Chapter 10 High Hrothgar
(Sorry for being gone for so long! Hurricane Isaac as gotten the best of me and because of it i didnt have time to continue the story but im back and the story will be continued! I might end up rewriting some of these chapters or the new chapters that i'm writing up too. I might end up changing some of the ideas i originally had but i hope you enjoy these chapters and send me reviews! i'd really enjoy it)
I walked up to him slowly, but I am unsure which pisses me off more. The proud look he had on his face because he got here before us or the fact that he didn't do what I told him to do that's making me so angry? No matter, I was angry and I knew who to take it out on, "Damn it Faendal! Why the fuck didn't you stay at Riverwood when I told you to!"
Faendal sighed and stood up from the bench he sat on, "Don't worry about that, Andexa, everything is.." he stopped when I interrupted him, "I don't care! I directly told you to stay home why did you have to come back!" He let out a breath and I saw a sad look in his face, his long ears slightly tilting down, "I know I know, but...I guess you could say I grew..um..attached to your company?"
Attached...to my company? What...the fuck...is going on I shook my hear slightly and sighed looking at him, "Let's finish this conversation in the morning. I'm tired and would rather yell at you when I am in the right mind." I turned by back to him, ignoring him completely, and gave the owner ten septims for my own room and went there when he showed me the way. Before closing my door I said, "Lynde if you want you can come in and sleep sitting on the chair, if not then go pay for your own room. It doesn't matter to me what you do." I took off all of my armor so I was only in my bra and undergarments and laid on the bed, under the covers.
As soon as my head was on the pillow I felt the weight of sleep pile over me and let it take over me. I had a sleepless dream this time and I awoke when I felt the sun's light from the window. I still had my eyes close, but I heard soft breathing near by and saw Lynde sleeping on the chair when I opened them. So he chose to sleep by me last night...I guess he takes his job as a Housecarl seriously I sat up and wiped the sleep from my eyes while mumbling, "Wake up...my Housecarl."
Upon him hearing 'housecarl' he immediately opened his eyes and wished me good morning. Suddenly he quickly turned his head away and I remembered taking my armor off. "Get out so I can get dressed...also make sure Faendal is awake, so I can plan what to do from here on," I said in a commanding tone and watched as he left without a word. It took me only minutes to get dressed and grab my bag that's magically filled with all of my weapons and supplies that I need for traveling.
When I walked out of my room I saw Faendal and Lynde sitting next to each other drinking either ale or mead. I let out a breath and walked over to the two of them. When I got there I made sure to sit across from them and give them both a serious look, "Okay Faendal, explain yourself." Faendal looked at me and put the jug of mead/ale down on the table and looked at me, "Andexa, think of it like this – ever since you came into my life things have changed for me."
I moved both of my elbows on the table, fingers locked together and my head atop of them giving him an annoyed look, "Why the hell does that sound like a love confession." Faendal groaned in annoyance, but had slightly flushed cheeks, "No, Andexa, I am not. Listen, before you came, my life was pretty much boring. I would normally just chop up wood all day to help Camilla or to sell it to the Inn. Although I did enjoy fishing and the occasional huntin-" I interrupted Faendal by rudely saying, "Get to the point!" He sighed and finally spoke seriously, "What I am trying to say is that you have given me some excitement to my boring life. I can't let my fun be ruined already...I don't want this excitement to end...not yet."
I did my best to make sure that my surprise was hidden by looking even more annoyed. It was odd seeing the sad and almost pleading face of him as he said, "Please, Andexa, let me travel with you a while longer! I know that while we were traveling together I was not a bother right? So, please...let me enjoy this life just a little while longer." Just then he suddenly grabbed my hands and the look in his eyes almost made me sick. Such weak pleading, the way he's holding my hand, all of it...it made me sick!
I jerked my hands from him and stood up saying louder than needed to, "Just stop it! That damn pleading sickens me! Do whatever you want just do not get in my way and make sure to follow my orders when I give them to you!" He gave me a smile of relief and happiness that was just the icing on the sweet roll for me and I stormed out of the Inn with utter disgust. Tuh I'm slowly starting to become nicer to people...this won't last long, because I won't allow myself to become weak! I won't!
