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Echoes of the Broken Chapter 1: Initiation

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One year before the events of A Skyrim Tale

"State your name for the record."

"Gaelan Aradur. Vivec City, Morrowind" replied a young adult Dunmer male to the Nord who was filling out paperwork at a Stormcloak recruitment center

"You're far away from home, Dark Elf. What brings you to Skyrim, and more importantly, to fight for the Stormcloaks? Thought all your kind cozied up to the Thalmor."

    This claim struck a nerve with Gaelan, and his mind was barraged with flashbacks. The fire, the blood, the bodies of his friends, family and agents of the Aldmeri Dominion strewn across the ash roads of Vivec. His blood boiled, teeth clenched and fists were at rage. But this Nord wasn't his enemy. No, he needed to join the Stormcloaks despite their opinion of his people, and of the other Elves. They hated the Thalmor as much as he did, and that was good enough for Gaelan. Calming down, Gaelan answered his recruiter's question.

"The Thalmor killed my friends, my family and they destroyed my home. Every one of those bastards must die."  

"A touching tale, little elf. You'll find friends among the ranks, but would you fight to the death for Skyrim's freedom?" The recruiter asked, wanting to cement Gaelan's allegiance to their cause in full.

"My home lays in ruin because of them. I won't see anyone else suffering the same fate." Gaelan responded staring down his seated recruiter. The recruiter chuckled and seemed to appreciate the young Dunmer's inner fire

"Welcome to the Stormcloaks, Gaelan Aradur. Your brothers and sisters are counting on you to have their backs, and they too will have yours."  

"Charmed" Gaelan said "And who do I have the pleasure of addressing?"

"I am Galmar Stone-Fist, Ulfric Stormcloak's second, as well as your commanding officer" The Nord said "Come on now, go and meet your brothers and sisters of the sword."

_________________________

Evening's Star, 4E 201: Present Day

    A year had passed since then, and yet not a day goes by he doesn't think of the home he lost. His friends and family, especially his twin sister Vahl. The two were inseparable growing up; one was rarely without the other. They were the best of friends, Gaelan feared his sister had suffered the same fate as their parents who fell in defense of their city, but he had turned over every corpse and none matched Vahl. There was hope she was alive, and as long as Gaelan held onto hope, his path would lead him to her eventually.  
   
    Gaelan was an oddity among the ranks of the Stormcloaks. Whereas most of them identified as warriors wielding a variety of tools of warfare, whether axe or sword, he identified as a spellsword. One who wielded both the blade and the arcane as extensions of themselves. He had been training in his preferred element of lightning since he was just a lad, this led to such a mastery over the element that his skill was near legendary among his lesser brothers and sisters in the Stormcloaks. This lethality led him to be promoted quickly to being a respected and trusted Captain of Ulfric Stormcloak alongside his friend Galmar Stone-Fist who was Gaelan's recruiter all those years ago.
   
    Being a Captain, Gaelan had a unit of his own dubbed: The Stormfist Battalion. An elite unit of two hundred-some Stormcloaks, mostly seasoned in battle. However, he rarely led them in battle himself, instead letting his lieutenants handle the day to day operations and management of the Stormfists, He preferred to lead a smaller squad of four of his most loyal soldiers, all of whom have a close bond with Gaelan.

    Gaelan had called for a meeting at Candlehearth Hall, in the city of Windhelm. They were to add in a sixth member. Gaelan was leaning against the wall, waiting for one of the senior squad members to arrive. On the table next to him were the remaining squad members. There was a girl in her late teen years with red hair with a blue headband around her head. Next to her was a middle aged gentleman who had always seemed to have a warm and welcoming demeanour. Seated across from the two was a younger man around Gaelan’s age. He had his hair in a ponytail, and bandages wrapped around his head that covered his left eye. They were all conversing and sipping their drinks, waiting for their final squad member to arrive. The girl grew tired of waiting and spoke first.

"What's taking him so long? It's not like gramps to be late like this." questioned the girl. She was getting rather impatient, fidgeting with her headband.
   
