Chapter 12 — Proving Honor
— A Dragon's Game —
Lydia has joined your party!
Hm, okay. I guess she fights with me now… but how was it not a party when we went to kill Mirmulnir?
Party
Your party are those that follow you into battle, be it because of oaths, payment, or aligning goals. This only works when they consider you as leading them. You are aware of a detailed overview of what your party members are capable of.
Yeah, that makes sense. Also useful. And thinking about Lydia, she's definitely not weak. Half my level, true, but much more focused. My own skills are all over the place. And while I don't mind being well-rounded, it'd be nice to just have something to be good at.
We're currently walking down from Dragonsreach, and I'm lost in thought as Lydia leads me to my new home.
And isn't that a strange thought? I've never before had a home. Before the ambush, my home was where my family was. Either on the cart, or running around it, always under the watchful eye of an adult to ensure we wouldn't get too far away. Or the tents we slept in.
But now I'll have an actual building to call home. Will I even use it? I don't need to sleep…
But Lydia does. I look at her, and she's anxious. Better get it out.
"Something on your mind?" I ask.
"We're almost there, my thane."
"Lydia, as flattered as I am that you've sworn yourself to me, I don't need a servant. I want a friend who's got my back, and I know you can be her."
She flushes.
Huh, embarrassment? Is that why the unfurred turn red? That'd have been a good thing to know. I've always kind of ignored it.
"My Thane—" she pauses. "Do'samma, I…" she licks her lips in thought, and I give her the time she needs. "When we get there?"
"That's okay."
She feels a bit more comfortable, but the anxiousness is still there. I hope it's something I can remedy.
— A Dragon's Game —
"Here we are." She announces.
Thank Dibella, but it's quite small. I don't know what I'd have done with a large home. When we enter, I have a look around. At the far wall, there's a table with a few chairs, and right in front of me there's a firepit. I seem to have gotten a few shelves on the wall, which looks like good spots for storage. I reach the door under the stairs in a few steps, and it shows a small room, but undecorated. I could turn this into a study… if I had anything I'd need one for.
Perhaps I can turn it into an alchemy lab? It's been a while since I practiced. And when I finally figure out Enchanting, I might also do it in here.
Going upstairs, there's a small area with two doors leading to a big and a small room, respectively.
Lydia immediately claims the small room, citing that it wouldn't be proper otherwise. It's important to her, so I let it go.
I grin slightly at the idea that I might just be able to keep her in the bed beside me, anyway. Regardless, time for the less pleasant business.
We head downstairs, and I sit on one of the chairs, gesturing Lydia to the other.
"What is it?"
"Are you… angry at me for offering myself as your Housecarl?"
I blink. "Why would you think that?"
She fidgets in her lap. "You were so silent on the walk here."
Ah. I stand up. She startles, but I lean over and give her a hug. "There's nobody I'd rather have guarding my back, Lydia."
She hugs me back, tightly. "Thank you. And… I have a little confession. Something you should know."
I release the hug, and sit back down. "Oh? And what's that?"
"Uhm, this is kinda about your reputation. You see, housecarls are supposed to fulfill any order. So you can imagine what you could order if you were a bit of an ass with a pretty housecarl."
"Ah, yes, I can see that."
"So just… that's why I came to you yesterday. I already knew you were going to be offered to become Thane, and I knew right away that I wanted to be your housecarl. I…" She shrinks a bit in on herself. "I'm kinda scared that you won't want to with me anymore?"
I move my chair next to hers and pull her in a side-hug. "Why would you think that?"
"Because I can't refuse anymore, and you said something about Dibella…"
"I can see the misunderstanding. Dibella sees beyond our circumstances. If it were only your oath as Housecarl, she wouldn't let me do anything. But since it's not, there's no problem." And I have to say, I'm oddly flattered. She definitely wants sex more often, but she would definitely skip it if that was the only way to be in my company.
She smiles, the vulnerability in her eyes again. "That's great. I want to again. Not now, but s-sometime."
I rub my head over hers. "We will. Though with everything you said, perhaps we shouldn't just tell everyone what we do when we're alone."
"No, definitely not. Nobody would stop us, but people would definitely dislike you for it, and I don't want that to happen."
"Good, on to more lighthearted business. You got something else about the house?"
"Eh, not really? Gonna need some groceries. I could go to the market, should still be plenty."
"Then I'll be looking to see if someone has some alchemy equipment for sale. I want to set up a lab to practice a bit more."
"You're really a mage by heart, aren't you? But don't worry, I can do that too."
"That wouldn't be fair."
"I'm your housecarl, I'm supposed to do that kind of things for you. Please let me?" She gives me a pair of exaggerated doe-eyes, causing us both to break into laughter. She wants to do it, though.
"Okay, that's fine. Then I'll head over to the Companions and see if they can explain to me which end of the sword does what."
"They should be able to. They taught me since I was a little girl, and for a while I wanted to join up."
"Huh. While I know we've met only a short while ago, I don't know how you grew up yet."
She shrugs. "Not much to tell. Uncle's the Jarl, so quite privileged. I was always a sword kinda girl, and at first dad taught me. But when it got busier at court, they paid the companions for it."
"I didn't even know the offered that."
"Eh, it's not advertised, but it makes use of their skills, isn't dishonorable, and a stable source of gold. What's not to like?"
"True. What happened after that?"
"Companions said I should have some experience outside Jorrvaskr before they'd let me join up, because I didn't really know anything else, and never considered something else. Looking back, they have a point, but I didn't like it at the time. Regardless, I joined the guards to get that experience, but now I'm here with you."
