There's a tale of a pony who was born with a cutiemark. Marked from birth to be great, but only known to the ones who made it so.
CarmicWing wasn't like the other ponies growing up. Born with a cutie mark she never wanted she lived as a simple farmer with her family in a small Village outside skyrim. When she goes there to get some supplies for the winter she gets ambushed and thrown into a destiny she wasn't ready for. How can a Pegasus pony with no skills and no talent for fighting survive the harsh war, cold lands, and fierce dragons.
I wasn’t like most ponies. I didn’t grow up to learn the joys of learning what you were meant to do, that special moment when you first see that your flank was full of purpose. I didn’t feel any of that joy, because I was born with my cutiemark. I was already marked from my first breath. My name is CarmicWing and this Is my story.
I wake up slowly with the sun blaring into my blurry vision, groaning when I was jostled. Looking around wondering where I was I looked over to see a gray Nordic earth pony with a yellow mane braided on the side wearing a blue sort of uniform, a dark green Nordic Pegasus with a light brown mane and was looking fearfully around us, and beside me was a light blue Nordic earth pony with a dirty yellow mane and was gagged for some reason.
“Hey you.” the gray pony nudged me with his tied hoof, making me look at him.
“your awake! You were trying to cross the boarder right?” I nod at him.”Walked right into that imperial ambush, just like us; and that thief over there.” The earth pony nodded his head to the panic struck one. He saw us notice him and started to get agitated at the other two for some reason.
“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 of stolen that cart and been halfway for Hammerfell.” He looks towards me and leans forwards a bit.
“you there, we shouldn’t be here! Its these Stormcloaks the empire wants.”
I look at him wondering what all this talk of the empire and these Stormcloak people they keep talking about, whats going on here…. I look over to the gagged one and see him staring at me, a curious look In his eyes. Like hes looking into my soul and trying to read it…
“were all brothers and sisters in binds now thief” the Grey one says with an edge to his voice seems like the thief hit a nerve.
“Shut up back there!” well sorry guard, were just getting carries off to who knows where. Well try to be more considerate to you.
I tune out the now hushed conversation as I look around to see if I can make out where were going. I can tell that we just arrived to a village that was surrounded by a wall, people outside there houses watching us go by, a few of the middle aged ones smirking and chuckling.
Whats going to happen to us.
I snap out of my thoughts when we stop. The others stand up so I figure I should do the same, so I don’t make the guards mad. We stop in front of a red female Pegasus with read armor and a glare that could kill, and dark Grey unicorn with the same thing on levitating parchment and a quill.
“Step towards the block when I call your name. One at a time” The red one harshly calls out- Wait, CHOPPING BLOCK?! I whip my head to the left, past the others, to see a stone block with blood dried on it and a pony holding an ax, smirking gleefully at all of us.
“empire loves there damn lists” not the time to be snarky Grey one!
“Ulfric Stormcloak..” so that’s the gagged ones name. “Jarl of Windhelm.” They have a jarl going to the chopping block...what is going on here…
“Ralof of Riverwood” The Grey one moves and smiles at me, walking to the others.
“Lokir of Roaikstead” said pony starts to panic and scream.
“NO, IM NOT A REBEL! YOU CANT SO THIS!”
He starts to run off, not very fast considering his hooves were tied up.
The red Pegasus rolled her eyes and motioned the guards to shoot him with there arrows and killing him, his blood splattering a little and his body falling lifeless to the ground. I stare in horror and feel a few tears come to my eyes. Home was nothing like this, thiers so much more bloodshed here….
“Next prisoner!” I flinch and freeze, not moving. “but general...shes not on the list.” the unicorn looks at me than the list, tilting it to the Pegasus.
She glares at him and I walk to the group, not wanting to be shot down like lokir was.
I start walking to the group of ponies, now noticing that there all dressed in the same kind of clothes.
I stand there, my head down while the others talk and berate us. One of the poor souls gets called up to the block and I close my eyes, not wanting to see him get killed, but flinch as a I hear the chop and the sound of blood splattering to the ground.
“Next prisoner!” are those her words of the day or something!?
