When I woke up today, I hadn't imagined that I'd be bound at the wrists, and escorted to a little backwater fort with a group of rebellious Nords and their Emperial betters. Just then, the sound of wood scraping stone rang out from my left, as if to silence my thoughts.
"so this is Helgen..."
I stated, looking up to a guard standing on the walkway above the gate that was being opened by another two, similarly dressed men.
The person who I assumed was in charge of the troupe escorting us exchanged pleasantries while the carts jolted back into motion.
As the carts were paraded through the fort, almost seemingly on display, it seemed like our arrival to Helgen had caused quite the commotion, as every resident had shown up to witness the event. It made sense though, it's not everyday you get to witness the execution of a rebel leader and his cohorts...
suddenly the cart jolted to yet another stop, only this was the last one.
"Alright, everyone off, let's get this over with."
dismounting, the one in charge walked over and handed a parchment rolled up and bound with a single silk ribbon to the one that was driving our cart, Hadvar, if I heard correctly over the whimpering of my fellow prisoner.
unrolling the parchment, Hadvar started calling names, the names of the soon - to - be dearly departed....
"Ulfric Stormcloak, Jarl of Windhelm."
"Ralof, of Riverwood."
After their names were called, they would then be marched over to the headsman, and the stone that would soon be our final pillow.
"Lokir, of Rorikstead."
At the sound of his name, the fidgeting Elf could stay silent no longer...
"Wait! this is a misunderstanding! I'm no stormcloak!!"
The pitiful elves pleas fell on deaf ears however as Hadvar directed him to the butcher in waiting. This caused the elf to do the unthinkable in our current situation.
"No! I can't die like this!"
As Lokir screamed, he pushed past Hadvar and his captain, he made a last ditch effort to keep what little life he had left....
He got further than I figured he would, given his stumbling run, but I don't know whether that was because he got lucky, or simply because the captain wanted to toy with him before she commanded the archers to loose the arrow into his back...
After what seemed like a lifetime, Hadvar had finally gotten through all of the prisoners on the list, which was only 11 people, excluding me... the outlier...
"prisoner, step forward."
looking over his list one last time and then turning his gaze back to me.
"who are you?
After a short silence.
"My name is Roland... I'm a hunter... I was hea-"
Before I could explain myself, the commanding tone of the women interrupted.
"Enough, what's the problem?"
"he's not on the list... what should we do?"
Without giving it much thought, the captain waved her hand, dismissing the question.
"He goes to the block, I'm not taking any chances."
"By your orders captain..."
Turning his attention back to me, Hadvar gestured in the direction of the remaining group of prisoners.
"I'm sorry, there isn't anything I can do..."
As I was escorted to the waiting group, all sound seemed to drown itself out, all that was going through my mind were what if's, and possible ways to get out of the situation I was currently in... As my mind slowed I noticed an older man standing in front of the one they called Ulfric, probably giving some speech... I didnt know... I didnt really care. My eyes wandered from my captors, to the would be executioner, to my fellow prisoners, and finally, to the spectators...
'If I had slept a little bit longer... where would I be right now?...'
That question filled my head, as a twinge of pain from my wrists shot slightly up my arms... and the sounds of a distant animals cry that made my short, elven ears, slightly shift to better capture the sound.
Without noticing, the old man had finished his speech and a woman that was dressed in priest robes, standing next to the captain, had started to give some blessing to make our trip to the afterlife easier. I paid no attention to her, as my ears picked up the sound again, only it was closer this time. It was strange, I had been hunting most my life, mostly out of necessity, and a little out of enjoyment. So I was use to hearing different animals, and their respective calls, but this one was different, one I had never heard before...
Suddenly I felt a slight weight, Hadvar had put his hand on my shoulder, snapping me out of my daze.
"To the block, nice and easy."
Looking around, I noticed all eyes were on me... an all too familiar feeling washed over me as I shifted uncomfortably under everyone's gaze
'Will I ever get use to that...'
I wondered silently as I made my way to the blood covered stone.
'Not that it matters if I do...'
As I stood in front of the small gathering, my body hesitated to do what I told it to, but with some... gentle... assistance, my right knee buckled as the captain pushed her boot into it, followed by her shoving my neck onto the cold slab. It was slightly warm to the touch, as well as a little sticky... looking to the man hovering over me, directly at his mask covered face, and into his one good eye. I didnt feel panic, as I expected to... just... calm.