A/N: And here's the next chapter, enjoy! If you wish to see a map of Black Marsh for reference, I'd suggest the Imperial Library. I also linked it on my profile page.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Elder Scrolls series. I only own my original ideas.
Chapter 8: Into the Marsh
Shouts-at-Sun's POV
The next morning, I packed and rechecked my supplies, knowing I had a lengthy journey ahead of me. Veezara was preparing as well, and Lydia was getting ready to deal with my temporary absence.
"Be careful, my Thane," said Lydia.
"I shall endeavor to," I said, "You know where to go if you find yourself in trouble".
Veezara and I headed outside, and I noticed that he had equipped himself for a long hike. I raised my brow at that and smiled.
"Don't worry, we won't have nearly as far to hike as you might expect," I said.
"What do you mean?" asked Veezara.
"Stand back," I said.
He did so, and I allowed my power to change me into my dragon form. As the change concluded, Veezara stared at me wide eyed.
"Hop on," I said, "You are going to get to see the world as few others have".
I felt Veezara climb up on my back, and get himself settled. Once he was ready, I kicked off, catching the wind under my wings. I flew south, watching the land pass beneath me. For a bit, I glided along, but then reached the Jerall Mountains, and worked to gain sufficient altitude to climb over them. I worked my way past the peaks, and then passed over the southern-most ridge. There it was before me, the lands I called home before I discovered my destiny: Cyrodiil. I dropped altitude on the southern face, and passed by Bruma before swinging past the Imperial City. I continued south, passing Bravil before arriving landing at an abandoned fort in the border region of Blackwood. As I came in to land, the sun touched the western horizon. It had been a long, tiring flight, but we'd made it. As Veezara climbed off, I changed back to my normal form.
We set up camp, for the night, and sat down by the fire.
"So, did you enjoy your little bit of espionage last night?" I asked.
"What! How did," said Veezara.
"You really think I wouldn't notice your presence?" I said, "I don't really mind, though: you'd have met Lokhunnonvul eventually".
"How did you meet him?" asked Veezara.
"Well, it wasn't terribly long after I arrived in Skyrim," I said, "the Greybeards had sent me to the tomb of Ustengrav to retrieve an artifact for their order's founder, Jurgen Storm-Caller. Along the way, I got sidetracked by examining a ancient site known as Skyborn Altar atop a mountain. The site was guarded by a rather hostile dragon. It attacked me on sight, and I fought it… however I was inexperienced. I soon found myself pinned down and facing my seemingly certain death".
"What happened?" asked Veezara.
"I heard an unfamiliar voice Shouting," I said, "and the weight to the dragon attempting to crush me vanished. I quickly got to my feet and looked to see what had happened. I saw my attacker lying a short distance away, and another dragon flying overhead. He had saved me. Once I finished fighting my attacker, I listened to what he had to say to me… and I glad I did. I don't know what would of occurred if I hadn't. We've been working together since that day, with him always being willing to listen to my ideas, and provide ones of his own to help me".
"Huh," said Veezara, "you lead quite the odd life".
"Eh, I've gotten used to the fact that my life will never really be normal," I said, "I've walked the fields of Sovngarde, been through the Soul Cairn, and even stood at the summit of Apocrypha. Fate likes putting me in strange places. But now, to business. What of anything do you know of the current state of Black Marsh's Government?"
"Well, there was a coup a while back, where the ruling party at the time was deposed, and the Pro-Independence An-Xileel faction took over," said Veezara, "Even so, I doubt they'd let themselves be attacked by the Thalmor. I feel that they'd be willing to fight for their homeland".
We chatted for a bit longer, and then lay down to rest. The next morning, we set out into Black Marsh on an overgrown trail. Soon enough, we were in the thick of it, slogging through the swamps and pushing vines aside. As we traveled, I felt eyes at us, but they were more curious than anything. The road wound onwards, and late in the day we came to a clearing, where a memorial was located.
"Ah, the old Oblivion Crisis Memorial," said Veezara.
The memorial consisted of a stone monument, carved with the names of the soldiers who fought at this site. Strewn around the area, there were stones of otherworldly origin… the remnants of the Oblivion Gate which had opened on this site two centuries prior. I scanned down the list, seeing my own name among the list of heroes. I then spotted something that seemed out of place: a runic inscription near the bottom.
"Daar qethsegol lost wahlaan ko zin do nonvul kendov do Ved Zanos, wen norok Riin do uld fus faal Deyra nol niist himdah, dah niin rigir kotin faal Fruun," I read, "This stone was raised in honor of the noble warriors of Black Marsh, whose fierce Waves of strength forced the Daedra from their lands, pushing them back into Oblivion".
I felt the familiar sensation of a new word of power flowed into my mind. I thought on it, recognizing its meaning.
'Riin… Wave… Tsunami,' I thought, 'I wonder when this inscription was placed here'.
My thought were interrupted when those who had been tracking us emerged from their hiding spots. They were Argonians of course, however they weren't tribal. Instead, their armor looked like that of soldiers.
"Veezara?" said one of the Argonian soldiers, "what a surprise to see you back here".
"The same to you," said Veezara with relief, "Events are transpiring, ones which might require the aid of all of Tamriel".
"And your companion?" asked the soldier.
"I am Shouts-at-Sun," I said, "I am the one bearing the message to be delivered. I had simply paused here to visit the memorial… I had an ancestor who served that day".
"Hmm… well, follow us," said the soldier, "we're about done with our patrol anyway. We've currently headed back to town".
We followed the soldiers, and arrived at the small town of Glenbridge: most of the buildings were built on stilts so that they wouldn't get flooded when the water level was high. Our impromptu escort led us to the docks, where a ferry was waiting.
"You can take this to the capital at Murkwood," said the soldier.
"Thank you," I said.
Veezara and I boarded the ferry, and before long we set off towards our next destination.
A/N: And there we go! Next time: Arrival at the capital, and an unexpected guest arrives. See you then!
