We talked for some time. We couldn't exactly do anything else. Aerana explained that she had been taught Fus Ro (Unrelenting force) by the greybeards, as well as wuld or the first word of (Whirlwind Sprint).
She had then been directed to meditate to gain deeper understanding. She sat in the tower for hours on end doing so. I encouraged her, wondering if shouts could be mixed to gain to new effects.
It continued like that for a day or so. I mostly slept, along with Lydia, while she practiced using the Voice. But, eventually, the pain ebbed away. And before I knew it I, along with Lydia, were watching Aerana flit around using Wuld. She seemed to be having the time of her life. I was a bit jealous if I'm being honest with myself.
But all good things must come to an end. Aerana asked Argneir how to learn more about the voice. And he asked her to retrieve the Horn of Jargen Windcaller. As it should be. Now, the question was, should we go for the shout or not?
I knew where the horn was. I had left Delphine a note about it. But was become Ethereal worth the trip? It had taken an entire day by carriage on a well traveled road to get to Iverstead. How long would it take to get to Ustengrav? Days? Weeks? I didn't know. I decided I would let Aerana decide.
"Ok, let me get this straight. The horn is with Delphine, the inn keeper? Of Riverwood? And all we have to do is ask about an attic room? In an Inn that clearly has no attic." Aerana asked deadpan.
"Uh…yeah. Pretty much. So do you want to grab the word wall or not?" I said back. We were walking along the road that circled the Throat of the World. It had been a few hours.
"No! Why would I want to travel out into the middle of a swamp so we can go digging for a single word! We don't have time for that! According to the Greybeards Alduin is out there right now! Doing gods knows what!"
That was…a really good point. I guess unlike most Skyrim players Aerana didn't suffer from the compulsive need to become distracted and wander off. Pity.
"She's right Sheo. We should make haste to Riverwood for our correspondence." Lydia piped in.
"Yeah, yeah. I get it. I just thought you would want to explore more is all." I said put off. This was all bumming me out. The only saving grace was I would get to mess with Delphine. That thought perked me up a bit.
It was two days before we made it to Riverwood. We fought spiders, bears, leopards, and wolves. Common enemies. There was a weird encounter with some drunk in a boat.
Oh! We also had the fortune if being ambushed by bandits. Those poor ,poor bastards. I almost felt bad listening to them scream in agony. A sort of sympathy for kindred spirits. Almost.
But the real cake was what I got from the encounter. Once they were done being on fire, I was able to loot a spell book off one of the mages. I learned Stoneflesh later that night. And I'll be honest, I felt awesome.
I must have looked dumb, casting the spell over and over as we walked. But it was a completely new sensation. Like my skin was made of stone. I know what your thinking. 'No, really? Stoneflesh makes you feel like being made of stone. You don't say?' But it was so much more than that. My joints were reinforced, so walking was much easier. The increased density of my skin made me feel slightly heavier, but I also felt more grounded in my stance. Like it would be harder to stagger me.
All in all, I was very happy with new addition to my repertoire.
It was as the sun was dropping below the crest of the mountain that we arrived. The shadows that were cast over the logging Hamlet gave it a sleepy vibe. And I was ok with that. We were tired after all.
Finally able to open the door to the Sleeping Giants inn, aided by the Stoneflesh spell, our group filed in to the old tavern.
It was just as I remembered it. Sven was playing the lute, the fire was on, and the smell of stew was in the air. Regrettably however, we had a task to get to first.
Aerana gave me a questioning look, and I gestured at Delphine. She was talking with her bar keep, but spotted us. Her eyes flitted over Lydia, lingered on Aerana, but settled on me. Her entire posture stiffened, and she seemed to give hushed but frantic orders to Orgnar.
We approached, and Delphine's smile was a thin line. It reminded me of a strained customer service worker. Maybe she had needed to throw someone out recently.
"Excuse me." Aerana said. "We'd like to rent the…" she looked up at the thatched ceiling. The clear lack of any other space obvious in her voice. Then she looked back at Delphine. "-Attic room?"
To her credit, Delphine took it in stride. "Attic room huh? Well, we don't have an attic room. But you can rent a normal room." She then led Aerana to the left most chamber. I, on the other hand, just went to sit by the fire.
"Come get me when Delphine demands you join her in her bed chambers" I said teasingly. The reactions to my innuendo were mostly as expected. Lydia scowled, Aerana looked shocked, then blushed. Huh. That's weird. Wonder if that meant something. Nah. Probably not. Lastly, Delphine nearly tripped. Ha! Got em.
I let myself warm by the fire. I wasn't exactly cold or anything. But there is something rustic and enjoyable about staring into the embers of a pyre. As I sat however, I was Interrupted by Orgnar.
