Chapter 11
When entering Riften, the pungent sewage smell becomes ten times worse than what it was outside the city. "Ugh, how can the people live stand the smell" Lydia complains, pinching her nose. "I have no idea. Hopefully the inn smells better" pointing to the inn we make our way over, but I stop short when I hear a Nord woman draped in Steel Plate Armor complaining about the Thieves Guild. "If I had my sword, I could cleave through them all and the city would be a better place." "Lost your sword?" I ask "Aye, been exploring Tamriel and all its corners for most of my life. Dangerous work but I could handle it easy enough. The last ruin I went in though was a Dwemer one called Mzinchaleft and that's where I lost my blade. I was badly injured by one of those massive metal constructions. It was a miracle by the Eight I made it out alive. And that I didn't die on the side of the road. If it weren't for Aerin here I wouldn't be. So after that I decided to retire. Now I help the people of Riften, and I try to stop the Thieves Guild when I can."
"I could always help you get your blade back if you want" I suggest. "I like to think of myself as a problem solver." "I would be in your debt if you could do that for me stranger." We clasp wrists and then move towards the inn when we're suddenly confronted by a sour faced Nord. "You in Riften looking for trouble, outsider?" "What's it to you?" I ask, meeting his deadlocked gaze. "Wrong answer punk. Last thing the Black Briars need is someone causing trouble for them." "Cool, in case you haven't noticed, I don't give a shit." With that said he lets out a grunt and steps forward, reaching for my neck with his thick gauntleted hand. Before he can put his foot down to take his next step, I've cast a bound dagger and hold the point to his throat. "Like I said before. I don't give a shit. Now I'm going to suggest staying out of my way or this dagger will be in yours." He holds his spot for a few seconds eyes wide before he steps back, turns around and walks the other way, mumbling something under his breath. "Was that wise?" "Probably not but we're not here to fuck around.
Opening the door to the inn I make my way through the drunks to the Argonian barkeep by the name of Keerava. She doesn't know anything about anyone named Esbern but says the Ratway is the perfect place for him to hide. She also gives me some bandit and dragon locations to steer clear of. After a couple of drinks we pay and take our leave heading out to the marketplace when I notice two Altmer walking down to the Ratway. We meet each other's eyes for a moment before they disappear. "Thane, were they…?" Lydia is about to ask when I move towards Riftens Graveyard.
We cross the bridge and make our way into the graveyard opposite the shrine of Talos. Rushing the path we find a crypt with a stone coffin and a symbol on the front. Pressing the symbol we hear a loud click, and the coffin starts sliding back into the wall loudly. Casting muffle to hide the sound we quickly descend into the Ratway. We don't walk far before we enter the Ragged Flagon. Heads turn and eyes become locked onto us as I face the bar keep. "Never seen you around here before. Yet you come through the other way." He says, not hiding the dangerous edge to his voice.
"I'm not here to cause trouble, just want to know where abouts an old guy named Esbern is." With Esbern's name said three men and a woman stand up and face us, hands resting on unseen weapons at their backs. Casting two bound swords, Lydia stands in front of me ready to defend. "There's no need to fight. The Thalmor are after this guy, we have to help him." I plead. "Wait, I know him. "You do?" One of the men steps forward and I immediately recognise him. "Etienne." I walk past Lydia, and we clasp hands. "Good to see you made it back." "I used that ring to get to Dragons Bridge, where I stole a legionnaires horse and rode back here. I hope you don't mind me selling it and the armor, I needed the money." "Ah it's fine. I can make more if needed. Anyway I'm here looking for an old hermit by the name of Esbern. The Thalmor are here as well looking for him. That's why they were torturing you. I've been sent by an old friend of his to reunite them." "I know where he is. Follow me. Oh, also you wouldn't happen to know where a mate of mine is? Goes by the name Gissur. He was taken into the embassy with me."
"He betrayed you" I say sadly. "He was the one that organised for you to get kidnapped and tortured. I overheard him saying he could get you to talk himself and begging to be paid. And I may have sent him and your torturer on a one-way trip to the afterlife." "Oh, thanks." He says quietly. "Now follow me, I'll take you to him." Following Etienne we make our way deeper into the Ratway. It isn't long before we come across Thalmor already down here. Etienne uses his thief skills to slide away in the shadows and appear behind the soldiers, slitting their throats with no sound. Lydia and I hang back and let arrows fly through necks and skulls. It isn't long before we are standing in front of a big iron door.
