AUTHOR'S NOTES: Taking a bit of a break from the Winterhold Five.
This is an idea I came up with and tossed the idea Heiwako's way. On more than one occasion I asked her what would happen if our Dragonborns ever met, and I finally came up with this little plot. We are creating this by role playing our characters over chat so that both Hecate and KaNack are properly voiced and represented. With that being the case the story might sound a little choppy at points, but all in all I am happy with how this is working out.
This takes place between my No Man Left Behind and Guild Wars stories and in the middle of Heiwako's For The Future of Skyrim.
KaNack sucked in the cool night air as he rode Shadowmere across the plains of Hjaalmarch. He had just sent another soul to the Void in the name of the Dread Father. He always felt a great sense of worth and satisfaction after a good killing. His spiritual guardian was surprisingly quiet as the Argonian continued to guide his mare forward.
"What's wrong, Lucien? Did I finally perform a job so flawlessly that not even you can find room to critique?" the reptile laughed as he turned his head to look back at his transparent companion.
"You breathed so heavily that the only reason your contract remained unaware of your presence was the obscene amount of Alto wine in his system," Lachance said sternly. "You get so excited about the kill that you forget yourself and just how noisy a creature you are."
"There is it," the caster chuckled. "Now that you've found fault in my death dealing, the night truly is complete. One day though, Buddy, I will have the perfect kill."
"There is always room for improvement, my Listener."
The mage pulled on the demonic steed's reins to bring her to a halt as he pulled out the map. "Morthal is done, the next stop is Falkreath. " A sad smile formed on his scaly face. "Our old hometown. We haven't been there since we searched for Cicero all those years ago."
"Feeling nostalgic, are we?" the Speaker uttered in a deep and velvety voice. "So much history occurred in such a tiny town. Stories of the Falkreath Sanctuary are infamous there."
"Good, it's those tales that keep people away from it," KaNack said. "With the Dark Brotherhood back in full force, no one would dare do anything to instigate our wrath."
There was a loud crack of thunder and fire erupted from the earth. Shadowmere reared up and whinnied loudly as her front hooves shot forward to attack whatever startled her. The mage grasped onto the reins tightly and he could feel Lucien's arms wrap around him and tighten to keep from being flung off as well.
"Shadowmere! Cease!" the caster barked loudly. The horse dropped back down onto all four feet and she shook her head with a loud and annoyed snort. The reptile leaned down and made a shushing sound as he ran a clawed hand down her neck in an effort to help settle her nerves. "Easy girl," he gently spoke as he gave her a reassuring pat.
"What in Oblivion happened?" Lucien asked as he slowly loosened his grip from around his caster. "The mare does not get spooked easily."
The Listener picked his head up slightly and his eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. As the smoke from the fire dispersed, a man was left standing in its wake. He was tall and his colorful outfit seemed to look bright even in the darkness of the night.
"By Sithis, it can't be," the reptile muttered under his breath.
"Well, my little mortal minion, you have been keeping yourself busy, haven't you?" the daedra stated as a maniacal grin began to crawl up his face.
"Sheogorath?" the Argonian dismounted Shadowmere as he stared at the Daedric prince in disbelief. He had not seen the madman since his little incident in the Blue Palace.
A frown was plastered on the specter's face as he gazed upon the daedric prince of madness. "Not him again," Lachance grumbled under his breath as he remained on the mare. He had never been fond of daedras, dealing with Cicero's eccentricities was a task in itself.
"Good to see you in such fine health, lad! I've just come back from another long vacation! It was grand! Orsimer maidens serving drinks! Dancing in the moonlight with a band made up of Horkers! And the cheese! Plenty to be had by all!" Sheogorath made his way over to the Argonian and placed and arm around his shoulder as he began to walk with him. "Thing is though, mortal. I was a little disappointed when I came back from my latest escapade."
"Oh?" the mage gulped.
"Skyrim has been severely lacking in chaos." The god held out his hand and the Wabbajack suddenly appeared. Seeing the staff caused the Listener to tense up as he began to realize why the daedra was paying him this unexpected visit.
