A/N - I just want you to know that some of the translations from dragon language to English aren't exact as in the translator. I take a few liberties at times, and I don't always point them out. For example, I'll take a word that's only in present tense, and make it past tense for the sake of readability. The meaning is what's important to me, as dragons don't speak the same way mortals do(in my opinion), so I translate them to sound 'right'. Hope this author's note made sense. XD Enjoy the new chapter!
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X. For the Future
(Fah faal Aluntiid)
Miraak and Vahlok exited the temple, entering the darkened night. Being this late, it was strangely silent, save for a carrying roar from the black sky. They turned their faces upwards toward the sound. There were no moon or stars out to illuminate the dragon, but they both knew he was there. The noise of wingbeats were indicator enough. The dragonborn knew that Paarthurnax had returned from his angry flight.
It may be dark, but that will not stop me from putting up a fight, he thought.
"Well, Miraak," Vahlok said in a light tone. "Perhaps this will be your last night upon this world, after all."
"Or his," returned the traitor.
The dragon descended from the darkened sky, finally visible by the light of the torches upon the temple. His wings sounded like snapping sails as they sent gusts of wind downward. Upon seeing him in the air, Miraak felt the uncontrollable surge of fiery anger in his body. He felt the dragon within him rising once more in response to the presence of the dovah, ready to fight. The blood of the dragon made him desire to carve death into this overlord's scales. He wanted to see the other reduced to a skeleton, just as he'd done so to Sosvulzein.
Paarthurnax landed upon a large, curved arch before the entrance. The ground vibrated in the typical fashion from the dovah's force and weight. The fire in the braziers cast his scales in harsh orange light, shadowing his face in the night. However, it was easy to see his cunning, blue gaze locked upon them. The two mortals caught in the dragon's vision tensed expectantly, one in anger, the other in servitude.
"Foul magicka cast down Sosvulzein," Paarthurnax spoke slowly. "Tell me, Vax, was that truly you? Did you truly kill a dovah?" There was no apparent anger in his words, seemingly only curiosity.
"I did," Miraak responded in a bold voice. "But my victory was not through some foul, Oblivion magick… I am dragonborn! I can slay any dragon as naturally as one of your kind."
"Dovahkiin, eh? An ambitious and arrogant title..." Paarthurnax shifted his head slightly to look at Vahlok. "I see...this...joor, learns the thu'um on his own, and assumes that makes him a dovah. Or like a dovah." He looked back at Miraak. "But he is not."
"I absorbed the power, and..." Miraak hissed, frustrated. "Surely you feel it! You claimed to earlier!"
"I felt your suleyk," agreed Paarthurnax. "And it was...tainted, kroved ahrk zurun...dovah, nuz ni. It is perhaps, the touch of Daedra, laniza dovah...to imitate my brethren." He was struggling to decide what Miraak truly was. "However, your blood does not make you a dovah...nor your sil...soul. If what you say is true, and you do not have a deyra-haalvut - touch - upon you, then you are one in a million. A mere chance. This makes you vonizraad...insignificant."
"Then let me show you," Miraak said darkly. The dragon burned within, longing to kill. "Attack me, and I will demonstrate my power. You will find out that I am not insignificant!"
The dragon's voice was full of amusement when he responded. "You certainly have the temper of a dovah. However, nid dovah fen faas hi. Dragons fear no mortal. They only fear Alduin-Thuri, and rightly so. He reigns through the number of his followers. You are one, joor. You are alone, cast out, avoided, hated." He chuckled. "Naalein, hi los vonizraad. You are impotent, a fledgling in your power."
"I think you will find that entire statement incorrect," Miraak responded coldly. "I am more than powerful enough to face you and your kind."
Paarthurnax rumbled, "This has...skem zey… Yes, it was amusing... Ahrii, zu'u kent oblaan daar. Zu'u fen kuz dii lif." Surprisingly, the dragon intended to leave.
Vahlok said in a gently-reminding tone, "Earlier, you laid claim to this man..."
