I don't own the Elder Scrolls Series
Recap: While on the journey to Ivarstead, Sebastian and Lydia sold unneeded items, killed bandits and bonded. After choosing to spend the night at an Inn and reach High Hrothgar in the morning, Sebastian told Lydia about Wayrest, but hid the truth of why he left High Rock from her. Now the two must scale the Throat of the Word and see the enigmatic Greybeards about Sebastian being Dragonborn.
"Normal Speech"
Memories/Thoughts/Dreams
"Daedric Speech"
"Dovahzul"
Chapter VIII: The Greybeards of High Hrothgar
The morning came far quicker than either Sebastian or Lydia had prepared for. After a quick breakfast, the two had re-armed themselves and were once again facing the monumental wall of a mountain that was the Throat of the World.
Sebastian gave a low-whistle before turning to Lydia. "You don't have to come with me, you know." In truth, he had no idea how they Greybeards would react to him, let alone the housecarl he had dragged along with him.
Lydia grinned at him. "No," She agreed. "But don't think that'll stop me."
Sebastian chuckled. "Well then, let's not keep them waiting."
The two took the path to the mountain, leading them to a foot-bridge where a Nord and a Bosmer were talking. Overhearing that the Nord has regularly traveled the path to High Hrothgar, Sebastian walked up to him, asking about the monastery.
"Never seen the Greybeards themselves," the Nord, Klimmek, said. "Being Masters of the Thu'um, they can kill you with a single word. Not that they would, mind you. They're pretty peaceful. Are you planning to make a pilgrimage? I'm about to take some supplies up there, myself."
"What kind of supplies?" Sebastian asked.
"Dried meat and fish, mostly, things that'll last for a while. Problem is, my legs aren't what they used to be."
"I could take them for you," Sebastian offered.
"Really? Well, that'd be kind of you," Klimmek handed Sebastian a sizeable bag. "Put these in the chest at the foot of the Monastery.
"Anything I should look out for on the climb?" Sebastian asked, taking the bag.
"Just wolves, mostly. Depending on the time of year, you might encounter Trolls or Ice Wraiths, but usually they only come around during the winter."
After parting with Klimmek, Sebastian and Lydia approached the mountain base. A beaten path laid before them, with carved stone steps embedded into the earth. Sharing a look, the two began walking up the steps leading to High Hrothgar. True to Klimmek's word, they journey was not without peril. A few wolves that were easily dispatched by the two skilled fighters, but the bigger problem was the cold. Sebastian was shivering and his breath came out in great bursts of fog and even Lydia, a Nord who was far more suited to the cold than her Breton friend, was shaking in the freezing air. The warmth of Last Seed held no sway over the mountain and Sebastian dreaded to think of what it would have been like in the middle of winter.
The saving grace of the tiring and freezing journey was the view. Both Sebastian and Lydia stopped more than once simply to take in the sight of Skyrim laid bare before them. They could see Whiterun and Dragonsreach and Lydia pointed out other places of interest such as the capital of Solitude and the Wrothgarian Mountains.
As they approached a pass, a noise drew their attention to a rocky outcropping. Crouched over the corpse of a mountain goat was a large and stocky humanoid creature with off-white fur. It's large clawed three fingered hands were tearing dripping bloody innards from the mangled corpse, shoveling the flesh rabidly and noisily into its large razor toothed maw, with flecks of blood and visceral gore clinging to its jowls. A Frost Troll.
Both Sebastian and Lydia quietly drew their weapons as the Troll gorged itself on its meal. As Sebastian summoned a Fire Atronach, the Troll heard them. It twisted its body and roared at them as it leapt from its perch, its three eyes burning hideously. The Troll stood straight on its hind legs, banging its large fists on its chest as it bellowed at them before charging.
As both Sebastian and his Atronach blasted the beast with lightning and fire, Lydia charged at it and managed to slash at it heavily with her axe before it knocked her away, its gaping wounds slowly closing. The Frost Troll then rushed toward Sebastian who kept firing bolts of lightning at it. He cried out as the Troll's claws slashed him across the chest. Seizing his sword in both hands, he brought the blade down, viciously ripping through sinew and bone. The Troll roared in agony as its severed arm stained the stone with sludge-like scarlet blood.
