AN: Sorry it's been so long. I had to deal with Finals in my first year at college and the trouble with settling in to life back at home. Also, if anyone has anything to say about how I'm doing, reviews are much appreciated. Thanks to all those who have followed or favorited this story: Happy Summer!

Jul

Lucius

I had just sent Hadvar ahead to Korvanjund when I turned towards the Sleeping Giant, Riverwood's local tavern and inn. I'd overheard a few people talking about the woman who ran it, a harsh, blonde Breton. She worked hard and worked her employees hard, as well. Despite that, she was widely known as a very fair woman. Delphine had arrived in the town only a few decades earlier, but the entire town treated her as if she'd always been there.

Lydia and I walked into Delphine's tavern and brushed the dust off of my armor. The bronze Dwemer alloy glinted in the candle light, and the entire room grew quiet as I walked in. For a moment, the people stared, then all shouted a greeting. "Dragonborn!" they shouted together. The local bard quickly broke into a soulful rendition of the "Song of the Dragonborn" and the patrons began to sing drunkenly along.

I chuckled to myself and made my way over to Delphine. She had a grumpy look on her face as she swept the ground absently. "The floor do something to you?" I asked her as she continued to scowl at the ground.

Delphine looked up. "Oh, sorry. Just... lost in a problem," she explained. Her face became softer. "How can I help you?"

I coughed once. "Um... I'm here to rent the attic room?" I said. I pulled the customary ten gold from my pack and handed it to Delphine.

"Attic room, eh?" she asked, surprised. "Well, we don't have an attic room. But you can take the room over there, on the left."

"Um... that's fine, I suppose," I replied.

Delphine nodded. "I'll show you to your room," she explained.

"You already told me where it is, though," I pointed out. Delphine glared at me, and I immediately knew it was she who had stolen the horn. I silently acquiesced, and Delphine led me to the room.

"Lydia," I whispered before following Delphine, "keep watch from out here. I don't expect she'll attack me, but I doubt she'll talk if you're in there, too."

Lydia shook her head. "But, Thane -"

"No. Just... give me a few minutes, please," I asked. Lydia sighed before nodding. "Thank you." I turned and followed Delphine into the room.

"So," Delphine began as we entered the room. She shut the door behind me and crossed her arms. "You're the Dragonborn."

I laughed slightly. "Well, that's what I've been told," I replied. I knit my brow and became serious. "Why'd you take the horn?"

Delphine laughed in return, a harsh, cynical noise. "I knew that the Greybeards, the old fools, would send you there eventually. They've sent every Dragonborn on that same damned quest for centuries, who would think they'd treat someone as important as you any different?"

"Look, I bet you have problems. Really, I do. But I cannot get roped into yet another side quest here. I have enough on my plate worrying just about the Civil War and getting the Greybeards that horn. Can I please just have it?" I asked exasperatedly.

Delphine shook her head in disappointment. "You don't understand, dammit!" she growled. She looked up at me. "Come and listen to what I have to say – then you can have your horn."

I narrowed my eyes and stared into Delphine's stern, commanding eyes. "I'm not committing to helping with your quest yet," I said, already sure that I would help. I can't help it – I help.

"I just need you to listen. Follow me," she said. She opened the door and walked out. She walked across the main hall and looked over at Lydia. "You wait here still."

Lydia charged over. Her weapons were not drawn, but the anger in her movements made it clear that Delphine had crossed a line. "I do not follow your orders, woman. I follow the Thane of Whiterun, man of Dragon-blood!" she hissed.

I smiled. "Thanks, Lydia. I appreciate it," I said. I put a hand on her shoulder. "But it's okay. She has no plans to hurt me, or she would have already. Give us five minutes, and if I'm not out, charge in."

Lydia glared at Delphine, but this compromise seemed fine to both women. "Yes, my Thane," Lydia finally stated. She backed away from us, but kept her glare trained on Delphine. "I will wait here."

Delphine rolled her eyes and opened the door. I followed her into the room, and she walked over to the dresser. "Close the door," she commanded. I looked back and shrugged, doing as she said. A click sounded and I turned back to see the false back panel of the wardrobe fall to reveal another staircase. "Come on."

I followed the woman down the stairs and into what looked oddly like a war room. "Well, what army do you want me to kill?" I asked sarcastically.

The woman shook her head and settled near a map on the table. "You have no clue," she said. She sighed. "Okay. I left the note in order to safeguard against Thalmor trickery – it didn't help. One wound up here a day or two ago. I needed your attention, too."

"You've already covered that bit," I replied. I leaned against the table, sitting on it partially.

"I know. The dragons, you've had dealings with them?"

"If you call a stay of execution and then trying to kill me 'dealings,' yes."

