Dragonborn Origins: Sellsword

My name is Pamir. I am a Redguard woman from Hammerfell, not that you'd know me as such. I am unique among the Redguards, as I am a woman warrior. Not too many of us exist, seeing that the men do much of the fighting in Hammerfell. Due to some events beyond my control, I was shamed and banished from my country. This is why I hide. If any Redguard were to find me, they would be honor bound to kill me. Of course, no one would succeed, but I still hide. I now live in Whiterun, in the northern province of Skyrim.

My story begins one day as I prepared to go out. You see, I regularly play the parts of Pazir the sellsword, and his dutiful wife, Myrna. I have become a fair master of disguise, using makeup and other materials to appear to be a different woman. I also use a set of padded armor to appear to be a man, Pazir the mercenary.

Anyways, as I was preparing to go out as Myrna, I heard a strange sound. It was like the scraping of metal, almost as if a gigantic sword was being sharpened. It also reminded me of a roar, as if a great beast were in fierce battle. I slowly dressed in a town dress and feminine boots, and went outside to investigate.

Going to the market here in Whiterun, I heard the murmurs of people discussing the noise. Some said the word "dragon", but everyone else shut that man up. I entered the market, carrying a basket, as was my custom. I quickly shopped and grabbed what I needed for the day, then stopped to chat with Belethor, the local odds-and-ends shop owner.

"How are you today, Myrna?" The Nord said with a wink. He knew my secret ever since I'd begun this charade. It was useful to have someone in town as my confidant, so I'd allowed him to figure it out. Besides, the man has somewhat of a reputation as untrustworthy, so he'd never be able to reveal my secret successfully.

"So what's the spiel with the metallic roar?" I asked immediately.

Belethor put down the small trinket he was examining, and, with a touch of rare honesty, said "I'm not sure."

"Some of the townsfolk were talking about dragons. I thought they were just a legend."

Belethor scratched his chin, "I'd considered that, but like you said, they're a legend," His eyes brightened, "But they did exist at one point, so it is a possibility. In fact, I wouldn't be too surprised if Ol' Balgruuf put out a reward for info on such rumors."

"Anyways, have you sharpened Pazir's sword yet?" I asked straight-faced.

"Ah yes," Belethor mumbled, turning aside. He went into his back room and came back with a long wrapped package. Placing it on the counter, he untied a few strings, and out came Windshear, my sword. The long curved blade glistened in the sunlight as Belethor gave it one last examination. It was a one-of-a-kind weapon, one of the last remnants of my life in Hammerfell. I'd been happy to find it a few months ago while I'd been exploring some ruins to attack a bandit clan.

"Thank you, Belethor. I'm sure my husband will be quite happy to have his sword back," I gratefully smiled.

"You Redguards and your curved swords," Belethor grinned, "Need anything else, milady?"

"If you've got a good steel knife, Pazir could use another," I put forth. I'd accidentally broken my knife a few days before, trying to remove it from a draugr's skull.

"You're in luck, I've got an elven dagger with his name on it," Belethor reached under the counter and pulled out a green handled knife in a small scabbard.

I handed him some money, and took the weapon out. It was a beautiful piece, covered in runic script and sharp as a razor. "Pazir will be pleased," I complimented, "Pleasure doing business with you, sir." I curtsied politely and made my exit.

Carrying both items carefully atop my basket, I scrambled back home. If there was going to be a job from the Jarl himself, Pazir needed to be there first to get it. Otherwise, those d*** Companions would swipe it away.

I hated the Companions. That idiot Vilkas somehow convinced them to bar me from joining them. I'd never thought Nords could be so intolerant. Hence the disguises, and the subterfuge. Despite the hate from the Companions, Pazir has become almost as respected as all the Companions combined.

I slipped inside my home, a fair sized indescript cottage in a corner of the city. I'd won the right to buy it as a prize for stopping a bandit clan last winter. My home had always been a bit sparse, as I'd never been much of a homemaker. I much preferred the wilds, but it was nice to have a roof over my head sometimes. I did have a table, a few chairs, a range, and a brick oven I'd built. My pride and joy, my set of padded leather armor, sat on a solitary manikin in the main room.

I placed the weapons on my dining table and darted up the stairs. Fortunately, I'd gotten very good at disguising myself, so the process went quickly. I wrapped my long black hair up in a turban, taking care that it was wrapped just right. Then I put on a specially made magic amulet so I'd sound male when I spoke. I used a special paste that Belethor makes to fasten on a false beard. I used a spell I'd picked up to change my eye color from auburn to deep blue, an idea I'd come up with as an extra precaution.

