I had just finished a long underground campaign at Ironbind Barrow, and had exited somewhere on top of the mountains.

I was with Lydia, and it was just about midnight... I could imagine what it would have been like in real life; surviving the recent ordeal, resting in the cold air (it was starting to storm and the snow was falling heavily) - and now wondering how best to get down to my horse and get home to Whiterun.

I started down a path which led me to an overlook. Out in the distance, I could barely make out a dragon perched above a canyon.

I should have just let it alone since it was dark and I was in a precarious position on uneven ground with cliffs all around, but something made me angry that this demon lay in wait to ambush the Dovahkiin!

Drawing my glass sword in the darkness, the magical glow seemed brighter. Lydia drew her sword as well, and I let lose a fireball which I knew would do little damage, but would stir the dragon. I did not know whether fire or ice should be used against it, but it did not matter to me.

As it approached from the air I continued to attack it with Fireballs, and it finally landed next to me - there was nowhere for me to go to get enough space for more magical attacks - I could not risk hurting Lydia. Somehow I had the presence of mind to conjure a fire Atronach, but I did not expect her to do to do more than add some confusion which could help me if I was going hand to hand.

As we fought I could tell that the Dragon was weakening - but so was I. In a final fit of rage, I rushed the Dragon's head, and leapt on his neck - hoping that I could keep my balance long enough. I plunged my sword into the beasts brain, but realized in a rush of vertigo that we were falling over the edge of the cliff.

We landed on a ledge - perhaps some twenty feet below - but the mass of the dragon kept moving as it bellowed and died - my eyes now filled with the flame of it's flesh peeling away from it's body - we rolled, falling yet again - now separated - onto a 2nd ledge - and finally we landed after a 3rd fall at the base of the canyon.

As it's soul left its body and filled me with the now familiar rush of strength and knowledge - the night grew suddenly quiet.

The bones of the dragon beside me - I looked up at the walls of what I now knew to be Mount Anthor. I was alone - the wind was howling - Lyida was far above - and I would have to now find my way back to her. As I began to approach the cliff walls to look for a way up, I heard the chanting from both nowhere and everywhere - and I knew that a Word of Power was near...

R

Like it! Great mini-story.