-Terror's Call, Nature's Calm-

-Whiterun-

Drak'qur and Anduniel walked side by side. She sang a few songs as they walked. Drak'qur was entranced by her voice. It was so angelic. He smiled under his helmet. "Your voice is so beautiful, Anduniel."

Anduniel blushed. "Thank you. It's nice to be with someone that really appreciates music."

Drak'qur shifted his shield slightly. The runes on the armor and shield were glowing brighter. Each time he used his abilities, the runes became much more prominent. At this point, the armor and shield glowed strongly. "I heard you speaking to that travelling bard back there about your talisman."

Anduniel nodded. "Yes. It was a gift from my father and it's enchanted. But it means so much to me." She sounded a bit sad that she had lost it.

"How did you come to lose it?" He asked.

"I was a bear cave near Iverstead and I was attacked by three bears." She started.

"Why were you at a bear cave?" Drak'qur wasn't being accusatory but genuinely curious. He didn't go Barrow diving just because it was there.

"For the honey, of course." She replied and continued. "I was able to use my ability to control animals on the first bear. But the second bear slashed my ribs as I drove my dagger into its belly." She shuddered. "The third bear was quite upset. I was able to escape the cave being that three bears was too much to handle. But after I got to safety, I realized my talisman had been ripped off in the fight. But I don't dare go back alone."

"Once we have taken care of our task here in Whiterun, I will gladly help you get your talisman back." Drak'qur turned his head to face her. The eyes of the helmet glowing brightly.

"You will?! Oh that will be wonderful! Let me mark where I found the cave on your map." She took his map and marked it.

Two guards stopped Drak'qur and Anduniel at the gates. "Halt. No one enters due to the dragon attack. Orders of the Jarl."

"Riverwood calls for the Jarl's aid." Anduniel spoke up.

"Gerdur sent us to speak with Baelgruf." Drak'qur added.

"Riverwood is in danger? Go right in. Head straight to Dragonsreach. The Jarl will be waiting for you." The guard said and opened the gate.

Drak'qur and Anduniel headed towards Dragonsreach, passing through a small market. There, a woman was minding a food stall and some male was talking to her. The woman seemed to be getting upset. "Dammit, Mikael, I told you. I have no interest in even being in the same tavern as you. Stop bothering me."

"I told you, Carlotta, I'm going to tame you like any harsh beast here in Skyrim." Mikael said, somewhat joking. A few of the men laughed.

As Drak'qur and Anduniel were passing by, Drak'qur clenched his armored fist. The runes glowing brightly and a mist starting to encircle his hand. Normally, Drak'qur would not get involved, but seeing a small girl clinging to Carlotta, he assumed to be her daughter, set him over the edge. Drak'qur spun around and caught Mikael in the mouth with a backhand. Mikael flew backwards, landing on his back. It happened so fast, Anduniel had no time to react. But she stood in front of Drak'qur. The eyes of his helmet glowing angrily. "Mind your manners, worm!" He roared.

Anduniel had her hands on his chestplate. "Drak'qur! Please stop! This isn't the way!" She was quietly saying to him.

Mikael scrambled to his feet, running straight for the Bannered Mare.

Everyone standing around them just looked stunned. Anduniel turned to Carlotta. "I'm so very sorry, he's…just protective of women, that's all."

"Are you kidding? I doubt Mikael will ever come near me after that. I'd thank the gods, but I'll settle for thanking you. You both will get a discount for helping me. My daughter Mila means the world to me and is all that's important to me." She smiled down at her daughter who smiled back up at her.

Drak'qur just nodded. "Thank you."

Anduniel pulled Drak'qur along towards the Reach. "That was a bit over the top, wasn't it?" She asked.

"Maybe. But I have my reasons for my reaction. Maybe someday I'll tell you." Drak'qur just walked straight ahead. He knew he didn't garner any good points with Anduniel reacting the way he did. Part of him was sorry, the other part wanted to destroy Mikael. All he could think about was when a man tried to court his mother in front of him when he was only six. His father had been out on patrol with his men. Drak'qur wanted to hurt the man, but he was only a boy, what could a boy have done? His reaction wasn't lost on his mother. After they had gotten home, she cooked him a special meal for being such a brave boy to protect his mother. Drak'qur swore he would never see a woman forced into anything by a man. And the thought of it only caused the runes and eyes of his armor to glow darker, more sinister.