I feel a nudge on my flank and see a burly stallion with scars all over him. Suddenly we all hear a loud scream like roar and all flinch. What in the name of the gods was that?!
“Did you hear that?” no, we didn’t.
“I SAID..” she glared at everyone. Excuse us ma'am. “NEXT. PRISONER.”
The stallion behind me looked at me, with what looked like pity.
“I’m sorry..” was whispered into my ear as I was lead to the block. I nod my head to him and look down. I’m ready to accept my fate.
The general smirks at me and shoves her metal clad hoof between my shoulder blades, pushing me to the ground and my head on the block. Just at the ax was raised into the air another roar and sudden ground shaking startled us. Suddenly there was a shout, I dint hear it but..i felt it. It was was like I was being spoken to, but couldn’t understand what it was saying.
My vision clears and I look up to the top of the tower, my eyes widening and what felt like ten rocks dropping into my stomach. On the tower was a dragon, a dragon that no one has seen for thousands of years.
“That was a dragon...why are they here?” Jarl Ulfric speaks to a pink Nordic pony. They start to move up the steps as one of them picks me up roughly and trots after them. We make it to the second layer of the tower before the wall caves in and the beasts head follows the rubble. Fire consumed our visions while we back up to shield ourselves.
“Dammit” I grunt, talking for the first time sense I got into this mess. The fire stops and the smoke clears a little, so we go back to escaping. The only way out is the front door and the wall, the rubble blocking everything else in our path.
“were going to have to jump” I mumble to the Jarl, looking to the building below us.
“You're right, you and SilverHandle go out this way and I’ll go out the front.” Said pony shifted me on his back and crouched down.
“wait WAAAIAAAAAHH!!” I end my question in a scream as he jumped out of the hole and into the next building. I roughly fall off of his back and slid into a barrel.
“ow….” He trots over to me and picks me back up and on his back. Running out of the space were the door was.
“now is not the time to be be in pain, you can after were safe!” I glare at the back of his head and snarl.
“well excuse me for being a living being and feeling pain!” Suddenly I was dropped, grunting in pain I look up to see SilverHandle and an orange unicorn fighting. I wiggle away hoping not to get killed by all the fire and swords flying around me. I get picked up again, that was happening a lot today, and was flung onto the back of a stallion wearing the red uniform that tried to kill us.
“stay with me if you want to live prisoner!” was mumbled to me while we go round a big wall chunk.
“like I have a choice...” I gritted out. Another scream like roar filled the sky as a dragon landed in front of a young colt, making him stumble and trip as he tried to get away from it.
“come here you can make it!” one of the ponies next to me calls, probably his father if the same coat color means anything. When the dragon flew away we made our way to a clearing of sorts, there running up to us was Ralof.
“hes alive..” I whisper. The back I was on tensed up and I could feel the cold glare from back here. And again, I was dropped painfully onto the rough ground. These are some gentlecolts here…
“i hope you all burn!” the guard runs out the gates which leaves Ralof and I to go our own way.
“come on..” and up I go. “lets get you inside and those ropes cut.” going to the big door we walk inside to an empty room with a body on the floor. We walk over to it as he kneels down to him.
“We'll meet again in sovengarde, brother..” standing back up he look at me and pulls out a dagger “Looks like we're the only ones who made it. That thing was a dragon. No doubt. Just like the children's stories and the legends. The harbingers of the End Times. We better get moving. Come here, let me see if I can get those bindings off.”
I lift up my tied hooves and feel the sudden relief of freedom. I rub the rope burns as he turns back to the limp stallion.
“May as well take Gunjar's gear...he won't be needing it anymore...” I flinch as I look at said pony.
“d-do I have to...I’ve never used this kind of stuff before…” he smiled at me and patted my shoulder.
“it's okay, I’ll make sure your safe” walking over to the metal barred door he jiggles it and grunts. “This one's locked. Let's see about that gate.” and again the door wouldn’t move.
“Come on, soldier! Keep moving!”
