The Blind Dragonborn
Chapter Eight
Miraak's Temple
Part 1
Skye had woken up with relief. No nightmares and no mind controlling from Miraak at all. It had her relax some while she got up from her bed roll. It was calm for the mercenary as well. He had stood out of his tent, stretching and yawning out the sleep. The weather was good as well. The sun was out to help keep her warm while she went to the temple that morning. That made it a little bit better for her, but it didn't out weigh the nervousness. That nightmare was still fresh in her mind, and it was not going to go away any time soon. Skye was thankful that it didn't plague her dreams the night before. Who knows how long she will be in that temple. She recalls the time where she spend most of her day inside ruins. Sometimes she would be in there for two days with how big they were.
Skye knew that Winter and Midnight were well fed with the food they hunted not too long ago. Dead animal smell was something she was quite use to, but it seem the man had the surprise when seeing them carry tiny animals in their mouths then numbing on the bones. A small yelp from his lips were enough for her to indicate that he was not use to having wolves around him for this long. He just stood there for a moment, watching them nomb on their food, feeling his stomach twist at the sight of it.
"At least they can take care of themselves." He had commented more to himself, but the small woman heard him just the same. Skye smiled at him, nodding her head with him. That helped her more than anything while roaming around Skyrim. They were able to hunt by themselves when she was getting ready in the morning. And at night when she is getting ready to sleep for the night. The only thing she worry about is them going off to far, and run to someone who might hurt them or worse, kill them. Skye didn't know what she would do without them in her life.
Packing her things away, she took in a deep breath as she put the bag over her shoulders. It was let out slowly, feeling her heart race inside her chest. She was way more nervous than she has in all her life. Her stomach had turned when she realized what she was going to do at that moment. Her head turned to where she can still hear the people roaming and moaning out. Hammering echoed out louder than them. Long grey strands flew pass her shoulders as the wind blew, out from any braids that she would normally do. She just didn't feel like doing it this morning. She thought facing the World Eater would out do everything she did, but for some reason this was worse than that. She pondered on that for a moment. Why is that? Why was Miraak more frightening than a dragon who could devours souls?
The man had finished his packing when he found her that way. He saw her frown deeply towards the road. Her shoulders were tense while he walked up beside her, making sure she heard him coming to her. He also looked over to where he saw bits of the temple. Even if it was sunny outside, the area still looked dark and gloomy. Like there was a dark cloud looming over it somehow. He took a step back wanting to put some more distance from the temple ruins.
"Good luck." He spoke out suddenly, causing her to jump. Skye turned over to him with a content look. Her head bowed to him.
"Many thanks." She told in a low voice. The blind woman stepped closer to him. Her hand took hold of one of his, squeezing it lightly. "And thank you for the tip last night. It made me think about a lot of things I have not considered before." Skye felt the man shift on his feet. His hands patted her shoulder lightly. He had given her a smile, but then shook his head when he realized she wouldn't be able to see it. The man backed away from her reach, being careful where he stepped.
He left her there, letting her go on her own. She stood still as she listened him disappeared from the spot they had camped for the night. It was best for him to leave, even if she did felt frighten be going to the temple alone. No one needs to fight this battle. They already have enough going on with everything else going on with this island. Especially the ash coming to life it seems. Something she knew will not miss once she leaves this place. Skye sighed to herself as she prepared herself for whatever is going to happen at the temple. Shadows help her.
There was a wave of power coming from the temple and it was strong. Skye knew that it was Miraak's doing. She stayed there and waited for a while. Winter and Midnight had finished eating their food, now walking beside their master, waiting for her to move along the trail before them. Her legs were shaking slightly as another wave of power came through She has to go through, she thought. She has to stop what is happening to everyone. Nothing will get done if she just stood there. Skye took one step closer to where the temple laid, forcing herself to calm down.
As she traveled down the trail, that wave of power only grew stronger the closer she got to it. It felt like being in the water trying to find the surface. Instead she knew that she was at the bottom of the ocean, being held by chains. It was hard to breath properly at that moment of time. Skye shook her head at herself, still pushing through. Midnight then started to growl to himself. Even whimpering a little bit. That was a major sign of just how powerful Miraak is. Out of the two wolves that was with her, Midnight was the only one that can feel magic as well, but only when it was in big waves like this. It made her even more nervous to go over to the temple. Skye swallowed still walking to the ruins. But her feet faltered a small bit.
When she got there, she could feel her heart drop when hearing those words again. That chant that sent chills down her spine. People were working still. Not even once taking a break through the night. Everyone here was working a lot slower than yesterday. Skye knew that they must be tired by now, but none of them will realize this until they are free from Miraak's control. Does this Miraak even realize what he is doing to these people? She assumed not. Not only that, she could feel the remains of dragon bones right in front of the stone stairs before the temple. They may have been dead for thousands of years, but their bones still have a wave a magic of their own. Skye is not able to really explain, she just knows that they were dragon bones.
