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The city of Solitude bustled with activity as usual and was home to the High King of Skyrim. The Imperial Legion based their army within the city as a reminder for both sides. The Empire guides and protects but Ulfric Stormcloak had committed the highest treason possible. He murdered the king under the guise of single combat. Using a form of foul magic, he blasted the king off his feet and murdered him according to Imperial reports but the Nords knew it was the sacred voice. The Thu’um. He used the power to murder or challenge depending on who was asked and got away without issue. He was now the most wanted man by the Empire and was the main cause of the Civil War. His Stormcloaks outnumbered the Legion and for the past 6 months were winning it.

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General Tullius had been transferred to the Skyrim battalion a mere 6 months ago and was frustrated by the state of it. Only 1000 men and women were left. During the past few months, that number had tripled along with reinforcements from Cyrodiil, however, it seemed to not change much. The Legion was still losing the war and ambushes were common until by chance, fortune would change thanks to a tip from a questionable source. Tullius knew he had to act and suspected it was the Thalmor but to avoid the chance to capture Ulfric Stormcloak would be too costly. So, on 17th Last Seed of the 201st Year, Skyrim was changed forever.


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The battle was quick but costly. The ambush did not go as well as Tullius forsaw and 20 men had been lost. Hadvar knew how ruthless Stormcloaks could be and how adaptable Ulfric’s men were. Numbers proved to work in the favour of the Legion this time but escorting Ulfric would be a tough mission. He knew not to question the general or his captain and rode quietly in front of the carriages. However, he suspected that a few people were just caught up in it and could be sentenced to an unfair death. “Helgen?” He uttered as their destination was revealed. “Yes, Hadvar. Helgen. Listen when I speak, soldier.” The redguard hated repeating herself and viewed Stormcloaks as scum. She openly boasted about how she killed a Stormcloak captain in a vicious manner and her treatement of the prisoners were rumoured to be harsher then the Thalmor. “Yes, ma’am.”

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“Execute her as well.”

Kaemiri took an instant dislike to the Redguard captain and pondered whether to die quickly in a bout of glory or die at the hands of imperial headsman. It would be easy to burn through the rope and throw herself at the nearest Legionaire. Talos willing, she could grab a sword and earn her visit to Sovngarde but the archers put an end to that idea. The thief known as Lokir made the mistake of running away and three steel arrows caught him in the back. “[&@%!] the legion!” She yelled after the Stormcloak’s head rolled. “The one in the leather.” The Redguard ordered with a degree of amusement in her voice. “Only cowards kill those who can’t fight!” She said as she willingly made her way towards the block.

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Hadvar knew that the red haired nord did not belong on the cart but knew once Captain Saefa’s mind was made up, it would happen regardless of evidence. He heard the rumours about how she defended a town by herself in Hammerfell. How despite her wounds, she forced the forces of the Aldmeri Dominion back and he had seen how fierce she was in battle. If the gods decreed that everyone on the carts had to die to bring about the end of the civil war, so be it. He avoided looking at the blonde haired Nord in the eyes and it pained him to see a former friend turn traitor. Ralof was his best friend and their were brothers but he broke their friendship. He had lost other friends to Ralof and had vowed to kill him in single combat, as was the way of their people. But Talos seemed to have other ideas. It was not the death Ralof deserved but a traitor was a traitor.

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A strange sound resonated throughout the village as the red haired woman was forced onto her knees. “What was that?” The General uttered in unison with Hadvar. “Nothing.” Saefa gripped her sword out. “[&@%!] you all!” The woman yelled as the axe rose. Wind hit the town of Helgen and caused many to stumble then another sound. It was a roar. A roar as deep as the mountain. “What in Oblivion is that!?” Tullius exclaimed as a large figure headed towards them. “Archers, what do you see?” Saefa walked towards Ulfric with her sword out. “No.” The General grabbed her by the arm. “Ulfric, if you think this trick will save you. You are wrong.” Tullius told the leader of the Stormcloaks. Another roar echoed throughout the village. The headsman seemed to hestiate. The figure came into view. “DRAGON!” Arrows were loosened but had no effect on the black beast. Scales as sharp as swords. Skin darker then the heart of Molag Bal. Eyes as red as the Dragon Crown. It was large and it landed atop the tower. It stared at the woman for a few seconds.