"I'll keep watch" Etienne whispers before disappearing in the shadows. I knock three times and immediately a view port in the door slides open, revealing an old man. "Who are you? Go away." "Esbern, we need to talk quickly. The Thalmor are down here, more are probably on their way." "Probably a Thalmor trap, you won't trick me." He says before shutting the view port. Knocking again I yell to him. "Esbern, Delphine sent me. The dragons have returned." "Of course they've returned." He yells, opening the view port. "I've been telling people for years and they never listened. Delphine sent you. HA. You've kidnapped her and you're trying to bait me out but I'm smarter than that."
He moves to shut the panel again, but I stick my hand in and hold it open. "Where were you on the thirtieth of Frostfall Esbern? She told me to ask you that." Through the panel I see tears well up in his old eyes before he blinks them away. "It doesn't matter, the dragons have returned. As well as their leader Alduin. Without a Dragonborn it's useless we can't win." As he says that Etienne is flung backwoods into Esbern's wall and slumps unconscious. Walking through the pathway is a half dozen gold and green armoured elves with an extra two in black and gold robes. "Lydia, heal him. I'll deal with them."
Casting Ebonyflesh on myself I pull an elven Warhammer out of the rift and smile at them. "Kill those three, bring me the old man alive." One of the robes call out. They keep their distance as the armoured elves make their advance. With a sadistic smile I start spinning around in a circle and let the Warhammer fly. Before anyone can react, it becomes embedded in the wall on the other end of the sewer, with an elf's body lying on the ground and no head as the flying hammer took it off and popped it against the wall like I dropped a pumpkin.
"FUS RO DAH." Using the full power of the shout I watch as the rest of the elves are thrown back into the wall and one of the robes doesn't move as I watch his head slam against solid stone. Casting revenant on the headless elf I watch it rise and pull the hammer from the wall and stalk over to the others that are getting back up. The closest elf is knocked back down before he can stand up straight. With a mangled leg he tries to heal it, but the spell is snuffed out as the hammer is brought down on his chest twice. Once to crack and split his chest plate and the next is to crush his chest. My undead soldier stalks his next victim but is brought down with a turn undead spell. I rush through the rest of the task force still getting their bearings after being blown back and shout "FIEM." Becoming ethereal I watch a double lightning bolt pass harmlessly through me and hit two other soldiers who crumple back to the ground without hope of getting back up. Turning my attention back to the robed agent I get close and summon a bound blade and sink it into his chest as I become solid again.
Turning back to the last four elves I don't need to do anything as Lydia opens a hole in two of their chests with a lightning bolt while Etienne snuck up behind and slit the last two's throats. "Hey, you stole my kills." "Can't let you have all the glory." Lydia says with a laugh. "I'm a thief, it's what we do." He says smiling. I put the Warhammer back in the rift along with the elven swords and walk back to Esbern. As I'm about to knock on his door again he opens it up to us. "That magic you used, the shouting. You are dragonborn aren't you" "Yes, I am." "Oh thank the Divines. So Delphine really did send you." "Yes. she did, now let's go." "Hold on, I need to pack some things then we go."
"Do you know what your presence means? It means you're our only hope. You're the only one that can stop a dragon permanently by devouring its soul and the only one who can kill Alduin." He explains while stacking books and other items into a backpack. We then make our way out of the Ratway and back into the Ragged Flagon. "Thank you." I say to Etienne, clasping his wrist. "No need to thank me. You saved my life, I owe you much more." "So you're the one that saved our boy." I turn my head slightly to see a Nord man walk over and hold his hand out. Letting Etienne's wrist go I clasp the stranger's wrist. "I'm Brynjolf. If you ever need any help, then don't be afraid to ask. We might even have a position open." He chuckles. "I'll keep that in mind". Brynjolf also gives me permission to sell whatever I come across.
"Ugh the thieves Guild. Please don't join them my thane. You have a reputation to uphold." Lydia complains as we leave the Ratway. "I make no promises. Having the Thieves Guild around might sound like I'll lose all my coin but there will be a time when we might actually need them." We rest till first light then it's back to Riverwood. If Esbern had any more doubts about me being Dragonborn, they are entirely crushed as a dragon attacks us. It doesn't last long against the three of us and its soul is mine. "The power of the dragon… it's yours now. There can no longer be any doubt that you are Dragonborn."
We get into Riverwood by midday, heading for the inn I tell Esbern to cast invisibility so we can sneak into Delphine's basement without attracting attention. Once inside and visible again, Esbern and Delphine face each other for the first time in thirty years. With tears in their eyes they both embrace each other, and I see some ancient tension in both their bodies ease slightly. Delphine is the one to end the embrace and says, "I assume you're aware?" leaving the question hanging and inclining her head towards me. "Yes. Most definitely. This changes everything, him being Dragonborn. I have something to show you all." He rambles excitedly. Putting his pack down he rummages through it. "The archives held so much, I could only save but a fraction." He says with immense sadness. "Ah, here it is." He exclaims, pulling a book titled Annals of the Dragonguard. Opening it to a page that's been worn on the corners from repeated page marking he lays it on the table.
