Author's Note: Hello everyone. This is my first story that I have posted ever so I you enjoy it. There will be at least one more chapter for this story.(Also hope I put this note in the right place.)
A Worthy Opponent
There was nothing about this day that stood out for the Dragonborn. He had just completed a small quest for the Jarl, some Giant needed slaying, and was headed back for Riften. When the Dovakiin first walked through the gates he saw him. There were no words spoken as the two men stared down each other. The Dovahkiin looked upon this hulk of a man in Ebony and was intrigued. He stood tall at the front of the city and said nothing, but his presence was enough to gravitate the Dragonborn to him. Power senses power and when such a meeting occurs, what often happens is recorded in history. As the two men approached, the ebony warrior looked down before giving a small nod.
"Greetings mighty Dragonbhorn"
"Hello there. To whom do I owe the pleasure of addressing?"
"You may address me as Ebony Warrior. Can I buy you a drink at the tavern?"
The Dragonborn looked at the Ebony Warrior. He has been offered numerous chances to socialize with the townsfolk. He usually turned them down but something about the man in front of him lit something that had died out long ago. An adrenaline that releases when you are fighting for your life. People have attacked him yes. But it has been years since he has truly felt threatened by another human. If he wasn't in the city square, he may have already struck the first blow to gain an advantage. The thing that worried the Dragonborn most was this man in front of him only offered to pay for mead. His words indicated that he was a charismatic and decent man. But his stature and aura indicated that something was awoken in him as well. Something that rivaled the Dovahkiin's.
"Sure, let's go to the Bee and Barb. I have grown too fond of Talan-Jei's drinks and its rare that anyone offers a drink in this city."
"By all means. You may lead the way as you seem to know more about the place than I do."
"Well alright then."
The Dragonborn turns from The Ebony Warrior and walks towards the Bee and Barb. He was wary of letting this stranger have his back, but he sensed no ill will from him. He was wondering why he was thinking this way. As if he hadn't already brought Vampires to their knees and Giants to heel with a few swings of his mace. He has slain Alduin the World Eater, vanquished the great Lord Harkan, and aided Hermaeas Mora, Daedric Lord of Knowledge, in destroying his own disciple Miraak. And yet here he was, already strategizing against a man he knew nothing about. By the time he was finished ruminating they arrived at the tavern.
"Well here we are. Since you are the guest in this city… and paying, where would you like to sit".
"Hmmm…"
The Ebony Warrior gazed around the room. There were seats near the door, at the bar, and off in the corner.
"How about over by the bar?"
The Dragonborn looks over at the bar and sees two seats. No one is able to hear our conversation other than the barkeep but it's a full house, so she'll be busy. It's in the public eye as well so they are both being watched and can't do anything without getting the guards involved.
"Sounds like a fine idea."
The Dragonborn and Ebony Warrior took a seat at the bar and were greeted by Keerava the barkeep.
"Welcome back Dragonborn, this one is glad to have you around." She says in her raspy Argonian accent. She was relatively surprised to see the Dragonborn take a seat with anyone at her bar. She was wary because the Dragonborn once threatened her family for some gold but within the same week, found rare Amethysts to complete a wedding ring for her and Talen-Jei. This mostly made up for what the Dragonborn did, so the statement was mostly true.
"Hello Keerava. Bring me and my friend here a Cliff Racer, on him"
Keerava chuckles politely and glances over at the stranger beside the Guild master of the Thieves Guild. "This man is probably another brute to help the Dragonborn" she thinks while maintain a false smile. The stranger takes off his helmet and smiles warmly at her.
"Greetings ma'am. You have a fine place here. Just the one for my friend here."
Keerava was put at ease by the man in front of her. She sensed no hostility from the Redguard and felt a comfort that she hasn't felt sense she was a hatchling in Black March. She smiled back in earnest while the Dragonborn was confused. This man made no effort to hide his identity to him. Usually there shouldn't be a need to but the Dovakhiin knew that his instincts were correct. But he had a reputation to uphold. He took off the Ancient Mask of Konahrik and laid it by his side. No one in this tavern would dare try to steal from a Thieves Guild member and it would lead to more than financial suicide to attempt to steal from their leader.
