Cearbhail:
So, as we continue down, I've already started on the next chapter, I actually wrote part of it first because I had this moment where I was like... I need to write that down before it leaves me. And that's why this chapter is so late. Anyway, the next chapter will be out by the end of tonight, I hope. And then another one will follow soon after. I'm going to try to burn through this story seeing how there are only like... 12 chapters left or something. Hopefully. We'll see...
=^^= Enjoy...
Log Continuation: 14th Eveningstar
After meeting up with Frea of the Skaal, the five of us ventured through Miraak's temple. We fought through countless cultists and draugr up until we reached a single room centered around a pedestal and a single black book. The book, I guess, had a sinister feel to it, and even Master Neloth was cautious about touching it. So, the High King of Skyrim decided to take it upon himself to pick up the book and read it. Tentacles shot out of the book, wrapped him up and then… he was like that for a few hours. And when he snapped out of his trance, he told us how he met Miraak and told us about his stereotypical plan to take over all of Tamriel.
After the High King told us about what he saw in the book, Frea suggested we head back to her village to report everything we saw to her father. She swears to the Maker that her father will know more about Miraak and what's going on with the island as far as the corruption goes. So, we're on our way to Frea's village. It's not too far from here, thankfully.
Mirri Severin.
…
"You can see it just ahead of us." Frea said, glancing back as us as she sprinted ahead. "You can see the force field my father put up to protect the town."
"That's impressive." High King marveled at the sight.
"Hmp… it's substandard, improvised, and sloppily held together." Master Neloth sneered at the sight of the shielding.
I didn't really know what to think. Tel Mithryn had its own protection circle installed around the whole village, but that didn't stop the influence from getting inside. It didn't stop the influence of the Ash poisoning from putting Veselle in a coma, or throwing Mistress Ildari into a constant sleep state to keep herself from falling to her dark side. So, just thinking of how well our own protection circle worked against the island's corruption… do we really have any right to say that this other force field is any worse than our own?
"If you look to our left…" Frea motioned with her left arm towards a massive stone, much like the one outside Raven Rock and Tel Mithryn. "You will see my fellow villagers that were out hunting for food when the influence took over. They've been out here for the past week, building this… thing." We could clearly see the villagers making the massive webbing structure over the rock. "We don't know what it is, or why it's being made, but… father says it's to make the influence stronger."
Frea waved at us to continue following her. "We're almost there. Please keep up." She sprinted ahead.
I glanced back at Rynamel. "Do you have any knowledge on these webbings?"
He nodded. "Yes… I do."
Everyone stopped as they turned to look back at us. Rynamel was rubbing his arm, glancing away. "The webbing is a Daedric design from Mephala and Vaermina. The webbing designs were stored in Hermeaus Mora's library. When Miraak was able to get his hands on the webbing design, he knew he could find a way to get out of Apocrypha. And he used this information to get in touch with his few supporters, and they were the first ones to build a webbing over one of the stones near Raven Rock, but not the one in Raven Rock. From there, Miraak's influence was able to fall over Raven Rock and his temple… and it's been spreading ever since as more and more webbings were constructed. Once the whole island is covered by his webbings… it's supposed to create a massive barrier that will allow him to open a portal to his temple where he can physically return. From there… I don't know."
Master Neloth scratched at his goatee for a few seconds, thinking aloud with his 'hmm'ing. "That sounds very plausible. It would seem you have been successful in being useful to me. Congratulations. If you remain this useful, I will have a house ready for you in Tel Mithryn when this is all over. As well as House Telvanni status and rights."
The High King only rolled his eyes as he turned to look at Frea. "Well, let's go say hi to your father and get moving on this questline. I'm eager to get this done and go home. I have a small daughter to play with. And an older one that is very unlucky right now."
An older one? Was he talking about Ruby? She was highly unlucky… I could not think it was anyone else. She did mention she was the High King's daughter after all. Or did he have another daughter that I did not know about? Then again… why do I care? I do not follow famous adventurers or king's exploits in Royals Weekly, nor do I even read any magazines that did not involve assassinations, weapons, and poison recipes. The more and more I think… the more and more I realize just how abnormal I am… how messed up I am in the head. My parents ruined my mind, forced me to mature into a murderer… and it continues to show whenever I compare my lifestyle to others.
