Chapter Eleven: The Winged Snow-Hunter
Katara and Teldryn waited outside Windhelm city gates for Ulfric and Galmar. The caravan was all loaded up with plenty of bear pelts, firewood, and food.
"Where's our dashing date?", Teldryn whispered to Katara. She rolled her eyes and shook her head. Just then the gates opened and out walked Ulfric with Galmar close by. They were wearing heavy bear pelts as well. She was told they'd be going to the coldest part of Northern Skyrim. Teldryn was not thrilled with that idea but he had no choice really. Behind Ulfric was a dozen soldiers.
"Alright, men. Hold things down here until I return in a couple days. For Skyrim!", he hollered out to the men as he climbed aboard the carriage. Galmar went to the reigns as Katara and Teldryn climbed in the back with Ulfric.
"Good morning Dragon - uh, Katara. I trust that you slept well.", Ulfric stammered. Katara smiled that he tried to correct himself and appreciated the effort.
"I did. Thank you. I trust it'll get colder?"
"Oh yes, much. I suggest we bundle up and stay close for warmth.", Ulfric sat down next to Katara. He placed a torch in a slot on the side of the carriage. In the front of carriage where Galmar was hung a lantern with a brightly lit candle. A second torch rested on the opposite side of the carriage.
Katara groaned. "I've seen enough snow to last a lifetime.".
Ulfric laughed lightly. "So much that even your hair is white and eyes grey as ice."
Katara smiled. Ulfric continued. "We need to discuss the terms and negotiations we'll offer the Empire."
Katara and Teldryn glanced at each other then back at Ulfric. "I'm afraid I don't know the land very well, Ulfric. I've only just traveled the length of it from Windhelm to Solitude.", Katara admitted.
"I know the lands fairly well...", Teldryn quietly said. Ulfric grinned wide as the carriage rolled on, creaking and cracking on the icy roads.
"I know Elisif is going to want Riften. I can't give up Riften - they're our closest allies to the south.", Ulfric said to Teldryn.
Teldryn scanned the map laying in front of them. "And you can bet that Elisif won't give you Markarth in return."
"So are you thinking - ", Ulfric began.
"Dawnstar.", they both replied in unison.
"And we give them Falkreath. That gives them access to the Cyrodil border, but that gives us control of the entire East region of Skyrim, the northern and southern portions of the East as well. It's an offer they can't refuse.", Ulfric finished. Teldryn nodded. "Thank you, elf."
Ulfric and Katara sat in the back of the carriage side by side just talking for a few hours. Teldryn occasionally napped on the bench adjacent to them, and Galmar wasn't much for small talk and things not concerning fighting. She was able to talk with him in depth about the Way of the Voice, including his time training with the Greybeards. They both reveled in each other's stories about seeing High Hrothgar for the first time. Ulfric actually said it was his favorite spot in Skyrim - at the top of the mountain overlooking all of the land, nothing but the sound of the wind at your back. Silence and serenity.
They both marveled to each other the feeling of a Thu'um, having it become part of who you are and ride your emotions. Katara rambled on about the first time she rang the iron gates of High Hrothgar with her Shout. Ulfric told her of the time when he was a young boy training with the Greybeards and how he accidentally knocked Master Arengir halfway across the room. Katara's eyes widened and she laughed.
Katara and Teldryn told Ulfric the story of how they met. He laughed about Katara being so forthright about hiring a mercenary. Then Teldryn and Ulfric shared battle stories, to which Katara attentively listened to with wide eyes.
It was the most Katara has talked in a long time. Ulfric offered her a sense of normality and shared in the fantasy she was thrown into. She didn't feel out of place with him. He knew and understood where she has been and who she is because he's experienced similar. Ulfric gave Katara a balance that she didn't know could exist, nor did she know she craved.
The wind and begun to whip violently around at this point. It was nothing like Katara had experienced, not even for a Skaal. She could barely see two feet in front of them on the road. It was a constant rain of snow. Everyone had their pelts fastened tightly to their backs and heads.
"It'll be getting dark soon. We need to make camp.", Galmar said. "We need to warm up."
Teldryn sat up. "If you can get us somewhere out of the wind a bit I think I can light a fire."
Galmar nodded and they began searching for a concave structure on the map. There was a cave coming up, but they didn't know if it was inhabitanted already. They had to warm up, so they decided to check it out.