She continued on her way as she adjusted her fur gear. They were so many people here than at the stones. She could hear other creatures she had no idea what they were. They sounded strange as well. From what she could tell, they were a lot shorter than her which was surprising for her. She has never met anyone shorter than her, being 4'9'' and all. Then she heard other people lifting heavy things from the ground. Stone it seemed. Skye had stepped pass an old man. He was struggling carrying something on his own. This caused her heart to drop some more. She helped him by taking it herself, placing on the ground as he went on with his work. It was as if nothing has ever happen as he said more of that chant. This caused the small woman to sigh then. What will happen once everyone gets too tired to continue his mind controlling? Dead people cannot continue building things for him. Unless he knows how to raise the dead that is.
She was slow when walking up the wooden platforms, feeling people on her left while going up. Midnight and Winter had followed behind her mostly ignoring the people around them. It seems they knew these people can not do anything to harm their master. Maybe it was the time they followed her when she was being controlled. Skye wasn't sure on that. The people mumbled more of those words as she pass them, sending another set of chills down her back. Not even the sun could help warm her up now. Her body was shivering with the fear she was feeling. In the back of her mind, she thought of Brynjolf and Delvin. She hopes she will see them once she was done with everything. Skye will make sure to give everyone back in the guild a huge hug, that was a promise.
Skye walked around the temple, wanting to fall to the ground when she felt the power now. It felt like a pressure of some kind were on her shoulders. Pushing down on her with intense force. Midnight had whined now, causing Winter to comfort him. Skye knew what he was feeling. Adjusting her bag, the blind woman tighten her grip on the straps. She took in a deep breath to slow her heart down. It was beating a mile per second. If anything, her heart wanted to leave her body behind.
A hand ran through her grey hair, moving it over to the side as she though on how to get in. She had went around, trying to find a door of some kind. Any entrance really. None so far. She went around the place another time just to be certain that there was indeed no doors. Which meant there was another way to get in, but she had no idea where and how of getting in. Skye stood still as she thought on it. There had to be an entrance somewhere. How would this Miraak be able to get inside himself all those years ago?
"Where's the entrance guys?" She asked lightly to them, seeing if they could find it. They sniffed the ground, her following them when they started to head somewhere. Then they stopped, leaving her confused. There was nothing there around her. Not even a person had roamed over to where she stood. Was the entrance through the ground? Before she think more on this, Skye felt a hand on her shoulders.
Jumping in fright, Skye had grabbed that hand, taking out her blade while she turned. Both wolves had went to her side, in stance to attack the stranger that touched their master. She was about the run the blade through the stranger when she heard the person speak. "Wait! Do not be afraid. I am not here to hurt you." She heard a woman say lightly. The blind woman froze, frowning at her. Why was this woman here? Was she not controlled by Miraak? It didn't seem so. The only ones that were, didn't have a mind of their own. They didn't speak like the stranger just did.
It could be a trap, however. Miraak could learn of her being here. Maybe why she was so easily controlled on the first night. "Who are you?" Skye demanded as the wolves tense some more, growling at the stranger. The woman looked down at them with some fear, but she pulled her hand away, taking a step back from the small woman. She kept a good distance to let them know she was no threat to her or them. Her hands were even up in surrender. Skye wouldn't have known that at all.
"I am Frea of the Skaal." She had answered with a soothing tone that she has ever heard. This Frea even out does Brynjolf. Skye tilted her head to the side. Skaal village? Wasn't she just there the other day? She thought. Why was this woman here? Skye knew by now that this woman was not being controlled. She couldn't feel anything coming from her like she did with the other people here. There was a certain wave of power the radiate off from them. Frea did not have this. Skye tilted her head to the other side as she pondered for a moment longer.
"Frea." Skye repeated out, helping herself to remember. Skye will not say she is the best at remembering names, but she can't say that she doesn't try to. It's only when she has not seen said person in a while, or never really care much about. There was a time when she went to Falkreath and ran into a stormcloak nord. Of course he noticed the Breton in her and dismissed her Nordic aspect of her. Never cared much to remember his name at all.
The woman then stepped forward to her, looking over to her people that were not themselves. A frown was on her face. A knot that seemed to form in her throat as she watched these people move around. She went back to watching the strange woman who stood stiff. Her grey hair long and set on one side of her head. Frea has yet to notice her eyes at the moment, too concern with knowing who this stranger. "And who are you? You do not seem to be under whatever is controlling my people and the others on this island." Frea stated, as she observe more of Skye.
Hesitating at this, Skye had relaxed herself. This woman was safe for now. As far as she knew, Frea was here on a mission if anything else. Having her here could really help Skye in a lot more ways. "Skye." She answered her in a low tone. Frea hummed out at this. "What brought you here to this temple?" Skye asked her.