"I agree. I do wish to get back to Veselle as soon as we can." Master Neloth finished brushing his goatee and turned back to the village. "Let us continue on."
Frea nodded. "Of course."
We raced through the thick snow toward the village. I was sure to make note of where the force field bubble began, and once I raced through it… how it felt. It didn't feel any different than walking into Tel Mithryn… other than the fact that this force field did not register me as a 'friend'. There was this cautious eye following me… a feeling that I was being watched very carefully. And then a small whirlwind built up around me, keeping me pretty much trapped in my place. My armor seemed to seethe energy to the whirlwind circling around me… and that's when I realized the feeling wasn't watching me… it was watching my armor. My armor was created by a Daedric Prince, and this force field was designed to keep out a Daedric presence. My armor has a Daedric aura built into it. It kept me from being affected by whatever presence this island has, but at the same time, it would still be viewed as a hostile entity.
"Um…" I looked at Frea and Master Neloth. "Should I wait outside?"
The two glanced back at me, seeing how I was still barely inside the town, and seeing how energy was starting to whirl around me. It felt like the force field was trying its best to push me back out. "Your armor seems to be not welcome in my village." Frea started unsheathing her sword.
Master Neloth sighed as he glanced at her. "It was a gift from Boethiah, and harmless to those who are allies. However, we will have to have it removed if Mirri is to join us inside the town."
Everyone turned to look at me, and I knew I couldn't just… remove my armor. I… I wasn't wearing anything underneath it, except underwear. And seeing how Rynamel is standing right next to me…
"I'll wait out here and secure the perimeter."
Master Neloth only nodded. "We'll be inside the town if you need us."
"And good luck." The High King added on.
"Good luck?" Good luck with what?
I could see the small smile behind the High King's eyes as he shrugged. "Oh… you know… the many enemies that will undoubtedly swarm the barrier as we talk to the shaman of the village. You know… this is one of the only safe places in the whole island… an island run by a single hive mind that wants nothing but domination and submission of all the island's inhabitants. A presence manifested by a Daedric Lord… and even Daedra have enemies. And you're wearing the armor of one… and that means, you have the blessing of a rival Lord. So, while we're in here, enjoying pancakes with syrup… you will be swarmed with the worst this island has to offer. Or… you could take off your armor and join us inside. So… which will it be? Horrifying fight of your life out here in the coldest blizzard of the month wearing that freezing armor… or warm mushy pancakes with butter and syrup next to a lit fire with a roaring feast in our honor?"
I casted on glance at Rynamel, who only smiled warmly at me as soon as I glanced at him. And I knew which choice I had to make.
"Horrifying fight to my death in the coldest blizzard ever known." I responded.
Master Neloth rolled his eyes and flicked his finger at me. "Oh, enough of this." And just like that, my armor was gone, teleported off me by Master Neloth.
I was quick to cover my body with my arms, but I guess I didn't have to worry about that. I was quickly thrown off by the thick jacket that had replaced my armor, and I could feel warm cotton dancing around my ankles. Huh… I glanced down, seeing myself dressed in appropriate cold weather gear.
"Did you really think I would not have supplied you with clothes?" Master Neloth chided. "After spending a year with Veselle, I've learned to keep a spell connected to a separate dimension filled with spare clothes. With how many times this spell has proven useful… I'm beginning to question the reason why it did not already exist."
"Lydia has a spell like that." The High King said with a laugh. "But she got it for all her armor. And for Ruby too."
The whirlwind surrounding me quickly dissipated and I was glad that I didn't have to sit out and miss whatever was going on in here. Fighting to the death might seem like fun, but after meeting my father's wrath… I don't want to revisit it any time soon.
"If we are done here." Frea turned around. "Let us continue to my father. I wish to be done with this."
The five of us continued on. As we approached the village, I was surprised at how different the buildings appeared. Long wooden blocky structures with windows, square doors… and it was made out of wood, like trees. I'm so used to living in mushrooms and domed buildings made out of insect parts. I never even thought you could make a house out of wood. How do they keep the winds from destroying it? The town itself looked pretty old. There wasn't a lot to see though. Just more of those huge houses and a single roofed area in the middle of the town. There were tables set up with fish that had been cleaned and placed on top of ice to keep fresh. I could see a Skaal, thickest man I've ever seen, slam a butcher knife down onto what looked like a horker's neck. He was cutting up fillets for the village, no doubt.