"Why thank you land stridor. This one will ensure you receive your drink quickly."
Keerava rushes off to make the drinks and the Dragonborn looks over to The Ebony Warrior.
"So Ebony Warrior, what did you wish to discuss with me?"
"Well before we get to that tell me Dragonborn, what does it mean to you to be powerful?"
The Dragonborn was no stranger to philosophy. He trained with the Greybeards and Paarthaneux and him have had numerous discussions on power. It was interesting that the man wanted to be so bold and open with this deep topic of discussion, but stranger things have happened.
"Well to be powerful is to be strong-willed. When engaged in a battle with any creature, the victor tends to be the one with the stronger purpose in my opinion. And when someone's will is strong enough, then nothing will stop them from achieving their goal. Of course, there are physical and magical limits in every battle, but I was able to surpass those limits through training, research, and will."
"Do you believe yourself to be powerful Dragonborn?"
The Dragonborn paused for a moment. Then he smiled in a way that he hasn't in a while. He was not offended by the question but instead only curious as to what this warrior was getting at.
"I used to believe I wasn't powerful when I first discovered I was Dragonborn. My first dragon that was slain was not an individual effort. The city's guards aided me and for a long time I traveled with various companions because I knew that I was not strong enough myself. But with training and patience I have come to believe in my power and might. I had to face Miraak and his dragons by myself in a realm I knew nothing about. Whose very environment was hazardous. A weaker man would be dead outright so logically, I at least am not weak."
The Ebony Warrior looked at the Dragonborn. He was honest from what he could tell and decided to probe further.
"Well said Dovakhiin"
The two powerful titans nodded at each other as Keerava brought their drinks.
"This one gives you these drinks on the house"
The Ebony Warrior frowns at Keerava.
"Why no this simply won't do. Here please accept this"
The Warrior pulls out a sizeable flawless diamond. Keerava's eyes widen as the Dragonborn watches the exchange.
"This one will not say no to this gift. Are you sure that you would like to part with such a treasure?"
"Why of course. I have too many to count I insist. However, may I ask that you give me and my friend some privacy as well. I mean no disrespect but there is some business that we would like to discuss"
Keerava was no stranger to accepting bribes in the city of thieves and lowlifes. And for such a low tier request like privacy, Keerava was eager to show her gratitude.
"Certainly, this one will be happy to oblige. In fact, Talen Jei's room is available, he is out at the markets for a while. If you wish I can escort you to it and no one will bother you."
"Well if you don't mind, I will take you up on that offer, what say you Dragonborn"
The Dragonborn pondered the idea. With this new location they would be able to speak freely without the ears of civilians but without anyone around, it could be dangerous. However, he still sensed no ill will from this man, only the raw power that exudes from him.
"This is fine, thank you Keerava. Lead the way."
Both men reclaim their pieces of armor and the three go up the stairs of the tavern and down the hall into Talen Jei's room. It is a bit bigger than the other rooms but still more closed in than the bar downstairs. The double bed was big enough for two and there were small items that the Dragonborn would steal if they weren't with company.
"This one will be going now. This room is yours up until Talen-Jei returns or until you leave."
Keerava then leaves and the only two left in the room are the Dovakhiin and The Ebony Warrior. They watch the as the door closes and the ebony warrior sits down at a chair by a table. The Dovakhiin takes the seat across from him and they look at each other for just a moment before the Dovakhiin speaks.
"Well now that we are alone, I must ask what business do we have to discuss?"
The ebony warrior closes his eyes in deep thought.
"The truth of the matter Dragonborn is that I have watched you and taken notice of your achievements for some time now. After you defeated both Alduin, firstborn of Akatosh, and Mirraak, the first dragonborn, I was intrigued by you. I have followed you from a distance and watched you grow stronger and stronger. Your thu'um is incredible, your magic is legendary and your skill with a mace is extraordinary. I know that you do not believe in honor from your ties with the Dark Brotherhood and your reclamation of the Ebony Mail, but I am not here to judge you or your actions. I am but a man looking to have a request met."
