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]

Thank you for the great comments guys! I was afraid the dream wasn't scary enough

Previously on Ekali of the Frozen Heights: Ekali had a nightmare about killing her friends, and when the morning came she found out from Ralof that Saerdur Lawgiver had only been placed under house arrest. They talked a lot before falling asleep, among other things about why the Stormcloaks are fighting the Empire, and what she should do next. Next, she gets a job.

Chapter 2.6 You don't look like a Faendal.

It was early in the morning when the khajiit and the Nord approached Riverwood. The sun was shining, though there was a slight chill in the air. The pair stayed quiet when they walked, but didn't notice the people whom were looking at them.

The black-furred female leaned leisurely against her companion as she watched the two walk along the road. They'd chosen the place to watch from since it gave them a good view of most of Riverwood, while still concealing them from the watchful eyes of other people. The male khajiit with the copper fur had his arm around her waist, and his chin rested on the top of her head.

Sighing, the female pressed a kiss to the lips of her mate before stepping away. “She's wearing fur. Fur! One little spark and she'll go up in flames!” She said, and the male shrugged.

“So? Will the cub need protection against fire?” the male asked, trying to get a hold of her again. Frowning, the female pushed him away again, throwing a glance at the couple walking into Riverwood.

Screenshot

“Very much so. I must go and fetch her something, will you watch her? Make sure nothing happens?” The female looked at him, something akin to love in her eyes.

“Ma'Zhirr will do anything for you dearest,” the male answered, a sly grin on his face as he took in her lithe body. The female frowned at him, but kissed him one last time before pulling her mask up and mounting the black horse whom had been standing behind them. Ma'Zhirr watched her go before turning towards the town again. He saw the other two talking to some people, and then they entered a house together. Sitting down to watch, the male caught a butterfly that came to close, and started picking its wings apart for entertainment.

* * *

It was loud in the tavern despite the recent dragon sighting, and Ekali would've had trouble finding a spot if not for Ralof. He sat across from her, though she had not held his attention for long. He was talking to some other men at a nearby table. They were wearing commoner clothes both of them, having left the armour at the house.

She was staring into her third mug of mead with a frown on her face, and thus not many bothered her. One of those who did though, was the bard sitting nearby. He'd been singing “The Dragonborn comes” and was walking over to her after taking a few sips from his mug.

“You wouldn’t want to make some money would you?” the bard asked when he came closer, and the female looked up at him.

“What would it involve?” she asked, drinking another mouthful of the familiar drink. The bard smiled in an attempt to appear charming, and sat down next to her. Ralof wasn't paying attention, he'd taken to flirting with one of the serving wenches.

“Oh, just delivering this note to Camilla Valerius and telling her it's from Faendal.” The Nord smiled again, and the khajiit frowned.

“You don't look like a Faendal,” she answered him and took another swig.

“That's because I'm Sven. Faendal is my rival, and the treehugger shouldn’t be allowed to court such a lovely lady. I want him out of the picture.” The bard looked at the khajiit, not noticing the smile on her lips as she'd once again raised her mug.

“Sure, I'll help you,” she said, and the Nord smiled in response. Then he got up and left the table after handing Ekali the note. She took a look at it before leaving some septims on the table and standing up to leave. Then she nodded to Ralof and walked out the door.

A cold wind blew outside when she made her way towards the trader's house. Though it was long after closing hours, chances were the door would still be open to visitors.

Hearing raised voices from within, Ekali raised her hand and knocked on the door. The house grew quiet before footsteps approached the door and someone unlocked it. Camilla Valerius was, upon opening, surprised to see a white-furred khajiit in the opening, but none the less she invited the woman in.

“Thank you, I'm Ekali. Sven asked me to give you this and say it was from Faendal,” she said and held out the paper to Camilla whom looked through it quickly.

“It seems I'd do best not to choose Sven then,” Camilla said and sighed before smiling warmly at Ekali.

“That's all good and well, but to get back to the matter at hand you're not going after those bandits! Not today, tomorrow or even after five years of swordsmanship lessons!” Camilla's brother said with his hands flailing. Giving Ekali an apologetic smile, the Imperial woman turned back to him.

“Then who's going to do it? We can't afford to loose that claw, it's the only heirloom left to us! It's our only insurance if things should go wrong!” Camilla raged at him, and the man's eyes turned to Ekali.

“What about her? She wears armour. What do you say about earning some coin?” he asked Ekali, and Camilla turned to the khajiit again.

“What would I have to do exactly?” the khajiit asked hesitantly.

“Some bandits stole our golden claw. They've taken up refuge in Bleak Falls Barrow, just to the north west of here. We don't know how many there might be, but there might be other creatures there as well. Skeevers of course, and maybe draugr,” Camilla answered, and her brother glared at her when she mentioned draugr.

“The draugr are fairy tales,” he snapped. “No use in scaring her of is there?”

“What are skeevers and draugr?” Ekali asked with a frown before Camilla could answer.

“Skeevers are huge and hostile rats. Draugr are the walking dead. They're rumored to have served the dragons once,” the brother said while looking at the khajiit.

“I'm not unfamiliar with undead. I'll help you.” Ekali looked at the two when the man burst into a smile.

“Splendid, absolutely splendid. I'm Lucan Valerius,” he said before taking her hand and shaking it.

“Good to meet you Lucan. Now, where is this Barrow located?” Ekali asked, looking at both of them.

“I'll show you in the morning. Do you have a place where you're staying?” Camilla asked and Lucan left the women to go upstairs.

“Yes, I do.” With that, they said good bye and the khajiit left to go and get ready for bed. Though she did not regret offering her help, she couldn't ignore the nagging feeling that she'd taken on more than she could handle.