"I gave you this so that you could cause mayhem! Why has my little gift been collecting dust in your chambers?"
"I was going to use it, but circumstances forced me to leave it behind," KaNack explained as he rubbed the back of his neck and gave the god a nervous smile. "I've never been fond of staffs. I had always given them to Cicero to use in fights."
"Ah! You should have given it to the jester then! He would have caused so much fun!" the daedric prince laughed, his pupiless eyes wide with delight.
Seeing the Mad God walking off with the Listener made the Spectral Assassin uneasy. He dismounted Shadowmere and hurried to catch up with them. "That tool causes unnecessary attention, daedra," the spirit growled as he joined the Dark Brotherhood leader's side. "It would not do well for an assassin to wield such an unpredictable weapon."
"And that is the problem," Sheogorath explained as he tapped the staff against his hip and gave the two a crooked smile. " See, since I've come back I've been so BORED!" he screamed the last word causing the two to move away from the crazy daedra. The god chuckled as he looked into the screaming face on the staff's tip. "We need to liven things up a little; what good is it being the prince of madness when…?"
"Listener, be on your guard. Daedra are known for their trickery and deceit," the ghost whispered to his caster.
"You DARE interrupt me?!" Sheogorath roared as he pointed the Wabbajack in the direction of the Dark Brotherhood members causing them to retreat even further. "Only I interrupt me!" He smirked. "Like just then."
The mage motioned for the daedra to calm down. "If I have disappointed you, please let me assure that it was not my intention. Perhaps I can make amends and use the Wabbajack now?"
The god's head pulled back as he let out a loud and hearty laugh. "That's very kind of you, mortal. You had your chance. It seems now I will have to amuse myself in another matter." KaNack's jaw clenched as he saw the daedra prepare to fire the Wabbajack in his direction.
"By Sithis! What do you plan to do?!"
"What I do best, mortal, " he answered with a grin. "Of course I can't just turn you into a chicken, oh no! You're special! You're the Dragonborn and the Listener. One of a kind, there is no one on Nirn like you!" The mad god lowered the staff suddenly as he went into thought. "The only one?" he muttered to himself. "HAH! Brilliant, that will cause all kinds of mayhem! I love it!"
"Can't we work something out? Please be reasonable!" the reptile exclaimed not knowing what the mad daedra had in mind for him. Lucien unsheathed his blade and his upper lip curled in a snarl as he prepared to fight off the god as best he could to give the Listener a chance to escape the daedra's wrath.
"You know what?" Sheogorath said as he lowered the staff further. " I've been known to change my mind on occasion. Sure, let's try and fix this so that nobody's feelings end up getting hurt."
The Listener sighed in relief and smiled at the god. "Good, I'm glad we can be sensible."
"Oh wait! Sorry! Changed my mind again just now! Ta ta!" the daedric prince laughed as he shot the Wabbajack at the Argonian. Lachance grabbed his caster by the shoulder in order to pull him out of the way, but by the time he put his hands on the reptile, the casting took effect.
A gentle breeze stirred the Argonian awake and KaNack rubbed at his head as he pulled himself into a sitting position. The sun was up, he must have been unconscious for hours. He looked to the side and saw his spiritual guardian not too far from him standing watch. Lucien most likely had been guarding him all night.
KaNack scanned the area around then and he could see that he was still where he had been prior to Sheogorath's appearance. They were still in Hjaalmarth. The only difference was that his steed, Shadowmere, was nowhere to be seen.
"Buddy?"
Lachance turned back to his caster with a grim expression plastered on his face. "Good, you're awake."
"I must have been passed out during the Wabbajack's effects. What happened?" the mage asked as he staggered to his feet.
"By the time the daedric prince shot us with that damned staff he seemed to have vanished from sight and you were out. I feared that when you awoke I would discover what he had done to you. You don't seem to be altered in any way however."
The assassin held out a claw and it began glow as he materialized a spell in his hands. "I feel fine and my magicka doesn't seem to be blocked either. Did you see where Shadowmere went?"