"Right here. It speaks of how the Akaviri built their greatest creation. Alduin's Wall, up in the Reach in a location known as Karthspire. There lays an ancient fortress they called Sky Haven Temple." He explains. "Alduin's Wall, what is it?" Delphine asks. "You haven't heard of it? How about you two? He asks Lydia and I, but we shake our heads. "Sorry." Letting out a huff of annoyance he goes on to explain.
"Alduin's wall was one of the greatest feats of Akaviri construction, stone masonry and engineering of all time. Though it has been forgotten now, it was where the Akaviri had wrote down everything they knew of Alduin and the prophecy of the Dragonborn against the forgetfulness of time. A very foresighted plain, as it happens.
"So this wall should tell us how to defeat Alduin?" Delphine asks with a hint of hope. "Perhaps. Its location was lost long ago, but records survived, and I found it again. Only forgotten, never lost." Pointing to a passage in the book he begins to read out.
"2812: We have finally received permission from Emperor Reman II to begin the construction of Alduin's Wall. Craftsmen from all across the empire have been arriving here at Karthspire and begun working, overseen by our Master as she is unmatched in her Dragonlore."
"2818: An auspicious year. Alduin's Wall has been finished, a dragon found and slain, and the emperor visited to officially dedicate the wall. The Blood Seal was consecrated in front of all the Dragonguard of Skyrim, a great honour few temples can boast about.
Delphine goes across the room and grabs a map off a shelf, unrolling it we all search for Karthspire before Lydia points to it. "There, in the mountains East of Markarth." "Right, we'll pack what we need today then leave at first light. It's about a week's travel to Markarth give or take whatever the weather is like so the sooner we leave the better."
Lydia and delphine spend the few hours before dinner and bed brewing potions while Esbern teaches me more Lore about the ancient Blades. We wake at first light and have a quick breakfast before mounting our horses and setting off.
The days that followed were fraught with battle after battle as we travelled. Being attacked by multiple groups of bandits, packs of wolves, some Spriggans who wandered out of the forest, two dragons. One of which killed the horse Delphine and Esbern were riding, and a group of Thalmor who asked us if we worshipped Talos. When we said no, the leader called us liars and started attacking us anyway. Unfortunately for him, I was the closest and before he could shoot off a lighting spell, I used my sword to remove his head. His subordinates went down nearly as quickly as Lydia and Delphine attacked together and Esbern used a telekinesis spell to pick up a pebble and shoot it through his opponent's head. "Damn, teach me that spell if you can."
Once we enter Reach territory we had to start dealing with Forsworn. Some camps we had to put down but there were a couple we could talk our way out with no fighting involved. Five days of travel we manage to get to an inn called Old Hroldan. We move past as its only midday and an hour later we arrive at Karthspire only to be greeted by a dozen Forsworn pointing arrows and summoning creatures to hold us at bay before we can draw weapons or magic. "Hold. Stay where you and state your business outsiders." I raise my hands and walk forward slowly. "I am Moric Dragonborn. I've come in search for a temple that holds the answers to my destiny."
"You called yourself Dragonborn? Wait there." The Forsworn woman disappears into the camp for a few minutes before returning. "Let them through. The matriarch wishes to see them." Bows are lowered and arrows are put back into their quivers, but the summoned creatures remain. Following the woman into camp we are led to the largest tent in the camp guarded by two men, wearing the same armour as everyone else but their chests remain uncovered. Their naked chests show that for some strange reason their hearts are exposed to the world. Stitched onto the outside of their bodies. Each has an ebony sword on their left side, but they also wield the regular Forsworn swords on their right. Getting closer I'm able to see a faint magical aura emanating from their hearts.
They move to the side and let us enter. The woman in the front followed by Lydia, Delphine, I and Esbern. At the back end of the tent is a Hagraven working at an enchanting table with an ebony dagger. Letting my eyes wander I notice the magical aura radiating from the Matriarch. She isn't the strongest magic user I've faced but from the aura she possesses she would definitely be a problem. I then notice out of the corner of my eye the outline of the tent guards, their hands on their weapons, ready to draw if need be.
"I have brought them as instructed, Matriarch." Turning away from the enchanting table she places the dagger into a chest, I notice an enchantment on it that I don't recognise before the lid is closed. "Thank you dear. You may leave." Our escort bows before she takes her leave. Once alone the Matriarch turns to me. "it's about time you lot finally arrived. I was beginning to think I would have to send a messenger to come get you." "You've been expecting us?" Delphine asks cautiously, hand resting slightly on her swords hilt. The Matriarch lets out a squawk like chuckle. "I've been expecting your company for the last two centuries. I scry and use my second sight to look into days that come to keep my camp out of harms way. I am one of the oldest of my people and that is because I look forward, to keep my people safe from those traitorous Thalmor and genocidal Nords in Markarth. We only moved into this area in the last few years as my sight once more showed me you would be arriving."