I hurried downstairs and slipped on my armor, securing the straps around my waist with quick tugs. My sword slipped into its sheath with a slight scraping noise, and I attached the new dagger to my belt with a leather strap. After checking my appearance in the mirror, I opened the door, stepping out into the world as Pazir the mercenary.

-SS-

I climbed the stairs to the Cloud district, taking them 2 at a time, until I reached the palace called Dragonreach. It was an impressive wood and stone structure, reportedly originally designed as a fortress against the dragons. I nodded to the guards standing watch as I passed, and they nodded back. I was well known in town, so I was never given trouble when I came to call at the castle.

Entering brought the great doors, I found Balgruuf sitting on his throne. He was talking to a frantic man in an unusual combination of Imperial and Stormcloak armor. I listened in as I approached.

"I swear, it was a dragon! A great big black one! It roasted every single man, woman and child at Helgen!" The man pleaded, "Please, we need troops to protect Riverwood!"

Proventus, Balgruuf's adviser, spoke up, "Most Honorable Jarl, we can't afford to supply even weapons to Riverwood. It would..."

Balgruuf silenced him, "I know the risks, Proventus. However, I place the safety of my citizens over a risk of war. What use are war axes if we don't use them against attackers?"

A dark skinned woman, a Dark Elf in fact, spoke up, "Shall I gather a cohort to prepare to march?" She was Irelith, Balgruuf's housecarl, and a formidable warrior in her own right. Sometimes I wondered why I hid, if a Dunmer woman could find honor in Skyrim, maybe I could as well...

I cast the thought aside as Balgruuf nodded his permission. I approached the Jarl as Irelith began to depart.

"Ah, Pazir, my friend, how are you?" Balgruuf welcomed, "Looking for work again?"

"Always, my Jarl," I spoke in a voice well deeper than my own, "I hear there are dragons in Skyrim now."

"Yes," Balgruuf nodded grimly, "The village of Helgen is gone, as you may have heard."

I nodded back. I'd done some jobs near Helgen in the past, so I knew it well. "Word is you could use my services," I added.

"Not unless you know how to protect us from dragons,"

"There's more than one?" I was legitimately surprised.

"Reports have come in from all over. A wide variety of dragons have appeared," Balgruuf grimly shook his head, "I'd like to put out a bounty on one, to see what we can learn, but I'm liable to get my best warriors killed that way."

"I will take on the task. I'll can even return with some defense ideas for the city."

Balgruuf laughed heartily, "Pazir, you dog. You always know how to get a job out of me. I'll bite. You bring me a dragon horn and the location of the rest of it, and I'll pay you handsomely."

With a nod and a sly smile, I turned on my heel and began to leave. This had worked out even better than I'd hoped. If there were many dragons, I'd have a lot less trouble finding one to kill. A bit of research, a fair fight, and I'd be showered with gifts once again.

As I went to leave, Farengar, the Jarl's court wizard, stopped me. "Hey Pazir, I have a question," he called.

I sighed deeply. Farengar was always trying to figure me out, in one way or another. For one reason or another, I don't think he trusted a Redguard to do the Jarl's work. I turned from my course, and entered the wizard's workroom.

"What do you need?" I asked, as politely as I could.

"I just wanted to ask about your amulet again," Farengar smiled, "It seems a special thing, what with you wearing it constantly."

Inwardly I groaned, but responded gruffly, "I told you before, it is a family heirloom. Whether it has magic like you say, or not, I'm not letting you have it." I put my foot down with that, turned and strode out of the laboratory. Farengar called something after me, but I ignored him and left quickly.

-SS-

Once back at my home, I gathered up some traveling supplies: rations, some potions, soul gems, some spell scrolls for emergencies, and a skin full of water. It was going to be a long journey to Winterhold, but the Arcaenum there was my best bet at finding one of the dragons. Besides, traveling a wide swath across the province would give me a larger chance at coming across one in the wilds.

Before I left, I went to the back of my wardrobe and grabbed a folded up package from inside. It was my second set of armor, made of polished crystal often called "Glass" up here in the primitive north. It had always been a bit of a joke to me, the whole Glass material thing. Clearly, glass was far too brittle and would never hold up to being used in weapons and armor, so I've never been sure why Nords used the term. But I digress.

I'd never actually used this armor before, as it was built for a woman. It was a "gift" of sorts for Myrna from Pazir, or at least that's how I explained it to the local blacksmiths. In truth, I'd gathered the materials and had it made so that, if I ever got over my fear and shame, I'd have the gear to act the part of the female warrior I truly am. Anyways, so I grabbed the armor and packed it with my other things. In some form or another, I knew it'd prove useful.

