed to sense their presence and one approached the containers, trumpeting loudly.


    Asha covered her ears at the blast of sound. One of the bandits was also startled enough to stumble and fall over. The bag filled with mammoth cheese slipped from his grasp and it fell to the ground with a loud splat. This drew the attention of the giants. ¡°Don¡¯t move,¡± hissed Asha to herself, Hakon, and the faraway bandits. Not that they could hear her¡­or listen to her instructions. They bolted upright and dashed the cliffside, to the rocky path up its side.


    One of the giants growled when it saw them and made an ungainly run toward them. Arrows suddenly sprouted from his shoulders and chest and he bellowed in fury. Asha looked up to see several more bandits had appeared on the top of the cliff with bows and were firing at the giants and covering their companions'' retreat. ¡°We should go,¡± said Hakon, struggling to crawl backward.


    Asha couldn¡¯t move. Her gaze remained fixed on the scene before her. This was against all of her training. She should move, silently slip away, but she had to watch. A second giant grabbed a club from the fireside and ran toward the two men climbing the cliffside path. One bandit had only a moment to scream before the massive bone club crushed him into the rock face with a resounding crunch of rock and bone. His companion cried out for help and scrambled away from the decimated corpse of his friend. The giant received multiple arrows in his chest, arms, and face as he roared again, swinging blindly as an arrow hit his eye. By luck more than intent, he hit the second climber and sent him flying, out into the heavens and he landed with a hard thump on the ground in front of Asha and Hakon.


    Asha stared at the broken, unmoving body. Sudden memories of her home invaded by Reachmen, flashed in her eyes. The bodies of her clan, her people, their enemies. Hakon pulled her back and said, ¡°We need to move, now!¡±


    A trumpet from the mammoths sounded again. They were flying into a panic, sensing the rage in their masters. When a stray arrow missed a giant, fired by a panicked bowman as the giant began to scale the cliff, it struck the lead mammoth in the leg. Its roar was nothing like Asha had ever heard. It charged forward, ignoring the single giant trying to hold them in check. The herd quickly followed suit.


    ¡°Run!¡± yelled Hakon.


    Asha needed no encouragement as the herd of Mammoths charged directly at them.

 Chapter 16: The Hall of Heroes. Book 1: The Dragon Cult

    Chapter 16: The Hall of Heroes


    Asha and Hakon ran at an angle, desperately trying to get out of the way of the stampeding herd. But the lead mammoth had seen them and was determined to crush them. Asha clung tightly to her bow, sure that it would be a hopeless fight if she had to fire upon this beast.


    Hakon pushed her to one side. ¡°Split up!¡±


    He began waving his arms, screaming, and yelling to get the animal''s attention. The lead mammoth took notice and charged after him. Asha panicked, knowing he would die if she didn¡¯t act. She strung an arrow and fired at the mammoth''s flank. It roared in pain and turned on her, its eyes wild with rage.


    A whiny came from behind Asha and she turned to see a rider bearing down on her. She barely registered that the rider was a man in full iron armor when he extended a hand and yelled, ¡°Jump on!¡±


    She grabbed the hand and was yanked forcefully onto the moving horse. She swung her leg around the horse''s flank and clung to the man''s arms, feeling extremely unsteady as she held on to his broad, sweaty biceps. They turned away from the mammoth and nearly ran into a giant as it charged at them, swinging its club in a wide arc. They both ducked as it missed the horse and their heads by a hairsbreath. The armored warrior yelled a command and the horse sprinted away from mammoth and giant.


    Asha looked around and noticed several other riders, one of whom had Hakon on his mount. They were fleeing from the herd, the giant waving his club at them angrily. It still spoke no word. The horses'' speed soon distanced them from the giants, their mammoths, and the foolish bandits who had tried to steal some cheese.


    They rode on, across the plains and away from the solitary mountain. Asha could now see beyond it. The plains dipped into a valley where a river flowed through it. Farms and homesteads dotted across it, small clusters indicating where towns were. Another mountain range was in the distance, visible to the naked eye. She knew these small mountains hid the capital of all Atmorans in Skyrim. Somewhere beyond it was Bromjunaar and Wulfin. The warrior whose waist she clung to still hadn¡¯t spoken to her. He seemed the quiet, stoic type. Hakon was talking animatedly to the armored woman he rode with. Asha leaned into her rider. ¡°Where are we going?¡±


    ¡°Where do you think?¡± snorted the man, ¡°Back home.¡±


    ¡°But where is that? Who are you?¡±


    He let out a bark of laughter. ¡°Don¡¯t you even know, hunter? We are Companions. We are going to Jorrvaskr.¡±


    Asha felt the thrill of excitement fill her body. It was better than she could have hoped. She was going to see the place where legends were made, the Hall of Heroes.


    ***


    The hall of Jorrvaskr was everything she had heard it would be. A massive ship had been turned upside down and placed on the walls of a tall building. Its prows had extra attachments added to them, wooden dragon heads that lifted high on the ends. The shields of the five hundred companions circled the railing of the ship, stout but weatherbeaten. The hall''s windows glowed with a bright light from the massive fire within. The entire structure rested on a rocky outcrop with stone steps leading up. In the background, a massive stone raven loomed, wings outstretched and eyes glowing, and Asha knew she was looking at the legendary forge, the Skyforge.


