Delphine arrived at dragon's reach too late, it seemed. If only she had been here earlier, she might have seen the Dragonborn with her own eyes. It would have to wait until the Dragonborn, whoever they were, came looking for the horn. Those bumbling old fools really thought only a Dragonborn could get past all those traps, puzzles, and Draugr. When in reality, all it took was a little stealth, and a few tools.

Making her way into the keep, she had every intention of confirming the location of one of the buried dragon's. She was reasonablely sure already just from cross referencing old records and the like. But nothing was more definitive than a text written in the time of the beasts downfall.

Farengar was at his alchemy table, mixing this and that. She wished he wouldn't. He wasn't the best at the craft, and whatever it was smelled putrid.

"Farengar." She said. Attempting to gain his attention. He turned and looked at her a moment before his eyes widened in realization.

"Delphine. I'm sorry. I haven't translated the text. As you've no doubt heard, there was a dragon attack. A dragon Delphine! Can you believe it! I've just requested the jarl for the bones to examine an-" He was cut off.

"I've heard. Did you see them? The Dragonborn? What did they look like? Did she absorb the dragon's soul?" She was impatient for answers and didn't want to listen to Farengar prattle on. He was trusted, but he would go on for hours once something caught his interest. She didn't have that kind of time.

"Oh. Of course. My apologies. As for your questions, supposedly it was an Altmer. Tall, maybe a halfing now that I think about it. Oh! And her hair was red. Deep red. Like fire. I didn't talk with her much I'm afraid. More her odd companion. Think his name was Sheo or something of that nature."

Delphine's eyes widened in realization.

"As for your other question, I'm afraid not. The town is ripe with rumors, but those mostly came from half drunk soldiers. So I wouldn't put much faith in them. You might ask Irileth, she was there with them. From how she tells it, The Elf is a decent mage and swordmaiden. And her companion a powerful mage."

Delphine scrunched her face at the idea of talking to Irileth. There was bad blood there. An old feud that still smoldered. Not quite extinguished, but both parties were willing to ignore the other existed. For now.

Wait, did Farengar say her companion was named Sheo?

"Farengar, her companion, was he the…" she struggled to find a polite way of putting it. "Odd one with the silver hair?" She had a bad feeling about this.

"Hmm? Oh yes! That was him. S but strange, that one. Jarl Balgruuf is didn't much like him to my understanding. I don't think he meant to be rude, but he seemed to have moments of, well, I suppose empty headedness is an apt way to put it. Just a very strange lad." Farengar lamented.

"Strange how? What did he do?" Ice clawed at her, dread working it's way down her vains.

"Ah, well. For one, he seemed to be preoccupied in thought as the Jarl spoke. Had to repeat himself as I understand it. You know how Jarl Balgruuf gets when he must repeat himself."

Delphine winced. Balgruuf was a very patient man. But one of his major triggers was to waste time saying what had already been said. "Anything else?" she pressed. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe it was a coincidence.

Farengar looked up in thought. "Well, there was this one thing. As a reward for bringing the Dragonstone, he asked for a spell tomb. It was rather an easy request to grant, so I did so. Then he took it and, well, I mean to say…" He trailed off. Trying to articulate what he wanted to say in the best manner. Delphine however had no patience for this in her current mood.

"Spit it out. What did he do with it." She snapped.

"Well, he stared at the first page, then for some reason, incinerated the tomb. I can't fathom why, and honestly I found it a bit wasteful." Farengar conceded.

"That's all? Nothing else?" She had to make sure.

"No. That's all I was able to observe. Anyway, I'm afraid as I told you, I've only just began the deciphering of the text. I'll need a day at most."

Delphine began to relax. Of course. He was weird. That much she remembered from their brief stay at the inn. And that boy could not hold his ale. But that alone wasn't anything worth worrying about. She began to depart before Farengar called her attention.

"Ah! Delphine, before you go. I have a letter, I assume from a contact of yours." Delphine froze. Extremely few knew of her acquaintance with the court wizard. Nobody would dare send a message through Farengar. "I would ask he use a courier next time, but he knew about your interest in my research, so I assume you know the boy. Its from that Sheo lad your so Interested in. I don't know what's going on between you two, but I think I can make an educated guess." He smiled in humor, but she didn't notice. Her eyes were glued on the folded parchment. "Look Delphine, I'm not going to tell you who and who not to court, but he seems a little young yeah?"