"I've changed my mind," Paarthurnax said. "I see no concern here. I suspect the priests shall see to this...joor's deserved punishment." He was in a very improved mood. "I admit to putting undeserved importance to the situation in my anger. He remains beneath my notice, even should his blood be dovah through some unnatural or unseen method."
In fact...the dragon sounded nearly cheerful. Miraak was in disbelief. He felt it was off, that this dragon had gone from wanting to kill him personally, to barely noticing him. Was the beast afraid of him and hiding its fear? Or was it speaking the truth, that it thought him truly insignificant, and that the priests should see his judgment? Miraak had misgivings; inwardly, he knew it was latter reason. He was nothing to this being who did not understand him as a true threat.
Vahlok relaxed considerably at the dragon's words. Miraak realized this was the first time he'd seen the man lose his tension since he'd interrupted the priests' meeting.
The high dragon priest said, "Yes, Thuri. I shall oversee his punishment personally."
"You are ready to fly away again!?" Miraak growled at the dragon. He turned on Vahlok. "You cannot seriously believe you will punish me like I am a child!"
"I do," hissed the other.
With a sweeping wind, the dragon's wings lifted him to the skies. Miraak saw his last chance of proving himself fly away - literally.
"You are unworthy of Thuri Paarthurnax's wrath. He even denounces your power."
Miraak watched the dragon's ascent. "I would have killed him, if he'd attacked. I am stronger! Perhaps you all would have believed the truth then..."
Vahlok turned violently, angry. "Listen to yourself, you imbecile! Can you not see what you are doing? Every word you speak marks you further in the grave!" He punched a fist into his open palm on the last syllable.
"I see well enough," Miraak replied, unperturbed. "I am simply allowing the truth to guide my actions."
"The truth? The truth is that you may be strong, but you are nothing compared to the dovah!"
"Really? Do you not remember that I killed one?"
"Through unnatural means!"
The two glared at each other, seething. Miraak could see this was going nowhere.
He sighed, "I see nothing to gain here. You are all blinded by centuries of our ancestors' undying servitude. It is inevitable, I suppose... What happens now?"
Vahlok forced himself to calm down a little, "Paarthurnax Thuri leaves it to us...me to decide your fate… To me..." He paused, seeming to struggle over a decision. "So be it, Miraak…"
The dragonborn thought, Here comes the sentence. Execution no doubt. Let him try. I'll drag his corpse through Bromjunaar Gaard for all to see. This council is far more foolish than I recalled. I am ready to stand alone this time.
May they see, one day, what they've failed to here and now.
Vahlok gave his verdict. "I exile you to the north."
"Exile?!" Miraak could only feel disbelief.
Why would he give such a weak sentence to a traitor?
It is because this weakling fool is a man of peace, he thought contemptuously.
However, this was just Vahlok's decision. Known, the other priests would never agree to this. They would want death and pain. In his mind, Miraak could just imagine their reactions. They would yell in anger and burn with energy. Vahlok would face their wrath. Surely it'd be Hevnoraak dragging Vahlok's bloody body through the streets soon enough instead of him.
What is he thinking?
Vahlok continued, "May you contemplate what has happened and perhaps find some wisdom in isolation."
"You fear me!"
"Delude yourself, if you must, Miraak. The truth is always far more complicated... Return to your temple, traitor. Keep your head low. You walk more peril than you know. I swear, if I so much as hear of a single foul deed from you in the future, I'll see to it that your remains are scattered throughout Keizaal!"
"You would fail."
Vahlok ignored that statement. "Give me your mask. You are no longer welcome here."
"You are certainly welcome to try and take it, Vahlok. However, do not concern yourself, I have no intention of returning to this worthless place!"
Vahlok stared at him, shaking his head. "I am not fighting you on the sacred ground of Bromjunaar Gaard, Vax. Leave then, and know that you are Nid-Gein - beneath our notice, as Lord Paarthurnax said!" The man turned to leave.
"Not for long," Miraak growled. When Vahlok disappeared inside the temple, the traitor whispered, "One day soon, I'll be the only thing this worthless order notices."
It was deep into the nighttime - swiftly approaching morning - when Miraak paced through Bromjunaar Gaard, intent on leaving it for good. One of the moons shone down, occasionally blocked by the clearing clouds. The other was cloaked in darkness, barely visible. It gave him plenty of light to see by, however.
