Outer Chapter: The Ruins of Helgen

At night, the rain was pouring in.

There were thick clouds in the sky, and they hung down like a dark curtain overhead. The light of the red moon and the silver moon were obscured by this heavy black curtain, closed, and only a little afterglow was unwillingly sprinkled.

The rain was heavy and thunderous. Through the heavy rain curtain, you can still see the edges and corners of Helgenburg.

At night, the ruined fortress was silent and indifferent. Only a few bits of fire from the intact buildings confirm that this is not an empty city. The fire was dim, and it couldn't shine far in the heavy rain. And where you can see the edges and corners of the castle by the light of the fire, it is naturally the sentry outside the fortress.

"Ahh "What the hell is the weather! Gina Les is on top, why are we on duty in such unfortunate weather?"

"Be content. A swordsman on the other side of the tower replied. He was about forty years old, and his temples were slightly gray from years of service. The rough calluses on his right hand holding the hilt of the sword further emphasized his seniority.

"Think of the old one-eyed people, our errand is already very easy compared to the sentry brothers who are going out on patrol on this rainy day. Or ......" The swordsman tilted his head slightly, looking at the fortress that was dark in the rain.

“…… You want to go there and patrol the night?"

The red-nosed sergeant shuddered.

"Forget it. He subconsciously shrunk his neck. Perhaps he felt that such a move was a bit weak, so he added a sentence later. "You can't do things halfway, it's only the first half of the night. ”

The swordsman snorted, his tone tinged with a hint of mockery. Even with the roar of heavy rain washing over the ground, this subtle change in tone was obvious.

"I'll cheer you on when it's your turn to guard the lower levels of the fortress. The swordsman raised an eyebrow and said, "I'm looking forward to that day." ”

Suddenly, the sergeant with a red nose turned red. He clenched his fists, his slightly dilated nostrils telling of his anger. Maybe the next moment, he will be full of old fists to the swordsman in front of him.

"You ......," the sergeant roared in a low voice, taking a small step forward.

If there were only two of them, or if the swordsman hadn't given in, maybe there would have been a fight. However, before he could take the second step, a third person, who had been silent until now, spoke up to stop him.

"All right," said the crossbower, who was sitting by the brazier in the middle of the watchtower, raised his hand to stop the red-nosed sergeant. He glanced at the swordsman with some reproach, and one hand pressed against the shoulder of the red-nosed sergeant and pushed him back.

"They are all legion brothers, why bother with such sabre-rattling. "The Crossbowman was a Nord man, and he wore a broad-brimmed iron helmet on his head, and the shadow on his face shook as the flames in the basin danced. "Whoever is on duty at night and who is out of the post is the arrangement above, and it's useless to think too much. Anyway, no one wants to run away when it's their turn. ”

He glanced at the swordsman standing at the edge of the watchtower. He said, "Perhaps, tomorrow it will be your turn to guard the lower level of the fortress." ”

The swordsman snorted.

"I'm not afraid. She said this with a seemingly fearless look. But the other two could see that his right hand holding the hilt of the sword had subconsciously clenched.

A few months ago, an ominous black dragon had arrived from the east, raining dragon fire and flaming meteors on the fortress of Helgen. Almost all of the more than 2,000 Imperial warriors, including a full squadron of Battle Mages, were killed. Their shells melted along with the rock of the fortress, and when the snowy search and rescue team arrived in Helgen, the hideous corpses embedded in the ruins of the stone fort were almost terrified to death by the sergeants who came to help.

'They didn't die, they ...... Wait for us down there!' said a somewhat deranged soldier to his colleagues.

Of course, such remarks would rightfully be called cowardly fear by the chiefs. The soldier was soon repatriated to his hometown. And the corresponding cleaning work was carried out quickly.

It's just a few dead people, what's the big deal?--that's what the legionnaires of the time thought. After all, thousands of people have died since the beginning of the civil war. They have long since adapted and have never been afraid.