"I whistled for her, but she has not responded to my call." His pale eyes narrowed. "She has never ignored my summoning before, this unsettles me," the ghost growled as he continued to glare off in the distance and pointed outward. "As does that."
Curious, the reptile walked over to join his spirit's side and looked outward. There was a large army camp set up not too far away and a Stormcloak banner was waving proudly from it.
"That's not possible," the Listener growled as he watched Stormcloak soldiers moving about the site. "We cleared Skyrim of the Stormcloak Rebellion years ago. Tullius would have been aware if there was a camp this large still residing in the countryside." A chill ran down the Argonian's spine as a thought occurred to him. "You don't think Sheogorath sent us back in time, do you?"
"I have no idea," the Spectral Assassin answered. "The god said nothing of what he had planned on doing. Perhaps we should be grateful that aside from a few Stormcloaks, nothing seems too different."
A roar in the distance put the mage on alert and he spun around, his hands lighting up in fire. "Well, the dragon problem certainly has not altered any!" KaNack snarled before he took off in a run to meet the dragon that was flying towards them in the distance.
"Death waits for no man or beast!" Lucien exclaimed as his bow materialized in his hand and rushed after the Listener.
The Argonian came to a halt and bore his teeth as he looked up at the dovah approaching. He could tell quickly that it was a mountain dragon, the weakest of the winged beasts. Good, he had just woken up and as dangerous as it was, it would not be impossible to kill.
He sucked in a deep breath as he prepared his Shout. "JOOR ZAH FRUL!"
The beast roared as it felt the effects of the Thu'um and struggled as it was unwillingly forced to land on the earth. The ground trembled under the mage's feet, but he did not allow it to distract him from what needed to be done. His claws began to illuminate a bright blue and he cast the spell to the earth producing a flame thrall.
"Lucien! April! Strike it hard and fast!" he ordered loudly as he rushed towards the grounded dovah and a bright mass of white flame began to materialize in his hands.
Lachance followed closely after the flame thrall as she effortlessly hovered towards the beast and began to shoot balls of flame at its head, causing it to roar and bellow. The Spectral Assassin summoned an ethereal arrow and took his time as he aimed. There was a soft whizzing sound as the projectile flew through the air and struck the dragon just above its brow line.
"Good! Keep it up!" the mage shouted as he shot his Incinerate spell into the dragon's side, easily burning through the weaker scales of the mountain dragon. It was not nearly as challenging as his frost brother or the terrible blood dragon. KaNack leaped back as the dovah's head swung around and snapped its jaws. Leaping into the air, the caster clambered onto the back of the dovah and stumbled slightly as the massive creature tried to shake him off. He grasped onto one of the long spikes adorning the dragon's back in an effort to remain on its back.
The dovah turned its attention away from the pesky caster as it had just about enough of the painful projectiles being shot at him from the conjurations. It opened its mouth wide and prepared to Shout.
"YOL!"
Fire erupted from the creature's mouth and Lachance had to dive out of the way as April faced it fearlessly. Fire hardly fazed her in the slightest and she continued to attack relentlessly as she waited for her blue companion to rejoin her in the battle.
Spectral arrows and balls of flame continued to strike into the dragon, weakening it and slowing down its thrashing. KaNack panted as he stood up and raced across the back of the dovah and focused on its head.
"FUS RO DAH!"
The beast roared and the force of the Thu'um stunned it momentarily, which was all the time that the Argonian needed. He withdrew the Blade of Woe and leaped forward plunging the dagger deep into the skull of the dragon. He grasped one of the long horns on its head with his claws as he pulled the dagger out and once again struck it deep into the beast's head.
As soon as KaNack heard the death roar, he pulled out his blade and leaped off the beast's head. He tried to move away from it as fast as possible, his entire body tensing up as he knew what horrible sensation was about to befall him. The dovah's body began to smolder and light up as the soul was ripped from its body and then started towards its new host.
"Oh Sithis, I hate this part," the mage grumbled as he squeezed his eyes shut and prepared himself for the oncoming pain.