"And I'm glad to have you."
"So how did you grow up?"
"Not much to say, really. Born in a caravan, and grown up in it. Traveling Skyrim. You get to see some lovely sights on occasion."
"What made you leave?" She feels me tense up at that question, and immediately puts her arms around me. "You don't have to say if you don't want to."
"No, I should. You should know." I breathe deep. "A few months ago, the caravan got ambushed. Bandits killed everyone except for me, and I was enslaved and put to work mining iron ore for them."
She gently rubs my side. I feel the weird impulse to shake her off, but repress that ruthlessly. This is Lydia. I can trust her. If nothing else, the 80 Affection should prove that. So I nuzzle closer to her.
Should I tell her about… yes, I should. "First morning I woke up there, something felt… off, for a lack of a better word. When I'd think about anything regarding myself, I'd see it in numbers. Like how healthy I am, or how much stamina or magicka I have, how strong I am."
I shrug, but don't look at her. Just nuzzling in her neck for a moment as she holds me. Safe.
"Anyway, for some reason it lets me learn like… anything really fast. I knew nothing about magic or sword fighting back them. So while mining, I tried practicing fire and frost magic, which let me get away."
From there, I recount what happened to me, nothing held back. Sapphire, Thieves Guild, Skooma bandits, Dark Brotherhood, Muiri, Dibella, Clavicus Vile (shudder)… Helgen, and Bleak Falls Barrow.
"Well, you know the rest. The past few months have been… active."
"You can say that. Dark Brotherhood and the Thieves Guild. I'd never have guessed."
I knew beforehand she wouldn't walk out on me, courtesy of What do women want, but still… "You're not angry at me?"
She shrugs. "You're still Do'samma. And even if you weren't… well, you, you'd still be my Thane."
I tighten the hug. "Thank you."
Affection with Lydia reduced by 5 for being a member of the Dark Brotherhood and the Thieves Guild (75).
Affection with Lydia increased by 10 for trusting her with everything (85).
And that said something about her priorities that I really appreciated. She considers me a good person, and that's more important than what groups I might be involved with.
— A Dragon's Game —
I don't quite know what I was expecting, but I anticipated being taught by the more respected — Skjor or Aela. Instead, I had Njada Stonearm.
Not that I'm complaining. The first thing she did was give me a sword (she didn't let me use my own because it was enchanted, and that encouraged bad habits, according to her), and told me to stab her.
Blade Proficiency increased by 1 (8)!
And clearly, my skill was so bad that I got a level without even getting a hit in.
She clearly hadn't gotten that nickname for nothing, because even the harder hits on her shield didn't faze her.
"Oh, wow, you've got a LOT to learn."
Oh, I didn't mention yet? Well, there was no sudden kindness to be found. No sugarcoating, nothing. I shrug. "That's why I'm here."
"Well, at least you know you suck. Let's start with how you hold a sword."
And that's the nicest she's been with me yet.
— A Dragon's Game —
Blade Proficiency increased by 5 (13)!
Shield Proficiency increased by 3 (11)!
Don't let it be said I don't learn anything, though. Only an hour of practice, and I've substantially improved.
Njada is pleased at my rate of progress, but isn't admitting to it. "Okay, you're slightly less terrible now. A five minute break, and we continue. Next round, you'll be blocking."
— A Dragon's Game —
Blade Proficiency increased by 1 (14)!
Shield Proficiency increased by 7 (18)!
Healing Magic increased by 3 (21)!
She wasn't exactly using a sharp sword, so the wounds weren't too bad. But let the record show that Njada doesn't believe in holding back. True, she backed off for a few seconds every time she got in a hit, so that I could recover. But she also got in a hit every ten seconds she was trying, so that didn't say much.
And when she noticed me using Restoration magic, she only went harder.
Affection with Njada Stonearm increased by 10 for not whining about the pain (25).
Huh, why did it start so high? Oh, right. I had reputation with all the Companions for helping kill the dragon. Gotcha.
Hey, there was Lydia. Great. Perhaps we'd have some time to spar together. I'd like to know how good she really is, with all her proficiencies at the 60 mark…
— A Dragon's Game —
"Wow, you hit harder than I thought."
"I'm sorry Do'samma, I—"
"Don't be. Better I learn this way then against a few bandits who will kill me at the first sign of weakness."
"Understood. Ready?"
"Two more seconds… and done. Round four." Done healing. Again. It really made it easier to keep going for longer, as it didn't matter if I got cut up a little.
— A Dragon's Game —
I'm glad it's possible to heal away soreness. Because otherwise I'd never have felt up to this, and I wouldn't want to miss it for the world.
Eromancy increased by 4 (26)!
Lydia cuddles up to me. I've lived in Whiterun for about a week now. I guess this is what a vacation feels like, even if I've been training from dawn till dusk.
It worked great, though. At the end, even Njada herself felt the need to praise my progress. Not that I'm anywhere near Lydia's level in the melee combat section, but I'm confident I can hold my own against most opponents.
Piercing Proficiency increased by 18 (23)!
Blade Proficiency increased by 16 (30)!
Shield Proficiency increased by 20 (38)!
Blunt Proficiency increased by 9 (24)!
Healing Magic increased by 12 (33)!
Lightning Magic increased by 10 (50)!
Illusion Magic increased by 7 (29)!
Mind Magic increased by 6 (21)!
Conjuration increased by 7 (21)!
Alchemy increased by 5 (21)!
New skill! Archery: Level 10.
New skill! Animancy: Level 7.
