The Blind Dragonborn
Chapter One
The Cultist Attack
Skye took a deep breath as she felt the magic pulsing through the air. She always knew when someone uses magic on her, because she could always feel it. It was like no other sensation out there she has ever felt before. The only question was, what were they using against her? They were always different each time. She could remember the time someone used an ice spell on her, she couldn't get warm for weeks. She shivered and her teeth chattered away to oblivion. Then another memory of a fireball catching her dark grey hair on fire. She could only imagine what she must have looked like to everyone, not like cared for how she looks; she just hated the smell of burnt hair following around her everywhere she went. It threw her scenes off which she hated. Skye wasn't able to move around as easily like any other times. She could barely do her jobs well.
The low growling next to her told her that her creature champion was ready to attack whenever she was. The fur was standing straight with anger and the teeth gritted together. The wolf's eyes were narrowed to the opponents across of them on the road leading to Riften. Skye had her daedric swords in both of her hands while the opponents circled around her. There were two of them walking around her. With how many steps that were taken, there could only be two. And the opponents were not from here, she knew that. The smell of ash and a weird scent of some kind of food told her enough. But where did they come from? Why were they here in the first place? Why were they attacking her? Skye couldn't place it at all together.
With the feel of their magic rolling in the air, she knew that they were not that strong against her. They would still have a lot to learn about being a mage, if it wasn't the fact that they will not live long enough to do so. She waited for them to attack her, waited for their first move. The smell of smoke got her to move out of the spot to keep from getting burned or getting her dark grey hair cinged off again. A memory of having a fireball flying to her arm was seared into her brain and she was not going to repeat that incident. There was so many incidents that happened whenever someone use magic against her and she hated it. She couldn't count on one hand of how many times she got hurt when an opponent used magic against her. A target practice would be envious of her.
The other person tried to take her by surprise by attacking behind her. However, she heard his footsteps moving around her while the fire wielding opponent had made the first move. Skye twirled around to block the steel dagger that was in the person's hands. What kind of fool would bring a small iron dagger to any kind of fight? This one apparently. Skye could hear her father's haunting voice making remarks about this person she was fighting.
Skye spun around the other way, slicing into thin air as the person stepped back to dodge the attack. Footsteps followed her to attack her, managing to cut her shoulder in the process. She could hear the attacker smirk at the petty victory. A grunt was sounded, the small wound seeping in blood. The scar was not big she could tell. It would heal quickly once she got it cleaned. Skye smirked when smelling the scent of blood leaning her head toward her wound. This act always get the attacker off guard; more often then not, and she loved freaking people out. The sight made the attacker shiver in fear. She was quite glad to fend off creeps and sadistic people out there. If she hasn't, who knows where she might be. 'Dead', she thought, 'I would be long dead'. The attacker then swung his left arm at her face. She felt a stung on her face and a little bit of blood seeping through trailing down her cheek. The tickling sensation causing her to shiver. Skye winced as she stride forward. She blocked again, the two pushing against each other. The way this person has been fighting, told her that the attacker was use to one on one combat. She would as far to say that this person grew up learning to do so. But it wasn't enough for them. The attacker never had the practice she had all her life.
"Why are you attacking me? Who are you?" Skye asked in a growl, confusion lacing in with her angered voice. She pushed the person back causing the person to stumble on their feet. Scratching dirt sounded, hearing him step threes strides away from where she stood. Debating on the grunt she heard after the push, she wanted to say that it was a man that has been attacking her. She was not quite sure, because she knew that they was wearing some kind of mask which muffled their voices. It was sometimes made it difficult for her to hear properly. Another wave of magic ran pass her, and she could feel the air dropped in the coldness. "Not again." She whispered to herself. She was not going to shivering for weeks again. Ice was shoot out of the man's hands, running in high speed. Skye was quick to move to the side, barely missing the ice spike. Skye and the man heard the shattering ice fall to the dirt ground.