Luckily it was a cave that sat about 10 feet into the side of a huge rock formation. There was a clearing inside the cave big enough for a few tents and a fire. That was all they needed. It provided shelter from the harsh blizzard outside.
The cave was dusty and the air was soggy but the four of them quickly went to work setting up camp. Teldryn sat in the middle and slowly brought a fire to life. Ulfric and Galmar were amazed. These were simple men of combat, they never see magicka in day to day routines. It was fascinating.
Katara began to unpack some of the cold meat they had wrapped, along with some vegetables. Her and Galmar stuck a roasting stick through all the foods and set it over the fire to cook. Ulfric sat down on a couple of pelts and double checked plots and points he had on a map of Skyrim. Katara sat across from him.
"What's the bear symbol for?", Teldryn asked to both Ulfric and Galmar as he threw his helmet off and ran his fingers through his hair.
Ulfric nodded to the symbol painted on Galmar's shield. He smiled tenderly. "My father was named 'The Great Bear'. When I took over, I made him my symbol. It only felt right."
"And we was a great man, Ulfric. He was loyal to his people and his land.", Galmar suddenly spoke up from the fire and said to Ulfric. Ulfric smiled genuinely at his friend. He'd been Jarl for 10 years now but still doubted himself occasionally if he was leading in his father's footsteps.
Galmar stretched and yawned as he climbed into his bed roll. "We need all the sleep we can get."
Teldryn nodded to everyone and rolled over in his bed roll as well. Ulfric went back to looking over his map and Katara decided to scoot her way in front of him.
She eyed Ulfric for a minute before he looked up at her. "You want to ask something. Go on.", he lightly laughed.
"When I spoke with High Queen Elisif, she told me her perspective on the day you killed Torygg... "
Ulfric lowered his head for a moment.
"Why did you do it?", she asked sincerely and gently.
Ulfric was quiet for a moment. He folded the map in his hands gently. "That's how things were done in the old days. There were never any political squabbles. Whoever was fit to rule Skyrim did so, and if he wasn't fit then he was usurped from the throne - by force or by death. There weren't council meetings and elections. That's how it should be...survival of the fittest.", he finished softly but with a passion in his voice. Katara shifted in her spot around the campfire.
"Why did you leave Elisif alive then?"
Ulfric slowly nodded his head, he searched for the words. "Because she's weak.", he simply said. "She wasn't ready nor fit to be High Queen. That made the Empire vulnerable. I wasn't going to sit on the throne in that moment knowing the Empire would send Tullius and his troops to Skyrim. This war has to end before I sit upon the throne."
"Besides,", he added. "I pity Elisif. Perhaps when we win this war I'll spare her and give her the chance to surrender the throne. At the end of the day she is mostly just an unfortunate bystander caught in the middle of...life.", he solemnly finished.
Katara looked up at him. "Her weakness...it was the first thing I noticed too."
"Some people give themselves away easily. Like you."
She snapped to attention to him and furrowed her brow. "Me?"
He laughed and nodded. "Yes. You're scared, as you rightfully should be. You have the weight of Skyrim on your chest. But it also motivates you and gives you purpose. You don't always say what's on your mind, but you should - because you're worth listening to."
Katara stared at him wide eyes and speechless for a moment. He was correct. She stammered and regained her voice.
"Well...you don't always have faith in yourself. This war scares you too.", she finally replied back. He smiled and admittedly nodded his head.
There was a silence and all that could be heard was the cracking of the fire behind them.
Ulfric cleared his throat. "Good night, Katara."
Katara lightly bowed her head as he got up to walk to his bed roll. She curled her knees up to her chest and huddled around the fire for a few moments. She sat in silence, hoping and praying that tomorrow went smoothly.
It was cold, damn cold. Teldryn actually complained once or twice that he began to feel ill because of it. He was laying down on the bench of the carriage swaddled in bear pelts. Ulfric and Galmar seemed to be handling it the best. Living in constant freezing conditions made them accustomed to the temperature, although they were still bundled up tightly. It was an endless barrage of snow. Visibility was so low that Katara could barely make out Galmar's figure ahead at the reigns. Ulfric was looking down at his map. He hollered to Galmar.
"10 paces ahead you'll want to veer off the road and head east. 50 paces from there is Yngvild.", he said as he folded up the map and stuck it into a knapsack.