“FUS RO DAH.” The voice was deep and filled with pure anger. It was enough to make even the most seasoned warrior tremble in fear.

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Kaemiri felt the full force of the Dragon’s attack. It used some kind of magic to blast everyone off their feet and within seconds, the sky was grey. Flaming rocks crashed into the town. “You, get up if you want to live!” The blonde Nord grabbed her by the armpit and heaved her up. What had been a peaceful execution was now a battlefield. The bloodied corpses of both Stormcloak and Legion covered the floor. Swords were strewn everywhere and houses were reduced to timber. “Ruun!”

Both nords ran towards the stone tower as flame descended upon them. Kaemiri spotted the face of Ulfric Stormcloak peeking out from behind the door. Both nords hurled themselves onto the ground as the door was slammed shut. A woman was slumped against the wall with a large piece of wood lodged in her stomach. Kaemiri laughed as she slowly got up. The ropes were digging into her wrists but better sore then dead. “Jarl Ulfric, could the legends be true?” The blonde nord inquired.

“Legends don’t burn down villages.” Ulfric replied. “We need to move. Now!” He ordered and Kaemiri could tell that he commanded respect. “Untie me then!” Her demand was interrupted by a roar. “Upstairs.” The blonde nord told her and having little choice, she followed.

“Just a few more and I’ll have it clear.” A closed helmet nord uttered before the wall collasped on him. Kaemiri got the chance to see it up close. The Dragon’s face. The horns looked like they were sharper then the best swords in Skyrim. The scales were thick. “DOVAHKIIIN” The Dragon seemed to growl before burning the man alive. It flew off to continue it’s rampage across the town. The heat was felt by Kaemiri and did not even want to imagine how painful it would be to perish. It felt as if Mehrunes Dagon himself had spat at her.

“Jump! I’ll catch up.” The nord told Kaemiri. “Untie me first!” Kaemiri protested but the nord was already making his way downstairs. “By Talos.”

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The town was no match for the Dragon. Arrows had no effect on it and in the past 5 minutes, it was reduced to a battlefield. Tullius knew the beast was too much for the Legion. Even with the battlemages present, it tore through both his men and the town like parchment. “Damnit.” He uttered. “Retreat!” He yelled as he grabbed the arm of a wounded Legionaire. “On your feet, soldier!” He heaved the arm of the bloodied man over his neck and began to move him. “Fall back!” He yelled and soon, what legates remained repeated his orders. But the dragon was vicious. It seemed to be intent on killing everyone. “FUS RO DAH.” He was blasted off his feet and smashed against a wall. The soldier he had helped was killed instantly. “Damnit!” He growled as he got up and ignored the pain in his shoulder. “You two, concentrate fire on the beast. Force it’s attention on us and not the town.” He ordered knowing it was signing their death sentence. The fireballs were released and the Dragon paid attention. “Eight help us.” He uttered.

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“Shiiiiiiiittttt!” Kaemiri yelled as a large fireball headed towards her. She jumped from the tower and felt the force of it. The top half of the tower exploded and showered the nearby area in flaming bricks. She collided face first with the wooden floor of the inn and the world went dark for a few seconds. “Urgh.” The red haired nord forced herself up despite the pain running through her hands and felt her blood rolling down her cheeks along with her head.

She made her way out of the flaming inn and was shocked by the state of the town. “Take care of him.” A grey haired man shouted whilst clutching his stomach before being reduced to ashes. “Damnit.” The brown haired legionaire uttered. “Take care of the boy, you there, Prisoner. Follow me if you want to live.” Having no choice, Kaemiri followed.

“FALL BACK!
“RETREAT!”
“FALL BACK!”

