=Ch.23 Nordic Hero=
The not to distant past.
The dragonborn loosed his arrow slaying one giant spider. Only to attract the attention of the others. They creeped along the walls of the chamber as the dragonborn pelted them with more arrows. The creeping spiders screeched and shrieked as their exoskeletons were punctured by the steel tipped arrows. One fell onto the floor triggering the boobytrap. The Dragonborn cocked a eye brow as the unfortunate spider as it was engulfed in the flamed spewing from the pressure plate.
But the Dragonborn noticed there was a delay of a second or two before the trap triggered. With the other spiders nearly on top of him literally he took a chance and sprinted forward over the trap plates as flames erupted in his wake. The two spiders foolishly leaped at the dragonborn only to fall short and get flambeed.
Seeing the opportunity the dragonborn turned and fired several more arrows killing the already injured spiders. However his victory was short lived as a greater giant spider shrieked exiting a large hole in the ceiling. He leaped out of the way drawing his great axe lunging at his new adversary. The axe blade sunk several inches into the giant spiders head destroying a eye.
Shrieking in pain the creature reared up flailing its front legs pushing the dragonborn away while it backed off. It then charged again its poisoned fangs bared to inject the deadly fluid. The dragonborn raised his great axe horizontally blocking the creatures charge with the giant dagger sized fangs held up against the axes shaft. The spiders legs flailed about as it was held up by the impressive strength of the Nord.
Knowing he couldn't hold the giant spider up for long the dragonborn used unrelenting force sending the creature flying backwards into its back. As it recovered the dragonborn again raised his axe this time aiming for the front legs. With a loud crack the exoskeleton was cracked and split by the speed and force of the swing severing the leg.
The spider shrieked in pain hesitating as the leg fell too the floor. Again the dragonborn attacked again and again chipping chunks off the creatures body while using his shout unrelenting force to again send the creature flying backwards.
But the dragonborn was determined to end this fight and so he charged, shoulder bashing the over sized arachnid over the edge of the elevated platform. Falling over onto its back the creature landed on the flame trap. Screeching the spider burned flailing its legs in vane attempts to get back onto its feet while it burned to death.
As the roasted spider started stinking the dragonborn turned to leave the chamber. He used a flames spell to burn through the mess of webs sealing the path forwards and unlocked the door just a bit further in. There he arrived at the chamber where his prize lay. The horn of Jurgen windcaller.
Approaching the sarcophagus his expression darkened into a scowl as he realized he had been had. Instead of the horn a note was there. Sighing in frustration but pulled by curiosity he took the note and read it.
[Dragonborn-I need to speak to you. Urgently. Rest in the attic room of the sleeping giant inn in Riverwood and I'll meet you. Signed a friend.]
With a huff the dragonborn threw the letter away and started looting what he could from the chamber finding lots of old gold coins like he always did along with some gems and armor. Packing the loot away in his backpack he followed the path out to Ustengrav. Outside he mounted on his horse and left to travel to Riverwood to meet this mysterious person who went through the trouble of stealing the horn before him. Whoever it was must have had knowledge of the greybeards and that they would send him here to retrieve the horn so they must also have knowledge of the dragonborn too. Even though this felt like a trap he had little choice but to meet whoever this was.
=Later at Riverwood=
Entering Riverwood after several days of raiding the Dragonborn tied his horse onto the sign just outside the sleeping giant inn but decided to offload all his looted items first. Lifting his two loaded backpacks off the horse saddle he walked the short distance across town to the Riverwood trader. Entering he saw Lucan at the counter like always with his head buried in a book.
Lucan raised his eyes. "Oh you again. Here to trade or sell again?"
"Yeah!" The dragonborn grunted out as he set his backpacks down. He started placing various items on the table. They ranged from old weapons and armor that could be reforged or melted down for raw material some enchanted others not, to jewelry, gems and old gold coins. Out of date currency by todays standards but gold and silver were still valuable and could always be recast into new up to date coins or something else. There were also collectors who would pay a considerable coin for old currency like this.
Lucan gave a impressed whistle as his counter was covered in the various items.
After bartering and selling all his collected loot and pocketing the coin the Dragonborn returned to the sleeping giant inn. Entering he glanced around approaching the man at the counter.
Orgnar caught sight of the new face entering his inn. "Welcome. Do you need a drink or a room?"
The dragonborn approached the counter. "Yes. I'll take both. A drink of your finest drink and a room. The attic room. I like being up high. Also does it have a window?"
Orgnar grinned reaching down under the counter to grab a mug. He turned around filling it up with honning brew Mead. "That'll be 3 small gold coins for the drink and the rooms 10 small gold a night."
The dragonborn took the mug of fizzling alcohol and paid for it and the room. "Thanks."
Orgnar looked over at one of his employees cleaning a table. "Hey Delphine. We got a customer. Says he wants the attic room!"
Delphine looked up at the man at the counter. "Be right there."
Delphine finished up and walked over to the man at the counter. "Sorry to say but we don't actually have a attic room. But you can have the one over there."
The dragonborn glanced over to the room left of the counter. "Does it have a window?"
"Eh yeah. But its small and up high." Delphine replied.
The dragonborn shrugged finished his drink and went to bed. Later after the sun had set and all was quite his door creaked open. Quickly sitting up the dragonborn grasped his axe with one hand, laying it over his lap as that women Delphine entered.
She gave him a curious look. "So your the dragonborn. After word of you killing that dragon at Whiterun got around there's been a lot of gossip about you."
The dragonborn smirked. "Good gossip I hope. Preferably a song or two recounting my glories deeds."
Delphine smirked with a chuckle. "Heh! You sound like one of those old Nords who spend their whole lives looking for a fight to earn glory and enter Sovngarde."
"I may have been born in Cyrodiil but I'm a Nord through and through. I came to Skyrim to see my ancestral home land. Then I got caught up in the civil war."
Delphine became deadpan with a serious look. "And what is your opinion concerning the civil war?"
The dragonborn chuckled standing up. "Haven't had time to think about that after a bloody black dragon attacked Helgen and I had to run for my life. Oddly enough I owe that flying lizard. Those imperial idiots were about to free my head from my neck for just being in the wrong place at the wrong time."
At that Delphine's expression turned to shock. "The dragon saved you?!"
The dragonborn shrugged. "Yeah. Crazy huh?"
Delphine chuckled. "Hehe. That certainly is. But getting back on track we need to talk, follow me. Oh and I believe this belongs to you."
Delphine produced the horn of Jurgen Wind-caller handing it to the dragonborn. They then left the room moving to the one across the inn. Shutting the door Delphine then opened a secret door behind the closet. Following her down into the hidden room the dragonborn was a little impressed at the chamber and the various weapons and gear it held. Obviously it took a long time and a lot of effort to make.
