Well for the bad news, this will be the last update for a bit. The person who owns this computer is coming back today, so I have to give it up for a few days. Now the bad news, when I get it back there will be another set of chapters to go up. I already have them written out.
For all the people who reviewed or sent me a pm thank you, you guys made my day. Hopefully you enjoy this chapter.
Dovahkiin stood in front of the dragon, its soul filling him. He glanced at Vorstag to see him drinking another healing potion. Stenvar lay dead not far away, but he couldn't take credit for it unfortunately. The Dragon had attacked as soon as he saw them, shouting both fire and then frost at them.
Vorstag took the brunt of it with the first attack. Fire enveloping him that he collapsed to one knee, groaning in pain. Then the dragon came around for another attack. He had tried to block the worst of the thu'um, but it had been impossible. Vorstag had taken some of the brunt, but not the full force thankfully.
"How are you doing?" Dovahkiin asked as he knelt next to Vorstag. His face was starting to heal, but his hand and what lay beneath his burnt armor was still raw and blistering. He was surprised Vorstag lived through this for how much damage he sustained.
"Why did he attack right away? Usually they do the greeting," Vorstag muttered with a shake of his head. He flinched when he felt some of his burns rub against the clothing he wore beneath the armor.
"As you've seen, not always. He was a true follower of Alduin," Dovahkiin answered. "I can use the shout I use on dragons to heal you, but we'll have to remove your armor."
"I'll need help taking the armor off," Vorstag muttered with a groan.
Dovahkiin fiddled with the latches, scowling when they didn't open to his fumbling fingers. "Here, I'll do that," Vorstag murmured, brushing Dovahkiin's hands aside with a hiss.
Dovahkiin watched as he struggled to undo the latches. When the last one was undone Dovahkiin brushed his hands aside and helped him remove the armor, ignoring all the hisses and groans of pain. He grimaced when he saw the reddened, blistering skin. So areas there was no skin, only burnt meat. He leaned his face close to the blistered skin and breathed the words to the shout. He watched in fascination as the skin healed, the blisters disappeared. In those other areas he watched the skin regrow. It didn't matter how many times he used the shout but the process always fascinated him. Especially on a human, it seemed to work faster.
"Thank you. By the gods, that shout really works," Vorstag murmured with a grin.
"We should head back to Windhelm," Dovahkiin said as he grabbed both of their packs and slung them over his shoulder.
"The dragon shouted at you more than me, how come you're not badly burned?" Vorstag asked as they walked down the mountain.
"For each shout he did, I returned, most of the time our shouts were clashing," Dovahkiin answered with a shrug.
"When I drink Paarthurnax's blood, does that mean I will be like you?"
"What do you mean 'like me'?" Dovahkiin asked curiously.
"Able to take dragon's souls."
"No and whatever gifts you receive will only be for a short time," Dovahkiin answered.
"You said there is a possibility that I wouldn't survive drinking his blood," Vorstag reminded him.
"Yes, dragons don't give their blood lightly. Only the most faithful receive their blood. Most were the more powerful dragon priests that received that gift. Though the amount that has been given to you is only enough to do what we need to." Dovahkiin explained.
"What did the dragon priest gain from drinking their blood?" Vorstag asked curiously.
"They were harder to kill, from what I understand it helped with their magics," Dovahkiin answered thoughtfully.
"So what exactly will happen to me?" Vorstag asked, quietly as they walked into the inn.
"It will either kill you right away, or it will succeed and we can do the sharing of souls," Dovahkiin stated.
"You make it sound like it's not a big deal," Vorstag muttered.
"It isn't. I am not dovah, I am Dovahkiin. I have the soul and blood of a dragon, which lies in this body. If my body can handle that you should have no problems. Plus Miraak already has a piece of my soul, so it shouldn't be that difficult." Dovahkiin said with a shrug.
"You are forgetting one things, you being dragonborn is a gift from the gods," Vorstag reminded him.
"True, but it shouldn't be that much of a problem. If it is..." Dovahkiin muttered with a shrug.
"I thought this was like marriage," Vorstag said.
"Marriage? I do not know. If you are asking if you can mate with others, you don't need to ask my permission," Dovahkiin bit out with a scowl.
"No, that wasn't what I was asking," Vorstag grumbled in frustration.
"Then what is it you want?" Dovahkiin asked with a glare.
"Monogamy would be nice," Vorstag hissed with a scowl.
