Chapter 10
Dovahkiin glared at the retreating figure of Alduin. "Where is the coward going now?" Dovahkiin sneered.
"He is gone to replenish his power and is probably heading to Sovnguard," Odahviing answered.
"How do I get to Sovnguard?" Dovahkiin asked looking at both dov expectantly.
"We are not sure Dovahkiin. Long ago there once was a portal, but likelihood of him using that portal now is nil. I will search and ask a few of the dov that follow Alduin," Odahviing stated with an evil glint in his eyes.
"Niid, that is too dangerous, you know this!" Dovahkiin snapped.
"Dovahkiin…" Odahviing started but was cut off.
"YOL TOOR SHUL!" Dovahkiin shouted at the dovah, using all his force behind that shout. "Do not disobey me."
"Drem thur, I will stay here. Another can find the information," Odahviing murmured, bowing his head towards Dovahkiin.
Paarthurnax watched from his word wall and smirked with pride. He glanced at the joor that had accompany Dovahkiin and noticed he wasn't worried at all or fearful.
"We will need to find his hiding place, someone must go," Paarthurnax remind him.
"Geh this is true, but neither of you. Vulthuryol can go," Dovahkiin stated.
"He may betray you even though you are his thur," ODahviing reminded him.
"If he does, I will show him his error," Dovahkiin said with a deadly grin.
"Then call him," Paarthurnax ordered.
"VULTHURYOL!" Dovahkiin shout thundering over the mountain, shaking the very rocks. Odahviing looked on proudly at how powerful Dovahkiin had become.
They heard the faint roar in the distance and waited. "Why does his roar sound louder now?" Vorstag asked quietly.
"I am not sure," Dovahkiin answered uncertainly.
Dovahkiin forced Vorstag move out of the way as the older dovah landed. "Drem yol lok thur," Vulthuryol greeted bowing his head.
"You've gained power since being freed," Dovahkiin commented, watching the dov closely.
"Geh I have. Killing Alduin's follower and taking their sil will do that to a dov and Dovahkiin," Vulthuryol stated. "Worried thur?"
"Niid, if you cross me I will kill you and take your sil," Dovahkiin answered with a shrug.
"Drem thur, your thu'um is still the most powerful I have tasted," Vulthuryol stated.
"Fine. Find information as to where Alduin would hide his portal," Dovahkiin ordered.
"Geh thur, it will be done," Vulthuryol stated, before taking wing.
"Do you think he will betray you?" Vorstag asked as he moved up beside Dovahkiin.
"If he does, then I show him the folly of his mistake and take his soul," Dovahkiin bit out coldly.
"Well if you want company for that let me know," Vorstag murmured as he too watched the dragon fly away.
"Thur, I will go watch him," Odahviing said and flew off when Dovahkiin nodded.
~oooooooooooooooo~
Dovahkiin sat in his house with Vorstag. The planned on resting for a day or two and then heading back out. Lydia was cooking them supper, from the smell of it he was betting beef stew from the cow he killed on his way to here.
"When are you handing in that mission to Jarl Igmund?" Vorstag asked.
"After we rested, we'll head to Markarth hand in the missions from there, then I will be going to Riverwood. I received a note that there is something who has important information for me about the dragons. So I will find this person and see what he or she has to say," Dovahkiin answered with a shrug.
"I'm going with you," Vorstag stated.
"If you wish. Though I have to stop in at Jorvaskr before we leave," Dovahkiin said and his eyes widened as Lydia placed a bowl of stew in front of him. "Kogaan," he murmured.
"Dovahkiin you should know that someone has hired assassins to hunt you," Lydia warned. She stood there waiting patiently, a smirk crossed her face when she saw the dark expression cross his face. She waited for the words that she knew were to come.
"Let them come, I'll deal with them," he growled low. Lydia looked on in shock, she hadn't expect quite that answer. She had expected him to call them cowards, and go hunting for them right away.
"Who is this person that requests your presence in Riverwood?" Lydia asked.
"Don't know. I am supposed to go to the bar," he answered with a shrug.
"It might be a trap," Lydia warned.