After a quick glance around the room, I closed up my things, grabbed my saddle, shut the front door of my home and locked things up. It was time to to go.

-SS-

Outside the walls of Whiterun lays great fields, built for farming and other such practices. I set my eyes on a small building a short ways from the walls: The Whiterun Stables.

"Heading out into the wide world again so soon?" A rotund man called as he came out a door in the building. I smiled a bit to myself. It was Billo the Bulged, the owner.

"Are you losing your memory?" I joked, "I haven't had a job that required my horse in over a month!" I grinned.

"Ah yes, I remember. That Gildergreen job! I believe you had to kill some forest spirits and cut down a tree right?"

A tad surprised at his memory, I nodded, "I still don't get the significance of that tree..." I commented, "How's Soilstrider doing?" I asked.

"Pretty well, actually," Billo grinned and winked, "A product of my great care, of course!"

"Well done," I pulled a purse of coin from my pocket, "My payment for this month and next. Keep up the good work!" I tossed the fat man the coin purse and went to find my steed.

Soilstrider was and still is the color of dirt. She doesn't look like much, but she is the most reliable horse I've ever owned. The horses of Skyrim are a hardy bunch, and Strider has never been an exception. I rubbed her nose as I approached, looking her coat over for signs of sickness. Thanks to Billo, there were none, so I saddled her up and place my belongings, including the Glass Armor, into her saddlebags. With a small hop, I threw my left leg over the saddle and lifted myself up onto my horse.

"See you later, Pazir! Have a good trip!" Billo waved.

"Hup!" I patted Soilstrider's neck, and she started to trot away. I nodded to Billo, and we were off.

-SS-

I rode across the plains for a long while, heading in a northeast direction. I admired the hardworking farmers in their fields; I'd never wanted to do the work, but it was probably very fulfilling for them. Mine was a harder work in many respects, but these men and women never got a day off, unlike me.

I also began to see the giants and mammoths of the region as I got farther out. I even saw the Companions battling a giant that seemed to have torn a farmer's cornfield to shreds. Those fools! I watched one of them, Farkas I think, taking the giant head on like only an idiot would. That of course, got me thinking about how much I hate the Companions!

I suppose at this point I should explain my dislike of the Companions at this point. You see, when I was thrown out of Hammerfell, I went looking for work, and found out about the Companions. I was told that they were the noblest of the warriors in Skyrim, and would gladly take in a strong arm. Now, this was before I began the whole Pazir charade.

Anyways, I showed up at Jorrvaskr, their home/mead hall, hoping for a new life, but I was immediately shooed away because of my size. Sure, I am shorter than many Nords, but they didn't even give me a second look over!

That first rejection was what really sent me to disguising myself. If they wouldn't take me as I was, I would have to show them up! And I have! The Jarl almost always calls for my assistance over them.

All at once, I was shaken from my revelry by a loud noise. It sounded like scraping metal and roaring trolls. The same noise! A huge shadow tore across the plains, and a huge shape thumped into the ground. As I gathered my senses, I examined the dragon.

It was definitely serpentine, but had jutting grey scales in every direction. It looked like it could impale a man on those spikes! I turned east a bit, calming Soilstrider with strokes of my hand. The dragon was striking at a mammoth with its tail and teeth. It had a really long tail, with a nub of scaly bone on the end that it was using like a club. One of the shepard Giants ran at the beast, attacking with a wooden club. The great grey lizard struck with a bite, and tore flesh from the giant's side. It was really fast! The giant fell back, clutching its side. The dragon stomped one of its great taloned on top of the giant, and there was a sickening crunch. The giant lay dead.

In a burst, I realized I'd been far too hasty. These dragons weren't going to be easy to kill, or even maim. This one could kill me in seconds if it had its way. Lucky for me, the dragon grabbed the remains of the mammoth and began to fly away. I wasn't ready to confront one. No one was.

-SS-

A few hours later, I set up camp in a small mountain cave. I'd never been much for sleeping out in the cold, but I'd made myself proficient at it once I "moved" to Skyrim. It's a long way between each village in this frigid province, so camping out is often required.

I lit my small fire with a flint and a knife blade I'd held onto. The sparks dropped silently into the pile of twigs and lit them up. I quickly added more fuel to make a fair sized fire. I pulled a wrapped up sandwich from my pack and began to methodically eat. I thought about the battle I'd watched, and started strategizing.