"To either help my people or avenge them." Her people? Skye then wonder if her friends and family were there. She could only imagine what it must feel like being helpless as her friends were being forced to do things for something evil. Thank the divines that most of her family were safe, far away from this place. She could see some of them laughing at the guild while drinking away, or some of them shouting off the moutian near the throat of the world. Or a dragon meditating on the words of dovah. She could also see certain people sitting in a room while looking over the ledgers for that week. Brynjolf, she thought to herself. Thank the shadows that he was not with her at that moment. The dangers he could have been in if he were to come with her. Even if they were not in the best of terms at the moment, she didn't wish for him to get hurt because of her. Skye swallowed at this. Honestly, she wouldn't know how she would be able to handle that herself if she were to be in this woman situation. This Frea woman seems to be handling it very well. Something Skye needs to learn from.
"Do you know what is happening with everyone? Why they are like this?" Frea was silent at this at first, as if she was a bit distracted. It must be the people she knew very well. Skye had to keep herself from listening.
"I do not know exactly. But something powerful has taken control of my people and most of everyone else in Solisthiem." She started to explain. Skye nodded at this, knowing this already. "It makes them forget themselves and work on these horrible creation that corrupt the stones." Corrupted stones? She thought. Did this woman mean about the stones she was at the other day with that nightmare she had? And the stone she came across the first day?
Winter had moved now away, going behind her master. She found that this stranger is no threat to any of them. Of course she got bored with how long the conversation is going. Midnight, however, stayed put. He still was on guard about Frea. He sat down, but his eyes were on the stranger before them. "Do you know what is controlling them?" Skye asked once more. She knew the answer already, but she wanted another person's perspective on what is happening right now. She could be wrong all along. Maybe.
"My father says that Miraak has returned. That is impossible." Frea stated out. Skye stayed quiet at this, tensing just by hearing the name of Miraak. "He has been dead for four thousands years." Skye frown at this. This was not the answer she wanted to hear.
"I am afraid to say, but he is back." Skye spoke out in a low tone. She wrapped her arms around herself. Frea seemed surprised by this. She was not expecting to hear this from the other woman. "He sent people to kill me back in Skyrim." Skye told her. The wind blew by them, seemingly whisper in their ears. Frea gave a nod at this, hearing her father words once more. Miraak was back. This seemed more difficult than she thought. Both women became silent now, not knowing what to really say at this point. Skye could hear Frea shift on her feet as she tried to come up with words.
"Well, then I guess we both have a reason to go through the temple together." Skye seemed a bit relieved that she wasn't going in there alone with her wolves. She would have done on her own, the Gods know. But to receive a helping hand was great. Skye knew that this woman could get hurt because of her, but somehow she knew that this Frea could handle herself in a fight. Nodding her head at the tall woman made her smile at this.
Then Skye froze when she heard footsteps and stone moving. Both women had turned to where Skye had stood which was right where the stone had moved down to create a trail to the door down below. So the entrance was in the ground. Winter and Midnight had positioned themselves at the ledge, waiting for the attackers to come. Frea took out her sword. Skye took out her blade.
Skye was abel to tell that they were using magic to attack, Great, just what she needs at the moment. They could've use swords, or bow, but now they had to use magic for their combat. Skye grumbled to herself at this which Frea could hear from where she stood. She looked over to the small woman, realizing those pale blue eyes of hers. Blind. This woman is blind. Frea was far more impressed with this woman than she did before. It was something she had yet to witness herself, and knew it would be great experience to be in.
"Stay." She commanded her wolves as she ran up to them. Her bag was now off her shoulders, finding it restricting her from moving gracefully. There were three of them running up the stone floor. Two of them wielded fire spells while the other had sparks. Even more fun. Dealing with lightening. Skye knew she was not going to have an easy time with the last one at all. Having been electrocuted already was not good, and to add to that, it was from the black dragon himself. She had to keep herself shuddering at this thought of that memory. Frea followed behind her, dodging the opponent's attack. The two women fought in sink, both having experienced with fighting all their lives. "Attack!" Skye commanded again, pulling Frea back as her wolves went at the three people who came out of the temple.
"You are a skilled warrior." Frea commented. Her tone was of admiration. Something Skye was not use to hearing much. Even as the dragonborn. Of course, she doesn't make it out of her way to announce to everyone that she was the one who defeated Alduin. Honestly, she could care less about be dragonborn in general. Skye nodded her head in thanks. Both wolves went up to the blind woman to make certain that she was alright. "Come we must get inside. I am sure we cannot wait out here any longer." Frea said.
"Yes." Skye followed her to the door. "Anything you can tell me about Miraak?" Skye had asked, now realizing that this woman might know some history about this man who is controlling everyone in Solisthiem. And that was the beginning of the tale of a dragon preist rebelling and how he died.