While the beast gripped its bleeding stump, the Atronach repeatedly shot volley after volley of fireballs at it, singing its fur and flesh. As the Troll roared a final time, Lydia returned, burying the axe head deep into its chest. With a shuddering death rattle, the beast fell to ground with a heavy crash, its burnt corpse filling the air with the stinking smell of charred flesh.
The two panted heavily as they stared down at the Troll's carcass. After Sebastian healed them both, Lydia turned to him. "I'm gonna takes its head."
"Why?" He asked after a beat.
"Killing a Troll is something that deserves remembering," She said defensively.
"We have nowhere to put…" Sebastian sighed. "Look, we'll come back for it. I'm not bringing a Troll's severed head to High Hrothgar."
Lydia begrudgingly agreed and two continued on the path. The cold was growing more and more severe and Sebastian summoned another Fire Atronach to stave it off, though this was not without protest.
"She's not dangerous," He said to a wary (and shivering) Lydia who was standing several feet away from the flaming Daedra. Sebastian paused thoughtfully for a moment, before adding. "Ok, that's a lie. She's actually incredibly dangerous, but not towards us."
In the end Lydia's desire to be warm won out against her distrust of the Oblivion-born homunculi and the two continued up the mountain, the burning Golem floating between them like a living bonfire.
While the two were ascending the mountain, Sebastian had stopped an examined several carved totems raised alongside the steps. Each stone bore a short passage describing the fall of the Dragons, the fall of the Nord Tongues and the rise of the Greybeards. With each passage, the true weight of what Sebastian was doing began becoming even more apparent than before and he repeatedly found himself wanting to flee. He steeled his nerves though; fleeing was the coward's way out and Sebastian would be damned to the deepest pits of Coldharbour before he would be a coward.
As the sun peaked, the two reached an open plateau on the mountain side. On the plateau stood a great stone monastery, weathered and aged by the eras it had battled against the howling winds. The monastery gave off an air of ancient and ethereal majesty, not unlike the mountain it was built on.
"High Hrothgar…" Sebastian breathed.
He and Lydia approached the great monastery with cautious awe. Sebastian saw, sitting between two curving stairs, a weathered stone chest surrounded by offerings. He gently pried open the stone chest and placed Klimmek's supplies inside. Stepping back, he silently observed the great stone temple for a final time before ascending the final steps of their 7,000-long journey. At the top of the stone steps was a great oaken door.
Hesitating for only a moment, Sebastian pushed the great door open and he and Lydia entered High Hrothgar.
Inside, the temple was dimly lit by candle and sun light, casting heavy shadows on the entrance chamber they were standing in. The center of the chamber was illuminated by sky lights, allowing sunlight to shine on to a diamond-shaped pattern in the floor.
Sebastian approached the center of the chamber while Lydia held back by the door, his footsteps echoing heavily in the great hall. As he stood in the center of the diamond, four pairs of footsteps sounded out through the chamber.
From the halls flanking the great chamber came four ancient Nord men dressed in heavy grey robes, their hoods pulled above their heads and their hands hidden and clasped together in the folds of their sleeves. True to their title, each monk bore a distinct iron-grey beard.
One of the Monks broke away from his fellows and approached Sebastian. His aged blue eyes bored into Sebastian's gilded green ones. Neither said a word for some time, before at last the Greybeard spoke.
"So, a Dragonborn appears before us, at this moment. At the turning of the age."
Sebastian bowed respectfully to the Monk. "I am answering your summons, Master." He said humbly. Sebastian had little idea of what to expect, but there was no turning back now.
"We will see if you truly have the gift," The Monk said gravely. "Show us, Dragonborn. Let us taste your Voice."
Sebastian hesitated. They wanted him to…Shout at them? He didn't want to harm these ancient and frail-looking men who had done him no wrong.
Perhaps sensing the Breton's hesitation, the Monk said. "Do not be afraid, Dragonborn. Your Voice will not harm us."