"Drak'qur?" Anduniel called, shaking him from his thoughts. "Are you ok?"

"Hmm? Ah, yes. Sorry, just remembering something." He said, a smile in his voice.

Anduniel started to keep in mind Drak'qur's reaction. How his armor reacted to his emotions. When he was calm, the armor glowed only dimly. When he was angry, or in a fight, like they were in Bleak Falls Barrow, his armor would glow brighter and his power stronger. Though his reaction to Mikael was a little too much, she sensed an honor in him that only so few might have expected or knew from him. His heart was in the right place. Maybe she could guide him in the gentler ways?

As the two entered Dragonsreach, Irileth, the Jarl's housecarl, drew her weapon and moved over two them. "What business do you have in Dragonsreach?"

Drak'qur was calm, for now. "I have a message for the Jarl from Gerdur in Riverwood."

"The Jarl is seeing no one today. You can give me the message." Irileth demanded.

"The message is for the Jarl only." Drak'qur rebuttled.

"Whatever you have to say you say to me, outsider." She barked.

"Irileth, it's alright." Jarl Baelgruf said. "I'll listen to what the newcomer has to say."

Irileth sheathed her weapon and headed back to the Jarl's side. Drak'qur and Anduniel followed.

"Now what is this about Riverwood?" The Jarl asked.

"Gerdur from Riverwood has expressed concern about the recent Dragon attack on Helgen." Drak'qur started.

"Gerdur? She runs the lumbermill. The pillar of the community. Not prone to flights of fancy." Baelgruf stroked his beard. "Did you see this dragon?"

Both Drak'qur and Anduniel nodded. "Yes, my Jarl." Anduniel said. "We both did. It destroyed Helgen and then flew over the mountain where Bleak Falls Barrow lay."

Baelgruf turned to his advisor. "What do you say now, Proventus? Should we trust in the strength of our walls now? Against a dragon?" He turned towards Irileth. "Send a detachment of my guards to Riverwood to protect them."

"Yes, my Jarl." Irileth saluted and headed out.

"Ulfric may consider this an act of aggression." Proventus said in protest.

"And what should I do? Let my people suffer? No. They get the protection they need." Baelgruf said finally. "As for the both of you. You came here of your own initiative to bring me this news. I'm grateful. Perhaps you can help me more with this dragon problem. My court wizard, Farengar, has been working on this problem for a while now." Baelgruf led the two to the court wizard.

Farengar seemed a bit eccentric to Anduniel as he explained about the Dragonstone. But as Drak'qur presented the stone to Farengar, Anduniel shivered remembering the fight to get it, and the odd event that happened beforehand.

-The Drauger did not make it easy to get to the final chamber. But as they entered, Drak'qur and Anduniel saw a large crypt with a massive wall in the back. Above it was the marking of a dragon. Anduniel walked up to it but couldn't even understand any of the writing. Drak'qur though, was very focused on it. He ran his hand over one marking and then took a step back as he put his hand on the side of his helmet. He shook his head as if trying to wake up.

"Force….Unrelenting…how…can I understand that?" He asked.

"You could read it?" Anduniel asked, putting her hand on his back to steady him.

"Yes…but I don't know how." Just then the top of a coffin shot up as a Drauger Overlord awoke. Drak'qur drew his weapon and readied his shield, standing in front of Anduniel. The runes on his armor started to glow. He nudged Anduniel back who ran down the stairs to get distance. The Drauger charged Drak'qur. He raised his shield to deflect the blow. The drauger staggered back but readied himself. All Drak'qur could think was…'Oh damn….' The Overlord let out a Thu'um that caused Drak'qur to fall down the stairs from loss of footing.

Anduniel cast a spell that summoned a Spriggan to hold off the Drauger for a few moments as she helped Drak'qur up. "Are you alright?!" She asked concerned.