Galmar nodded and did as he said. Moments later the carriage ventured off the road. It became much bumpier and the snow beneath them was denser. The jostling rocking caused Teldryn to jerk awake. They entered a wooded area. Around them were tall skinny pine trees caked in snow. The trees managed to shroud them from the heaviest of the blizzard's torrent winds, but the snow still fell lightly around them. Their torches and lantern attached to the carriage swung and flickered as they trudged through the forestry.
In a very small clearing they came to a circle on the ground, no more than 10 feet in diameter. It was a circular room that was built into ground, sitting in the cold ground about 10 feet down. There was a small set of stone stairs at the ledge of the room, it led down underneath.
Galmar brought the carriage to a halt and everyone jumped out. Ulfric stood over the edge of the circular room.
"This is Yngvild, an ancient Nordic ruin. It used to be a burial site but now it's just a pit. It should provide adequate shelter from the forest and the weather.", he said looking down into the pit.
Galmar went to work unloading the firewood from the caravan. The four of them went into the pit. Teldryn helped light the fire again, slowly bringing it to a steady blaze. He sat by the fire for a good minute to warm up, his teeth chattering.
Katara and Ulfric picked up loose limbs and leaves, tossing them over the edge and out of the pit to make more room. Galmar tied up the horse to the nearest tree and stuck a carrot in its mouth. He pulled a pelt over their supplies in the back of the carriage.
Galmar walked back down into the pit. He placed his hand on his sword and pulled his pelt away to show Ulfric the shining steel blade. Ulfric pulled out his sword to show him as well.
"I trust the two of you have your weapons on you?", Ulfric asked Katara and Teldryn.
Katara placed her hand on her greatsword and Teldryn's sword glimmered against the fire at his hip. The four of them knew that while they didn't have armies at their backs, they needed to be prepared for anything. Their meeting today was a risk...for everyone.
Katara glanced lightly around her. "Now what?"
Ulfric sheathed the sword back at his side and pulled his blue robes over it.
"Now we wait."
And wait they did. For an hour, then two hours. None of them spoke much, Katara assumed they were all individually picturing their own versions of what's to come. Still, all around them was silent, aside from a slight wind that would brush the top of the pit.
"What if she changed her mind? What if this was a trap?", Galmar suggested anxiously. Teldryn made his way to the top of the stairs.
"Have faith, my friend. If they know what's good for them, they'll be here.", Ulfric replied.
A faint cracking of twigs and snow could be heard above the pit.
"What do you see?", Ulfric asked Teldryn in a low voice. Teldryn was quiet for a moment, staring into the heavier wooding.
"A bear...and her cub.", he replied back in a hush. The three of them silently made their way up the stairs to get a peek at the bears.
About 10 feet in front of them a massive brown bear emerged into the clearing from the forestry. Trotting carefully behind her was her cub, no more than a couple months old.
The mother bear was aware of the three Nords and a elf not far from her. She wanted to hurry along to the other side of the clearing and back on their way in search of shelter and water. Her meandering cub swayed in her footsteps, veering from time to time.
The cub took one look in the direction of the pit and perked his ears up when he saw them all silently standing there. The curious cub cocked his head and inched away from his mother and closer to them.
Galmar noticed this and slowly placed his hand on his sword. With a slow "shing" he began to unsheathe it when Ulfric gently placed his hand on the the pommel of Galmar's sword, advising him not to.
Ulfric then slowly stepped out from the stairwell and crouched his way towards the cub. He knelt down and held out his hand. The mother bear took notice at this point and snapped her head to focus on Ulfric reaching for her cub. Her instincts wanted to charge, but she decided against it - watching them very closely.
The bear cub inched his way closer to Ulfric, he sniffed the air around his fingertips. Ulfric smiled at the cub.
The cub gave his palm a quick lick then jumped back. He and Ulfric looked at each other for a moment before the cub backed away and joined his mother's side again. Katara swears she saw Ulfric and the mother bear exchange a look in that moment. Then the cautious and smart mother escorted her young son across the clearing and into the woods.
Teldryn let out a breath. Katara looked on with wide eyes. Hunting back on Solstheim consisted of just fox, deer, rabbit, and some elk and fish. She never dared to get near a bear, much less a bear and her cub.
Ulfric turned to smile at the others who were staring at him. "What? They're beautiful and feared creatures."
