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Chapter 37 - A Change of Plans

Late the next morning, Bjorn asked to see Shanti, and she admitted him to her room in the Silverblood Inn at once. "What is it, my friend?"

"I ... don't feel quite right about this," the young Nord replied. "I ... um, well, I knew being one of your bodyguards would be dangerous, and that encounter with Hermaeus Mora terrified me, I have to admit. But yesterday, being used by a Daedric Prince to get those Words to you ... well, I feel ... well, violated, I suppose is as good a word as any. Like ... I mean, he didn't bother asking, just took me over. Or took over my hand, at least."

He hesitated, shaking his head. "I'm not saying this very well, am I? But I'm not sure I want to risk that again."

Shanti hid a frown, not wanting to distress him further. "If you wish to leave, I will put no obstacles in your way," she said calmly. "But I must say if that is what is on your mind, I would ask that you think on it, and perhaps pray to whatever Divine or Divines you prefer - even speak to a priest or priestess."

That got a shaky smile. "I am, Dragonborn - or did you forget?"

"I meant a real, trained one," she retorted, smiling. "If it eases your mind, in the dream he sent me, I sensed no evil. Not good, as such, either, but the Prince of Order is certainly not evil. As best I can describe it, he is a force for balance."

Bjorn nodded slowly. "May I ask about the dream?"

Shanti didn't really want to talk about it, but given Bjorn's distress, she nodded. "Though I do not remember all of it clearly."

"That's all right," Bjorn said. "I'm ... less interested in the details than in how the experience affected you." He sighed. "So what was it like?"

"Well, it began in a huge and impressive - even beautiful, in an austere way, thinking back on it now - throne room. There was a large human-looking figure in steel armor on the throne, and a collection of other human-looking beings gathered in front of it - except for what I remember thinking of as a 'mass of tentacles with entirely too many eyes' floating a bit higher."

Bjorn nodded. "Mora, obviously. Did you recognize any of the others?"

"No - and I had no idea what the tentacle-thing was, either, then. The one on the throne stood and welcomed me to the Halls of Order, and said something about Sheogorath ... not being real, I think. He called himself Jyggalag, Lord or Prince of Order.

"I do remember, very clearly, him saying that the chaos involved in Alduin's destruction of Mundus would deeply offend him. And that no Prince may claim me as his or her Champion, and that after I learned Dragonrend, that would become a moot point."

"Huh?" Bjorn smiled. "I don't know what that means, but if this Jyggalag's protecting you from the other Princes, I suppose I shouldn't feel too bad about him borrowing me to send you a message. Thanks, Shanti ... that's a big relief. I was really worried."

"I am very happy I was able to help." Shanti returned the smile. "Perhaps prayer to one or more of the Divines will settle you more, but I have the firm impression that whatever happens to me, at least at the hands of the Princes, must have the agreement of Akatosh."

"That's all I needed ... but maybe a bit more sleep? I'm kinda hung over after yesterday."

"Then go rest. I have a few things to do, but nothing that requires a bodyguard."

Shanti's first task was to write to General Tullius, passing along Jarl Igmund's hope that he'd send an occupation force to Markarth. She was hopeful about a positive response; he was responsible for Skyrim, but the Emperor had wanted Maven Blackbriar as Jarl of the Rift, so he'd been unable to clean it out. Divines willing, he'd no such orders about the Reach or its capital!

Next, how to find the Dragon Priests to hone her skills? Not her physical ones; even with enchanted armor and weapons, and Khajiit advantages over humans, she was about at her maximum there, and only had to maintain that edge. No, what she needed to improve were her magical and Voice skills.

