Robin Smith: a Skyrim Story

Unbound Part 1

Hadvar closed the keep door behind us. The commotion echoed throughout the empty room.

"Looks like we were the only ones who made it," Hadvar observed. He looked at me with wide eyes. "Was that really a dragon? The bringers of the End Times?"

All I could do was nod in disbelief.

"Come here," Hadvar said. "Let me see if I can get those bonds off."

I gladly held out my arms. Hadvar used a dagger to cut the ropes, and they fell to the ground. I was free.

"There, that should do it," Hadvar affirmed. "Now, go have a look around. There should be plenty of gear to choose from. I'm going to see if I can get something to heal these burns."

He walked off to a nearby chest.

I looked around. From what I gathered, we were in Helgen's keep. Was there even a way out of here? Where would we end up? I shook my head and went to look for gear, as Hadvar had suggested.

In one of the chests, I found some Imperial armor and an iron sword. In another, I looted a helmet and some gold. After all, a bit of coin never hurt.

Hadvar finished his rummaging and turned to me. "Alright, you should put your armor on and give that sword a few swings. I'll open the gate."

As I changed, Hadvar went up to a chain and pulled it, opening a gate that led to a hallway. I pulled on my second boot and followed Hadvar through the corridor.

We immediately took a right and found ourselves at another gate.

An unfamiliar voice exclaimed from the other side, "We need to get moving! That dragon is tearing up the keep!"

"Just...give me a minute," someone else huffed. "I'm out of breath."

We weren't alone.

"Stormcloaks," Hadvar whispered. "Maybe we can reason with them.

I nodded in agreement, not wanting any more fighting than was necessary. I drew my sword anyway, just in case, and crouched low. Hadvar pulled the chain and stepped through the door.

"Hold on," Hadvar cautioned, holding up his unarmed hands as two Stormcloak soldiers whirled on him. "Maybe we can reason-"

One of the Stormcloaks immediately brought out his battle axe. He shouted, "Imperial dogs! I'll have your head!"

Hadvar frowned and unsheathed his sword. "Very well. If you want to die, so be it."