Just then another cracking came from the woods. It was a slow cracking, the one cold wood makes against thick snow. The four of them stared at the noise, their eyes wide. The sound of hooves trudging over broken leaves and limbs echoed closer. A dim light emerged from behind the trees and grew nearer.
Finally they saw them. The figure of a man and a woman sitting down started to take shape through the snow flurries. It was High Queen Elisif and General Tullius riding atop their carriage, the reigns in Tullius' hands. He brought the carriage to a stop on the other side of the pit. They were both wearing heavy pelts and robes trying to shield themselves from the dangerous cold. The General climbed off to help Elisif hop off her seat. The two of them stood by the horse for a moment, not moving, staring at their group of four on the opposite side of the pit.
Ulfric and Elisif locked eyes. Their expressions were solemn and cold as stone. The General began walking over to them, Elisif following timidly at his back.
Everyone was silent, no one quite knowing what they should say. Finally Elisif spoke up.
"Well, Dragonborn...you have us here.", she sternly said to Katara.
"Let's get this over with.", General Tullius said. Ulfric only nodded and everyone stepped down into the pit.
The six of them stood around the burning fire that sat in the middle of the pit. They all shared glances among each other.
Elisif spoke up again, speaking directly to Ulfric. "Before we continue, I want to make one thing absolutely clear."
Everyone turned to look at her. She was frightened, Katara could sense it. She assumed Ulfric could as well. But she tried to best to feign intimidation.
"If this truce is broken before the dragon crisis is quelled, know that war niceties are over at that point. We will not hesitate to storm Windhelm. As I assume you would not hesitate to take Solitude. Breaking this truce is a death wish - for both of us and many citizens. Are we clear?", she finished, her voice serious as it could be. Ulfric wanted to grin but he knew she wasn't bluffing this time. He knew she had an army and a General who would be most thrilled to bring her Ulfric's head on spike. Besides...she was right. He had no quarrels seizing Solitude if the Empire didn't uphold their agreements.
"I would expect nothing less.", Ulfric simply replied. "So I'll keep this simple. We want Dawnstar in exchange for Falkreath."
Elisif and General Tullius looked at each other for a moment. Tullius looked back at Ulfric with an odd look on his face.
"Why would you want to give the Empire control of the border?", he asked speculativly. "You realize that allows for more Imperial troops to cross into Skyrim?"
Ulfric did know that. He anticipated it, in fact. But the General was forgetting that with Whiterun's alliance, Dawnstar would seal half of Skyrim under the control of the Stormcloaks. The Empire couldn't move more troops in until the truce was over, but removing Imperial forces from Dawnstar as part of the truce granted Ulfric and his men an advantage before the war resumed.
But General Tullius was a smart man. He was a seasoned war vet, he knew the games and the plots. Being an Imperial he was not native to Skyrim, but damn if he didn't quickly learn almost every nook and crannie of the providence. His loyalty to the Empire was unmatched, he was a man faithful to his duty - it was only a shame his loyalty fell with the wrong side.
"The risks I'm taking concern only myself and my cabinet, General.", Ulfric said as he stared down Tullius.
The General looked at Elisif, the two shared a look. Katara assumed if they were smart they had also discussed body language and terms the entire way here. Elisif looked as if she almost nodded.
"Fine. But Stormcloak forces aren't allowed to move in until after the truce has ended. Dawnstar city guards will remain at the city only.", General Tullius replied. He had seen Ulfric's plan.
Ulfric looked back at Galmar. The two shared the same look. He turned back to the General.
"If all Imperial camps are pulled out of Stormcloak holds.", he agreed.
General Tullius nodded his head. Elisif pulled out a roll of paper and a quill from her heavy robes. She inched her way closer to Katara.
"I hope this is what you want, Dragonborn.", she bleakly said to her. Elisif handed the paper and quill to Teldryn. "Elf, write down the terms discussed here so we may sign the agreement."
Teldryn obliged and began penning away everything that was discussed. He outstretched the roll of paper on the side of the stone wall and gingerly held out the quill for someone to take. Galmar took it first, he signed his name at the bottom. Elisif gave Ulfric a long look before taking the ink and signing her name. Ulfric signed, followed by General Tullius. Teldryn signed his name and handed the quill to Katara.
Only one thought was running through her mind in the moment when she had the ink in her hand and five sets of eyes on her: please let this work.