However, on the same night, three soldiers of the night watch went missing. And the next day, the number of missing people was five.

The officers were outraged and sent a strong team to carry out the search work. However, after a full month of searching, the search was ineffective. Maybe every other day, maybe every two days, there will always be a few soldiers on the night patrol missing. Their lives and deaths are unknown, and their bodies ...... Nor could it be found.

Gradually, some bad rumors began to appear in the army stationed in Helgen. Some say that this was because the Empire rejected Talos, and the souls of these warriors were therefore denied from Songard's doors. They wail all night long, wandering and wandering, never free. And the only way is to use the blood of the Imperials as a proof of entry into Songard.

Once this rumor arose, it went on like wildfire. No matter how hard the officers ordered the bullets, it would not help. And now, months later, the morale of the Helgen Fortress has fallen to the extreme.

However, a fortress is still a fortress. As long as Helgen remains, there is no way that the Storm Cloak will be able to bypass the mountain passes of the Hosgar Peak and threaten Faulcles.

"Speaking of which, you should retire next year. The crossbowman fiddled with the brazier and asked casually at the swordsman. "According to the rules of the Legion, if you are willing to stay, perhaps we will soon call you a commander. ”

"I'd rather go back to the country. The swordsman smiled bitterly and shook his head slightly. "My wife and children are all in the snow, and I don't feel at ease if I don't go back to see them. ”

"It's going to be fine. The archer reassured. "We are here as the gateway to Skyrim and Sirodiel. Presumably, more soldiers will come to help in the defense soon. At that time, it will be okay to take time off to go back to visit relatives. ”

He tilted his head to look at the Helmgen fortress in the rainstorm. The quiet castle crept silently like a terrifying beast. Grandiose, hideous, and silent.

The swordsman sighed.

"I'm afraid they won't be able to wait until then. He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his mind fluctuating up and down like a tidal wave. "These abominable storm cloaks, aren't they all our Nords who are beating and dying?"

"Who's to say it's not, the way of the world. What does it mean to us to fight another king for the sake of one king?" the archer grabbed the jug and poured it vigorously.

"I'm fine, I'm the only one in the family anyway. Anyway, one life, one day is a day. He looked at the red nose. "How's that Faulcles girl you were last time?"

"She? she's fine. When the civil war is over, I'll probably propose. ”

"I wish you success. ”

"Oh, that's for sure. Sergeant Rednose said with a smile, looking to the other side of the rain curtain to vaguely see the outline of a stone path. "To be honest, I don't think there's any point in us staying here. ”

"The heights of Khosga are holy places, and the road to Iwustead is so rough that even sheep can't walk it. Some time ago, there were vampires in Hyma's shame again. If Stormcloak had a bit of brains, it wouldn't have come from there. ”

"But the team is still able to get through. The swordsman retorted unceremoniously. "Even when that black monster destroyed Helgen, didn't there be a lot of people who escaped from there?"

"They were just hit hard under the snow. The crossbow added. "Lord Balguf has cleaned them up with all the rage, and perhaps they will give up on the snow and find another way. ”

"It could also be the white ground. ”

"I can't rule it out, but crossing the Swamp north of Mosal is almost as difficult as crossing Hymah's Shame. ”

"Tsk. The red-nosed sergeant with the hatchet snorted dissatisfiedly. "They won't dare come here, because the Dragonborn are on our side. ”

As soon as he said this, he immediately received two disdainful glances.

"Do you believe what the official said?" the swordsman patted his shoulder armor and chased away a fly that had rested on it. "Do you really believe that a little girl who can't even walk well can handle a dragon, and can fight against the tens of thousands of troops of the Storm Cloak?"

"Do you dare to say that the dragon is not real? My relatives in Xueman have clearly told me that the dragon has almost burned half of Xueman!"

"Dragons are certainly real, but Dragonborn are not. The archer said calmly. "The dragon attacked Snowman and was killed by the Dragonborn. But less than half a month later, another dragon attacked Loristade. It's so big that Xueman is so angry, and one after another comes over?"