    The companions stopped their horses at the base of the stone steps. Her rider dismounted his horse and helped her down. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said, breathless and still staring at the hall.


    ¡°First-time visitor, eh?¡± he asked.


    ¡°But I¡¯ve heard all about it,¡± said Asha.


    ¡°Then you should come to the feast tonight,¡± said the companion. ¡°We are celebrating the festival of the first seed.¡±


    He pulled his horse by the reigns toward a nearby stable, leaving Asha and Hakon alone before the steps to the hall. She glanced at Hakon. ¡°Are¡­are we allowed to go up?¡±


    Hakon laughed. ¡°They aren¡¯t overly fond of visitors. Unless they are hosting a festival, they don¡¯t usually allow people in. If you are looking to try your luck and become one of the companions, they welcome you.¡±


    ¡°Hakon, there you are! You had me worried.¡±


    An old man hobbled to the base of the steps, leaning heavily on a walking stick. Hakon smiled and pulled him into an embrace. ¡°Father, I am back as always. You worry too much.¡±


    ¡°I must since you will not,¡± said his father, glancing past him to Asha, curiously. ¡°Is this¡­?¡±


    Hakon turned to Asha, his smile broad, as he gestured grandly to her. ¡°Father, this is Asha, the woman I told you about.¡±


    Asha blushed and took his proffered arm. ¡°My dear, you have my undying gratitude for all you have done for my son. You have lifted us from our concern in the dead of winter and helped us to survive till the spring. We truly cannot repay you.¡±


    ¡°It was nothing, really,¡± she said. Though she was embarrassed at the attention, she could not help but feel a secret thrill inside. It was a strange feeling to have someone she had never met praise her for her actions. Perhaps this was what it felt like, in some small way, to be a dragon priest or one of the heroes of old.


    ¡°Is this the girl, then?¡± came a voice from behind her, startling her.


    Asha turned and saw a grim-faced man, his dirty blond hair and beard tied into braids. He wore hardened leather armor and carried a fine sword at his side. Hakon moved forward and bowed to the man. ¡°Jarl Hamvir, this is Asha, the-¡±


    ¡°Woman you told me about, yes,¡± said the jarl. Jarl Hamvir took Asha¡¯s arm in greeting as if she were an equal. ¡°You have my gratitude. Young Hakon¡¯s hunts have helped not only his household. When families needed extra food, he was always willing to share from his hunts. A haunch of deer, an extra fish or two. I hear you are the one we have to thank for it. He practically refused to accept any thanks but redirected it to you.¡±If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ¡°It is an honor to meet you,¡± said Asha. ¡°I was unaware I was making such an impact. Hakon didn¡¯t tell me.¡±


    ¡°He is a strange one,¡± said Hakon¡¯s father. ¡°Quiet and caring but will never accept anything offered to him.¡±


    ¡°We are still grateful,¡± said Jarl Hamvir. ¡°We would invite you to our festival of the first seed tonight. The crops have been planted and our people will join together to share our food. It is only fair that we give back to you in some small way for what you have given my people.¡±


    Asha looked uncertainly at Hakon and then back at the Jarl. ¡°I have nowhere to stay¡­¡±


    Don¡¯t be absurd, you will stay with me,¡± said Hakon¡¯s father. ¡°Our home is open to you for as long as you are visiting.¡±


    The jarl nodded. ¡°Then it is settled. I expect to see you at the banquet tonight, and you shall sit at the head table with me as a guest of honor.¡±


    She bowed her head in gratitude just as much to hide how overwhelmed she felt. Hakon¡¯s father hobbled over and took her arm. ¡°Come, Asha. I will take you to my home, and we may find an old outfit belonging to my wife. Kyne rest her soul. She passed away two winters ago from the cold. The winter was harder than most, especially after the dragon priests took the last of our winter supplies in tax.¡±


    ¡°A little too much information, father,¡± mumbled Hakon. ¡°Don¡¯t overwhelm her.¡±


    ¡°The truth should be heard,¡± said his father, shaking his cane and nearly toppling.


    ¡°Careful, Kolak,¡± said Jarl Hamvir, catching the old man. ¡°Let us not focus on that. Let us focus on better things this evening. There is always time for dark thoughts in the days to come.¡±


    ¡°Quite right,¡± said Kolak. ¡°Ignore my rambles, Asha.¡±


    She took his arm and helped him down the hill and away from a hall, toward the small village at its base. ¡°Come, sir. If you are my host while I am here, the least I can do is hear you out.¡±


    The simple home of Kolak and Hakon was much the same as the rest of the houses of the Kendov tribe. They were simple buildings with stone walls and thatched roofs. She had never seen a building made like this before. Having lived her whole life in Shriekwind Bastion, in the cold stone halls, she still found the concept of individual homes¡­foreign. The inside was just as simple, with a smooth, dirt floor and a few pieces of wood furniture around a stone fireplace. A large pot hung beside the fire, still full of the previous night''s meal. Kolak shuffled in through the door first and began to clean the table and kick clothes into a corner. ¡°I¡¯m sorry the house is unready for guests. We rarely receive visitors.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t trouble yourself,¡± said Asha, taking the seat at the table offered by Hakon.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get you some food if you are hungry,¡± Hakon said.


