Chapter 3: Old men, the Horn, the unfortunate reunion, and the Desperate
I was now at the city of Riften after an entire day of traveling to get here.
Apparently the only way up to the Throat of The World was through Riften to a town called Ivarstead. It served as a resting stop for Pilgrims that would go up to the castle that the Greybeards resided in, I remember it being called 'High Hrothgar'.
I knew of it's existence but never knew it was they that lived there.
The area Riften was in I could describe as a swamp in autumn, the leaves on tress and plants were all either yellow, orange, red, or brown. It was a pretty place for sure.
As I walked to the gates I could tell this town was very big, it definitely was fit for a Stormcloak recruitment area heavily. A guard stopped me before I could walk in.
"Hold up, you have to pay a visitors tax in order to enter traveler." They didn't ask for this back in Whiterun, and the guard's voice seemed…..Malevolent in tone.
"Is this some kind of scam or shakedown? Where is your boss? I ask that he tells me himself of this tax!" The Guard changed from a confident posture to a rather worried one it seemed I had guessed correctly.
"Keep your voice down!" He whispered, as he pulled me in and opened the gates in.
"I will let you in but mention this to nobody. Got that?" The corrupt guard of Riften said and I nodded, hiding my anger and disgust.
"Sure." I replied as I went into the city, by the Divines this place needed a make over.
The buildings in front of me were fine to look at but the cracks in them showed. I could see slums in what appeared to be some kind of waterway that if this place ever flooded they would most likely die.
There were buildings that were eyesores compared to the one next to them.
I just wanted to eat something here and leave, as I did an imposing man stopped me, a Nord.
"I don't know you, you in Riften lookin' for trouble?" He sure seemed like he was looking for some himself, that or he was looking out for somebody else.
"Nope." Was all I can give him, this town was depressing to even stay in.
"Hmph, a short answer. Stay out of the Black-Briar business if you wanna keep your head attached to your body." He warned, though it may have just been a threat. Wait, the Black-Briars? As in Maven Black-Briar?
"You mean you work for the Black-Briars?" I questioned him.
"That took you a while to get that through your head." What an arse. I just walked away and into the inn, the 'Bee and Barb' it was called.
I ordered some things from the Argonian owners and quickly got out of town past the ass who had talked to me earlier.
Right as I was about to walk right out and begin going through marsh to Ivarstead before I was stopped by what looked like a couple.
The woman had Blonde hair like that of one of those warrior women I heard about that were in Skyrim, the war paint on one side of her face confirmed my belief. She was a bit intimidating but not as much as the man who worked for the Black-Briars. Maybe it was because she had iron armor on while he had steel?
The man next to her was dressed in some fancy padded clothing, brown hair and a concerned look on his young face, for her I imagine but I can see why. This entire town reeks of corruption right from the very core, or she was going to try and fight me but that seemed ludicrous right now for it to happen.
"Can't handle this rotten city can you?" The woman asked.
"I have not even been in here for forty minutes and reeks of too much corruption and other evil things." I gave an honest answer.
"Tell me about it, this city is home to the thieves guild who has Maven Black-Briar at their backs." Now a thieves guild was bad enough to have I knew that for sure, but I was curious about Maven Black-Briar.
"Speaking of Maven Black-Briar mind filling me in about her?" The man with her spoke, he had a soft voice like I did.
"She is a very powerful and evil woman. She owns a meadery with her family and they make a killing out of, and are not afraid to kill anybody that gets in their way." He looked at his companion.
"That is why I fear for you Mjoll. She will come after us eventually." She gave him a calm look.
"They will die before they get the chance to kill either of us Aerin." Aerin turned to look at me.
"She calls upon the Dark Brotherhood to get rid of competition and general disobedience if the Thieves she pays off are unable to pull any of their tricks." This kind of person was the very thing that was leaving Cyrodil still in ruins, the very thing that all places that should have been pure of heart before they were tainted by her filth.
"That can't be all that the witch has." He nodded
"You are right, officials here are in her pockets and not just in Riften, this corruption goes far back as the Imperial council itself." I clenched my fist at that, one day they would all pay for there blasphemies against the Divines and the people of the Empire.