I'd still need more information, but it seemed like the dragon would have to be knocked from the air before it could be killed. Its wings gave it too great of an advantage! I slammed the cloth back into my pack, angry that I had no plan. I finished my sandwich with a few quick bites and lay down on my bedroll. I needed to get to the College of Winterhold fast, or I'd be left behind, useless as a dragon consultant. That'd be a profitable job!

I lay down with my head toward the edge of the cave, so I'd get woken up early, near dawn. As I slipped into sleep, I once again let my thoughts wander toward my future. How long did I really want to keep up this charade? How long could Pazir last? Was there really any point in continuing to pretend to be this man? These were the thoughts that circled my mind as I drifted off to sleep...

-SS-

A rogue gust of wind whipped the corner of my turban from my head as I caught a glimpse of the great stone castle through the snow. I was near the city of Winterhold, a strangely small town on the edge of a cliff. Looming over it all was the College, the only place where magic and wizardry was accepted, let alone studied, in all of Skyrim. I pulled my headgear back in place, shielding my head from the bite of the cold once again.

Soilstrider, her brown hair wet and white from snow, shook her head as I pressed her sides to move on. We trotted through the town, seeing no one as we passed by the general store. I dismounted at the local stables and led Strider into the warmth of the hay and stalls. A young Bosmer boy came out and took her by the reins as I quickly turned and headed for the College.

I jogged along the path at a good pace, and finally reached the stone ramp up. Out of the darkness and snow, an Altmer woman in long robes appeared in a flash. I must have sighed pretty loudly, because her face twisted up in a scowl.

"What are you doing here, Redguard?"

"I'm here to clean the chamber pots," I growled, "Why do you think I'm here? I need information on magic!" I hated the stiff, stuck up Thalmor. They always seemed to be in my way. I loosened my dagger, just in case.

"First, you must prove you are worthy," She declared, acting like she had any say in my life.

"Trollsh*t!" I didn't need to deal with this crap again. "I'm going in, and you have no say in what I do."

"We shall see..." Suddenly, the Thalmor agent drew a long knife from her sleeve and struck towards me. Lucky for me, I'd already pulled my knife, so I deflected her strike with the side of my elven dagger.

With a cry, I shoved her back. She stumbled, but stayed on her feet. Her knife had went flying as she stumbled, so she pulled her sword out.

*Zzzzzing* I reveled in the noise my blade made as I drew it. Windshear, my favorite blade, would shed blood once again. I ritualistically stroked the back of the blade and began to chant an enchantment. I waited for her attack, holding my blade steady.

I could tell I'd unnerved her, because her first strike slipped by me without effort. I slashed down, scaring her into backing up. With a loud cry, I executed a jumping cleave, and cleaved into her left shoulder. She cried out in pain as her arm went limp, dropping her sword on the ground.

"Stand down. I don't want to have to hurt you more."

She shook her head and nodded. I placed my hand on her shoulder and healed it with a restoration spell. The Thalmor agent looked up.

"Why are you stopping people? Do the Thalmor have some vendetta against mages?" I asked harshly.

"A grandmaster in our order is visiting right now. He said for no one to be allowed to enter."

"Well, I'm going in anyways. Keep some snow packed on your shoulder, it'll help the inflammation."

Believe it or not, that kind of situation is pretty standard for me. I'm very good at scare tactics, and with Windshear, I have managed to scare opponents into surrender on more than one occasion. I also learned to be a fair healer so I wouldn't have to permanently maim anyone.

As I walked away, I slipped Windshear in its scabbard and held a Greater Soul Gem to it to recharge. Using my magical cleave move drained the charge a lot, so I always carried some soul gems. As it finished draining, the gem shattered into fragments, which I dropped.

I pulled my coat up against the snow again, and headed up the bridge. As I entered the college grounds, I was met with what can only be described as a buzz. The buzz of magic at work.

I stared at a series of globes of light floating around the courtyard. Immediately, I started glancing around, looking for the Mage casting them, but saw no one. I realized that there was a stream of energy in the center of the area, a flow of pure Magical energy!

"So that's how it works," I mumbled to myself, "The college has its own enchantments!"

"Learning something?" A voice came from ahead, "I took you for far more stuffy than that!"

Bewildered, I stared ahead at a door just ahead. I watched it close, as if someone just left it, and followed the voice, going through the door.

Inside was a large library, full of books. At a desk in the middle sat a fair sized Orc, reading a book. I glanced around, looking for who had called to me, and set my eyes on a young high elf trying to act non-chalant in one corner.

