Ekali of the Frozen Heights, Book one Options

[Saquira]

So, I've been working on this since before Skyrim came out now and I think it's about time I publish it. I'm still working on Felisas Memoires, I actually got really inspired yesterday and wrote up the ending so now I know exactly where I want to go with it. I just wanted to get started on publishing this story as well.

I'm no longer working on A Strange Love, you'll probably have gotten it by now but I just wanted to get it out. I might go back to it and continue sometime, but then I'll make a completely new version and it probably won't happen for a very long time.

I change a lot of the things in the main quest in this story, because the dragons really should be able to use all the shouts(it's their language after all) and a lot of other reasons. Ekali won't only follow the main quest though, not like Felisa did. And I'll also have this story be much more orderly, in that I'll divide every chapter in numbered parts and will be writing a "what came before" paragraph at the start of each update.

Anyway, this is the story of the khajiit Ekali, and her journey through Skyrim.

Ekali of the Frozen Heights
Book one

Prologue

The female threw herself across the cold stone just as fire lit the sky, melting the snow of her former location. The beast roared out his rage as he turned after the khajiit, pale fangs still hot from the fire. She thought up the words when its jaws clamped shut above her, forcing Ekali to roll out of the way as it brought its head down again.

“Fo Krah!” The shout was loud, and covered the beast in frost as he lifted his muzzle towards the sky in rage. He flapped his wings, unleashing more fire in her direction, and took to the air.

Getting up from her crouch, the khajiit sprinted across the ice crusted stone, coming to a stop at her pack from which she drew a bow and quiver. The bow was already strung in anticipation for an event just like this, and she put an arrow to it just as the beast came around for another go. Her hands wouldn't be still as she aimed for the creature, and it was by chance that the arrow stuck in its throat. She sprinted again as he roared in fury, black eyes intent on her body.

“Dovahkiin! Zun Haal Viik!” His powerful voice was triumphant as the bow flew out of the woman’s grasp, and she cursed, barely avoiding the swipe from his tail when he flew past. As it was the blast of wind knocked her of her feet, and she pictured a fireball in her mind as she got up again. The dragon was wrapped in flames mere moments before his feet connected with her shoulders and threw her backwards.

Her feline claws where out before she had time to process the empty space beneath her feet, clinging like picks to the ice encrusting the rocky mountain. The stone shuddered as the dragon landed and made his way towards the precipice on which she was hanging.

“Dovahkiin.” The beast smiled at her as he lowered his head, looking over her white body.

The tension on her claws was causing a numbness in her hands when she hung there, and the khajiit grunted when she tried to get a better grip on the cliff side as well as getting her legs up. She'd be damned if she didn't get up, she knew that all to well.

“Trouble, Dovahkiin? Perhaps you should have practised your claws before coming, they often make a lot of difference.” He smiled again as he reached one of his feet out, extending a claw. He looked at it briefly before turning back at her. “How is it you say... oh yes, any last words?” Ekali kept quiet and he smiled again, edging further out on the edge to get to her.

The light of the blue green aurora reflected on his scales when he got closer, making him look even more majestic than before. His head had the shape of an arrowhead with spikes that were angled backwards from his face. His eyes were dark, and the scales had a soft brown colour to them.

She narrowed her eyes at the dragon as she tried to get a better grip on the ice, and clung tighter when the wind picked up, tousling her fur. The ice was mixed with snow, and her hands were barely noticeable because she didn't wear any gauntlets at the time.

The beast crept closer still, and put his foot on her paw to be able to break her grip. With a last smile that caused the blue light to be reflected by his teeth, he tore her away from the cliff, and opened his mouth to shout.

“Fus Ro Dah!” The shout threw her further away from the ledge, away from any hope of survival, and caused her to yell out in shock.

Oh hellfire, was the one thought that went through her head as she looked down at the ground far beneath her, the wind wining past her ears.

* * *

End note: So, there's the prologue. You don't get to find out what happened for a long time though as the prologue takes place long after the first chapter, which I intend to post the first part of on Tuesday. And I really like constructive criticism.