"And it all because of her meadery which has earned her the money to do whatever she wants. Yet her money will not protect her from a mob of angry citizens who are fed up like me." Remarked Mjoll, a fire in her eyes.
"I don't think it will either. Ah I almost forgot to tell you, I am Ruigus." They both nodded.
"Well met." The both of them said at once. I gave an awkward but friendly look. I found people talking saying the same thing at once to be creepy, but Mjoll and Aerin meant well of course.
"Well then, I may stop by later and check out these Black-Briars and Maven herself later on, they will be brought to justice one way another!" I said with passion and zeal. Aerin and Mjoll both gave happy smiles as we said our goodbyes and good wishes for the other.
It seems that one of them needs to marry the other I saw a bit of chemistry between the fellow justice lovers.
Anyways it was time to stick to the road and get to Ivarstead before I wander off and attract the attention of angry Spriggans, or Trolls.
As I looked at the mountain it seemed to have an ethereal aspect to it, as if it were some kind of place that Pilgrims would indeed go. I wonder what would be at the top of it.
I was now moving through the large town of Ivarstead, it may have been big but it seemed to be a humble place far as I could say. Nothing too special about it other than it was the resting stop to High Hrothgar and the Throat of the World.
I saw two men talking to the other on the bridge that would have led to the beginning of the way to the Greybeards. A Bosmer and a Nord it seemed.
"Hey are you going up to High Hrothgar!? I can pay you to take up some supplies to the Greybeards if you are." I gave the man a nod
"Sure thing, the name is Ruigus."
"The name is Klimmek, hey aren't you the one that they called for?" Had he heard of my name?
"Yep, apparently I am a Dragonborn or the Dragonborn. I do not know if there is multiple Dragonborns at a time." His mood got better. He extended his hand and I shook it.
"Thank you, I am not sure what they want with you but good luck friend." He handed me 300 gold coins, woah where did he get that much from!?
"Isn't that a little too much?" I asked him
"Oh that? I make more than that in a week of fishing." Makes sense I guess.
"Huh." I said while I now put the supplies he had for them in my bag.
"Well, best not to keep them waiting." And then we went our separate ways.
As I began my way up the 7,000 steps I noticed that there was a little emblem with words etched onto it. It spoke of how Dragons ruled existence before we came about. It mentioned something about the voice. It seemed as if it were a part of many other emblems.
I continued my way up.
I panted and shivered a tiny bit as I had now reached High Hrothgar, after an hour of merely staring at similar emblems. A couple struck me the most.
One mentioned a 'Alduin' and the other mentioned Talos himself as he was named Dovahkiin as well. To be named Dovahkiin like Talos will be a huge honor if I am worthy. But the name Alduin…...It feels as if I am supposed to know that by heart. I can ask the Greybeards about it.
I was also ambushed by a Snow Troll earlier as well, it seemed to be going bad for me until I shouted the word that breathed fire and it worked like a charm as the Troll began burning quickly thanks to all the hair on it.
I put the supplies Klimmek had given to me and now walked up to the doors leading inside the great castle. I took a deep breath and went in.
Four old men in robes that were grey in appearance, they had some nice beards that were also grey.
Guess all of that truly made them the Greybeards, did you get my joke because they are grey and- Oh nevermind. The hall I stood in was magnificent, the roof above us was as high as this castle was itself. Fires were lit all around us and I stood in the middle of it all in a circle. One Greybeard greeted me as I bowed in respect.
"So…. A Dragonborn appears, at this moment in the turning of age." They looked their age as the Grey part of them implied. Yet it would always be a bad idea to underestimate any enemy….. Not that they seemed evil or anything.
"Yes, I am answering your summons for your counsel and wisdom." I think that sounded good enough. But the old man seemed stoic.
"We will see if you truly have the gift. Show us, Dragonborn. Let us taste your voice. Shout at us." I think I should use the shout that doesn't burn people. The 'Fus' one.
"Sure thing sir. Fus!" The Greybeard stumbled backwards a bit as the blast hit him, it was not that powerful as when the Dragoness in Helgen did it for sure, but it was a first step.
