Still don't own any of this, one day Bethesda..one day...
The air smelled of sulfur as Atteli led the way past a large pond of boiling hot water. The ground beneath their feet crunched with dead grass and exposed dirt, and steam filled the air like a sauna. Here and there, the massive skulls of long dead mammoths lay exposed to the open air. Korra could not help but look around in awe. The wastes of Eastmarch were a far cry from the forests of The Rift. It wasn't just the landscape that had changed either. Atteli had been colder and more distant toward her since they had left Darkwater Crossing. She got the feeling that it was more out of him being uncomfortable then angry.
"Are you okay? You've been quiet," she said.
"I'm a hunter, it's in the job description," he replied without looking back, taking care to give a small pool with two bubbling geysers a wide berth.
"It's just that you seem...uncomfortable."
"Gee, whatever gave you that idea?" Atteli asked sarcastically as he stopped to pick an orange and purple flower and place it into his satual.
"Sorry I asked," Korra muttered, choosing to let the topic be. The Imperial came to a halt, staring at a mammoth skull resting at the base of a withered tree. After a moment, he sighed and looked down at his boots.
"A few months ago, I was arrested for trying to cross the border into Skyrim. They loaded me up with some Stormcloak rebels and a horse thief from Rorikstead, and they took us to a town named Helgen. General Tullius, the military governor of Skyrim, wanted to bring the rebellion to an end that day by beheading it's leader; Ulfric Stormcloak. Since the rest of us had been brought in with the rebels, the Legion thought it best to execute us all like rebels."
"How did you get away?"
"As they put my head down on the chopping block, a massive dark dragon swooped down from the heavens and started burning everything. A few of the remaining Stormcloaks and I used the chaos to escape. Since then, being in an open place like this makes me uncomfortable," he said.
"Maybe that dragon was there to help the rebels," Korra suggested. She had only ever seen one dragon in her lifetime, and that one was Lord Zuko's mount Druk. Supposedly, dragons were incredibly rare and wise creatures, certainly not ones to attack a village unprovoked. But Atteli shook his head.
"I looked into it's eyes that day. There was nothing but evil those eyes. And what's worse is that it's still out there somewhere, waiting for it's next attack. And that's why I don't like being so exposed, for fear of that dragon finishing what was started that day," he said, ending the conversation before he continued onward. Ahead of them at the base of a small hill was a large cluster of pine trees. Atteli walked towards the trees, eager to get out of the wide open space.
The area at the base of the trees was far greener then that of the landscape around it. Vines and weeds covered the ground, and a large uprooted tree provided a small vantage point for the hunter to look around them. Nearby, in the base of the hill, was the dark opening of a large cave. Jumping down, he made his way over to the cave's mouth. The orange and purple flours he had harvested earlier dominated the otherwise barren ground around the cave.
"Should we look inside?" Korra asked as she stood next to him, staring downward into the darkness. As Atteli started to answer, a cry like that of a wounded animal rose through the air, rendering the Imperial silent. Again the noise rose, louder and closer this time, causing Atteli to draw his bow.
"Stay here," he said before he hurried up the slope of the hill next to the cave before reaching a small view. Ahead of him, he could see several more ponds of boiling water, and the steam rising off of them. To his right and toward the center of Eastmarch rose a large hill with what appeared to be ancient ruins rising from it's peak. He was sure that he had heard that noise before, and hoped that he was wrong.
He wasn't.
Out of the clouds dove a massive green scaled creature, it's roar shattering the silence of the landscape as it dove towards him. Rather then draw an arrow, Atteli turned and ran back down the slope. Korra looked at him strangely, unsure of what he was running from. That was, until, the beast breathed a wall of fire. The Hunter felt the heat on his back and he tackled Korra, sending the pair of them toppling downward into the cave and out of the path of the flames.
They fell downwards for a short ways before coming to a halt and a small even section of ground on an otherwise sloping path. Both of them groaned in pain before they set to picking themselves up off of the stone floor.
