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.

[Saquira]

Thanks everyone! Excuse me for almost forgetting that I intended to post an update today.

Previously on Ekali of the Frozen Heights: Ekali woke up with a headache and found out she didn't spend the night alone, a prospect she did not like. Rushing out of there, she went and bought a Cure Poison potion for the hangover and then went to take a shower in the barracks. Next, she learns the true meaning of bad news.

Yes, I think I am quite evil towards my characters, at least the main ones. You didn't notice yet?

Chapter 1.5 Sell-out

Ekali just came out of the bathroom when Janus was climbing out of bed. He looked like a zombie with his hair completely messed up and a part of his face was red because he'd slept in the same position to long. He squinted with his eyes, grabbing a tunic of his bed stand and pulling it on.

“Good morning,” she purred happily as she walked to her bed and took a clean change of clothes from the chest. The only sign that Janus had heard her was a grunt, and she chuckled as she put the clothes on. “Drank to much huh?” He grunted again, and walked slowly into the bathroom to put his head beneath the pump. Ekali smiled and picked up one of the few books she had bought with her salary.

He came stumbling out a couple of minutes later, after a lot of running water and emptying of his stomach. She looked up at him as he made his way to his chest and fumbled with the cork of a bottle before downing the contents. When done, he sighed and sunk down with his back against the bed, looking at her.

“Do you remember what happened yesterday?” Janus asked with a look of confusion on his face, and Ekali sighed.

“I was hoping to ask you the same question. I don't remember anything after Neven said you were getting married. Who is it you're marrying by the way, and why? You haven't mentioned anyone,” She said, peering over at him.

“Oh, I always forget you're not into gossip as much as the others. And then you were gone for a month. Um, her name is Juliana, named for Julianos you know. We met in the chapel actually, she was looking to cure some illness she'd got when travelling and I was praying as usual. We've been going out for about a year now, I never really thought of telling anyone about her.” He looked down into the floor, fiddling with his fingers.

“I suppose you've never been one for initiating conversations. Congratulations, I hope you're happy with each other.” Ekali smiled at him.

“Thanks, I hope so to. Have you eaten yet?” he asked, putting on his clothes after drying his hair with a tallow.

“No, not yet. Bernard’s place usually serves good breakfast.” The khajiit stood up and hung her axes by her belt when she spoke.

“Or we could go to the Spotted Snow-bear,” Janus answered while hanging his sword by his side and Ekali sighed.

“I'd rather not. Besides, I'm hungry for eggs and bread, not slop.” She smiled at him.

“They don't serve slop at the Snow-bear, it's a... uh... stew. Yeah, that's right, they serve stew.” The Imperial was starting to look uncomfortable.

“Whatever makes you feel better.” Ekali chuckled and walked out of the building with Janus on her heels. They made their way through town, happily arguing over whether the Spotted Snow-bears food could actually be considered edible. In the end, they decided to go to Bernard's Unusual Cuisine.

However, just as they were to enter the establishment a runner came up to them. He wore simple clothes, so simple that one could wonder if he felt the cold, and sweat was coming of his face from the run.

“Forester Ekali? Centurion Braccus asks for you to meet with him at your earliest inco... convenience. He is staying in the castle.” With that, the runner saluted and took of again. There was a forlorn look on Ekali's face as she looked after him. Seeing it, Janus stepped up to her.

“He said you should come at you earliest convenience...” he began slowly.

“And you know as well as I what that means,” she answered, stepping away from the building after finally tearing her eyes of the lad.

“Do you want me to come with you?”

“No, it shouldn't be anything bad. We're both part of the legion, he can't do anything. Right?” She said, trying to sound light-hearted. But worry swirled in her eyes, and her tail stayed close to her legs.

“He shouldn't,” Janus said, doubtfully. Ekali shrugged, asked him to wish her luck and left for the castle. Janus looked after her for a while before turning to the chapel and closing his eyes briefly, mumbling something beneath his breath. Then he walked into the establishment to eat.

* * *

Arturius Braccus was sitting by his desk when he heard light steps approaching his office. He had the few documents he needed in front of him, and his sword was leaned against the desk. The Imperial wore plate armour which had been polished so that it shone, except for the helmet he'd placed next to the documents. He did not know what to expect after such a long time.

“Enter,” he said when soft thuds was heard on the door from her paw, and she walked in, eyes finding him within moments. She saluted and he was once again reminded of why he considered her beautiful.

“You asked for me, sir.” Though her face was expressionless, her ears were angled slightly backwards, and he couldn't help but to notice that her tail was still. She had thicker fur than most khajiit, and its pattern reminded him of a snow leopards pelt he'd once seen. Realising that he was staring, the centurion tore his eyes away and cleared his throat.

“I'm going to get straight to the point. About a week ago a delegate arrived in the Imperial City. The delegate came from Riften in Skyrim, the Jarl to be even more precise. Apparently her son set out on an expedition into the Jerall mountains with six companions. They were found a couple of weeks ago, and she says you did it.” He looked at Ekali as understanding dawned on her face.

“What? I couldn't have. I killed a couple people, but they robbed a village, and it was just two days ago. I've been hunting them for...” She was getting rather panicky when he held up a hand.

“A month, perhaps. Do you deny that you killed seven men carrying these kinds of amulets around their necks? Do you have anyone that could vouch for you?” he asked, holding one of the amulets she'd brought in beneath the light of the candle on his desk. She shook her head, having forgotten her repulsion for him.

“I took those from the bandits, and how could I have anyone..? I didn't kill anyone I wasn't told to kill!” She continued to shake her head, as if it could make the whole ordeal come to a stop.

“The Emperor and his council does not need more trouble from Skyrim than they've already got, which is why they're handing you over to the Jarl.” He watched her as she continued to stare at the amulet, and two legionnaires stepped into the room. “You are hereby accused of the murder of Saerdur Lawgiver, to be escorted into Skyrim within two days and handed over to the guard of Riften as soon as possible. You may talk and try to convince them of your innocence, but I truly doubt the Jarl will be merciful. Take her away,” he said the last to the two legionnaires whom stepped forward.

“But why..?”

“Because you're a soldier. Your word doesn't weigh as heavily as the Jarls and in the eyes of the politicians, soldiers will always be expendable.” She looked at him with a look that made him feel responsible when the legionnaires took her by the arms and led her out the door.

Arturius Braccus sighed and sat down by his desk, putting his head into his hands. That anyone could serve in the legion for eighteen years and still be sold like a piece of meat. She was damned good at her job to. Divines have mercy on her soul, Braccus thought, rubbing his forehead.

Authors' note: Originally I was just going to use Braccus as the bringer of bad news, but now i'm considering whether or not I should have him come to Skyrim eventually as a member of the Imperial legion. That could get really complicated.