"Dragonborn, it is you. Welcome to High Hrothgar. I am Master Arngeir, I speak for the Greybeards." He and the others bowed.
"And I am Ruigus Kessel, pleased to be here Master Arngeir." Arngeir's faced remained peaceful.
"You are not the first Dragonborn, as you may know with reading the etched emblems. Talos was not the first either. There have been many of the Dragon blood since Akatosh first bestowed this gift upon mortalkind." So the Divine Akatosh granted a select few for his powers that he bestowed? Pondering this, I heard Arngeir go on.
"Whether you are the only Dragonborn of this age…That is not ours to know." He finished. I might as well be the only one in the world, I wonder what Akatosh was thinking when he gave these powers to me. Whatever his reason I will see his wishes fulfilled.
"You are the only one that has been revealed thus far. That is all I can say." Akatosh, that is a promise from a mortal to you.
"I am willing to go with whatever it is you have planned Master." Saying names by title were polite and a good way to become friends with people in higher ranks usually.
"You have shown that you are Dragonborn. You have the inborn gift. But, do you have the discipline and temperament to follow the path laid out for you? That remains to be seen. Without training, you have already taken your first steps towards projecting your Thu'um, a Shout. But let us see if you are true to your word and able to learn." Shouts and Thu'um huh?
Good thing I figured out one part of the name.
"When you Shout, you speak in the language of the Dragons. Thus, your Dragon blood gives you an inborn ability to learn words of power. All Shouts are made of three words of power. As you master and know each word, your shout will become progressively stronger."
"When you realized that I was a Dragonborn, whenever I could hear a Dragon shout there were only three words, is that the same in all cases?" He gave a slight contemplation.
"If there is, then it would be among the most powerful of Shouts." I bet that Black Dragoness is capable of that.
"Now for your first lesson Ruigus,Master Einarth will now teach you 'Ro', the second word in Unrelenting Force." I prepared myself, not really knowing what to expect.
"Ro means 'Balance' in the Dragon tongue. Combine it with Fus, 'Force' to focus your Thu'um more sharply." He said to me. Master Einarth, who also had a grey beard had a more narrow face than Arngeir.
He shouted at the ground, about as quiet as a mouse. Words were etched on there as if the ground itself were burning. They formed in the same type of words I had seen in Bleak Falls Barrow.
I continued staring at it as if my life depended on it and I felt the same sensation as when I learned a word last time as I seemed to suck it's power into myself.
"You seem to have found the meaning. Now, let us see how quickly you can master your new Thu'um." Said Arngeir pleased with me, one of his fellow Greybeards moved out of formation.
"This is Master Wulfgar." I bowed at the introduction to him.
"Fiik Lo Sah!" A type of ghostly version of him appeared right in front me. I looked dumbfounded.
"Hit the targets such as his copy as they appear." I did so three times before Einarth stopped it. My throat was not that bad off all things considered.
"Impressive. Your Thu'um is precise. You show great promise, Dragonborn."
"Thank you Master Arngeir." Arngeir now motioned to another Greybeard.
"We will perform your next trial in the courtyard. Follow Master Borri." I followed the other member of the Greybeards into a courtyard. It was very fitting of the place. Tranquil and big.
The people who built this place surely knew what they were doing.
Right now I was standing on what seemed to be a path that led to dual gates. The wind was howling and crazy.
"We will now see how you learn a completely new Shout." Well go ahead then.
"Master Borri will teach you 'Wuld', which means 'Whirlwind'." Some Dragon words seemed to fit our language from time to time.
"Wuld." And the same thing happened as last time occurred.
'Wuld' went through my head again and again. I am going to get a headache from this if I have to learn anymore. And I absorbed it and the meaning. All Greybeards seemed pleased with my progress.
"Now we will see how quickly you can master a new Shout." Or not.
"Bex." The gates in front of us opened, as if by magic
"Wuld Nah Kest!" As I saw a Greybeard go by me like an arrow given force by an extreme amount of wind.
"Now it is your turn."