"Maybe it's a revenge ......"

"If you're looking for revenge, you'd have gone to Xueman!, not the innocent Loris Tide!" the swordsman rudely interrupted him. "The only explanation is that it's the same dragon!"

"The same one?"

"That's right, the same one. The swordsman swore an oath, "The dragon attacked first Xueman, and then attacked Loristade. And the so-called dragonborn or something doesn't exist at all. Maybe it's just the imagination of a few crazy survivors. ”

"So, how do you explain the Xueman Defense War?"

"Xueman's already high walls and thick walls, coupled with the comrades-in-arms and thousands of guards of the main city, it is impossible for the militia to fall even under the siege of ten times the number of soldiers. The archer shook his head slightly. "And I've also inquired with the brothers I transferred from Xueman, and the Storm Cloak fell into a pre-arranged fuel trap during the storming of the city, killing a lot of people. If it hadn't been for a thunderstorm that had extinguished the flames, perhaps they would have been wiped out. There's no need for a Dragonborn at all. ”

"So, the Dragonborn don't exist at all?" the sergeant opened his mouth wide, feeling as if he was about to be convinced.

"You can figure it out with your brain. The swordsman said with the demeanor of a passer-by: "Xueman has been attacked by a dragon, and there is a dragonborn to help. Loristed is attacked by a dragon and has Dragonborn to help. The Stormcloak breaks through Snowman, and the Dragonborn comes to help. Could it be that this dragonborn was raised by Xueman's family? This is just a forced pull during the war in order to boost morale. I've been in the legion for twenty years, and I'm familiar with the twists and turns. ”

"It's not just that. The crossbowmen on the side also persuaded. "How many dragonborns have there been in the Septin Dynasty since ancient times? But have you ever heard of an emperor who can fight? and, if there really are dragonborns, Sirodiel's side will not leave it alone. ”

He said meaningfully: "You know, the current emperor is not surnamed Saiputin. ”

The atmosphere has become sour.

The crossbowman also realized that there was something wrong with his words. He waved his hand, trying to change the subject.

"Speaking of which, why hasn't the night guard come back today? ”

The next moment, there was the sound of a bucket cracking beside him. Immediately after, a lot of hot and humid liquid splashed on his body.

A throwing axe struck the swordsman, splitting his head in half from the middle.

"Enemy attack!! "Crossbowman" shouted, and was killed in an instant by a cold arrow. More arrows struck and swept the outpost completely.

However, the second wave of arrows did not work.

The moment the swordsman died, the red-nosed sergeant jumped decisively and jumped directly from the top of the watchtower. Then, with a 'crackling' impact, he rolled into the mud.

It hurts, of course it hurts.

At least half of the bones were broken the moment they hit the ground, and being able to walk was a miracle of miracles.

Behind him, a faint scream was faintly heard. Those were the other sentry guards, and they must have all died by now.

The news has to get out......

The people inside the fortress must be prepared.

At this time, it can only be the storm cloak. And if the rebels take Helgen, Ximu, and Falkreis, they will be in great danger.

Falkreis......

The sergeant let out a low, suppressed cough, a large puddle of blood spurting from his throat.

Suppressing the pain, he staggered to the portal at the lower end of the fortress.

Closer, closer.

Behind him came the footsteps of the pursuers, but he turned a deaf ear. The qiē in his eyes at the moment was replaced by the door that was close at hand.

The door was slammed open by him.

And the moment he opened the door, a steel sword pierced his heart accurately.

The last thing he saw was a pale, stiff face.

Pale and stiff.

A face like a dead man.

………………………………

On the first night of the rising moon, Stormcloak's elite squad took Helgen Fortress with the help of necromancers who had served as torturers in Helgen Prison. The news was sealed for two days until Stormcloak's 3,000 assault force attacked Faulcles and succeeded in taking the main city. The legion obtained the corresponding information.

The only land route for the Skyrim Legion to obtain support from Sirodil was completely cut off.