KaNack clutched at his chest and dropped to a knee as the dragon's soul forced its way into his body. He trembled and gasped as his small body twisted and clenched trying to make room for the oversized soul that was settling itself into the reptile. Lachance placed a hand on his shoulder in sympathy, and offered the mage his hand which was gripped in a tight hold as the caster lingered through the final moments of agony until all that was left was a throbbing soreness and a temporary feeble sensation.
The Spectral Assassin had been with the Listener long enough to understand that this was a painful experience for his caster and also that once he absorbed a soul was when he was most vulnerable. The mage looked over at his flame thrall and managed a small smile.
"Thank you, April," he whispered quietly before dismissing her. "Thank you, Lucien."
"My blade and bow have always been yours, my Listener," the spirit said as he gave his conjurer a reassuring pat on his back.
"Impossible!" a voice shouted in the distance. "Stormblade! How is this possible?!"
The mage stirred when he heard voices in the distance and his entire body tensed up as he saw Stormcloaks approaching. "Oh, no. "
The Spectral Assassin narrowed his eyes and once again produced his bow as he stood protectively in front of the Dark Brotherhood leader. There were Stormcloaks coming and leading the pack was one donned in impressive dragon scale armor.
"Knowing our luck, I am willing to bet that Ulfric is still alive as well," the reptile growled through clenched teeth, still weakened from absorbing the dovah's soul. "Stall them as long as you can, Buddy."
"They will not get past me alive," the spirit growled as he raised his bow in and drew back a spectral arrow. "Keep your distance or face death!" he threatened loudly at the approaching soldiers.
As the person in dragon scale came closer, the helm was removed and the Speaker was surprised to see that it was in fact a woman. The look of utter shock on her face did not seem to be that of one who had intended either of them harm, but the specter kept his weapon drawn just as an extra precaution.
"You took that dragon's soul. You're an Argonian though!" she exclaimed as she looked past Lucien at the reptile who was gasping for air. "It's impossible, the Dragonborn…" The female's blue eyes looked back to the Spectral Assassin who still had a weapon aimed at her. "Stand down, I not going to hurt you," she insisted as she motioned for Lachance to lower his bow.
The spirit refused to do so as there were at least four rebel soldiers behind the Nordic woman.
"Keep your distance," Lucien growled at the Stormcloak's leader. "I do not trust Stormcloaks and I will not hesitate to strike you should you come too close."
Hearing the ethereal man's threat, the surrounding soldiers began to unsheathe their swords and bows as well. The Nord, apparently their leader, motioned for them to stand down.
"Why would we wish harm on one who saved some of my mens' lives by killing that beast?" she asked. "I cannot believe that there is another one in Skyrim," she whispered under her breath.
"Stormblade, how can there be two Dragonborns? Shouldn't there be only one?" a soldier asked.
KaNack struggled to his feet and braced himself against the skull of the dragon as he turned to face the Stormcloaks. His jaw dropped as he recognized the face of the one they called 'Stormblade'. He could never forget the one who had looked out for him when he had been first named Dovahkiin.
"Lydia?" he gasped out as he pushed himself forward so that he was standing on his feet.
His former housecarl jumped in shock and she looked from side to side nervously.
"Lydia, is that you?" He shook his head in confusion. "You were my ally; what are you doing with the Stormcloaks?"
"Housecarl," Lucien muttered darkly under his breath as he continued to glower at the Nords before him.
"I…You are mistaking me for someone else," she insisted as she waved off the reptile's accusation. "I am the Dragonborn, Stormblade." She gestured behind her. "You are weakened from your encounter. Please, come and rest at my tent. We can continue this conversation there."
"I'd sooner die than willingly step foot in a Stromcloak camp," the Argonian hissed viciously as he felt his strength starting to return. "I am sure your new racist friends would have a thing or two to say about a filthy lizard residing amongst them."
"Please," Lydia insisted as she started forward. "You absorbed that dragon's soul. You're Dovahkiin; that much I can tell. I only need a moment of your time." She held her hand out to the reptile, ignoring the vicious glare she was receiving from the mage's spiritual guardian.