Delphine walked around the table staring at the dragonborn seriously. "The greybeards seem to think your a dragonborn. I hope their right."
"A dragonborn? Not the dragonborn?"
Delphine huffed. "Heh. You should know Cyrodiil's history since you said you came from there?"
"Hm yes about the dragonborn who ruled the empire during past ages. I've read up on that history. More so since discovering that I'm a dragonborn my self. Absorbed a dragon soul and can learn words of power relatively easily. The greybeards were good, if simple teachers."
Delphine shrugged with a smirk. "Well, what they and you think is one thing. But if I'm going to trust you I need proof my self. I need to be sure this isn't a Thalmor trap."
"What do the the knife ears have to do with this?"
Delphine looked distracted as she sighed. "Can't say now. I'll explain later. For now we need to get back to the task at hand. Namely you proving to me that your actually a dragonborn."
"So how are you going to do that? I'm not the only one that can use the Thu'um so that's not a real test?"
"True. But I'm apart of a group that's been looking for someone like you for a... long time. And there is one way I can tell your a real dragonborn. Though others can learn the Thu'um only a dragonborn has the ability to absorb the souls of dragons. With that said I believe that dragons aren't just coming back but are coming back to life. They weren't gone they were dead. Killed off centuries ago by my predecessors. But someone is bringing them back to life. And I need your help to stop it."
The dragonborn took a moment to absorb all this info. "So how do you know the dragons are being brought back?"
"I know they are because I've visited their graves. Skyrim and other provinces all have mounds serving as dragon burial grounds. I've visited them and found several disturbed in a way that could only have been from below meaning what was buried under them suddenly dug their way out. Luckily through extensive research I've found out where the next one will be and its soon so we should be going."
The dragonborn shrugged. "So were going to go there and kill the next dragon to be resurrected. And hopefully learn whos doing it huh?"
"That's the plan."
"So how did you figure all this out?"
Delphine smirked. "You should know. You got the map for me at bleak falls barrow."
The dragonborn raised his head to the ceiling. "Ah! You know Farengar!"
Delphine smirked. "Having connections is a must for me. The dragonstone is a map of dragon burial sites. After looking at different ones and noting which ones were disturbed the pattern was clear. It seems to be from the southeast down the Jerall mountine's near Riften. The next one should be Kynesgrove if the pattern holds."
"When do you think it'll happen?"
"Soon'ish. At least in the next few days or perhaps tomorrow at the earliest. Maybe even today. For all I know it could have already hapened."
"Then lets get going."
Delphine and the Dragonborn gathered their gear and left for Kynesgrove arriving by sun up. In the early sunlight they saw the yet to be disturbed mound surrounded by circular stones. The dirt was packed onto the mound with no sign of being disturbed. Then they saw it. A black dragon flying high over head. They took cover in the tree line keeping down as the beast of darkness descended.
As the beast descended the whole area was covered in a fog of darkness as the black scaled beast cloaked in shadows raised its head shouting a word of power that shook the bones of both Delphine and the Dragonborn. Then as soon as it had arrived the black dragon flew away its wings leaving a trail of shadow in its wake as it traversed the sky to where ever it was going next.
"Was... was that the dragon you saw at Helgen?" asked a slightly disturbed Delphine.
"I... don't know. It was... different?"
Before the two could collect their thoughts the earth rumbled and shook as the mound erupted sending tons of earth flying as a giant dragon pushed it's way out and with a ear bursting roar declared its new life for all to hear.
The dragonborn smirked. "Well never mind that. We have a dragon to slay."
The resurrected dragons flesh regrew knitting its self back together over the dry bones with concerning speed. But it's moment of rebirth was sullied by two mortals who thought to slay it. Feeling invigorated by the energies that brought it back Sahloknir grew bold as a mere two humans were as nothing to it.
"Ven-Gaar-Nos!" Sahloknir shouted.
The two humans stopped and retreated as a fierce cyclone kicked up spinning faster and faster as it sucked up everything in its path towards the humans.
"Shit that's new!" shouted the Dragonborn.
"Just run!" exclaimed Delphine.
The two ran back to the tree line and their horses as the cyclone moved towards them. Its creator Sahloknir making a fanged grin as he watched.
The Dragonborn and Delphine mounted up and road away from the magical twister as it slowly followed them.
"It's slow. Lets circle around and hit that dragon from the side!" shouted the Dragonborn.
"It's better if we split up. I'll go left you right." shouted Delphine.
The two went different directions leaving the cyclone far behind as they circled around to the dragons flank from two directions. The dragonborn headed straight for the dragon while Delphine continued circling around it.
The Dragonborn kicked his horse making it speed up as it headed for the dragon making the beast ignore its instinctive fear. As they were upon the creature it reared up and turned. The dragonborn anticipating what it was doing instantly and ordered his horse to jump as the dragon spun on it's heel. It's great tail swiping along the ground under the Dragonborn's horse. Landing with but a tiny margin the Dragonborn brought his axe down on the dragons thigh.
With a clang the axe deflected off the thick scales as the horse galloped passed. With the Dragonborn in his sights and his back turned as he fled close combat Sahloknir prepared his frost shout only for a arrow to fly up from bellow piercing the soft skin just under his jaw.
The dragons pained roar was music to Delphines ears as she road away. The arrogant beast had forgot about her focusing on the Dragonborn giving her time to get right under it and fire a arrow at a vulnerable spot.
But the beast was now fully focused on her as it unleashed one of its shouts. Delphine pulled her shield off the side of her horses saddle blocking the stream of cold. The metal and wood defense held up against the freezing breath but as she gained distance Delphine realized her horse wasn't holding up so well as the poor creatures fur and flesh froze solid.
"Sorry old girl!" Delphine spoke with honest regret thanking the beat of burden for aiding her before leaping away.
The horse slowed until it was covered in ice icicles. Stopping the horse fell over its legs breaking off and it's body shattering into partly liquid partly frozen flesh and blood shards.
Delphines eyes widened seeing her horse die in such a horrible way before she snapped back to reality and ran behind a tree to escape the freezing breath of the dragon.
While the dragon had Delphine pined the Dragonborn moved around to the dragons back aiming for its tail. Leaping off his horse the Dragonborn brought his great axe down chopping the tip of the dragons tail off.
"Rrrrraaaaagh!" Sahloknir roared as the pain shot through his spin.
Turning his head to the offender that had mutilated him Sahloknir rushed forwards on all fours to bit the little creatures head off.
Standing bravely as the dragon rushed at him the Dragonborn waited until the perfect moment and shouted unrelenting force. The shout sent the dragons head wiping back stunning it for a few seconds as if punched in the face. Taking the momentary opportunity the Dragonborn shouted Whirlwind Sprint making him rush forward in a burst of speed. His axe held aloft as it struck the gap between the dragons scales on it's neck.