He was grateful for the emptiness of the streets. He did not feel much like facing the crowds at large. He was done with all of these blind dragon-worshippers. Even though he had once been one. He wondered, if another had turned out to have his power, would he act this way? If it were not him rising above the dragons, would he have stayed down like a good priest?
I… No other would have such power… But even so...it is hard to say how I would have reacted to such. Surely seeing a dragon like Sosvulzein fall would have changed my perspective…
But if I did not have the dragon soul, I would never have wanted to fight… I would not be me. Dovahkiin... It is who I am. It is what fate decreed. I refuse to be burdened with questions of destinies that never happened and never will.
He made his way for the stables, his stride unhurried. What was the point of making haste, anyways? He had nothing but a mostly-empty temple to return to. Here, he had not gained any followers. He had not made any progress. In short, he'd achieved nothing good nor necessary by attending this Summit.
He'd never admit it, but it humiliated him that Vahlok had just ordered him away, as if he were a troublesome child. He had not ordained to fight him, and despite Miraak's claim, he knew it had nothing to do with fear. Vahlok was too prideful to fear him.
Practical Vahlok, doesn't want the streets of Gaard bloody. How pathetic. Not another member of the council would have had a qualm with it.
Any of the others on the council would have ordered his execution.
Why did Vahlok believe him so weak?
Miraak decided he was going to take this opportunity to prove to Vahlok, that he was more powerful than the man was willing to credit him. He needed more power, and it was obvious to him where he'd get it.
I will work my way up, killing powerful dragons until my own power is greater than all others… I would not need these people. I will never need the Council. They are pathetic. Instead of uniting them against the dragons, I will stand against them all.
"Brother!" A voice called, interrupting his thoughts.
He stopped with a sigh. He turned, feeling his shoulders slump a little in further defeat. What did she want now? he wondered when he saw his sister. Tovitaa hurried towards him, and as usual, her masked face was unreadable.
"I...I wanted to apologize," she said when she reached him.
That was unexpected.
"For what?" Miraak asked.
She reached him. "For backing away from you earlier. I should have stayed by your side, but I was confused and unprepared. It is slowly becoming clear to me how truly horrible this situation is."
Miraak folded his arms, "do not apologize. It must have seemed like I was serving a daedra. These men feed on lies. They must be easier to live on than truth."
She nodded. "But...is there any truth to their lies?" She asked hesitantly. "I mean, you said I wouldn't understand...and it was after I thought you'd taken the wicked powers of a daedra."
He unfolded his arms and pulled the ring from his pocket. He held it up for her to see. "This is how I learned of my powers," he said. "Do not take this the wrong way, Sister, but this an artifact of Hermaeus Mora."
She shuddered a little at the name, "foul demons." she hissed.
"Perhaps, perhaps not. We only have the dragon's word for such, and we've seen how dishonest they are... I spoke with the daedra responsible for this ring."
"Then how do you know it has not corrupted you?" she asked, her voice cautious.
Miraak hadn't really thought of it like that. "I...do not feel like it has. I do not feel very different…or corrupted… I only feel wiser to my powers...and the dragons"
"What did this...creature say?"
"Not a lot actually. He was focused mostly on himself and his omnipotence."
"It sounds like a demon."
"It also sounds like a dragon."
"I can't deny that...well then, continue."
"It was strange. Before I even spoke with it, I attacked it...with a shout."
"So?"
"Sosvulzein never bothered to teach me the thu'um," Miraak responded, his voice terse.
"Oh..." Realization lit up in her eyes.
"I was in Apocrypha, his plane of Oblivion, the realm of knowledge! Don't you see, Tovitaa? I learned to shout simply by entering the realm of secrets. My own powers were hidden from me, until he showed them to me."
"It… That would make sense." She conceded. "But what did it say?"
"He told me I could kill the dragons, in so many words. But it wasn't just him speaking it. It was...knowing it as well. I realized it was true. When I returned to the temple, I challenged and killed Sosvulzein. I have not spoken with this daedra since..."