"Mama, Frea's back!" A small girl screamed as she ran into the cold, wearing nothing but a small black dress. Without this coat, I would be freezing to death, and yet this ten-year-old was prancing about in the snow like it was nothing.
As soon as the little girl called out to Frea, everyone started coming out of their homes. There were only five or so. The villagers were quick to rush outside to talk to Frea. Each one asked her how her quest went, and Frea was quick to tell them of what she learned, and to apologize for not coming back with the others. There were a few people crying, realizing that they weren't going to see their loved ones for a while, but as soon as Frea mentioned the High King and how he was going to fix all this, everyone started feeling a little better, a little more hopeful.
Once we caught the village up, Frea nodded to the High King. "We should talk to father now. He will tell us what we need to do."
The villagers quickly gave us a quick farewell parade thing as we started to leave. "Be sure to bring back my baby!" A distressed mother screamed as we continued through the town.
Rynamel glanced over to me as we walked away. "And to think… when this is all over and everyone is back to normal… I still won't have a place I belong."
"You belong with us." Master Neloth responded. "Never forget that."
Rynamel glanced down, probably uncertain about the whole thing. I felt like I should remind him of what I was just not too long ago. "I'm an orphan too. And I didn't feel like I belonged anywhere. My friends were there for me… and… we're here for you." What would Veselle do in this scenario? A mental image of Veselle wrapping her arms around me and squeezing the life out of me answered my question. So… I glanced at Rynamel and began to raise my arms up. Should I? Just imagining hugging him made me throw my arms back down, quickly looking up at the sky. I focused on the swirling energy shield. It was clearly a massive energy wind that was covering the whole town, but it was building from one spot in the middle of the web, and I could see a small funnel of energy racing down from the bubble to a small circle of men wrapped up in winter jackets muck like my own.
The men I was looking at were all sitting cross-legged, humming some ancient verse. The energy seemed to be building around them, flowing up over the town, and then spread out over the village to keep out all malevolent forces. Those men had to be creating the massive shield covering the town. How much energy would it take to sustain such a shield like this anyway?
"Just how long has this shield been up?" I asked Frea.
She looked back at me, frowning. "Too long." She turned back to the men. "Father! I'm back!" She ran towards the meditating men.
"Yes, I know." One of the men replied, the oldest of them all. He looked weathered and frail, sporting a beard as long as his body. He didn't stand up to great us but he did open his eyes, glancing at Frea. "You seem to have brought guests. I heard the mention of the Dragonborn? Why has he come here?"
The High King approached the shaman, bowing to him. "I'm here to kick Miraak's butt. But, he's in Apocrypha and I can't get to him long enough to kick his butt. Frea seems to think you know something that can help."
The shaman sat there for a few seconds longer. He seemed too concentrated on his task. "Yes, I know of something that can help, but first, I would ask something of you."
High King nodded. "Yes, anything."
"Miraak is an old Dragonborn, the first to be precise, but I suppose you already know that much. You may or may not know that Miraak sold his soul to Hermeaus Mora for power… a Shout capable of bending wills and subjecting even the old gods to his will. This Shout… we need use of it. But in order to learn it, you must go to Saering's Watch. There is a word there that Miraak learned that took him down his dark path. A Shout that lets one bend wills. Learn it… and then use it on the Wind Stone. Expel the darkness from the Wind Stone and then… then I can help you." The old shaman said at last, closing his eyes and going back to his meditation.
The High King nodded, glancing at us. He looked over at Frea. "Where is Saering's Watch?"
Frea smiled as she turned around. "I will show you the quickest route." And with that, she took off in a mad dash back the way we just came.
I glanced back at Master Neloth. "Once we're outside the barrier, can you just teleport my armor back onto me. And give me back my naginata?"
Master nodded. "Of course I can."
…
It's been nothing but two hours of climbing this mountain. I'm not one for shying away from physical activity. I proudly do my morning workouts along with my spiritual studies in the afternoon. I enjoy running to the point where Rynamel would collapse into the snow and pass out. I would also revel in carrying him on my back as I raced after Frea and the High King as they sprinted up the mountain with all their might, all to find this one place where an ancient Word of Power was kept. Not saying I got to carry Rynamel on my back, because I wasn't allowed to carry Rynamel on my back. As soon as the doof collapsed into the snow, I offered to carry the idiot on my back, but Master Neloth said that it was a fruitless endeavor and simply carried him in the air with a Telekinesis spell as we raced up a really high mountain.