"Stand next to me. Master Borri will open the gate. Use your Whirlwind Sprint to pass through before it closes." Seemed simple enough.
"Bex." It opened.
"Wuld!" And I made it right at the front of where the gates were and they closed, knocking me to the ground.
"Ow…..That really hurt." Arngeir seemed a tiny bit concerned
"Stand closer to it this time, I overestimated your ability there." Truly. I got back up and was closer yet again.
"Wuld!" I flew through the gates, this Shout was going to be superb. We now reassembled around Arngeir.
"Your quick mastery of a new Thu'um is….. Astonishing. I had heard of the abilities of a Dragonborn, but to see it for myself…..." It was nothing special compared to them.
"Thank you. Yet I still do not see how I am able to truly use this power. It just kind of happens."
"You were given this gift by Akatosh and Talos for a reason. It is up to you to figure out how best to use it." He said reassuringly. Wise words, I could use some more time learning from these old men when I am not busy.
"You are now ready for your last trial. Retrieve the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller, our founder, from his tomb in the ancient fane of Ustengrav." He lost me there. But their founder? I believe his name was mentioned on one of the emblems.
"I will mark it on your map, remain true to the voice, and you will return." Thank goodness, but as he seems to be mentioning I should never abuse my powers at all. And I will not.
"Before I go I must ask, are there truly only four of you?"
"Our leader Paarthurnax sits upon the top of the Throat of the World, in reality there is just five of us." Wasn't that name in the emblems mentioned as well? I couldn't remember what it was about however.
"I see, well I best get going. Take care. And I will return the Horn." I looked at my map as I went down, it was North East of Morthal. This was going to take days to even get to.
On my way to Whiterun I decided to clear out a few Dungeons and old ruins. Nothing special to say about them other than they were full of Draugr.
I saw droves of men in the East going to Windhelm undoubtedly to join the Stormcloaks. It was a depressing sight, I had made up my mind with the Imperial Legion, as soon as I caught a break I would join them. Though not now because things were quiet so far thanks to Whiterun and Jarl Balgruuf himself.
I did learn a few things about Whiterun itself, the Civil War has brought two powerful families in Whiterun against each other, the Battle-borns support the Empire and have quite a lot of money yet are not the most morally upstanding people while the Grey-manes support the Stormcloaks and have little money, but are probably the better natured. I heard rumors that a Grey-mane is imprisoned by Thalmor, I would like to help especially to do anything that could hurt the Thalmor but I think I have no chance against them without backup.
I did see another one of those words of power and absorb the meaning of it's word, however instead of a new Shout to use at my disposal it was Da, the final part of Unrelenting Force.
I began to notice that my current gear was starting to fall apart, it was stable now but it would happen soon. Hmph, I may have to ask Arngeir if he can share some of his knowledge on words sometimes. It would be very helpful if I could get a few more Shouts, though admittedly I have not used them as much as I should.
One thing too, I read up a bit on Alduin. Interesting story, firstborn of Akatosh and Mara, she was arguably the first ruler of Skyrim. She was such a powerful creature that she earned the title 'World Eater' a terrifying thing to earn for an apparent Goddess. She could destroy this world at entire will, but so far I have only seen three Dragons so far. The one at Helgen who is seemingly her along with the red scaled one, and the one I killed.
I think the Dragons are either waiting for something to happen or too few maybe both even.
Anyways, the only true bad thing about Alduin was that she was a tyrant who oppressed people, there were no specifics but eventually the ancient Nords who were apparently slaves rebelled against the Dragons and the rule of Alduin.
All it says at the end is that she was defeated. Yet she may live now…Considering if she comes back the same way the Daedra did after we defeated the despicable Molag Bal and the equally horrible Mehrunes Dagon. I think it is the first day of Rain's Hand now come to think of it, I have spent more days getting to where I am now at Ustengrav this literal swamp with little in the way of anything civilized.
Now was the time to go get the horn of Jurgen Windcaller as I walked into the crypt and entered into Ustengrav.