    ¡°I think I can wait till the feast tonight,¡± she said.


    ¡°Quite right, quite right,¡± said Kolak. ¡°Here, let me get my wife¡¯s old clothes from the chest. You may have your pick. She had one particularly pretty dress you may enjoy.¡±


    Asha found she was unused to the clothes as well. She had never worn clothes of woven linen before, having only leather or fur and wool for the cold winters. It was lighter than anything she had felt. She almost felt self-conscious, like she was missing a layer of her clothes and exposing herself. When she emerged outdoors from changing, both Hakon and Kolak smiled when they saw her. ¡°They fit you well,¡± said Kolak. ¡°Both you and my wife were of similar size.¡±


    ¡°And you are sure this is alright?¡± she asked, staring down at them.


    ¡°You look¡­beautiful,¡± said Hakon. His tone and his expression were familiar to Asha. So much like Wulfin. There was no doubting his affection for her now and it caused her to shiver. She wasn¡¯t sure how she felt about him. His attention. About anything she was doing.


    Kolak must have noticed something as well for he was smiling knowingly as he took her hand. ¡°You look lovely, my dear. I can promise you. This will be a night to remember.¡±


    ***


    That night, the streets were lined with torches as the entire village made their way up the hill to Jorrvaskr. From the roads across the fields, torches indicated the arrival of the neighboring villages as well. Asha followed Hakon and Kolak around the base of the structure to an open space on the other side. The wide, dirt area was meant for training with the warriors. However, the normal dummies and targets had all been shifted toward the great mound of rock that held the skyforge above it. Instead, tables and chairs were set near the hallway along with kegs of beer. Further off, an open area by a makeshift wooden stage was set and dancing had already begun around it.


    The warriors of the hall, both men and women, were dressed in simple clothing, forgoing their armor and arms, as they joined the tribes in celebration. The noise of hundreds of voices, instruments playing, and the stomping of feet filled Asha¡¯s ears and overwhelmed her senses. This caused her to inadvertently hug closer to Hakon who put an arm around her shoulders for a moment, squeezing them. ¡°It¡¯s alright, they will love you.¡±


    Asha was then pulled by the jarl to the head table and lost track of Hakon. She was offered the finest beer she had ever tasted, along with a selection of rabbit, deer, and goat, as well as many vegetables and bread. It was more food than she had seen in one place in her life.


    Many people came up to Asha during the festival as she sat at the head table with Jarl Hamvir and the companion leaders. They thanked her for her contributions to food, even blessing her name and all her lineage. The companions expressed some interest in her background as a hunter and she felt the need to consistently remind them that she was still a novice in their ways. They would scoff and urge her on, plying her with drinks and food if she would only continue talking.


    It was at this feast that Asha discovered the companions and the people of the Kendov tribe had very little interest in standing on ceremony or guarding their words with care. They spoke freely and acted as they felt impelled, whether that was dancing wildly, voicing annoyance at the dragon priests, or asking favors. Every emotion, especially those of joy, gratitude, and love were present and were so palpable she could feel it infuse her own heart. Their honest, carefree, and open nature so astounded her that Asha wasn¡¯t sure if they were a special type of human or if her whole life had been a lie and these people were the truest form of humanity.


    Partway through the meal, Jarl Hamvir leaned into her and spoke loudly over the noise, ¡°So, I hear you are a storyteller. Hakon has recounted how eloquent you are but was always too embarrassed to retell your stories. He said he would never do them justice.¡±


    ¡°He is¡­too kind,¡± she said.


    ¡°That may be,¡± said the jarl, ¡°But he is also an honest boy, ever since he was a young lad. I know many others would agree with me if you would consent to tell us one of your stories of our ancestors.¡±


    No sooner had he spoken these words than many companions around him raised their voices and began pounding the table, calling out, ¡°Give us a tale, Asha! Come now! Don¡¯t be shy. There is no shame and great honor in telling stories. Give us a tale!¡±


    The tumult became so great that Asha felt to refuse would be a great insult. With a nod of her head, the men and women around her cheered and hurried her to the platform in front of the dancing circle. The jarl stepped on stage first and raised his hands, calling to the crowd, ¡°A moment''s silence!¡±


    The instruments ceased, the crowd stopped dancing and the noise slowly faded from the circle as the jarl called out, ¡°Our special guest, young Asha who is one of the Hunters of Summer Falls, has graced us with her presence. I hear that, aside from being an excellent hunter who can keep many fed, she is also a storyteller of great renown. She has agreed to share a tale with us.¡±


    A great cheer went up from the crowd as the word spread and many more began gathering on the dance floor. Asha found herself pulled onto the stage as a rapidly growing crowd of expectant listeners gathered close and began to sit. She was now standing, alone, in front of a crowd of strangers, and expected to tell a story.


    Asha¡¯s mind made the worst possible choice and went blank.

 Chapter 17: Ancient Tales and Ancient Beings. Book 1: The Dragon Cult

    Chapter 17: Ancient Tales and Ancient Beings


    Asha stood, her mind completely lost in a fog of fear, as the crowd stared expectantly at her. How was she supposed to think of a story for them and tell it loud enough for all to hear? As she scanned the faces, her eyesight blurred, and her breath quickened, she spotted Hakon''s face in the crowd. He was smiling encouragingly. She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths in the encroaching silence. Surely, there must be some story that spoke to her.


