For the third night in a row the Dragonborn had known some small measure of peace and comfort. Sitting in the banquet hall of Lakeview Manor with quite literally all of the friends who had stood by her until the end, she listened to the stories the Companions told of their most recent adventures. Many of the Mages from Winterhold were there as well, to include Arch-mage Savos who seemed to be attempting to make Kodlak, Harbringer of the Companions see the logic in using magic. Serana Volkihar stood off to the side a fair bit, not quite 'fitting in' with the people around her, though the Dragonborn knew she would come around. Frea of the Skaal had been the most difficult to convince to come to Skyrim. In the end the only thing that finally got her to agree was a promise to bring any of the Companions that were willing to try and rid Solsthiem of as many reiklings as possible. There were others there as well. Friends from the Imperial Legion, as well as the Stormcloaks who had agreed to put aside their differences whilst the World Eater needed to be dealt with. The Dragonborn simply decided she would keep from informing the greater part of Skyrim that the threat was over, if nothing else then to at least keep the war from starting back up for that much longer.

"Naspia, girl." The Dragonborn looked up at the call of her name. Skjor shouted over the din of the story telling and drunken revelry or the Dragonborn's friends. "You have yet to tell anyone here of your bout with the great Serpent."

Naspia looked at each face in the hall, everyone's previous conversations forgotten, all attention paid to the young Dragonborn. She knew this would come and she had no reason not to tell the story. Though some expected Naspia to hate reliving that terrible fight, in truth she yearned to return to Sovngarde, although she was almost certain she couldn't. She was Imperial and did not quite understand how entry to Sovngarde worked for the Dargonborn. Still, she had yet to describe the place to those around. Clearing her throat she stood and moved to the center of the room.

"Well, it was my first time ever riding a dragon, that day." She replied, her voice, much like her physique seeming so frail and tiny compared to her deeds. "Odahviing carried me to Skuldafn, but the journey was mercifully long. Flying so high I really didn't want it to end. Even while riding on top of a fire breathing dragon, it was one of the most peaceful experiences of my life."

Naspia went into detail about the Draugr that lined the walls of Skuldafn, but her steel plated armor deflected their arrows while her gifted blade Dawnbreaker hacked the undead to burning pieces, or sent them running. She told them of her duel with Tsun and how she bested him, but just barely so. Naspia described the Hall of Valor and multiple times had to think of the appropriate words to use to describe the place. She felt a few tears roll down the side of her cheeks as she told them about it and other than Aela and Skjor every Nord in the room bowed their heads in understanding. The magnitude of Sovngarde's beauty was not lost on them. When she gathered herself, Naspia described the three ancient ones, the trio that had assisted her in Sovngarde to defeat the World Eater. She concluded the story with a bit more fire and excitement as she described the battle in earnest and spoke of how the spirit of the land seemed to seep within her and force her onward, even with Alduin's overwhelming strength.

"When the beast died, it was like no other dragon I'd fought before." The Dragonborn told them, her eyes staring just above the heads of her audience as though she were staring up at the World Eater defiantly. "I did not absorb his soul. In truth I don't believe he ever had one. The foul serpent cracked and contorted and soon erupted in fire and ruin."

The features of a story teller wore from her face and the naive, innocent and somewhat vacant stare normally adorning the Dragonborn's face returned.

"I must say lass, your ability to tell tales of victory have certainly improved." Kodlak stated with a laugh and a booming clap from his armored hands. The other Companions joined in, followed closely by everyone else. Naspia turned bright red, the hue to her cheeks almost matching her fiery red hair as she took a bow.

"I learned from the best braggers in Tamriel." She replied, throwing a smirk to the brother Farkas and Vilkas who both took an exaggerated bow of their own, a chorus of laughter ensuing afterward. She was about to make a comment on how they should accompany her on the next dragon slaying quest she undertook but was interrupted by a knock at her door.