She signed her name. General Tullius took a breath. "Henceforth, the Empire recognizes the truce agreed upon today by High Queen Elisif the Fair of Skyrim, General Icarus Tullius of the Empire Legion, Ulfric Stormcloak of the Stormcloak army, and Galmar Stone-Fist of the Stormcloak army. This truce commences this moment and ceases when the agreed upon dragon crisis has subsided.", he recited in a stern professional tone.
Elisif and Ulfric exchanged another intense look before everyone walked up the steps and out of the pit. Everyone stepped towards their carriages.
Elisif turned back around to face Katara. "So Dragonborn, shall we do this?"
Everyone paused in their tracks and turned to look at Elisif, even Ulfric was confused. General Tullius looked concerned for a moment.
"Your Grace...?", he softly asked.
"Pardon?", Katara asked her as she turned away from her carriage.
Elisif's expression remained unchanged. "This dragon you wished to summon...do it. Here."
Everyone looked surprised. Teldryn spoke up for the first time. "This wasn't agreed upon..."
General Tullius made his way beside Elisif. "My Queen, if such things were possible then I don't think we need to be anywhere near a dragon."
Elisif held her hand up to Tullius. Her expression turned almost angry. "I just put this war on hold for you, now it's your turn to do your part.", she spoke to Katara.
Katara stammered for a moment, her stomach sank. Ulfric spoke before she could.
"Come now, Elisif. This is ridiculous.", he said.
Elisif slowly walked towards Ulfric. She was eye to eye with him. "This whole thing is ridiculous, Ulfric. But that's where we're at right now.". Ulfric only looked back at Katara, who had wide eyes and an open mouth. Teldryn stood beside her looking equally as surprised.
Katara glanced around her. "I - I don't quite know what to - "
"You can't make her do this here.", Teldryn said.
"She must.", Elisif replied. "If you're really the Dragonborn."
Katara saw all eyes on her. She felt like she didn't have much of a choice. Tensions were so thick here as it was, the last thing she wanted to do was worsen that. But there were far too many trees around for her to do it in this very spot. She looked all around her.
"I need more room. I know you haven't seen one of these things up close yet...", she replied.
Elisif looked a little uneasy, in her mind she imaged the sheer size of a dragon up close. Ulfric pulled his map out of his robes and unfolded the dingy paper.
"There's a clearing a mile or two north.", he said.
"Are you sure about this, Kat?", Teldryn asked softly as the six of them made their way deeper into the woods.
Katara sighed. "No. But what choice do I have? You saw Elisif, she was likely to lob my head off if I protested any further."
"So it's better to have us all killed by Odahviing?", he quietly replied but with nervousness in his voice. Katara hung her head for a moment. She already feared for her own life when meeting Odahviing, now Elisif was asking her to endanger the lives of Skyrim's most high ranking figures as well.
If that's what the High Queen ordered, then so be it.
"This has to be done...one way or another.", Katara replied bleakly.
Eventually they reached the edge of the treeline. Ahead of them the blizzard raged on, and absolutely nothing could be seen but a blanket of white snow in abundance in front of them. Openess. Katara felt like she was on the edge of Skyrim itself. She turned her attention towards everyone else.
"I want you all to stay here. Stay just inside the tree line.", she began walking out into the vast white openess. "If things take the wrong turn...run."
Teldryn began following her. She abruptly turned back to him. "No. That means you."
A concerned and surprised look flashed across his face. "Absolutely not. We're in this together." He was serious as the snow was white. Katara slowly nodded her head. She understood. Her and Teldryn continued walking out into the blizzard.
The wind was furious and visibility was a mere 5 feet, if that. The freezing cold flurries felt like ice pelting her tan cheeks. She came to spot far enough away, she glanced around behind her at Teldryn. He stood there staring at her. Her loyal friend...her best friend. He watched her next move. She subtly nodded to him before turning back to face the emptiness in front of her.
She spread her legs shoulder width apart and placed her hands tightly together in front of her chest. She remembered the words of the Greybeards and Parthurnaax. She focused her mind, closed her eyes, took a deep breath...
"O...dahVIING!", she Shouted with power into the blizzard. She felt the tingling vibrations radiate from her throat to her chest.
All was silent. Ulfric, Galmar, Elisif, and General Tullius looked on from the tree line. Ulfric almost smiled when he heard the sweet sound of Katara's Thu'um. It was a sound unlike any other he'd heard before, and he never expected to hear someone other than himself or the Greybeards use it.