"Azura," I said calling to my dark colored mare with a slight growl in my voice. I heard a loud neigh sound and it only took a few seconds to see her walk in my direction. She knew I was in a bad mood and didn't try to play around with me which is good glad I found a horse that understands. I fed her a two apples and said that I might give her more when we get to High Hrothgar.
It took the other two a few minutes to come out of the Inn probably finishing what ever they were drinking and maybe they chatted a bit? Either way I was still irked by Faendal's comments and his way of acting. Faendal was surprised to see me climb on the giant mare and from his face I could tell that both me and Azura were giving him a displeasing look. "Okay boys let's go," I said with a hint of anger.
While we were walking to the bridge that led to High Hrothgar I noticed some annoyed looks from the guards and suddenly remembered my Imperial armor. I need new armor before they assume I'm on the Imperial's side. When we got to the bridge some men were talked and one of them was saying how he would be unable to make it to the 7,000 steps to bring food to the Greybeards. Lynde convinced me to take the bag of food from the man and we made our way up the 7,000 steps with a light warning of wolves and maybe skeevers.
On the way to High Hrothgar we were met with a skeever and a few wolves and some pilgrims. We made small conversation with them and rested a bit when I was sure we had to be about halfway there. I got off of Azura when we were at a part of the mountain with a lot of space for us to sit and move around a little if needed to. "We'll rest here for now. Azura could use a break from all of that walking," I said and sat down looking at her.
My poor horse was very tired out and looks like she could use some water which is what we lack sadly. Feeding mead or ale to a horse would result into horrible things especially since we are on a mountain. I sighed and closed my eyes for a minute and heard Faendal and Lynde making conversation. I didn't listen much to them because I think I ended up falling asleep.
I suddenly felt something wet rub against my cheek and opened my eyes to my hand pushing Azura's snout away. "Did I fall asleep?" I asked as I stood up. Faendal was the one to answered, "You did, but it wasn't for long we only lost almost half an hour of time though." I was still annoyed with him, but I did my best to ignore that feeling and climbed on Azura's back, "Then let's not waste any more time." We continued on for about an hour when we found a small closing in the mountain and I stared at it for what seems like minutes.
"Something wrong, my Thane?" Lynde asked giving me a worried look. I nodded my head and kept my eyes upon the opening, "I think this is a trap...we should be careful." It was then that I turned my head to look at them and they both stared back at me. Faendal nodded to me and took out his bow, "What should we do, then?" I climbed out of Azura's back again and told her to walk back several feet just in case it is an ambush. She is such a good horse and has great listening skills for a horse.
"I am yours to command, my Thane." Lynde said and I moved the three of us in a circle to converse as I made the plan. "Okay so you two know what to do? And remember don't do anything until I give the signal," I asked looking at the both of them. They nodded and said together, "We got it." I waited for the two of them to get into places. They had their bows and arrows out and ready to attack any enemy that lies ahead. Now time for me to do my part of the plan.
–––
I looked down at the dead frost troll breathing and panting heavily as it had almost killed me. Thank the divines that plan worked or we all could've been killed by it. I used the rest of my magic to heal myself as much as I could, but was unable to be healed completely. Faendal and Lynde were unhurt having attacked the thing from afar and I smiled at them as I remembered how we were able to kill the beast.
I crouched down to sneak towards the path ahead and looked back to see that they had their arrows ready to fire after I give them the signal for them to attack. I turned my head back and continued sneaking in going further inside the close space in the mountain. Suddenly I felt as though eyes were on me and looked up to see a frost troll. I quickly stood up and took only a few steps forward as the beast jumped down from the top of the mountain.
I took out the firestorm scroll and waited until the troll was closer for me to use it. I remember hearing stories about trolls and none of them were pretty. Even though I knew better than to freak out my heart was beating faster and faster as it got closer and I used the scroll just in time before my brain even thought of trying to run away. I ran back a little bit because that was the signal for the my two companions to fire their arrows.
They both managed to hit the troll with two arrows each which allowed me time to take out my mace and prepare a healing spell. I ran at the frost troll and hit it twice, but when it hit back with two hits of its own I felt so weak. I moved backwards and drink a few potions and healed myself a bit to make sure I could handle another hit or two without feeling like Arkay was reaping at my soul. Right when it started charging at me I gave it a powerful hit and it fell on the ground dead. I breath heavily looking back at my two companions, "We...we did it."