She was a pretty little thing, young looking, even for an elf. By the standards of man, she look to be about 12. Her blond hair hung loose in a well kept but simple style, with some hair in front of her shoulders, and the rest behind. As I approached, she looked at me and smiled.

"Hello, sir Redguard. How are you liking our college? Does it amaze you?" The elf whispered.

"It is quite unusual," I responded, "If you don't mind my asking, who are you?"

"Inquisitive, aren't we?" She teased, "My name is Ferrina Foxfoot. How can I be of service?"

"Well, I am looking for information on the dragons..." I grinned, amused.

"Those old things? Sure, we've got a book of all sorts of legends," She jokes

I changed my tone, realizing she was making fun of me, "I need information because they're back. Helgen was destroyed a week ago."

Her silly grin disappeared in an instant. "Really? Have you seen one!?"

Nodding, I replied, "It killed a giant with ease, then carried away an entire mammoth."

Ferrina got a really concerned look in her eyes. She fidgeted a bit, then decided to apologize, "I guess I shouldn't have made fun of you. You obviously know what you are doing."

"Well, all things considered, a book on the legends of dragons isn't too bad an idea. Where can I find one?"

Her face lit up with a smile, "Right here, actually!" She pulled a book from the shelf, which had a large silver dragon emblazoned on the front.

"Sweet!" I said, taking the book from her. I went and sat down at a table to read. Ferrina peered over my shoulder, reading along: "The Dragon War began in the First Era..."

-SS-

I scribbled one last note as I finished with a book. I stretched my back and arms, finally finished with my research. Ferrina looked up from a spell book she'd been reading, and grinned. She'd gotten bored about a half hour into my study, and had been studying some spell books from her pack for the rest of my two hour study session.

I'd found some useful information, though it had taken a lot of work. Despite the dragons being a major legend of the area, very few authors had anything of use. One key thing I found was repeated mentions of the creature's ability to attack vocally. Apparently, one could be killed by the dragon yelling at them! Additionally, they could breath fire and also ice. Clearly, they were a force to be reckoned with.

Ferrina glanced up from reading a Destruction book. "Finished?" She grinned, "Now we get to do the interesting stuff right?"

"If by interesting stuff you mean finding a dragon, most definitely," I smiled back, "You wanna come with me?"

"Of course I do! Why do you think I'm still here?" She slapped my arm playfully.

I glanced at a large ornate clock on the wall. It was well into the night already. "Okay, we'll head out tomorrow, bright and early." I gave her a pat on the shoulder and left to go and find a room to stay in for the night.

-SS-

I watched Ferrina shiver as we sat in the cold and the wind. We'd already traveled many miles in just our first day, and were now camped out for the night. I struck my flint with the knife blade repeatedly, but was having a hard time lighting a fire in the rushing wind. Suddenly, a tongue fire flew by my face, and the logs lit up instantly.

Glancing up, I saw that Ferrina was focusing some fire in her hand. "Magic is pretty useful, isn't it?" She grinned.

"That was awesome, thanks!" I smiled back, "You know, I still don't know anything about you... I usually try to know my allies better."

"I could say the same for you. Why are you even searching for a dragon?"

"Fair question. Initially, I was trying to kill one for money. I've got a good offer from the Jarl of Whiterun. But now it seems more like I'm being drawn to them for some other reason," I mused, "But what about you? Why are you so eager to help out?"

"Truthfully, I just wanted the adventure. My father makes me stay in all the time, trying to protect me. I want the chance to practice my magic, actually use it, not just practice on dummies."

"I guess we both want to escape our limits," I said to myself.

"Limits? What limits? You live the life!" Ferrina scoffed, "What could possibly be in your way?"

"I live a horrible life. I have to hide every day, or people wouldn't accept me..." I told myself.

"Does this have anything to do with the makeup and the women's armor you carry?" Ferrina asked. Obviously, she'd been paying attention.

"I've never had someone figure me out so quickly." I said, then removed my beard from my face, and the amulet from my neck. "My name is Pamir. I am a warrior banished from my homeland. I fear that no one would ever accept a woman warrior in this land," I said in my own voice.

Ferrina gaped, "I thought you had a secret girlfriend or something... Wow! You do hide a lot!"

"Surely, I am owed honesty in return. You are the daughter of the Thalmor Grandmaster, right?" I responded sharply.

"Yes, you are right," she said, "How'd you know?"

"What other high elves are at the College? You and a Thalmor Grandmaster are it," I stood, and grabbed my glass armor. I saw no reason to hide with Ferrina around, so I began to redress in my good armor.