The velocity gained from of the shout and the Dragonborns strength allowed the steel axe to sink a foot into the dragons neck drawing out a flood of blood. Both the Dragonborn and Sahloknir were both struck by a moments daze. The dragon feeling his life drain as the steel blade sunk deeply in his neck and the Dragonborn dazed from the impact of his own speed.
Recovering the Dragonborn yanked the axe out. Blood gushed out of the wound even more as the dragon roared in pain and collapsed onto the ground. Giving it three good swings the Dragonborn severed the beasts head.
Delphine cast healing on her self recovering slowly from the frostbite. Standing up she watched as the dragon started disintegrating turning into streams of light that poured into the Dragonborn.
The Dragonborn felt the same rush of power he felt the last time he had slain a dragon at Whiterun. It not only invigorated him but boosted his power.
"I... its true. You really are dragonborn." Delphine said as she walked over.
"Delphine I believe you owe me some answers?"
"Yes I do. I owe you that much at least."
"So who are you really?"
Delphine sighed lowering her head a moment. "I'm one of the last members of the Blades. A vary long time ago the Blades were dragon-slayers and we served the Dragonborn who were often leaders of the Septim empire. But also known as the greatest of all dragon-slayers. For the last two hundred years since the last dragonborn emperor died the blades have been searching for a purpose. Now that dragons are coming back our purpose is clear. We have to stop them."
The Dragonborn took a moment to think. "What do you know about the dragons coming back. Any leads or perhaps you know something about that black dragon cloaked in darkness?"
Delphine shook her head. "Not a damn thing unfortunately. I was just as surprised as you to find that thing here. It really wasn't the same black dragon you saw at Helgen?"
"No! That one was black but didn't have that cloak of darkness!"
Delphine shook her head in frustration. "Damn it. Were just blundering around in the dark here! We need to learn that dragons identity."
"Well we best not linger here to long. Lets head back to your hide out. No doubt all that noise must have caught some ones attention around here."
"Yes your right. Don't want people finding out about us."
Delphine and the Dragonborn departed one horse less then when they had arrived. Hours later they arrived back in Riverwood. Down in the secret room they planed and brainstormed their next move.
"The Thalmor?" the dragonborn questioned.
Leaning over a map of Skyrim Delphine sighed. "I know it may just be a shot in the dark but they have a history of knowing things or being mixed up in certain events."
"What makes you think the Thalmor are bringing the dragons back?"
Delphine shrugged. "Nothing solid just a hunch. Still. My gut tells me that even if they aren't the ones responsible then they may know who is. But my reasoning goes deeper. The empire was wining the civil-war despite the Stormcloaks resistance. Then they capture Ulfric and from what you said about what happened at Helgen were on the verge of executing him. Then conveniently a dragon appears and attacks Helgen allowing Ulfric to escape. The civil-war continues and now dragons are attacking indiscriminately. If we hadn't killed that one who knows how many villages or even cities it would have burned. I've even gotten reports of another black dragon with a red eye in it's forehead that's been sighted all over Skyrim lately. But it hasn't attacks for some reason."
The Dragonborn shrugged. "Another black dragon but with a red eye in it's forehead? I'm sensing a themw here?"
Delphine sighed rubbing her temple. "Then that's at least five dragons flying about based on the information from my informants. Anyway what I was getting at is that Skyrim is in chaos. Chaos which the Aldmeri dominion and Thalmor gain from since it keeps the empire on the back foot and weakened."
"So how do we learn what the Thalmor know about the dragons?"
Delphine perked up a bit pulling a scroll from a cabinet. "By getting in their embassy." The Dragonborn looked at the map Delphine placed down. It was a drawing of a large building atop a snowy mountain. "It's their center of operations here in Skyrim. Problem is that place is locked up tighter then a skeever's ass in winter. They could teach me a few things in paranoia. Not only is the place warded against any magical observation spells but there are tight patrols outside and inside. And each of them are highly trained killers. It would take a army to get in by force."
The Dragonborn gave Delphine a look. "We are not a army. I can kill dragons one on one but I'm still one guy with a axe. How do we get in?"
Delphine shrugged looking at the maps. "For now not sure? I may have a few ideas but it will take time for me to pull things together. Come back here in a week. I should have a plan ready by then. Till then keep an eye on the sky. I know this will only get worse."
"Right. Well I have my own plans. I need to get back up to the greybeards. I don't suppose you know who their grand master is?"
Delphine shook her head. "Not a clue. Never had a interest. It's not like I got potential to develop the Thu'um. Supposedly most of your Nordic ancestors who lived in the far northern continent Atmora could use the Thu'um. But it seems they lost the power over the centuries until the Dragonborn's were created by Akatosh and created the Septim empire."
The Dragonborn shrugged. "Worth asking I guess. I'll head to High Hrothgar. After words I'll stay in Whiterun."
"See you in a week dragonborn... Heh! I've been calling you that since we met. What's your real name?"
The Dragonborn turned to her. "It's Hargvir."
A day later Hargvir the dragonborn once again reached the top of High Hrothgar to meet with the greybeards. Entering he met with Arngeir handing him the horn of Jurgen Wind-caller.
Arngeir took the horn with a smile. "It's been a vary long time since the horn has rested here on High Hrothgar. Well done dragonborn. You've passed all the trials. Come I'll assemble the others so that we may formally recognize you as dragonborn."
=Meanwhile=
High above Skyrim the dragons Paarthurnax and his newly gained acquaintance Kalameet flew together. Gliding through clouds and over everything. Words of any kind were unneeded as the companionship they both felt after being alone for such a long time was enough for them this moment.
=Meanwhile=
"What the?"
The Dragonborn was more then a little confused at what just happened. He had just learned the last part of the Unrelenting Force shout from the greybeards and endured the trial of their voice when everything just... stopped. The greybeards were frozen in place as if paralyzed. Hargvir glanced around expecting a attack but nothing happened.
"Come chosen one. Meet me a top the throat of the world."
The deep booming voice made the stone building vibrate as it reverberated through the dragonborn's body.
"Are you Paarthurnax?!"
There was no response. Shrugging with little choice the Dragonborn left the frozen greybeards making his way out the back. Upon reaching the outside Hargvir noticed more oddness as the howling wind which at this altitude is always constant was now silent. It's as if the world just stopped not just the greybeards. Feeling more on edge about who or what could have done this his mind leaned towards the nine divines. But the question was which one? Or maybe it was one of those Daedra.
Making his way up the steep snow covered slop up the mountain the Dragonborn kept putting one foot in front of the other as he trudged onwards and up until at last reaching the peek. There he saw another wall containing a word of power but little else.