*Especially your Voice skills,* Mulventoor sent. *You ... have a disadvantage against both winged dovah and the undead draugr who can use Voice, which definitely includes Dragon Priests.*

"I have noticed that," Shanti said, unable to keep a bit of sarcasm from creeping into her voice. "They can Shout repeatedly, with seconds or less between, while I must, for some reason, wait a much longer time between Shouts. And that is time I cannot afford while under attack." She scowled. "Nor does it help that they are so fast that if I am knocked off my feet by Fus, I cannot even rise to defend myself before I am thrown down again. Or hit by Yol before I can heal, though if I have a potion ready, I can normally get it down in time."

*Mmm. That is a definite problem, which must be remedied. I will have to think about how to do so, though, and do some analysis, perhaps a bit of experimentation, when you Shout. If you permit, of course.*

Shanti chuckled. "Of course I permit it, vahriini. But in the meantime, do you know where I can find any Dragon Priests?"

*Two, perhaps. Krosis was entombed at Shearpoint while I still lived, and there is a Word Wall there which teaches a Shout useless to winged dovah but that our priests occasionally found useful. Then Volsung was entombed at Volskyyge. Beyond that, I fear you will have to ask a living dovah, who will be able to trace the masked priests by the magic in their masks, as I no longer can.*

"That will be a start. What is the Shout at Shearpoint?" She couldn't imagine a Shout that would be useless to dragons but not to their priests.

*Throw Voice.* Mulventoor snorted a chuckle, knowing her well enough to guess what she meant. *They sometimes found it useful while trying to be stealthy. But stealth is not something we winged ones are capable of.*

Shanti chuckled as well. "A valid point, vahriini - you are a bit too large to be stealthy. Very well, when we have fought the priests at Shearpoint and Volskygge, I will ask ... probably Odahviing ... about others."

*That would be best,* Mulventoor agreed. *He was Alduin's chief lieutenant, once Paarthurnax began aiding the mortals, and when you defeat Alduin, will have first claim on being yours. If you give him some confirmation of that beforehand, it would be well. Status is as important to dovah as wealth is to most mortals, you know.*

"I did not, but I can understand it," Shanti said. "I care about wealth for what it can do for me and my family, but care little about status ... though simply being Dovahkiin is giving me more than I ever expected as a Junior Legionnaire."

That got a mental laugh. *Even the lesser Dovahkinne have been rulers, and the most recent other full one became a Divine, by Bormahu's will. So yes, you should have very high status.*

"Then should I perhaps speak to him even before fighting a Priest? Paarthurnax is my oldest dovah fahdon, but he does not seem the sort to aid an active Dovahkiin."

Mulventoor sent a chuckle. *Yes, speaking to the Third-Born would be wise. Keep him in your confidence as much as you can, Dovahkiin, for if you do, you will have his full support.*

"Then I shall do so. I had thought to find some Falmer and test the new Shout I was given, but from what you say, this should take precedence."

*You grow in wisdom, Youngest Sister. Inform him of that new Shout as well.*

Shortly after lunch, Shanti teleported herself and her team to Windstad Manor. She looked around, but saw no traces of Rodryn and his peoples' presence - even horse droppings were gone, which she appreciated. She'd told hers what she intended, so moments later, she Called Odahviing, as a request, not a challenge or demand.

When the red dovah landed moments later, he gave the impression of curiosity. "You wish something, Youngest Sister?"

"Tinvaak, if you have the time," Shanti replied. "I would like to know what you think of my plans to prepare for the final confrontation with Alduin, and what I would like to do afterward." She paused, twitching her tail. "Assuming I am victorious, of course, because otherwise, plans are pointless."

Odahviing settled into a comfortable crouch. "I have as much time as you need, Youngest Sister."

"Good. First, we found out yesterday that the Daedric Prince Jyggalag, their ruler, has made me immortal in the same way dovah are, and gave me a Shout to restore the Falmer ... possibly to replace the Dwemer as underground intelligent dwellers."

Odahviing nodded slowly. "I thought there was something different about you, grah-briinahzin." He gaped a smile. "This is good. You will need it. And a Shout to help restore the world as it should be, though with a different race, is also good. You should test it soon, to make sure you have not been deceived."