"That was subtle," Korra said with sarcasm. Atteli ignored her as he picked up his bow again. Holding up her palm, Korra created a large flame for light. They were sitting in a large cave next to a stone outcropping. The cave was large, with the ceiling at least ten feet above them.
"Where are we?" she asked. Atteli didn't answer as he peaked around the outcropping and looked deeper into the darkness.
"Let's check it out," he said, preferring an unknown cave over facing the dragon outside. Korra walked alongside him, keeping the flame burning bright. The cave stretched downwards at a steep angle for a short ways before coming to a spot of level ground. Rather then come to a halt, it looped on a backtrack and proceeded lower into the earth. This time, the path went for a short ways before leveling out again and turning right. As they followed the cave, the roaring sound of water reached their ears.
The tunnel suddenly opened up into a massive cavern. Fresh green trees and plant life were all around them. Sunlight and waterfalls flowed inward from holes in the distant ceiling. Butterflies and torchbugs danced in the air around them as they walked up the path, coming to a small wooden rope bridge that spanned a small roaring underground river. Steam rose from a few vents, adding to the cave's beauty. Above it all, bathed in light from the hole above it, was a massive tree. It's roots twisted over the rocks in an effort to reach the water in the river.
To Korra's surprise, she spotted a woman wearing a blue dress sitting with her legs dangling over the waters of the river. Pointing her out to Atteli, Korra watched as the hunter lowered his hood and approached the woman.
"Amazing that a place of beauty such as this could exist in the volcanic tundra," the woman greeted. Atteli nodded.
"It is that. What is this place?" he asked.
"You are in Elderglem Sanctuary, travelers. Just a small glimpse of the beauty Kynerath has to offer, wonderful place isn't it?" Atteli looked upwards towards the tree.
"That's Elderglem?" he asked. The woman nodded.
"Aye, but no one has been able to get close to her for as long as I can remember."
"Why not?" Korra asked. The woman gestured toward the roots.
"As you can see, Eldergleam's roots stretch far and grow large, they block any path to her trunk," she said.
"I had always heard roomers of Eldergleam's beauty, but to see it myself is something truly amazing," Atteli said. As Korra studied the tree, she began to realize that the whole cave seemed to have dedicated itself to this tree. The two waterfalls that fell from the ceiling focused your attention on it, and its raised position gave the impression that it was sitting on a throne.
"We'll rest here for a short while, and then we'll push on to Windhelm," Atteli said as he slipped his canteen off, intending to fill it with water from the river. Rather then let him dip it into the river, Korra bent the water into the canteen before filling her water skins, happy that she wouldn't have to worry about going totally defenseless again.
"So who's Kynerath?" she asked as she finished securing the skins.
"She's the one of the Nine Divines, the goddess of rain, sky, and nature," Atteli replied as he began to chew on some bread and sat on a large rock.
"Who are the Divines?"
"The Nine, or Eight depending on who you ask, are beings that gave themselves in order to create the mortal world. Akatosh, Arkay, Dibella, Julianos, Kynareth, Stendarr, Mara, Zenithar, and depending on which side you're on, Talos." Korra looked at him in confusion.
"Why the difference in numbers?" Atteli's look turned sour.
"The Altmeri Dominion claims that Tiber Septum, the first Emperor, never ascended to godhood and became Talos. Many of the Nords here in Skyrim, including the Stormcloaks, still cling to the belief that Talos is a god and still worship him. But, under the White-Gold Concordat, Talos worship is officially outlawed in the Empire, so most do it in secret."
"What's the White-Gold Concordat?" Korra asked. The look on Atteli's face told how exasperated he was becoming by all of her questions. But given her situation, he wasn't surprised by the amount she had. Sitting down on rock, he began his story.