I was greeted by the sounds of combat. Bandits fighting rogue Mages. I decided to wait it out a bit, it seems that a couple of Mages won. I rushed in and slayed them easily. They had no armor and their reactions surprisingly were a little too late as only an Ice spike was caught in my shield.
More sounds of combat were heard and this time it was a horde of Draugr fighting more Mages. But I decided to go in there and finish them off. And they were all either burnt, or cut to pieces. Continuing through even more of the ancient halls and passages I walked into something unexpected.
I could see some sort of light in the backgound of a huge room or cave this place led into. I could see some sort of woodlands below where I stood on the stone path that seems as if it were to lead down there. Vines were everywhere as well but they did not obstruct my path for now.
I an into some Draugr and sent their heads flying. Only getting a single hit on myself that caused me to heal it. It still stung even when the wounds were patched up.
Oddly enough there were skeletons around as well, but no Mages.
That mattered little to me now as I saw the same kind of wall back in the very same dungeon where I found 'Da' I grinned like a madman and went down to it, trees around me in this area.
'Feim…..Become Etheral' I heard the word and now wanted to use it.
"Feim!" I Shouted it now. As soon as I did I realized I had become Ethereal in appearance myself. It was strange to my eyes, I still felt normal although a bit lighter so this shout was the most intriguing I have heard and used so far.
Going back to main path off of that little treat that was the Word Wall I made sure to avoid any more traps that were along it. Though I was able to be cocky enough to score some treasure and enchanted armor it was decent and tempting to equip, but I proffered my Imperial armor better because it did it's job well.
Now there was curiosity in my way, a gate was closed with three stones that turned red any moment I walked by them. It was infuriating, but I now had an idea to use Whirlwind Sprint to get pass.
"Wuld!" I flew past as all stones turned red and the gates opened. I made sure to pull a chain so that the gates would stay open, in case this one somehow did not have a shortcut out of here like every single dungeon I had made it to thus far. Seeing a bunch of Spider webs I made sure not to risk getting surrounded by them.
I did not hear any sounds for a while until I heard a bunch of explosions in the background, checking the nest as I went through I came across to see a bunch of ash piles. The Frostbite spiders were that moronic enough to go into traps themselves. Well I suppose I should not complain at all then.
I walked into what seemed to be the last and great chamber of Ustengrav, pillars now came out of the water as if reacting to my presence, why they did so was something of interest. But no answers to.
On an old coffin like all the other Nordic ones I had seen there was a creepy hand made out of metal protruding out of it. No horn anywhere.
But instead, there was a note. I opened it.
'Dragonborn, I need to speak to you, urgently. Rent the attic room at the Sleeping Giant Inn in Riverwood and I'll meet you.' I read that letter four times before giving the longest sigh I ever gave in my life. I had spent all of that time to get here and only receive a new Shout and a wild goose chase with some mysterious indvidual who said that they will meet me in the inn of Riverwood.
I looked around some more, looking for the horn. It was no use, giving another sigh I opened a chest and found a lot of gold and more potions along with some metal ingots. At least I got those.
Time to head to Riverwood, again.
This is the 3rd day of Rain's Hand. And I have finally made it back into Riverwood, more quickly than I expected. Apparently a carriage was going towards Whiterun so I paid the man driving it some gold and I got here quicker than I should have.
Walking into the Inn I asked Delphine for the room, I waited a while before she came to the door.
"Follow me." She said and I followed, I was both surprised and half expecting it to be her. We walked to the opposite side of my room towards hers. She opened a closet that she had to reveal nothing after closing the door behind us. She then pushed on it, revealing it to be a hidden door into a basement. I saw a table marked with locations and realized that this was a lab of sorts. I also saw the horn.
"Take it." She said to me. I grabbed it as she said put in my sack. Looking around I saw strange looking swords on the walls.
"So the Greybeards think you are the Dragonborn. I hope they are right." I raised an eyebrow at this.
"So are you going to reveal your plans to take over the world to me?" I said with no sarcasm. She surprisingly chuckled a bit.
"Surprised? I guess I'm getting good at my harmless innkeeper act. I wanted to talk to the Dragonborn. The weapons on the wall you see are in the case Thalmor spies come about." So she was against the Thalmor? I think this event may be a good one.