Instead of justifying that with a reply, she snatched the letter from his hands. Opening it, she was immediately accosted by the worst penmenship she had ever seen. There were ink splotches at the end of each line, and the letters were barely legible. Still, she did her best to read it.

Delphine

I'm sure by the mentioning of your name, your panicking right now. Don't.

She began to hyperventilate.

I'm not part of some Thalmor plot. In fact, the Thalmor have no idea where you are.

This was definitely a Thalmor plot.

But there a few things you need to know about. First, and foremost, we will be seeing you about Windcaller's horn very soon. We might stop by his crypt for the dragonborn to see the Word wall, but the trip would be otherwise pointless. By now I'm sure you have some idea of who we are. If not, you find out when we come for the horn.

How did they know about that? They had just left here! And her inn before that! They had no time! How did they know?!

Secondly, your friend Esbern is hiding in the ratways, in Riften. It's extremely likely the Thalmor are going to track him down within the next several weeks. Extract him if your able. He is vital to translating Alduins wall.

What?! Esbern was alive! Of course he was alive! And in the ratways to boot. That old cover! Well, if this was to be believed. And the Thalmor were on his tail according to the letter. Also, Alduins wall? What on Nirn was that?

Finally, Amaund Motierre is hatching a plot with the Dark Brotherhood to assassinate Titus Mede II. Being as you're a blade, and protecting the emperor was once your duty I felt you might have the connections or otherwise felt obligated to prevent such a tragedy. The proof of such an act can be found on his guard's, know as Rexus, person. An amulet belonging to a member of the Elder Counsel. They can be found in Volunruud Crypt.

Please you this information to the best of your ability. Talk to you soon. (Wink)

They had written the word 'Wink' for some reason.

Yours never.

Sheo. The Original Saint and Sinner.

Delphine stood stiff. Unable to process so many emotions at once. Panic, confusion, relief, and urgency. She was pulled in every direction, and as a result remained in place.

Slowly, she forced herself to calm. To prioritize. Reading it again, she decided it wasn't Thalmor. Despite every fiber of her bing screaming 'That's exactly what a Thalmor would want you to think.' The letter said they would be coming to her. Next, Esbern. If the letter was to be believed, and despite her better judgement she did, then he had a small amount of time. Time for her to prepare. Then, there was this assassination plot. A simple letter to the penitus oculatus would solve that.

Finally, she came to the final confusion. They would be coming to her. He would be coming to her. All she could do was to prepare. These were dark and strange times. Oh, he went by a pseudonym. But it was extremely obvious who he was. Sheogorath traveled among the Dragonborn's party. She tried not to shake with fear.

Xxx

"That's not possible. You can't possibly think that I'll fall for that. Do you really thing I'll just believe you at face value." Said Lydia. We were walking down past the whiterun gate.

"Yup." I said. Popping the P like a certain scarlet-haired reaper. Or was that her sister? Ah, damn. I didn't remember, and had no way to check.

"You can't be going along with this fool?" She said incredulously.

Before Aerana could answer the question, I interjected for her. "Who is the bigger fool? The fool, or the fool who follows the fool?"

There was a pause as Aerana seemed to give that genuine thought. Lydia however just twitched her eye. "I'm sorry, but I require better evidence for such a claim than just your word. Sir." She had taken to calling me sir, rather than 'Thane'.

"Its true. He can predict things he should have no knowledge of. I had thought perhaps he was a mastermind setting up a plot. But after traveling with him for a few days now, I can firmly say with certainty that he isn't near intelligent enough for that." Aerana explained.

"Truly my thane? Not you too?" Lydia asked, defeat in her tone. "I refuse to believe it until I see it." She determined.

Wait, did Aerana just insult me? Rude. I could too be a mastermind. "You'll just have to take my word for it." I told Lydia. Her face looked like she had swallowed a lemon. Wait, did lemons exist here? I would have to find out later. "Anyway, I guess I owe you a few answers Aerana. Once we get on the cart, ask away." I had determined that this would be apology.

"The cart?" Aerana asked. "Why would we need to ride on a cart. I don't know about you, but I've experience enough of those to last me a lifetime."

It was a reasonable question I suppose. "Because it will save time. We need to get to the town of Iverstead. From there, we clime the path of seven thousand steps. If you want, we can drop by the burrow there and grab a Thu'um script from the word wall there. It's only got a few traps and a guy pretending to be a ghost. Should be easy. If you want." I explained.

"Ok. But why the cart?" she asked again. "And don't say to save time. Why don't we just walk?"