[Colonel Mustard]

I put 50 septims on Alduin poking his ugly snout into proceedings next chapter...

Also is it just me or do those prisoners seem rather familiar...

[Saquira]

*Strokes chin*...Hmmmm, there's something familiar about them prisoners... ...Helgen?...*Thinks*...

Also is it just me or do those prisoners seem rather familiar...

What could you possibly mean

I put 50 septims on Alduin poking his ugly snout into proceedings next chapter...

I'm not betting against you, no no.


Sorry, but there's no update today. Will try and get it written until Tuesday.

[Colonel Mustard]

No update today? Well that's it! I'm never reading this story again!

[Saquira]

Colonel Mustard: Oh really...

What can I say guys, I've been really busy and I'm sorry, but school has to come first. I should have an update for Felisa's memoirs soon though.

Previously on Ekali of the Frozen Heights: Having been betrayed by the legion, Ekali was sent of towards Skyrim knowing nothing but the fact that the chance of survival was slim. Arriving at the border pass after seeing Gladio for what might have been the last time, she and the soldiers came upon a group of Imperials whom had just caught some Stormcloaks, and was in need of another carriage. So she travels on towards Helgen, and towards what she believes is her doom.

Chapter 2.2 Lined up for the block

It was afternoon when the group of prisoners and soldiers approached Helgen. None of the prisoners did much, and the soldiers kept quiet. Then the khajiit raised her head after opening her eyes. She looked around for a bit, on the huge mountains and swaying pines, before her eyes rested on the other prisoners.

The one straight across from her had quite tall hair for a man, and it had the blonde colour she'd often seen on Nords. He had the beginning of a beard on his face, and turned his attention to the khajiit when he noticed that she was awake.

“Hey you, you're finally awake. You came on this carriage didn't you? From Cyrodiil,” the soldier said, and Ekali nodded to him.

“Damn you stormcloaks. Skyrim was fine until you came along. Empire was nice and lazy. If they hadn't been looking for you I could have stolen that horse and been halfway to Hammerfell by now. I shouldn't be here, neither should you I reckon,” the Nord in rags said turning his eyes on the khajiit.

“We're all brothers and sisters in binds bow, thief,” the blonde soldier answered, sighing heavily.

“Shut up back there!” a soldier called out from the front, though the prisoners paid no mind.

“And what's wrong with him, huh?” the thief asked, turning his eyes to the man in finery.

“Watch your tongue. You're speaking to Ulfric Stormcloak, the true high king.”

“Ulfric? The Jarl of Windhelm? You're the leader of the rebellion. But if they've captured you... Oh gods, where are they taking us?” the thiefs' voice took a shrill tone towards the end, as he put his head in his hands.

“I don't know where we're going, but Sovngarde awaits.” The blonde soldier looked at the thief.

“No, this can't be happening. This isn't happening.”

“Hey, what village are you from horse-thief?” The thief raised his head when the other man spoke.

“Why do you care?”

“A Nords last thought's should be of home.”

“Rorikstead. I'm... I'm from Rorikstead.” Just then their gazes were drawn to the wooden gate looming above them, a man standing at the top of it.

“General Tullius sir, the headsman is waiting!” the soldier at the gate called out before it opened.

“Good, let's get this over with,” the general said, splitting of from the column when he came through the gate, and rode up to a group of Altmer nearby.

“Shor, Mara, Dibella, Kynareth, Akatosh. Divines, please help me,” the thief begged in a scared voice. He sat with his head in his hands as the carriage continued through the small town.

“Look at him, General Tallius the Military Governor. And it looks like the Thalmor are with him. Damn elves. I bet they'd something to do with this,” the Nord soldier said as they rode past the General and the high elves. He gazed over their surrounding as they continued. “This is Helgen, I used to be sweet on a girl from here. I wonder if Vilod is still making that mead with juniper berries mixed in. Funny, when I was a boy, Imperial walls and towers used to make me feel so safe.” The soldiers voice changed from informative, to distant and then to anger as he told the khajiit about the place.

The carriages moved through the streets to an open space where they were steered of to the side. “Get these prisoners out of the cart, move it!” the Imperial Captain from earlier called out as they drove up to a wall and the thief’s head flew up.