"So you'll let us through to the temple?" Delphine asks hopefully. "So that is what lies hidden inside the mountain. Yes, yes, we will let you through. If you wish we may leave now. The traps have long been disabled even before we moved here."
"If I may ask, why are you helping us?" Lydia questions. "Simple girlie. We don't want this world destroyed as much as you. Now follow me and I will lead the way." The Matriarch moves past us and once outside, her guards follow her on either side. Following her we don't make it far before an all too familiar roar is heard and a dragon, bigger than any I have fought so far flies into the camp and shoots a fireball.
Tents are destroyed and people are burned before they can react. "Delphine, once it's grounded take it out. Lydia, Esbern, throw everything you have at it. We all rush out and Lydia and I shoot a lightning bolt at it in sync, causing a serious burn. Esbern summons a storm Atronach and shoots fireballs himself. The dragon roars again and sends a stream of fire into more of the camp. This time the inhabitants are prepared, they all raise a Greater Ward or stronger to resist the flames. As soon as the assault stops, they summon bound arrows and start shooting.
The Matriarch shrieks loudly and casts a summoning spell. Out steps the portal is a thin human shaped Daedra. The most notable things about it is that it looks like an imperial but severely malnourished, it has two Daedric daggers and leathery wings. "Kill the beast." She screams. It jumps suddenly and uses its wings to get to the dragon's height then higher. It drops on to the dragons back and starts hacking away. The Dragon roars and tries to remove it but the Matriarch has other plans. "Tie it down." Her guards summon four ethereal spikes and drive them into the ground. The Matriarch then summons a magical rope that threads itself through the spikes before shooting towards the dragon. As the magical ropes snake around the dragon, it manages to bump the Dremora from the end of its wing turning its head and crushing it in its jaws snuffing it out of this plane of existence.
The ropes finally tie itself around the dragon's neck, legs, body and the bloody and tattered remains of its wings before pulling it the ground. "KILL IT" she screams. Her guards and Delphine rush forward, ebony and Akaviri blades swinging out and cutting deeply. Esbern's Atronach is leaving smouldering holes in the rear and Lydia shoots ice spikes through its midsection and throat. All seems to be going well before the dragon trains its eyes on the Matriarch. The beast inhales as deep as it can and manages to vocalise "YOL TOR SHUL". But just as its streaming ball of fire leaves its throat, I stand between them and shout "FUS RO DAH". My shout strikes first, causing the dragons shout to backfire and explode. Making the dragon choke on its own burning insides. Delphine takes the opportunity to deliver the final strike and runs her blade through its neck. The dragon makes a rough wheezing sound before it falls for the final time. It does its usual thing of dissolving in a pool of energy and flowing into me before the Matriarch lets the ropes disappear. "You gotta teach me that spells" I say grinning
"Take a head count after tending to the wounded. Prepare the rites for the deceased, their pyers will be lit at dusk. I must tend to our guests for now. Follow me." "Matriarch, we can go to the temple tomorrow. I'd like to help heal the wounded if that's okay." The Matriarch turns back to me and smiles. "How kind of you Dragonborn, very well tomorrow it is." "WHAT" Delphine yells. "We need Alduin's Wall now. We can't wait." "Yes, we can Delphine. The Wall will be there in the morning. The least we can do for their hospitality is help heal them." Looking at me furiously, she looks like she's about to argue more before storming off.
With Esbern, Lydia and I helping, the healing is quicker then what the Matriarch thought would take. We have a late dinner with the rest of the Karthspire clan, we learn the Matriarchs name is Wona Dricceva, but she prefers Matriarch Dricceva. All the while Delphine sits alone in the distance before we go to bed. We rise at first light and wait for the Matriarch to make her way over. Once her and her guards arrive, we're off. It only takes a couple hours through the cave system till we arrive at a massive wall with a carving of someone on it. "That's Reman Cyrodiil" Esbern explains. "For all my magicks" the Matriarch says softly to Esbern "I have never been able to get through to the other side." "That's because, my lady it's been infused with an ancient Akaviri blood seal. And his blood is the only way through."
Esbern leads me over to a basin that he says needs my blood. Wona turns to me smiling with a clawed finger extended. "If you'd like I can help with that". I pass her my hand and she slides the claw across half. I let it drip into the bowl before it glows brightly, and the wall starts sliding down revealing the entrance into Sky Haven Temple.