"You are the false dragonborn! You shall be gone forever." The attacker shouted in rage. Faintly, she could hear the fire wielding attacker drop to their knees, groaning in pain. With one last growl, her creature companion killed the fire wielding attacker. The scent of blood roamed the air, filling in their noses. Skye smiled at this, proud of her cute companion. The other attacker had just stared at the sight of his partner's body ceasing from any movements. The large wolf was in striking stance facing him. How can such a person harbor such a wild animal with her all the time? He froze for a split second with fear running cold in his veins. Skye knew that the man was hesitant to attack her now. This gave her the upper hand in this battle. When he noticed her assault he halted one of the sword with one of his hand. He cried in pain, but held the sharp sword there while he grabbed hold of her wrist. "Your lies fall on deaf ear, deceiver. The true dragonborn shall come." He shouted more, shaky now than before. Skye scoffed at him, lifting a leg to kick him in the stomach. The man stepped back from the sudden attack from her, gaining back his footing. The attacker tried to shoot an ice spike at her, but she dodged it easily as she ran up to him. He wondered how this person managed to fight flawlessly when she was blind.
"Well, I can't wait to meet this true dragonborn." Skye said while raising her right arm and swung it at his head. The body fell to the ground while the head rolled off somewhere. She took another deep breath, calming down her nerves. Her heart was pounding with adrenaline and a pinch of fear. Fear was always something she felt after every fight she ever had. She wasn't sure why that was. Skye just stood there in thought of those words she heard from the attacker. What did that man mean that the true dragonborn shall come back? Something bumped into her hand, causing her to let go a smile. "Come on, Winter. Let's find anything that will help make any of this less confusing." Skye told the purring wolf. Skye went to the body in front of her, searching through the pockets she could find. Her fingers brushed against paper. She raised a brow at this and took it out. Her hands went all over it to be sure that it was paper she was hold. A frown was made and the annoyance of being blind hung over her head again. Great, she will have to go to one of the guys to read this to her when she gets back to Riften. She hopes it's nothing too bad. She stood on her feet, her frown deepening. She doubted that it was good. But, she can always hope.
Winter rubbed her head up against Skye's leg, as if confronting her as the wolf sensed her nervousness. The blind woman just patted her head softly and went off her way to Riften. The home of thieves, thanks to her. A breeze settle past her and Winter in a soothing sound in her ears. It was just the calm before the storm. A storm bigger than she had imagine it would be.
The sound of the rippling water seemed to always calm her after a job. Something about it just had her shoulders to lay back and her mind to stop spinning over everything that was going on around her. The scent of the lake water soothed her spirit and the feel of the cool breeze over the water felt nice. She could hear the sounds of men and women down near the docks, shouting at each other at the top of their lungs. Oddly enough, she found that a normal thing now. Skye grew up being use to hearing animals growling and leaping in the grass. There were barely anyone around for her to listen to anything, so being in a place like this, she was sure that she would be annoyed somehow. The sounds at the docks was such an opposite from what she was use to back in the day. But now, she wasn't sure if she can live without such noises.
Splashing and footsteps at the wooden platform let anyone near them know that they were busy trying to catch all the fishes they can get for this months profit. This moment was one of those moments that told the blind woman that she was not alone in this world. Skye walked up the wooden stairs that lead to her house in Riften. She carried her fur pack filled with everything she needed on this job, also filled with a few extra things she could carry. There was new weapons she get from some places she went. She was giddy over her collection. Winter was walking behind her to make sure Skye would be safe. Another set of paws walked up to her in greeting. "Hey there, Midnight." Skye spoke in a light tone. Midnight purred out, giving out a yawn. "Another long nap, huh?" Skye giggled at the big wolf, then walked past him with a pat on his head. She let the two love birds have their moment.
Skye went inside the small house, feeling the fire roaming around the room. The blind woman placed some of the things she collected in the chest near the back door. Most of it were her weapons she found, or stole. Then some clothes that she stole from some houses on the way back home since the ones she had were torn from fights with wild animals. 'Damn wolves', she thought to herself. She wasn't found of some of the wild wolves out there, but at least they weren't as bad as bears. 'I can live without bears for good'.
She then placed her bag on a hook next to the back door. It dangled for a bit then stilled. Skye took off her gear, feeling that cut stinging as the clothing dropped to the floor. Her face winced at the feeling. Her feet paced over to the stairs, slowly climbing down so she could get her healing potion she made a few weeks ago. She was glad to learn how to make them instead of buying over priced for them. After that was done, the blind girl went back up stairs to get one of her new clothes on. It was felt soft to the touch. It was a shirt and pants. A smile formed on her lips, feeling a lot comfortable now.