I had to admit, it was an effective method for carrying Rynamel. Not the one I would have chosen for myself, but it worked. It kept us light and fast on our feet as we dug our feet through the snow, racing with all we had to reach this one point on top of the mountain.
"We're getting closer!" Frea shouted down to us. A large blizzard had begun not too long ago, making this run up the mountain even harder.
"That doesn't mean anything useful and you know it!" Rynamel screamed from his floating prison.
"I know! I just like reminding you!" Frea shouted back with a light chuckle.
I glanced over at the High King. "You're like half-god… can't you do something about this weather?"
He rubbed his chin. "I do know this extremely powerful Shout that clears all bad weather up. Even magical ones."
Master Neloth looked intrigued. "Could this Shout also alleviate the symptoms of a magical plague, like the one affecting our island?"
The High King shrugged. "That sounds like an amazing interpretation of what Clear Skies can do… but I doubt it can logically erase magical plagues that affect the mind."
"Think about it." Master Neloth continued. "The storm in this manner is more esoteric than physical. If you focus on the part of the plane you wish to clear… as is with Shouts and words… if you even replaced one Word of Power with another, you can shape how the Shout takes effect. You can probably lift the curse from our island with one Shout, thereby cancelling any preordained confrontation with Miraak."
The High King rubbed his chin, thoughtful. "That sounds pretty awesome, but… unfortunately, I seem wholly incapable of actually stringing my own Shouts together to form new ones. I guess I'm pretty unoriginal, even though I know which words to use with other words to make a Shout stronger… without even knowing anything about the dragon language or how Shouts work. Weird…" He rubbed his head in confusion. "How exactly did I learn how to Shout anyway? Damn…" His eyes unfocused as he stood there, lost in his own world.
We stood there, waiting for him to move. It was a long six or so seconds before he shifted his stance. "Did anyone else hear that?"
"Hear what?" Frea asked. Just after she asked it, I could hear a long wailing… like a growl on the wind.
"Is that…" Master Neloth started to say, but was interrupted by the High King.
"A dragon." He rolled up his sleeves. "Ok, so we must be close. The dragon is probably guarding the word… and I only say that because that's usually when I find dragons." He nodded. "But it will be ok. I killed Alduin, so… all the dragons are my friends now."
Master Neloth nodded. "That very well might be true, but reason out the fact that our island is placed under a mind-controlling curse. Do you really think that dragons are not affected by it?"
The High King waved it off with a scoff. "Yeah… I'm sure that Miraak has the power to control dragons' thoughts." He paused. "Huh… he was riding a dragon. Maybe… nah!" He waved it off again. "We'll be fine. Just wait and see."
He turned back around and nodded to Frea. "Frea, take us to that place we were heading to… the one I forgot the name for!"
She nodded. "Yes, Saering's Watch." She continued leading us. "Just a little further ahead."
And on we continued climbing. My armor creaked lightly as the snow melted into the Daedric chainmail. I was always surprised at just how I didn't feel cold while wearing this armor. I'm basically wearing nothing underneath it, and it is metal, even if is it Daedric metal. I guess it had some kind of enchantment that allowed the plating to remain neutral, even allow me to remain in a neutral state. My ears aren't freezing, after all. And it's not like I'm using any magicka to keep myself warm… I'm just warm. I could see Master Neloth wasn't using any magicka either, but Rynamel was shivering his butt off, covering his ears and nose in as much of his thick robes as possible.
As we got closer, we marched past what looked like a gateless archway. "As soon as we pass this, we will be in Saering's Watch."
The High King nodded. "Let's do this then." I could hear the roaring of the dragon much clearer now. He seemed to notice this too. "Don't worry… I got this." As I looked up, I could see the majestic dragon circling overhead. Of all the time I've lived on this island, I've never once seen a dragon. I couldn't even begin to describe it. The bones I saw of them back at Miraak's temple did not even begin to describe this dragon's majesty. It was easily as large as a small village, a long rough neck, and I could see the heavy sharp scales sticking out, forming into long spines along the back of the neck, stretching along the shoulders and back, leading all the way to the tail. I'm not saying the spines were long, just… the dragon looked like a weird porcupine with wings. The wings themselves were as big as any houses back at the Skaal village, and from even down here, I could feel the wind blasting from each flap of the dragon's wings. It was then that I realized… the blizzard we'd been fairing in… the strong winds that had been pushing us this whole time… belonged to this dragon.