I stopped. "walk?" I asked as if the very concept offended me. Skyrim was huge. And though I might not be fat, I'm not in great shape either. "I suppose you'll carry me when I calapse?"

It was then Lydia decided to pipe up. "What's wrong, oh so powerful battlemage? Afraid of a little travel?" She mocked.

"SHUT UP LYDIA! IN THE VASTNESS OF THE MULTIVERESE, NOBODY HAS EVER BEEN SHOUTED OFF THE TOPA OF CLIFFS AS OFTEN AS YOU HAVE! YOU, ALONE, AMONG INFINITE POSSIBLE WORLDS, HOLD THAT RECORD!" I didn't want to walk, and screw her for not being normal. I was the equivalent of a Morrowind player. It cost me stamina to walk. She me.

The two stared at me a moment, then Aerana asked. "What's the multiverse?" God damnit.

"I'll explain in the cart." I said defeated. I walked up to the man and he nodded to me.

"Need a ride?" Never had such wonderful a question ever graced my ears.

"How much for a trip to Iverstead?" I asked, pulling out my coin pouch. I refused to call It a purse.

"Not my usual destination, but i pass through on my way to Windhelm. Let's say half the fare for that. Say, 10 septims."

I blinked. That was a great deal! I pulled them out and added an extra two for his trouble. He gave me a grateful nod in return. "Climb in back and we'll be off."

Aerana and Lydia were first taking one side. I took the other

"So," I said "Where do you want to start?"

Aerana opened her mouth to ask, but Lydia beat her to it. "How about where the Dwemer went? Since you know everything." She snarked.

Not one to be outdone I answered. "I don't know everything. Just things involving the Dragonborn. And they misused the Heart Of Lorkan attempting to reach a higher plain of existence. It went horribly wrong and their entire race was removed from the face of Nirn." I said in a deadpan. Screw you Lydia. I just solved one of the greatest mysteries on Nirn like it was nothing.

"What in Oblivion is the Heart of Lorkan?" She asked just as deadpan. Oh well. Guess it was lost on her.

"Ok. That's actually really interesting, and I might want an in depth explanation to that later. But for now, I have other questions." Aerana said. And at least she believes me.

"Ask away." I said.

"Ok. First, you said you knew a lot about what will happen to the Dragonborn. Do you know everything? Where I grew up? What I like to eat? When I die?"

Ok. Fair questions. Time to bullshit. "I only I ow things about after you entered Skyrim. I don't know anything personal about you. And as for your last question, it's complicated."

"Go on." She said enraptured. And I had to admit, it was nice being able to talk like this It reminded me of my wife when she would talk about cars. I barely understood it, but she was so I to it I couldn't help but be happy for her. But, now I was sad. "Whats wrong?" Aerana asked. Then her eyes widened. "Oh no! You do know when I'm going to die! When is it? Can I avoid it?! I don't want to die!"

Lydia scowled at me. "Now look what you did. There, there my thane." She placed an armored arm over Aerana. "Nobody care predict such things. We make our own fates."

I tried to stop thinking about my wife, and focus on the here and now. "Your right. In a way Lydia." From the way she looked at me , I could tell she thought that was obvious. "I don't know when you'll die. Like I said, it's complicated. Your free to go anywhere. Do anything. I know things about the various locations and people here in Skyrim. Things that might help or hinder you. I know of what threats must be taken care of, what ally's we can trust, and what paths will lead to our certain doom. It's not perfect. Things shift. The multiverse is infinite after all." I tried to give myself a little lean room there. Just in case I forgot something or something changed from what I knew.

"There's that word again. Multiverse. What is it?" She asked me. Now, that was a tough one. I would try to answer anyway.

"Hmm. How to answer. Oh! I know." I pulled out a septim. "Heads or tails." I asked. They looked at me confused. "Its part of the explanation. Head or tails?"

"Err, heads I guess." Someone said. I flipped the coin. Tails. "Does this mean I don't get the septim?" She asked confused. I handed it to her. She was, oddly happy about getting it. I hadnt noticed a greed streak before. Weird. But not unwelcome.

"In this universe, the coin landed on heads. But in another universe, on another Nirn, a different Sheo, Aerana, and Lydia saw it land on tails. Are you following?" I asked.

"Not really. No." Lydia answered. I glared at her but I saw Aerana look confused as well.

"Every action we make, big or small, spawns a universe where we preformed another action. Say you come to a crossroads, unsure of which way to go. In one universe, you choose to go right. That means, in another, you went left. And these are not always binary choices. Perhaps, you hesitate, and go back down the road to ask directions. Are you understanding it now?" To be fair, it was pretty complex.