Nothing. Katara glanced back at Teldryn anxiously, almost concerned. Had she not done it right? Was this whole thing in vain? Teldryn looked concerned as well.
Then came the faint familiar sound of flapping that she knew all too well at this point. It was one that made her stomach churn and heart race. Katara frantically looked around her but the heavy blizzard showed no mercy for their vision.
A loud thud on the ground erupted several feet in front of them, although they still couldn't see. Elisif almost lost her balance as the ground shook with the impact.
Silence still. Katara stared into the emptiness. She was trembling, both from the below freezing cold and what was in front of her. Slowly emerging from the raging snow was a head and a long neck. His scales were red as fire and he had long protruding blue horns. The closer his head got to Katara, the more she could see his blue eyes. He raised his head and peered down at the two of them, staring wide up at him. Odahviing.
Katara and Odahviing looked at each other for a moment. He lowered his head down, almost eye level with Katara, to get a better look at her. The familiar smell of sulfur grazed her nose.
"Well...if it isn't a Dovahkiin.", he purred with a low bellow from his long throat. His voice was deep and profound, like Parthurnaax.
Teldryn almost gasped at Odahviing, his hand never left the pommel of his sword.
"I felt it was a worthy challenger that called upon me.", Odahviing added.
Katara took a deep breath. "You are Odahviing, right hand to Alduin?"
Odahviing seemed to almost cock his head. "Geh...and you are the...menacing Dovahkiin.", he said almost mockingly. "And her eager pet.", his big blue eyes flicked over to Teldryn, who still had his hand on the sword at his side.
"I was advised by Parthurnaax to - "
"Parthurnaax?", Odahviing abruptly interrupted her. His voice heightened. "He's still alive? Of course he is..."
"He's helping me.", Katara sternly said.
She thought she almost heard a low laugh rumble from Odahviing's throat. "Geh, because he was not strong enough at Alduin's side."
"And how do you know you are?", she asked back in a hurry, staring him in his bulging blue eyes.
Odahviing paused for a moment before his face turned into a snarl, he was taken off guard by this small woman's words. "It takes fire to speak to a powerful Dov that way."
"With such power why haven't you struck me down yet?", Katara asked back.
Odahviing returned to his smug looking prowess. "My honor keeps my rage at bay."
"Why did you meet with me then?"
Odahviing lifted his giant red head to the sky for a moment. "My eagerness to meet a willing opponent in battle compelled me. Surely that's why Parthurnaax advised you carry this out. He knows our pride is our weakness."
"Why do you side with Alduin?", Katara asked him genuinely. The big dragon peered over at her.
"Because my honor commands it, Dovahkiin."
"And my honor commands that I destroy the World-Eater."
Odahviing quietly laughed. "Prophecies can be altered, honor can waver. Because it is written does not mean it is so. Only you can make that happen."
Odahviing was right. It was up to her to fulfill the prophecy.
"What will it take for you to abandon Alduin's regime?", she asked bluntly.
Odahviing was surprised at her question. He cocked his head up and looked down at her. "Alduin may be...tyrannical at times. But he is not much better than Parthurnaax's lordship."
Katara stepped forward slightly. "Then don't fight with Parthurnaax. Fight alongside me."
Odahviing's head snapped back down to meet Katara's eye level. He hollered out.
"And what makes you powerful enough for me to shift loyalty? You can barely speak our tongue! Suh...Fa Los!", Odahviing Shouted towards the sky. A loud clap of thunder emitted from his throat. Katara and Teldryn winced under the intense sound.
Suddenly the blizzard began to subside. The heavy rain of snow fell fewer and fewer until the last flake fell to the ground in front of Katara's feet. All around them was silent and still for the first time, only the occasional wind wafted by.
The visibility had regained normality allowing Ulfric, Galmar, High Queen Elisif, and General Tullis their first real glimpse at Odahviing from the tree line. Elisif staggered back a bit from the sight, she almost let out a gasp. Everyone stood there wide eyed, Ulfric looked more amazed than frightened.
Katara and Teldryn were amazed at Odahviing's power, he harnessed the weather with his Thu'um. Katara stood there for a moment, gathering her thoughts. She decided to approach the dragon's pride with pride itself, by acknowledging the true power of his Thu'um.
She fell to her knees and knelt before Odahviing.