"Yes, I just have to remember to be ready for that next time." He heard the Drauger prepare another Thu'um. "GET DOWN!" He pulled Anduniel down and acted as a shield over her as the Thu'um was let lose. The cave shook. He stood up and grabbed his shield and sword from the ground. The Drauger hadn't been prepared for his charge and Drak'qur plowed into him at full speed, forcing the undead into the wall. The impact dazed the undead and Drak'qur took advantage. He slammed his shield into the Drauger's head and then cast a Soul Trap spell. "It's time you returned to the Soul Cairne, fallen one!" He drove his sword into the Drauger, the spell activating as the Drauger fell. The soul of the undead circling around Drak'qur before absorbing into his armor.

Anduniel just stood there, looking at Drak'qur in awe.-

She had found the Dragonstone on the Drauger and gave it to Drak'qur. It was good that at least there was someone that could use it. She shook her head from her memories. As she looked at Drak'qur, she heard Irileth.

"Farengar!" The housecarl ran in. "Farengar, there's been a dragon sighting at the Western Watchtower."

"There has? How exciting! What was it doing? Was it headed this way? What did it look like?" Farengar seemed as excited as a child being given a holiday gift.

"I would take this a bit more seriously if I were you." Irileth looked at Drak'qur and Anduniel. "The both of you better come with me. We'll need your help."

Both nodded. As the group reached the Jarl, a guard had joined them who was at the Watchtower.

"Now then, tell me what happened." Jarl Baelgruf said.

"Right, the dragon came over the mountain and attacked the watchtower. I said it and have never ran so fast in my life. I thought it was going to capture me." The guard said.

"Get some food and rest, boy. You deserve it." Baelgruf said then turned to Irileth. "Irileth, I want you to go to the watchtower to investigate. If this dragon really is there. I want to know." He thought a minute. "Irileth, this isn't a death or glory mission. Do not take risks."

"Fear not, my Jarl. I'm the very soul of discretion." She replied.

"The two of you," Baelgruf faced Drak'qur and Anduniel. "Help Irileth. While I will never forget how you helped Farengar with the Dragonstone, there's no time to stand on ceremony. I've instructed Proventus to allow you to purchase a home in Whiterun as a reward for helping us. Thank you, my friends."

Drak'qur and Anduniel bowed. "Thank you, my Jarl." They both said in unison. They turned and went with Irileth. Everyone met just on the outskirts of the Western Watchtower.

Irileth studied the area. "I don't see a dragon, but it sure looks like he's been here. Fan out, look for survivors. Let me know if you find anything."

Everyone moved out. Drak'qur followed and Anduniel on his heels. But he slowed down, looking around. Anduniel stopped as well. "Drak'qur? What…." She felt a very cold wind come from the mountains. He was already looking up. The eyes of the helmet narrowed. From the mountain, the beating of huge wings could just be heard. Anduniel was startled to hear the guard screaming for everyone to get back, the dragon had taken two men and killed them and he was worried it would be back. The glow of Drak'qur's armor caught her attention next.

"Too late, it's here!" He shouted. Drawing his blade.

The roar of the dragon could be heard as it started to swoop down from the mountain. The dragon, Mirmulnir spewed fire as it made a strafing pass over the group. Drak'qur pulled Anduniel down and used his shield as cover as the flames passed over them. "Thuri du hin sil ko Sovngarde!" Mirmulnir roared. The guards were firing arrows as Irileth was casting lightning spells. Mirmulnir laughed. "Krif krin. Pruzah!"

Drak'qur looked at Anduniel. He nodded his head and placed a hand on her shoulder, giving her encouragement. They would fight this together. Neither of them stood alone in this fight. She watched as he stood and summoned his own lightning. Letting a large blast loose and hitting Mirmulnir. The dragon's attention now turning to him.

Mirmulnir only laughed again. "Brit grah."

Drak'qur readied his shield as Anduniel cast several offensive spells and summoned her spriggan. But as the dragon landed, Drak'qur grabbed his attention by changing and bashing the snout of the dragon as it tried to bite him.

Mirmulnir scoffed. "I had forgotten what fine sport you mortals can provide!"