The Dragonborn had questions like how this stranger knew so much about him. For how long has this stranger been tracking him? How did he know about the Ebony Mail? Upon further inspection, this stranger also donned Boethiah's artifact. But only one question mattered.
"What do you want from me."
The Ebony Warrior looked up and looked directly at the Dragonborn with a look of melancholy.
"I want a good death, a true warrior's death. I have traveled Nirn for too many moons and I wish to go to Soverngard. I wish to recant my tails of battle with the legends of old and share my exploits of travel with other noteworthy people of history. I am at my peak and I know my physical prowess will only decline if I live any longer. I want a true adversary to slay me in battle or be slain to solidify my legacy. And what bigger legacy would there be except the man who killed the Dragonborn."
The Dragonborn paused and looked at the man and a memory came to him. It was long ago, before the Dragonborn was even a thane, let alone hero when he came across an Orc that wished the same. At the time, it was his toughest battle he has ever had. The orc was older than others that the Dragonborn had seen and when they clashed, the Dragonborn was almost vanquished. He had his first near death experience from an orc who wished to die. He felt the rush of triumph as he struck the final blow. He forever longed for this feeling again and lost all hope of finding it. Now after all this time, here comes another person that truly seeks death or glory. The intensity was building for the Dragonborn, now faced with another potential battle of survival. All he had to do was accept it.
"You haven't been the first to ask me for this. You probably won't be the last either, but I will honor your request. However, my weapon is this"
The Dragonborn places on the table the Mace of Molag Bal, Daedric Prince of Domination.
"Are you aware of the enchantment of this weapon. Normally I do not give the courtesy of telling any potential opponent. But since you seem to be…different…I want to give you a fair understanding of the risk you are taking here with me."
The Ebony Warrior looked at the weapon with a blank stare. His primal instinct was to cower, but he knew that this was but a test.
"I am all too familiar of such a weapon and the twisted power it possesses. I appreciate the warning, but this does not deter me from my challenge. Even if my soul is claimed, at least it would be a good death."
"It does not worry you that your soul will be enslaved for eternity if you do perish?"
"No."
"If you are to die. Your dream of Soverngard will never be realized."
"Then I just have to be the victor of the battle then, aye Dragonborn?"
The Dragonborn stared at the Ebony Warrior. He was telling the truth which is something that interested the Dragonborn more. Was he so sure that he was going to win that he threw caution to the wind? His chance at Soverngard was no longer guaranteed and in fact, there was a high chance that the Dovakhiin may send him to a place like the Soul Cairn. Yet he persisted in testing himself against the Dragonborn.
"Very well. I will accept your request and grant you the death you wish."
The Ebony Warrior closed his eyes again and smiled
"Thank you Dragonborn. I look forward to our upcoming battle. May you feel strong that day."
"Likewise. Do you wish to have another drink, it can be on me this time?"
The Dragonborn was confused by his words. He has never asked if someone wanted to share a drink with him as no one could compare to him. But after speaking with the Ebony Warrior he finally felt like he was sitting with an equal.
"Well how can I not share another drink with the hero of both Skyrim AND Morrowind"
They both laughed and returned downstairs. They were both charismatic people due to having to deal with the Jarls and their stewards and stewardesses. They were well versed in the art of conversation and they both knew how to say exactly the right things. So, their time at the tavern was filled with merriment and delight. So much so that Sanguine, Daedric prince of debauchery came and livened up the night. The two men shared stories of the travels and opened up more to each other. How their adventures shaped who they are and the path they have chosen. Even though one of them would be killed by the other, Skyrim was a violent place. They both knew that their battle was not personal. They bore no hostility with each other within the tavern and by the time the night was over, both the Dragonborn and Ebony Warrior were laughing with each other out the door.