    ¡°Kyne, give me a tale,¡± she whispered.


    The breath of her goddess brushed her cheek, whispering something she couldn¡¯t make out. Not that the wind could speak¡­except in tales. A tale from long ago, told by Orin before it was forbidden in their halls, rose to her mind. She was surprised she could even remember it, she had been so young when she first heard it. When she spoke, her voice faltered and nearly gave out and she had to clear it to give it strength.


    ¡°Shor, Hoar Father, King of all creation, was struck down by treachery. His love for men brought about their form while their breath was from the love of his wife, Kyne, mother of all. In his time, there was no need for the Dov or the World Eater, for Shor and his warriors roved across the face of Mundus and destroyed all that was evil in the sight of gods and men. In our new world, we rejoiced with peace and strength. But it was not to be. For what could be learned in the bosom of joy and men would not strive for greater things with so great a protector.¡±


    She had their attention now. The silence was total as she paused to catch her breath and continue.


    ¡°The Elven Giants, with bitterness in their heart, looked on Mundus and sought within themselves how they could destroy it. For mankind was a blight to their sight, and they regretted ever aiding in the creation of things. So, they set a trap for him, an enemy they promised to aid him against in the Red Mountain of fire. But when the time came to aid his warriors, they turned on him. The Elves slaughtered his followers and the Elven Giants cut him to pieces and scattered him to the underworld. And Kyne wept upon the earth for the loss of her husband. The earth flooded and mankind pleaded to the gods for aid. Now they lived under the oppression of the Elven Giants. They pleaded to Kyne who could not hear them. It is said the first floods and torrential storms broke the earth. Mankind was on the verge of extinction.¡±


    She paused, letting the words sink in, before continuing. ¡°When she learned of the treachery of the Elven Giants, her wrath turned to gale winds and storm clouds, lightning striking the earth. She sought the aid of Alduin, the first and greatest of the dov, to punish the elves and their gods. In return, he received the promise to devour the world when its time came. And so, flame bolstered by wind swept the earth, and our people were forced into exile as the earth was cleansed. They pleaded with Kyne to spare them, to have mercy, and to end the destruction of Dov and elves alike. Hoar Father Shor spoke on our behalf. For even in death, he would not end but serve another purpose.¡±


    She leaned in close, beckoning the crowd to listen more closely with her body movement.


    ¡°Shor was now lord of death and the underworld, master of all those who had passed on and herald of champions. He appeared and gave words of strength and courage to his wife and men. With his passing, mankind had entered into a world of conflict and struggle. They were made to struggle, fight, and endure to the end and by such heroic acts, become the best of what humanity could offer. And Kyne learned a lesson as well. To love the children Shor so loved and was forced to leave behind. And so, she had blessed us ever since with a determination to never allow the world to be destroyed again.¡±


    Asha recalled how Orin liked to end his tales and, after a final pause, asked the question she had grown so accustomed to. ¡°What can we see from this past? A god in death triumphant? The coming of the dragons? The beginning of our war with elves? It is on you to take what you will. I would only ask you to remember one lesson. It is incumbent upon us to remember Shor, even as Mother Kyne does, and his promises. Oh, noble Atmorans, remember these words of the hoar father: Fear not the specter of death, for he is the herald of glory and your guide to great Sovngarde.¡±


    She ended her tale and felt suddenly drained of vitality. She swayed on the stage and had to steady her balance. The pause that followed made her feel embarrassed. She was about to scurry off the stage when the crowd erupted into cheers. They stomped their feet and clapped their hands, calling her name. She stood there, flummoxed. Unsure what she was supposed to do. Jarl Hamvir stepped onto the stage and raised his hands for silence.


    ¡°Thank you all for your generous thanks to our new friend. Asha, thank you for that tale of our forefathers and for reminding us where we come from and why we fight. It can be easy to forget in difficult times what glory awaits all who continue that fight. And now, let the feasting and celebration continue!¡±


    A final cheer went up from the crowd and Asha was escorted through the crowd with many hands patting her back and taking her arm. Some even wept though with joy or sadness, it was hard to tell. She felt that surely she must wake up from all of this. This couldn¡¯t be her new reality. Never had she imagined any life like this.


    Hakon appeared in the crowd, smiling and shaking his head. ¡°I told you. You have a skill. I wasn¡¯t just complimenting you for no reason.¡±


    ¡°Why are they so emotional?¡± asked Asha, glancing at a woman walking past and wiping tears away.