"You go first" Delphine says, breaking her silence. "You should have the honour of being the first to step in." nodding to her I walk over what was once the sealed wall and I start sensing some faint magicks. We walk further in and Esbern can't hide his excitement over the ancient carvings as we stop every few feet while he catalogues them in his mind. We then finally come to a large chamber with Alduin's wall.
"Holy shit" I whisper, pouring my eyes over the masterpiece. "Look at how well preserved it is" Lydia exclaims.
"Does it tell us how to beat Alduin?" Delphine demands, breaking the mood. "Patience, Delphine. The Akaviri told their history through metaphors. They weren't a straightforward people" Esbern explains.
He spends a few minutes pouring over the wall in silence before speaking to us. "Its here Delphine, not to worry" gesturing to the left side. "Here you see the ancient Nords fighting against the oppression of the Dragon Priests and their overlords." Moving across to the centre more he waves his hands over another part. "Here, the First Tongues arrayed against them. Alduin's defeat is very prominent in this part." "Does it show what they used?" Lydia and Delphine ask at the same time.
"Yes, it does. These symbols here, coming from the First Tongues is the Akaviri symbol for shout. But there's no mention of which one." "Dammit." Turning to me Delphine asks if I know of a shout that could knock a dragon out of the sky. "Nope, Unrelenting force will at best make it choke on its own shout or stun it for a second. I might have to ask the Greybeards for help with this."
Delphine lets out a sigh before saying "I was afraid of that." "What does that mean?" I ask. "I don't like you going there. All they do is sit around and pray to Kynareth or Akatosh. And they'd have you do the same while the world burns around them if they could." "That's bullshit and you know it. They don't want to misuse the voice like Ulfric has done.
Delphine scoffs before she continues. "They're so afraid, that they're afraid of themselves. Have they tried to stop the Civil or Great War? The Oblivion Crisis? Alduin's return? I wouldn't be surprised if their afraid of you."
"They aren't afraid of me Delphine. And what could they even do against Alduin? They aren't Dragonborn. Don't forget the old saying power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely."
"That's only if you don't have a clue how to use it" she counters. "All the great heroes of old have had to learn to use their power. Those that shrank from their destiny… well who knows who they were. And then the villains. Those that misused their power like Ulfric. The choice is always there and so is the risk. But living in fear of what might go wrong will lead you to end up doing nothing. Like the Greybeards, living in their mountain temple."
I let out a long sigh before I tell her "I'm not afraid of my powers Delphine." "Good, I hope not. They can teach you a lot but just don't let them turn you away from your destiny. You're the only one that can kill Alduin for good. Don't forget."
With that said she turns around and goes to explore more of the temple with Esbern and the Matriarch, leaving me turning my thoughts over and over while Lydia glares at Delphine, magicka slightly radiating from her hands in anger.
We end up spending a week at the temple and the camp, Matriarch Dricceva teaches Lydia and I Bound Ropes which is a novice spell, but we can make them stronger by feeding magicka into it. Also teaching us Bound Spike. Its an expert level spell that leaves us empty as Lydia can only summon two but I manage three, it also needs a few seconds before summoning. She won't teach me that Daedra summon though. Saying she needs to keep some spells for herself.
Learning as much as I can about what the Blades left behind and the history of the Reachmen as they prefer that name over the Forsworn before Lydia, and I pack up to leave. "Dragonborn, wait." Delphine comes up to us carrying a set of armour. "Here take this." She hands me the heavy suit. "You'll notice it has a different design than the other pieces you had seen earlier. That's because this is for higher ranked persons. As you're Dragonborn, that's about as high ranking as one in this order can get." "Except for Grand Master huh." "Yes, well you won't always be hanging around. I assume you'll have other responsibilities such as dragon hunting. But that piece of armour isn't all."
She hands me an Akaviri katana that was slung over her shoulder. "Esbern says this is Dragonbane. A unique weapon in that it has a unique enchantment that helps it hit harder against dragons. It's also said to have been wielded by countless Dragonborn throughout history. It's only by the grace of the gods that it somehow came to be here." Taking it from her I unsheathe it and I immediately sense the enchantment on it. I give Delphine a smile while I place the armour in the rift and strap the blade to my side. "Thanks, I'll put them to use."
With all that done we mount Sunstar and head off to Whiterun to rest back at Breezehome for a few days before I go to High Hrothgar. During my 'rest' I help Eorlund out at the Skyforge with repairing some armour and smithing a new Glass blade for Lydia. I use the Grindstone to bring it to a quality that Eorlund says is 'Flawless'. "Keep working hard and you'll be able to create weapons and armour of quality that could be described as legendary." I then go up to Dragonsreach to lay a flame and health drain enchantment before heading back home and surprising Lydia.