She went over to the kitchen, making something quick for herself to eat before meeting with on of the thieves guild members and checking in with Vex. Skye sat down at her table, feeling the silence fill the room finally. No, the silence has always been there, she managed to ignore it most of the time. Moments like this had her feel so lonely. She would think about her life before she became the dragonborn and a member of the thieves guild. There was no one she could rely on and Skye still have problems trusting anyone these days, but she is doing better at figuring out people here in Skyrim. The burning sensation on her nose had her shake her head. Crying doesn't solve anything, she'll get through it. After she was done eating her food, the young woman got up from her seat and head out her house into Riften.
Skye could hear the blacksmith not too far from her house. Then the smell of the Black-Brierer's mead that was brewing for future sells. It smelled of honey, so sweet that made anyone sigh in pleasure. Skye let out a sigh, having missed her home very much. She came here when she was living the life as a hunter when she was seventeen and also as the dragonborn. Thankfully, no one here knew her identity at all, so she can live a peaceful life. That life as a hunter she lived was not a good one for her, since she was chased by bandits and than nacormats wanting to kidnap her for their sick practices. It wasn't until she became the last dragonborn and moved to Riften that she was able to live a somewhat good life. Granted joining the guild was not walk through the woods, but she loves it. The thieves guild and some other people out in Skyrim were the only people to be family for her. They might not see her as such, but that's how she saw them. The most family she has ever gotten in her childhood was her mother, and even then her mother was not such a good mother.
She remembered the strange accented man that walked up to her, offering her a job that she couldn't refuse. She needed money at the time, and anything to get was fine with her. Of course, at the moment, the man had no idea that she was blind until he introduced her to the traitor thief. Mercer had doubts about her and for a minute so did the accented guy. However, she had proven herself to them and gained a lot of respect from the guild. Even Vex admitted that Skye was pretty good at being a thief. But that was only that one time.
Since that day, Skye had become a thief of the night. A very good thief at that as well. After everything she and the thieves guild had been through, she was glad she found a place called home. Speaking of home, Skye shook her head to get back on track. She through the alley that lead to the center of the town, where the stall markets were placed. The faint sound of the owners in the trading store could be heard for her. The man was speaking with his wife, sharing his worrying thoughts while she tried to keep him calm. Then there was the meadary right next to the trading store. Men and women inside were cleaning and brewing the honey mead. The sweet smell caused her to breath in deep to savor the scent. It was nice to smell honey compared to what she has to smell while walking through Skyrim. Many footsteps ran around in the big place. Skye had gotten closer to the market place hearing the people talk. She could hear the berating woman telling anyone to buy her armor. The lizard offering any women to get the finest jewelries to wear. The regard woman pitching her sells on her fresh food. Skye was about to walk through it all, ignoring their promotions for their products. Everyone, asides from the blacksmith, didn't pay attention to her. Skye stopped when she heard the man's voice ringing in her ears. Her head turned towards the noise.
"Hello Skye. Back from another journey?" He asked with some affection in his voice. His eyes soften at the sight of the half nord woman. She was a small woman and her frame was thicker than most women out there. Her grey hair falling down from the braid. The pale blue eyes told anyone with a brain that she was blind. The blacksmith had admired her for how she carried herself. However, the blind woman knew that his admiration grew a lot more than they should be. Skye smiled at him awkwardly as she walked up to him. She knew that feelings he harbored for her, but she tried to keep him at bay and stay friends with him. He was such a nice man and she did not want to hurt his feelings in any way.
"Yeah. It was a rough journey, but I made it through alright." Skye answered. The blacksmith chuckled at this. The sizzling sound noise came through, a sign that he was in the middle of forging another weapon for the stormcloaks. He noted a few scratches on her face. He thought about asking how that happened, but he didn't. He assumes that they might be from wolves out there or any other wild animals. The blacksmith brought the weapon back on the avil, smashing a hammer on it. The sound of metal hitting metal caused her to stiffen slightly. She never like that kind of noise along with a few other noises.
"How are the two wild beasts?" He questioned her. The hint that told her all she needed to know. He was hinting if he could court her. If she would marry him. A sweet gesture for him, but she was not what he was looking for. She knew that this man was looking for anyone he could take care of. The only reason he took a fancy for her was because she was blind. Anyone who is blind needs someone there for them, right? No, she was not like that at all. She never need anyone to take care of her since she knew how to survive this cold world. She never had help with her own parents, why start now? She always give him the same silent answer, no.