The sky glowed and in a flash of light a man appeared before the Dragonborn. He was armored with a red gilded cloak and a winged helmet. Under his helm was a head of pure white hair that matched his beard. The Dragonborn felt as the mans piercing blue eyes looking into his soul.
"Who? Are you!"
"Don't you recognize the visage of one of the nine divines."
It then clicked in Hargvirs head that the mans appearance perfectly matched the statue of Talos he had seen in Whiterun. Everything from his face to the clothes matched.
"You...! Your Talos! The man who conquered Tamriel and ascended to god hood!"
Talos smirked. "Yes. I was born Tiber Septim and after ascending became Talos. But enough about me I'm here to warn you of the arrival of a great evil upon our land."
"Great evil? You mean that black dragon cloaked in darkness that has been bringing others of it's kind back from the dead?"
Talos shook his head. "No. That one is not whom I speak. The being I am referring to comes from beyond our realm of Nirn. But he is not of the Daedra. Though the Nine have come to a conclusion that if he is not stopped his ways will corrupt our world in his conquest to come. But as you are you are much to weak to confront him. First you must seek out words of power and absorb more dragons souls to increase your strength. When your power has reached a sufficient degree I will speak with you again."
Then in the blink of the eye the Dragonborn was once again with the greybeards. Shocked and a little perturbed by his experience he stood there processing the encounter with a god.
"Is something the matter Dragonborn?" asked Arngeir.
The Dragonborn blinked glancing around at the greybeards staring at him. "I... I think I just had a vision of Talos!"
The greybeards shared shocked looks between each other.
"Are... you sure dragonborn?" said Arngeir.
The Dragonborn stared at him. "Yes. It was no delusion. He told me to gain power and learn more words of power. And to absorb more dragonsouls. But why he told me to do so is what's concerning. He said that there is a evil from beyond Nirn in skyrim and that it threatens all of Nirn."
Arngeir took a moment to gather his thoughts on this most unexpected matter.
"I see? I don't know what to say. If it truly was Talos then this threat is greater then even Alduin. We greybeards will discuss the matter and speak with our master. When we reach a conclusion we will summon you to High Hrothgar again."
The Dragonborn nodded. Till then. I will continue my own path."
=Meanwhile=
In the week since his experience meeting Talos and the gods grave warning the dragonborns been training and slaying dragons all over Skyrim as well as training his other skills. Then on the preplanned day he returned to Riverwood.
Descending the stairs he spotted Delphine sitting down reading a book. Turning her head she smiled at the dragonborns arrival.
"It's still early in the day. Punctual aren't you."
"I don't like to be kept waiting so I don't like to keep others waiting either."
Placing the book down and standing up Delphine walked to the table. "Fair enough. Getting on topic I've figured how to get into the Thalmor embassy."
"Well what grand plan have you cooked up?"
"The Thalmor ambassador Elenwen regularly throws parties where the rich and connected cozy up to the Thalmor."
The dragonborn sighed shaking his head.
Delphine smirked. "Yeah that was my feelings as well. I can get you into one of those parties. Once your inside you can get away from the party and find Elenwens secret files. I have a contact in the embassy. He's not up to this kind of high risk mission but he can help you get in. His names Melborn a wood elf with a reason to hate the Thalmor. I've vetted him so you can trust him. I'll get word to him to meet you in Solitude in the Winking Skeever. While your doing that I'll work on getting a invitation to Elenwens little party. Meet me at the Solitude stables after you've arranged things with Melborn. Any questions?"
"I trust you so he must be reliable. As for anything else. I actually have a second objective that... I guess was divinely inspired. After this mission I would like you to help me find words of power. There are many ruins and catacombs all over Skyrim."
Delphine raised a eye brow. "Well you are the dragonborn. But you sound in a hurry concerning this. Is something a matter?"
The dragonborn scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "I'll explain later. For now we should focus on the mission at hand."
=Meanwhile=
Arriving at the Solitude stables the dragonborn put his horse away then made his way up the path to the cities main gate. On his way he passed a Khajiit camp overhearing some of them talking.
"Do you believe all this talk of dragons? Can the ancient ones truly have returned?"
"I wish I could say that I did not but in every part of Skyrim I've been to there is considerable talk of dragon sightings and reports of burned towns. It is no rumor. I even saw one my self if only a pacing glance as it flew over a mountain top. Still it was enough for me to know it wasn't just a bird. And it's roar. Certainly nothing but a dragon could make that horrible noise."
"Stendarr be merciful! What ill fortune that this would happen now while we were trying to make a living."
The dragonborn continued on missing the rest of the conversation between the Khajiit. As the dragonborn entered Solitude he came upon a mob of people observing a execution. The sight of a man bound with another holding a axe at the ready made the dragonborn feel on edge after his experience at Helgen.
"...Roggvir. Tell them he didn't do it!" said a little girl.
The voice drew the dragonborns attention as a father and daughter spoke.
A father looked down at his daughter. "Svari go home! Go home and stay until your mother comes. I mean it. Now go!" the father said sternly.
The daughter Svari huffed as she turned and left. As his daughter left the father joined the gathered crowed.
"You should tell her uncle is scum and betrayed the high king. Best she know Addvar." a women said to the father.
Not wanting to get involved or cause a scene the dragonborn watched from a distance as a guard spoke on the elevated stage.
"Roggvir. You helped Ulfric Stormcloak escape this city after he murdered High King Torygg. By opening that gate for Ulfric you betrayed the people of Solitude."
The people jeered for Roggvirs death calling him traitor.
"There was no murder!" Roggvir shouted over the people voices. "Ulfric challenged Torygg and beat him honorable single combat! He beat the king in far single combat and won the right to the throne by ancient law. Nordic law!"
The people shouted for Roggvirs death louder drowning out the mans words.
One of the guards walked up to Roggvir. "Bow your head."
Roggvir kneeled placing his head on the wood block. "On this day... I go to sovngarde."
The other guard raised his great axe bringing it down. Swiftly separating Roggvirs head from his body.
The dragonborn winced at the noise of decapitation. Regardless of the situation he had a mission to complete. He had his own thoughts on this civil war between Ulfric and the imperials. One one hand he believed in and worshipped Talos. But on the other Ulfrice's actions weakened the empire. It was a mess of a situation and it was vary complicated. But regardless of the white gold concordat people will still worship Talos as evidenced by the Talos statue in white run and other places Hargvirs been too. Now if the empire started violently forcing the decree out lawing Talos worship imprisoning his worshipers and destroying his statues then that would be a different story all together.
The bell over the door rang as the dragonborn entered the winking skeever. Glancing around he looked between the customers finding the only wood elf in the place and walked over.
"You Melborn?"
The wood elf turned back looking up at the big Nord. "Yes?"