–––
I put two fingers in my mouth and made a loud whistle loud and in a few seconds I heard Azura's hoofs on the snow. "Good girl! Let's go guys!" I said as I climbed on her back and rode to the entrance of High Hrothgar. It took only a few minutes for us to get there and I leaped out of Azura's back. With that request from Klimmek I places his supplied in the chest and walked inside High Hrothgar at last.
Within a few moments I was approached by a Greybeard, "So..another Dragonborn appears, at this moment in the turning of the age." He said to me and I replied with a question, "You called me Dragonborn and in my dream too..but what does that even mean?" He gave me a smile, "First, let's see if you truly are Dragonborn. Let us taste of your Voice." I shrugged at the simple request and Shouted at him and he stumbled back only a little. "Dragonborn. It is you. So we weren't mistaken with you. Welcome to High Hrothgar. I am Master Arngeir. I speak for the Greybeards. Now tell me, Dragonborn, why have you come here?"
I looked at him, "Obviously I was answering your summons, but what did you mean by 'another' Dragonborn?" He answered, "We are honored to welcome another Dragonborn to High Hrothgar. There was also another Dragonborn who came to us. Perhaps one day you two may meet. Now, we must teach you how to put your Voice to it's full potential, in fulfillment of your destiny."
Destiny? What the hell is this? I couldn't help but ask, "Umm...what destiny are you speaking of?" He answered, "That is for you to discover. We can show you the Way but not the destination." I couldn't help but smile to myself at that. I turned to ask another question, "What exactly is a Greybeard and tell me more about High Hrothgar?" He smiled, "We, Greybeards, are followers of the Way of the Voice. High Hrothgar rests on the slopes of Kynareth's sacred mountain. Here we commune with the voice of the sky, and strive to achieve balance between our inner and outer selves."
Another thing was on my mind, "Tell me what it means to be this...'Dragonborn' Arngeir." He spoke again, "We are here to guide you in pursuit of that knowledge, just as the Greybeards have sought to guide those of Dragon Blood before you." I nodded, starting to understand, "So there were other Dragonborns before this time?" He nodded, "That is correct. There have been many of the Dragon Blood since Akatosh first bestowed that gift upon mankind. Whether there are more of you...is not ours to know."
I nodded and felt ready to begin learning 'The Way of the Voice' from them. I turned to my two companions and they both stood quietly and I noticed the look of awe on their faces. I guess the Greybeards are people worth respecting from what I've heard. I looked at Arngeir and said, "I'm ready to learn." He said, "You have proven to be the second Dragonborn. You indeed have the inborn gift." He gave me a somewhat amused look, "But do you have the discipline and temperance to follow the path laid out for you? That remains to be seen."
I rolled my eyes and thought By the divines...shut up. Arngeir continued to speak, "Without training you have already taken the first steps toward projecting your Voice into a Thu'um, or Shout." He walked to the center of the room and I stood beside him as he kept talking, "Now let us see if you are willing and able to learn. When you Shout, you speak in the language of dragons. Thus, your Dragon Blood gives you the inborn ability to learn Words of Power. All Shouts are made up of three Words of Power. As you master each Word, your Shout will become progressively stronger."
I grinned inwardly to myself So basically the more Shouts I know and learn the Words of Power for each Shout I can become stronger. Heh...the power I'll have will be huge! With my thoughts I happened to have not heard what Arngeir had said and Lynde whispered it in my ear, "Master Arngeir said that Master Einarth, another Greybeard, will teach you 'Ro' the second Word for Unrelenting Force." Faendal whispered the rest in my other ear, "Ro supposedly means 'Balance' in the dragon language and together with Fus for 'Force' it makes your Shout stronger."
I nodded, somewhat thankful to have them two and walked over to the word on the ground. The word was oddly yet beautifully carved on the floor and my blood seemed to boil from looking at it. I could feel the Word being carved into my brain just like the first word and it seemed to have vanished after I 'learned' it. Master Arngeir sounded impressed, "You learned a new word like a master...you truly do have the gift." I smiled, being proud of myself and he ruined it by saying, "But learning a new Word of Power is only the first step...you must unlock its meaning through constant practice in order to use it in a Shout."