"Excuse me. The inn would like you to have these on the house." He said in a bored tone. I looked, and in his hands was a platter. On it, different types of cheese sat cut into various shapes. Mostly squares though.
"Oh. Thanks." I said taking the platter. "Here." I said pulling a coin out of my Oblivion. "It's a tip." He nodded and went back to his post. I munched on the cheese slowly. Idly, I wondered if it was poisoned. What? I was suspicious of free food.
Well jokes on them! I feared no poison! Or death for that matter. Besides, few deaths would be as bad as the spiders. I shuttered, a vision of 80 unfeeling eyes flashing in my mind. The hair on my neck stood up as I thought I heard the chittering. Shaking it off, I popped another cheese cube. Yep, poison would be a kindness at this point.
As I pondered the point of life and death and our place in the universe, the door to Aerana's rented chamber opened. And they walked to Delphine's room, Aerana's face bright red. I got up to follow them. I wonder what was up with that.
A few minutes earlier with Aerana.
My face burned as I thought of the implications of Sheo's words. We left him sitting in the chair out by the hearth. He looked a bit regal with his legs crossed, his silver hair tinged orange and yellow in the light.
Once I and Lydia were left alone in the room, I was able to lay down. But only long enough for me to notice the extra occupant.
"So, you're the dragonborn I've been hearing so much about. I think your looking for this." She pulled a small gray horn out of her clothes. I want to be unsurprised, but once again I am forced to concede that Sheo really does know his stuff. It's a bit worrying if I'm being honest with myself.
"Thank you. Is that all? Or are we headed to your room like my friend outside seems to think." I teased lightly. Hopefully, this would be the end of it, and we would be on our merry way. I could admit to myself I was curious about the circumstances of this little Inn owner having it in their possession. But this was Skyrim!
Everyone was an adventurer in their own right as I understood it. Nothing like the prim and proper of Cyridiil! Even their kings were down to earth. Or, as far as I understood from my meeting with Jarl Balgruuf.
"Actually, there is something else." She quietly. As if she didn't want to be overheard. "As I understand it, you know what's going on." She said vaguely. As if trying to suggest something. Huh? Wait-Oh! Oh. Oh my. My mind went places it shouldn't at the implications. My face lit up in embarrassment. I looked her over. Well, she was a bit older, but not that old. And she was somewhat pretty. Still, this was happening too fast! "Follow me." She said with an air of finality.
And then she left. I got up stiffly, and walked past a worried looking Lydia. Oh no! What would she think. I moved on auto pilot. Ugh! This was all Sheo's fault! Walking across the bar area, and into Delphine's room. What did I do now? I had never done this sort of thing before! Was this how I paid for the claw? Surely not.
"Please. Close the door." She ordered. Oh divines, that's what this was, wasn't it?
"Sure thing. Need anything else?" a voice asked. I whirled around on my heal.
"Sheo!" I exclaimed in shock. What was he doing here? And where in Oblivion did he get a cheese platter!? He hadn't left my site for more than a full minute!
"Lydia!" he shouted back. Confusing everyone in the room.
"What, fool?" Lydia asked dead pan.
"Sorry. I just thought we were shouting each others names. You could have said Aerana's name to keep it going. Spoil sport." He said with an infuriating smile. Lydia scowled in confusion, deciding not to ponder how a sport could rot and what that meant as an insult.
"Sooooo" Sheo drew out. "Delphine, why are we here?"
The smile on his face said he knew exactly why we were here. What was he planning? This was supposed to be a simple retrieval. Get the horn, go back to High Hrothgar.
Delphine looked annoyed at Sheo, then looked at me.
"Follow me." She directed again. Then she opened her closet and stepped in.
"Ha! Delphine's in the closet! Called it." Sheo barked. I allowed myself a moment to ponder what that meant. At least in this context. But I couldn't figure it out. She was physically inside the closest. I was in the closest too. All of us were in the closet.
I didn't get it. We entered a small basement room. Maybe a root cellar. I couldn't tell. Sheo went to look at an odd sword mounted on the wall.
We gathered around the table that was meant to be the center piece. A map laid on it with several X marks. The map was of Skyrim, I could tell that much.
Delphine leaned over it, studying it, before her eyes settled on the center east. I saw the mark she looked at, and noted it was by Windhelm.
She looked up at me, and our eyes met. I blushed again, my mind going places it shouldn't. Damnit Sheo!
"So you're the Dragonborn I've been hearing so much about." She stated.
I felt a bit defensive at the implication that people were talking about me. "What of it?" I snapped with a bit more venom then I meant. I was a bit defensive think you're looking for this." Behind me, Sheo muttered something about 'exposition rant' wasn't really listening.
