User blog:Shezza123/Of Men and Dragons - Before The Storm

A large stone ruin towered over the valley, casting a large shadow over the path.

"What in Oblivion is that place?" Hastor asked.

"Old Nordic Tomb, by the look of things." Tullius said.

"Bleak Falls Barrow." Said Hadvar, "Means we're close to Riverwood."

"Bit of an eyesore, don't you think?" Hastor said.

"I know." Hadvar grimaced, "When I was a boy, it'd give me all sorts of nightmares. Draugr, creeping through my window in the middle of the night. In restrospect, I-"

"Hold up, men," Said Tullius, "I don't mean to disturb your chit-chat, but there're some rebels up ahead." He pointed at a group of five Nords up the road, dressed in Stormcloak armour.

"Look out!" Cried one of them, "Legionnaires!" He charged at Tullius, axe drawn, but the general easily blocked it, and ran his sword through the rebel's stomach. Hadvar dodged a hammer blow from another, and made short work of him.

As the last three Stormcloaks readied their weapons, Hastor sent out a wall of flames, which reduced them to nothing but charred corpses.

"That's the last of them." Said Hadvar, "Are you alright?"

"What, me?" Asked Hastor, "Yeah, fine."

"You did just kill three men, Letrand." Said Tullius.

"Yes, well, it was in self defense." Said Hastor, defensively.

"If you insist." Hadvar said awkawrdly.

An uneasy silence remained for the rest of the road, until the trio arrived at Riverwood. It was a rather picturesque little town, Hastor thought. But, as far as he was concerned, beauty is just horror that stays hidden. At the first building on the left, was a muscular, bearded man, sharpening a sword.

"Uncle Alvor!" Hadvar greeted, "Hello!"

"Hadvar?" The man looked up from his work "What are you doing here? Are you on leave from... Shor's bones!" Alvor dropped the sword in shock, and saluted, "General Tullius! Hadvar, what's going on? And who's this?" He pointed at Hastor.

"A friend." Said Hadvar, "Saved my life, in fact. Now keep your voice down, uncle. We'll explain everything inside."