    ¡°Story telling is a tradition with deep roots for us,¡± said Hakon. ¡°It is how we keep our ancestors alive and how we try to live fulfilling lives. I believe your lesson was on topic. And for some¡­it is the hope in their dark days.¡±


    Asha glanced at the crowd that began to thin out, making way for dancers as pipes began to play a slow song. The dancers began to pair up, swaying with a partner with their arms around each other and their bodies pressed tight. ¡°We should move out of the way.¡±


    ¡°Wait.¡± Hakon grabbed her hand and released it almost immediately. He grunted, clearing his throat, then asked quickly, ¡°Do you want to? Dance, I mean.¡±


    Asha felt her heart skip a beat before nodding. ¡°Yes. I would.¡±


    He pulled her in softly and she felt their height difference when they locked their arms around each other. He was considerably taller, her head only reaching his chest. She could hear his heartbeat, wild and nervous as if he was ready to bolt like a dear. She imagined her¡¯s must be just as fast if he could feel it. She could smell him, a pleasant, earthy aroma, as if the soil of the land had sunk into his skin. He was so warm, even a little sweaty. She didn¡¯t mind.


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.It was strange to hold him close, forget the world for a second, that she was here to spy on them and learn any news from them. What could she tell Krosis? They certainly had no love for dragon¡¯s and even less for the dragon priests. If she exposed their true feelings, their hatred for the dragon cult¡­what might he do with that information? What could happen to all these people? They only seemed to want to live their happiest lives and yet they were against all the order and safety that the dragon priests brought. Perhaps, they didn¡¯t realize the benefit the cult brought¡­perhaps the cult wasn¡¯t what she thought.


    That thought so panicked her she felt her breathing increase and she felt a shiver run through her. Hakon felt it too and pulled her even closer. She could feel his hands gently press against her shoulders and back, a pressure of reassurance and comfort. She wanted to meld into that warmth he offered. Hold tight to his strong frame for support. But it was wrong. Was it wrong? She didn¡¯t know what she should be feeling now.


    Then she saw Hakon¡¯s father, old Kolak, smiling at them both and nodding, his eyes drooping in satisfied slumber. His son mean¡¯t the world to him, that much was obvious. And he believed she made him happy. But it was a lie. Or maybe it wasn¡¯t. One thing was certain¡­she hadn¡¯t been honest with him.


    The music stopped and she felt Hakon begin to release her slowly. Embarrassed, she quickly pulled away and smiled awkwardly. His uncertain look made her feel terrible for it and she laughed to push aside the moment. Her gaze flicked to the cliffside not far from the stage. The giant stone raven above the Skyforge loomed over the gatherings and she gasped. ¡°Oh. Sorry. I forgot¡­I just noticed the Skyforge.¡±


    He glanced up at it and then back to her. ¡°Would you like to see it up close?¡±


    ¡°Is it alright to be up there?¡±


    ¡°It will be if we aren¡¯t caught,¡± he said, chuckling.


    ***


    The Skyforge was truly magnificent. The giant, stone raven was perched above a large forge, its fire still burning in the base of the birds feat and heating the open stone area. Several anvils were beside it and a host of weapon racks surrounded the edges of the stone platform. Asha looked up at the raven, seeing the detailed carving in its feathers as well as the fire burning in its eyes and mouth. It was almost as if the fire came from the bird within even as it seemed to rise from the flames of the forge.


    ¡°I have never heard of any myth about this,¡± said Asha.


    ¡°No one knows where it came from,¡± said Hakon. ¡°Ysgramor¡¯s companions found it while searching for the enemy. It had been abandoned a long time ago, even by the snow elves.¡±


    ¡°Not quite,¡± said Asha. ¡°The elves knew about it and it was said they feared the great bird, believing the place to be cursed. Jeek of the River settled his people here as protection against them since the wars of Ysgramor and the snow elves still raged.¡±


    Hakon chuckled. ¡°Even without living here, you know more than I do about this place. You are¡­remarkable.¡±


    She heard the tone and knew there was more to it. She turned away, unable to look at him and stared at the giant bird. ¡°Can you imagine how many weapons have been forged here? How many wars they have fought in? I¡¯ll be there are many famous weapons with names now that came from this forge and will continue to do so-¡±


    ¡°Asha.¡±


    His tone was now serious and she couldn¡¯t pretend not to hear it. She grimaced and turned back to Hakon. He was standing with his arms out, a confused look on his face. He sighed and shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know if you are playing with me or if you really aren¡¯t interested in me. And I¡¯m sorry¡­I am not an expert speaking words of love. And maybe it is different where you are from. But among my people, life is to short to hold back our hearts. We speak our minds and let our intentions known.¡±


    Asha felt unsure, completely caught off guard. Romance was different among her people. It was true, many in her tribe would establish feelings for one another and would secretly be together. But your intended was chosen for you by a dragon priest¡­not by yourself. ¡°I¡¯m¡­sorry,¡± she said. ¡°We don¡¯t¡­we don¡¯t speak so freely where I am from.¡±


    ¡°Well then, let me be clear,¡± he said. ¡°I have felt¡­for some time, a strong connection to you. I believe it is love. And if you love me too, I would ask for you and I to be bonded together.¡±


    Wulfin. His name echoed in her head. Her intended, chosen since they were children. She loved him and he loved her¡­or she thought she did. She hadn¡¯t seen him in months. She might never see him again. But there was more than that at stake. She shook her head. ¡°It would never work,¡± she said. ¡°I am a hunter of Summer Falls, bound to the service of Lord Krosis-¡±


    ¡°Then I would ask him,¡± he interrupted.