New skill! Necromancy: Level 12.
Those magics I either studied by myself, or with Farengar. In exchange, I've been translating dragon language texts for him. Before Mirmulnir, I could only read some of them, but with Mirmulnir's knowledge instead of just my instincts, I can actually translate all of it. I've increased my mind magic by casting Courage on my trainers, boosting their abilities. Right now it only increases Health and Stamina by 23%, but in Lydia's case that's still 184 more to either.
I haven't figured out what makes the difference between what I could or couldn't translate, but I figure it doesn't matter anymore.
Healing: Respite
Heals [Intelligence * 0.3] (70) stamina for you or a touched target. Cost: 100 (71) Mana.
Healing: Mitigate Poison
Reduces the magnitude of all poison effects on you or a touched target by [Intelligence * 0.1] (23) % for 10 (13) seconds. Cost: 50 (35) Mana
Lightning: Call Lightning
Calls lightning from the sky, striking the target for 200 + [Intelligence * 1.0] (684) damage and paralyzing them for 2 (3) seconds. Cost: 250 (151) Mana
Lightning: Lightning Cloak
Cloaks you in Lightning, shocking all enemies in 2.0 (3) meters for [Intelligence * 0.05] (14) damage every second. Lasts 60 (90) seconds. Cost: 200 (121) Mana
Illusion: Darkness
Darkens the area 10.0 (15.8) meters around you for 300 (474) seconds, absorbing [Intelligence * 0.1] (22)% of the light. Cost: 200 (149) Mana
Illusion: Hide Scent
Hide your scent, making you harder to detect. Increases Stealth: Olfactory by 10 + [Intelligence * 0.1] (38) every second this spell is cast. Cost: 10 (7) Mana
Conjuration: Conjure Frost Atronach
Conjures a level 10 + [Charisma * 0.1] (32) frost atronach to a location in 5.0 (7.1) meters for 120 (170) seconds. Cost: 500 (404) Mana
Conjuration: Conjure Storm Atronach
Conjures a level 10 + [Charisma * 0.1] (32) storm atronach to a location in 5.0 (7.1) meters for 120 (170) seconds. Cost: 500 (404) Mana
Animancy
The magic to do with souls, unknowable to most.
- Class: Apprentice
- Attributes per level:
- Soul Magic Power: 2.0
- Soul Magic Affinity: 2.0
- Abilities Granted:
- 5: Soul Trap
- ?
Soul: Soul Trap
If a target up to level 5 + [Intelligence * 0.2] (38) is killed within 5 (5) seconds, traps its soul into a soul gem you carry, if it is empty and sufficiently sized. Cost: 70 (60) Mana
Archery
Archery governs the use of bows and crossbows.
- Maximum Level: 100
- Class: Thief
- Attribute per level:
- Bow Damage: 2.0
- Bow Range: 3.0
- Skills Granted:
- 100: Marksmanship
Necromancy
Necromancy is about summoning or reanimating the dead.
- Maximum Level: 100
- Class: Apprentice
- Attributes per level:
- Expanded Healing: 2.0
- Necromantic Strength: 2.0
- Necromantic Duration: 5.0
- Necromantic Affinity: 1.0
- Perks Granted:
- 10: Ritual
- Abilities Granted:
- 0: Raise Skeleton
- 5: Turn Undead
- 10: Black Bolt
- 20: Raise Zombie
- 30: Guardian Circle
- 40: Necrotic Rune
- 50: Death Ray
- 60: Circle of Death
Perk: Ritual
When raising an undead, you can choose to do a ritual that takes ten times as long and costs twenty times the mana. If this is done, then the duration will never expire. If you do not have sufficient Mana, then the ritual will consume all regenerated Mana until the entire cost is paid, as long as you keep casting the Ritual during this time.
Necromancy: Raise Skeleton
Raises a level 1 + [Intelligence * 0.1] (18) skeleton as an undead construct for 5 (8) minutes. Flesh present on the bones will fall off. Cost: 100 (88) Mana
Necromancy: Turn Undead
Turns an Undead creature up to level 10 + [Intelligence * 0.2] (47), rendering it inactive for 5 (8) seconds. Cost: 50 (44) Mana
Necromancy: Black Bolt
Launches a bolt of necrotic energy for 40 + [Intelligence * 0.2] (84), either hurting the living or invigorating the dead. Cost: 25 (22) Mana
And with these trainers, I learned a lot. Farengar is a bit of an ass, but I cannot deny he's a brilliant wizard. He insisted on teaching me the necromancy part of conjuration, which is apparently an entirely separate school of magic for me. And I don't regret it, since it also lets me Turn Undead, which is never a bad thing.
It was disgusting to raise that rat as a skeleton, though. Especially with the flesh just… sloughing off the skeleton.
And while Farengar called Soul Trap a part of the School of Conjuration (and formerly of the School of Mysticism, back when that was a thing), apparently that's Animancy for me? Further inquiry didn't let him mention other spells dealing with souls, so I'd have to practice it by myself. Other matters are more pressing, though.
I don't think Mitigate Poison will be useful for me, but you never know. Respite sounds useful, for when Stamina expires, if ever. And I'm good enough at Healing Magic that I basically exchange my Mana for Stamina point for point, and that's only getting better.
The real bonus is Call Lightning, though. Sure, it's expensive, but the damage is massive. I can't help but wish I had this baby before Mirmulnir, because I think I could have seriously hurt him with it.
I feel Lydia grab my ear. "Stop it with all those heavy thoughts." She says into my chest. "We're cuddling."