"If you are with the Stormcloaks, Lydia," KaNack stated as he stepped forward and grasped Lucien by the arm, "then we have nothing else to say to one another." The reptile turned so that he was facing the forest. "Buddy, brace yourself."
"Why do I need to…?"
"WULD NAH KEST!"
The ghost grunted as he was suddenly yanked off his feet and pulled several hundred yards away from Lydia and the other Stormcloaks. In seconds he was a mere few feet outside of the edge of the forest.
"By Sithis!" Lucien hissed as he grasped at his aching arm that felt as though it had been pulled out of his socket. KaNack's claws began to glow a light golden color as he cast a quick restoration spell on his spirit to fix his injury.
"Sorry, we had to get out of there fast! We need to go! Hurry!" the mage ordered as he charged forward into the woods, hoping to avoid any further interaction with the enemy troops. The Speaker took off after his caster as the Argonian raced through the brush and trees.
"Lydia! I knew she was a Nord, but I never would have expected her to turn traitor like that!" the Listener snarled as he continued to plow through the woodlands.
By the time they had reached a small clearing, the caster was severely out of breath and plopped his read end down on a nearby rock. The Argonian's mouth remained open as he gasped in air, trying to recover from his flight. Lucien turned back to look the way they came and gave a stern nod of his head.
"I don't think they will manage to catch up with us, Listener. We should be safe for now," he insisted to try and give his conjurer some peace of mind. "This is obviously the work of Sheogorath. He must have altered our reality," the spirit explained as he began to pace before his caster.
"Lydia acted like she didn't want me calling her by her true name," the reptile muttered as he grabbed a nearby stick and began to scribble in the dirt. "I didn't sense any animosity or hatred from her, but that army of Stormcloaks did nothing to settle my nerves."
"You made the right call not trusting her. I could taste bitterness and apprehension in the air," Lucien said as he continued to pace.
"They mentioned that there was another Dragonborn, Buddy," KaNack said sadly as he finished his scribing of the Draconic word 'FUS'. He looked up at his specter with hopeful eyes. "Do you think it's possible for there to be someone else like me? Another Dovahkiin?"
"I am not one to trust the word of a complete stranger. Much less one whom you considered an enemy, my Listener."
"Lydia's not my enemy, it's just…" The mage allowed the stick to drop from his claws, "she was loyal to Balgruuf. I just can't see her working for that oaf Ulfric."
"When it comes to the powers of a god, the whims of mortals are their playthings," the Speaker explained. "We'll rest here a little longer and then…"Lachance stopped in midsentence and his head twisted sharply to the side.
"What's wrong?"
The Spectral Assassin held up his hand to motion for the mage to be silent. "Someone's coming."
"I don't hear anything."
"You haven't been at this as long as I have," Lachance growled as his blade materialized in his hands. "Stay here; I'll go see what it is."The spirit disappeared into the trees as he tried to get a fix on the faint sound of crunching leaves.
KaNack stood up from the rock and sucked in a deep breath. "LAAS YAH NIR!"
All at once, red shades began to appear through the trees alerting the mage to the life forces in the surrounding area. A few he recognized as deer or foxes, but there were two man-sized shadows in the distance that seemed to be heading in his direction. One was off in the direction that his spiritual guardian had taken off; the other was making a straight line right for him. If this person had intentions of attacking the Dark Brotherhood leader, they were in for a terrible surprise.
The red shade grew larger in size and the assassin's body tensed up as he heard the light rustling of leaves and branches. When the person finally made their appearance, the first thing the reptile noticed was Stormcloak armor. His upper lip curled up in a snarl as flames erupted in his palms. Seeing the rebel armor triggered the reaction and all at once the mage felt as though he were once again in the midst of the civil war.
"Long live the Empire!" he shouted proudly as he prepared to project the fireball at the soldier.
"IISS SLEN NUS!" a feminine voice Shouted. The Argonian barely had time to realize that it was a Thu'um before the power took effect and he found himself surrounded in ice. What had he gotten himself into?