“Why are we stopping?” he asked, looking around.

“What do you think? End of the line. Let's go, shouldn't keep the gods waiting for us.” The prisoners stood up in the cart and moved out of it one by one.

“No, wait, we're not rebels!” the thief called out with panic when Ekali made her way out of the carriage.

“Face you death with some courage, thief.” The Nord soldier didn't turn to the other man when responding, and then as one of the soldiers started to read from a list of names, he started to fidget more and more. Ulfric Stormcloak, Ralof of Riverwood and then when it was time for Lokir of Rorikstead, he ran only to be shot down by the archers. The soldier reading the list noted that the female khajiits' name was not there, but the captain said she'd be put to the block in any case.

Ekali followed the Captain quietly, coming to a stop next to Ralof, and looked on as the general and then the priestess began to talk. It was not long before one of the soldiers interrupted and walked up to the block of his own volition.

Annoyed, the priestess stepped aside, and the Imperial Captain pushed the prisoner down to the block. Ekali winced when the executioner's axe came down, but she met the Captain's eyes straight on when the woman called out that it was the khajiits' turn. Not hesitating, she walked forward and came to stand in front of the block before the Captain pushed her down as well.

Looking up at the executioner, Ekali heard the same strange sound the others heard, as well as the calls from people wondering what it was as the executioner readied his axe. The Captain ordered them to go on with it, and effectively put a stop to the worry that was spreading.

Lying on the side, Ekali got a great look at the creature as it flew towards Helgen and perched on one of the towers closest to the group. As panic erupted in the small town, the dragon made some kind of sound, throwing people back from it. The executioner came flying over her as she tumbled to the ground, head spinning. Her head held nothing but chaos until someone shouted in her ear, pulling her up on her feet.

“Up khajiit! We need to move!” Her vision returned to her just I time to see the blonde Nord in front of her, then burning rocks fell around them and she was running after the man, fighting to stay on her feet.

This post has been edited by Saquira: Jan 18 2012, 10:00 PM

[mALX]

I thought you were avoiding this scene by the beginning chapters, lol. This scene will eventually end up being like the Oblivion Tutorial Dungeon, but right now it is still fresh and new - yours is the first !! You did an Awesome job of bringing it to life !!

[Athynae]

I'm enjoying it immensely. I got a bit behind or lost or doesn't matter, I'm caught up now.

Haven't played any Skyrim, I know that's slanderous but I'm still on Morrowind, so I am anxious to see what happens next as I have NO idea.

Keep it going, looking forward to some more of the story.

[Grits]

Uh oh, I don't think Vilod will be making that juniper mead for much longer. I'm caught up with Ekali now, and enjoying her adventure. Far more than she is, I'm sure!

[King Coin]

I'm wondering what's going to happen next. Who will she trust?

This post has been edited by King Coin: Jan 18 2012, 11:51 PM

[Saquira]

I know this part is short, but this way I can guarantee that I'll have another update on Tuesday.

Previously on Ekali of the Frozen Heights: Ekali was framed for murder and shipped of to Skyrim. On the way, she together with her escorts came upon a group of Imperial soldiers in need of a carriage to take their prisoners to Helgen. As it turns out, the prisoners were Ulfric Stormcloak and a group of his soldiers. The Imperial captain decided to execute Ekali with the others, but once Ekali put her head on the block a dragon appeared and attacked Helgen. Now, being free of her bonds, what will she do?

Chapter 2.3 Split-second decision

Screams and burning wood roared outside the doors of the tower, that was what Ekali heard when she slumped down next to the stone wall as Ralof spoke to the Jarl who was now standing. She was rubbing her forehead in frustration, not really knowing what to do next now that she was free. Getting out of Helgen of course, but then what could she do? She'd been so focused on death that she could think of little else.

She managed to clear her head in time to see that the men had stopped speaking, and stood up to look at them. Ralof walked over to her, telling her that they had to get further up the tower, and Ekali followed.