"Do you plan to speak to it again?"
"I...do," Miraak admitted.
"Why take that risk?"
"I'm already risking everything. Tovitaa, my entire life has been risks, and I've always found myself rewarded more often than not."
"But this is an evil demon, Miraak! You can't fight that conventionally...haven't you heard the stories of Herma-Mora!?"
"Yes, I have," her brother said. "Child's fables to scare us from truth, like usual."
"Let us say you are right," she replied. "Say you do come out of this unscathed. Then what?"
"Then, the entire world changes. Our world. Instead of dragons, we follow those of true power, wisdom and knowledge. Gone will be the pathetic, petty rituals and sacrifices. Fate decrees all, and the dragons will not hold their thrones forever...so to speak."
"I would like to think we are not doomed," admitted Tovitaa. "The destroyer will kill us all. Maybe we need to change our perspectives. Just, be careful around that creature, that daedra, Brother. I would guess it only cares for itself...and its secrets."
Miraak chuckled, "Yes. I agree. However, if I change the fate of the world, surely that'd only mean more secrets for him?"
"I do not know." Tovitaa's brow furrowed.
"I should leave before Vahlok comes to his senses and decides to try and kill me, " Miraak said. "Not that I don't want him to try, but I would prefer a good night's sleep first."
Tovitaa snorted. "What did the Council say, anyway?"
"Well, to sum it up - they declared me traitor, then tried to kill me, but Konahrik stopped them because he believed Paarthurnax wanted to dispose of me personally. Then, Vahlok exiled me after Paarthurnax decided I wasn't worth his time."
"Wow," Tovitaa said. She laughed, "You do seem to have a fair amount of luck on your side."
"I'd prefer to think it is more than luck… Still, if I'd slain Paarthurnax before the council..."
"Even if you had succeeded there, they would have been even angrier. Everyone thinks you are simply a Daedra's tool."
"Then, I'll have to change that, won't I?"
"Miraak!" called a voice.
The dragonborn turned, suddenly on edge. He hadn't really expected to be accosted by anyone else. He was unpleasantly surprised. He saw three of the Dragon Council members approaching him, which instantly alarmed him. He tensed, remembering how they had wanted his death in the meeting room. They must have realized they could still have their chance.
The shadowy moonlight glimmered down on them, and Miraak felt his dragon readying itself. It reared its head, waiting. He prepared his magicka, feeling the fire burning inside of himself as well as on his hand.
The three priests paused a few steps away. However, their stances were non-threatening. When the first spoke again, his voice was not hostile, but rather amiable.
"Miraak," repeated the man. "I just thought I'd catch you before you left. I had a feeling you wouldn't run off so fast. You're too proud to just run away. You'd leave in your own time."
"You should have seen Hevnoraak when Vahlok returned without news of your death," laughed another, his voice biting the word Hevnoraak as if he were saying the name of a nasty disease. "The monster of a man was absolutely beside himself with rage when he heard of your fate… I've never seen him so angry... I would avoid him at all cost, if I were you."
The third spoke quietly, her voice strong and commanding, "Hevnoraak sees little beyond his cycle of pain and death."
Miraak, whose magicka had faded, peered at them, finally recognizing them. The first who'd spoken was Ahzidal, the second Zahkriisos, and the third Zin.
Miraak greeted them in turn. Then, he said, "I suspect you are not as angry as the others on the council, considering that you have yet to attack."
"No," Ahzidal said. "I mean, I don't think Otar gets mad at anything, which actually seems slightly freaky when he attacks someone, laughing and giggling...but he seemed quite delighted with the discontentment and all. I mean, I don't think that-"
"The point is," Zin interrupted. "We really just wanted to clarify a few things. Nobody else concerned themselves much with it, but it'd be pointless to throw away the true meaning behind what has happened without first understanding whether or not it is important."
"You have great power," Zahkriisos said, his tone heavy. "Unusual power. Even Thuri Paarthurnax knew it. The others claimed it was daedric influence...is that true?"
Miraak sighed irritatedly. "I do not know how much I have repeated myself on this matter, but no, Hermaeus Mora showed me my power. He did not grant it."