Skye sighed out at this, letting him know that she just wasn't interested in him or really anyone else for that matter. She been through her heartbreak and she doesn't want to go through it again. The blacksmith caught the hint, moving along in his forging. Skye shifted on her feet at the sudden awkwardness that appeared in the cool air. A breeze blew past them, their hair swaying slightly. "Winter and Midnight are getting really affectionate for one another. I'm afraid Winter might get pregnet really soon." Skye told him finally just to shatter the silence between them. He chuckled at this, shaking his head
"That is what happens when they are partners for such a long time." He told her. It was her cue to finally leave with that tone in his voice. To leave him to wallow on another rejection. Skye nodded her head then walked away from the smithing area, heading to the grave yard in the back of Mara's temple. She made sure that she was alone as the walked in the stone cover tomb, pressing the button on the fake stone coffin. She heard it move back causing her shoulders to tense. Skye cringes at the sound of it. Carefully, she walked down the steps, pulling the matel chain to close the entrance so no one can find them easily. Once she knew that she was safe, she went to the well climbing down the ladder. There she was greeted by some of the other thieves living there.
"Welcome back, lass." The accented man she met a few years back spoke softly. The smooth vocal cords could many any woman melt in his arms. She was one of those women. She pasued for a second to keep herself from doing anything stupid, then turned from the ladder with a smile on her face. The man knew a fake smile when he sees one. It has him furrowed his brows with frustration at himself for causing this. He never intended for this to happen between them.
"Hello, Brynjolf." She spoke in a high pitched voice cracking. Skye coughed at this, while Brynjolf grinned at her. He gazed at her with sad eyes. "How was everything here while I was gone?" She asked, her voice back to normal. Brynjolf shook his head at her recovery, acting as if it never happen.
"Eh, the same when you left, I'm afraid." Brynjolf walked up to her to take hold of her arm, helping her through the cistern. Skye blushed a little at the contact as they walked, but she was also keeping tears from forming in her eyes. His hands felt strong and balanced. They were calloused from lock picking and felt rough against her skin that was visible. Her hands were the same way. She was sure that everyone in this guild had calloused hands. She could slightly feel the dead skin prickling against her skin. Skye swallowed deeply, trying to breath properly. Her heart was wanting to lung out of her as it beat against her chest. How can one person make her this weak? Skye ranted at herself inside her head, barely missing his voice speaking to her. "How was the job?" He asked her. Skye let out a frustrated sigh as if she remembered something bad. Brynjolf frown at this, not knowing if he wanted to hear how it went or not. "I am guessing it wasn't great, lass?" The blind woman shook her head as the foot stepped on the arch of the stone walk way.
"No, the job itself went quiet well." She finally spoke. "It's just these people came up to me on the way home, claiming that I am the..." She stopped at this remembering where she was at the moment. Skye moved her head to the side to listen for the others. "Are we safe?" Brynjolf looked around finding everyone else were either at the practice room, or at the kitchen area. They stood a few feet away, but Brynjolf wanted to be safe with Skye's secret.
"We'll go to my room." He said, guiding the blind woman to his private room that was built in after the guild got back on their feet again. Thanks for magic, it made it easy to build in some extra rooms and other things for the thieves guild. He glanced over to nocturnal across the place, letting go a smile. Thanks to this woman at his side, the thieves guild would not have made it. When they were safe behind the heavy metal doors, Brynjolf helped her sat down on a chair at his desk. An open book was there with the quill and ink. It was all the logs for the past year of how much was going in and out. He was glad that Mercer was no longer around. Everything was back in order, expect for that lioness woman here in Riften. Brynjolf will have to figure out what to do with her, but for a later time. Right now his focus was on Skye, and what happened with her.
Skye could tell that he just written something down on the book before she got here. The ink scent was strong in the room. She silently sat down on the wooden chair hearing it creak under her weight. "Alright, it's safe to talk." He told her, standing before her with his arms crossed. Skye sighed while running her fingers through her grey hair, the braid now gone. The grey hair went wavy from the braid, rounding her face more. Brynjolf knew that Skye has been on the heavy side, even when she has been a hunter for most of her life. Brynjolf's eyes unintentionally glanced up and down her form, drinking her in. He shook his trying to control himself from doing something foolish.
"As I was saying. I was on the road to Riften with Winter. I was there, completely to myself when I ran into these strange people. They stopped me while questioning me if I was the dragonborn. Of course, I told them I am. They came up to me claiming I wasn't the true dragonborn." She started out causing the master thief to raise a brow. He hummed in confusion, trying to think about this.