Everyone looked on in confusion and amazement. Odahviing cocked his head back surprised at her gesture. He sat there for a long moment looking at her with her head bowed respectively. Finally he nodded to her in acknowledgment.
"Now, greet me not as mortal...but as the Dov that's in your soul.", he bellowed.
Katara slowly rose to her feet and clasped her hands tightly at her chest.
"Fus...Ro Dah!", she Shouted, hitting Odahviing square in his neck. He winced back for a moment when the force hit him. Then he turned his long neck back towards Katara and bowed to her.
She smiled up at him, not a lighthearted on but one of equal intimidation, equal respect, and equal acknowledgment of each other's powers. She felt an immediate understanding with Odahviing from that moment on. The feeling of oneness with her inner dragon shook her to the core.
"Ah, you are indeed a Dovahkiin.", Odahviing said humbly. "I have longed for the days of freedom. Thousands of years I have stood at the side of Alduin - I grow weary."
"Then leave his regime and be free.", Katara replied almost motherly.
Odahviing lowered his large head for a moment. "Alduin does not allow for one to simply 'leave'. Geh, he will always hunt me. He must be stopped entirely."
"So you will help me?", Katara asked in a hopeful tone. Odahviing looked down at her.
"Geh, Dovahkiin. But Alduin will know. He will seek vengeance on me, but on you as well. You have proven yourself mightier than he is to his right hand. He's surely already on the hunt for you.", Odahviing replied bleakly.
Katara glanced around, suddenly worried. "What should we do?", she asked him.
Odahviing thought for a moment. "I have to face my own fate with Alduin. My...betrayal...will no doubt cause more of his regime to abandon him. Geh, you must hide for the time being."
Katara and Teldryn looked at each other. Teldryn, who knew the land quite well, asked the dragon "Where would be safe enough from a World-Eater?"
Odahviing inched his large arms closer to the two of them. "There's a small house in the south eastern region of Skyrim. I've passed over it many times when hunting these lands. I believe it to be abandoned. Rock formations shelter it, even from the sight of a Dov."
Katara nodded slowly and thought it over. She looked back at Teldryn. It appeared to be their best option until they could further devise their next move. Katara looked back at Odahviing.
"I will take you there, Dovahkiin.", he added. "And your pet."
Katara and Teldryn both shared the same look - amazement and disbelief. Katara slowly walked forward and placed her hand on Odahviing's cheek, she rubbed his scales, which were cold and rough but a beautiful bright shade of reddish orange. She swore she almost heard him purr.
Then she glanced back to the treeline where the other four stood, still in awe at the sight before them. Her and Ulfric locked eyes and exchanged a look, but it was something they both immediately recognized. Their eyes spoke the same thing to each other - I'll be alright.
Odahviing lowered his long neck to the ground, Katara took a deep breath and proped one foot up and hoisted her torso onto his neck. She swung the other leg over and mounted him. She could feel his slow breathing beneath her palms.
Katara looked over a Teldryn, who looked terrified. She extended her hand to him and he hesitantly took it. She helped him get up and he took a spot right behind her.
"Once you soar through the skies, your jealousy of the Dov will only grow. The world through our eyes is indescribable.", Odahviing lowly said as he readied himself to lift off the ground.
Ulfric, Galmar, Elisif, and General Tullis all watched in amazement as Odahviing flapped his mighty wings and lifted them up into the air. Their eyes were wide and their mouths hung open. Katara and Ulfric shared another look - I'll see you again.
Odahviing flapped until they were high above the ground, then he stuck his neck out and began flying forward. When he lurched forward Teldryn had wrapped his arms around Katara's waist and closed his eyes, all while making a grimacing face. Katara couldn't help but giggle. She was feeling the complete opposite.
She felt at peace. A deep burning giddiness welled up inside of her. At the same time, diving through the air currents and the clouds felt oddly familiar. It felt like something that was almost natural.
Odahviing gracefully and powerfully propelled himself through the Skyrim clouds. Below them were smaller mountains and hills, the tops of trees, portions of snow, and grassy lush plains, and even the occasional town. The sun was beginning to set, and Katara felt like she was eye to eye with the sun resting on the horizon's line.
She took a deep breath in and closed her eyes, feeling herself fly through the skies of Skyrim while the wind whipped through her snow white hair...Teldryn cowering and clinging to her.