Naspia reached for her blade, Dawnbreaker and unsheathed the Deadric relic before heading to the door. Everyone in the room did the same, preparing for some type of attack, though from who no one would ever guess. The Dragonborn had built this home herself, in secret.

Naspia opened the door and glared, Dawnbreaker held high and at the ready. The young mage at the door nearly collapsed onto the ground and let out a shriek of terror.

"No please, I am only seeking someone!" The mage shouted. "I mean no harm at all!"

"Who are you?" Naspia demanded as the Companions were the first ones outside to flock around her. "And who is it you believe you will find here? Speak unknown mage."

"My name is Casius Sicarius." The mage replied, slowly standing up and wiping the dust and snow from his robes. "I am a mage of the Synod and I come seeking out the one they call the Dragonborn."

"What business do you have with me?" Lydia, the Dragonborn's housecarl and protector demanded. It wasn't the first time she pretended to be Naspia to determine if someone were a suicidal assassin.

"Ah, Dragonborn." The mage replied, lowering his head respectfully. "I have grave news. A development that... that requires the attention of one as powerful as you. Please... is there a place we can speak."

The man made it a point to look over his shoulder as though he weren't certain if anyone had followed him. Lydia looked at Naspia who nodded her head.

"Very well." Lydia replied, beckoning the mage to come inside. "Come and tell me what is so dire that you had to find me out in the middle of nowhere."


The mage sat down on a chair opposite Lydia with Naspia just behind her, acting as though the housecarl and thane had switched places.

"Now then, what is this catastrophe?" Lydia asked, crossing her arms in front of her chest. The Arch-mage and Kodlak had both joined them as well, receiving no argument from Casius. In fact he seemed quite happy to have two more powerful beings in the room listening.

"Yes, where to start?" The mage said, tapping his chin. "Well... you are aware of the collection of Elder Scrolls that had once been housed within the White Gold Tower in Cyrodil, yes? Well, we have slowly been retrieving the lost Scrolls in an attempt to reclaim what was lost."

"I'm assuming this has to do with one being found?" Lydia asked.

"Yes, Dragonborn. You see we found one but there was something about it. Something no one seemed to be able to explain clearly. The Moth Priests seemed to absolutely have to read its contents. When they did, a prophecy was found that relates directly to your actions, Dragonborn."

"What do you mean?" Naspia stuttered, receiving a raised eyebrow from the priest.

"I mean that your actions were the start to this prophecy." The mage replied, turning back to Lydia. "The prophecy stated 'When the Child of Akatosh defends the portal of the Gods and destroys the two Firsts, the Eldest and Youngest shall return to claim their vengeance.' We believe that this refers to you stopping Clan Volkihar from blotting out the sun, which is believed to be a portal of sorts to the Divines. And the two firsts are believed to be Alduin, the first dragon and Miraak, the first Dragonborn."

"How do you know about Volkihar and Miraak?" Naspia demanded. Lydia realized it was no longer necessary for her to play the Dragonborn and stepped aside.

"The true Dragonborn I take it? Well, it started off as rumors of your deeds that seemed to coincide with the prophecy so the Synod was requested by the Emperor to investigate. My compatriot ended up heading for Solstheim because you were rumored to have traveled there. When he inquired about you, he was directed to the Skall village where the rest of his information was obtained. I myself found out what had occurred between you and the ancient Vampire clan from a rather sour man named Isran."

"And they gave up this information to a stranger willingly?" Naspia asked, deciding to check a few people off of her list of friends she could trust.

"No, technically they were forced. Well, Isran and the residents of Raven Rock were, at any rate. We showed them an edict from the Emperor himself and they obliged, likely so that the Empire wouldn't harass them further. The Skaal, however, openly gave us the information when we made their pilgrimage to the large stones."

"I see... So what does the last part mean? The Eldest and the Youngest? Who are they?"