The dragonborn nodded taking a seat. "Our mutual friend sent me."
Melborn raised a eye brow. "Uh your who she sent? Well I hope she knows what she's doing. For all our sakes." Melborn glanced around the bar and leaned closer. "Well here's the deal. I can smuggle some of your gear into the embassy for you. Don't plan on bringing much else with you. The Thalmor take security vary seriously. Just put what you want me to smuggle in the backpack behind my chair. I'll make sure it gets in. But the rest is up to you. Try and not to get killed."
After meeting with Melborn and handing his stuff over the dragonborn left returning to the stables outside the city.
Delphine waited sitting on a rock. Turning her head she spotted Hargvir. "I assume you got everything squared away with Melborn?"
"Yeah. I gave him the gear I wanted smuggled in."
"Good. Here's your invitation to the party. It wasn't easy to get given the time crunch. It's the only way to get in without arousing suspicion."
The dragonborn took the letter. "Yeah trying to force your way into a enemy controlled strong hold is dumb. That said I'm going to need some better clothes."
Delphine scoffed with a chuckle. "Lucky for you then Solitude is known for it's high class clothes. But I've gotten that covered too. Here put this on and you'll fit right in with those other rich snobs. And remember you'll only have the weapons that Melborn smuggled inside."
"Plus whatever I find in there."
The dragonborn went around the back of the stables and changed into the fancy clothes. He then got on the carriage to the embassy Delphine had arranged. A few hours travel later and he arrived at the Thalmor embassy atop a snowy mountain.
Hopping out of the carriage the dragonborn noticed another carriage arriving. "Ah! Another fellow latecomer to Elenwens soiree." said a Nord as he hoped out.
"And who might you be? Usually its common courtesy to introduce your self." said the dragonborn. The dragonborn may not be a fancy noble or rich but he can play the part good enough.
"Ah my apologize. My names Razelan."
"My names... Harvgen. Pleasure to meet you."
"Like wise friend."
The two shared a hand shake and a short chat in which Razelan complained about his carriage driver getting lost on the way up the mountain. They showed the guards their invitations and made their way up the stairs to the entrance proper. All along the way the dragonborn glanced around spotting no fewer then seven guards in the front of the embassy.
As they entered they were quickly met by a Altmer women.
"Ah the guards said two late comers had arrived. Glad to see you looking well mister Razelan. I was worried considering you usually arrive much more early."
Razelan sighed. "Ah! My normal carriage driver had to stay home for his wife. She's pregnant and delivering their child today. And my new driver got lost along the way. Twice!"
"My condolences to your lost time." said Elenwen.
"I do hope there's food still left over and wine?"
"Don't worry there's still plenty." As Razelan walked away to find the food and drinks Elenwen turned to the dragonborn. "I'm sorry but I don't remember your face. I suppose your a new first time guest here?"
Playing it cool the dragonborn chuckled. "I was just as surprised as my family when I got that invitation. I assume you don't make and send the invitations your self?"
"No I leave that to my underlings. They on occasion send invitations to new guests that would have interest in our... gatherings. Oh forgive me I'm Elenwen ambassador of this embassy."
"I'm Harvgen. A pleasure. Though I've never been in much contact with Altmer of the Thalmor I do hear things. Some of them about you and your important position here."
Elenwen smirked at that. "Have you then. Good things I hope. Since we've never met could you tell me about your self?"
"Hm well... I was originally born in Cyrodiil and..."
Melborn who was behind the nearby bar spoke up. "Ma'am?"
Elewen silently sighed turning to the wood elf. "What is it Melborn?!"
"Do I have permission to uncork the Arenthia red..."
"Yes I've told you before not to bother me with such trifles!"
Melborn lowered his head. "Yes madam Ambassador."
Elenwen turned back to Harvgen. "My apologies. We'll have to get to know each other another time. Please enjoy the party."
Elenwen left joining the party. The disguised dragonborn followed glancing around the room listening as the other guests talked and gossiped. Some talked about the latest news the civil-war and others talked about the recent dragons threatening villages and towns. Turn around the dragonborn got a drink from Melborn.
"Here you are sir." said Melborn as he shifted his tone to a whisper as the dragonborn enjoyed his ale. "You made it in good. Guess that invitation was the real deal then. I can't just give your stuff back, you need to distract the guards first. Once their attention is else where I'll unlock this door behind me and we can get you on your way."
Nodding the dragonborn took his drink and mingled with the other party goers as he thought up a way to create a distraction. As he went his eyes meet a extremely beautiful women in a white dress and vary unique hair the color of light emerald and eyes of gold. Finding him-self captivated by the uniqueness of the maiden the dragonborn quickly made his way over to her. After all he had some time to kill. No need to rush the mission.
"Hello my names Harvgen. And who might you be?"
The lady looked him right in the eyes. "Ceetoo. But it's written as C.C." she replied.
The dragonborn raised a eyebrow in bewilderment at the odd name. "That's a... unusual name. Never heard one quit like it. Nor have I ever seen such... hair and eyes before? What province do you hail from?"
C.C. grinned. "I come from a far away land and even among my people my hair is seen as rare and sacred."
"I see. I like emeralds too as your hair is colored like one. Though they say diamonds are a women's best friend."
C.C. laughed at that. "Well not all women like diamonds."
"You look like your enjoying the party C.C., sorry for my lateness." said a newcomer.
The voice instantly sent shivers down the dragonborns spin as his body reacted on it's own. He stiffened as his eyes turned. He could have sworn there wasn't anyone there a moment ago. Him and miss C.C. were in a corner of the room with their backs to the wall. If anyone walked up he would have seen them? But there he was a short blue scaled Argonian.
"Allow me to introduce my self. I'm Azure a simple magic item forger who lives over at the college of Winterhold. It seems you already meet my darling C.C."
The dragonborn hesitated a moment as his fight or flight instincts kicked in. With a calm expression he controlled himself and looked down.
"I'm Harvgen. It's a pleasure to met you. And may I say C.C. is a stunning women. I assume she's your friend."
"Lovers actually." C.C. said deadpan.
The dragonborn raised a eye brow. He knew it happens what with there being a book like that lusty argonian maid going around and well people will be people and all but seeing two interspecies lovers is a... new experience.
"Uh... the snacks over there looks nice. Sorry to cut and run miss C.C."
The dragonborn made a hasty retreat from the uncomfortable proximity to the argonian. Though he didn't know why he gave the dragonborn a uncomfortable feeling the moment he arrived from where ever he had came from.
Shaking his head and stuffing his face with finger food the dragonborn got his head together getting back on mission. Thinking of a way to create a scene without being at the center of it was hard. While the dragonborn thought up something he meet Proventus Avenicci Jarl Balgruuf's steward and talked a while. The dragonborn then meet Razelen and started talking with him while buying the man multiple drinks. Eventually the man, who was obviously drunk at the time and vary endeared towards the dragonborn, asked the dragonborn if there was anything he could do for him.