"So why did you take the horn?" She gave me a nod.
"It was the only way to make sure that the Thalmor would not raise hell over this. I have given you the horn and brought you here because I am trying to help you. I just need you to listen to me." Reasonable.
"Go ahead I guess."
"As I said in my note, I've heard that you might be Dragonborn. I've been part of a decent sized group that's been looking for you…...Well if it truly is you as I will need proof and before I can tell you anything else we must get this proof so I can trust you." I think I can see what she was getting to, if Ulfric and the Greybeards can use a shout without being a Dragonborn I may be a fake in her eyes.
"So how did you know about Ustengrav?" She again chuckled, but this time it seemed as if it were an inside joke.
"I knew the Greybeards would send you there if they thought you were the Dragonborn. They're nothing if not predictable." She said neutrally.
"When you showed up here I knew the Greybeards sent you and not that you are a Thalmor spy." My features darkened a bit at the mention of Thalmor again. They would pay for what they have done one day.
"The Thalmor have killed my father and ruined my, our homelands." She gave a sympathetic if not pleased look.
"So why are they after you for?"
"We're very old enemies. And if my suspicions are correct, they might have something to do with Dragons returning. But that isn't important now right now. What is important that you might be Dragonborn, or as the Dragons say 'Dovahkiin'. She knew of the Thu'um?
"Why are you looking for a Dragonborn?" I asked, very curious.
"I will tell you later. I need to trust you first and the only way we can be sure is if you kill a Dragon." My expression soured a bit.
"As long as they have done something bad I am willing to kill them, the innocent ones should live for they have done nothing wrong." She nodded a bit.
"You will not have to kill an innocent one, as a matter of fact this one is about to attack a village near Windhelm called Kybesgrove." How did she know this?
"How do you know when or where it is going to attack?" She smiled mischievously at that.
"I've visited their ancient burial sites and found them empty, thanks to your contribution in the tablet that was at Bleak Falls Barrow I now know where every single one of them is. And there are very large amounts of them. You see, this one will come to life and we will kill it." I shifted uncomfortably.
"As long as it is evil."
"Are you ready to go with me to Kynesgrove?" I nodded. And she gave a grin.
"Let's go, but first I need my travelling gear." Waiting outside a bit I saw her come out with Leather armor and one of those strange swords that seemed familiar.
With her saying goodbye to a friend of hers, we move towards Kynesgrove.
As we arrived in Kynesgrove we found a bunch of civilians in a panic, so a Dragon was attacking!
"Ruigus, you have slain a Dragon before, with my assistance you will slay one again if you truly are a Dragonborn." I nodded, her words were a bit encouraging.
As we walked up past the fleeing villagers I saw her.
Flying above the burial ground was the same Dragoness who had destroyed Helgen and gave me those nightmares. She had undoubtedly detected me and Delphine. I heard that same voice that I would never forget speak.
"Sahloknir,ziil gro Dovah ulse! Slen Tiid Vo!" A blast of odd force, energy, magic, power or whatever it was headed for the burial mound in front of us. A Dragon had come out of the ground with titanic vibrations going on in the ground, looking again I could see that it was regaining skin!
"Thuri! Boaan tiid vokriiha suleyksejun kruziik?" This is the worst situation I could have ever gotten myself into, reaching for my sword I couldn't move anything. My hand was unresponsive.
"Geh, Sahloknir, kalli mir." She said while the both of them were staring at us. I think I was sweating now and Delphine was afraid as well, but astonished.
"So it is you again Ruigus, I know you now." She said as my fear went even higher now, the amount of sweat was increasing along with a tear or two. She had a confident grin with a touch of sadism, at least as far as I could tell for a Dragon could do with facial emotions.
"You are still very adorable like this, you know?" She asked me. What the hell was she trying to say to me!?
"No words my Dovahkiin? You perhaps must be afraid of me. I can tell that much." She was confusing me beyond belief, Delphine's eyes widened as she looked at me now.
The other Dragon was looking at us menacingly.