"Why do you hide yourself? Women can gain respect the same as a man here."

"I told you, I was banished from my land and my order. If I were to appear in public, I would be in danger."

"Why are you afraid of anything? I saw what you did to that troll today, you're pretty much invincible!"

I had killed a frost troll easily that day, but that was beside the point. "The assassins who would attack me are as skilled, if not more, than myself."

"Yikes! No wonder you avoid showing your true face," she grimaced, "Should I be hanging out with you?"

"You don't need to worry too much, my enemies have no idea I'm in Skyrim, at least for now." I gripped her shoulder, and stared her in the eye, "Do you still want to follow me?"

She changed her tune right then, "Of course I do! I haven't had this much fun in years!"

"Years? How old are you? I can never tell with elves," I commented.

"I'm only 42, too young to leave home by my father's rules," She said sadly.

"That's old enough to be a mother by man's reckoning. I'm 27, and I've been on my own for nearly 10 years," I laughed, "The things you learn by talking to an elf!"

We laughed and chatted together until night had fully fallen, huddling together for warmth. Ferrina laid her head on my shoulder. For the first time in my life, I felt what it must feel like to have a daughter. I felt a strange love for Ferrina, even though we'd only known each other for two days.

Ferrina looked up into my face, and smiled in her now familiar way. She began to tell me about life in the Aldmeri Dominion, sharing her displeasures with her father and how harsh and perfectionist High Elf society was. I could tell that she really didn't want to go back to her father.

"Don't worry, you've always got a place with me if you want it." I snickered, "Besides, I need someone to help me fight off those dang assassins if they ever show up." I punched her shoulder playfully.

"Thanks Pamir!" She whispered.

We sat for a few more moments. Then, with a sigh, Ferrina settled in and fell sound asleep.

-SS-

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Ferrina asked worriedly, "Could a dragon even fit in there?

I laughed as we looked into a large dark cave that Farengar had once told me was called Pinepeak Cavern. Ferrina was right, the opening did seem too small for a dragon to pass through. However, a splattering of other cavern openings covered the south face of the Throat of the World.

"Look, there are a lot of places the dragon could enter. Many of these caves meet up deeper inside the mountain," I pointed out.

"How will we find it?" Ferrina replied, "There must be hundreds of pathways through these caves."

"Simple, we just follow the big ones. Any crevice too small for a dragon means it can't have come nearby."

Ferrina still looked worried. I dropped off of Soilstrider and helped her down.

"Just stick by me and you'll do alright. Just be careful, the caverns around here are usually full of old tombs, and old tombs mean draugr could be anywhere." I told her as I gathered our supplies.

We'd gone through most of our rations already, but we had enough for a few days if we were careful. Ferrina grabbed some food, just in case we would be gone too long. I left rest of the rations in Strider's saddlebags and grabbed my small stock of potions and filled soul gems. I only had a few, mostly small petty gems.

After tying my horse to a tree a few hundred feet down the slope, we approached the cavern entrance.

As we stepped inside, we followed a winding path until we reached a small hewn stone room. It looked just like a few other tombs I'd explored, which only confirmed that we'd probably see draugr before long.

Right on schedule, a muffled cracking resounded from across the room, and I drew my dagger. Across the room, a coffin lid was shaking. It burst open with a loud crack, and a horribly bony man climbed out. A Restless Draugr, as they're called. The living dead began to crawl from every opening as this first draugr pulled its axe from his belt. The tattered hair and round chest indicated that it was once a woman.

I focused my energy, then fired it in a bolt of lightning, which knocked the first one over. I grinned at Ferrina. She'd taught me the spell yesterday, and it was certainly useful. However, it was not enough. The female draugr climbed to its feet, flanked by a few skeletons and 3 fellow draugr. I fired another bolt, this time shattering one of the skeletons. The female draugr took a swing at me, but I deflected it off my dagger and jumped back.

Ferrina stepped forward and swept across the group with her Flames spell, burning the draugr a great deal. The skeletons fell to pieces, their magical life drained from the damage. As the flames dissipated, I dashed through the group, killing the female and another one while they were stunned. The other two draugr turned to attack me, but Ferrina drove her knife into the heart of one.

As she kicked the body over off of her knife, the other swung. I was just barely able to block the hit from cleaving Ferrina in two by slamming into the draugr from the side. He crumpled, and I jammed my foot into his neck and twisted to sever the spinal cord, finishing him off.

We took a breath as adrenaline surged through my veins. There were already more of the living dead climbing from their places of rest!