    ¡°I am not free to do so,¡± she said, feeling her voice catch. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­I can¡¯t.¡±


    She could see the pain on his face but there was still hope. ¡°Can¡¯t is not the same as wouldn¡¯t.¡±


    She remained silent, looking down. He spoke again. ¡°Do you love me?¡±


    His voice was powerful and authoritative, desperately searching for the answer he hoped to hear. She only wished she knew the answer. She had never given herself the opportunity to decide if she loved him or not. She felt something¡­but what?


    ¡°Do you love me?¡± he asked again.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if I do,¡± she said, trying to put off the question.


    ¡°But it does,¡± he said, his face flushing with hope. ¡°If you do, we can find a way to make this work. I swear to you-¡±


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    She had let it slip out harsher than she wanted. A silence stretched between them. The sounds of revelry filled the tension. The wind whistled across the plains, causing the fire in the forge to spark and crackle. A strange sound was born on the wind, barely audible. There was nothing for it. She had to tell him. ¡°Hakon¡­I¡­I am not able to. I have¡­¡±


    ¡°Shh!¡± he said, raising a hand. ¡°Do you hear that?¡±


    A rumble on the wind. Asha felt her heart catch and fear fill her heart. ¡°Dragon.¡±


    A roar split the air followed by a second then a third. Three dragons, born by the eastern wind, descended on the village and swooped over the forge, nearly knocking the two over with the blast from their wings.


    ¡°Jarl Hamvir!¡± roared a dragon, his next words filling her with dread. Though she couldn¡¯t understand them, she could hear the accusation within.


    ¡°TahRODiiS NONVUL!¡±

 Chapter 18: YOL TOOR SHUL. Book 1: The Dragon Cult

    Chapter 18: YOL TOOR SHUL


    Asha and Hakon ran down the steps of the Skyforge as the dragons circled above. The cries of the revelers below echoed to the heavens to meet the roar of the dragons. The crowd scattered, running for the hall or the village. Many others cowered under tables while the bravest went to grab weapons and hold their ground. The companions rallied together around Jorrvaskr and formed a shield wall.


    Jarl Hamvir was at the front of the companions, raising his hands and yelling, trying to calm the crowd. The three dragons swooped lower, one landing on the roof of the hall. The boards creaked and moaned under the dragon¡¯s weight. It hissed, its bronze scales flashing in the firelight and its short spikes telling, indicating its young age. Its roar reverberated through the air. It dug its claws into the boards, and the companions howled in anger, causing it to laugh. ¡°BeiN MUN!¡±


    Asha and Hakon spotted the second dragon flying low, its giant spikes rippling as it roared, shaking its silver-scaled neck. It spotted the pair and aimed for them, swooping down and causing them to dive to the ground. As it passed them, it roared, ¡°YOL!¡±


    A burst of flame erupted from its mouth and engulfed the stairs above them. It circled and landed on the top of the rock formation of the Skyforge. It peered imperiously down at the inhabitants, its eyes gleaming.


    The largest of the dragons landed with an earth-shaking thud in the central courtyard and called again, this time in the tongues of men. ¡°Jarl Hamvir! Come forth. The dov summon you.¡±


    Hakon reached down, helping Asha up to her feet, and scanned the crowd. ¡°Where is my father?¡±


    Asha scanned the crowd around the courtyard, picking through strangers'' faces. She spotted him by a set of tables, sitting frozen in his seat. She pointed. ¡°There.¡±


    The dragon stepped between them, blocking their view as Jarl Hamvir approached the dragon. ¡°How is it that you honor us with your presence, lord?¡±


    The dragon had dark green scales and massive spikes, many broken from age or perhaps from fights long past. Its voice was cracked and deep as it hummed before speaking again. ¡°You know why I come, MAL DROG. Your dragon priests from the city of stone,  BORMahii, what you call Bromjunaar, sent me. You are late on your taxes of grain for your village and openly defy his call.¡±


    ¡°Lord Morokei has my fealty,¡± responded the jarl. ¡°But he asks too much of his people. We do not have the grain he requests.¡±


    ¡°DUKaaN!¡± hissed the silver dragon from his perch.


    ¡°A likely story,¡± said the old, green dragon. ¡°We saw you plant the grain meant for shipment these last days. The sun and moon shone down on your work as we watched from above.¡±


    ¡°Without that grain, there would be no harvest for next year,¡± said Jarl Hamvir. ¡°We would starve and he would have no grain shipments for years to come.¡±


    ¡°That is his prerogative as your DROG,¡± said the dragon. ¡°You humans are so MALTiiD. Your lives fleeting, as dust comes and goes. Shall it not be for great beings to have food, they who last longer than most?¡±


    The jarl was shaking, though with rage or fear Asha was unsure. She and Hakon had taken cover behind a table and watched the scene unfold. Dread filled her heart and she felt constantly aware that the silver dragon hung just over her head, its neck craning above as it let out a sibilant hiss. The jarl finally spoke, ¡°I understand your confusion, oh mighty dov. Your kind have long lives, longer than any of us can imagine-¡±


    ¡°DEZ LOS FUL,¡± the dragon rumbled. ¡°Before your father¡¯s father was, I flew the SU and fought in many battles.¡±


    ¡°And yet,¡± said the jarl, ¡°We cannot survive without our grain. And if we are gone, there are no more of us to worship the dov as is proper. Surely the lord in his wisdom can see our cause is just?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± said the dragon from atop Jorrvaskr, laughing, ¡°Bow to your betters and flatter them with your desperate ROT.¡±


    ¡°MeyZ GRON,¡± snarled the elder dragon, a wave of dark energy emitting from his maw. His words struck the young dragon and had the immediate effect of freezing him. The dragon¡¯s body jerked into an unnatural stiffness and he nearly toppled from the roof. He regained control of his body just in time to spread his wings and maintain balance. The young dragon glared at his superior but merely lowered his head in submission.