Dovahkiin didn't say a word, he gave a menacing smile and Lydia shivered hoping that smile was never turned her way. She glance Dovahkiin's new companion and he didn't seem fazed by the smile at all. She wondered if it was because he didn't know Dovahkiin very well or he had already seen what he was capable of.
Dovahkiin was about to head off to bed but a knock on his door stopped him. He rose to his feet, and swung the door open to see a guard there with a letter clutched in his hand.
"Jarl Balgruuf wished me to give you this," the guard murmured and walked after handing the note. Dovahkii looked at the note and his eyes widened. "Plans changed. Tomorrow we go to Shearpoint. The dragon there is harassing people. But we need to be prepared, Krosis was buried there." Dovahkiin murmured. A part of him was excited to go up against a dragonpriest, while another part of him was worried. He had been trained similarly to them, the only difference his trainers had been the dov, not joorre.
"Who is Krosis and who are you taking with you?" Vorstag asked.
"You are going and Krosis is a dragonpriest. His name means sorrow, or pity depending," Dovahkiin explained before the had a chance to ask. "We'll leave first light, we should be back here by evening and then I can speak with the Companions."
"You could fly on Odahviing and be there quicker," Lydia suggested.
"Geh, I could, but Vorstag hates flying," Dovahkiin said with smirk.
"I don't blame him. I would never get on a dragon," Lydia said with a shudder.
"Geh, I know. We can smell the fear from you when you are around dovah," Dovahkiin said with a sneer.
~oooooooooooooooooooooo~
Dovahkiin and Vorstag stood at the crest of the hill leading to the dragon's lair. "We need to lure it away from the wall before attacking it. Krosis most like protects the wall," Dovahkiin stated.
"What if you taunt it?" Vorstag asked.
"Niid, it might call Krosis also," Dovahkiin said with an adamant shake of his head. "Use an arrow, and I'll use my magic. That should be sufficient, if not then we'll have to fight both."
Vorstag shrugged and tried to quietly sneak closer. It wasn't the easiest thing to do while wearing heavy armor. He scowled as his ebony armor clanged, catching the dragon's attention. He held his breath hoping the dragon priest didn't wake also.
"Can you make your shot from here?" Dovahkiin whispered.
Vorstag nodded and let his arrow fly. He knew it wouldn't do damage, but that wasn't the point. They both smirked as the dragon took to the skies with a ground shaking roar. "It's an ancient dragon," Dovahkiin warned.
"Great," Vorstag muttered.
"Don't get in front of me while we fight," Dovahkiin warned and shot a stream of electricity at the dragon. "YOL TOOR SHUL," he shouted, and smirked as his fire engulfed the dragon.
"Think you can force him to land?" Vorstag asked.
"Geh, but I will not use that shout. Its an abomination," Dovahkiin snapped angrily.
Vorstag aimed, took a breath and grinned as his arrow buried deep within the dragon's eye. He watched as the dragon collapsed to the ground, letting out a loud roar that shook the ground. He backed away a few steps, and stumbled over a coffin. His heart stopped, the blood drained from his face. He heard the banging in the coffin, heard the dragon speech and knew he just woke Krosis.
"Dovahkiin, Krosis is awake," Vorstag shouted and his eyes widened in amazement as he watched another bout of fire cover the dragon. He watched as Dovahkiin absorbed the soul. Quickly he ran from the coffin, staring closer to Dovahkiin. "Any ideas?"
"You wait here, I'll fight him. Only step in if I need help," Dovahkiin said firmly.
"What? Why?" Vorstag asked, slightly insulted.
"I've been taught the same magic as him," Dovahkiin stated just before firing the first fireball. Vorstag watched as magic was shot between the both of them. He wasn't sure who was winning, nor who was more powerful. Though he won't never tell Dovahkiin that bit of information.
Vorstag shielded his eyes as one of the spells impacted the ground and shot up sand. He glanced around looking for the dragon priest but didn't see him anywhere. He rushed to Dovahkiin's side. The man was kneeling on the ground panting, his tanned skin was pale, sweat beaded his forehead and blood dripped from many places.
Vorstag passed his a health potion, hoping that would take care of some of the damage. "Is he dead?" Vorstag asked looking around for the body once more.
"Find him, finish him," Dovahkiin ordered, groaning as he collapsed onto his side.
