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Chapter 36 - Prophecy

They spent the night at home in Whiterun, then Shanti and her team headed for Markarth, eager to talk to Calcelmo. Almost as soon as they crossed the Reach border, an increased Imperial presence was obvious; within ten minutes, they saw an Imperial patrol, its leader waving them to a halt. "Your business - Oh, sorry, Dragonborn. How can we help you?"

"If you know travel conditions between here and Markarth, that would be nice," Shanti said.

The sergeant grinned. "Nothing you need to worry about. The Forsworn haven't been much of a problem since we took out their base near the Karthspire. A few here and there, of course, but they shouldn't give the four of you any problem."

Shanti smiled. "Thank you, Sergeant. It's good to see the Legions here in strength ... You are Tenth, if I am reading your insigne correctly."

"Yes, ma'am, and glad to be back in action!" The sergeant smiled. "Garrison duty's safer, but it's boring as Oblivion. Takes a bit of danger to get a man's blood going, and we have that here. Have yourself a pleasant trip, my Lady."

"Thank you. I expect no problems, but if you see a dragon, or dragons, following me, take no action; they are my allies."

"Yes, ma'am - we were briefed. Odahviing and ... uh ... Britgrahreg? One red, one white and gray?"

"Correct. And I would appreciate it if you not attack any dragon, in fact, unless it is necessary. I have two allies who will not attack, so it is entirely possible I can find others."

The sergeant looked confused, but nodded. "If you say so, my Lady. I'll pass that along to my officers, if you'd like."

"Please do ... I should tell General Tullius as well, next time I am in Solitude."

"Yes, ma'am. Well, have a good trip, and ... it was an honor to speak to you."

They were about halfway to Markarth when they heard a dragon roar, and Shanti saw one breathing flame at something on the ground. She swore silently, urging Golden Rainbow toward the battle - spells answered the dovah's flames. Someone was under attack, and that sort of thing she did have to stop.

When they arrived, though, the dovah was waiting on the ground, cleaning his claws as he watched them approach. "Drem yol lok, Dovahkiin," he said politely. "Zu'u Nosnumul." Then he switched to Common. "But Odahviing says we must use this speech around any vodov. I saw some of Miraak's slaves setting up an ambush, and decided to eliminate them."

"I thank you for that," Shanti said. "I am pleased to meet you peacefully, Nosnumul, though in surprises me that one not allied would do so."

"Then be prepared for more surprises, Dovahkiin," Nosnumul said. "Odahviing is impressed with the strength and precision of your Thu'um, and most dovah are not suicidal. I offer conditional alliance as he did, and will not harm vodov or their property unless they attempt to harm me. Is this acceptable?"

Shanti nodded, astonished. "Most acceptable," she managed to say. Three allies, before she'd even faced Alduin for more than what had probably been nothing but a sparring bout? That was wonderful, and a good omen. "And I thank you for killing the cultists. They are ... most annoying."

"Those, any dovah will slay," Nosnumul snarled. "Any who serve the Traitor are, like your outlaws, to be slain on sight."

"You call Miraak the Traitor?" Shanti asked curiously. "He was well before my time, so may I ask why?"

The dragon snorted a laugh. "That is a very long tale indeed, when it is properly told, and you seem to be on your way somewhere. Perhaps you would prefer a summary version?"

Shanti purred. "We are, and I would."

"Very well. To begin, when we ruled and mortals thought of us as gods, we had what were called Dragon Priests, the most powerful and favored of whom were given masks, and took the names of those masks for themselves."

"We are with you so far," Shanti said. "I am to start searching those out now, since things like bandits and at least lower-skilled necromancers no longer challenge me."

"Yes? Well, were I you, I would save Miraak or Vahlok for last. Those we call Traitor and Guardian were the strongest of a very powerful group, enough so that their final battle split Solstheim from the mainland of Skyrim."

Shanti winced. "Really? That is powerful indeed ... I shall take your advice, with thanks. But the story?"

"Yes. Miraak served us faithfully for some time, growing in power and influence, but then ... he changed. We were not aware of the reason at first, but then he took control of Solstheim - part of the mainland still, at the time - and took three other Dragon Priests with him. That was the beginning of his treason, but hardly its end.

"He contacted - or was contacted by, we are unsure - Hermaeus Mora, who taught him a Shout that could enslave dovah, and he used it against us. Some he forced to carry him, a thing we did willingly for our better Priests, but that was intolerable. Others, he simply brought into range so he could kill them, and absorb their souls."

Nosnumul sighed. "At that point, Vahlok told us what was going on. How he found out, I do not know, but he did, and we were grateful. We told him that if he could stop Miraak, he would be given rulership of Solstheim, and be greatly honored by the dov. He traveled to Solstheim and challenged Miraak.

"The battle raged for days, until the split from the mainland came, and Vahlok was preparing his final decisive blow, when Herma-Mora appeared and snatched Miraak into his realm of Apocrypha. I fear you will have to follow him into Apocrypha to face him."

"If that is necessary, I will do so," Shanti assured him. "Assuming I am able to do so, of course ... I doubt Hermaeus Mora would allow me into his realm to combat his champion, when I have already refused to replace Miraak."