"I plan to. But there is more, if you do not mind. I think I should face and fight Dragon Priests, up to and including Miraak, before I dare to face Alduin. Your opinion?"

Odahviing took time to clean his left wing-claws before replying slowly. "A few Priests, yes ... but truly, wait for Miraak and his counterpart, Vahlok, until after Alduin. You are not able to face two who could split a continent, not yet, and facing the Eldest may gain you the strength you need. If not, a few more lesser masked priests ought to serve that purpose."

He paused again, cleaning the right wing-claws, before speaking again. "So ... in between your defeat of Alduin and facing the Traitor?"

"I wish to begin restoring the cooperation that existed between dov and vodov that existed before Alduin ... became enthralled by power, if that is the correct term. And I wonder if you would be willing to help me with that, after his defeat."

Shanti managed not to quail beneath his scrutiny, until he cocked his head. "What do you have in mind, Dovahkiin?"

"I will need a competent lieutenant who shares my goals. If that description would apply to you, with him gone ... "

Odahviing was silent for some time, and Shanti was beginning to wonder what she would do when he refused, when he emitted a small gout of flame. "Are you serious, Youngest Sister?"

"Very serious indeed. I am Dovahkiin, with dovahsos ahrk dovasiil ... but I am, most obviously, not a true winged dovah. Even when I defeat Alduin, I will be handicapped, perhaps, in the view of other dov. I will need a loyal second - Thur-ziist - to implement what must be done among the dov."

"Ah. So you see problems clearly, perhaps with Mulventoor's aid."

"I do my best, geh."

"Indeed. Then defeat Alduin, and I will hail you as Thur, and aid you as you wish. But you are also correct about requiring more experience first. So do you have plans there?"

Shanti nodded. "Shearpoint and Volskygge, the only two Dragon Priest locations I am sure of. Though if you have another suggestion, I will listen."

"If I am interpreting some things Britgrahreg and I have overheard correctly," Odaviing said, "this is your property?"

"It is, yes, but ... overheard? How could you get close enough to overhear vodov speech?"

Odahviing snorted a chuckle. "A combination of silent casting and invisibility plus the Become Ethereal Shout, when either of us hear your name being mentioned, and dovah hearing is necessarily very good indeed. It is a difficult combination, and not always fully effective, but it works well enough, often enough, to learn such things on occasion. But since you do own Windstad Manor, you might want to consider eliminating the draugr and Vokun inhabiting High Gate Ruins, over there." He gestured with a wing.

"What? There is a Dragon Priest not a quarter mile from here?" When Odahviing nodded, she sighed. "Then you are correct, that should be my first priority. I plan to do most if not all my crafting here, once I have the manor restored, and that usually attracts people. Should a village form, I certainly do not wish the inhabitants menaced."

"So ... this is the sort of cooperation you wish? Protecting the helpless ... we did that in the very earliest days, I think, but the memory is vague. Yes, Youngest Sister. Clear your own barrow before worrying about others. Britgrahreg or I will guard it once that is done, as time permits."

"I thank you. Add Nosnumul to that, if you will inform him; he is now an ally, as well."

"Ah? And why?"

"I do not know why he made that choice, but perhaps it was because some of the Traitor's cultists were preparing to ambush me, and he chose to stop them. Then he offered alliance, and gave me a brief version of the Traitor's story."

"This is good, and yes, I will speak to him and add him to the roster. So you will go against Vokun?"

"Yes, and - " Shanti glanced at the sun's position. "It seems we still have time to do so today, so if you will excuse us, we will begin."

"I go, then." Odahviing launched himself into the sky.

It took Shanti and her team less than half an hour to get up to High Gate Ruins, where they found a number of dead-again draugr in the antechamber, and a woman in scanty fur "armor" in the second. She turned to them and said, "You look strong."