"Hmph, time for me to go then. Sahloknir test his strength and if they threaten to kill you escape." She was revealing her plans? She did not want me to die as of yet? I wanted to say something to her and it came out unexpectedly as if it were just magic or instinct.
"A-Are you Alduin? The World Eater?" I said right before she was about to go. She looked at me with gold eyes, a pleased look on her face.
"So you have finally figured out my name boy, and my title as well? It is good to hear such a cute remark to my glorious title mortal. Farewell Dovahkiin." With a sadistic look she left.
Sahloknir took this opportunity to attack. He went to get a bite at me with his teeth and I dodged as Delphine went in for his neck.
She hit, but did little damage although her sword penetrated the thick scales. And the Dragon made a screech of pain. He then looked at the both of us "Fo Krah Diin!" A blast of Ice came for us, we immediately took cover behind a boulder.
"Hiding will not save you!" Said the Dragon angrily. Delphine gave me a determined look and a nod as we both ran out.
"Come and face me, then!" It challenged again. We would flank this Dragon and whittle it down….Or we can go straight in for the kill as soon as he stopped being so defensive.
Sahloknir did something I had not expected, he furled up his wings and began spreading them out twirling them, his legs followed suite. It was if he were creating a whirlwind of death around him!
But he tired out after a while of running around and I took the chance, I ran for his back. He lifted his deadly looking tail to hit me with it, so I ran around it. To a point where he would not be able to do anything at his torso and stabbed where Delphine did, the penetration she created was perfect. An angry roar of pain this time. And he was not outraged.
"Your deaths will do so much to satisfy more than anything my Thuri could promise me now! Die as the scum you are!" With vicious abandon for anything around him he charged and he would of hit me had I not Shouted.
"Feim!" As he moved right through me. Unable to affect me, Delphine saw this and now zealously went a the Dragon, climbing atop of it's head as it was turning around to get me again with a snarl as she put her sword into an unprotected spot in it's head. She killed the Dragon. I gave a shaky breath of air.
Sahloknir's corpse began to glow like the other Dragon, and his spirit went into me.
'Fo' Frost….Delphine now walked up to me with happiness.
"It really is you!" She exclaimed as if she had seen a Divine. And before I could say anything else she talked yet again.
"I must bring you near Markarth, there is a place we must go. Sky Haven Temple it is called, I will be able to explain myself and my group. And you will learn much. Please be patient." I was weird-ed out, but I would go with her. Along the way out the people thanked us. But they were all Stormcloak sympathizers, if I had come by later an Imperial Soldier they would be saying much different words and not good ones.
It seemed that Sahloknir had disobeyed me as well and payed the ultimate price for it, typical.
I had flown back to Skuldafn, and was now pondering on what to do next. But I had already known what to do. With the few words of the Dovahkiin he had convinced me that he would be interesting to spend my time with. I already had made plans with the others,
Wuthdeinkinbok said that he would find something for me so that I could go through with this plan. I need not to worry about resurrecting my fellow Dovah. For Wuthdeinkinbok, Odahviing, Lokyolkriaan and Faaskunven could do the same as well. And they would for I was their Thuri and best among all. This would also be a test in leadership for them, in case if I were to be absent again.
After resting for a bit, thinking some abstract things about the Dovahkiin I heard the loud flapping wings of Wuthdeinkinbok, it seems he had something to say.
"Thuri, we have located another Dovah who has lived through all of these years. He has brought something with him that will be perfect if you are going to infiltrate these mortals. I will lead you to it my Thuri." I went with him to find a cave ig enough for multiple Dovah looking around I saw what Wuthdeinkinbok said.
"He says they call it 'Ebony armor' there are also some assorted mortal weapons with it as well. My Thuri." He said with some reverence in his calm voice.
I now went up to these armor and weapons.
"Look away brother." Wuthdeinkinbok realized what was going on. And he turned away.
I had quickly morphed into a less desirable but high potential human form, with some of my own enhancements.