The town was lost. The dragon was too fierce and despite the best efforts of the Legion, it seemed as if they were doing nothing. “Just die!” The battlemage commander yelled as volley after volley of fire were thrown at the beast but kept missing him. The fireballs that did hit their mark didn’t seem to affect him or get noticed by him. Tullius knew the fight was lost and it pained him to do so but he had to abandon it to it’s fate. “Hope you burn, Ulfric.” He uttered as he began his retreat.


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“Then untie…...” The black fierce dragon flew over their heads and roared before setting the tower to their right on fire. “Move!” Hadvar yelled as they ran towards the alley. They both jumped off the blackened remains of a ledge and the red haired prisoner landed on her knees. “Argh!” She was helped up by the Legionaire as the dragon passed them. “DOVAHKIIN” It seemed to growl with a voice filled with malice. A voice that had pure loathing of everything living and seemed to be death incarnate.

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“Ralof, you damned traitor!”
“Out of my way!”
“I hope that dragon takes you to Sovangarde.”

The Dragon flung another poor soul to their death. It roared and the world seemed to slow down for Kaemiri for a few seconds before she came to her senses. She followed Ralof and both barely dodged the fire as they leapt through the door and into the keep.

“That was close.” Ralof wiped his brow with the back of his hand. “Not the best welcome back for you.” He commented as he stood up. “No, I love being caught up in an ambush, sentenced to death and then being caught up in a [&@%!] dragon attack!” She realised the extent of her injuries and winced. “Fair enough but let’s get you out of those binds.” Ralof cut through the ropes and Kaemiri rubbed her wrists. “Take Gunjar’s gear. He won’t be needing it now.” Having no weapons beyond her magical abilities, She nodded and retrieved the iron waraxe. “Talos guide you to Sovngarde.” She uttered. “Aye, Talos guide him.” Ralof repeated. “Sssh, imperials.” Both nords went up to the gate and hid on each side.

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“Hadvar!” Saefa was in a foul mood and her sword was wet with the blood of Stormcloaks. “Captain.” Hadvar had hoped she fell to the dragon. He hated serving under the dishonourable woman and ordering the red head’s death was enough to make him consider deserting the Legion but he kept those thoughts to himself.”Stand guard and create a staging point for survivors.” “With all due respect, ma’am, that is sucide. The keep’s on fire, Helgen is gone and Tullius has iss.” “I don’t give a [&@%!]! Any survivors will need treatement and this is the best chance.”

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After Saefa departed with a fellow Legionaire, Hadvar sighed. “Should have been you on the block.” He uttered as he gathered what supplies he could but the entire building shook violent. “Talos.” He was blasted against the wall and the world went dark.

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“Kill any stormcloaks that we encounter.”
“Ma’am, we should….”
“Do as I say or I’ll kill you myself!”

“NOW!”

Ralof descended on the imperial like a wolf and sunk his axe into the man’s neck. Saefa blocked Kaemiri’s axe and punched her in the nose followed by a boot to the stomach. “Urgh!” Ralof struck at her but was beaten back. For the next few minutes, the redguard captain fought both of them and had the advantage. Her curved imperial steel sword made it hard for them to land a blow and her armour had an advantage. “Surrender and I’ll make it quick!” Saefa launched herself forward and swung her sword at Ralof but the veteran of many battles ducked and hit her stomach. “Damn.” He growled as his axe did nothing to her. Kaemiri did the same to the back of the woman’s helmet but their axes just could not penetrate the steel. “Keep her busy!” The red head yelled. “Fine!” He yelled as he rolled backwards and gathered his footing. “Stormcloak scum!” She yelled as she looked at both targets. She threw Ralof’s axe at Kaemiri before charging at the blonde nord. Kaemiri ducked and spotted the dead legionaire’s sword. Without a weapon to defend himself, Ralof knew he had no chance but he was a son of Skyrim. He would be damned if he wasn’t going to go down without a fight. He jumped to the left and threw dirt at her eyes. The captain yelled as she was blinded by it before going stiff. “Impossi….” A large spike of ice was protruding from her chest. She fell to her knees. “You’re going on the list!” Kaemiri yelled before removing her head with one shift blow to the neck. “Right, recover our breath and go.” Ralof said as he picked up his axe.

