The Last Dragonborn

Chapter 2

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The dragon' s landing was so sudden the impact threw me to the ground. I slid through the snow, cursing it as it somehow found its way beneath my armor. My armor was slick against the snow and ice and I slid down the short decline right beneath the dragon. I heard Mjoll call my name but then I could hear nothing over the roar of the dragon.

The dragon was on top of me, it's scaled stomach pinning me on my side. I tried to reach for my swords, but they were trapped beneath me. All I could see were green scales. So it wasn't a particularly strong dragon. Thank the gods for that much. The stench this close to the beast was overwhelming and I resisted the urge to gag as I tried to roll out of the way. The chest of the dragon drove me into the snow and my left shoulder began to throb in protest. I cried out as I struggled to adjust but couldn't. My breath was coming in short, sharp pants as it's weight prevented me from filling my lungs.

"I'll paint the snow with your blood!" Mjoll's battlecry reached my ears even over the roar of the dragon.

I could hear Mjoll shouting. She must have landed a blow because the beast staggered back just enough for me to roll completely on my back. I gasped as I was finally able to draw in a full breath. For a moment I could think of nothing else than filling my screaming lungs with air. After a few seconds I was able to think and I dropped my hands back to my swords.

If I hadn't already had the shout drawn to the forefront of my mind I don't know that I could have done it. It's difficult to find enough focus to draw a shout in combat let alone with a thrashing dragon nearly stepping on you.

"FUS RO DAH!"

My shout threw the dragon back and it took off, screaming it's anger to the sky. The backdraft from it's leathery wings pushed me back into the snow for only a moment. I slipped the straps from my knapsack and threw myself to my feet. I staggered as my foot slid on some ice and I cursed aloud as I jogged towards Mjoll.

Mjoll already had her bow out and was firing arrows as quickly as she could notch them. The trees were making it difficult and I could hear as many striking wood as were finding their target. The dragon swooped back low, breathing fire as it went. Mjoll and I both dove away from each other out of the way. I was not quite fast enough and I could feel the oppressive heat like a weight. I instantly started sweating. My armor was hot against my skin. That had been a close one.

I managed to right myself just in time for the dragon to land between myself and Mjoll. I immediately started a power attack as I realized the teeth were facing my direction. I wanted to shout again, but it was still too soon.

This close I could feel the dragon's life force, feel it's heart as though it had a place in my chest next to my own. She was so angry.

I struck another solid blow with my swords to the creatures neck and its lifeblood sprayed my armor. It slammed it's head towards Mjoll and she flew back. Even from this distance I heard the crunch of Mjoll's armor against an outcropping of rock. I flinched as the dragon shouted once more, billowing flames directly at Mjoll's crumpled form. She yelled, but I couldn't see her and I couldn't get to her.

With no other option I charged the dying dragon.

It's panic was a blossom opening in my chest. She knew she was dying. She beat her wings, trying to fly away but she couldn't anymore, her strength was gone, staining the snow at her feet.

At the very last minute I dropped to the ground and slid through the snow so I was once more beneath the dragon. Only this time I drug one of my swords across the base of it's neck, nearly beheading the cursed thing. My momentum carried me through the snow to the other side and I rolled to my feet between it and Mjoll just in time to see the body crumble.