Almost having reached the middle level, the two were thrown back by a blast as the beast knocked the wall in and there came a stream of fire through it. The heat licked at their faces where they huddled on the stairs, and when the fiery air cooled, the dragon gone to hunt others, both of them hurried to the hole left in the wall.

“Jump through to the roof of the inn, I'll come later,” Ralof said, pointing to the house just outside the tower, and Ekali nodded to him, stepping back a bit and then leaping across he gap to land with a grunt on the floor of the upper level of the building. Glancing back, she saw the Nord disappear back down the tower stairs, and she herself made her way out of the building towards the street.

The soldier whom had been calling out names yelled for a man to hide as she came up to him, and the cause was evident when the dragon landed on the street and fire sprouted where the man had just stood. Staggering back, Ekali crouched by the Imperial soldier.

“Still alive prisoner? I suggest you stay with me if you want to keep it that way,” the soldier said without turning around, giving instructions to the other man and the boy whom had been with them. He arose again when the dragon took of, and Ekali had to run to keep up with him as he ran down the street, eyes flying about.

She stooped down to grab the short-sword of a dead soldier just before they came onto a fallen building and had to go into the road on their left to get around it.

“Take cover by the wall!” the soldier called to her as she jumped down the broken stairs after him, and mere moments after she pressed her back into the shadow of the wall the dragon landed above them, placing its wings inches from her face and causing fire to surround a group standing further away.

The dragon did not linger, taking to the air again, and Ekali ran with the soldier down the small road, through a burned house and then out onto the open space in front of the gate. He said something to the soldiers holding the area, and then they were of running again.

The courtyard contained little debris though the dragon swept over it every other minute, and Ekali soon saw Ralof coming on the other side.

“Get out of our way Hadvar!” Ralof said venomously when they stopped before each other.

“You'll pay for this Stormcloak,” the Imperial answered and took of towards one of the doors to the keep while calling for Ekali to follow him.

“We have to get out of here,” Ralof said and hurried to another door. Ekali was struck by indecision, but made her mind up when she saw the black dragon come for another go over the courtyard, and sprinted after the Nord just as he got the door open.

This post has been edited by Saquira: Jan 20 2012, 08:07 PM

[McBadgere]

*Applauds both sections*...

You're really rendering that opening sequence excellently you know?...

Brilliantly done...

Looking forward to seeing which way she'll chose in the upcoming segment... ...

Nice one!!...

[mALX]

*Applauds both sections*...

You're really rendering that opening sequence excellently you know?...
Brilliantly done...

Looking forward to seeing which way she'll chose in the upcoming segment... ...

Nice one!!...

Bold: I agree !!


Er...but if I'm not mistaken, she already chose who she was following. It said Nord, I assumed that was Ralof.

My character went running around in the yard trying to loot (because I am a total idiot and forgot my hands were tied) - and never got injured by the dragon, lol. Finally gave up and went through the routine as the Dev's planned I should, lol.

Great Write, Saquira !!

[Saquira]

Thank you guys

Is Halldir a Nord as well? I thought he was an Imperial... Oh well, he's an Imperial in my story now at the very least. If I change the story to his advantage that is. Anyway, she did choose to go after Ralof in case that was in any way unclear.

[McBadgere]

Well yeah Robert...I mean you just go through the whole two chapters and then miss the last two paragraphs...*Slaps forehead*...

Right, yes...Ekali did indeed choose Ralof...But I think that although Halldir is in the Legion, he's got the Nord voice hasn't he?...He's big enough anyways... ...I haven't seen him for a while though... ...

With my character J'Drell, I piddled about watching Alduin for a bit...Then he killed me...J'Drell was unimpressed... ...

[Grits]

Er, Hadvar is a Nord.

I'm enjoying this, Saquira!

[Saquira]

McBadgere: I recalled it when you said it. I've only chosen the Imperials once in the beginning, so i never see him that much.

Grits: Oh, Hadvar I'll have to go and change that. That's what I get for being lazy and not checking with the wiki when I forget something. Thank you by the way!

[mALX]

Thank you guys

Is Halldir a Nord as well? I thought he was an Imperial... Oh well, he's an Imperial in my story now at the very least. If I change the story to his advantage that is. Anyway, she did choose to go after Ralof in case that was in any way unclear.