"Well, dragons have been supposedly missing for years, right?" she asked. I nodded. "Wrong. Dragon's aren't coming back as if they've been in hiding. Dragons are coming back to life." Delphine stared at me, waiting for a response.

"Okay," I replied.

"You aren't going to question that?" she asked.

"Mannimarco has back to life many times – killed each time. Dragons are even... odder than an almost all-powerful necromancer. I have no clue what dragons can do, so sure. I'm not that surprised," I explained.

"Um... good," Delphine said. She looked unsure of where to go from there. "So... I've visited the crypts around Skyrim, and I know it's true; they're empty. Now, everyone says that you're the Dragonborn – is it true?"

"I think so," I replied.

"This is no time to play the reluctant hero," Delphine scolded. "Are you or not?"

I responded after a brief pause, "Yes. I'm Dragonborn."

Delphine sighed in relief. "Okay," she said. Then she looked up at me, her face stern again. "I'll need to see some proof."

"I can shout," I began.

"So can the Greybeards," Delphine responded. She pointed down at the map. "I want your help going to the next location. Which, according to the Dragonstone you took from Bleak Falls, is Kynesgrove near Windhelm. I want you to kill the Dragon, something only a Dragonborn can truly do. Dragons a Dragonborn kills can't come back."

Delphine stood up straight. "So you've heard my pitch," she said. She reached to her belt. "Take the -" Her eyes widened and she grabbed at her belt. "Dammit! Thalmor bitch must have taken it!"

I sighed. "You don't have my horn," I groaned. "How can I expect to trust what you're saying if you can't deliver on your promises. I mean I'll help, but -"

Delphine wasn't hearing me. "Damnable half-Dunmer. I'll kill her next time I have the chance," she hissed.

"Half-Dunmer?" I asked, surprised. "I know her! Uses two swords and can convince anyone she's a 'pure maiden?'"

Delphine looked up at me in surprise. "You've met the whore?"

"Unfortunately," I sighed. I looked down at the map. "Well, I guess you can make it up to me. I'm already heading Northeast a bit to go to Korvanjund. You help me there, I'll help you with your dragon."

Delphine growled. "Fine," she said. She turned and walked over to a chest of weapons and armor. "Esbern would be so disappointed!"

She began to undress and pull out armor. "Whoa! Whoa, do you want me to l- should I leave? Can I leave first?" I asked, covering my eyes.

Delphine looked over her shoulder. "I'm already done," she stated simply. I uncovered my eyes and, indeed, she was armored. She was wearing simple leather armor with an Akaviri katana strapped to her side.

My eyes widened as I looked at the sword. "You're a Blade," I murmured.

Delphine looked at me in surprise. "Not many people still know about us," she said. She gestured up the stairs. "After you."

I nodded and walked up and through the false wardrobe, followed quickly by Delphine. I opened to door to the main hall. "Thane!" Lydia half-shouted. She rushed over. "You're okay!"

I smiled. "Of course I am!" I supplied. "Don't worry, she's... well, not nice. She's not out to kill me. We have... a mutual enemy."

"Who?" Lydia asked.

I frowned. "A Thalmor. She still hasn't left Whiterun, either... Hm..." I began to lose myself in thought.

"Thane?"

I looked up at Lydia, a plan formed. "Lydia, this Thalmor, she hasn't left the hold. She's been hanging around, far as I know, which probably means that she has something to do here. I don't know what, but I doubt it's good," I said. I huffed angrily. "Lydia, can you please head back to Whiterun city? I need eyes there to see if she comes back, and someone the Jarl trusts who can get him to act against her."

Lydia looked over my shoulder at the armored Delphine. "But, Thane, do you trust her?"

I looked over at the Breton. "Something tells me that I have to," I replied. I looked into Lydia's eyes. "Will you do this for me?"

Lydia bit her cheek. "I – fine. I'm not happy about it, though, Thane," she said. "I'll be back home if you need me." Lydia turned on her heel and marched out of the inn.

The Breton Blade walked up next to me, almost shoulder to shoulder. "You don't want her hurt fighting the Dragon, do you?" Delphine asked.

"We need to hurry to Korvanjund," came my only reply. Then I walked from the building, flanked by the Blade.

Fahiil

Thera

The Greybeards were an interesting group of sub-Mer savages. They worshiped broken, human versions of the divines. Where Kynareth sat, the humans saw 'Kyne, goddess of winds and ancestor of Man.' Honestly, their blind savagery could astound even me, at times. After teaching me the third word of a "shout," a magical ability that blah blah blah. I can throw people by screaming, that's all that's important. Well, after teaching me the third and final word of the "shout," their leader Arngeir began to explain the prize my "efforts" had secured. "Now, Dragonborn, it is time for you to receive our blessing, one given to your predecessors throughout the ages."