    The older dragon returned his gaze to the jarl. ¡°Your statement is not false. But you forget, Morokei serves the will of higher beings. Alduin World Eater directly speaks to the SONaaK. Do you not think the World Eater has the ONIKaaN, wisdom, to give him orders that have reason?¡±


    Jarl Hamvir had gained control of the tremble in his voice as he stood, tall and proud, before the terrifying beast before him. The dragon raised its head and gazed down at him like a giant serpent as the jarl spoke again. ¡°Well, mighty dov, I do not think Morokei speaks with the words of the World Eater. I believe he works for his own ambitions and defies the will of the dragons.¡±


    ¡°GOLah MUN,¡± hissed the dragon above Asha, causing her to jump in alarm. ¡°ROK NIS DUGah.¡±


    The older dragon ignored him but stared at the mortal. All fell silent. It seemed completely uncertain whether the jarl would be eaten for such insolence or be ignored. The older dragon finally began to laugh, his deep, guttural voice echoing across the rocks and the hall. Asha trembled at the sound and the jarl began to shake visibly again. When the dragon spoke, his tone was mocking and slow, like he spoke to an animal. ¡°MUN. I commend your KRIL. But you do not know what you speak. Your SONaaK live for years beyond other mortals and you do not ask why. Their devotees grow stronger and more numerous but none think to speak. They make plans in the dark and none think to hear. They take from you and you heed them. You are like to sheep, bleating for our attention as you are slaughtered. We Dov care not for we look to the SU. If you wish to defy him, do so. Be sheep no longer. I will leave you to your temporary victory over him. But this is not over. Know the STRUN you bring and how it may swallow your lands and people.¡±


    A rumble of thunder echoed from a cloudless sky as he spoke the word STRUN. Asha listened with increasing anxiety. What did he mean? She knew SONaak meant dragon priests¡­but he spoke of them as a rising threat to MUN or men. She could understand little else from their language. But his words filled her heart with a fear so great, that she felt her world crumbling around her. This dragon spoke of open defiance against the dragon priests. An act that was sacrilegious to even contemplate. Yet here it was, spoken by one of the gods themselves.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    The dragon laughed again and lifted his head. His voice broke the silence and the sky around him in a deafening boom, like a cry of prophecy. ¡°TiiD FEN YORiiK NAU!¡±


    His words shook the air, causing it to waver, and Asha felt the power of those words. It was not an effect that could be seen but a feeling of inescapable weariness set into her being. She closed her eyes and saw, in her mind''s eye, a vision. A field of battle set with dragons soaring overhead. A distant mountaintop with a grave. And last of all, a dragon with dark, gray scales staring deep into her eyes. When he spoke, two words echoed in her mind, ¡°ZUL VOTHKO.¡±


    ¡°Asha!¡±


    Her eyes snapped open and she felt like she had been pulled from a great distance. Her head spun, her eyes watered, and she discovered she had fallen over. Hakon was helping her, trying desperately to keep her on her feet while the beating of wings filled their ears and buffeted them with tremendous force. The older dragon, upon making his statement, had spread his wings and began flying away. The jarl was nearly blown off his feet and the crowds still left took cover as dust flew into the air. The massive dragon took off from the courtyard, soaring into the air with a roar. The small dragon on Jorrvaskr followed suit, pushing off the hall roof and causing it to groan under the weight.


    The last dragon, with the silver wings and large spikes, did not take flight. He watched from his perch on the Skyforge rock and stared at his companions above. When they sped away toward the northern mountains, he turned back to the jarl. ¡°You may think you can speak so freely, but Morokei knows your intent. Those who question him and Alduin should not go so unpunished. Let your arrogance be your lesson. Your people suffer for your choices.¡±


    He took off then, leaping from the rock and slamming it with his tail. Pieces of stone fell and Hakon covered Asha with his body as they were pummeled by stones. Asha looked back up when the rain of stones stopped, watching the dragon wheel in the air and turn back to the square. The crowd began to murmur with fear and back away as the dragon swooped low again. When he was above them, he let out a roar that echoed across the plains. ¡°YOL TOOR SHUL!¡±


    As he finished, a spew of flames, bright as the sun and hot as the furnace, fell on the square. Tables went up in flames and the people fled from them, screaming as several of the onlookers caught fire. The deluge of flames continued as the dragon circled the square, burning a wide swath of furniture, the stage, and revelers. ¡°Father!¡± Hakon screamed.


    Kolak was looking up at the flames approaching, backing up in terror before tripping over his walking stick. Hakon rushed toward him but Asha reacted just as fast. It was too late.


    His father was engulfed in flames and that same storm of fire was approaching them. Asha dove and caught Hakon by the legs, pulling him down to the ground and under a table.