“FALL BACK!”
“RETREAT!”
“AAAAAAARGHHHHHHHH!”

The retreat was one of the worst defeats he had ever endured and cost the Imperial Legion a lot of good men. Tullius knew that the town was lost. It had been a few hours since he and his men had managed to flee from the foul beast that swooped down on Helgen. Out of the 100 men he took with him, only 4 remained. They had set up camp on the plains of Whiterun but without much supplies, travelling back to Solitude would be challenging. “Hadvar.” The seasoned general rubbed his temple with his forefinger and thumb. “Yes sir?” “What do you know of that beast?” He inquired. “Not much outside of the legends.”

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“Looks like we were the only ones who made it.” Ralof searched the dead captain for any keys to the iron gate that blocked their path. “Sadly, you’re right.” Kaemiri hoped that most of the town had managed to get away but her guts told her differently. “Ah, here we go.” Ralof unlocked the gate. “Keep an eye out for Imperials, they are likely to execute us on sight.” The Stormcloak warned as they descended the stone steps of the keep. The keep shook violently every few seconds. “Damn, that dragon’s gonna to bring this down on us.” Ralof uttered with a voice that swarmed with concern. “That would be ironic.” Kaemiri remarked as they walked into a tunnel. “Watch out!” The roof collasped in the middle of the long corridor. “Well, that was close.”

After fighting two imperials in the store room, they heard the tell tale signs of combat. “Troll’s blood, a torture room? Damn imperials.” Ralof growled as he charged. Kaemiri followed suit. Two stormcloaks were engaged with their torturer and his assistant but the imperial was holding his own against his prisoners. The assistant was first to die after being distracted by the sudden arrival of Ralof and the torturer was killed by his own prisoner. “Is Jarl Ulfric with you?” A brown haired female stormcloak inquired. Ralof replied as he searched the room for anything they could use. “A bar?” Kaemiri scratched her head at the questionable choice to place a bar in a room used for torture. “That [&@%!] would revel in torturing his prisoners.” The stormcloak spat at the corpse.

After making their way further down the keep and after fighting through more imperials, The two nords bid farewell to the stormcloaks. They elected to remain behind to receive any survivors or Ulfric Stormcloak himself.

“What brought you to Skyrim?” Ralof inquired as they crossed the wooden bridge. “Really? We’ve been attacked by a dragon and you want to know that?” The redhaired prisoner retorted. “Hey, just making small talk.” Ralof replied. “Oh, well, it’s just that it seems… ah, never mind. To answer yo..” A rock smashed through the bridge after they crossed it. “Well, no going back that way. The others will have to find their own way out.” He commented. They had ended up in a vast cave. The walls were grey as the Dunmer and wider then the keep itself. “Grew bored in Cyrodiil and after a misunderstanding with a local Justicar regarding my amulet of Talos, It was deemed best to leave.” “damn Thalmor.”

