A/N: And hre's the next Chapter! overall, I'm not quite happy with this chapter... I don't feel it flows quite right. Oh well, ot mostly a bridge between major events, anyway.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Elder Scrolls series. I only own my original ideas.
Chapter 52: A Meeting
Shouts-at-Sun's POV
Lydia and I journeyed away from Karthspire, and deeper into the mountains of the Reach. We navigated into a quiet river valley, and found a good spot. I then turned towards Lydia.
"Now then," I said, "I mentioned I was going to call an ally. This should be a good spot".
"Who are we going to meet out here?" asked Lydia.
"I'm going to call Lokhunnonvul," I said, "I believe I mentioned him earlier. I think you might want to meet a dragon that won't try and kill us".
"I think that would be interesting encounter," said Lydia.
"Alright then," I said, "Lok… Hun… Nonvul!"
My words spread out across the skies, and soon enough, I heard a roar of reply. Before long, Lokhunnonvul came flying over the mountains, and landed on the hill nearby. Lydia and I approached him and he favored us with a slight grin.
"You called, Zaanahstkrein?" asked Lokhunnonvul.
"Yes, I wished to update you on my progress, as well as have you meet Lydia".
"Really," said Lokhunnonvul, "Drem yol lok, kril kendov".
"Uh," said Lydia, "Drem yol lok?"
"Pruzah," said Lokhunnonvul, "I'm glad to see you were able to divine the meaning of my words. Now then Zaanahstkrein, how has your journey been going?"
"I travelled with the Blades to their ancient fortress of Sky Haven Temple. There, I examined the artifact known as Alduin's Wall. On the way to Sky Haven Temple, and then again while I was there, I had a pair of visions. In the first, I was in Sky Haven Temple in the form of a dovah, most likely some time long ago. I was approving the just-completed Alduin's Wall, and then exited and flew away. The second took place on the main yard of Sky Haven Temple. Once more I was the same dovah, this vision ended with my execution… with this very sword".
With that I showed Dragonsbane to him. When he saw it, his eyes went wide.
"How did you get your hand of this blade?" asked Lokhunnonvul.
"I found it in Sky Haven Temple," I explained, "I figured that it would be best to keep it from the hands of the Blades… and that it would make sense to use it against our foe".
Lokhunnonvul quietly considered my words for a moment, and then smiled.
"Hmm," said Lokhunnonvul, "You certainly have the sharp mind of a dovah. I should better watch out, it seems. If I'm not careful, you might be able to out-think me quite soon. In any case what are you plan for what to do next?"
"I learned from Alduin's Wall that, during the ancient Dragon War, the nords used a special Thu'um to battle him," I said, "are you by chance familiar with it?"
"I… have heard rumors of it… it is rarely spoken of, and always in hushed tones," said Lokhunnonvul hesitantly, "all I know of it is that it is quite dangerous. I cannot teach you about it".
"In that case," I said, "It seems that I shall need to ask the Greybeards… if anyone in Skyrim knows of this Thu'um, it would be them".
"A sensible decision, Zaanahstkrein," said Lokhunnonvul, "I am certain that whatever they can tell you, the Greybeards can point you in the right direction".
"Alright," I said, "there are also those stone fragments I've uncovered".
I opened my pack and retrieve the items in question.
"From what I can tell," I said, "I'm still missing two or three pieces of this artifact".
"Ah, interesting," said Lokhunnonvul, "I believe I am in possession of another piece of this item. It is currently safely stored at Highpass. if you do managed to find the remaining pieces, we can work to see if it can be repaired. Is there anything else you wished to discuss?"
"Yes… these more recent visions: they seemed more… real," I said, "I felt more connected to the form I had in my vision... do you have any explination of this?"
"I am uncertain… I will need to think on this for longer," said Lokhunnonvul, "It is possible that you may find an answer before I do".
"I see," I said, "It looks like my next major stop is going to be the Throat of the World, then".
"In that case, safe travels to you and your companion, Zaanahstkrein," said Lokhunnonvul.