"Thirty years ago, a Thalmor Ambassador arrived in Imperial City with a list of demands and a gift for the Emperor. Among the demands was the cession of large portions of Hammerfell to the Dominion, the outlawing of Talos worship, and the immediate disbanding of the Blades, the Emperor's personal bodyguard and agents. When the Emperor naturally rejected the demands, The Ambassador reveled his gift by overturning the cart it had been brought in. Inside was the head of every Blade that had been operating in the Dominion. And thus began the Great War. For four years, the Elves dominated the war, even capturing Imperial City."
"What happened after that?"
"The Emperor himself rallied the Legions and launched a counter attack against the occupying Elven army. For five long bloody days the two armies clashed until the Dominion's forces were completely destroyed and Imperial City was liberated. Soon after, the two sides signed the White-Gold Concordat, ending the war and outlawing Talos worship."
"Seems like the war was fought for nothing if it was still outlawed," Korra noted. Atteli nodded at that.
"You're not the only one who would say that. One of the beliefs of the Stormcloaks is that the Empire brought shame upon itself by giving in to the Dominion. They want Skyrim to be independent so that they can restore Talos worship and fight the Thalmor without having to look south to Imperial City first."
"Is that why you came to Skyrim? To leave the Empire?" Atteli shook his head.
"My father served as a Centurion in the Legion, and my mother a battlemage. When I became of age I followed in their footsteps, serving as an Agent and archer along the boarder with Hammerfell. I learned just how deep the Thalmor had embedded themselves within the Empire after the war, and I wanted no part of any any longer. So, after my time was up, I left and came north looking for game to hunt and a new life to start."
"You don't like the Thalmor much do you," Korra said as Atteli began to peel an apple with his knife. He tossed her a slice before tapping the scar on his cheek with the knife tip.
"I served four years in the Legion and almost lost my eye because of it. I'll be damned if I'll have some stuck up, pointy eared bastard telling me who I can and cannot pray to." With that, they sat in silence as they finished the apple. Sliding his knife back into its sheath, Atteli stood and bowed once toward the tree.
"It's time to get moving again," he said as he slid his hood back up.
"What about that dragon?"
"We've been down here long enough that it will have moved on," he replied. The two made their way back to the surface. The area around the cave entrance had been scorched, leaving much of the foliage blackened and dead. A few of the large pines still burned, but the majority of the trees were just blackened pillars now.
Drawing his bow and pressing himself against the stone wall, Atteli made his way up the small embankment like he had the first time. When he reached his original position, he scanned the now clear sky for any sign of the dragon.
He found none.
Motioning over his shoulder for Korra to come to him, the Hunter returned his attention to landscape around them. Just as she reached his side, he spotted movement on the large hill about a half mile away. Instantly, he crouched and pulled Korra down with him.
"What is it?" she asked. Atteli didn't answer, but rather pointed toward the mound. It was large and barren like the landscape around it, except for the ancient Nordic ruins protruding from it's peak. Resting atop one of the spires like a massive hawk searching for a field mouse, the dragon fluttered it's wings.
"We need to go around, far enough and low enough so that it won't see us," he said as he pointed down the slope toward the nearest steaming pools of water. Small geysers boiled in each one, but a small path led between the two ponds. It was low enough that the dragon wouldn't see them. He pointed toward the path, indicating to Korra the route he wanted to take.
Casting one last glance toward the roosting dragon, Atteli took off in a hunched over jog. He reached a small incline, bounded off of it with acrobatic grace and ease, and slipped across the small path before anything could be said or done. Korra followed closely on his heels. This close, the air was filled with steam and the boiling hiss of the geysers. The ground on the path was slick with mud which clung to her boots.
Atteli paused, using another incline for cover as he looked toward the dragon again. Glancing back over his shoulder, he took off in a north westerly direction, heading away from the dragon and scurrting the pond that had been on their left. The ground now sloped downward and was jagged and broken, but the pair of them took in stride. That is, until Atteli suddenly slid to a halt on a ledge. He easily caught Korra before she fell as she tried to stop herself.