Sebastian wasn't sure whether or not to believe him, but nodded. He thought for a moment, how was he supposed to Shout? The events of yesterday seemed so blurry and distant. As the Word came to his mind, he was suddenly washed in a flurry of different thoughts and emotions. Images flashed through his head: the fury of a charging beast, the power behind a vicious swing, the sheer Force of being knocked away from the chopping block by the obsidian Dragon.
"FUS!"
The Shout crashed from within his chest with the power of a monumental storm and he saw the Greybeards stumble back as the blue blast of pure power roared at them. Sebastian heard Lydia gasp behind him and his eyes widened as the echoes of the Shout rung throughout the temple.
After he had recovered, the lead Greybeard once again approached Sebastian.
"Dragonborn," he said breathlessly. "It is you. Welcome to High Hrothgar."
He and the other three Monks bowed before the Breton.
"I am Master Arngeir, I speak for the Greybeards. Now tell me, Dragonborn, why have you come here?"
"I've come for knowledge; I am told that the Greybeards can tell me what it means to be Dragonborn."
"We are honored to welcome a Dragonborn to High Hrothgar. We will do our best to teach you how to use your gift in fulfillment of your destiny."
"And what is my destiny?" Sebastian asked.
"That is for you to discover. We can show you the Way, but not your destination."
Sebastian knelt before the Monk; his head bowed to the floor. "I am ready to learn, Master."
Master Arngeir gestured for the Breton to rise. "You have shown that you are Dragonborn. You have the in-born gift, but do you have the discipline and temperament to follow the path? That remains to be seen."
The Greybeards spread out, each taking a place at one of the diamond's four corners, facing Sebastian standing in the center.
"Without training," Master Arngeir continued. "You have already taken the first steps towards projecting your Voice into a Thu'um, a Shout. Now let us see if you are willing and able to learn. All Shouts are made up of three Words of Power. As you master each Word, your Shout will grow stronger."
Master Arngeir gestured to the Greybeard on Sebastian's right, who then stepped forward. "Master Einarth will now teach you 'Ro', the second Word of Unrelenting Force. Ro means 'Balance' in the Dragon tongue. When combined with Fus – 'Force' – your Thu'um will be sharper."
Master Einarth leaned down slightly and whispered – at least, to Sebastian it seemed he whispered – "RO".
Despite seemingly whispering the word, the temple shook slightly and Lydia had to steady herself behind him. From Master Einarth's mouth, a blast of blue energy – not unlike Sebastian's – crashed into the floor, carving a rune into the floor. A rune that was identical to the ones found in Bleak Falls.
Master Einarth gestured for the Breton to step forward. Approaching the rune cautiously, Sebastian stared down into the carving as it glowed brighter and brighter, nearly blinding him. As the light faded, the word came to Sebastian's lips.
"Ro," He repeated softly.
Master Arngeir watched silently before speaking. "You learn a new Word like a master…you truly do have the gift, but learning a Word of Power is only the first step. You must unlock it's meaning through practice in order to use it in a Shout. Well, that is how the rest of us have learned. As Dragonborn, you can absorb a slain Dragon's life force and knowledge directly. As part of your initiation, Master Einarth will allow you to tap into his understanding of 'Ro'."
Sebastian faced Master Einarth who raised his arms. From within the Greybeard, the ethereal glowing essence that Sebastian had taken from Mirmulnir once again poured into the Breton. Within Sebastian's mind, the word 'Ro' came into being and with-it images and emotions. A writhing ocean crashing into a stoic cliff face, morning's first light banished the night's shadow, Anuic and Padomayic, Stasis and Change, opposite, equal and Balanced.
As the light faded, Master Einarth stepped back and Master Arngeir continued. "Now let us see how quickly you can master your new Thu'um. Stand next to me and use Unrelenting Force to strike the targets as they appear."
Sebastian took his place next to Master Arngeir and the Nord opened his mouth wide.
"FIIK…LO…SAH!"
An opaque figure formed in the diamond's center. A shade of Master Arngeir. As Sebastian opened his mouth, the images returned to his mind. Force, powerful and destructive, but tempered by Balance.
"FUS…RO!"