Shanti didn't say what she was thinking, that the other looked stupid, going into a barrow with nothing better than what she was wearing. Though possibly she was a mage, and thought she needed nothing more ... "Who are you, and why are you here?"

"I'm Anska. I've finally located Vokun's crypt! The scroll I'm looking for just has to be here. You?"

Shanti sighed. "I am Shanti Dragonborn, here to deal with Vokun, who was a Dragon Priest. He might be a bit more than you wish to go against."

Anska grinned. "Then maybe you could help find my scroll! I just know it's in here."

Shanti hid another sigh. "Tell me about this scroll. Though I might as well aid you, if you promise to stay out of my way."

Anska looked a bit offended, but replied. "It's probably meaningless to you, but according to family legend it links our bloodline back to Ysgramor himself." Then she paused before adding, "You can have anything we find, except the scroll, of course."

"Very well. Do not get in front of me, though, however eager you are."

"I promise, Dragonborn. Can we go now?"

Shanti led the way deeper into the ruins, the rest following her. Anska wasn't as bad a chatterer as Frey had been, and far less arrogant, but she was a mage who enjoyed using her power, especially when it came to setting draugr on fire, something Shanti couldn't fault her for.

It wasn't all that different from any other barrow run after that. A puzzle to open a trapdoor deeper into the interior, encountering a couple of traps, until they arrived at a throne room with a sarcophagus. It burst open immediately when Shanti absorbed a word of Storm Call from the nearby Wall, and Shanti started Shouting Fire Breath as quickly as she could, supplemented by blows from her mace in the brief times she could get close enough.

Anska wasn't the greatest mage Shanti had encountered, but the had to admit the scantily-clad Nord wizard was holding her own, and did help defeat Vokun, rather to her surprise. When Vokun turned into dust and she retrieved his mask and staff, Anska was looking around eagerly.

"That was Vokun, the guardian of the scroll. It doesn't seem to be in here, though ... maybe in the next room?"

Shanti grinned, waving her forward. There was little or no danger from here on out, with Vukun no longer a factor, so having Anska in front of her was no longer a problem. She chuckled when Anska sneered at Vokun's remains, saying, "Good riddance. Let's move on, the scroll must be in the next room."

Shanti followed her, then saw the Nord standing, pointing. "There it is! On the table."

Shanti glanced at her, curious as to why she hadn't claimed it already, and the Nord woman grinned at her. "It'll make a better story if I'm fighting behind you and you recover the family scroll, Dragonborn. Nobody'd believe I got here before you, even if I say you allowed it!"

"A good point," Shanti admitted, and went to the table, picked up the sealed scroll, and handed it to Anska. "I shall keep that part confidential in the journals I turn over to the Bards' College, then."

Anska grinned in reply, accepting the scroll. "I can't thank you enough for all of the help. I doubt you'll need this, but it might come in handy."

Shanti accepted a tome for Conjure Flaming Familiar, though she didn't think it was anything she would use. Pass it on to the College for a conjuration student, perhaps, but she smiled politely. "A generous gift, and I thank you for it. But will you indulge my curiosity about just what that scroll says?"

"Of course, Dragonborn. Let me look. This is a very exciting moment for me." Anska unrolled the scroll, then frowned. "Hmm, it's encrypted. It'll take a while to figure this out."

"Perhaps I can help?" S'Wynn offered. "I am a scholar, though I tend more to Dwemer technology than to encryption."

Anska handed the scroll over, and S'Wynn studied it for several minutes before handing it back with a regretful expression. "I am sorry, Mistress Anska. I can make nothing of this."

Anska shrugged. "Thanks anyway. It could take me as many years to decrypt as it took me to find it, but I'm not giving up." She smiled, looking around an Shanti's team members. "Truly, I thank all of you for the help you've given me in regaining this bit of my family's heritage. I will let Lady Shani know if I ever manage to get the scroll decrypted."

"I would appreciate that," Shanti replied.