"What are these words – monogamy and marriage?" Dovahkiin asked with a curious expression.
Vorstag eyes widened, "monogamy is where you take no other to your bed, but one person. Marriage is where two people commit themselves to each other till death," Vorstag answered and waited for Dovahkiin's reaction.
"This is what you want, that I take no other to my bed?" Dovahkiin asked with shake of his head.
"Why don't we drop this? We aren't getting anywhere," Vorstag growled with frustration and he scowled at Dovahkiin. Vorstag had thought there was more to their relationship, but it seemed he was wrong. He felt like the fool at the moment.
"I don't know why you are mad, I never said yes or no to your suggestion. It wouldn't be any different than what it is now, since I haven't take any to my bed for a while," Dovahkiin answered rolling his eyes.
"And what happens when you see someone you desire?" Vorstag asked challenging.
"If you wish monogamy, then I will have to use you to slake my lusts," Dovahkiin retorted.
"I am going to sleep," Vorstag grumbled, stripping down he climbed into bed turning his back to Dovahkiin.
Dovahkiin rolled his eyes, "joor," he hissed, before leaving the room.
~ooooooooooooooooooo~
Daylight greeted Vorstag to an empty bed. He glanced around the room seeing Dovahkiin's pack missing. He wondered if he had left without him. He didn't think so, but after the frustrating talk they had last night he wasn't sure. Dovahkiin didn't strike him as a person who ran from problems. More like he either created them, or met them head on.
He dressed quickly and headed out the door. The barmaid saw him and smiled. He hesitated when she walked over to him. "The man you were with last night left a message for you," she murmured, passing him a sheet of parchment.
He flicked it open and read it quickly.
Gone to sell the stuff we collected. Left what you had in your pack. If I am not in the market I'll be waiting for you at the boat.
Dovahkiin.
Vorstag smirked, it was just like him, blunt and to the point. He tossed a few coins to the barmaid and rushed out of the building. He wasn't sure what time Dovahkiin left, so there was a chance that he was at the boats. He spotted him at the armorers selling the excess they had picked up from the last two dragon lairs. It seems dragons like to hoard things, there is always things laying around.
"When does the ship get here?" Vorstag asked when he stood beside Dovahkiin.
"The harbor master said it was running late. There was a storm brewing," Dovahkiin muttered. "There is a chance the boat won't be here today."
"If it doesn't come what is the plan?" Vorstag asked.
"We'll take a different way," Dovahkiin answered with a grin. "Should have used a dragon instead of waiting here."
"If we are going to fly I am using Vulthuryol," Vorstag said with a grin.
"We will see," Dovahkiin warned.
~ooooooooooooooooo~
Dovahkiin sat at the table eating his stew while Vorstag sat there listening to the bard. "Dovahkiin since the ship isn't coming today then we should take care of that problem," Vorstag said and glanced around quickly to make sure no one was listening in.
"Then let's go to our room," Dovahkiin said as he rose from his seat. He thumbed the vial in his pocket, and worried, praying that Vorstag was strong enough to go through this. He didn't want to know what the dragons would do to him.
He walked in the room, Vorstag sat on the bed looking nervous. "What should I expect?"
"Pain, dizziness, but through all of that you'll have to take a piece of my soul. Once that happens I can help you through it…. I think," Dovahkiin muttered.
"How long will it last?"
"Will what last?"
"To be able to take a piece of your soul," Vorstag answered, looking worriedly.
"I do not know."
"Alright let's get this done," Vorstag said softly as he held out his hand for the vial. He looked nervously as Dovahkiin placed it in his hand. Without thought he downed the vial tasting fluid. At first he didn't think it worked, he felt normal, Dovahkiin looked normal.
Then it happened…
Excruciating pain that had him curling into a ball. Everywhere he felt like he was on fire. He opened his eyes and regretted it, they it felt like someone had shoved a hot iron in it. He cut off a scream and slammed his eyes shut once more. He felt Dovahkiin move and his hand touch his arm. This time he screamed in pain, Dovahkiin hand felt like burning ice on his skin.
"Vorstag, I need you to focus on me," Dovahkiin said worriedly.
"I…I…c…ca…n't" he stuttered, his throat felt raw.
"Vorstag, open your eyes and look at me!" Dovahkiin commanded, his voice sounding like the beginnings of one of his shouts.