He's an Imperial by faction, a Nord by birth if I'm not mistaken. All of the Nords in Skyrim are divided by this civil war, siding with either the Stormcloaks or with the Imperials that have always ruled them in the past.

[King Coin]

So she chose the Cloak eh? I wasn't sure who she would go with, though I guessed incorrectly that her legion ties would make her decide to trust Hadvar.

[Saquira]

mALX: I know there are Nords on each side, never actually considered which race Hadvar is.

King Coin: I decided her allegiance pretty early on. If I felt that someone betrayed me so completely like I think she considers the Imperials to have done, I wouldn't join them again if something like that happens. That doesn't mean she won't be feeling like a traitor though.

This chapter is short as well, but it felt right to break it of at the point I did. I'm already quite tired of the opening sequence to be honest, and so won't be following my plan with it.

Chapter 2.4 No going back

It was oddly quiet inside the keep when Ralof had closed the doors, only the distant screams witnessed to the horror taking place outside. They walked into the circular entry-room, their eyes on the dead Stormcloak by the table.

“Blasted Imperials,” he cursed. “You can take poor Gunjar's armour. I'll check the doors and keep a look-out in case anyone is coming,” he continued without looking at her and walked over to one of the doors. Ekali looked at him briefly before crouching down and stripping the soldier of his chain-mail and cloth armour. Then she donned it with ease, making a few extra holes in the belt using her claws so that it fit around her waist. She took his pack as well, and hung the short-sword she'd found on the belt together with the soldiers axe. A few coins jingled when she touched his pouch, and she tied that to the belt as well.

Ralof had stopped next to one of the doors when she came up next to him, and he gestured for her to stand on the other side of it. Doing so, Ekali soon heard the footsteps of two soldiers. One pair of feet with steel boots, and one with leather. That they were unfamiliar with sneaking was evident.

Since she hadn't seen steel boots on any of the Stormcloaks, Ekali drew the short-sword with her left hand and readied her flame spell in the right. Ralof nodded when he saw it, pulling out his axe.

The two listened tentatively to the steps coming closer to the door, then a key was put in the lock and it swung open to admit them. The captain and the soldier saw the two ex-prisoners immediately, barely drawing their swords before rushing at them. The soldier brought his sword down on Ekali and she deflected it hurriedly, stepping so that Ralof were no longer in her firing range before bringing her right hand up to engulf the Imperial soldier in fire.

The captain's reaction to the screams left her guard down, allowing Ralof to hack at the space between her shoulder plates and helmet. The woman slumped to the floor moments later, next to the still burning soldier whose suffering Ekali had just ended.

They stood there for a moment before cleaning the weapons, putting them back in their scabbards and stooping by the captain. The soldier had become almost unrecognisable, nothing but a charred corpse left. Searching the captain, they found several keys as well as some money. While Ralof took the keys to try them in one of the other doors in the room, Ekali pocketed the money and stood up before casting a last look at the soldier and asking the Eight to accept their souls in Aetherius.

“There's no way back now is there,” she said, stopping by the door that Ralof held open for her. Her gaze looked absent when she said it, a look of mourning on her face, and he furrowed his brows at the odd question.

“What?” the Nord asked in return.

“I spent more than half my life as an Imperial forester. Even if I meet my friends again I'll never be able to look them in the eyes.” Ralof looked at the dead soldiers with surprise written on his face. Then he looked at the khajiit for a moment when she started down the stairs, shook his head and hurried after her. They could talk about it later.

[Athynae]

Choices, they are what shape our lives, I am anxious to see how the choice Ekali made will change the rest of hers.

I am appreciating Ekali's turmoil, faced with choices when there is really no time to weigh them. I have gotten the sense though that her moral character along with instinct will prove valuable in the choice she made.

Great write and impatiently waiting for more...

[McBadgere]

Awww...Giving up so soon? ...Shame...But I'm sure whatever you choose will be most excellent!... ...

Nice chapter though...Brilliantly described...

*Applauds*...

Nice one!... ...