"I…think so." Aerana said.

"Good. Now, apply that to every person. Every animal. Every god, every flake of snow, every plant, and every star."

Their eyes widened as they attempted to imagine the scope.

"That's…that's…"

"That's the multiverse. Every choice ever made. Good, bad, or totally unnoticeable. They exist. Thankfully for us, we experience time in a linear fashion. Otherwise we might get lost among the infinitely branching paths."

"Wow." Aerana said in awe. Her eyes wide as she gained a new perspective.

"Wow." Lydia said, significantly less wowed. "What a load of absolute rubbish."

"Oy!" I said annoyed. "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. Ok. Next question."

We sat there as she thought. The cart slowly rocked as the wheels went over the cobblestone roads.

"What…" she hesitated for a second before finding her strength. "What does it mean to be Dragonborn?" Ah. Well, I guess it was me or the graybeards.

"That's, a difficult question. Let's try to narrow it down. Do you mean about how your related to dragons? What your purpose is? How it effects you? Your gonna have to narrow that down."

She looked at me. Blank eyes bore into me. The unsaid answer was a loud 'Yes'. Ok. Fine. "Alright. I guess Let's start with how your related to dragon. You, as a first generation Dragonborn have the soul of a dragon. That means Akatosh designed your soul specifically. Your not like the Dragonborn of the Septim line. They are Dragonborn by birth right. And they live on to keep the dragon barrier intact. Yes, I see your questions. I'll explain. The dragon barrier is the protection Akatosh gave us to ensure the Daedra cannot invade our world. During the Oblivion crisis Mehrunes Dagon attemped to invade our world after the death of that times emperor. He was assassinated by the Mythic Dawn Cult in an effort to bring the corrupted Aedra to our world.

Thankfully, the Septim line was restored, because people are physically incapable of keeping it in their pants."

I got a giggle and a quick chort at that

"But like I said, that has nothing to do with you. You have the soul of a dragon, but the flesh of man. Err, woman. Mer, whatever.

Your purpose is to kill, and consume the souls of dragon's. Yeah, hold on. I'll explain." I could see wanted to dispute the idea of devouring a soul. "Dragon souls aren't like human souls. Or even animal souls. They aren't whitez or black, but the color of creation itself. Each dragon's soul, is a shard of Akatosh. When one dragon devours the soul of a other, it is seen as right in Akatosh's eyes. There are only so many dragon's, and they are immortal. Conventionally anyway. So long as they retain their soul, they can be resurrected by another dragon. Though, they are often forced to swear allegiance to their benefactor.

They were the first born in this world. And they will be the last. Alduin is fated to devour the world. Unless someone was to devour him.

As for you, your even higher up the food chain. The dragon's may be the favored children of Akatosh, but he favors you personally."

"What do you mean?" she Interrupted .

"You are an apex predator. The only of your kind. It is both your right, and your duty, to cull the dragon's. Be it through genocide, or subjugation. With each Dragon devoured, you will grow more powerful. Even now, your probably stronger than you were a few days ago. Your very being was built for this task.

You take the form of their prey for example. Lure them in, and grow from their loss. And not just physically. You will learn from them. Your Voice will be a match for the mightiest of beings one day." I finished my grand speech pretty happy. I had been running through it for a while. My voice didn't even crack. I'm not gonna lie. I was very pleased with myself.

"It's just, so much. You know? I just wanted to get away. I wanted to be something other than a brood mare for my family. Then, all this happened. It's just so much." Her voice was small.

"I know. It's a lot. But we can take it in steps. I'll help. Lydia will help." She nodded firmly and pulled Aerana into her breastplate. "And we'll gain ally's along the way. You are not alone." She sniffled lightly. And I once again was struck with how real this all was. Divines! She was just a girl! I was in my 30s for god's sake. Even if I looked like this. She couldn't have been more that 21 at most. I briefly thought about how she might be older due to being an elf. But it didn't matter. Mentally, she wasn't ready for this.

And if I was being honest, neither was I.

"Now look what you did, you made her cry fool." Lydia Admonished.

"Oh Fuck off Lydia. The only thing people ever use you for is a walking chest for when there over encumbered."

Amazingly, she smirked at that. "Well, I am sworn to carry her burdens."

A soft giggle could be heard from the form hiding in Lydia's breast plate. Well, at least someone was happy.

Thunder could be heard overhead, and I felt a drop of water hit my cheek.

"Fuck." I said. And it was a shared sentiment.