"Right. Can we hurry this up, then?" I asked, bored to death with the old men's continual prattling and mumbling about "the Way of the Voice" and my duty to follow it. "I have things I need to do."

Arngeir growled under his breath exasperatedly, but kept a collected smile plastered to his human face. "Of course, Dragonborn," he said as his fellows filed into the room. The four old men stood in a semi-circle. "Tell us when you are prepared, Dragonborn."

I nodded. "I'm ready to go," I responded tersely. I was done with those fools.

I was not entirely ready for the sheer force of what came next. "Lingrah krosis saraan Strundu'ul, voth nid balaan klov praan nau," their voices screamed, shaking my very bones within my body. "Naal Thu'umu, mu ofan nii nu, Dovahkiin, naal suleyk do Kaan, naal suleyk do Shor, ahrk naal suleyk do Atmorasewuth. Meyz nu Ysmir, Dovahsebrom. Dahmaan daar rok."

The incredible shaking tore through me, every word echoing into my soul and crushing my senses. I fell to one knee as the last words echoed through my body, and stayed kneeling in pain. My body shivered while the words ran through my spine once more and electricity seemed to jump from vertebrae to vertebrae. I staggered to my feet a moment later, a droplet of blood running from my nose and across my lips. I wiped the crimson stream from my face with my already blood-encrusted armor, and coughed lightly. "Dragonborn, you have withstood the power of our Voices," Arngeir said, slightly awed. "Your training is now complete."

I nodded. "Thanks," I gasped, still a little in pain. "What did you say?"

"Ah, yes. I sometimes forget that, despite your proficiency with the Voice, you do not understand it as we do," Arngeir laughed. "Let's see... this blessing is, ancient. It can be translated along the lines of 'Long has the Stormcrown languished, with no worthy brow to sit our breath we bestow it now to you in the name of Kyne, in the name of Shor, and in the name of Atmora of Old. You are Ysmir now, the Dragon of the North, hearken to it.'"

'Dragon of the North?' I thought to myself. The term definitely added to the idea that these human savages could trust me or view me as a compatriot. Finding that damn Blade may have been the best thing that could have happened to me. I smiled at Arngeir. "I will try my best to hearken to your blessing," I said with a bow.

Jul

Lucius

I crept through the final rooms of Korvanjund, flanked by Delphine, Rikke, Hadvar, and a small contingent of Legionaires. "I still can't believe Galamar's damn men made it here before us," Hadvar grunted to me as he dragged his blade out of a Draugr's decaying corpse. "Oblivion, I can barely believe that the Jagged Crown isn't a legend!"

I nodded in his direction as I sheathed my blade. "Agreed, but thankfully we were able to discover the secrets of the tomb before the Stormcloaks," I replied. Delphine stood near me, casting dirty glares in my direction.

"What's her problem?" Hadvar asked with a gesture in her direction.

"She'd rather be hunting dragons," I deadpanned.

Hadvar laughed. "Sure, and I'm Talos reborn," he replied. "No one's that crazy!"

I laughed under my breath. "Auxialiary! Hurry up!" Rikke ordered. I nodded and walked away from Hadvar with a nod. "That was a good job with the Hall of Stories." Rikke crossed her arms and stared at Delphine behind me. "Can she be trusted?"

"It's a little late to ask that, isn't it, Ma'am?" I asked. Rikke glared, unamused, at me. "She can. The War isn't her main concern – only the Dragons. And she wants my help."

"So you are Dragonborn," Rikke noted. "The stories coming out of Whiterun are true." I nodded in response. "Good, the Empire needs a Dragonborn on its side again." She turned away from me and sighed as she stared at the last door.

"This is the last room, Legate," I said, gesturing towards the door. "There's a word wall in there. Someone – perhaps even a one-time high king – is buried in there."

Rikke turned towards me. "You're sure?" she asked, surprised.

I nodded. I looked over my shoulder at Delphine, who was studying both me and what I said. "I'm sure," I said, turning back to Rikke.

"Then let's hurry," Rikke stated. She drew her sword and led us through the door, where three Draugr emanating powerful energy sat waiting. Atop one's head sat a crown of ebony and dragon tooth. The Jagged Crown.

"Careful," I hissed to the soldiers. "It's probably -"

"The crown!" a soldier shouted. He rushed forward to grab the crown from the corpse's head, probably with visions of glory and promotion running through his head. He grabbed onto the crown. "I've got -" His words were cut off by a sword that ran through his chest. The words were replaced by gurgling and blood running down his chest.

"Torald!" Rikke screamed. She rushed forward, followed by the other Legionnaires.

Delphine stood at my side. "This war is pointless. Both sides should worry about the Thalmor..."

"Agreed," I said as I drew my blade. "Nevertheless, you agreed to help me."