Vorstag moved quickly, searching around the area for the dragon priest. He finally found his ashes behind some rocks. Vorstag looted quickly looted the body and hurried back to Dovahkiin's side.
"Can you shout for any of the dragons?" Vorstag asked worriedly.
"Niid," Dovahkiin choked before racking cough held him. He groaned, and spat out blood.
"How can I call them?" Vorstag asked worriedly. He opened Dovahkiin's robes to see his stomach badly burned, his chest was an open wound. Vorstag grabbed another health potion and dumped it over the wounds, hoping it would help.
"Yell…" Dovahkiin whispered before passing out.
"Shit what the hell do you mean, I can't shout," Vorstag groaned. He looked to the skies and tried what Dovahkiin said. He wasn't sure which dragon was the right one for this situation was. So he yelled out Odahviing's name and hoped the dragon would come. He highly doubted it would work.
Vorstag eyes widened when he heard a roar close by. For a few long moments worried that it was a different dragon until he saw crimson glinting in the sun. He let out a breath of relief as he saw the dragon fly over them.
"Odahviing Dovahkiin needs help," Vorstag yelled. He knelt next to Dovahkiin and took out another vial of healing potions, but he knew it wasn't going to help. They needed to get him to a healer and fast.
"What happened joor?" Odahviing growled.
"We were fighting Krosis, but Dovahkiin told me stay back and allow him to take care of it. I tried keeping an eye on him, but after a bit with all the magic it was impossible," Vorstage explained quickly. He didn't like the angry look in the dragon's eye, or baring of teeth.
"Move joor!" Odahviing snarled, snapping his teeth at Vorstag. "He has too much damage for me to heal, we need Paarthurnax."
"How do I call Paarthurnax?" Vorstag asked hurriedly.
"You don't, I do!" Odahviing snapped and growled low. "If he dies, you'll wish for death before I am through with you!"
Vorstag poured another bottle of a health potion over the wounds as he waited for the older dragon. He flinched as the red dragon shouted.
"Vorstag flinched as the older dragon landed and nudged him. Vorstag looked at those amber eyes and felt relief. He could see that this dragon wasn't about to eat him like the other one. "You did well joor. You kept him alive long enough," Paarthurnax murmured and then bent low over Dovahkiin. Vorstag mouth dropped as Paarthurnax used his tongue to clean the wound. He wonder what Dovahkiin would say to this, probably nothing good.
"Back away joor, stand beside Odahviing," Paarthurnax ordered.
"Uh, I don't think that a good idea. That dragons think I would make a good meal," Vorstag said glaring at Odahviing.
"He will not harm you until Dovahkiin says he can," Paarthurnax said with a raspy laugh. Vorstag moved away and watched in awe as Paarthurnax whispered some words. He watched as the bad burns healed, the cuts close, and color returned to the man.
Paarthurnax moved back as Dovahkiin took a gasping breath. "How…?" He started looking at both dragons standing there. His focus turned to Vorstag, "you were able to call them?"
"No. I screamed Odahviing's name and he came, from there he called the older dragon," Vorstag answered with a grin.
"Even though he saves you he still butchers my name," Odahviing sneered. "What do you wish to do with him thur?"
"Leave him Odahviing. I wouldn't be alive right now if it wasn't for him," Dovahkiin stated and gave Vorstag a slight smile. "Though it looks like I will have to teach him how to pronounce your names properly."
"So which you defeated Krosis," Odahviing murmured. "But almost dying in the process."
"He's powerful, a lot stronger than I thought. I need to continue my magic training. I thought I was strong enough, but…" He scowled and sneered at his folly.
"Drem Dovahkiin. Come to Monahven and learn more. Bring your joor with you. He should learn too," Paarthurnax ordered before taking flight. Odahviing followed closely behind.
"What will the older dragon be teaching me?"
"I am not sure," Dovahkiin answered with a shrug. "Let's head back to Whiterun."
~ooooooooooooooo~
Vorstag followed tiredly, they had a few more hours of travel to do. He thought when night fell Dovahkiin would camp, but that hadn't been the case. He looked at Dovahkiin and wondered what that shout had been the older dragon had used. Whatever it was must have gave the man endless energy.