I chuckle and pull her tight against me. "Okay, okay. Just looking back on the week."
"About what you learned?"
"Yup. But I already told you I'm a fast learner."
"Yeah, but seeing is something totally different from being told. If you'd dedicate yourself to the sword, you'd be the best in months. You could be an Arch-Mage in a year."
"I'm kind of glad about that, actually. Means I get to be strong enough to defend me and mine."
"Won't hear me complain. You're noticeably getting better in bed."
"Nice to know I'm that important to you."
"That came out wrong. I meant to say that…"
I tighten the hug. "I know what you meant to say. You're important to me to. Oh, and I recently had an idea… you don't have a good suit of armor, do you?"
"Nope, not really. How so?" She grins. "You going to buy me more stuff?"
"Actually, might have already have it. The previous owner wasn't wearing it at the time. Was a woman who was with the bandits I fought in Bleak Falls Barrow."
I pull the set of plate out of my inventory.
I should probably have delayed bringing this up, because now Lydia is getting up to have a look at it.
"Looks to be in great condition, and the size isn't to far off. I'm going to try it on." She leaves the room, and comes back with her gambeson, to wear under the armor. And suddenly gets embarrassed at being naked again.
"Nothing I haven't seen before, nothing I don't like, and nothing to be ashamed of." I also get up, giving her a hug and a light kiss on the cheek.
She masters herself, and starts putting the armor on. I help her. We note down a few places where it's too big or small, but overall it seems to be very close to good.
"Tomorrow, you're going to bring this to a blacksmith to get it fitted exactly."
She frowns. "That's expensive. And it's close enough…"
I whack her on the back of the head. "You know as well as I do that the fit needs to be perfect. Now, I command you as your Thane to spend my money on your safety."
She pouts. "I'm supposed to ensure your safety, you know."
"But I don't like how much full plate hinders movement, and you'll be the one in the front line, anyway."
"They don't hinder you anywhere near as much as you'd think. But fineee…"
"Good girl."
She lightly punches me on the shoulder, before removing her armor again. "Get back into bed. I'm not done cuddling."
Yessss. Lydia is best housecarl. Lydia pruzaan kendovsehofkah.
— A Dragon's Game —
The next day, while training, Skjor walks up to us. First, he watches how we're doing, right as I grab Njada's shield. I take a bash to the nose, but I get my sword past, scoring on her thigh.
"I didn't believe Aela when she told me about your progression, but I have to say you're doing amazing." He comments. "Not many can get past her shieldwork."
"He's hard to estimate. He gets faster by the day." Njada responds. "That makes it hard, since I have to adjust constantly."
"And that'll also do you some good. Teaches you to adapt quickly. But that's not what I'm here for."
Njada and I clash again, this time neither of us getting through the other's defenses. Then we separate, and I heal us both while I turn to Skjor, questioningly.
"We've decided that it's time for your proving. We've located a fragment of Wuthraad, Ysgramor's own axe. We already have most of them, but it makes for an excellent test for you."
"What kind of test would that be? And what for?"
"In reverse order, a tradition for everyone who joins, to be undertaken sometime soon after joining. I've been in here for over thirty years, and I've never seen someone fail. But the test generally revolves around your combat prowess. In this case, it's a draugr crypt. Traditionally, a member of the circle comes with, but stays behind unless you get in over your head, then we'll pull you out."
"Traditionally?"
He chuckles. "Well, we had two volunteers this time, Aela and Vilkas. Would you mind if they both come with you? It's close by, anyway. Dustman's Cairn"
I shrug. "Eh, why not? They're both good company, and I don't have anything to be ashamed of, I think."
"That's the way to think. Could you be at the gates at dawn?"
I frown. "Lydia's armor takes until 9. Adrianne is working on it. Can it be after that?"
"Of course. Hm, first time for a Thane to do this that I know of. But yeah, we won't try to keep your Housecarl out, though we may ask her to stay back with Aela and Vilkas. Otherwise it wouldn't truly be a test of your prowess, now would it?"
I look at Lydia. "Sounds good."
She nods back from where she is. "As long as I can see you and be right by your side in a few steps, sure."
I look back to Skjor. "I'm in. Should I tell them myself?"
"If you please, yes."
— A Dragon's Game —
We meet by the gates, and Adrianne was even done early. Breezehome is only a few minutes away, so she puts her armor on, and we leave. It's a full day of walking — the Whiterun plains are vast. Certainly bigger than they look on the map.
Luckily, I have good company, and the four of us make good time.
Side note, that armor looks great on Lydia. The paint that the bandit woman used to emphasize her femininity is gone completely, making it look a lot more utility-focused, even if it isn't more protective. But it just makes her feel comfortable.
Despite our good pace, we arrive at Dustman's Cairn at the start of the evening. Dodging around Bleakwind Basin took some time, since none of us wants to waste time dealing with giants. Since we still have an hour left, we decide to go inside.
We arrive in the first chamber, and it already looks out of order. Some stone coffins are open, and the draugr are down.
"Someone's been digging here. And recently." Aela remarks.
I can actually smell the freshness of the earth. "We're not alone in here." I respond. "We continue?"
"Yeah, we do. But keep an extra eye out."
This isn't good.
— A Dragon's Game —
I take point. The tunnel has collapsed here, but whoever is in front of us has dug through here. It leads direction into a more maze-like section. And Draugr wake up, so I take out my sword.
Sword of Whiterun (Equipped)
Your badge of office as Thane of Whiterun.
Slash:
- Deals 63 slashing damage.