They ventured further on and came across a spider’s nest. “Don’t let them bite you, it stings like Oblivion when they do.” Ralof warned as several spiders descended from the ceiling the cave was covered in thick white web. Several large sacs were spread out. The spiders themselves were bigger then dogs and as vicious as a wolf. Kaemiri fired a fireball at a group of 5 and sent their remains flying in all directions. Ralof jumped at a larger one with both hands wrapped around the handle of his axe and killed it when he landed. He swung around and booted another one in the eyes. The creature recoiled and blindly struck at at him. Kaemiri’s axe was making short work of the spiders as a result of her skill with the telekinises spell. It flew from spider to spider though the area was starting to burn as a result of her fireball. “Damned things. Never liked them, too many eyes, you know.” Ralof remarked as the last one was killed. “[&@%!], that means I owe someone a 100 septims.” Kaemiri commented as she put out the small raging fire with a spray of continous ice. Ralof chuckled. “Lost a bet about the spiders?” He inquired.
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It was a mircale. He had sworn he would end up in Sovngarde today and not because he went down fighting. He knew what Tullius had in store for him. He knew that damned imperial bootlicker wanted him to see his men get executed one by one until he was left but was it luck or fate that interfered? That dragon had no alliegances, no care and no mercy. What was once a bustling town was reduced to cinders within mere minutes. “Jarl Ulfric, I’ve gathered what I could.” Ulfric Stormcloak and what was left of his 10 man guard had fled in the chaos. Only 4 remained out of the 50 that departed Windhelm with him. “That is better then nothing.” He had been carrying a wounded lad called Horik over his shoulders. Unlike the cowards in the Legion, he was never one to take a back seat. He led by example and never demanded respect because of his name. He won respect by living up to the way of the Nord. The imperials had claimed he murdered the high king instead of a fair duel. Sure, he could have beaten the boy king with his sword but he wanted to send a message to both the Empire and the Legion. The Thu’um was that message and a warning. “We shall march to Windhelm without stopping. That Dragon may not have intended to but we are alive because of it and we will not give the Imperial [&@%!] a chance to hunt us down.” He informed his men. They had been travelling for a good 2 hours now and the actions of the Legion would not go unpunished. He knew that any Stormcloak they caught would be executed and it was always the first thing he warned his loyal men and woman about. The Sons and Daughters of Skyrim never let that put them off and it encouraged them to fight to the death instead of allowing themselves to be captured. He had ordered them to stop during the ambush to avoid further loss of life and to buy himself time if Ganar Trollstabber had slipped away to get reinforcements.



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The settlement posed no threat to him. The mortals fled in terror as he burned their pathetic dwellings and killed them like pigs. Alduin had returned after spending eras drifting through time. Though it had felt like seconds to the World Eater, it was painful. The mortals had dared to craft a shout so terrible that it had affected him. Alduin, the World Eater! They dared to use an Elder Scroll to banish him. He would eat them the next time he was in Sovngarde but something in that town was odd. He sensed something, Dragonborn but who was it? He had torched the town to be safe and out of anger. The red haired one had stared at him. The men in armour did not seem to fear him but they will. He was flying towards the mountains in search of other Dov. However, it seemed none were alive. It would be up to him to bring back the glory of the Dovahs and to rule over humanity once again. Akatosh decreed that he would eat the world at the end of each kalpa but he took more pleasure in ruling. “Lord Alduin has returned. Let me taste your thu’um.” One heavily scarred Dovah had found him. “YO TUL SHO. Where are the others?” “Dead. Those who were not killed by Dovahkiin were hunted down, Lord.” “Then I shall undo their deaths and we shall rule over this land again. But if my accursed brother still lives, I shall personally tear his neck from his body.” “Spoken like the dov I remember.” “Yes. Go and conquer as you desire. Spread fear amongst the mortals.”

15th of Last Seed – Dragonsreach Courtyard

Like always, Lydia had been training with the personal housecarl of Jarl Balgruuf the Greater. Irilelth had spotted the potential in her or so the fiery dunmer claimed and the black haired nord could tell she was onto something. 3 long years since her training had begun. 3 years of broken bones, bruises, destroyed shield and she was almost ready to take up the title of housecarl. “You’re ready.” Irilelth informed her as they entered the vast courtyard of palace. It was wider then it had any right to be and at the rear of it was a complete view of the southern part of the hold along with the Pale hold being visible. The air was cold, as was typical of Skyrim and the sun was out in all it’s glory but the nords weren’t ones to let a bit of cold dissuade them. Skyrim was the coldest province in all of Tamriel and it was said that it was the sheer stubborness of the nords that allowed them to master the frozen country. It was home to hostile wildlife and was once ruled by dragons according to their legends.