"Should we camp for the night?" Vorstag asked.
"Are you tired?" Dovahkiin asked, looking at him curious. Vorstag couldn't believe he had to ask.
"Yes!" Vorstag snapped, glaring at the man coldly.
"Then you should have said something," Dovahkiin said with a shrug as he dropped his pack to the ground and start searching for dried wood.
Vorstag glared at the man's back, "how is it you have so much energy. What was that shout the dragon used?"
"The shout was for healing, and it didn't give me the extra energy. It was the dragon soul I absorbed that gave me the extra energy," Dovahkiin explained a hard glint in his eyes.
"Oh…" Vorstag mumbled, not able to meet the man's eyes after his accusing questions.
"Get food from the pack, I'll start the fire," Dovahkiin ordered and returned to his chore. Vorstag smirked at his back. That was as close to acceptance he was going to get, Vorstag thought with amusement.
He grabbed the wolves meat and some vegetables and stopped dead when Dovahkiin's head snapped up. Vorstag looked around, trying to find what set the man off. Faintly he heard it, far in the distance… or so he thought until he saw it flying closer towards them.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Vorstag groaned.
"Get your arrows ready!" Dovahkiin ordered as magic came to his hand. "When I get it on the ground attack with your sword."
Vorstag nodded and watched as the dragon hovered above them before send out a wave of fire. "LIZ SLEN NUS!" Dovahkiin shouted and Vorstag looked at him curiously never hearing that shout before. His focus turned to the dragon when he the ground trembled. Without thinking he ran towards the frozen dragon and hacked and slashed.
Vorstag's eyes widened when he saw something or someone standing near the dragon as it burned. "Dovahkiin…" He called, not sure what was happening.
"You!" Dovahkiin spat.
"Still weak I see," Miraak taunted.
Dovahkiin growled low, watching as Miraak's eyes widened. He could feel the soul calling to him, but wasn't sure how to force it to him like this man did. He watched as the soul was forced away from him. He bared his teeth and pulled on the part of the soul he could feel.
He watched as Miraak's eyes widened. "You learn quickly, let us see if you are as strong as you think," he said with a superior smirk that set Dovahkiin's on edge.
Dovahkiin closed his eyes and focused on that one piece. He wasn't even sure what in the nines he was doing, but he could feel that soul becoming stronger and starting to fill him. His eyes snapped open as he smirked tauntingly at Miraak.
"No this soul is MINE!" Miraak snarled and his spectral figure moved closer to the last dragonborn.
"Wrong!" Dovahkiin smirked ad focused harder on the soul and felt a bit more fill him, but it was different than the usual souls he absorbs.
Dovahkiin watched as the soul surrounded him and Miraak. He hissed his displeasure and took a swipe at the first dragonborn. His hand whipped through the spectrel body.
"What have you done!" Miraak yelled angrily.
"You tried to take my soul. I took it, you wish souls, kill your own dragons," Dovahkiin sneered before turning his back on Miraak.
He stopped when he heard the angry laugh, "You don't feel it do you? Just wait first dragonborn you will know soon what you have done. I will see you very soon. Have pleasant dreams." Miraak sneered and disappeared.
Dovahkiin stared at where Miraak had stood, wondering what the man had meant. He shrugged his shoulders, not really caring. There was nothing the first dragonborn could do to him so he wasn't worried.
"What was that all about," Vorstag asked.
"That was Miraak the first dragonborn. He tried stealing the dragon's soul. I stopped him."
"How did you stop him?" Vorstag looked at him curiously, still trying to figure out what happened.
"I don't know." He answered with a shake of his head.
"We better find out before you meet with him again," Vorstag warned.
"We?" Dovahkiin looked at him with amusement.
"Yes we. You paid for my serves so it looks like I am helping you out with this too," Vorstag answered with a grin.
"I could just tell you to go home," Dovahkiin said, meeting his eyes with a hard look.
"You could, but what fun would that be?" Vorstag asked with a smirk.
"Fine, let's rest and we'll head out to Whiterun in the morning," Dovahkiin answered with a smirk.
"I think we should fine that dragon of yours and see if he has information," Vorstag stated.
"Then Monahven we leave for in the morning."
