I am writing a short story about a legion sergeant patrolling in skyrim when him and his men get ambushed and captured by the stormcloaks. The story will be about their escape but I always have trouble starting out stories like this. anyone have ideas for an opening sentence? it would be greatly appreciated.

Probably something to do with the weather, and how the character reacts to it.

Skyrim is cold, really cold - A man who might not be used to it - Say, more used to the warm climate of Anvil would be grumpy about it.

And idea could be:

The snow surrounded them like blankets, hugging the land and all it touched until there was nothing but a white mist. Legion Segeant A pulled up his hood in an attempt to cover his frosted ears. He searched for his men but all he could make out were dark silhouettes, like clouds in a sky of white they followed him. He wrapped his arms around him and continued his march, his only solace were memories of Anvil, the warm sun beating down on the golden beaches. Oh how much he'd pay to get sent back there.

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Might not be the best but it's what I came up with quickly. I always like to show the surrounding area and the main characters reaction to the landscape first before anything else.

Hope that helps!

thanks for the example. I will start writing my story now.

I'd start it in medias res - perhaps in the middle of the ambush or later when they are already captive. Draw the audience in, then flash back to show the beginning.