“Hold nothing back. I want to see you throw everything at me.” The seasoned dunmeri woman ordered. For the next hour, they did battle. Usually, the housecarl would use a mixture of magic and steel. Something that most nords looked down on but the Jarl was her battle brother. Many glorious tales of their valour were known throughout the hold. Some were embellished, some were the average run of the mill tale about thwarting a bandit. If there was one thing that could define Skyrim, it was the warrior culture. Most nords loved to fight and it was said that to invade Skyrim would be akin to invading the Deadlands of Mehrunes Dagon.

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16th of Last Seed – Town of Riverwood.

“Sven, get your arse up.” Gerdur hated it when the bard got drunk on the job and usually found him slumped against the tree. “I was just merely taking a nap to reflect on er….” For the love of Talos. Why do I continue to employ him? Gerdur glared at him. “I’ll get on it straight away.” Gerdur always questioned why she kept giving him a chance but perhaps, it was because he happened to be just good enough at chopping wood. “Sven being a lazy [&@%!] as usual?” A long black haired nord with muscles thicker as thick as the trunk of a tree. His beard was neatly tied into a knot. “I swear, he drinks more when he is working then he does at the inn.” “That’s bards for you.” They both had a short chuckle. “I’m going hunting in a bit. Need any more rabbit or deer?” Kalgar inquired. “No thanks but if you end up near Helgen, could you let them know that the next delievery won’t be ready until next week. Alvor’s just managed to fix the saw again.” Gerdur hated it when the saw broke and it seemed to break down a few times at least every 2 months. Perhaps it was due to Hod using it most of the week or perhaps it was the salt in the air. She didn’t know but as long as Alvor could fix it and usually for a modest sum or for some wood, it was nothing. The town was a century old and had been founded by her great grandparents. It was initially a mill but it just grew in size and most folks believed it was her town. It wasn’t. She just paid the Jarl’s taxes and they were fair. It was just an hour’s trek to the city of Whiterun.

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17th of Last Seed – Riverwood

“And then, the [&@%!] comes at me with this piece of [&@%!] iron to try to take my head off. He was a milkdrinker and clearly relied too much on his brawn. I stepped to one side as he landed the blow and I sent him to Sovngarde.” Kalgar had finished telling at tale at the Sleeping Inn Giant to some of the locals. Riverwood wasn’t a big town and only held 200 people but they all knew him. “What’s wrong with Iron?” One of the locals asked. “Nothing. It’s good but against steel, it’s prone to breaking easily.”

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Alvor had woken up at the crack of dawn as usual and had a nice breakfast of eggs with bacon with a flagon of mead. If there was one thing Riverwood never was short on, it was eggs due to Gerdur’s chickens. He lived a modest life and as the town’s only blacksmith, he always had work. From nails to the occassional request for a sword to the tedious task of fixing the sawmill. It wasn’t hard to fix, it just had a tendecy to jam or the blade needed sharpening. Still, it allowed him to get chopped wood for free instead of a small fee. He spotted Ralof walking down the road around 1pm and he looked like he had fought a cave bear. His face was blackened with soot and with him was a red haired woman. She looked like she had been in quite the fight but that was a way of life.

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After reuiniting with his sister, Ralof was glad to be safe and sound. It had been years since he last saw her due to his duties as a Stormcloak but it was good to be back. The house hadn’t changed though it had a lot less mead then he recalled. “Nice town you have here.” Kaemiri remarked whilst rubbing her neck. “It’s peaceful and a bit boring to be honest but if it weren’t for that damned ruin, it would be quite serene.” Ralof remarked as he sat down at the table and put his feet up after removing his boots. “Go ahead, make yourself at home, Gerdur doesn’t mind and if she does, I’ll remind her that I owe my life to you.” “That’s a….fair point.” Kaemiri walked over to the small counter and grabbed two bottles of mead. She tossed one at him and the blonde caught it. “How big was the dragon?” Hod inquired as he finished frying some salmon. “Bigger then the inn and as black as ebony.” Kaemiri remarked as she recalled the big [&@%!]. It’s eyes were as red as rubies. It’s horns seemed to be sharper then most swords but why did it attack Helgen and what was it shouting?