An even larger and more powerful blast of energy roared from within Sebastian, shattering the facsimile into pieces. Master Arngeir nodded approvingly.
"Well done. Again."
Sebastian felt exhausted, the Shout had drained him as if he had performed some monumental spell – which, in a way, he had – but he did not question the Nord.
"FIIK…LO…SAH!"
"FUS…RO!"
Again, the Shade was summoned and again Sebastian shattered it. The only difference was, instead of making him feel weaker, Sebastian actually felt more vitalized after the shout.
"You learn quickly," Master Arngeir said. "Once more."
Sebastian nodded, the tiredness he had felt was muted and barely noticeable now.
"FIIK…LO…SAH!"
"FUS…RO!"
For the third and final time, the apparition of Master Arngeir was raised and destroyed just as quickly. Now, Sebastian no longer felt any drain, instead he felt more vital than ever. From her place at the doorway, Lydia clapped for her friend, confused somewhat, but proud.
"Impressive," Master Arngeir said, not acknowledging the housecarl. "Your Thu'um is precise. You show great promise, Dragonborn. We will perform your next trial in the courtyard. Follow Master Borri."
The Greybeard to Sebastian's left stepped away from the diamond and up a brief set of stairs leading to one of two twin doors. As Sebastian began following him, he heard Master Arngeir speak.
"Are you coming, Miss?" He asked, only now acknowledging Lydia.
Lydia, who had so far not been so much as glanced at by either Nord or Breton, fumbled slightly at suddenly being addressed before nodding to the Monk.
With Lydia in tow, the group walked past the twin oak doors, exiting out into a great courtyard, sparsely populated with a thin stone tower, a heavy iron gate that led to a rocky ridge, a well in the center, and a path leading to a crumbling stone arch. High Hrothgar's position on the mountain protected it from the icy howling winds and the late afternoon sun softly shined on the snowy plateau.
As they a few yards away from the gate, Master Arngeir spoke. "We will now see how you learn a completely new Shout. Master Borri will teach you 'Wuld', which means 'Whirlwind'."
Master Borri spoke the Word to the ground and the snow was cast aside as the runes carved themselves into the rock. Sebastian stared the runes down and once again was engulfed in the near-blinding glow.
"You must hear the world within yourself before you can project it into a Thu'um," Master Arngeir continued. "Approach Master Borri and he will gift you his knowledge of 'Wuld'."
Facing Master Borri, the Nord spread his arms wide and the ethereal essence of his knowledge was passed to Sebastian. In his mind's eye, he was swept in images: the currents that guided the flight of a Hawk, the zephyr that banished the smoke of a fire and aloud the air to breath new life, the Whirlwind that was Kynareth's domain.
"Wuld," The Breton breathed.
"Master Wulfgar will now demonstrate Whirlwind Sprint." Master Arngeir said. "Then it will be your turn. Master Borri."
Master Borri stood by the iron gate while Master Wulfgar turned to face it.
"BEX!" Master Borri Shouted and the gates swung open.
"WULD…NAH…KEST!"
With speed and agility that no elder should naturally possess, Master Wulfgar had passed through the iron and stone arch in the blink of an eye. The billowing snow and the streaks in the ground were the only evidence that he had been next to Sebastian at all.
"Now it is your turn." Master Arngeir said to Sebastian. "Stand next to me and Master Borri will open the gate. Use your Whirlwind Sprint to pass through it before it closes."
Sebastian nodded before facing the gate that seemed so far away. He allowed the Word to fill him, and he felt as if the wind around him was encircling him. He allowed his eyes to close in focus and when the Word 'BEX' rang through the air, he acted.
"WULD!"
In nary a second, Sebastian felt himself race through the wind and snow before skidding to a halt just feet away from the ridge. When he opened his eyes, he saw the gate had closed and the Greybeards and Lydia watching him in amazement.
Master Arngeir met him as he returned to the group. "Your quick mastery of a new Thu'um is…astonishing. I'd heard the stories of the abilities of Dragonborn, but to see it for myself…"
Sebastian bowed before the Monk. "Thank you, Master," He spoke.
