Lastspell Falls [A Skyrim Fanfiction}

Attack

The sun is high overhead when I race back into the little hamlet, skidding to a stop in the dust, breathless. There's a few Stormcloaks hanging around outside, one of them sitting on one of the rocks that lines the edge of the garden as he sharpens a war axe.

"Where's Jor?" He asks, getting to his feet. Hopefull, I look like I've run through hell to get here as I gesture, trying to catch my breath as a couple other Stormcloaks nearby abandon their own tasks to come over. I notice Brand is wandering about, close enough to Skjoren that I figure he's being watched closely.

"Fell," I gasp out, as Skjoren joins us. "Landed – on a ledge – can't reach him."

"What are you saying?" Skjoren snaps, shoving one of his men aside as I look up at him. "Where's my son?"

"She's out of breath, Da," the first guy that spoke up, says gently. "Let her catch that first."

"We were trying to get around to the northern falls," I tell them, forcing the words out despite my breathlessness. "He slipped on some shale. Caught himself on a ledge but I think he got knocked out. I can't reach him."

Skjoren is watching me as I talk, and I see his expression shift from concern to confusion, then to anger. He lurches forward, grabbing me roughly by the shoulders.

"You lost him?"

"He fell," I lie again, still trying to catch my breath. I regret running all the way back here from the camp; being able to talk is more important right now than looking believable. "He's on a ledge, but we can get to him. I can show some of your guys—"

"Where?" Skjoren snaps, shaking me so hard I wince.

"Ow— Stop, you're hurting me!"

"And you let my son get hurt!" Skjoren snaps, shaking me again. "Where is he?"

"I can show you!" I cry, grabbing his hands and trying to pull myself free, but his fingers are digging into my arms. Latching on painfully.

"I don't trust you as far as I could throw you," he snarls, his face seemingly transformed. "You tell us, you hear me? I'm not sending you out there with anyone else!"

I'm trying to pull his hands away, trying to recoil or break free, but he's too strong. He's pushed his face right up into mine, shouting so loud that I'm being sprayed with spittle as he shakes me again. I feel my head snap back and forth—

He shoves me and I hit the ground, yelping as I land on the hard stone.

"TELL ME WHERE HE IS!"

Skjoren is furious, more so than I expected. I can see most of the Stormcloaks have moved back, giving him a wide berth, none of them moving to help me. I remember Hadvar's overview of the guy, and realise this probably isn't the first time he's treated someone like this.

"She's lying!" Someone shouts suddenly. I look around to see another Stormcloak approaching, hurriedly climbing over some of the rocks near one of the side paths. He points at me. "Don't believe a word she says! There's Imperials here and she's working with 'em!"

How does he know? I turn to Skjoren, shaking my head as I feel my mouth going dry. "I'm not working with anyone," I tell him, "I swear!"

"Then what did you discuss when their commander had you holed up in his tent?" The scout demands, shoving his way into the circle. "They've got Jorell captive and she's all chummy with the commander. Looks pretty cut and dry to me."

Skjoren rounds on Brand, grabbing him by the front of his shirt and lifting him off his feet. "And you didn't think to tell us there was a contingent of the Legion up here?"