"But you have indeed communed with a Daedra in an unholy ceremony," Zin said. "Dishonorable."
"I'd call it initiative," Ahzidal interrupted what Miraak was about to say. "It was a bold move indeed." His eyes gleamed under his mask. "With all the secrets of Herma-Mora, a man could indeed find perfection."
"It is a dark path," Zin said disgustedly. Her words were full of knowing as she asked her next question. "It is true, Miraak? The dragons fall to you, and you steal their essence - their soul?"
"It is true."
Tovitaa, who'd remained silent, spoke. "This was Thuri Sosvulzein's fang, Lord Zin..." she brought out the dragon's tooth from her robes. It seemed to glow white in the moon, save for the tip, covered in dried blood.
"Indeed?... Allow me to apologize," Zin said. "I did not see you there."
"It's alright, I'm good at making myself less noticeable."
"Fascinating," Ahzidal said. "Absolutely fascinating."
"Of course," Zin added, "there is no proof that it is Thuri Sosvulzein's, but I do not actually doubt it. It has become clear that he died...by your hand, Miraak. Then again, there is no proof that the power you have did not come from a Daedra. There is evidence for little, and so we must take the word of our overlord...and yours. If yours is true, then our overlord may be lying...or the other way around."
Zahkriisos adjusted his mask. "Where it comes from is not important. Think of what one could do with such power."
Miraak scowled behind his mask. "I cannot force you to believe, I know, but it is truth. If you have any sense, you'll realize the dragons are and always will be, lies."
"I know it's not much," Tovitaa said. "But I believe Miraak."
"Well, so do I," Ahzidal said. "Why can't he be more powerful than the dragon he served? I bet I am more powerful than Vriiqonel. I bet I could defeat him." He referred to the dragon he directly served, Miraak realized.
Zin said, "You could not rip away his soul and usurp its powers the way the rumors claim Miraak can." She looked at him, eyes unreadable through her silver mask.
"True, but...oh well, it'd still be making a point though, you know? I mean, no one disputes dragons can die. People just don't believe mortals can kill them...or permanently, at least."
Miraak nodded, "that is indeed my point." He could almost sense their minds changing. Perhaps they were not all so big of fools as he'd originally thought. Perhaps there was still victory to be had.
What he could do with such potential allies!
"Ahzidal," Zin said. "We should return before the morning rituals. The others will fester wounds of suspicion should we delay."
"Alright," Ahzidal said. "Let us take our leave. Thanks, Miraak, for this insight."
Miraak was a little disappointed when they walked away. A part of him had been hoping that they would have joined his side. It mattered little though. At least it meant some were beginning to doubt the dragons. That in itself was a victory he would gladly take, even if it was a small one.
"I must go, Sister," Miraak finally said to Tovitaa. "I've the feeling you'll hear more from me in the future."
"I do too," she said. She smiled, even though she knew he could not see it. "Farewell, Brother. Try not to get yourself killed before we speak again.."
"I will not fall," he declared. "Farewell, Sister."
She watched him walk away, entering the stables. She wished that there was a better path for Miraak in this situation to take… However, even she recognized that this was a large mess he'd gotten himself into. She worried though, for the blood she knew would eventually fall. For the pain that would come. For the chaos it would bring. And also for the lives that would end in the wake of this turn of events. She worried for the future.
Good luck, Brother, she thought, turning away and listening to the sound of hoof beats upon the stone.
You're going to need it.
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Dovahzul Translations -
kroved ahrk zurun...dovah, nuz ni. - Corrupt and odd...dragon, but not.
laniza dovah - to imitate a dragon
Sil - Soul
deyra-haalvut. - Daedra-touch.
Vonizraad - insignificant.
nid dovah fen faas hi - no dragon will fear you
Naalein, hi los vonizraad - Alone, you are insignificant.
Skem zey - Amused me.
Ahrii, zu'u kent oblaan daar. Zu'u fen kuz dii lif. - Alas, I must end this. I will take my leave.
Joor - Mortal
Nid-Gein. - No-One.
(Dragon Name: Vriiqonel) Vrii-Qo-Nel - Scale-Lightning-Fast