Shifting in this heavy armor, I start at the sound of the captains voice. Ralof gets out his sword and gets into a battle position. The wooden gate opens and he goes in for the attack, fighting the mare and stallion with only a blade between his teeth. I look at him and look at my ax, thinking hard at what im about to do. I grip the hilt between my teeth as I charge, slashing at the mare. Shes knocked back, the tip of her ear now cut off. I’m a horrible aim.
“you...you MILK DRINKER!” She screamed at me and charged, sword ready to kill me. I rush out of the way just in time and blindly throw my ax at her.
Thump.
I slowly look over my shoulder, hooves moving my mane back, to see the captain on the floor. The ax I’ve just thrown impaled in her skull. My eyes widen and I choke back a sob.
I-i just killed somepony….
I actually murdered a pony who had a family, maybe even a husband and a filly. I turn away from her as I start to cry. Hearing a jingle I look to Ralof who has a set of keys in his hoof.
“these should be our way out, hang in there...you can get through this.” I don’t know if I’ll ever get use to this land.
We walk through the hallways fighting off guards, well he was, I was in the corner cowering. We finally made it to this cavern where a bear was sleeping, bathed in the sunlight.
“I'd rather no tangle with her right now. Let's try to sneak by. Just take it nice and slow, and watch where you step.” I nod. We start to move forward, slowly and carefully.
That is, until I trip over a rock and fall flat on my face.
Ralof quickly stood guard when the bear woke up and growled, spotting us rather quickly. It lunged at us while I was trying to run away, catching my leg with its claws. I screamed out in pain as Ralof swiped at it. I looked up at the angry creature with treas blurring my vision. Is this how it ends? After all of this?
“DIE YOU BASTARD!”
The bear fell to the right of me as I stare at the now bloody gray stallion. He was panting, hilt still in his mouth and stood proudly over me and the body. He dropped the sword and knelt down to look at my leg, which no doubt needed stitches.
“we have to get you to my sister, she can clean you up.”
onto his back I go. I’m getting use to this I guess.
We now, at a much slower pace, make our way to the exit of the cave ahead of us. I can smell the fresh air finally, were almost there…..
the sky isn’t something I thought I would of missed to see but after a few hours in that cave I’m so happy to see the blue cloudy sky, tinted black from the burning smoke coming from that village we escaped from. I saw the black figure of the dragon fly off to the mountains in the distance. I hope its gone for good.
“No way to know if anyone else made it out alive. But this place is going to be swarming with Imperials soon enough. We'd better clear out of here.” Ralof shifts me around and starts walking. I don’t know where were going or what will happen. But I know one thing for sure. Something I can feel inside me.
I open my eyes and felt a sharp pain in my leg. Looking down I see a gauze wrapped around and remembered what happened. I lay my head back on the pillow as I think of that dream.
“who...was that…?”
“who was what?” I flinch at the sudden voice beside me. Looking up I see a Grey Nordic earth pony, a lighter shade than Ralof. She had a similar mane color and a smile on her face, she seemed to be the one who took care of me.
“so you're Gerdur, Ralof told me about you” she smiles and chuckles.
“I hope it was good things.” laughing, I sit up flinching at the pain that ran through my body. While Gurdur went to get a healing potion for me I look around, taking in all of the stuff this place has to offer. It makes me a little home sick, it looks a lot like where I live...lived. I look at my hooves with a sad look on my face. I just want to go home and see my family, not getting mixed up in this mess of a war. I looked up to Gurdur handing my my potion, a sad smile on her face like she knew what I was thinking. Taking the potion in my hooves I push my mane from my face, sipping the healing drink.
“Here, let me help you with that” she grabbed a piece of yarn and came up to the right of me, where the Tuscan red part of my mane is and started braiding the section where it gets in my face. She finishes and hold up a mirror to me. I see my freckled face and smile at the braid.
“thank you Gurder...” said pony nods than looks down, fidgeting.
“I actually have a small favor to ask you. You see we need somepony to tell the Jarl in Whitrun about the dragon attacks and send some guards to help. I cant do it because I have to run the mill and Ralof has to go help some Stormcloaks in a camp near by. Do you mind going for us? Ill give you a map and supplies!”