A simple request later and Razelan was stirring up a scene drawing everyone's attention especially Elenwen and the guards. The dragonborn honestly felt kind of bad about using the drunken man. Sort of. While Razalen was making a fool of himself and insulting Elenwen and the thalmor in general the dragonborn quietly made his way to Malborn and through the door.
Malborn sighed. "So far so good. Lets pray to the divines nobody saw us. Next we need to go through the kitchen. Your things are hidden in the larder. Just stay close and let me do any talking."
Remaining silent the dragonborn nodded and followed. As they entered the kitchen in the next room a female Khajiit in a chefs apron looked up from her work at them.
"Melborn? You know I don't like strange smells in my kitchen!"
"This guest is feeling a tad ill and Elenwen asked me to take him to a back room to rest."
Tsavani the chief shook her head as the two made their way across the room.
"A guest? In the kitchen? You know this is against the rules."
Malborn turned with a smirking look. "Rules Tsavani. I didn't realize eating moon-suger was permitted either?"
Malborn and Tsavani stared at each other a moment.
"Tss! Get out of here I saw nothing."
The two left leaving Tsavani to her kitchen. Malborn locked the door behind him as they made their way to the larder. The dragonborn collected his gear and Malborn went back saying something about needing to lock the doors or the guards would get suspicious.
"Did you see all those robes march in this morning? Who are they with? More of the Emissaries treaty enforcers?" said a Thalmor guard in a side room.
The dragonborn crouched minimizing his noise as he sneaked passed the partly open door.
"No their high mages from Alinor. I guess Elenwen herself is getting worried about the dragon attacks lately."
"Ah good I was getting worried about how we were going to defend this place from a dragon attack. They say dragons loved the mountain tops and well were on one."
The dragonborn silently moved passed the room the guards were in without them noticing him. Making his way through some empty rooms he turned one corner opened a door and met eyes with a Thalmor soldier across the room.
"Who are!" were the Altmers final words as the dragonborn threw his war axe nailing the man right on the face, the blade burying into his skull two solid inches. The Thalmor rag-dolled onto the floor with a subdued thump. After hiding the body the dragonborn continued on his way exiting the building into the courtyard. Downing a bottle of invisibility he had purchased a while back the dragonborn snuck passed the guards while keeping his distance from them on the stone path to avoid leaving tracks in the snow.
Reaching another building he snuck passed several more guards before arriving in what he believed was Elenwens office. After picking the locks on the desk he found a few files. Most of them were mostly about nonsense politics. But a few were vastly more interesting. The dragonborns hair stood on end seeing one file was on him. Then again the way the greybeards summoned him was anything but subtle and news of him killing the dragon that attacked Whiterun had spread. And knowing the Thalmor prefer to be in the know about a lot of things they of course would keep tabs on him. But by the file they seemed to have lost track of him after Kynesgrove luckily.
The another file was about the dragons which was what he was here for. However it seemed they didn't know anything and were looking into who was responsible for the dragons return. And they had a lead which was here in the embassy being held captive and by the file going to be interrogated.
The dragonborn was going to leave when another file caught his attention. It was also shockingly on Delphine. As he read through the file his lips turned up in a smirk as it said Delphine had survived a multiple assassination attempts and single handedly taken out a assassination team. It seems they don't know where she's hiding currently and by the wording other possible blades could be alive in other provinces.
There was one last file in the desk and with little reason to hurry the dragonborn read it. This one was. Shocking however. It talked about how Ulfric arrived in the blue palace to talk with High King Torygg and had a rather civil dinner with him and his wife. Ulfric was however incensed(insulted) over the Markharth incident. The file talked about how the Thalmor agent in the blue palace contacted Elenwen and she quickly came up with a on the spot plan. Things went in the Thalmors favor all the more when Ulfric challenged the high king to a duel for the right to rule Skyrim by the old laws of honorable dueling.
The other Thalmor agents arrived within the hour before the duel started. Then during the fight they used illusion magic to conceal themselves and make themselves look like the castle staff as they killed and replaced them. Even the high kings wife Elisif was killed and replaced. Then after Ulfric killed Torygg in their duel he was accused of murdering the high king with his famous thu'um and taken prisoner. He later escaped to create the stormcloak rebellion all, mostly, according to the Thalmors plan.
Hargvir took in a deep breath as the reality of this sunk in. If he wasn't involved in the civil war then he sure will be soon as his honor as a Nord will not let this stand.
Grabbing the files the dragonborn left the room. Moving to another room he over-heared some Thalmor agents interrogating a prisoner that must be the one from the file.
"No... for pity's sake...ah! I've told you all I know!"
The beleaguered voice of the man drew the dragonborns attention as the Thalmor tortured the man as he begged them to stop.
The prisoner under considerable duress talked about a nameless old man which for some reason the Thalmor were vary interested in. From the conversation it seemed this old man was in the ratway of some place. The dragonborn was wondering what city the man was talking about when the name Riften was mentioned.
"A old man in the ratway of Riften that the Thalmor are after? No idea what's going on but if the Thalmor are after the guy then he must be important."
After reading Ulfric stormcloaks file The dragonborn was considerably more interested in giving the Thalmor a headach. Walking to the ledge of the second floor balcony the dragonborn tipped a chair over. As it clattered on the lower floor a Thalmor agent quickly rushed over to investigate. The Altmer stared down at the chair a moment wondering how it fell then looked up only to get a axe in the face as the dragonborn fell on him.
Landing hard the dragonborn yanked the axe from the mans face and threw it into the neck of the female Thalmor agent just as she was drawing her own blade. It stunned her long enough to let the dragonborn rush over and strangle her to death.
With the only two Thalmor in the building dead the dragonborn retrieved his war-axe and went over to the prisoner shackled to the wall of his cell.
"Who the bloody hell are you? No don't care could you get me out of here?"
The dragonborn crossed his arms. "Lets slow down a minute. If the Thalmor are interested in this old man your talking about then I am too. So before I let you go why don't you tell me what you told them?"
The prisoner chuckled. "Heh. Well getting to see those arseholes die was kind of entertaining. And I feel a little bit better for it. So well there's this old guy in the rat- way of Riften. Seen him around the city now and then. I don't know his name or where he lives but I've seen him going in and out of the ratway. From what the Thalmor bastards were talking about he matches the description of this Esbern guy they talked about. And that's all I know."