"What's the big idea?!" she started to shout, but was instantly silenced by a firm hand clamped over her mouth from the Hunter. The view before them was breathtaking. The ground sloped steeply downward toward a river and a lumber mill below. Beyond the mill, it climbed back upward into a pine forest and snow capped mountain. But it wasn't any of this that had caused Atteli's sudden halt, it was the pair of giant men with clubs standing around a smoldering bonfire about a hundred yards off to their left.
"Giants are generally peaceful creatures unless they're provoked. It's best we avoid them without making to much noise," Atteli said in a low voice as he slowly released his grip on her. The Hunter cast a glance upward toward the sky, which was pink with the now setting sun.
"We need to find a place to make camp," he said before he took off in the opposite direction of the Giants. Korra followed as he rounded another boiling pond and slipped past a cave in the ridge that had large white sacks scattered near the entrance. The Avatar took one look at them, and realised that they were spider sacks. With a shutter she picked up the pace, eager to put some distance between herself and whatever creatures had made these.
The ridge wasn't very far above the river now, and the land started to look a little greener. They were on the very edge of Eastmarch. When they reached a natural gentle slope, Atteli followed and led the way toward the river.
"It should be around here somewhere...ah there it is," he said as he came to the water's edge and looked downstream a little ways. A cliff rose up above the river, and a shack had been wedged between the cliff face and the waterline, making for a well hidden shelter. Korra looked at the shack with relif. They had been traveling all day, and the cold of night was starting to set in.
Atteli led the way to the shack at a brisk pace. The pink sky was fading to black, and the first stars were out. When Korra set foot into the open shack, she was sprised to find that the bulding had been built over a shallow cave in the cliff. It was somewhat furnished to. A chair sat next to a fireplace at the back, a bed and a wardrobe sat in the corner to her left. On her right, a table, a bookshelf, and a chest all lined the walls. A few furs lined the floor as makeshift carpets in an attempt to make the place feel more homely despite the gaping holes in the walls in a few places.
"Not exactly a place I'd want to call home," she said.
"It'll do for the night. Let's get a fire going and get settled in while we still have some light," Atteli replied as he lowered his hood and began to stack wood in the fireplace. The Hunter produced a small set of rocks and began to strike sparks in order to get the fire going. Korra however simply bent a bolt of fire and ignited the wood pile instantly.
Rather then complain that his eyebrows had almost been burnt off, Atteli took one of the pots handing on the spit above the fire and walked out to collect water from river. When he returned, he took a chunk of salted meat from his pack and placed it in the pot.
"What are you making?" Korra couldn't help but ask as she began to smell the meat cook. Her mouth watered at the sent as she took a seat.
"The Ponius family secret recipe for deer stew," he replied as he began to slice a potato with his knife and let the chunks plop into the soup. After adding a few more ingredients, stirring them all together and then allowing the soup to come to a boil, Atteli served up a bowl and handed it to the starving young woman.
Rather the dig in like she wanted to, Korra forced herself to take her time and blow on the boiling hot liquid before she took a taste. Her eyes instantly went wide with surprise and delight.
"This is tasty!" she said before she began to eat more. Atteli smiled as he made up his own bowl.
"At first light tomorrow we'll set off for Windhelm. It's not much further downriver from here," he said.
"I thought you wanted to avoid towns and cites," Korra said as she bit into a chunk of potato.
"Ordinarily you'd be right. But I think it's best stop in Windhelm and warn someone about that dragon. It would also be good to pick up some extra furs and clothes before we hit the snow," Atteli replied. Korra remained silent as she settled her bowl into her lap and looked into the flames of the fire. She wanted to get to Winterhold as quickly as possible. The sooner she got there, the closer she was to going home. But if her guide wanted to pass through Windhelm, it wasn't like she had much choice in the matter.
"Windhelm it is," she said.
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