- Strikes your enemy for 324 lightning damage.
Stab:
- Deals 78 piercing damage.
- Strikes your enemy for 324 lightning damage.
Let's do this.
I charge a Turn Undead in my offhand, freezing one of the two approaching me in place. I parry the other's attack and run it through. The other is still frozen in place, and a slash destroys it, sparks streaming off it.
I head back and engage another. There's an additional one that engaged the others, and Lydia dispatches it easily. I set mine ablaze with a Firebolt, and then strike it across the chest to destroy it.
I exchange nods with the others, and after a minute, find the way through.
We enter a larger area. On our left are two thrones on an elevated section, and to our right is a gate lowered, but it looks to be the only way through. On the left is a sizable alcove. There's nothing worth taking, but there's a lever.
"Do you think it's this one to open the gate?" Lydia asks.
I shrug. "I think so. I wouldn't be surprised if all the mechanisms are broken, but the other people who've been here managed to pass."
Lydia grabs the lever and pulls it across. Behind us, another gate comes crashing down, locking us in the alcove.
Vilkas hides his face in his hands, but Aela giggles openly at us.
"Well, so much for exploring these things alone. Eh, don't worry. We'll find the release."
I raise an eyebrow. "I'm pretty sure I could bust my way out, but you're in the splash zone for that."
"Hey, no ruining our f- do you hear that?"
I concentrate on my hearing, and I notice footsteps now that nobody's talking. That's nothing a baseline Nord should be able to hear, though. "We got company."
Aela gives a grim smile. "Well, let's give them a warm welcome, then."
Eight people come streaming from where the other gate must have opened up. Aela and Vilkas turn their backs to each other.
"Can you cover me?" Aela asks tensely. "I'll have to shift."
Vilkas sighs. "I got your back."
"Which are these?" One of the newcomers asks as they surround Aela and Vilkas, weapons drawn.
"It doesn't matter. They're companions, so they die." A man harshly responds.
"Killing them will make for an excellent story." A redguard women on my right says.
Aela straight up growls. "Shame that none of you will be alive to tell it."
She drops her weapon and turns her head up, letting out a wolf's howl as her body shifts.
In the blink of an eye, she's from one-seventy to well over two meters tall. Her clothes seem gone, and her body is covered in a thick layer of fur, her head shaped like that of a wolf. She lets out a howl that has all their opponents cringe.
Another blink of the eye later, and she's among her targets, two already falling down while she bites towards the throat of the third. Vilkas fluently moves behind her, warding off the retaliation of the only of their enemies who already overcome his shock.
Aela jumps from stationary towards the next two, grabbing one by the throat as she passes by. She slashes at the other with a forelimb, opening deep gashes in his chest, completely tearing the chain mail asunder. A squeeze and a slam later, and the one in her hand collapses with a broken neck. She punches him in the head, and cracks his skull hard enough to splatter the ground with his brains.
Vilkas puts down his second with precise stabs from his sword.
The other four have recovered from their shock, but are definitely looking worried. I would be too, in their place. I focus on two of the bars. If I try to affect only part of the gate, I think I'll have more force for those parts.
"Force". Fus.
The metal creaks, and the two bars I was focussing on snap. I grab them, and bend them out of the way. I stick my arm through, and an Ice Storm flies straight into the group of four, dealing 164 Frost damage, and slowing them down.
Aela doesn't let the opportunity slips, and rushes in, Vilkas close behind her. The man takes one down, but Aela took the other three.
A bit more creaking, and I slip through the gate, Lydia following behind me.
Aela shifted back into human form, a slightly sheepish look on her face. She looks at Vilkas with a question in her eyes.
"Oh, no." He responds. "You wanted to shift, you can explain."
She takes a deep breath, and then looks at me and Lydia. "I… hope I didn't scare you." She feels worried about it.
"You didn't." Bad Do'samma. No lying. Even if it makes her feel better. "Well… more amazed than scared. Vilkas actions made perfectly clear that you have perfect control, so then it's just you. At least, to me."
I hear a sound of somewhat hesitant agreement behind me, but the relief practically radiates off Aela. "I'm glad to hear that."
"Are there more lycanthropes among the companions?"
"No, only the circle have the blessing of the beastblood."
"Some of us consider it more of a curse." Vilkas adds. "But it's a discussion for another time. These aren't ordinary robbers, these are the Silver Hand."
"What's special about them?" I ask.
"They specifically hate werewolves, and other shapeshifters." Aela answers. "They've learned a while ago about some of us being werewolves, and ever since, have been trying to pick off Companions when they get the chance. They're a bit more dangerous than normal bandits, especially with their silver swords, which hurt us werewolves extra badly."
"But on the other hand, will do less against me, and probably can't pierce Lydia's armor at all."
"True. But anyway, we'll have to pay a bit more attention than otherwise in a crypt like this."
"Clear. Let's continue?"
"Let's."
— A Dragon's Game —
The next few corridors and chambers were empty, save for the slain. Most of the casualties were Draugr, but occasionally some of the Silver Hand were respectfully put to the sides.
While we hadn't respectfully handled the corpses of the dead Silver Hand that Aela and Vilkas slew, we left them undisturbed.
After a short while, we heard the sounds of a fight. In front of us, a group of Silver Hand were fighting an equally sized group of Draugr.
More than content, I waited in the doorway, but I was spotted. Three of the Silver Hand peeled off, rushing towards me. For a moment, I wondered why so few, but Lydia and the Companions aren't in their sight.
