Chapter 36

The second time Bo arrived in Riverwood he was in considerably glum spirit. He was exhausted from traveling so fast since neither one of the Orcs were happy from wasting so much time. Their horses were pushed hard, and they were glad they had the beasts to begin with, or it would have taken them even longer.

Bo slowed his horse to a brisk walk as they drew closer to Riverwood and he lightly patted its thick brown neck. It was mid-afternoon and there was a bustle of activity from nearby where workers were a new haul of massive logs. He nodded politely at a man who recognized him but continued picking his way down the street towards the Sleeping Giant Inn. He eyed it with a scowl, feeling tired and annoyed that he was back so soon.

Once again, the Orcs directed their horses to the stables and dismounted. They spent a few minutes tending to them. Bo undid the buckle to his saddle and slid it off the horse's back. When he had ensured that the stallion was happily tucked away in a stall with fresh water and food he grabbed his pack and began striding towards the Inn. Naz followed quietly behind him. There were dark bags under his eyes and he was sore from riding in a saddle for so long. It was something he wasn't used to and so it left him feeling grumpy and aching every night.

They jogged up the front steps to the Inn and entered inside. They entered to find a Nord bard, Sven, striking up a tune on his lute as he prepared to sing. They ignored him and quickly walked past the fire pit towards the counter at the back of the room. The same woman Bo had nearly run into the last time he'd been here was standing behind the wooden counter and she greeted them as they approached.

"What can I do for you?"

"I need to rent the attic room," Bo responded sullenly.

"We... don't have an attic room," the Breton responded, and she eyed them suspiciously. "But you can have the one on the left."

Bo glance in the direction she was pointing and then back at Naz. The Orc shrugged, and so Bo agreed. He didn't understand why the letter had said to rent an attic room if there was none but he was too tired to care.

"Alright then."

Everyone was silent as Bo counted out the gold and then he began to walk towards the little room. Naz followed, unsure of what to do, but they didn't have to wait long. As soon as they entered he let out a frustrated sigh.

"What the fuck are we-"

Naz stopped as he realized the Breton was right behind him and he quickly shuffled away. Both of the Orcs watched as she quickly entered the room and shut the door behind her. She held an ancient looking horn in her hands.

"So," the Breton started, and she looked directly at Bo. "You're the Dragonborn?"

Bo stiffened, and then he quickly strode forward and snatched the horn from her.

"Yeah I am," Bo shot back angrily. "And you wasted my time taking this from Ustengrav!"

"Alright, alright..." The Breton held her hands up and took a step back. "Just relax, okay. I had my reasons."

"What are the reasons," Naz growled, and he crossed his arms with a frown.

"Please, we can't speak of it here. If you'll follow me-"

"I don't even know your name," Bo cut in, and he pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling overwhelmed. "Why should I follow you?"

"I get it, I really do. My name is Delphine and if you'll please follow me I can explain everything."

The two Orcs were silent. Bo glanced back at Naz and they exchanged a weighted look. Bo didn't like that he was putting trust in a woman he'd only just met, but he didn't think there was another choice.

"Fine."

Delphine smiled slightly, but it was unreturned. She spun back around and opened the door. They followed her across the main hall towards the other side and they entered another bedroom. It was a spacious room with a luxuriously soft bed, several other pieces of furniture and a tall brown wardrobe. Delphine walked across the room to the wardrobe and opened it. Bo frowned, noticing that it was completely empty. His eyes widened as he watched Delphine push on the back of the wardrobe and the panel slid open, revealing a set of stairs leading down to a subterranean room.

She began to walk down the stairs and Bo made to follow when Naz suddenly grabbed his arm.

"I don't like this," Naz growled quietly.

"Neither do I, Naz..." Bo sighed. "What else can I do? We have no leads... just this stupid horn."

"How can we even be sure that what she'll tell us is true? What if she's just some quack-"

"Are you coming?"