The dragonborn looked around for the keys unlocking the man from his shackles. The dragonborn looked around for more evidence as the man rested in a chair. During the search Hargvir found a file on Esbern. From the file it seems this Esbern was a lore master of the Blades prior to the first war between the Aldmari Dominion and the Empire. From the file it seems this Esbern was a big thorn in the Thalmors side and they were after him because of the knowledge he has on dragon lore. It seems the Thalmor are vary keen on learning whos responsible for bringing the dragons back.
While he was reading the file on Esbern the prisoner was striping a dead Thalmor of their clothes and walked over to a door in the floor.
"Something over there?" the dragonborn said walking over.
"Yeah. Obviously we can't get out back the other way but I've seen the Thalmor toss bodies in here."
Hargvir smirked. "Meaning that there's a way out if they dispose of the bodies through here."
After finding the key to the lock the two men escaped through the corpse disposal tunnel but soon found a reason for the Thalmor putting heavy metal locks on the door.
"Frost Troll?!" shouted the terrified former prisoner as he ran behind the dragonborn.
The white Troll roared and charged. Smirking the dragonborn drew in a deep breath and unleashed his full powered Unrelenting Force Thu'um sending the large troll flying back into the rock wall. The beast flew backwards slamming into the stone wall it's skull crushed against the rock as it fell limp.
"Wh... your a user of the voice! I thought only Ulfric and the greybeards could use the Thu'um now a days!"
"Well now there's me. Come on lets get going."
The two escaped the cave each going their separate ways. The dragonborn had a long trek back to the meeting place in riverwood. As he passed through a town he bought a horse to hasten his speed. However on the way he suddenly heard a roar come from over head and smirked.
"Dragon! Good I've been needing to find more of them."
The beast flew high above heading dew east. The dragonborn held his hand up casting fireball. The spell flew far up striking the dragons belly. It did little but char the scales a tiny bit but had it's intended effect. The dragon looked down seeing the fool who dared to attack it. Feeling insulted the dragon turned diving down after the mortal with a death wish.
The dragonborn yanked the horse reins to the left barely evading a stream of fire that left the land red hot and scorched. As the dragon drew close the dragonborn shouted his mighty thu'um. A unrelenting force slammed into the dragons side knocking it off balance. It rolled sideways losing its aerodynamic lift and crashed cutting a groove in the earth.
The dragonborn quickly turned around charged the downed beast. Standing up on the horses back he leap off and used whirlwind shout. The thu'um sent him flying forwards with his war-axe onto the dragons back. As the beast recovered he ran up its length and sunk his blade into one of its eyes. The dragon roared in pain thrashing about. Using whirlwind again the dragonborn gained some distance before sending a few fire balls at its face. The spells again did little but still got the beast attention.
The dragon roared as it charged opening its maw to bit the dragonborn in half. Another whirlwind shout got the dragonborn out the path of the massive jaws and another sent him flying back into melee. Swinging his blade at the tail end of the speed boost he drew a large slash wound along the beasts neck producing torrents of blood. The dragon soon died for the second time and its soul absorbed by the dragonborn.
=Meanwhile=
Delphine paced around in the sleeping giant in. To say she was nervous would be putting it mildly. She had evaded the Thalmors attempts on her life for a while but now she was sticking her neck out along with the dragonborns. She was risking everything to renew her purpose. A purpose many of her predecessors never lived to see. What future she could possibly have serving the dragonborn was among those in her mind. She wasn't exactly a spring maiden anymore but was skilled and experienced. And he was quite handsome. Delphine could feel her cheeks redden at the inner thoughts and felt much embarrassed at her own day dreaming.
Then the door opened and the dragonborn entered. Delphine breathed a sigh of relief.
"You survived and made it out. Well you are the dragonborn."
Hargvir smirked. "And I slayed a dragon on the way back too." Hargvir held up a cluster of dragon fangs tied in a bundle.
Delphine chuckled and ushered the dragonborn to the secret room. Dropping the bundle of teeth on a table along the wall Hargvir the dragonborn pulled the Thalmor files out of his sack placing them on the table. "I think all of these will be quite the educating read."
Delphine picked up one book reading through it before moving on to the next and then the next. Her expressions turning from shocked to enraged to a look of disbelief as she shook her head.
"This...? This is unbelievable. I'm actually speechless at all this! Ulfric being framed by the Thalmor to spark a civil-war. The Thalmor having had you under surveillance until recently. Though I'm glad they lost you and another thing. About Esbern. I knew him. I... I had thought the Thalmor had gotten to him years ago. Heh but it looks like that crazy old mans survived somehow. I'm glad another member of the Blades is alive. Perhaps there are others else where across Tamriel. But first things first."
"You think we should find Esbern."
Delphine chuckled at the dragonborns accurate prediction. "I'm really that predictable huh. Yeah we need to find Esbern. But not just because he's a fellow Blade. But because he was one of the Blades archivists. Back before the Thalmor smashed us during the great war He knew everything about the ancient dragonlore of the Blades. Well he was really obsessed with it. Nobody but him paid much attention to that subject back then. Heh! guess he wasn't as crazy as we all thought."
The dragonborn chuckled dryly. "Ironic huh. Old enemies on differing sides blaming the other every time some calamity occurs."
Delphine shook her head with a sigh. "Unfortunately. In any case we need to find Esbern. With his help we may be able to learn more about the dragons returning."
"That and we can't just leave a old comrade of yours to waste away in a sewer for the rest of his life."
"True. I do know a man by the name of Brynjolf. He's a member of the Thieves guild in Riften. Not really one of my contacts but the two of us are well connected and we short of met. I'm sure he knows something about Esbern. But I've heard that somebody recently took over Riften recently and is running the city... differently then the last Jarl. Though for all intents the city was really run by Maven Black-Briar a shady criminal with a eye for making coin and skilled at making her enemies disappear. Well not anymore I guess."
The dragonborn scratched his chin. "Interesting? So who is running the city now?"
Delphine shrugged. "The same young women that exposed former Jarl Laila and Mavens illicit dealings to Ulfric stormcloak. I heard she went to Elisif the Fair in Solitude first or rather the Thalmor agent pretending to be her before going to Ulfric dew to the civil-war and how it's divided Skyrim. I still can't believe a damned elf's running the province right under everyone's nose!"
The dragonborn placed a hand on Delphine's shoulder. "We'll deal with the Thalmor but first we need to deal with the dragons. I'm sure Ulfric will be willing to help us but to convince him we need evidence."
Delphine sighed calming down. "And Esbern can get us that info. So after we get Esbern and learn whos behind the dragons well head to Ulfric to get his support on this. Do you think he suspects the truth?"
Delphine shrugged. "Maybe. But one thing I do know. He's the only one that can lead Skyrim with Torygg and Elisif dead." Oh and just so you know Esberns even more paranoid them I am. He'll be harder to convince that your the dragonborn. When you meet Esbern ask him where he was on the 30th of frost-fall. He'll know what it means. It should help to convince him."