I drew my sword and set my feet, waiting for them to close the distance. A burly redguard in the middle, with a nord woman and a dunmer off to the sides. I let them almost reach me before I attack.
"Fire!" Yol
A lance of flame shoots from my mouth, broad enough to strike all three. The redguard and dunmer survive, but the nord collapses with a scream that cut out swiftly.
Still shaking off their surprise with the dragonfire I released on them, I stab the dunmer in the belly. She spasms once as the enchantment shocks her, before collapsing to the ground, stilling as soon as I withdraw the sword. I bash the redguard with my shield, preventing him from getting proper footing, and an upward slash ends his life, with one leg twitching from the lighting damage.
I look ahead, but the column of flame from my shout didn't peter out all that quickly — the Silver Hand had a decent combat line to cover each other, but now they're in two groups. The only reason they're not overrun is because I killed half the Draugr as well.
Well, if it works once…
I charge the group of Silver Hand and draugr on the right, launching another Fire Breath at them.
One of the Silver Hand gestures, and a shimmering shield of white light appears in front of him. Two others get behind the mage, and the fire splits around him. I could sense the resistance to my fire breath, and I know that when I grow in power and understanding, I will be able to overcome a ward like this.
Still, I decimated the group. The two remaining Silver Hand warrior dispatch the one surviving draugr, but are too late to protect the mage.
First, I attempt to Call Lightning, since it would help me overpower his shield, but I hadn't thought about the fact that we're inside, and this spell needs a visible sky.
Having lost that Mana, I instead use a Fireball to the side and behind him, followed up with Lightning Bolts to ensure that he can't turn around for it.
He blocks the Lightning Bolts, but I see his eyes flick towards the fireball's impact site. He attempts to turn and shield, and I shout again.
"Force!" Fus
He's knocked off his feet, even if he doesn't go flying. However, that disrupted his concentration, and the Fireball takes him and one of his friends out. A quick two Lightning Bolts also take down the other.
The last group just finishes up, the draugr having defeated the Silver Hand there, with two of their members remaining. One raises his weapon towards me, and for the second time, I hear a draugr speak.
"Die, intruder!" dir volaan
They charge me, but another Fire Breath takes them both out.
— A Dragon's Game —
From there onwards, I mostly just dispatch the draugr we meet, little challenge about it for a while, until we find a large room.
Your Fire Magic has increased by 1 (48)
Your Blade Proficiency has increased by 1 (31)
Your Piercing Proficiency has increased by 1 (24)
Your Lightning Magic has increased by 2 (52)
Huh, I can see those others, but… Lightning Magic?
Wait, that got to be because of the enchantment. That's… very, very nice.
"This is probably where the fragment of Wuthraad is." Aela remarks, interrupting my thoughts. "See the way the room is curved around that wall with those runes? Back in the dragon age, they used to hold religious gatherings in places like this. That made it the most important part of the ruins."
"Interesting. In Bleak Falls Barrow, there was also the strongest draugr near a wall like that."
"Makes sense. It's the most important, so it would warrant the stronger guards."
"Hm, let me have a look at the wall…"
I see the fragment on the altar in front of the wall, but read it first.
This Stone commemorates the child-king Jafnhar, Qethsegol vahrukiv kiir jun jafnhar
Who was burned alive by Deceit-Devour-Strike's FIRE. Wo ag nahlaas lodunosro YOL
I blink as the word Fire YOL glows in my sight. I suddenly… understand so much more.
Your Fire Magic has increased by 20 (68)!
Wow, that was… amazing.
Fire: Wall of Flames
Creates a wall of flames 30.0 (50.4) meters long and a quarter as high for 120 (160) seconds, or until cancelled. Anyone coming in contact with it will take 25 + [Intelligence * 0.5] (245) damage, with a half of that every 1.0 seconds of continued exposure. Cost: 250 (126) Mana
Fire: Incinerate
Shoots a bolt of flame that deals 50 + [Intelligence * 0.4] (267) damage to the target, and sets it burning for 10 (13) seconds, dealing 25% damage each second. Cost: 200 (100) Mana
And that is also very welcome.
But before I can think of it, I hear a loud crack. One of the stone coffins crack open. And there're a LOT of them in this room. I swiftly grab the fragment of Wuthraad and put it in my inventory. Then I summon a Fire Atronach, while the others also draw their weapons. Luckily, a single swing of Vilkas's sword takes down the one that came out, but that one won't be alone for long.
I draw my sword, and we group up in the middle.
The first few draugr don't really become a threat. The Atronach fires its Firebolts at them, and the four of us cut them down as soon as they get in reach.
The second wave is as easy as the first. A few more strikes are required, but we put them all down without issue, despite two amongst them casting Frost spells.
The third wave includes one from an elevated coffin. I toss an additional Firebolt, but this one mostly ignores it.
Then it breathes in.
Sheogorath take him….
I huddle behind my shield and give a warning shout to the others. "Scatter!"
Aela and Vilkas are fast enough, but Lydia and the Atronach aren't.
"Force-Balance-Push!" Fus Ro Dah
I hear the words, knowing they belong to Unrelenting Force, but I am fully aware I don't sufficiently understand the second and third to use them. A bluish wave of force slams into us. I'm lifted up, but land on my feet a meter further back. Lydia is knocked to the floor, and rolls a few more meters, while the Flame Atronach slows its sudden momentum, remaining floating above the ground as they do.
I mentally command it to guard Lydia, and rush to meet the Draugr, leading with a shout of my own.
"Fire!" Yol!
The draugr is staggered, the eager flames biting into it. Two quick slashes of my sword, and it goes down like the others.
