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Chapter 35 - Ironbound Barrow

Shanti wanted as many full Shouts as possible before she began going up against the more difficult draugr and Dragon Priests, and she only had one location, at the moment - Ironbind Barrow, which she found out was above Nightgate inn, in the Pale. She'd never been there, so they had to ride, but at least the inn would be a good place to leave the horses while they found and explored the barrow.

It was early evening when they arrived, so they left their horses at the stable, then went inside for drinks and a snack before supper. The drinks were nothing special, but Shanti purred when she saw the menu of snacks, and pointed one out to S'Wynn. "You ought to try the sweet-and-sour venison jerky. Darius makes that, and his is delicious ... though in a remote inn like this, it is unlikely to be as good. It should still be worth trying, though. I am going to."

"Then I will, as well."

Once all their meal orders were placed and the appetizer delivered, Shanti tried her jerky, and smiled happily. "It is excellent! A bit heavy on the moon sugar for my taste, so probably somewhat lacking for yours, but this far out in the country, it is a wonder something so suited for Khajiit is available at all."

S'Wynn tasted his, and nodded. "Excellent indeed. I would probably add half as much again moon sugar, perhaps more, but this is quite palatable, and a very enjoyable texture. I hope the cook here is well paid. Just from this sample, I'd guess that if this inn were closer to a major town, it would be crowded rather than almost deserted."

After breakfast, and getting directions from the innkeeper, Shanti and her team headed up the mountain. They were surprised to find a couple of adventurers camped near the entrance to the barrow, discussing what they should do.

The Redguard woman sounded impatient. "How can you just sit here and wait? We should be in there!"

"We must gather our strength," the Argonian male replied. "Who knows what's inside?"

"Treasure, that's what! Get off your scaly rump and let's go."

"Hush, Salma. We aren't alone."

They hadn't been trying to sneak, so Shanti wasn't surprised they'd been heard.

Shanti and her team exchanged introductions with the two. They were hunting for treasure - hardly surprising for adventurers - but they were apprehensive about any inhabitants.

"We could accompany you," Shanti offered. "We will be looking for treasure as well, but one that only I can profit from directly; the Greybeards inform me that there is a Word Wall inside."

"Huh ... well, I suppose there'd be enough of the conventional stuff for everyone," Salma said grudgingly. "Come along if you want. It certainly can't hurt to have the Dragonborn and team along."

"Thank you."

Then Shanti laughed as the two earlier arrivals sprinted for the entrance. "It seems they do not truly believe what she just said, that there is enough for all!"

Bjorn laughed. "I'd say not, but if they want to run ahead and take the brunt of the attacks, that's fine with me. Though since they seemed worried about those same attacks ... it's got to be the money."

"I am sure there will be foes left for us," Shanti said drily. "Word Walls are always a challenge to reach."

"We know," Voranil said, just as drily. "So we might as well get going."

They found several dead frostbite spiders in the first chamber, and only dead foes until they caught up to the two, in a room with a large staircase, standing in front of a gate they obviously had been unable to unlock. Shanti headed for the gate while her team spread out to check for possible methods other than lockpicking.

It didn't take her long to realize there would have to be, since the gate itself had no trace of a lock, so not even Nocturnal's Skeleton Key could have picked it. Possibly opened it some other way, going by Karliah's admittedly-incomplete descriptions of its abilities. Since she no longer had it, though, that was purely academic speculation.

It didn't take long before Bjorn reported. "There's a twist-handle over here, probably what we need. Get ready, I'm about to use it."

"Go ahead," Shanti called. "We are prepared."

When the gate opened, Salma and Beem-Ja ran ahead again, and Shanti sighed. "I wish they would stop doing that. It robs me of the use of my Shouts, as they should know."

Voranil laughed. "I'd guess they aren't even thinking of that. They're awfully eager for that treasure, after all. At least they're saving us a lot of work."

"That is true." Again, they followed the pair, this time until they came to a broad corridor leading to a pedestal holding a Dwarven helmet with some kind of enchantment, and a gate beyond that. The pedestal had holes in the floor all around it, which Shanti had learned long ago meant it was a trap, but there was also a pull-chain above and behind the pedestal. She glanced at Bjorn, pointing at that, and he nodded.

Before she could move toward it, though, S'Wynn moved up beside her. "Be careful of the Argonian," he said softly. I ... can't quite pinpoint it, but something about him is not quite right."

"I will," Shanti promised. Then she pulled the chain, the gate dropped, and they continued to an iron door, where Beem-Ja poised, grinning. "This is it. We've found Gathrik's tomb."

Shanti had no idea who Gathrik was, but there was a gloating tone to Beem-Ja's voice that worried her, and she glanced at S'Wynn, who was frowning, and motioned to her to get behind him.

Well, he knew it would prevent her use of Shouts, but she trusted him, so she obeyed. This Gathrik must be pretty powerful, or S'Wynn wouldn't ask her to step back. And it became confusing almost immediately. She was used to being in the front lines, where she could see what was going on, though it could be confusing even there, but ... this was ridiculous. Atronachs and spells all around her, enough directed at her that she had to keep casting healing spells despite how little actually got though her armor ... it was a real relief when things slowed down and she could spare the time to catch her breath and look around.

"Voranil? Bjorn? S'Wynn?" she called. "Are you all right?"

"A bit winded, but otherwise fine," Voranil reassured her. "Gathrick's completely dead now, but unfortunately, so are our two companions."

"Not so unfortunate in the case of Beem-Ja," S'Wynn said. "He made a comment about gaining Gathrik's power, and started to reanimate him when he went down."

"I didn't notice that," Bjorn said. "I gather you blasted him when you saw that?"

