Burn.
Fire and Death.
Blood and Sacrifice.
Weapon and Tool.
Burn.
"The instinct of a dragon is to dominate. To dominate people. To dominate objects. To dominate environments. To dominate themselves. It only stands to reason that the dragonborn was no different. Though disguised in more benevolent forms, the sheer malevolence of her instinct surpassed all known belief at the time." - 5th Era Footnote.
"Madame Ambassador, is it truly wise to be going by yourself with that…creature? Wouldn't it be better to go with a couple of Justiciars?" A strongly accented, curious, voice piqued from the corner of the room.
Elenwen, who was in the middle of wrapping a thick fur coat around herself, momentarily considered ignoring the Bosmer assistant.
"If I wanted your advice I would have asked for it," she replied in a steely voice that could shatter ice.
Frightening the woman for daring to even question her superior was what she needed. Watching her cringe however, she paused. Closing her eyes, Elenwen reminded herself that whatever the mer said was only said in concern, unwanted as it was. Besides, the other had proved herself to be intelligent and capable enough to earn her trust.
Adding in a slightly softer tone, "That being said…your concern is not unwarranted. Indeed, it is not the wisest course of action. However, I am certain the khajiit would not have sent the beast had it not been urgent. I trust she controls her beasts, and I will not come to harm."
The justiciar still looked unconvinced, however she nodded. Satisfied, Elenwen turned back to packing her essentials.
She paused, taking a moment to look at the letter on her bed. Gilded tastefully in gold, it lay partially opened.
To Ambassador Elenwen of the Aldmeri Dominion,
You have hereby been cordially invited to the Wedding of Rijjan of Anequina occurring on the morning of the 7th of First Seed at the Blue Palace, Solitude. Proceedings shall last till sundown, upon which you may attend the afterparty should you wish. Both of these are assured to be quite grand. Dignitaries from all over Tamriel will attend, and there will be a fine assortment of the best wines and foodstuffs from all over the Aldmeri Dominion and Tamriel, cooked by none other than the Gourmet. Rijjan, veteran of the First War, Champion of the AD, Saviour of Whiterun, Protector of the True Ways, Herald of Heavens, and finally Dragonborn, personally extends her warmest regards and looks forward to seeing you at the event. Finally, each guest will receive a bag of rare and unique complementary dragon gifts.
Rijjan of Anequina,
Order of the Dragon-Knight Blades
Attached was a personal note, one that actually looked to be Rijjan's handwriting, elegant enough to rival the penmanship of the person who had written the invitation letter.
PS: Hey Elenwen! I'm sending Faalloknir to pick you up. Don't worry, he's friendly and won't attack unless you do. Actually you should probably inform your guards to prevent any misunderstandings. It's important that we meet. He'll be there tomorrow morning.
She frowned as she read the last part, what on nirn did the dragonborn want now?
Mentally Elenwen thanked that her friend had atleast warned her of the incoming surprise beforehand in the letter, though when she met her friend she would have a few choice words for her. And maybe a few well-placed lightning bolts.
Even now she could still remember the hectic morning.
Panic.
That was the only word Elenwen could use to describe the situation outside the Embassy that morning. Pure blind panic. Everywhere she looked, soldiers rushed to and fro like chicken, their heads having been blown off by a fireball. Elenwen felt a headache coming on as she strode across the courtyard to the source of the disturbance.
"Madame Ambassador!"
The soldier did nothing to hide the relieved expression on her face as she saw her coming. Idiots.
Still, she couldn't help the apprehension that assaulted her as she neared the centre of the courtyard where the guards were were currently surrounding a creature that could only be described as something straight out of myth. She didn't show this of course.
Dragon.
It was large, larger than she had expected. Hunched over on its forelimbs, it still stood at a total height nearing the full length of the Embassy building. Metallic brass and sapphire scales covered the length of its body, raised in imposing ridges and spikes that ran down its back all the way to its spaded whip-like tail. It's head was vaguely beak-shaped, mouth filled with sharp teeth. Large horns protruded from the base of its skull, only enhancing sharp amber eyes. It was beautiful, in an intimidating kind of way. And currently doing nothing except glaring down at the guards surrounding it. At least, that's what she hoped it was doing.
