The Dawnguard Hunter

The End Harbors The Fall

Two months had passed as Mallory sat at her desk reviewing another new report on the Thalmor encampment at Northwatch Keep.

She stood up and stretched making her joints pop as it felt like a day since she stood but only had been a couple of hours.

"Commander." Lisse walked in getting her attention.

"Report Lisse." Mallory said as she faced her scout.

"Fort Snowhawk was taken back."

"Good. Anything else?"

"No."

Mallory took a breath at not having anything else to deal with so she went outside for a moment getting some fresh air and watching the recruits train in the Castle Dour courtyard.

"You look bored." General Tullius said as she walked up to her.

"I am." Mallory responded. "Even if we are hunting bandits and taking back overrun forts, it would be nice if you let me out there with my men. Where I should be."

"Remember that next time you challenge a dawngauard and lose a dangerous magical artifact." Tullius said.

"Yes sir." Mallory said still feeling the dull pain from her healed bones.

"And next time something like that happens you will be flogged fully then thrown into a cell."

"What would you have done in my stead?"

"I would have worked out a better deal, and I wouldn't have threatened the woman that gave you the information you were looking for with torture, and the other dawnguards that were under your care."

Mallory hung her head down as she thought about how she handled it and it not going well with her having her ribs, arm, leg, ankle, and fingers broken only to be tied down and flogged after healing then forced to stay within Solitude as punishment.

"Remember that the dawnguard are hired specifically for those kind of purposes, be it monster or magic." Tullius said.

Mallory nodded in agreement. "Sir, with respect, why are you here?"

"I've come to let you know your done and can go back out." The general said.

Joy filled Mallorys heart as a smile crossed her face with excitement now that she could finally fight next to her commandos again regardless of what they were doing.

"But first Commander." Tullius broke her thoughts. "You will go and train just to warm up." 

Mallory saluted him. "Yes sir." She said as she went back to her quarters and grabbed her axe and shield then walked down the stairs.

"Captain Aldis." Mallory said getting the attention of the commander. 

"Commander." Captain Aldis acknowledged.  ""You're supposed to spend the rest of the day sparring right?"

Mallory nodded her head with a stern look hiding her excitement to fight again.

"You are also suppose to have Sappsa look over you one final time as well." Aldis said again.

"I don't need her too." Mallory responded quickly as she walked to the sparring circle and did a few flourishes with her axe.   

"Not up to us now is it?" Captain Aldis said as he turned to face some of his guards. "Gind, Maves, remind the troublesome commander how to fight." 

Both of the guards entered the ring with their shields raised as they looked at Mallory waiting for her to make the first move but she didn't. One rushed her with the his shield still up pushing against Mallory while she pushed back before rolling on her right and hit the guard hard with her shield knocking him down. Leaving her right exposed the other guard rushed and hit her with his shield knocking her back almost causing Mallory to trip but she recovered quick enough to block his attack with his sword then bashed him and hit him in the chest with the top of her axe which would leave a bruise.