"Of that we aren't certain. The vision given to the Moth Priest who read the scroll showed where this would happen and he says he saw the Dragonborn with an army at her back to face down some great and terrible foe."

"Of course..." Naspia said with an audible sigh. "It would have been only too convenient for me to settle down and maybe live an actual life..."

"I am not happy about this information, Dragonborn, I assure you." Casius informed her with an apologetic look in his eyes. "It seems that those who are born with power and a good heart are doomed to never find a restful moment."

"Well when and where is this taking place?" Naspia asked, a sudden fatigue showing on her youthful face. Kodlak placed a hand on the Dragonborn's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. She knew what he meant with it. She wouldn't be alone for this task. Not this time.

"It is in a place I am not familiar with, though you may be." The mage said, and stood up, walking over to the map displayed on Naspia's wall. "Here. It is to happen here and we believe it to be on the 18th of Morning Star."

"That's the Breton holiday of Waking Day." Naspia said and shook her head. "Whomever wrote the scrolls sure seemed to have a fairly twisted sense of humor... And right outside Dead Men's Respite."

"I don't think you quite understand the Elder Scrolls too well." Casius replied bluntly.

"Regardless, it would seem this kind of information should be brought to the attention of the powers vying for control of Skyrim immediately." Savos stated flatly. Everyone looked back at the Arch-mage but couldn't disagree. "If this threat is grave enough that it was found within an Elder Scroll then perhaps we should attempt to be more prepared for it then we were for the great black dragon. No sense in forcing young Naspia here to do all the work in saving the world once again."

"I thank you Arch-mage." Naspia replied and looked over at Kodlak who gave her that seem fatherly smile and wink he'd done dozens of times that told her everything was going to be alright. "Right then. Casius, if what you say is correct then we have exactly one month before this prophecy becomes reality. Would you mind accompanying me when I go to visit General Tullius in Solitude?"

"I have no qualms with it." Casius informed her. "Might I ask why you would have need of me?"

"I may have upset the General during the negotiations to end hostilities while I went to fight Alduin. That decree from the Emperor seems very much needed."

"And Ulfric Stormcloak?" Kodlak asked. "How will you convince him to maintain this truce a little longer?"

"I would request that the Harbringer of the Companions aided me in that regard." Naspia told him with a smirk. Kodlak chuckled and nodded his head, stroking his beard in thought.

"Aye lass, I shall attempt to talk sense to the would-be high king."

"Well then... seems I've got a trip ahead of me." Naspia said, rubbing her temples. "Kodlak, I'll meet you at the gates of Windhelm before the sun sets three days from now. I hesitate to say this, but if you could... tell the other Shield Brothers and Sisters they are invited to help with this."

"Not a bad idea." Kodlak replied. "Things could get unpleasant if we tell Ulfric that liberating Skyrim will have to wait."

Naspia smirked and made her way toward the doors. She could hear thuds and shuffling and ran to the door and threw it open with an amused grin on her face.

"You know, if you wanted to know what has happening so badly that you had to listen in on my conversation, you could have asked when we were done." She teased, laughing at Farkas who was too slow and had fallen on his backside. Vilkas, Athis and Torvar all had equally guilty looks on their faces and Naspia shook her head.

"So, we're about to having something worse than dragons on our hands, huh?" Vilkas asked. "I'd like to test my blade against that."

"If we are lucky maybe we can avert it all together." Savos pointed out, getting sour looks from the Companions.

"Alright, well everyone, you're more than welcome to stay here the night, obviously." Naspia told everyone. "But I'll be heading out at first light tomorrow morning for Solitude."

The group seemed to look at one another but no one seemed confused. Everyone seemed well prepared for the news, so Naspia assumed the eavesdroppers had shared the information. It made no difference to the young Dragonborn. She was happy that the looks on all their faces could be described as eager, rather than apprehensive. She hoped that she might convince a few of them to help her and couldn't help but think of just how nice it would be not to have to shoulder another apocalypse on her own.