"The Greybeards seem to think you're the Dragonborn. I hope they're right." She threw out. Wait, did she think I was lying? I had already absorbed that dragon's soul. I shuttered at the thought. But I was more annoyed at the idea that she doubted me. I sat in that tower for days! Meditating. Would it have killed the old men to put a fire up there? Sighing, I tried regaining control of my emotions.
"Greybeards are right. I am Dragonborn." I reassured.
Delphine only scoffed, then her eyes flicked over to Sheo. But they settled back on me afterwards. Oh god, what was he doing behind me.
"I hope so. But you'll forgive me if I don't assume that something's true just because the Greybeards say so. I just handed you the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller. Does that make me Dragonborn, too?"
I wouldn't know. Sheo had a vision that told us where the horn was. His powers were weird like that. Vague, yet specific.
She must have taken my silent pondering as confirmation. "Surprised?" She continued. "I guess I'm getting pretty good at my harmless innkeeper act."
"I was expecting someone... taller." Lydia piped up from my side.
Delphine smirked. Not taking offense. "Good. The whole point of being in hiding is to appear to be someone you're not."
"Alright, that's fair. But what's with all the cloak and dagger?" I asked.
Delphine scowled. "You can't be too careful. Thalmor spies are everywhere."
Ah. That made sense. Damn Thalmor. They gave Mer a bad name. Crazed race supremacists.
"Look, I didn't go to all this trouble on a whim. I needed to make sure it wasn't a Thalmor trap. I'm not your enemy. I already gave you the horn. I'm actually trying to help you. I just need you to hear me out."
I sighed, annoyed. I could only hope this wouldn't become a theme. That I wouldn't become skyrim's problem solver.
"Go on then, I'm listening." I said with a sigh. This was starting to sound tedious. Idlely, I picked at the dirt under my nails.
Delphine didn't seem to take offense, and carried on. "Like I said in my note, I've heard that you might be Dragonborn."
What note? I never saw this note she's talking about. Ugh. Not knowing things was annoying.
"Why are you looking for a Dragonborn?" I asked.
Delphine paused, and her face went through a multitude of emotions. First suspicion, then reluctance, then a scowl. Which seemed to be her default expression, and finally a look of annoyed acceptance.
"I'm… part of a group that's been looking for you... well, someone like you." She corrected. "For a very long time in fact. If you really are Dragonborn, that is. Before I tell you any more, I need to make sure I can trust you."
"I-" I started to say. But was stopped by a loud clattering behind me. I swiftly turned, ready for a threat. But all I saw was Sheo looking at the single edged sword as it laid on the ground under it's mount. Did he pull that off the wall? Why?! Was he a toddler? Could he not keep his hands to himself?!
"What are you doing!" I hissed angrily.
He gave me an elk in the torchlight look. "Embracing my inner weeb?" he asked uncertainly. And I had NO idea what that meant! "What in Oblivion is a Weeb?" I asked exasperated.
"Oh. Uh, that would take quite a bit to explain. Just rest assured, it involves tentacles and Katanas. And I really don't want to explain the concept of anime."
It would have taken a Daedric prince to prevent me from the legendary facepalm I had to give myself. "Why does asking you questions never lead to answers, but more questions!" I really needed to calm down. It's just, everything was piling up all at once.
"Uh…I'm an example of abstract temporal and celestial displacement?" Before I could come to the conclusion that he had a distinct lack of strangle marks on his neck, someone loudly cleared their throats.
Delphine had been watching the entire encounter with a blank face and a thin smile.
"As I was saying." She tried to pick up where she had left off. "We remember what most don't – that the Dragonborn is the ultimate dragonslayer. You're the only one that can kill a dragon permanently by devouring its soul. Can you do it? Can you devour a dragon's soul?"
The thought made me queasy. I really wasn't comfortable with soul magic. It was far too close to necromancy for my tastes. Sheo tried to explain it, but I couldn't shake off my biases on the subject. "Yeah. It's…it's how I learned I was the Dragonborn. I did it before. At the watchtower."
"Cut the crap. Why are we here. Stop trying to lead my thane around by the nose." Lydia snapped. She had apparently grown tired of Delphine's secretive and demanding attitude.
Delphine tensed, hand twitching towards the dagger. But she glanced behind me and grit her teeth before relaxing. She played it off by placing her hand on the table and leaning over the map. I still noticed however, and had to release the breath I had drawn. I had been ready to hit her with FUS RO.
"Fine. Here's the part I haven't been telling you. Dragons aren't just coming back, they're coming back to life." She paused for theatric effect. "They weren't gone somewhere for all these years. They were dead, killed off centuries ago by my predecessors. Now something's happening to bring them back to life. And I need you to help me stop it."