With that, he took to the skies once more, and flew back in the general direction of Highpass. Lydia and I got on our way as well, heading back towards Whiterun. This leg of the journey was fairly uneventful, with our only foes being some wild animals. Soon enough, we reached the city. After we arrived, we headed to Breezehome and sorted out our packs. We next visted the shops, restocking our travelling supplies. After this, I checked in on the Companions, and made sure that everything was alright with them for now. With all these tasks complete, we headed out once more. This time, we did have a couple of roadside encounters. First, we were accosted by a highwayman.
"Hand over your gold," said the highwayman, "or I'll gut you like a fish!"
"We don't have time for this," I said.
This statement, of course, angered the highwayman.
"Don't you walk away from me!" said the highwayman.
He raised his sword to attack, but I acted faster. I quickly drew my blade, and ran our attacker through. After this, we continued down the road to reach our next encounter: luckily this one was more peaceful. We came upon a group of drunken revelers, who upon seeing us handed a bottle of mead to Lydia and I. Not too long after this, we reached the town of Ivarstead, and the base of the 7,000 steps. We stepped over to the start of the road, and looked up towards the summit.
"Are you ready?" I asked, "The climb awaits us".
"If you wish me to accompany you," said Lydia, "I'd be willing to shield you though the darkest pits of Oblivion".
"I doubt that will be necessary today, but I appreciate your dedication," I said, "The worst we're likely to encounter during the ascent are some Frost Trolls".
With that, we began climbing. As I expected, no strange portals appeared before us. Instead, all we encountered were a few pilgrims, and Troll, and a blizzard. Of these, only the Troll was actually a threat. Eventually though, we reached the top of the steps. Once there, Lyida and I entered High Hrothgar and located Arngeir.
"Master Arngeir," I said, "I need to speak to you about something".
"What do you wish to know, Dragonborn?" asked Arngeir.
"I came across references to a Shout that the heroes of old used to defeat Alduin," I said, "I was wondering if you know anything about it".
"How did you learn of this," said Arngeir this tone rising, "who told you about that Shout?"
"I read about it on the ancient Akaviri artifact known as Alduin's Wall," I said.
"Ah… so the Blades have been meddling once more," said Arngeir, "they do not understand what they are medding with… you should be careful, they are only interested in your power".
"I already knew that," I said, "though, I doubt they'd be a major theat: their entire organization consists of two members. The only reason I had for working with them was that I was following a lead".
"It's good to see that you are perceptive enough to see that," said Arngeir, "we know of the Shout of which you speak. It is known as… Dragonrend".
I felt a chill run down my spine at that name… the question is, why?
"Could you… teach it to me?" I asked.
"We can not," said Arngeir, "Dragonrend has no place in the Way of the Voice. However, if the legends are to be believed, you unfortunately may need it".
"If so, I still need to know where to find it," I said.
"…There is one possibility, Dragonborn," said Arngeir, "our order… it has one more member. You must speak to Master Paarthurnax".
"Paarthurnax," I said quietly, "Ambition, Overlord, Cruelty. That's a Dragon name".
"You are correct," said Arngeir, "Master Paarthurnax resides further up the mountain, near the summit. If you wish to speak to him, we shall show you the way".
"I do wish to speak to him," I said.
"In that case, follow me," said Arngeir.
Lydia and I did just that. Arngeir led us up the stairs and out to the courtyard. We were soon joined by the other members of the Greybeards. We crossed the courtyard to reach the far side, where a powerful gale was blocking the way.
"To reach the summit, you need to learn a Shout to clear the way," said Arngeir, I shall teach it to you".
With that, we whispered three words onto the ground, and allowed me absorb them.
'Lok… Sky, Vah… Spring, Koor… Summer,' I thought.
Arngeir then shared his knowledge of these words with me, thus allowing me to use them immediately.
"You now have what you need to open the way," said Arngeir, "You may climb to the summit when you are ready. However, your companion must stay here. Only a select few are allowed to travel beyond this gate. You are now one of them".
"In that case, it seems we must part ways of now, Lydia," I said, "I promise to return intact".
"I shall hold you to that promise, my Thane," said Lydia.
I then turned towards the barrier of wind and snow, and took a deep breath.
"Lok… Vah… Koor!" I Shouted.
The stormy barrier was blown away, and the path was now clear. I stepped through this gate, and began climbing towards the summit.
A/N: And there we go! Next time, we get to meet with one of my personal favorite characters in all of Skyrim: Paarthurnax! See you then!