"You are not the true dragonborn? How come you can shout and absorb a dragon's soul and not be the dragonborn?" Brynjolf chuckled out. Skye giggled with him, her smile brightening up the dark room they were in.
"Well, I am guessing these attackers are blind as I am." She paused a moment after she said. Her smile falling a bit and Brynjolf frown at this. He knew that she was embarrassed and conscious about her disability. A dark secret that she wished to see like everyone else. It was a secret Brynjolf knew from the beginning. However, she was fine without seeing. To be honest, he would rather be blind than to see all the horror that happens around this land. "Anyways, they told me that the 'true dragonborn shall come' and the my 'lies fall on deaf ears'. I am not sure what they meant by the true dragonborn." Skye then pulled out the paper she found in their pockets. "I found this, but you know I cannot read it. Would mind reading it for me?" She asked him with an unsure look on her face. Her mouth was half open and her eyes narrowed up with worry running around in those pale eyes of her. Brynjolf smirked at her while shaking his head. He didn't mind helping her with anything. No one here minded at all. They knew that there were certain things that she could not do, and she would need someone to do it for her. It was not a bad thing to have help.
The ginger man stepped closer to her, grabbing the letter in her hands. "It's a letter." He told her to confirm her suspisions. He read it before saying out loud. He swallowed at this, not knowing how to take this message. Skye waited for him, feeling the tension in the air. "It says," He coughed, "'Baord the vessel Northern Maiden docked at Raven Rock. Take it to Windhelm, then begin your search. Kill the false dragonborn known as Skye before she reach Solstheim'." He said. He stopped there, but she knew he was holding back from her. She could hear the shifting of his feet. Something he does whenever he got a little nervous.
"Brynjolf, finish it." Skye ordered him in a dark tone. Brynjolf sighed at this before clearing his throat.
"'Return with word of sccuesss, and Miraak shall be most pleased'." Brynjolf finished. Skye srunched her face in turmoil.
"Who is Miraak?" Skye questioned. Brynjolf narrowed his eyes at the letter.
"Please do not tell me you are planning on going to Solstheim." Skye was quiet at this, deep in thought. She was already planning on finding who brought those attacker to find her. She leaned back on the chair she was sitting on while cupping her chin. It was a known posture that everyone in the guild knew that she had already plan on something they knew it was dangerous. It was that grin that gave away everything as well.
"Well, I wasn't planning on it. Not until you said of course." She said in a musing voice. The master thief rolled his eyes at this. He knew her too well that he sometimes gets scared.
"I'm serious Skye. It sounds that this person is dangerous." Skye straighten her back. The air grew with tension. Brynjolf pulled up another chair beside her which had her tense up a bit. A dark shade of red invaded her cheeks and she knew that it was visiable for him to see. However, he didn't comment on it. Skye scold herself in her mind, saying that he doesn't feel that way for her. He sat down, the wooden chair creaking as he put his weight on it. "What are you going to do once you arrive to that island. I doubt that this Miraak would not be too please to find you there."
"Whatever happens there is my business, Bryn." She spoke. "I may be blind, be I am pretty good at what I do. I can take care of myself." She told him in a light tone. Brynjolf was silent for a moment and he was still. Skye didn't know what he was doing at this time and she was a little nervous. It made her nervous when she doesn't know what they other party doing. Whether enemy or friend, if she wasn't able to hear them then she didn't know what to do. Then he moved, the heat of his arm was wrapped around her shoulders. He pulled her to him, giving her a tight hug. She let in a breath, smelling the scent to some kind of paper and ink on him from all the paper work he had gotten once he became guild master.
"I worry that you might not come back." He whispered to her. Skye blushed even more, and her heart raced. She knew that he cared for her in a sisterly way. However, when he is doing something like this, only gets her hopes high for a chance to be able to steal his heart once more. She did not need that again. Skye stayed there for a moment before she decided that her heart had enough and pulled away from him. Brynjolf let go of her as she stood up from the chair. "Skye..." He trailed out. Skye lifted up her hand, stopping him from saying anything else to her. Her feelings were known to him. She knew that.
"I am a grown woman, Brynjolf." The room felt heavy to her now. Brynjolf saw her shoulders tense up slowly, wanting nothing more than to escape. "I need to go. It's been a while since I had something good to eat." She excused herself from the room, leaving the master thief kicking himself. He knew that he had ruin his chance and now everything is weird between them. He hope to the gods that she would somehow forgive him for being a fool.