"We will all see when the time comes, I am sure - and the Daedra could surprise us. They seem to enjoy that. But I see mortals approaching. Call me if you need me, Dovahkiin."

"And the same for you, of course, though I may not be able to respond quickly."

"Simple agreement will do for now, Youngest Sister." Nosnumul took wing, and was quickly out of sight.

They continued to Markarth, leaving their horses in the stable as usual, then entered the city and went up the stairs toward Understone Keep. Shanti thought it wise to at least meet Jarl Igmund, so they went all the way up, to her surprise seeing several Legionnaires with black-on-red CI brassards. They were obviously busy, so she didn't interrupt, but she couldn't help wondering what the Legion's Crime Investigators were doing in an Imperial city with its own Guard force - that didn't happen often.

Inside the Keep, she passed a rubble -strewn path before entering the main part of the palace, and was greeted by the guards, who waved her on. She passed a man grumbling something about "Silverbloods will he heard," and continued on up the stairs, to where a man in noble's clothing was lounging in a throne. Jarl Igmund, no doubt.

She introduced herself and her team, then asked, "Why the Legion Crime Investigators? Surely your City Guard can handle anything routine."

Igmund grimaced. "Anything not involving the Silverblood family, yes, Dragonborn. But a woman was murdered a few days ago, and when her journal was found, it turned out she was one of General Tullius' agents, investigating corruption in that family. When I was informed, I asked for Legion intervention - I know the Silverbloods have corrupted the local Guard - and General Tullius granted it. To be honest, I'm hoping he puts the whole city under martial law, and cleans up the corruption I, for political reasons, can't."

He smiled then. "But that's not a reason for the Dragonborn to come here, so may I ask why Markarth has this honor?"

"A request for me and one of my team to look at something Calcelmo has translated, my Jarl," Shanti replied. "He seems to think it important, perhaps for my ultimate mission, perhaps for something else, but ... he is a prominent scholar, so I thought it important to find out."

Igmund nodded. "If Calcelmo pays attention to anything except his immediate researches, it's bound to be important." He turned to his housecarl. "Take them to him, Faleen, please."

The steel-armored woman bowed to her Jarl, then turned to the party of adventurers. "If you'll follow me, please?"

They did so, back down the steps and past a pair of guards, then up a path through rubble and to a cleared area with enchanting and alchemy stations, plus a couple of stone tables cluttered with books and Dwemer relics, where a couple of men were working.

"Company, Calcelmo," Faleen called. "And be polite; it's the Dragonborn and her team, answering your invitation."

"Ah, excellent!" Calcelmo turned with a smile. "Thank you for coming, Dragonborn! And it's good to see you again, S'Wynn - tell me, how are your own researches coming?"

"Very well, thanks," the Khajiit replied. "But we're here about that possible prophecy you wrote about - we can talk about our researches later, after you've satisfied four cases of severe curiosity!"

Calcelmo chuckled. "Of course, of course. Come with me, up to my office. I have both the original document and my translation up there. Then I'll give you a guided tour of my museum and laboratory - I rarely allow visitors to either, especially the laboratory, but for a fellow researcher and the Dragonborn ... I could hardly refuse. And the rest of her team as well, of course, if they're interested."

"That would be most interesting," Shanti said. "I look forward to it ... but as S'Wynn said, the possible prophecy first, please."

"Certainly - follow me." Calcelmo led them out of the excavation area, across the Understone Keep entryway, and up another set of stairs, to a door guarded by a pair of Markarth Guards. He nodded to them, and both bowed, then one opened the door for them.

Shanti caught her breath at her first glimpse of the museum, hand reflexively going to her mace, but S'Wynn caught her arm. "It's all right, Dragonborn - these exhibits are all inert."

Calcelmo looked at her, seeming a bit surprised. "Of course they are. I would hardly bring functional automatons into the Keep!"

"My apologies - I should have known." With a bit of reluctance, Shanti released the hilt of her mace and smiled. "But ... you have them very convincingly posed, Master Calcelmo, and I am not too long from my first encounter with automatons."

"And you're a warrior, so of course you went on alert." Calcelmo smiled indulgently. "But I assure you, Dragonborn, that nothing in my museum or laboratory will threaten you. Though I daresay that if you have any curiosity at all, a number may intrigue you."

"Oh, they do," Shanti said. "Though for now, my current interest is the best way to keep them from killing me!"

Calcelmo chuckled. "I can understand that, and I'll point out some weaknesses. And ... if you're going to be exploring many of their ruins, I will happily pay you very well for anything unusual you may find."

"If you will give me some idea of what you consider unusual, certainly," Shanti said. "I have only been in one so far, so I have no idea what would especially interest you."

"I'll have Aicantar draw up a list of examples and send it to you," Calcelmo said.

They continued through the museum and laboratory, then out onto the Wizards Balcony and up a flight of outdoor - though sheltered - stairs to Calcelmo's office complex.

That was dominated by a large stone block covered with engraving, and Shanti couldn't help asking, "What is that?"