Elenwen wasn't even certain they were capable of defeating the creature should it come to a fight. It certainly looked stronger than the others of its kind she had seen before. And the way its gaze turned on her the moment it saw her…it was all she could do to keep her flinch backwards unnoticeable. And that was even knowing that she knew the damned beast was "friendly".
She sighed. She had not signed up for this nonsense when she first became ambassador of this backwater country.
Joor fahliil.
There was no small amount of surprise when the creature spoke. A silence that was as sudden as it was unnatural assaulted the Embassy.
Drem, yol, lok.
The dragon lowered it's head slightly in a show of greetings. It's voice was soft and surprisingly cultured for a beast, though it vibrated with an unknown power. Elenwen carefully inclined her head in a similar manner, making sure to keep her eyes on the creature as she did so.
"Greetings. Faalloknir, I presume?" Elenwen smoothly inquired, subtly gesturing her soldiers to lay down their weapons for the moment. Most of them looked at her like she was crazy. To those who hesitated she silently dared them with her eyes to defy her. This silenced any opposition, though most of the guard still looked uncertain.
Geh, yes. The mortal. Dovahsil, the one you call dragonborn sent me for the fahliil kul of Akatosh. Enwe'el, n' Auri-el, Elenwen.
Elenwen blinked. She recognised it was asking for her, though she couldn't understand half of what the beast was muttering.
"You are speaking to her. May I ask why she did not come herself?"
The dragon hummed, a deep sound she felt in the ground beneath her feet, in the swirling air around her, in her very bones.
Briinah, dragonborn, meditates with zeymah Paarthurnaax. The earth shook at the sound of that word. Faintly, Elenwen was certain she had heard that name before. Thus she sent me to bring you to the high men of grey.
"Who? And why?" Elenwen frowned, confused.
The onikmuz do sadon, greybeards in your tongue, atop Snow-Throat. You are to meet them today.
Elenwen looked at the beast incredulously as the meaning clicked in her mind. It meant the blasted Throat of the World didn't it and she had a sneaking suspicion she knew how they would get there. Still, she needed to know.
"How do you propose I get there by today? As you can see I am not built for flight."
The dragon snorted and shifted slightly, craning its neck to look down at her.
The daughter of Auri-el shall ride with me, it growled. After a moment it added, An honour not many joor get to experience.
Of course. Elenwen sighed, turning her back to the beast and rubbing her temples. Only Rijjan would think of such an idea and expect everyone to go along with it. Elenwen thought about the dragon's message. Rijjan wouldn't pull her from the embassy for a joke, right?….Wait, yes she would. Elenwen decided not to focus on that and instead considered the other options. The beast could be lying, and just waiting to kill her. But that raised the question of why it didn't just do that already. Then again, it was surrounded. Elenwen shook her head, no that didn't make any sense either. Glancing at the dragon a thought crossed her mind. Looks stable enough...
"...very well," she addressed the beast at last, "I will prepare and we shall be on our way."
Be quick joor. Drog Yolsoszun awaits.
Rolling her eyes, Elenwen began heading to her room. From the corner of her eye she saw the beast flop to the ground, making itself comfortable. She had to admit, she had never ridden a dragon before.
Thus the ambassador, who had never even left the ground, found herself miles off the ground. Her life in the hands of a creature that would sooner kill and eat her than otherwise.
…this had definitely been a really bad idea.
Fun Fact: 7th of First Seed is historically a festival celebrating new beginnings according to the Tamrielic calendar, a time for reconciliations, healing, and renewals.
Dovah words:
joor: mortal
fahliil: elf/mer
drem yol lok: peace fire sky
kul: descendant/offspring/heir
briinah and zeymah: sister and brother/sibling respectively.
onikmuz do sadon: Literally "wise-men of grey", could be used as "wise old men" or "wise grey men".
drog: master/lord.
Can you guess what Yolsoszun means?
As always reviews and/or comments are always appreciated :).