I had a human face with black hair, it sure felt strange but it was a way of communicating more easily with them, though I never had one describe it. Yet I know I was the best. I had a tail albeit it was too small to be of any real danger and nor was it not dangerous, though I could make it that way. My black wings were sprouted out to my sides of my back as if casting a huge shield from behind and my clawed fingers were not touching and getting a feel for the armor. Looking down I could see more of the heavy armor and my black scaled feet, clawed and deadly if I so desired. But for now I would have to put away the instruments of my glory away for now.
I lifted the armor and began to put it on. Few humans could put this on, and yet I put it on myself as if it were nothing that would weigh me down. Even with this full set of armor on I still felt nude. I would be far too quick in this armor for any regular human as well.
And grabbing the crude, but not useless mortal weapons I began to get a feel for them once more. A sword would be perfect, I checked to see how my magic reserves were doing. It was immense in it's power. I gave a pleased grin as I now spoke to Wuthdeinkinbok.
"Ah yes, this is perfect." Now it would be time to follow Ruigus and find out a perfect opportunity to start my subversion of him, I will have him bend his will to me.
I had followed Delphine for five days. We had moved more quickly than I expected too which was a good thing. But now we came across a peculiar looking set of rock.
"Into this tunnel with me Ruigus." She ordered and I went in.
"This place was taken from Forsworn bandits quite a while ago." She remarked, the only answer I had really gotten in those five days. We continued through a bunch of rooms that looked like they had been cleared out until we reached an impasse. It was an amazing sight, there were statues and you could see the sky. Some fires were lit and a very intriguing passage was in the background.
"Lydia! Lower the gate." A Nordic woman wearing some strange and familiar armor with black hair did something that caused a gate to appear out of our left.
"Delphine? Who is this you have brought to us? A new recruit? He looks like a decent enough sort." The woman known as Lydia said.
Lydia….. She was the Housecarl that quit! She joined Delphine and whatever group they were?
"I will tell you soon Lydia, just close the gate after us and follow." We walked across. And went with Lydia into a cave, we came out to see pressure plates.
"Just stand on the pressure plates with the twin Dragons." Said Lydia, she looked young in appearance and had a kind of pretty voice. Also sounded pretty friendly too.
"Ah thanks!"
"What is your name?"
"Ruigus, Ruigus Kessel. Delphine brought me here because I was Dragonborn." Lydia gasped.
"Is it true!?" She asked Delphine, she gave her a nod.
"Yes he is Dragonborn." At this point I saw happy crying coming from Lydia, I was confused beyond belief now.
"Please be patient Ruigus, I know I have had you wait for too long. But I will be able to explain it all to you very soon."
"I understand." Whatever was going on, being a Dragonborn to her group must be godlike.
We continued through now, a strange door of sorts was open and it seemed to lead into a hallway of stone. It seemed well made.
Delphine led us through and into a great hall where there were fires lit, a curious table, and even more people with the strange armor. Looking again at them they noticed us.
There were about 39 of them, and they all now moved into a position in front of us and bowed before me. Delphine and Lydia said the same. It was now at this point I realized who Delphine's group was. My mouth dropped. In one of my favorite pieces of history, there was a secret group of people that would protect the Emperor who come to think of it was Dragonborn for the most part, I thought they had been destroyed but now I can only tell that they were the B-
"Welcome home, my Emperor." Came Delphine.
The Blades.
Hope you like what I have done with the Blades :D
To Mind : I probably will not, though this is indeed an interesting idea for sure. But part of my personal kind of take on Paarthunax is that he was always Alduin's original brother who went astray as far as his/hers (In this case) eyes could tell. But do not get your hopes up, I do not want to hype of somebody to disappoint.
To PyroSolracIII: Ah cheers, I will attempt to compensate for the pride.
To Baconlord53: You are pretty cool as well :D
One thing to mention:
Cities in Skyrim I want you to imagine to be anywhere from 5-8 times bigger than they were before. Because I want the scale of the Civil War and… one other thing in the story to be important. And that means the populations too. Heck maybe the villages will be 2 times bigger as well.
Again not sure what else to say now until next chapter other than it may take a while longer because of School. But that will only be a dent in my writing. At worse expect 2-3 months of writing.
That is all. I pray you enjoyed it!