    Her name was Scarlet Ebon-Hearted. Despite being the most recent addition to Gaelan’s unit, she was recruited around the time Gaelan joined up. Scarlet had experience serving on some of Skyrim’s most brutal battlefields, and yet she was still young and reckless, possessing all the vigor, enthusiasm, and versatility of youth. She could be as harsh as Skyrim’s winters or as gentle as the breeze across the plains of Whiterun

    Just then a grizzled, old Nord came up to the table they were all seated at. Gaelan turned to meet him and extended his greetings, as well as a sarcastic scolding.

"Herenor Thunder-Hand, you old devil." Gaelan chuckled as he and the old Nord grabbed each other's arms in greeting "A little late to the meeting, aren't we?"

"Forgive me, Master Elf. I seem to have lost track of the time." Herenor said in his thick Nordic accent as he bowed in apology "I was on my way here, but then I saw storm clouds blowing from the west among an autumn colored aurora. A bad omen I am sure."

    Herenor was the eldest of the squad, an aging and superstitious Nord warrior who wielded a mighty Warhammer on the field. He served in the Imperial Legion during the Great War in defense against the Aldmeri Dominion, and he despised Elves for all the bloodshed and ruin they caused. It didn't matter to him, Altmer, Bosmer, Dunmer, as far as he was concerned they were all the same pointy-eared bastards. He was a prideful, stubborn old bear and he wasn't too fond of Gaelan when the two were first acquainted. However, sooner or later they found common ground in their hatred for the Thalmor, and now Herenor accepts Gaelan as his Captain, even offering the young Dunmer wisdom and advice from time to time.

The middle aged gentleman spoke up next "Come now, Herenor. I don't believe every anomaly in nature is a bad omen."

"I dreamt that the Imperial Legion marched upon Windhelm from the west, and they were backed by contingent of the Aldmeri Dominion. You cannot be too careful, Garith," The old Nord said "Would you take the chance of fighting in the streets of Windhelm knowing Sofie is left to hide away in fear? And if you should fall in the streets?"

"Of course I wouldn't. I’m merely saying that sometimes a storm brewing is just that. This war will not end up in Windhelm, not as long as we never waver in the face of the odds stacked against us." Garith said

    Garith Eriksen, affectionately called "Garith the Gentle" by his companions due to his kind-hearted nature, was Gaelan's second. The two fought side by side in many battles together from The Rift to The Reach, and they were the closest of brothers-in-arms. He was also a family man, having fathered a young daughter named Sofie. Garith's wife had passed when Sofie was a small child, leaving him to take care of Sofie himself. But it was difficult to look after her when he was constantly called away to battlefields all across Skyrim.

"Speaking of Sofie, how is the little ray of sunshine, Garith?" Asked Scarlet

"Sofie is doing well. I just put her to bed before I headed out here. She misses you, Scarlet." Garith said. “She’s been asking me when’s the next time you'll visit.”

"I know, I know. I've just been so busy between deployments. It's hard to find time to visit.” Scarlet said as she scratched the back of her head.

“We all know you've taken to the bottle and are up here late drinking the night away.” Garith said sighing and seeing through Scarlet’s ruse.

“And what business of yours is that, Garith? I know you mean well, really, and I appreciate it. But I'm not a child, I can handle myself.” Scarlet said in protest. She was not one to be coddled by her superiors, preferring to be an independent soldier.

“Of course you can, but you know, Sofie looks up to you. She views you as brave and strong, and all I ask is you set a good example for her.” Garith said in a concerned tone “You’re like a big sister to her, you know?”

    A voice interrupted the two conversing. It was the young man with a bandage around his eye. His name was Jonlir One-Eye, called Jon for short by his allies. One-Eye being an apt title for someone like him. He was a rather quiet soul, only speaking either when spoken to or if he felt it was necessary, and even then what he said was mostly fragmented. But he let his actions do his talking in his word’s stead.

“Enough. Get on with it.” Jonlir said, he was eager to find out what Gaelan had summoned them for, as were his fellow squadmates

"Yeah, Gaelan. Why'd you call us out here? Drinks on you tonight?” Scarlet asked half-jokingly, opening her second bottle of mead.
“If you insist.” Gaelan retorted, however he had something else to add “Drinks and merriment aren't the only reasons I called you lot out here tonight. We’re welcoming a new member into our ranks. A boy of 17, just joined a few months ago. He hasn't even fought his first battle yet, but Galmar insisted he join up with us. He has the potential and exceeds the expectations of someone his age.”