Delphine's voice floated up from the secret room. Bo shrugged and quickly descended the stairs with Naz right behind him. They were shocked to see that it was set up like a war room. A massive table dominated the center of the room with a map of Skyrim. Weapons of all kind were hung up on the wall and several suits of armor also decorated the room. The more he looked around the more confused Bo was about who this woman was.

Naz inspected the room as well, feeling apprehensive. He shot Bo a glance but remained near the stairs, watching silently with crossed arms.

"So, as I've said... my name is Delphine."

"I'm Bo Gro Graul. My friend is Nazgurat."

Delphine nodded, and she rested her hands against the map as she eyed Bo with a serious expression.

"I guess I'll explain myself first," Delphine continued. "I only took the horn to get your attention."

"Why was your note so cryptic?"

"I'm afraid it had to be... I have to protect myself against the Thalmor. I'm not your enemy... I need you to hear me out-"

"Thalmor?"

Bo didn't understand what the Thalmor had to do with the Dragons returning, and Delphine noticed his puzzled expression.

"Yes. You see... the Dragons aren't just coming back, Bo Gro Graul...they're coming back to life."

A cold chill ran down Bo's spine as he struggled to comprehend what the woman was saying.

"Coming back... to life."

"Yes. They're being resurrected from their burial mounds, and somebody is behind it all."

"Okay, but what does that have to do with me? I'm just an Orc that can shout."

"You don't get it," Delphine responded heatedly. "You play a vital role in stopping the Dragons. The Dragonborn is the only person who can permanently defeat them."

"I..." Bo swallowed hard as he realized what she meant.

I absorb their souls. That's how I defeat them for good.

"I understand," Bo mumbled.

"You do? Good. Now... there's a way for us to prove that you're who you say you are."

"Hold up."

Naz stepped forward, and he was looking at Delphine with a furious expression.

"Since when did Bo have to prove a single fucking thing to you?"

"There's no need for hostility," Delphine replied smoothly, and she straightened up. "It's simple. Bo proves that he's Dragonborn and then we go from there."

"Who are you? We don't know a damn about you!"

"You'll know soon enough. Please understand that this is a precaution."

"I don't like this," Naz growled. "This is bullshit."

Bo was conflicted. Part of him wanted to side with Naz, as he understood his frustration. He had no idea who Delphine was or how she knew so much about the Dragons returning.

But that's just it... how does she know so much?

"We all want the same things," Delphine spoke softly.

Bo looked back up at her but he remained quiet.

"I want to find out who's behind the Dragons returning and put a stop to it. Isn't that why you're here too?"

The Orc stared down at the map for a long while, mulling over all that had been said. In the end, he decided that he needed to do what was necessary for Skyrim, not necessarily what he wanted. It wasn't about him anymore.

"What do I have to do?" Bo mumbled.

"Well I've been studying this Dragonstone tablet, and I am almost positive of where the next Dragon will be resurrected."

"Where?"

"Kynesgrove."

Both of the Orc's hearts sank. They looked at one another, and Bo knew Naz was thinking the same thing. There was no way they'd be going back to High Hrothgar anytime soon. The thought of it filled them with a sad ache.

"That's all the way in Eastmarch," Bo responded finally. "Will we make it on time?"

"If we leave first thing in the morning we should make it."

"Then that's what we'll do. When I've proven myself then you will have to answer some questions."

"Absolutely," Delphine smiled. "You have my word."

Bo and Naz climbed back up the stairs and returned to their bedroom. It contained two single beds and a small dresser. They sat down on the beds with haggard sighs, and neither one of them spoke for a long time.

Several more weeks had passed and the Orcs still hadn't returned. Jane and Lynne were starting to grow worried, although they never voiced it. Speaking it out-loud would only make things worse, and so both women threw themselves into their studies with great enthusiasm. Jane continued to keep her knowledge a secret. She knew Bo would eventually meet Delphine, and so she was somewhat comforted knowing that information, but only a little. She didn't realize how long it would take for them to come back.