"Of course. Gathrick was bad enough the first time that I wasn't about to risk Beem-Ja bringing him back."

Shanti nodded. "That is just as well, since a necromancer trying to gain another sorcerer's power requires a blood sacrifice."

"That, too," S'Wynn said with a purr. "But that threat no longer exists, so shall we check for treasure? Your Word Wall is on the far side of Gathrik's throne."

The rest agreed, finding a chest, then Shanti got the second word of Become Ethereal, and purred. "This is good. Only one more, and I will have the Shout at full power."

"Does adding Words really make that much difference?" Bjorn asked, then laughed at himself. "Sorry, stupid question. I, of all people, know the difference between one Word and three - at least on frost trolls!"

Shanti gave an amused purr. "All Shouts are like that ... and I believe there are a few which will work at all only if you have the full three Words."

They continued exploring, but aside from a few potions, a shield, and an enchanted battle-axe, they had found everything earlier, so when S'Wynn found a shortcut out, they left.

When they got back to Nightgate Inn, they found a courier waiting, and he handed Shanti a letter. "From Calcelmo of Markarth, Dragonborn. He was in a hurry to find you, so it may be important."

"Ah, thank you. If you have the time, eat and rest ... the food here is excellent. I will pay, of course."

The courier grinned. "Thanks, Lady Dragonborn. You were a bit hard to find, so yeah, I could use some food and rest."

An Orc was approaching from the fishing dock on the small lake below the inn, and smiled at Shanti. "I'm the cook here, my Lady - I'm Balagog gro-Nolob. I live here, and that's one of the ways I pay my keep. So what would the Dragonborn like for supper? I have redfin, spadetail, and even a slaughterfish - the latter a tribute to my fishing skills, in this lake!"

Shanti could believe that; slaughterfish usually preferred larger lakes. "A slaughterfish chowder would be nice ... I have not had one since my last visit to my parents' home. My father's housecarl makes a wonderful one, though he can rarely get truly fresh slaughterfish."

"Slaughterfish chowder it shall be, then." The Orc disappeared into the kitchen with his catch.

It would be some time before the chowder would be ready, so Shanti opened and read Calcelmo's letter. "Hmm, this is fascinating. It seems he was going through some old research notes and happened across a fragment he had translated some time ago, but had thought was nonsense. He believes now, however, that it might be a prophecy instead. He would like S'Wynn's and my opinion on it."

"Well, we don't have anything pressing," Voranil said. "Are there any known Word Walls in that area that we haven't yet been to?"

Bjorn consulted the notebook he always carried these days. "Yes," he said when he found the relevant page. "It's at Dragontooth Crater, though it's not really very close to Markarth."

Shanti frowned, then shrugged. "I suppose I would have to go to that one eventually, and I suppose I should find more teleport points in the Reach anyway."

*Why?* Mulventoor asked curiously. *Odahviing will fly you to Skuldafn, and when you return victorious from Sovngarde, any dovah will be happy to fly you to any location in Taazokaan. It is not quite as fast as teleporting, true, but once you have seen Nirn from the air, I think you will prefer it.*

*Quite possibly,* Shanti sent with amusement. *But backup is always a good idea, and my memory is good enough for quite a few more locations.*

*True for mortals,* Mulventoor agreed. *But since the moment you learned Dragonrend, that does not apply to you.*

*What?* Yes, S'Wynn had thought it likely that Jyggalag would give her dovah-style immortality, but ... immediately after learning Dragonrend?

*Yes ... the change was easy for me to detect. You are immortal, as befits a proper dovah, and I am confident you will lead us well.*

Shanti sent a smile. *Thank you, fahdoni. I will do my best. And please, try to stay awake? I value your advice.*

*So long as you feel that way, Thuri, I should have no problem doing so. But the Orsimer wishes your attention to food, I believe.*

Shanti blinked, then looked up to see Balagog standing beside her holding a bowl, which he placed in front of her. She inhaled the steam, and sighed in pleasure. "It smells delicious, but I fear it would scald my tongue at this temperature."

The Orc chuckled. "It could stand about another hour and a quarter of slow simmering, but your man Bjorn's stomach was giving indications of hunger. It should still be satisfactory, though."

"I have no doubt of that ... it smells almost exactly like what Darius makes. But it must cool down a bit before I can be sure."

"Darius?" Balagog smiled. "I had a colleague by that name once. He went off to fight in the Great War ... and now you mention a Darius as your father's housecarl. May I ask your father's name?"

"Of course!" Shanti returned the smile. "He is S'Jherek Bushy-Tail, head of General Tullius' bodyguard. So Darius has a very honorable position, and the General himself dines with my parents regularly. I think if Darius were not a housecarl, the General might try to lure him away."

"I'm pleased to hear Darius has done so well for himself. Remember me to him next time you see him, would you?" He paused, frowning. "Something just occurred to me. Have you yet been named Bloodkin?"

"Certainly I will, and to the best of my knowledge, no." Shanti sniffed at her chowder, decided it might be cool enough around the edges to at least taste, and did so. She savored the flavor, purring in pleasure. "It is wonderful, and tastes like the same recipe. Colleagues, indeed!"

"Then I'll send word to the Strongholds ... the Dragonborn certainly deserves that recognition."

"I thank you." Shanti took another careful spoonful, purring again. "And should you ever wish another position, simply send me a letter at OfanseBalgruuf in Whiterun. The White River fishing is excellent, and I can assure you your privacy will be respected."

The Orc looked at her in surprise, then grinned. "I will take that under consideration, Lady Dragonborn. I do value my privacy, but a city, with its greater selection of foodstuffs and spices, does have its temptations. Let me think on it."

"Certainly. Even if Darius has found me a possible candidate, as long as I have not already hired another chef, the job will be yours."