"Thank you, my thane." I give her a smile before I say, "anything for the best servant." She slugs me in the arm before laughing. At first light I take off for High Hrothgar and get there by mid afternoon the next day.
I knock on the big iron doors and wait a few moments before I make my way in. Master Borri is the first to greet me, bowing and making the monastery rumble slightly when he whispers Dovahkiin. "Do you know where Master Arngeir is? I have some questions that I hope he can answer." Master Borri gives a small nod and I follow him.
"Ah, Dragonborn welcome back to High Hrothgar." "Thank you master, I just wish it was under better situations. I was wondering if you happened to know where I could find the Shout that was used to stop Alduin?" Master Arngeir's face grows dark as he registers what I have asked. Using the Thu'um to raise his voice we start to argue.
"You are going down the wrong path to follow your destiny, following butchers and barbarians. Sever ties with them at once, throw that sword into the ocean and return to the way of the voice. Or no guidance will be offered by us to you again. High Hrothgar will be closed to you forevermore."
As I'm about to storm off in anger Master Einarth speaks. ""Arngeir, Hi aal koss un Tinvaak nuz hi dreh ni wahl un decisions med aan Monah fah ek Kiir. Parrthurnax los un Kinbok. Rok fen decide."
Master Arngeir relaxes, voice lowering. "I apologize Dovahkiin. I spoke in haste. I can only tell you the name of the shout. Dragonrend. But the words of power have been lost to us. We don't regret this loss as it has no place along our path."
I take a deep breath to relax myself. "I'm sorry Master. If I may ask, what is so bad about Dragonrend?"
"Its creation was birthed by those who had lived under the unimaginable cruelty of Alduin's Dragon Cult. Their whole lives were consumed with hatred for dragon kind, and they poured all their anger and hatred into this Shout. When you learn a Shout, you take it into your very being. In a sense, you become the Shout. In order to learn and use this Shout, you will be taking this evil into yourself."
"I understand Master. But not to sound too cocky and full of myself but I will resist whatever corruption it brings. I'm not just Dragonborn but I also happen to be the Arch-Mage of the College of Winterhold."
We speak some more before he points me to the mysterious leader of the Greybeards. Further up the Throat of the World, through the wind gate. Something I was never able to get through during my first few weeks here. He teaches me the words to the Clear Skies shout and sets me off.
I turn back to the frozen winds and shout "LOK VAH KOOR" watching the storm subside I make my way up.
The way up wasn't too bad. The shouts effect lasted for a few minutes while it recharged in less time, perfect for this situation. Some ice wraiths had made their home, but they tried to stayed clear because of a flame cloak I conjured to keep myself warm on the way up. Too bad for them I also had a Flame Atronach with me. I'll use those teeth later.
Once I finally make it to the top, I notice two things. One is the strong magical energy in the centre of the clearing. The other is a Word Wall but as I get closer, I'm left disappointed as there's no Thu'um for me to absorb. Where is he. I think to myself before I hear one of the loudest roars I've ever heard.
Drawing the Akaviri blade and holding a ball of lightning I look around for the source before turning back to the word wall as the huge pale gray dragon rests there. I'm about to send the lightning into the dragon's face but he speaks softly. Well as softly as a dragon is able. "Drem yol lok. Greetings, wunduniik. I am Paarthurnax. Paarthurnax looks at me curiously be asking me "Who are you? what brings you to my strunmah… my mountain."
"The leader of the greybeards is a dragon!" I blurt out without thinking. Inwardly I cringe but if he's displeased by the statement, he doesn't seem to be, he lets out a low rumbling sound like a chuckle. "I am as my father Akatosh made me. As are you, Dovahkiin. Tell me, what do you seek from me? Why have you intruded upon my meditation?"
I bow my head and apologise. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to intrude but I came here in search of something. A shout called Dragonrend. Do you know it?"
"Drem, patience. There are formalities that must be observed, at the first meeting of two of the dov." Paarthurnax steps off the word wall and walks around to face it. Looking to me he explains. "By long tradition, the elder speaks first. Hear my Thu'um! Feel it in your bones. Match it, if you truly are Dovahkiin."
The age-old dragon takes a deep breath and lets out a shout directly at the wall. 'YOL TOOR SHUL!"
As the flames subside, I take notice of the first fiery glyph, Yol, and let the word stream into my mind before they fade. Paarthurnax speaks again. "A gift, Dovahkiin. Yol. Understand it as the Dov do." Like with the greybeards, a stream of energy flowed forth and unlocked the meaning. Fire.
Now, Dovahkiin, greet me not as mortal. But as dovah.
With no hesitation I face Paarthurnax and let loose a short but powerful stream of fire. To me it seemed like it had no effect on the ancient dragon, but he seemed happy.