I looked at her, eyes wide and mouth open. I could barely make it out of that cave let alone make it outside in this land. Than again...they DO need help and someone DOES need to know about the dragons….
“I’ll do it...” The look of relief on her face made me a little happier about all of this.
She trots over to a chest and rummages through it, pulling a few things out and a saddle bag. Packing them all in a bag, along with the map and some coin, she puts it on my back and walks me to the door.
“whoa! You mean right now!?” I frantically look at her.
“well we need to tell him as soon as we can.” gulping I see that we've made it to the edge of town. The path leads over a river and through the mountain across it.
“just follow the signs and the path. You should be there by nightfall.” I nod as I look over the river. “here take this, you'll need this to keep safe.” she hands me a short sword and straps it to my side. I remember what I did to that poor mare in the tower and shake my head. I wont have to use it on a pony I tell myself, I wont!
“T-thank you...”
Making my way across the bridge I look up to the top of the mountain and sigh, this is it.
I've been walking for a few hours now. My hooves hurt, im hungry and I just want to stop and sleep! Making my way around this rock I see a city surrounded by a giant stone wall, this must be the place Gurdur told me about.
“thank the god's...” I sigh in relief.
I start to flap my wings, hovering off of the ground to go faster and make it to the city to rest. I make my way up the path when I see a caravan with some strange looking ponies with cat like features. I slow down and trot over to one of them.
“h-hello ma'am..” She turns to me and smiles, giving off a motherly vibe.
“yes? What can Ru'leaf do for you?” looking at the other ponies and little tents I want to ask her and not sound rude.
“may I ask...what kind of ponies are you? Where I'm from we only have Redguard ponies...”
She chuckles and turns to her traveling partners.
“we are called Khajiit, we travel the lands selling goods and seeing the sights that Skyrim has to offer.” She looks so happy talking about it. Is this land really that beautiful? I say my goodbyes and walk up to the gates of the city where two unicorn guards await me.
“HALT! City's closed with the dragons about. Offical business only!” I stop and scuff my hoof on the ground.
“Riverwood c-calls for the Jarl's aid..” this seems to interest him.
“Riverwood's in danger, too? You better go on in. You'll find the Jarl at Dragonsreach, atop the hill.” I nod at him in thanks and I trot into the city after they opened the gates.
“this place is beautiful...” to my right is a blacksmith's, a mare out in front smelting some sort of ore. To my left I see a pub, to my best guess. A few ponies wave to me while I walk, fillies and colts running past me as they play. This seems like a friendly place to be.
“have you been to the Cloud District?” A nicely dressed Pegasus suddenly asks me. He looks me up and down, a look of snobbishness and disgust shown plainly on his face.
“oh what am I thinking. Of course you haven’t.” with a raised muzzle he smirks and walks away. Feeling rather self-conscious I keep my head low and continue my way to the Jarls home. I make to the top of the stairs and look at the amazing building.
I open the doors and walk slowly inside seeing a few ponies walk around. I look over to the Jarl where a Dark Elf pony spotted me. She draws her weapon, which her magic is a light purple, and trots over to me in a defensive pose.
“What's the meaning of this interruption? Jarl Balgruuf is not receiving any visitors!”
I flinch and step back a little “I have news from Helgen. About the dragon attack...” That seems to get her attention.
“Well, that explains why the guards let you in. Come on then, the Jarl will want to speak to you personally.” I walk up to the Pale yellow earth pony and bow a little.
“What's this about Riverwood being in danger?”
“A dragon destroyed Helgen. Gerdur is afraid Riverwood is next.” I slightly mumble, a little intimidated by the pony n front of me.
“So, you were at Helgen? You saw this dragon with your own eyes?” I glare at the floor remembering the awful ones who captured me. “Yes. I had a great view while the Imperials were trying to cut off my head.”
He chuckled at my pout and nodded “Really? You're certainly...forthright about your criminal past. But it's none of my concern who the Imperials want to execute. Especially now. What I want to know is what exactly happened at Helgen.” looking up at the pony beside him he gave him a questioning look.
“What do you say now, Proventus? Shall we continue to trust in the strength of our walls? Against a dragon?”