I huffed and frowned to myself Greeaat... He continued, "Well, that is how the rest of us learn Shouts. As Dragonborn, you can absorb a slain dragon's life force and knowledge directly." I nodded and couldn't help but think back to that first dragon that I killed. I could tell from Faendal's expression that he was thinking of the same incident and Lynde just looked with awe.
Master Arngeir caught back my attention when he spoke more, "As part of the initiation, Master Einarth will allow you to tap into his understanding of 'Ro.'" I turned and looked at Einarth and felt my Dragon Blood boil inside me again Whats going on this time? We both made eye contact and I felt something rush inside me from him. I had a quick flash of Einarth learning, reading and everything else he had done to understand the Word 'Ro.' I put a finger to my throat and could somehow tell that I was able to say 'Ro' in Unrelenting Force.
Master Arngeir had me test out the new Word by Shouting Fus Ro three times on three targets. I must say that it hurt my throat a bit since I don't Shout a lot. He gave me compliments with each Shout I had done at the targets and I couldn't help but grin to myself. Master Arngeir looked at one of the other Greybeards, then me, and spoke, "We will perform your next trail will be in the courtyard. Follow Master Borri."
––––
It took about thirty minutes but everything that had happened was I learned Wuld from Whirlwind Spring. It took me a few second to be able to actually say the new shout, so the first time I used it I bashed my face into the closing gate which hurt like fuck. I was able to get it right at the second time but my face still hurt from that metal gate.
After a long conversation with Master Arngeir he said that my final task was to retrieve the Horn of Jugen Windcaller from his tomb. He was the first man to have realized that man should use their Voice in the glory of the gods, not man. Kynareth must have been some goddess to give mortals the ability to speak within the dragon tongue.
Lynde came over to me after everything was said and done, "My thane, are you okay?" I frowned and rubbed my nose, "Of course I am! It didn't hurt that much." I suddenly felt my nose beginning to run and Faendal brought a small cloth to my face, "Your nose is bleeding let me-" I slapped his hand and growled, "I don't need your help!" I ran my nose on my wrist and arm and walked away, thankfully the Greybeards were already inside and had not seen my childish actions. My blood was a dark blue color because of clan reasons and I'm glad they didn't ask me about it.
Faendal and Lynde sighed to themselves and followed behind me. It was good that Lynde was finally starting to see that I'm not always nice. I rushed out of High Hrothgar and shivered from the cold. I felt the blood rush down my nose and I growled at myself for not being more careful about that damned gate. "Faendal...where's that cloth?" I kept my head facing forward.
Faendal handed it to me and I quickly wiped the blood from my nose and arm. I looked at my two followers and said, "This is too cold for me, so I'm riding Azura all the way back to Ivorstead without stopping. I'll be at the inn so you can find me when you get there." The boys looked a bit confused and Faendal was the first to realize what I meant, "Wait...your going to leave us here?!"
I laughed as I got on Azura, "That's one way to put it. See you boys back at Vilemeyr Inn." Before either of them was able to speak another word I sped off, going the same path we came. I didn't have Azura gallop at her top speed, but we went her fasted trot. I made it to Vilemeyr Inn around 2 in the morning, ordered my own room and slept for six hours.
I yawned when I woke up and could tell my followers must be mad at me. I sat up on the bed and fixed my hair the best I could by combing it with my fingers and walked out of the room. Lynde and Faendal sat next to each other eating baked potatoes, half a bread each and some ale.
Lynde smiled at me, "Good morning, Thane." Faendal looked at me and had the same innocent smile Lynde did, "Morning Andexa." I nodded at them, "Morning." A women who works there, whose name I can't remember, asked me if I wanted anything to eat and I asked for the same thing my two followers have.
The food in all cost me about 25 septims which was pretty good, I guess. I sat next to Lynde and ate quietly. Lynde and Faendal finished quickly and both of them sat still, waiting on me. I sighed and looked at them, "Just wait for me outside. No point in just sitting here." They both left and soon I walked out of Vilemeyr Inn and went to continue on with our adventure.