"Well isn't that convenient." Lydia drew, and I nodded in agreement. It was all a bit too clean for my liking. But, I suppose when god's are involved…still.
"Do you know how crazy this sounds?" I asked. In reality, I had heard crazier. Several times. But still, when it was happening with yourself at the center point, it frayed on your suspension of disbelief.
Delphine wasn't immune to the madness it seems. "Ha! A few years ago, I said almost the same thing to a colleague of mine. One who I've made plans to meet up with soon. Well, it turned out he was right and I was wrong." She acknowledged."
In the background, Sheo started drumbing on the corner table. When had he sat down? Whatever.
"Ok, let's say I believe you. After all, I've accepted some crazy ideas over the last week. What makes you think dragons are coming back to life?"
Delphine did what I could only assume was a smile. "I know they are. I've visited their ancient burial mounds and found them empty. And I've figured out where the next one will come back to life. We're going to go there, and you're going to kill that dragon. If we succeed, I'll tell you anything you want to know."
"Ok. But how?" Sheo asked.
All eyes were placed on the idiot sitting in the corner.
"How what? How do we kill a dragon? Make it bleed until it stops I assume. I was under the impression that you had done this before." Delphine asked in a flat tone.
"I have. Many, many times. But no, not that. How did you go from seeing the mounds were empty, to knowing which was next? We're they buried in a specific order? Is Alduin just going in reverse order? Why would he not go from mound to mound? And aren't there mounds all over the world? How do you know it will be the one in Kynesgrove?" he pointed out. And it was a very good point. How did she know.
Delphine scowled. "A lot of research, and help from a few friends in Whiterun. One of which, who I shall not name, can divine the future to a limited extent."
"Ah, that feeble old hag." He said with a smile. And Delphine grit her teeth.
"Yes." Delphine growled softly.
"Cool. Cool. See you in Kynesgrove, I guess. I'm keeping the Weeb sword by the way." And with that he stood up and started up the stairs.
I can't believe him! "Sheo! You cant just take that! It's stealing!" I chastised.
"It's fine." Delphine said, much to my, and Lydia's shock. "I have more. He can have that one."
I nodded hesitantly. I didn't want to get into the habit of stealing. Especially when we didn't need to. He was just being petty. And a crazed idiot.
"We'll…see you in Kynesgrove, I guess." I said.
"Come on! Hurry up! I'm bored! Let's go and set people on fire again!" I heard a petulant voice cry from up the stairs. I sighed and hurried up. I didn't want anyone in this town to hate us anymore than they already did. Especially after the incident with the dog.
Delphine:
If I didn't know before, I knew now. He had all bit confirmed it Sheogorath walked among the living. I didn't know how. An avatar perhaps? It didn't matter. A Daedra was interacting with the mortal plane directly.
It had not escaped my notice he had mentioned our destination before I had spoken of it. Or that he was aware of my friend Olava.
That the god of madness was guiding the Dragonborn did not bode well for Nirn.
I just prayed that we would not avert one crisis only to be thrown into another.
Wolfskull Cave: After the Raid on the necromancers.
Hadvar was cleaning his sword. He had been placed on a detail to clear out the cave as soon as information about it had sprung up.
The fools were trying to resurrect the Wolf Queen herself. He and his men were to stand guard until the Priest of Arkay could come bless the foul place.
Damn necromancers. Skyrim had enough problems without the dead walking about. Or, more so than usual anyway.
His thoughts turned towards that strange young man with the silver hair. The one who had, well, not saved him. But given him a direction. He hoped the lad was doing well. That he had escaped.
Idly, Hadvar thought about what to cook his adopted son once he returned. He was thinking of retiring out of the legion. Maybe apply for the Solitude Guard.
His heart was no longer in it. He believed in the idea of the empire, don't get him wrong. But these days, it didn't feel like he served the empire. It felt like he served the Thalmor.
He knew, intellectually, that the empire was just biding its time. Building resources, hording stock, training men. In time, they would rise against the Thalmor, and on that day, he would gladly join his brothers and sisters.
But not now. This rebellion, it had shaken his faith. He had been forced to see the ugly truth of it. That the rebels had a point. Their very way of life was being stamped out. Brothers killing brothers on the battlefeild, sons burning the homes of father in raids. An image of two friends playing in the brush, getting into trouble, and looking out for each other flashed. Ralof and he had been inseparable once. But not anymore. That was a bridge burned. And for what? Hadvar didn't know. It was all pointless.
After some reflection, Hadvar decided on Chicken potato soup, with cheese, and leak. He could finally get a use out of that old couldron. The lad would love it. He was sure.