And that question started an augment which lasted for a while, ponies yelling isn’t fun, more so when they have Sharp objects. Finally it seemed the Jarl had enough and sent them on their way. He turned back to me and smiled apologetically.
“You've done Whiterun a service, and I won't forget it. Here, take this as a small token of my esteem.” getting up he walks behind his throne and picks up some armor and tosses it to my hooves. I stare at it and slowly start to put it on, feeling strange with the extra weight.
“There is another thing you could do for me. Suitable for someone of your particular talents, perhaps. Come, let's go find Farengar, my court wizard. He's been looking into a matter related to these dragons and...rumors of dragons.” He walks over to a door to our right while I slowly follow. Why would ANYPONY want to learn of those horrid creatures?!
We walk in and there stands a dark purple unicorn with mage robes on, looking at what seems to be a map and an old book. He looks up at us, barely sparing me a glance and nods to the Jarl. “Farengar, I think I've found someone who can help you with your dragon project. Go ahead and fill him in with all the details.” Said Jarl said in a soft yet commanding tone, while lightly pushing me to the unicorn. Farengar looks at me than gives the Jarl a slightly irritated look than sighs, turning back towards me.
“So the Jarl thinks you can be of use to me? Oh yes, he must be referring to my research into the dragons. Yes, I could use someone to fetch something for me.” I nod at him. He either didn't notice or was ignoring me turning back to his book, I huff and glare at the side of his head.
“Well, when I say fetch, I really mean delve into a dangerous ruin in search of an ancient stone tablet that may or may not actually be there….” wait...what? WHAT?!
“What does this have to do with dragons?!” I had to ask, I hope that this is a LOT easier than he puts it.
“Ah, no mere brute mercenary, but a thinker -perhaps even a scholar? You see, when the stories of dragons began to circulate, many dismissed them as mere fantasties, rumors. Impossibilities. One sure mark of a fool is to dismiss anything that falls outside his experience as being impossible.” He gets more excited as he talks, using his magic to pick up tomes and some maps. He walks up to me and shows me countless notes hes taken on the subject.
“But I began to search for information about dragons -where had they gone all those years ago? And where were they coming from?” I look at all of the note an than to his hopeful eyes and sigh.
“So what do you need me to do?” he smiles sightly and nods, turning back to the map on the desk.
“I, ah, learned of a certain stone tablet said to be housed in Bleak Falls Barrow -a "Dragonstone," said to contain a map of dragon burial sites. Go to Bleak Falls Barrow, find this tablet -no doubt in the main chamber- and bring it to me. Simplicity itself.” I nod my head and look at the location hes pointing to on the map.
“that shouldn’t be...too hard...” Nodding he glances at me, the irritated look back on his face.
“Off to Bleak Falls Barrow with you. The Jarl is not a patient man. Neither am I, come to think of it.” I huff and trot over to the door, now on a mission I never thought I would have to do. I nod over at the Jarl and walk down the steps to the big door at the front.
My mane flutters slightly in the wind as I look over Whiterun, sighing.
“I guess there is no way out of this now….” I flap my wings and glide down to the shopping district. Walking over to the shoppes I figure I could spare a few Bits on supplies and look into my bad, seeing how much I’m carrying with me. After a while I adjust the strap on my bag and nod.
“I cant put it off any longer...its time to go...” I fly down the road and go through the main gates, nodding at the guards. I travel along the path and make my way back to Riverwood, avoiding the giant ponies and the thieves around here.
Around the time nightfall came around I see a stallion run past me. He was Dark blue with a purple mane, he had a scar over one eye which seemed to be closed and a stubble along his jaw. The weird thing was, he is a unicorn, but it looks like it was broken off at some point.
Our eyes meet, Pink meeting Bright green, before he takes off running again. I turn back to the trail ahead and blink.
“who...who was that...” was the question running through my mind, who was he, why was he running, what happened to his horn? I shake my head and keep on walking to my destination.
“no use wondering when I might not even see him again….” glancing up I see the Barrow and nod my head, making a decision.
“I'll stay at an inn and head out tomorrow.” Hopefully I can get in and out quickly...if I even make it out at all...