=Meanwhile=
Some time later at night the dragonborn arrived at the front gates of Riften. Placing his horse in the stables outside the dragonborn then had to go through a basic security check with the city guards before entering the city. Upon entering his first impressions was it was a bustling city full of activity. But also strange as some odd poles with lanterns atop them ran down the edges of the main street. The poles were odd as they had what looked like lamps on top but instead of a burnable wick there was a glass bulb.
Ignoring the oddities he focused on the rest of the city. The main street that looked like it ran through most of the cities length was clean and well traveled by many people as they walked this way and that going about their business. There were many buildings that were either being renovated or newly built. Given the recent change in leadership the city looked well off as many of the people looked busy but not overly on edge.
Wanting to learn a little of what was going on in the city Hargvir crossed a bridge to a island that made up nearly half the city with its own rows of dozens of houses and other buildings containing businesses selling their items and products. One of which was a bar called the bee and barb. Entering the inn the dragonborn glanced around as the waiters one of which was a Argonian women. Since he was here for information he hurried over to the counter and took a seat. The Argonian finished cleaning a few glasses and walked up to Hargvir.
"Your another new face? Here for work or a drink?" asked the green Argonian male.
"Work. But I'm here to find someone. Give me some Argonian blood-wine. Also is it really made with Argonian blood?"
The Argonian bartender chuckled showing his teeth. "Haha only the blood of our enemies."
He turned around pulling a few bottles off the shelf mixing them. "Here's you drink sir."
The dragonborn could see why it was called blood wine as it was a deep red and slightly thick like real blood. After a drink of the strong alcohol the dragonborn turned to the bartender.
"I've heard about the recent change in management in the city. From the way things look outside it must have been for the better?"
The bartender looked him straight in the eye. "Oh you don't know the half of it. I was surprised just like everyone else when soldiers from Windhelm came marching through our city-gate. Apparently the story goes that the current Jarl was friends with a adopted girl of the Shatter-shields who are a well off family with a close connection with Ulfric stormcloak. Cecily the current Jarl went to her friend in the Shatter-shields and through them got a audience with Ulfric himself. She then presented damning evidence about the former jarls illicit connection with Maven black briars and their illegal activities which included among other things the making and selling skooma. But what really set Ulfric off was the evidence concerning Maven black briars secret communications with the imperials stating her secret support for them. She even confessed, before her and her whole family were executed just outside in the market."
The dragonborn furrowed his eye brows in shock. "The whole family!"
The bartender nodded. "Yep the whole family. Laila and her family were only spared because she quickly turned on Maven once the jig was up. No idea where they went after they were exiled from stormcloak territory."
The dragonborn downed half his Argonian blood wine. "So what happened after all that?"
The Argonian smirked. "Well that Cecily girl became the new Jarl after her friend I think her name was... Sofie I think... yeah. Can't complain as that ladies been a real go getter. Hasn't she dear."
A female Argonian waiter walked up to the counter. "Yes. I can't count the number of new customers we've gotten in the past week. Business was ok before but the new people coming into the city for work mainly construction and the new businesses the new Jarls creating had really livened everything up. One of the first things she did was build a new orphanage for war orphans whos lost their parents because of the civil-war. I hear she even helps educate them even after the new teachers arrived."
"Sounds too good to be true." the dragonborn commented taking another drink of his wine.
The bartender shrugged. "Yeah well she's not perfect. The economy is getting better and business too but I hear the Thieves guild is more busy then ever because of all the new people coming and going. Pick pocketing is happening more then ever. Some of the new houses have even been broken into and valuables stolen."
The Argonian waitress crossed her arms. "Didn't they capture two members of the thieves guild yesterday!"
"Yeah that's right. Guess their in the castle dungeon buy now. Wonder when the rest of them will get caught or runout of town. I actually like how things are now. Everyone's not as on edge and there hasn't been a murder since the new jarl took her post."
The dragonborn had learned everything he needed to and now had to steer the conversation on the right track. "So where does the thieves guild make their base at. It has to be well hidden or they all would have been captured already."
The bartender rolled his eyes. "Oh its a open secret that their little hole is in the ratway. But those sewer tunnels are quite extensive so the new jarl and her guards mostly leaves them alone unless they commit a crime in the city. That's how some of their members got caught."
"So this ratway people live down there. Not just the thieves guild?"
The Argonian waitress shook her head while placing some new drinks on her tray.
"I'm not sure but I heard some odd balls do live down there. Not many after all the new jobs needed workers to fill them. Why are you looking to go down there for some reason?"
The dragonborn nodded. "Yes. A friend of a acquaintance maybe hiding from the imperials down there."
The bartender stroked his chin in thought. "Hiding from the imperials huh? Well I'm not a Ulfric fanatic but he did get those Black-Briars gone so my opinion of him has improved. If your dead set on going down there then there's a entrance down by the canal on the eastern side of the city."
"Thanks." said the dragonborn as he placed three gold coins down and left.
He walked around the canals lower docks easily finding the entrance to the ratway. However upon entering he was attacked by three bandits. One shout of unrelenting force later and they were dead like all the other bandits the dragonborns come across. A short trek through the sewers and he found the thieves guild. Getting in was one thing but upon arrival he was not too popular or rather vary popular as everyone at the mock bar stood up drawing their weapons.
One bearded man walked up arms out trying to calm the others. "Easy everyone he's obviously not a guard. Since he's went through the trouble of coming to us why don't we let the man explain him self before we gut him. "Everyone sighed lowering their weapons. The man seemingly the leader then stared the dragonborn down. "Now who are you? People just don't come into the den of the thieves guild unannounced or unvetted?"
"I'm here to find a man named Esbern. A women named Delphine told me Brynjolf could help me?"
The bearded man cocked a eyebrow and laughed. "So your a friend of Delphine's huh? I'm Brynjolf. If your needing my help it won't be free. How about you help us. Or even join our little band?"
The dragonborn shrugged. "Not that interested in being a thief. But I also got no qualms about it."
Brynjolf smiled. "Good good. Then here's the plan. Some of our comrades got themselves caught and are in Mistveil Keep under heavy guard. It would be suicide to force your way in so I got idea. I've heard of a fancy little shop up north in Winterhold called the Azure forge. It's a shop that's becoming quite famous for its magic items. I even hear that some of said items are rings of invisibility and teleportation. Items like that would be quite useful to people like us."
The dragonborn scoffed. "Can't you just learn magic to do the same thing?"
Brynjolf scoffed with a chuckle. "Not that easy for most people to learn magic like that. And not everyone has the affinity. Besides were thieves. Why work for power when you can just steal it."
The dragonborn thought a moment. "You got a point. So this place is in Winterhold then huh. Guess I'll have to dress warm then."
=Chapter End=