Our careful system is broken, though. Aela and Vilkas are fighting up the side stairs, attempting to take the high ground from two draugr archers, and I help them with a Fireball.
Lydia is fighting with her back to the wall, beside the Flame Atronach, but my summon is taking hits now. All Draugr close to it catch flame and it's certainly worth it's mana, but it won't last long.
Aela and Vilkas can look after themselves. I rush towards my housecarl, stabbing a draugr in the back that was attempting to attack her. She nods gratefully and goes on the offensive against the other draugr.
The Atronach goes down, but there aren't that many left. Between my sword, a bit of fire magic, and the others, we clean it up relatively quickly.
"Well, that was suddenly exciting." Aela states, her bow in her hands. At the end, they'd taken the high ground, Vilkas defending it while Aela used her bow to pick off draugr.
"Definitely." I respond. "And here I thought it might be boring trailing after the Silver Hand."
"Don't think that next time." Lydia responds. "While it's great to see unknown places, a few less draugr would make my job of keeping you alive easier." She gives me a slight smile to take the edge off.
I shrug, grinning back. "Eh, it was fun." I look at the Companions. "Let's continue?"
"Actually," Vilkas responds. "It's quite late already. This place here is defensible, so I'd suggest we sleep here for the night, and then tomorrow we return to Whiterun."
Oh, right. Unlike me, they all need to sleep. "That's fine." I respond. "I'll take watch. Lydia thinks it might be because I'm Dragonborn, but I don't have issues skipping the night."
"Okay, now I'm getting jealous. The only nights I can go without is when there's a full moon." Aela says.
I shrug. "I'd share it if I knew how to."
"That's fair."
— A Dragon's Game —
Your Conjuration has been increased by 3 (24)!
Your Fire Magic has been increased by 2 (70)!
Your Piercing Proficiency has been increased by 1 (25)!
Lydia's Shield Proficiency has increased by 1 (61)!
Lydia's Blade Proficiency has increased by 1 (61)!
I've been conjuring wolves while the other's sleep, and I even got some skill levels for it, even if it requires hundreds of casts compared to the single Flame Atronach I used against the draugr. But boring as this guard duty is, I promised them all a good night of sleep, and so I can't take a nap myself.
But even a boring night ends, and I wake up the others. We walk back through the crypt, taking out a few draugr we missed the first time around, since nobody cares about finding every single nook and cranny.
When we get outside, the sun is already up.
It feels good to have the wind on my face again. "Lydia?" I ask.
"Yes, Do'samma?"
"Feel up to a bit of a detour?"
"If that's what you want."
"Where would you be going?" Vilkas asks.
"When I read that inscription on that wall, I gained a lot of understanding about fire. I want to go to Bleak Falls Barrow to see if I can get anything from that one too."
"That makes sense. How much longer will it take?"
I shrug. "One more day? But you don't have to come. There's probably no danger, anyway."
He exchanges a look with Aela, then shrugs. "Okay, but be careful out there. We'll wait for you at Jorrvaskr."
"See you there."
And with that, Lydia and I take off towards Bleak Falls Barrow, nearly straight to the south.
— A Dragon's Game —
It stinks inside. I never really did anything about the corpses of most bandits, but animals have gotten to them, and they've started rotting.
Sometimes I dislike having such a sensitive nose.
I burn those corpses we pass that are still there, even if it makes the stench worse for a small bit.
The Incinerate spell is actually quite good at it. Like its name implies. It's description really only talks about living targets, but basically anything remotely burnable is just happily set alight.
And 98 Mana isn't that much, anyway. It basically regenerates faster than we encounter the corpses.
It's not that long ago that 98 Mana was a lot.
But then we reach the wall. I can't really make out that much more of the writing, but that doesn't mean it's not the same.
…vahlok
deinmaar ….ahgol
…..FUS ….unslaad
….vulom.
Vahlok means Guardian, Deinmaar means keeper, and that ahgol might have been dovahgol, which would mean dragonstone. Funny that somehow that translation survived the ages. And then… FORCE slams into me, and I understand.
You have learned a new skill: Wind Magic (20)!
Through pure stubborness, I make out the rest. Unslaad means eternal, and vulom darkness, but I can't quite see what's between them.
But… new magic. I'm curious.
Wind Magic
Wind Magic lets you whisper a breeze, speak a storm, or hurl your enemies.
- Maximum Level: 100
- Class: Apprentice
Attributes per level:
- Wind Resistance: 1.0
- Wind Damage: 2.0
- Wind Affinity: 1.0
- Wind Effect Radius: 1.0
- Wind Duration: 2.0
Abilities Granted:
- 0: Push
- 10: Wind Blades
- 20: Tailwind
- 35: Force Nova
- 50: Whirlwind Cloak
- 60: Wind Spear
- 70: Wind Wall
- 80: Levitation
- 90: Cyclone
Wind: Push
Pushes an target hard enough to move a humanoid [Intelligence * 0.02] (4) meters. Cost: 50 (40) Mana
Wind: Wind Blades
Strike up to 3.0 (3) (rounded down) targets for 5 + [Intelligence * 0.05] (18) damage each. Cost: 25 (20) Mana
Wind: Tailwind
Creates a wind that pushes you and any vehicle you're in with a gentle wind of [Intelligence * 0.25] (59) kilometers per hour in whatever direction you want for 600 seconds. May be extended for the same cost/duration ratio as the initial cast. Cost: 100 Mana
Well, no complaints about that here. Sure, Wind Blades might currently be significantly weaker than the other weak damage spells like Firebolt, but it's multi-target, and will grow in strength more.