“Well bring him forward, then!” Herenor said, to which Gaelan complied. He gestured to the crowd and the boy came forth.

"Welcome to the Stormfists. I’d like to introduce you to Herenor Thunder-Hand, Garith Eriksen, Jonlir One-Eye and Scarlet Ebon-Hearted. My name is Gaelan Aradur, your captain. Please state your name for your comrades.” Gaelan said to the boy, who obliged and addressed his new squadmates.

“My name’s Areum. It's a pleasure to meet you all.” The youth said. “I come from Riften. Joined the first day I was eligible to sign up.”

Herenor spoke to Areum first “Pleased to meet you as well, boy. As our Captain has already said, I am Herenor Thunder-Hand. Been living here in Windhelm all my life.”

Next to chime in was Garith “The honor is all mine, Areum. I'm Garith Eriksen, and I too am from Windhelm. I serve as Captain Gaelan’s second-in-command, so if you're confused on anything just talk to me. You'll fit in just fine here. If you need anything, anything at all just ask. We’ll be glad to help.”

Then for the first time in a while, Jon spoke in complete sentences to address the new member “Greetings Areum, I hope you find your stay with us an enjoyable and self-fulfilling experience. Name’s Jonlir, but you can just call me Jon. I hail from Whiterun.”

Scarlet was the last one to introduce herself. Taking a swig from her bottle, she proceeded
“Scarlet Ebon-Hearted of Falkreath.” She said eyeing the boy down “Why'd you join the Stormcloaks? You look like the type who should be a healthy distance away from a battlefield.”

“I joined to try to figure out exactly why I am here, and what purpose the Gods have for me.” Areum said without even a hint of dishonesty.

“Ah, a noble quest, young Areum!” Herenor declared “To serve the Divines in anyway you see fit. Young one, joining the Stormcloaks is among the mightiest of causes in service to the Divines. Talos, more than not.”

“Look kid.” Scarlet said “War ain’t that fairy tale your folks would tell you before you go to bed. War is a brutal thing. The blood, the screaming, grown men begging for you to spare their wretched lives.” This rather graphic description seemed to have startled the youth, but Gaelan cut her off.

“Okay, that's enough for tonight. You all get some rest now. I expect you all up bright and early tomorrow. We shall show Areum the ropes.” Said Gaelan. And with that the other four members finished their drinks and took their leave.  

“You can stay with me for the time being until we get you a room of your own, Areum. Come on now.” Gaelan said as he beckoned the youth to him
Areum laid there on his makeshift cot and all the while was curious about the collection of characters he had the privilege of meeting. He reflected on Herenor, whom he thought of as a wise, old Nord.
Garith, a kind man Areum felt was very duty-driven and noble.
He was intrigued with Jon’s personality and mysteriousness. He didn't seem to talk much before or after his introduction, so naturally, Areum was eager to find out about him.
But Scarlet had left the most impact on him. Her sudden, unwarranted outburst left him wondering what exactly her problem was. Areum looked over to Gaelan who was at his table filling out paperwork and drinking some tea. Gaelan sensed that the boy was still awake and questioned him

“Shouldn't you be asleep? You’ve got a busy day tomorrow.”  

“I guess? I don't know... The others seem fine with me, Herenor, Jon, Garith... But Scarlet seems to have rubbed me the wrong way." pondered Areum.

"I wouldn't worry too much about her." Gaelan started "She's had her share of losses by the Legion. I'm sure it's nothing personal."

"Yeah, you're probably right." Areum sighed before rolling over and closing his eyes.
War currently plagues Skyrim. The Stormcloak Rebellion is in full bloom and has been for a year. Enter: Gaelan Aradur. Vahl's twin brother, serving as a Captain in Ulfric Stormcloak's army. Joined by his loyal squadmates, he fights to avenge the family that was taken from him and the home he had lost. Each of his squadmates brings something with them into the fight: Whether vengeance or duty. To fight for what you want to protect, or simply fight in hopes of finding who you really are. It is a story that isn't engraved in stone or written in ink, but is a story written in blood.
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TheLoneClone's avatar
This is awesome! I can't wait for more. It's awesome to see what Gaelan was up to during Vahl's story. And I'm assuming we'll see how Areum gets adopted by Gaelan later on? I also can't help but get a bit of a Rogue One vibe from this...