He slowly opened his eyes and gritted his teeth against the pain as he focused on Dovahkiin. He could see the man, but there was a blue light surrounding him. He reached out with his hand, touching anywhere he could. He couldn't feel it with his hand, but he could feel it with something else. He didn't know what that light was, but it called to him, entranced him. He listened to that call, it was like music thrumming through him. He followed that music and felt something just out of his reach. He focused on that thrumming beat, calling to it, wanting it, needing it.
Vaguely in the back of his mind, he wondered if this was how Dovahkiin felt when a dragon was nearby.
He looked up and watched as Dovahkiin leaned over him, his face so very close without touching. Panic rushed through him as something felt like it was leaving him. He fought to keep it and take it back. He could feel something coming to him, but it didn't feel like what was leaving him.
His eyes drifted shut as that something filled him, soothing him. His grip tightened on Dovahkiin, holding him close, needing him there. He could feel that something taking rest inside of him as if it belonged there.
The pain was subsiding, the white hot burning was dimming. He wondered if this was what it felt like to die. Was he dying? He felt peaceful, content and so very tired. He allowed his body to relax, and what he hoped was sleep claim him.
As he drifted he felt Dovahkiin lay beside him, pulling him close. That was the last thing he felt before darkness claimed him.
~ooooooooooooooooo~
Dovahkiin watched carefully as Vorstag rested. He hoped that was what was happening and not him slowly dying. He smirked when he thought of how naturally Vorstag had taken his soul, it was almost like he was born to do it.
He moved closer to Vorstag, curling into his natural heat instead of the smoldering heat that he had felt. He heard Vorstag mumble something and smirked, relief coming to him as he allowed sleep to claim him also.
Dovahkiin scowled as he walk ancient halls. People in golden robes and white masks walked by him, while other worked or prayed. The halls and what rooms he passed were finely decorated, riches sitting everywhere.
He came to a room where there were people worshipping. "This is my inner sanctum," a voice he knew well said from behind him.
"Why am I here?" Dovahkiin asked with a scowl.
"Ask yourself that question, not I. I haven't thought of my temple this way. This was before I found power to rise up against the dragons," Miraak murmured, sadness entered his eyes. "Those were simpler times. Do as the dragons say… or perish. Power was everything, and the hold on this power was tenacious, there was always someone who wanted it. Tried everything to get it, in these walls there was no friends, or allies. Those you thought were your allies…."
"Who betrayed you?" Dovahkiin asked, watching the people in the room. A dragon priest of lower ranking walked into the room, he wore no mask, his robes were not of richness. He didn't have the dragon's favor.
"Many tried during my rule, but only one succeeded. If he had let well enough alone, I would be the one ruling the dragons now," Miraak bit out.
"No you wouldn't have," Dovahkiin murmured with certainty. "You forget there are dragons out there that are powerful and they would have stepped in."
"Once Alduin was defeated they all would have bowed to me," Miraak bit out coldly.
Dovahkiin laughed, "No they wouldn't have. Alduin is defeated, and still there are some that do not bow to me, mey."
"You call me a mey, a fool? And yet you shared your soul with a mortal. One who gives you nothing," Miraak spat disgustedly.
"No he doesn't, but he keeps me from following in your footsteps," Dovahkiin answered with a taunting smirk.
"Enough of this. Be gone from my Temple!" Miraak thundered.
"I'll leave for a time, but I will be seeing you soon," Dovahkiin stated.
Dovahkiin woke to light shining in his room. He glanced beside him to see the bed empty. He knew Vorstag was nearby, so he wasn't worried. He thought back to the visit he had and the wistfulness he has seen on Miraak face when he saw his temple from before he betrayed the dragons.
"How was your visit with Miraak?" Vorstag asked as he entered the room.
"Enlightening," Dovahkiin murmured with a smirk. "I seen the man who stopped Miraak from taking over the dragons. The one he considers that betrayed him."
"Are we going to Solthiem today?"
"After we eat, we will leave," Dovahkiin murmured. "How are you feeling?"
"Better, though I can promise you that I am not drinking any more dragon's blood," Vorstag muttered.
"No other side effects?" Dovahkiin asked worriedly.
"No, not that I know of," Vorstag answered. "Should I be expecting something?"
"We will see," Dovahkiin said with a shake of his head. He rose to his feet and walked over to Vorstag. "If there is something different, you cannot hide it."
"Don't worry, you'll hear all about it," Vorstag muttered.