    The table caught the brunt of the flames but Asha still felt the air sucked from her lungs as the heat intensified around her. She closed her eyes to avoid the pain and await death. The pain soon passed and a rush of frigid night air raced into her lungs as the buffeting of the dragon''s wings surrounded them. She rolled out from under the table and looked up. The dragon was hovering over the square, the light of the burning stage illuminating his scales. He gleamed like a gem in the night, a star bright and near to earth. He let out a final roar of defiance and flew away, turning his gaze and path to the north.


    Asha felt she was in a nightmare. Flames surrounded her. People, some still burning and screaming, moved around her in a blur. Smoke stung her eyes and she rubbed them, looking down at her new clothes which were now singed and marked with little burn holes. She felt terrible that she ruined them. But she hadn¡¯t. Reality came back to her in a sickening lurch as Hakon, lifting himself from under the table in a daze, wiped the blood from his forehead that had been gashed in the fall. ¡°Father!¡±


    He ran to his father, burning his hands as he patted out the burning cloth still clinging to Kolak¡¯s frame. The man was shaking violently but no scream came from his lips. He simply writhed in agony as his flesh, raw and bright red, smoked. His hair was gone, his clothes all but gone as well. Hakon was holding him close, patting out the flames, weeping as he repeated over and over, ¡°Father. You¡¯ll be alright. Hold on, father.¡±


    Asha looked around. The jarl had survived, still standing in the center of the circle of flame and seeming to be lost in shock. The companions rushed about, pulling water from a nearby canal and splashing it on everyone and everything, especially their hall. There was no one there to help them. She bent down and took Hakon¡¯s arm. ¡°Quick, let¡¯s get him to the house.¡±


    ***


    The pale light of morning lit the interior of Kolak¡¯s hut as Hakon kept to his bedside. Asha did what she could. She was not an expert in medicine but had only done what she had seen others do. Cold compresses of cloth with what few herbs she could find that might soothe the pain. She knew there was little else to be done. Kolak¡¯s shaking had subsided to be replaced by rasping breath, each tortured and shorter than the last.


    Asha sat next to Hakon, unsure what to do. ¡°What can we do?¡± asked Hakon, as if reading her thoughts.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she said. ¡°I don¡¯t think there is anything more we can do.¡±


    Hakon rose violently from his stool, knocking it over as he did. He moved to the window and looked out at the town, still hazy from the smoke from the night''s fire. ¡°They did this.¡±


    Asha followed him to the window. ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°The dragon priests. They are the ones responsible. Them and the dragons.¡±


    ¡°They didn¡¯t order this,¡± said Asha. ¡°The dragon did this of his own choice.¡±


    ¡°Because Morokei told them to punish us for refusing the grain shipment,¡± snarled Hakon. ¡°No matter how you spin it, they are to blame. The dragons have always been aloof and cruel. They are gods in mortal flesh, incapable of understanding men. But the dragon priest¡­they are mortal. They know our plight.¡±


    Asha was frozen again. Once more, all she was taught fought with all she had seen that night. ¡°Surely not all.¡±


    ¡°They did this!¡± he shouted, gesturing to his father.


    Kolak let out a moan at the sound of his voice and his hand moved feebly. Hakon hurried to his side. ¡°I¡¯m here father.¡±


    His father did not, or could not, stir anymore. Asha stood by the window, unsure what to do. A sense of urgency entered her mind. There was someone who would act. She put a hand on Hakon¡¯s shoulder and said, ¡°I¡¯m going back to Lord Krosis.¡±


    Hakon¡¯s shoulders slumped and he shook his head. ¡°Of course. I suppose you must.¡±


    ¡°I will speak to him of your plight,¡± she said, ¡°And, Mother Kyne and Father Shor as my witnesses, I will have him see what an injustice this is and he will act against it. I know he will.¡±


    Hakon only sat in silence. She took his hand and sat next to him. ¡°You must believe me.¡±


    He looked at her, his eyes filled with tears. ¡°I wish I could. I would go with you to argue our cause-¡±


    ¡°Stay with your father,¡± she said, squeezing his hand. ¡°I will not fail.¡±


    Asha stood with a purpose and prepared herself to leave. She would take no food, only her hunting clothes that were safely stored in Kolak¡¯s chest. When she emerged from behind the curtain, he stood by the door, waiting for her to depart. His face was etched with sorrow and worry. ¡°Be safe.¡±


    ¡°I will. And you as well.¡±


    They stood in the doorway, the pause lingering and growing in tension. She felt lost. He seemed lost as well. A swell of emotion welled up in her and she moved in quickly, pulling him into a hug. His broad arms wrapped around her and pulled her closer. They stood there for a moment, locked in an embrace as each tried to comfort the other. Then she released him and made for the door.


    He caught her hand, stopping her from leaving. When she turned, he pulled her in again and leaned in for a kiss. She didn¡¯t stop him and pressed her lips to his. They were warm and tasted of smoke from the fire. She could feel his stubble scratching her face and his breath from his nose on her cheek. Then he let go and stepped back into the shadow of the doorway. They shared a look before she turned and walked away.


    Asha held that kiss on her lips the whole trip back to Summer Falls.