"And then that's when Hermaeous Mora literally destroyed Miraak!"
"AHAHAHAHA so much for the first Dragonborn aye?"
"More like so little left of him"
The men laughed louder before they got to the gates of the city.
"You are quite the party animal I must say. I haven't seen Sanguine overindulge like that since I received his rose" the Dragonborn exclaimed.
"Yes, he was quite the card in there I must say. But what do you expect when you rule over parties and all things fun"?
More laughter and then silence as the men looked out into the wilderness.
"Well Dragonborn, this is where we part ways until our battle."
"Yes, indeed it is. It was a pleasure talking with you and I'm sure it will be even more exciting fighting you as well."
"How about we have a little test right here?"
The Dragonborn looked at The Ebony Warrior with enthusiasm. Clearly from what he has heard this man is quite strong. Nothing challenged the Dragonborn in a long time so he was more eager than he let on"
"Well alright then what do you have in mind"
The warrior put on his helmet and the Dovakhiin donned his mask
"How about you hit me with all you've got right here."
The warrior pounds on his chest plate, smiling through his helmet. The Dragonborn looks at him briefly before he readied his mace.
"Only if you promise to hit me back"
The two men chuckled politely, only to cover up their instinctual violent tendencies
"I promise Dragonborn, you best not hold back if we are fighting anyway soon. It might be good to injure me now, so you don't struggle later on"
The Dragonborn raises their eyebrows underneath their mask. Never has the Dragonborn been more amused by a person as he approaches striking distance.
"Oh don't worry about me when you should worry about yourSELF!"
The Dragonborn swings his mace into the chest of the stranger, feeling the magika and stamina drain from the warrior. The warrior takes a small step back and grunts as the Dragonborn is shocked. No mere man is able to withstand the attack of the mace of Molag Bal, especially wielded by a master like the Dragonborn. The Ebony Warrior regains his composure by the time the Dragonborn stops ruminating.
"Now THAT was a good swing, I haven't been forced to step back in decades, you truly are mighty Dragonborn. Now prepare yourself."
The Dragonborn's instincts prepared him for the blow by the Ebony Warriors sword. It struck the the Dragonborn's Ebony mail and made a loud ding. The Dragonborn stood mighty thanks to the teachings of Paarthaneux but he felt his vitality decrease after the hit. The Ebony Warrior had an enchanted ebony sword that drains a person's vitality. The Dragonborn has dealt with this enchantment before but it makes for a longer fight. There was also the fact that the Dragonborn felt real pain after the blow landed. He knew that this man would be difficult to defeat and his strategizing was well warranted from the start.
"Now that was a good swing. I actually felt it through this armor and the enchantment is useful to say the least"
"Your praise humbles me Dragonborn, I am sure you are thinking the same thing?"
"We are both thinking how one another is standing right now?"
"Absolutely. I hope you know Dragonborn that I will be fighting even harder on the actual day."
"Of course, I expect no less from such a worthy adversary. I now must bid you a goodnight."
They both look outwards and see the sun starting to rise. The two men looked quizzically at each other then laughed again
"Well good morning more like it!" The Dragonborn exclaimed
"Likewise Dragonborn, oh and before I forget I need to tell you of the location of our battle."
The Ebony Warrior marked down the exact place on the Dragonborn's map, now sure that this battle will be a good one before he started walking. A little dramatic for the Dovakhin's taste but after a night of wit and might with such a rival, he believed it to be a fitting location.
"Wait" said the Dragonborn before he conjured up Arvak, a undead horse that was loyal to their master. "take my steed and make your travel quicker. I don't want you tiring out on me before we have a chance to do battle"
"Why that is kind Dragonborn but how will I return this back to you"?
"He will return once you are at your destination do not worry, just worry about resting. We shall do battle in three days' time".
"Well thank you Dragonborn. I will be off. Until we meet again"
"Until we meet again"
The warrior rides off as the Dovakhiin goes back to Whiterun to prepare for his upcoming battle.