"Yes! The dragon blood runs deep and strong within you. even if you're but a joor! It has long since been that I have had the pleasure of tinvaak with one of my own kind."
And so we talked. Talked about my life, both of them on Earth and Nirn. Paarthurnax also helped me understand Alduin's return. He was banished by the First Tongues using Dragonrend to weaken him and an Elder Scroll to send him through the storm of time itself.
"Are you sure you can't teach me Dragonrend?" I ask desperately. Shaking his head slowly he looks at me. "It is a Thu'um made by the Joorre, the mortals to whom I taught the Way of the Voice. The First Tongues. They lived in a time of great oppression by the dov. So while they learned from us, they wisely did not trust us. Keeping their inner council's secret."
"What makes Dragonrend so powerful against your kind though?"
"From what I understand, it was made to make us feel the weight of time. Something truly incomprehensible to an immortal, such as the dov. We are intricately linked to the ebb and flow of time, and thus more susceptible to the ravages of it. I was not here the day the First Tongues used the Thu'um, but all dov felt its effect.
"Dammit."
"Worry not. Dragonrend alone didn't send my elder brother through the vortex of time. They also used the kel, the Elder Scroll, to force him out of their age and into yours. If you are able to find that scroll and bring it back, to read it at the tiid-ahraan, the Time Wound, then perhaps it would allow you a… a seeing, bring you back to the beginning. You might see…feel…Dragonrend, as it was used by my friends. Then you would know."
"I don't suppose you'd know of where I could find the scroll." I ask, grinning at the old dragon. Shaking his head again he says "I have been up on my strunmah too long. As such I have lost touch with the world below. You are likely better versed about the subject then I."
"I might have to ask Master Arngeir then."
"Trust your heart, Dovahkiin. It will always point you the right way." We talk for a bit more before I head back down to see Master Arngeir. "We have never concerned ourselves with them." Arngeir explains after I've come back down and asked him. "That sort of reckless foolishness is usually the stock and trade of the mages up in Winterhold." "Lucky me. Urag will hopefully know something then." He rolls his eyes and goes off to meditate some more. I stay at the monastery for the night before heading out at daybreak.
I head back to Whiterun to grab Lydia and make some healing and magicka potions at home. Just as we're about to leave Lydia informs me of a bounty that's made its way from the Pale and it's on its way to Winterhold. A dragon bounty. I smile at her before asking "Lead the way."
The dragon isn't much of a problem, it goes down fairly easily. The real problem is the dragon priest that bursts out of its coffin and immediately sends a ball of fire from its staff straight at me. I don't react fast enough and take the full force of the attack but lucky for me, my Ebonyflesh spell is still active from the fight with the dragon. I shake my head and send two ice spikes into the lich, making it shudder and scream at me before a giant ethereal spike shoots past and embeds itself in the word wall.
"Sorry" Lydia calls out. She rushes in and drags her glass sword across its chest causing a line of flame and the cut in her arm from the dragon fight to heal. I pull Dawnbreaker out of the rift and use "Tiid' to slow time. Running up I rip the staff out of its hand and sink Dawnbreaker into its back twice before the gem clicks and the magic detonates inside the priest. It slowly disintegrates until time goes back to normal and it crumples into dust leaving behind a mask. I walk over and get all three words to the throw voice shout which I immediately unlock.
"Useful?" She asks me after I walk away from the wall. "Situational." Is all I say. "Huh, another mask. I wonder what the enchantments on it are." "Can I check? Please thane." Lydia asks. "I've been practicing." I hand her the mask, already sensing the boost to lockpicking, alchemy and archery. She focuses on it for a few seconds before saying "alchemy, and archery boost but I can't figure out the last one." We ride along for half an hour before she gives up and asks me. "Lockpicking was the last one. Don't worry, you've come a long way lyds." She smiles at the complement.
We make it back to Winterhold with no problems, noticing a new building being constructed next to the jarls longhouse I go over and ask what's happening. "A man from Hammerfell brought his wife and son to study at the college. A family of mages, hmph long as they got gold and don't destroy anything I couldn't care less." He says before heading over to the inn.
We make our way into the college and Tolfdir welcomes me back, leading me into an apprentice destruction class. Or what should be a class, but Enrano is arguing with two Redguards, the other, the child is standing back near the wall. so much for staying out of everyone's business. I think to myself
"This child is too young to be learning apprentice level magic, especially destruction class. What need is there for him to be learning destruction magic?" "Stay out of my family's business Thalmor." He says with a sneer. "I will teach my child what he is ready and willing to learn. And he is allowed learn destruction spells. So if you don't like it then you can go back to your land, request an audience with your king and Suck. His. Cock." With that said Enrano raises his hands and channels lightning into his palms and the Redguard parents both summon bound swords and shields.