Drak'qur kept Mirmulnir's attention and crouched down as the dragon spewed fire, using his shield to protect him from the flames. Mirmulnir started to take off. Drak'qur had enough of this dragon's posturing. He got a running start and loosened the shield on his arm, throwing it like a discus. At the same time the shield flew up to the dragon, Drak'qur cast his Soul Trap spell, hitting the dragon with it. When the shield hit the dragon in the wing, the impact caused Mirmulnir to lose lift and he came crashing to the ground. The dragon lifted its head to see Drak'qur leaping onto his head. The dragon shook violently to get him off. Drak'qur spun the blade in his hand and drove it into the back of the head of the dragon. But just before that strike, he heard the dragon scream: "DOVAKIIN?! NO!" The dragon's body falling limp and Drak'qur slid off.

Anduniel ran and threw her arms around him. "You did it!" She shouted in jubilation.

Drak'qur laughed as he hugged her back. "No, we did it." But their celebration was cut short as Irileth saw the body of the dragon starting to disintegrate. But it was not doing so normally.

"Everyone! GET BACK!" She shouted.

Startled Anduniel started to turn but noticed…Drak'qur wasn't. "Drak'qur! Come on!" She shouted.

But he didn't move. He couldn't move. He just stood there as some magic surrounded him. The dragon becoming nothing but bone as its soul entered Drak'qur. Not his armor…but him alone. The armor didn't react to him absorbing the soul of the dragon. He blinked under his helmet.

Anduniel ran over. "Drak'qur?! Drak'qur saying something to me!" She shook him.

He looked down. "I'm alright. Just…confused?"

The guards ran over. "I don't believe it! You're…Dragonborn!"

Drak'qur turned to face the guard. "I'm what?"

"Dragonborn. Like in the old tales. You absorbed the soul of that dragon and took its powers, didn't you?" The guard asked.

"I…guess I did?" He looked at Anduniel who just nodded, her eyes telling him: 'You really are Dragonborn.' As a bard, she would know the tales

"There's only one way to find out, can you shout? Only the Dragonborn can shout without training." The guards started to talk about the Dragonborn tales.

Drak'qur turned away from the group, Anduniel stood next to him, looking up at him. She could tell he wasn't sure. This was a lot to take in for him. Being a Vampire was one thing, the Warlord of the Soul Cairne was his destiny. This was unfamiliar ground to him. Something thrust upon him he wasn't even ready for. She slowly took his hand. Giving him a reassuring squeeze. She believed in him. Drak'qur looked down at her and sighed. What the hell. What could it hurt to try?

"Can you shout? Have you tried?" The guard asked again.

Drak'qur readied himself and…"FUS!" He let loose with a Thu'um. It was somewhat modified by his helmet. But the effect was still the same.

"That was a shout! You are Dragonborn!" The guard said.

Irileth shook her head. "Alright, that's enough all of you. Let's keep looking for survivors." She turned to Drak'qur and Anduniel. "That was the hairiest fight I've ever been in. I don't know about this Dragonborn thing, but I'm sure glad you're on our side. Head back to Dragonsreach and tell the Jarl what happened. I'll stay here and help in the search."

Drak'qur nodded. He and Anduniel walked quietly back to Whiterun. He honestly didn't even know what to say. What could he say? Anduniel stopped him. "You're afraid, aren't you?" She asked.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't. I just…I don't even know where to begin. I know nothing about being a Dragonborn. I don't even know how I can be one? No one in my family was blessed with the Dragon's Blood." He said.

Anduniel smiled and took both his hands. "The gods blessed you. And I'm here to help you. You gave me the strength to fight that dragon. Now I'm going to help you learn what it means to be Dragonborn." As they talked, the air sounded with thunder and booming voices were heard. 'DOVAHKIIN!' the voices said, thunder sounding again. Anduniel tilted her head. "Or you could just ask that massive booming voice. Talk about convenient timing."

Drak'qur burst out laughing. Anduniel laughed with him. For the first time, Drak'qur felt he could take on anything with Anduniel by his side. They walked back towards Dragonsreach, ready to report what happened at the tower to the Jarl.