"Hm..." Delphine grunted. She drew her katana and rushed forwards with me. I joined Rikke attacking the Draugr wearing the Jagged Crown, and Delphine remained next to me. We slashed at the undead creature as one with the four or five Legionnaires nearby. The monster shrugged off our joint assault and growled in the dragon tongue.

A moment later, the creature slashed wide and its saber collided with our armor. We all flew back. I slid across my back, painfully, and struggled to my feet. Delphine had evaded the creature's attack, and continued attacking the creature with a skill that surpassed even my own. Her blade flew around the monster in calculated, powerful arcs that collided with the few unarmored spots on the Draugr's body. The creature roared in pain and annoyance and lashed out with its foot. Delphine flew across the room, her blade still buried in the body of the Draugr.

I rushed towards the Draugr and launched a blast of electrical Magicka at the Draugr. The blue light arced through the air, dancing in deadly and jagged turns, until it channeled down the length of the katana embedded in the Draugr's flesh. The undead creature hissed and smoked, its muscles suddenly stood on end and its huge blade flew from its hand and towards the wall. With this opening, I ran forward and put my full momentum behind my blade, the Dwemer metal slicing through the brittle bone and skin at the Draugr's neck. The headless creature fell to its back; the creauture's head – quickly followed by the Crown itself – landed beside me. Delphine walked up and tore her sword from the chest of the Draugr before turning to me. "If you always fight like that, I hope you're the Dragonborn," she told me.

"Auxiliary!" Rikke shouted. I turned and jogged over to the woman, who was sitting with a slight wound on her leg. "Take the crown back to the General, Auxiliary. We'll be right behind you."

Delphine snarled. "You promised you'd come to Kynesgrove with me," she hissed.

"And you promised you'd help me finish this," I retorted. She stared into my eyes with rage, then scoffed and turned away. She had given in to her honor. "Good. Let's hurry to Solitude."

Fahiil

Thera

Elenwen had been waiting for me outside of the Embassy when I reported in. Her face was plastered with worry and a subtle terror that ran through her every jittery, sharp movement. "Follow me," she commanded. Her voice was unusually shrill.

I nodded and followed the ambassador into her home. We traveled past the gossiping guards and through the courtyard. We entered Elenwen's study, and I was sufficiently worried about whatever it was she had to tell me, and how it would affect my mission. "What is wrong, Elenwen?" I finally asked when we stood alone in her office.

The woman across from me looked worriedly around the room, as if searching for spies. "Good. There are no common soldiers here..." she said, intriguing me. "Now, this Lucius... he was a slave."

"Of the Dominion?" I inquired.

"Of course!" Elenwen snapped. She crossed her robed arms. "Specifically of the Thalmor Assassination Operations division."

"Elenwen, don't tell me you believe in ghost stories," I chuckled.

"Shut up!" Elenwen growled, immediately cowing me. "The Assassination division is quite real, I assure you. This Lucius was a slave, raised to be a sleeper agent loyal only to the Dominion. He carried out numerous assassinations under supervision of Dark Brotherhood defectors and Thalmor Battlemages. The death of that vampire noble in Cyrodiil was this one."

I froze. I had heard about that, and had thought it was the work of Daedra summoners. Skingrad had been reduced to rubble, its citizens indiscriminately slaughtered in ways increasingly disturbing and inventive as one neared the center of the carnage. At the center were the ashes of the Duke of Skingrad, his servants hanging from the walls in stakes arranged in a single word: vampire. I felt my words catch in my throat. "Y-you're su-sure?" I asked. Elenwen nodded. "Oblivion..."

"He apparently broke away from his handlers five years ago, murdering all of the Altmer assigned to him. He became Lucius Atmoran overnight, and disappeared from our radar. Obviously, the Assassination division would like to have him back alive. However, they do understand that agents must defend themselves if threatened. They will not care if the human happens to end up... less than alive," Elenwen explained. "And thus a threat against the Dominion will have been eliminated." She quieted down and frowned. "Do not engage him unless you must."

"Understood," I agreed.

"Also," Elenwen interjected as I turned to leave. "It has come to our attention that the Empire has gained a significant amount of ground in the Civil War. They have retrieved an ancient token that legitimizes Elisif's claim to Skyrim and unification. This must not be allowed to continue – you must take your mission to the front lines of the war. Call in however many favors you need with those Nord brutes, but get it done."

"Of course, Elenwen," I said with a bow. She waved her hand, and I left. I glanced over my shoulder and saw that she was still shuddering. To my surprise, I was as well.

Lucius Atmoran. The name of a Daedra-spawned demon. The shiver continued running down my back as I left my journal of accomplishments and reports on the table leaving Elenwen's study. Suddenly, I stopped shivering. My new powers as Dragonborn emboldened me, for it put me on the same level as the former slave. With enough preparation and absorption of the Dragon tongue and its knowledge, this new successor of Ysgramor would fall.