"Run!" I commanded, pushing her in the direction of the innards of the cave. I ran right behind her, guiding her through the cave. I shoved a large urn over as I passed, hoping to discourage pursuit, but the draugr just jumped over it. I think it might have tripped one up, but it was pretty useless.

Eventually, we ran up some stairs and into a large banquet hall. I glanced up and saw a draugr holding a bow standing on an elevated walkway. An arrow whizzed by, almost hitting Ferrina in the chest. Lucky for her, the undead enemy hadn't taken into account her size. I blasted the undead archer with a thunderbolt in response. He fell from the walkway, and cracked his skull on the floor.

I grabbed the draugr's bow, a thick Nordic one, and his quiver of iron arrows, turning to bear upon our pursuers. Immediately, I struck a helmeted draugr in the chest, sending him tumbling down the stairs. I fired repeatedly down the stairs, trying to discourage them from following, but even as they fell one by one, the remaining draugr continued up the stairs.

Ferrina flooded the staircase with flames, then turned tail and ran when they began to draw too close. Barely evading the swing of a Great-sword, I followed suit. The next room came at the end of a long tunnel. I slammed the door closed after we passed through, frantically scanning the room for a place to hide.

The room consisted of a wide set of stairs up to a large curved wall. Atop the wall sat a large skull, the skull of a dragon! But there was no time for examining it. I dragged Ferrina through a door and up a curved stair to an upper platform. We hid just inside the doorway, so we could not be seen from below.

The door we'd entered from flew open only seconds after we hid. First through was an armored draugr with a large horned helmet. As he looked around, I threw a rock through a doorway opposite our position. As I'd hoped, the rock cracked against the stone floor, catching the attention of our enemies. The leader made a loud clacking sound, pointing where the rock hit and rushed through, leading all 23 of the other draugr and skeletons (I counted) followed in single file. The door fell closed behind the last one, and I realized I'd been holding my breath. We both sighed in relief.

"We made it," I grinned, "Welcome to Skyrim, land of the living dead."

"That was scary!" Ferrina grimaced, "Adventuring is tougher than I thought."

"Don't worry," I said, "You did a good job. They don't usually swarm like that..." I clasped her shoulder, "How about we take a break and check out that dragon skull?"

Ferrina smiled, "Sure, let's look at dead things," She sarcastically commented. We went down the way we came and I approached the curved wall. It was covered in roughly scratched symbols. As I drew close, I began to hear a strange chanting.

I whipped around, looking for the source. Ferrina looked up from where she sat on the ground, a piece of a sandwich halfway in her mouth. "What?" She asked.

"Do you hear that?" I asked her.

"I don't hear anything," She responded, confused, "Well, except the killer dead people running around."

"I hear chanting..." I took another step toward the wall, and the chanting got louder. I kept going, and a few of the symbols on the wall lit up. A sound like the rushing of the wind echoed about the room, and tendrils of light blasted into my chest. All at once, I understood the word. It was FUS, being interpreted "force". I tried to speak it, but it caught in my throat, as if I wasn't sure how to pronounce it.

Ferrina was on her feet when I turned back around. She looked bewildered, her sandwich abandoned on the floor. "What was that?" She gasped, "That was nothing like anything I've ever studied."

"I'm not sure..." I admitted, "Maybe it's daedric magic." I didn't mention that the only other spoken magic I'd ever heard of was that of dragons. I picked up her sandwich and returned it to her hands. She was about to start asking questions, but I cut her off. "I'll be fine, don't worry," I assured her.

Somehow, I don't think I was very convincing.

-SS-

I led the way farther into the cave, picking through the rooms for supplies. Somehow, there was always at least a few things to find in every one of these tombs.

We eventually reached a large passageway, large enough for a dragon to easily move through. "We must be on the right track," I commented. Ferrina only nodded. I could tell that Ferrina was still deep in thought.

I hated to keep a secret from her, but I didn't know for sure about anything. Yes, the word of power I'd found was exactly like I'd read about, but that didn't mean I'm a Dragonborn or anything, right? Suppose I was though... I'd certainly be much more accepted in Skyrim, especially among the Nords.

Ferrina brought me back from my thoughts, "Are you sure you don't know anything about that wall?"

It's kind of shameful how quickly I caved, "I didn't want to say anything, but the only spoken magic I've ever heard of is the dragons, plus the dragon skull solidifies that link," I admitted, "I did read of an old legend of men who could use the dragon language, called the Dragonborn..."

"That'd be so cool if you could talk to dragons!" Ferrina giggled, "You could tell them to leave, then they wouldn't kill people!"