"You are now ready for your last trial," Master Arngeir continued. "Retrieve the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller, our founder, from his tomb in the ancient fane of Ustengrav. Remain true to the Way of the Voice and you will return."
"Master," Sebastian began, hoping to gain as much knowledge as he could before leaving. "Why are the Dragons returning? Does it have something to do with me?"
"No doubt," Master Arngeir responded. "The appearance of a Dragonborn at this time is not an accident. Your destiny is surely bound to the return of the Dragons. Focus on honing your Voice and your path will be made clear."
"Surely there's more you can tell me." Sebastian said. Despite considering himself a patient man, the Breton began to feel tested, agitated almost. Wasn't he entitled to the answers? Isn't that why they summoned him to this freezing mountain?
"There is much that we know that you do not," Master Arngeir retorted. "That does not mean that you are ready to understand it. Do not let your easy mastery of the Voice tempt you into the arrogance of power that has been the downfall of many Dragonborn before you."
"You call me Dragonborn," Sebastian muttered. "But you haven't told me what it means."
"To be Dragonborn is to be one of the few mortals born with the powers of the Dragons. That is why you have learned in mere days what has taken others years to achieve. Shouting is intrinsic to a Dragon's very being, it is as natural to them - and to you – as breathing. The Dragon speech is in your very blood. It is believed by some that Dragonborn are sent to this world by the Gods in time of need. We will speak more of that later, when you are ready."
"Who was Jurgen Windcaller?" Sebastian asked, hoping to better understand his trial.
"Jurgen Windcaller was the founder of our order, a great war leader of the ancient Nords. A master of the Voice, or Tongue. When the Nord army was destroyed during the Battle of Red Mountain, he spent many years pondering their defeat, atop this very mountain. He eventually came to the conclusion that Kyne had punished the Nords for abusing the power of the Voice. She gave the Voice to them so they could liberate themselves from the Dragon Cult and they went on to use it for their own selfish gain. Jurgen Windcaller's mastery of the Voice soon overcame all opposition and the Way of the Voice was born."
"What is the 'Way of the Voice'?"
"The true use of the Voice is to worship and honor the Gods and true mastery can only be achieved when your inner spirit is in harmony with your outward actions. In the contemplation of the sky and the practice of the Voice, we strive to achieve this balance."
"I will try to follow the Way of the Voice, Master," Sebastian said evenly. He had managed to calm himself as their conversation continued and even felt a little unnerved at how irate he had unknowingly become.
Master Arngeir nodded approvingly. "That is commendable, but remember that the Dragon Blood is a gift given to you by Akatosh. Do not deny that gift, as your destiny requires you to use your Voice. Always remember to use your Voice in his service and you will remain true to the Way."
"Thank you for your help, Master. I will return with the Horn, I promise," Sebastian turned to leave the courtyard, telling Lydia to come along.
"I'm afraid, young lady, that you will not be able to accompany the Dragonborn on his Trial," Master Arngeir said to Lydia.
Turning back to the Monk in confusion, Lydia said. "With all due respect, I made an oath to the Jarl of Whiterun that I would guard Thane Ciero with my life."
"I understand this and commend you for taking that oath to heart, but the Dragonborn walks a path you cannot follow."
After sharing a look with his housecarl and friend, Sebastian nodded. "I…understand, Master."
After parting with the Greybeards, Sebastian and Lydia descended down the mountain. True to her word, Lydia took the time to cut off the Troll's head with the intent to skin it and mount its skull somewhere or have Adrianne craft it into a helmet.
Evening had descended by the time they returned to the mountain. Sebastian eventually met up with Klimmek who thanked the Breton for the favor and gave him a few hundred coins he had saved up. Returning to the inn, Sebastian and Lydia bid each other good night, knowing that in the morning, they would have to part ways.
AN: And another one bites the dust. The snowy, exposition filled dust. Sorry if this took a while, but I had a leg injury to deal with. So yeah, that was… not fun. That was a not fun thing that happened. Heads up, I'm gonna be taking some…liberties with how the Thu'um works, both as a means of convenience and as a way to better integrate it with lore outside of gameplay. Take care, folks. And watch out for your knees. They'll betray you. I'm not even joking. – Bones.