"Tiid." Slowing time down I rush over, casting a dual calm spell I push it into the Redguards and Enrano. I watch in slow motion as a calmness sweeps over their faces and the magic, they've casted fades away before time speeds back up. "Enrano, your quarters now before my hospitality runs out and I send you back to the isles." He tries to fight the spells effects but gives up and moves on. I turn to the Redguards and apologise. "Sorry about him. He's better than the last guy though. Can't kick him out or I'm sure the Dominion would probably send someone undercover, and I'd rather be able to see the threat instead of looking for it."
Over the next hour I get to know the Redguard family. Jathvar Chethir is the father and he's a Master level conjuration mage, and Expert in destruction and alteration. While his wife Rashra is a Master restoration mage and Adept in conjuration and destruction. She put that master level restoration (adept level at the time) to good use during the great war. Where she met her husband. Both were apparently instrumental in the last few battles after the empire abandoned Hammerfell to the dominion during the great war.
Their son Starnd is only ten years of age and able to cast some apprentice level spells. They moved here because they're sick of politics encroaching in magic guilds across Tamriel and making certain aspects of schools of magic illegal like summoning Daedra and undead. With an assurance that I won't ban anything as long as it doesn't bring harm to the other mages and the people of Winterhold they seem happy.
I take my leave of them, find Enrano and tell him to stay out of their business. Otherwise I'll kick him out. Then I head back to my quarters and rest for a bit before I go find Urag and see him sorting out some books. "Ah, Arch-Mage I was hoping to speak with you." "Funny, I was hoping to speak with you as well. What's up?"
"Shalidor and Shalidor's maze. Ever heard of them?" "Shalidor yes. He founded the college probably as far back as the First Era. His maze not so much." "Thought so. Shalidor was an immensely powerful mage. Had an understanding of magic few could match. His maze was used to test future Arch-Mages to make sure they could handle the responsibility. Rumours have also been circulating for an age that there's some untouched bit of knowledge or artifacts hidden within. No one here that I've asked is brave enough to go looking. But since you being Arch-Mage and you've survived also survived Labyrinthian I was hoping you would be able to go have a look around."
"You mean their not stupid enough to go try it" I say with a smile. "But yeah, I'll go check it out. I'm sure I missed some things when I passed through last time." "Any books you pick up, bring them to me. Anyway, what did you want to ask about?" I take a quick glance behind us to see if anyone else is in the library. Only Faralda and Arniel are but they're into their own books. As a precaution I summon a ring of muffle around Urag, Lydia and I to make sure no one else can hear us.
"I need information on where to find an Elder Scroll. And I thought who better to know than you." At the mention of the scroll his eyes widen in shock. "An Elder Scroll! What in Oblivion could you need that for? Do you even know what your asking for?" "Yeah, I do know what I'm asking Urag. I need it to stop the Dragon threat." He runs his hand through his beard in thought for a few seconds. "You need to train your mind vigorously to protect yourself from the madness it can summon. And even then, you might just lose your sight."
"There's ways around that. So do you have or know where I can find one.?" "I have some books, let me go find them." stepping out of the muffle ring he goes looking and in a couple minutes comes back with five. "Everything I have regarding the scrolls is here." We go through four only to end up with more questions than answers but make a breakthrough with the fifth book. 'Ruminations on the Elder Scrolls.'
"This makes no sense." Lydia complains. "What doesn't?" "This book." She hands it to me, and I read through it. "It's incomprehensible." "Aye, that's the work of Septimus Signus. He's the world's foremost master of the nature of Elder Scrolls, but." "But what?" "Well. He's been gone for a long while. Too long." "He's dead?" Lydia and I both question. "Oh no. At least I hope not. But I haven't seen him in years, and we were close, both of us were wanted to protect ancient knowledge. He became obsessed with the Dwemer in his later years. He took off north saying he had found some old artifact. I haven't seen him since. Apparently he's somewhere in the ice fields, if you want to try to find him."
"No other leads?" Lydia asks. Urag shakes his head. "None I'm afraid." "Well, let's go Lydia. Times wasting." I bring down the muffle ring and take my leave. "I promise I'll take a look through his maze on my way back." I call out behind me as we leave to find Septimus.
Authors note
Hey guys, gals and pals. It's me again I apologise for taking so long. Covid's a big reason but also my laziness lol. Anyway hope ya'll are doing safe and well and you enjoy the latest chapter.
""Arngeir, Hi aal koss un Tinvaak nuz hi dreh ni wahl un decisions med aan Monah fah ek Kiir. Parrthurnax los un Kinbok. Rok fen decide.
Translation= Arngeir, you may be our leader, but you do not make our decisions like a mother for her children. Paarthurnax is our leader. He will decide