"Umm, I don't think that's how that works..." I smiled, "Let's go find the dragon in here, and we'll see." I led the way deeper into the passage. As we moved closer, I began to hear noises, a loud clacking and a few thumps against walls.

I credit my reflexes for saving my life this time. A loud trio of words echoed through the tunnels, and I saw a pillar of flame coming through the tunnel. "Get down!" I shouted.

Ferrina and I dropped prone, and I pulled her under my cloak, protecting us from being baked alive. It was just like the books said! Dragons really do use vocal magic!

I pulled Ferrina up and we ran down the tunnel toward the sounds. Around a corner, we saw what can only be described as a bloodbath. The floor was covered in bloodstains, likely from the pile of corpses in the corner. A few draugr, including the armored deathlord we'd seen, were fighting a great gray dragon. Many of their fallen comrades were already dead. To their credit, the dragon was covered in slices, but it wasn't even fazed.

"YOR-TOL-SHUL!" The dragon cried, sending a wave of fire across the band of undead. All but the armored deathlord fell. With a valiant overhead slash, the deathlord drove his greatsword down through the dragon's nose, pinning its mouth shut. Unfortunately, the dragon then clawed the deathlord in the chest, ripping it to pieces.

Then the dragon turned toward us. It moved its jaw expertly, and pushed the sword out, freeing its mouth again. Then it spoke, "Dovahkiin, you will not realize your power," It mumbled in a hissing language.

"Whatever that means, I'm ready for a fight!" I drew my sword and held it at ready, "Ferrina, keep safe," was my last words to my friend before I ran to challenge the dragon.

As I began to run forward, the dragon breathed fire, casting up a wall of flames in my way. I made a giant leap, and flew over the flames, only singeing my boots a bit. Rolling to my feet, I found myself inches from the dragon's side. With a great cry, I sliced upwards, cutting cleanly through the scales with my enhanced cutting power.

The dragon cried in pain, whipping its tail back and forth to knock me aside. I managed to dodge the first swings, but got caught in the chest by the next, getting carried a few feet by the tail before I was flung off.

I managed to roll as I landed, so I was relatively unharmed. I glanced around and located Ferrina, who was hidden past a small doorway. Sure of her relative safety, I turned back to the dragon.

The dragon opened its mouth, and I prepared to dodge the inevitable fire. However, this time a different phrase was used. "FUS-RO-DAH!" It yelled.

A series of three waves fired from the dragon's maw, striking me with a great force. I flew halfway across the room, cracking my head against the wall. As I dragged myself dizzily to my feet I realized something amazing. "FUS" or force was the key word it had used! I understood its power more now, how speaking words allowed it to access magic.

I needed to end this fight fast. I was definitely out matched in strength, so cunning would need to be my method. Taking a petty soul gem from my pouch, I quickly transferred the charge to Windshear. I would need all the help I could get for my new plan.

I saw the dragon sniffing around, trying to find Ferrina, most likely. I fired a thunderbolt, which mostly bounced off, but it got its attention back to me. I fired a few more bolts, drawing the dragon away from the confines of the room.

I slipped into a small side passage, hiding from the dragon as it passed by. I stepped out and leaped up above the dragon. It looked up and opened its mouth to attack.

"FUS!" I shouted. My Shout was weaker, but it knocked the dragon's head aside. I swung down at the neck, using gravity to add force to my strike. Windshear sliced through the scales with difficulty, but the flesh shredded easily, and the bone cracked cleanly.

I hit the ground in a heap, a loud clacking echoing as my armor impacted the stone. Blood was everywhere, but it wasn't mine. I looked to where my sword stuck out from the neck of the dragon. It was struggling, gasping for breath through a torn windpipe. I pulled myself to my feet, catching my breath. Shouting had drained my strength significantly, and knocked the wind from me.

I pulled my dagger again, and with a cry, drove it into the eye of this horrid creature. The dragon was dead. I leaped back as the body combusted, burning the flesh and scales from the body. Tendrils of light flew from the corpse, imbuing my mind with knowledge and wisdom of the Voice. Ferrina, upon seeing these things, rushed from her place towards me.

Suddenly, the whole cavern began to shake. Ferrina reached me just as the ceiling began to crack, raining dirt and pebbles on top of us. A loud cry echoed through the cavern, probably loud enough to be heard in the borders of Cyrodiil.

"DOH - VAH - KIIN!"

Then, all at once, everything was silent. Deafening silence.

Ferrina broke it, asking, "What was that?"

"My new calling, Ferrina. And it's a good one." I grinned.

AND THE REST IS HISTORY...