Jane had learned so much since Bo left for Ustengrav, with help from Lynne. She had completely mastered several destruction spells while her shoulder was still healing. When she had greater use of her limb Jane picked up conjuration again and spent a great deal of time conjuring a bound bow that she used for target practice. Several wooden practice targets had been set up for her with the help of Arngeir, and she spent a couple of hours each day shooting phantom arrows from a phantom bow. Her shoulder was gaining muscle mass back at a nice rate. Lynne was pleased with her recovery and was certain that by the end of the month she'd be almost as good as new.

It was a clear, sunny afternoon. It had snowed sometime earlier in the morning but now the skies were filled with fluffy white clouds. Jane stood out in the courtyard of High Hrothgar with a conjured bow in her hands. Lynne sat on the snowy steps a few feet back, watching Jane practice. She was interrupted by Arngeir approaching her, and she looked up at the man with a smile.

"She's getting stronger," Arngeir praised as Lynne stood up from the step.

"She is. I'm very proud of her."

It was then that Lynne noticed there were letters in his hand. She eyed them curiously and quickly took them from Arngeir's hands as he offered them to her.

"One for you, and one for Jane," Arngeir chuckled, and he turned back towards the doors.

Lynne tingled with a mixture of anxiousness and excitement, and she quickly called out to Jane. The girl immediately dropped her bow, and it disappeared in a puff of purple smoke as she raced up the hill towards Lynne. She quickly snatched the letter and cracked open the wax seal. They were silent as they read their letters, their eyes hungrily soaking up the words. The more they read, the more disappointed and worried they became.

Lynne,

I'm not much of a writer. I'm not even sure if you'll be able to read my garbage handwriting. We went to Ustengrav and it was a complete waste of time. Now we're back in Riverwood and we met this strange Breton lady who seems to know more about Dragons than anyone else. I don't trust her, but there's not much else we can do.

We have to go to Kynesgrove, so it will be even longer before we're back to you. I'm sorry if this disappoints you. I feel like I'm running around without a clue as to what's going on. I promise we'll be back as soon as possible.

Love Naz

Lynne finished reading the letter with a small sigh. Tears pricked at her eyes but she hastily blinked them back. Naz didn't need to write it down for her to know that he missed her. She could see in the hasty scrawl of his writing that he was frustrated, and she wanted nothing more than to comfort her big moody Orc. She felt terrible that they seemed to on a wild goose chase with somebody they didn't know or trust.

Across from her, a few tears slipped down Jane's rosy cheeks while she read. She had been expecting it but didn't realize that they'd go off and do so much without her. Kynesgrove was a pivotal moment. It would have been her chance to see Alduin in the flesh for the first time.

My dear Jane,

I don't like to be the bearer of bad news. I'm so frustrated with everything that's been going on that I can barely begin to describe it to you. I miss you so much it physically hurts, and I'm sorry to admit that it will be even longer before I get to see you again.

By the time this letter reaches you I'll probably be in Eastmarch again, or close. Somebody had taken the horn from Ustengrav and held it as ransom so we'd go to them. Her name is Delphine, and I have no idea who she is or what she's involved in but as of right now I don't trust her. I wish I knew more. I feel like I'm blundering around in the dark and it scares me.

She knows more about the Dragons returning than I do and possibly even more than the Greybeards know as well. I have no choice but to follow her to Kynesgrove. I am hoping there will be answers there. As soon as I have finished proving myself to her I will come back to you. I don't care what she has to say... I cannot be away from you any longer.

Please stay safe.

Your loving Bo

Jane pressed the letter against her chest and wiped at the tears that had escaped. She sucked in a shaky breath and looked over at Lynne. They were both feeling down, and so they wandered back into High Hrothgar and retired to their room for the rest of the afternoon.