But the real treasure will require me to become level 80… Actual levitation? That's huge, even if I have to continuously cast Tailwind to turn it into actual flight. But I've never seen any of the other spells being cast by magicians. Perhaps Wind Magic just isn't well known?
I turn around and aim for the stone coffin that the powerful draugr was in when I first came here, on which I cast Wind Blades.
There's a greenish color on the actual blade part, but it's pretty hard to see compared to the more flashy Fire, Frost and Lightning magics. Which might be useful on its own. Even if it's weak, if nobody knows what it is, they won't know how to guard themselves against it.
"We found what you were looking for, my Thane?"
"I thought I told you to call me Do'samma?"
Lydia shrugs. "It felt appropriate. And unless you specifically order me otherwise, I'll call you what I want."
I raise an eyebrow at her, but she maintains her look of pure innocence, which contrasts her inner smugness. She knows perfectly well I won't order anything like that.
Ah well, it's not like it's that important to me. As long as she's not doing either because she fears or mistrusts me.
"Fine. If you want to consider yourself merely a tool in my hands instead of the close ally I see you as, be my guest." I walk past her, and gently slap the back of her head.
She pouts at my retort, but doesn't capitulate. "So we have what we were looking for, my Thane?"
I sigh. "Yes, we do. You familiar with Wind Magic?"
"I'm not familiar with any kind of magic, but I've never even heard of that one."
— A Dragon's Game —
Arriving at Jorrvaskr that evening, there's a ceremony to celebrate my success.
Well, ceremony… everyone's just getting drunk. It seems like feasting is the primary way to celebrate anything among the Companions.
Due to our successful retrieval of the fragment, the songs are more about Ysgramor than about the usual fighting and fucking, but the variety is nice. And I'm pleasantly surprised by their singing skills. It wasn't this good when we slew the dragon, but I'll blame that on there having been more of the normal populace mixed in that time.
I get a long, drunk hug from Ria. She used to be the newest companion, and she's really just drinking to forget about Athis' death. He'd helped her get comfortable among the companions, and she'd started crushing on him, only to see him get killed by Mirmulnir.
She thanks me about the fragment, even if I can tell she doesn't really care. Still, I hold her. She can use the comfort.
Most of the other companions aren't as affected by Athis' death. They do dangerous work, so deaths are common. They celebrate the lives of the fallen, mourn their fall, and carry on. Ria just hasn't had time for that yet.
I kind of want to help her. I consider telling Aela, but she isn't the right person for this.
So I seek out Kodlak. I don't quite have the insight in the men as I do with the women thanks to the perk: What do women want?, but he seems the right type to talk to for this.
"Kodlak. Nice to see you enjoying the feast with us."
"Do'samma! Glad to have you. How was the fight?"
"Bit of surprise with the Silver Hand, but nothing we couldn't handle."
"I heard you learned of a few secrets when they first appeared."
"And as far as I'm concerned, they can remain secret."
"Many would think differently, there."
"Then they can join the Silver Hand and I'll face them on the field of battle." I exhaled and took a slow sip of my wine. "But I don't care about it. I care about the choices made."
"Then I thank you. We would much like to keep that secret."
"About that… Vilkas said that some of you wanted to dispel it?"
"That's true." He sighed. "Mostly me. I can feel the years crawl up on me. If Aela and Skjor want to go to the hunting grounds, then that is their choice and their right. But for my own soul, I long for Sovngarde."
"Could I help?"
"Perhaps, but it is not your burden to bear. Right now it is just me doing some research, and you need not bother with it."
"Thank you. Not like I'm bored, anyway."
"Wouldn't have thought so. But why did you come to talk to me?"
"Ria. She tries to hide it, but she mourns for Athis."
"I thought so, but she hides it well. How would you know? You haven't known her for that long."
"The how I'm actually not sure. Lydia thinks it is because I'm dragonborn, but I learn fast. After gaining Dibella's favor, I got a certain insight into women. As long as I have good intentions, I can tell their hearts easily."
"Then I thank you for bringing this to my attention. She's one of us, and we'll look after her."
"That takes a load of my heart, since I fear I couldn't spare the time to do it by myself."
"You're not alone anymore, lad. You have a lot of Companions now." I can feel the grin on the old man's face. "Though I jest, it is something you should take to heart. While it might have been part of the rules for your proving, you showed little inclination to work together. That others fight by your side is something you should keep in mind, especially with Lydia by your side." He gestures to my housecarl, who seems busy attempting to drink Aela under the table. And not succeeding.
"I had a lot of luck with her." I smile at the woman. "She's extremely loyal, very courageous, and a good swordswomen."
"That she is. Have you put any thought yet to what you'll be doing next?"
I wince. "A little. While I would still be able to learn a lot from the warriors here, I think it is time for me to go pay the Greybeards a visit, while I can still get there before winter."
"I imagine that to be a tough decision. While they could teach you a lot, they are not warriors. They are sworn not to use the power of their voices for war or conquest."
"And yet it is where I should go. Who else can teach me the thu'um? The dragons?"
"Aye. Just walk the path you think is best. There really isn't anything else a man can do."
I look at the shadows of the roasting fire playing on the ceiling. "Aela was right. You like to pontificate."
Kodlak roars in laughter. "Aye, she's a sharp lass. Both of tongue and mind. But you're not that bad at pontification yourself, you know."
I think back on the conversation we just had, and I have to admit; "No, I guess I'm not."