"What I was hoping to find the last time I spoke with S'Wynn," Calcelmo replied, grinning at the other Khajiit. "Do you remember?"

"Yes! Something with the same text in Dwemeris and Falmer - but where did you find it, how did you get it here, and may I make rubbings?"

"My office first, and I'll tell you everything," Calcelmo said, and once they were settled in his comfortable office, he did. "The slab came from Nchuand-Zel, the lower level of what's now Markarth. As for how I got it here ... well-paid laborers and a lot of padding to keep it from being damaged. Though I did lose some laborers to a giant frostbite spider they named ... what was it, now? Oh, yes. Nimhe. I'd appreciate it if you could find time to kill it before you leave."

"I think we can manage that," Shanti said with some amusement. "After some of the other enemies we have faced, a giant spider should be no problem."

"If you kill it, Dragonborn, I'll be in your debt. But you're here for the prophecy." He opened a desk drawer and handed S'Wynn two sheets of paper. "The first is a transcription of the original Falmer, the second my translation. Let me know if you see any discrepancies I missed between the two."

S'Wynn studied the papers for several moments, then shook his head. "I see no discrepancies."

"Then the Dragonborn must see the translation." S'Wynn nodded, and handed that paper to Shanti.

She read it silently, frowning, then read it aloud. "When cat and dragon are one, Gold scours the land like a plague and Silver languishes broken in the depths, then Order grants Words, and the Overlord restores a balance shattered ages ago."

She shuddered. "I am Khajiit with a dovah soul, so that part is clear. Gold scouring the land could well be the Thalmor, since the Dovahzul for Altmer is Gold or Golden Elves in Common. But the rest I cannot even guess at."

S'Wynn frowned. "I think ... since we are in the time that prophecy refers to, rather clearly ... I might be able to make a few guesses. Silver languishing broken in the depths - the Falmer, perhaps?"

Calcelmo nodded thoughtfully. "That would make sense, given the history we know of the Falmer resorting to the Dwemer for help, then both essentially disappearing. But that leaves the identities of both Order and the Overlord unknown."

*Do your dream of Jyggalag and your status after defeating Alduin not make the connection?* Mulventoor asked, his mental voice sounding disappointed when she didn't react immediately. *Or perhaps those are connections you do not wish to make?*

"Divines protect me," Shanti said in a shaky voice.

"What is it, Shanti?" Bjorn asked, clearly concerned.

"A ... a figurative stomp on the tail from Mulventoor," she replied. "A millennia-old guest in your mind who thinks of you as ... I suppose something like a niece ... can be uncomfortable at times, when he makes you look at something you do not wish to see."

Calcelmo nodded slowly. "Aicantar has told me as much on several occasions. Mulventoor is one of the dragons whose souls you have absorbed, I gather."

"You gather correctly. And he reminded me of two things. First, a dream I had about a Daedric Prince I had never before heard of, namely Jyggalag, the Daedric Prince of Order. Second, something he told me himself, that if - or I must say when, for any peace of mind - I defeat Alduin, I will take his place as thur of the dov ... and thur translates into Common as overlord."

"Ah!" Calcelmo smiled widely. "That clarifies matters nicely. So the Prince of Order wishes to aid you in restoring the Falmer ... possibly to replace the Dwemer as intelligent underground dwellers, as the Nords replaced the Snow Elves in that above-ground capacity."

Voranil laughed. "I wouldn't have thought of that, but you certainly have a point. Now he needs to get the Words to her. Another dream, perhaps?"

Bjorn had been doodling idly on a piece of scrap paper, and finally looked down at it. Then, in a troubled voice, he said, "I ... don't think so. I can't read it, but ... uh, this looks like the dragon scratchings on the Word Walls."

"May I see that?" Shanti asked.

"Uh ... sure." Bjorn handed it over, pulling his hand away and scrubbing it on his surcoat as soon as she took the paper.

Shanti hid a frown at his reaction and made a mental note to speak to him as soon as they were finished here. "You are correct; it is Dovahzul. It says 'Od Gruth Vo', which translates to Common as 'Snow Betrayal ... Opposite-of, or Reverse.' Very similar to the Resurrection Shout Alduin uses, and that I tried to use for Mulventoor."

Bjorn stood, his face pale and his expression ... frightened? His voice trembled when he asked, "May I leave, Lady Shanti? I ... I think I need a drink."

"Certainly!" Shanti watched him leave the room, frowning - openly this time. "This is not good," she said softly. "Voranil, could you go with him? He worries me a bit."

"Of course." Voranil stood and followed his fellow bodyguard.

"A bit more direct than I would've expected," Calcelmo said. "I could wish I had such insights, at times."

"But you are a very inquisitive researcher and mage, with much experience," S'Wynn said. "I find that kind of disturbance quite understandable for a young soldier suddenly - at least by appearance - used as a channel by a powerful Daedric Prince." He chuckled. "And you shouldn't express such wishes ... you may find them answered in a way you neither expect nor wish."

"True, but still ... " Calcelmo sighed. "It seems our conference is over until later. Let me know when you want more information."