Skyrim's Saviors

31: Red Meridwulf

You'd think that me killing the leader of the Silver Hand would help my cause. No. It doesn't. Instead, they send all of their prisoners into the arena the next day, and only two of us can emerge alive.

"It has to be you and Farkas," says Taaren as she finishes re-binding my wounds. She is not joining us in the arena, but I am glad she's not. I just hope this doesn't fail epically.

"And what of the other prisoners?" I ask.

"Forget about them," she says. "Farkas is your only goal here — keep him alive. Right?"

I nod, feeling sick to my stomach. Taaren hums and finishes up what she's doing. She steps back and looks at me and nods once. "You'll have to do what you can to fight back against them."

I look down at my hands, wondering how much blood will stain them after today. But I have no time to think before they come and take me away, guiding me to the arena. Only two of us can live. Only two of us can win.

It will have to be me and Farkas. I blink and walk into the arena, where there is no maze, just a wide, open floor. There are around ten of us. I see Farkas standing among the people. I hurry to his side.

Farkas takes my hand in his and turns his attention forward again, towards where the new leader of the Silver Hand is standing, a huge Nord with dark skin and darker eyes. He towers over us as he approaches, and when he speaks, his voice is deep and rumbling like thunder.

"You will be each fighting to the death. Only two of you will remain after this. If only one remains, so be it. But I want to give you all a fair chance at survival."

I resist the urge to scoff.

Where was that when Xylene died? What purpose do they have for wanting to give us another chance at survival? I stare at the Nord  as he backs away from us.

"Let the games begin!"