"Wow…" I found myself saying as the dragon cast a look down at us, its black beady eyes locking down right on top of the High King.
The High King waved to the dragon, screaming, "Hey, what's up? I'm the High King of Skyrim! I killed Alduin, and as such… am a true Dragonborn and have united your world and mine together! We're friends!"
The dragon dove from the sky, crashing into the snowy ground with enough force to throw me off my feet, if I wasn't a trained assassin. I managed to shift my stance, and cover my face as a wave of snow shot up from the dragon's landing, creating a small blanket of snow floating around us. It made everything look hazier, like I was in a fantasy dream or something. The dragon was fast approaching us, walking with his long wings digging into the snow as he stalked up to us.
I glanced over to Master Neloth. "Um… sir? I don't think this dragon is our friend."
Master Neloth said or did nothing. He was too busy looking at the dragon. So, I looked over to Frea. "Ma'am? Are we… going to do something soon?"
She looked down at me, smirking. "I say we wait and see, little one."
The dragon approached us, only a few feet away from the High King. "Hi… I'm Asger Stone-"
The High King was quickly interrupted as the dragon lunged down at him, swallowing him in one bite. I watched as the dragon arched his head up, the High King kicking his legs as he slid down the dragon's throat.
Well… that's not good.
"Umm…" I reached for my naginata. I've never fought a dragon before. This would be a first. "What should I do, Master?"
Master Neloth was still glancing at the dragon. "Simply majestic. Oh well." He started warming up a spell in his hands. "Do not worry, Apprentice Mirri. I, the great and powerful Neloth will-"
Before Master Neloth could finish his sentence the dragon exploded into blood and guts, all of which rained down on top of us. Well, most of us. My Daedric armor shot up a protective Shield that surrounded me, and Master Neloth already had a Shield of his own surrounding him. So… it rained blood and guts down on top of Rynamel and Frea. Both of which were groaning and griping madly about the smell and taste as they started shaking off any dragon guts off their clothes and armor plating.
I almost felt the urge to laugh at Rynamel as he wiped madly at his face to get the dragon gore off him. I don't know why I was drawn to seeing him madly wipe himself off, but I think it was the expression on his face, or the way he grumbled as he wiped a scale out of his hair. I can't explain it… but I found it oddly… fun. I don't know.
I was brought back to the High King as he walked out of the middle of the dragon's exposed stomach, covered head-to-toe in the same crap everyone but myself and Master Neloth. He was coughing out sludge as he looked at us. "Well, I was wrong. I'm sorry, everyone."
Master Neloth nodded. "But we know now for certain, any dragons on this island will not be friendly."
The High King nodded back. "I can concur. Oh well… time for new Shouts." He turned around and spread his arms out as the dragon started catching fire. Scales and meat started to pull off its body into a magical flame that burned in every color imaginable. As the fire started to burn off into a light, the High King spread his arms out wider. "I'm ready!"
The light flew off, away from us. It caused the High King a bit of worry; I could tell because he was following the light. "Wait! You're supposed to embrace me!"
As the bones were picked clean, I could clearly see another cultist on the other side of the dragon. He seemed older than the other cultists. His mask was more original too. As the High King came racing towards him, the man stuck out his hand, throwing the High King off his feet and into the snow. "Sorry, Dragonborn, but… you have no control over me here. I'll gladly take this soul… and with it… I grow stronger. Keep it up, Dragonborn. Each dragon you slay will only be fuel for my arrival, and your defeat. Farewell." With a small explosion, the character was gone.
"That was Miraak." Rynamel said at last. "I remember seeing him in a dream. That's Miraak."
"That's Miraak?" Frea screamed. "That puny man? I could have gutted him here and been done with it!"
The High King was quick to pick himself out of the snow, nodding. "I keep thinking the same thing, and yet… every time I get a chance to put him down… he puts me down. He's stronger than he looks, otherwise, I would be able to take him down. It's scary almost… just how strong he really is. And… I just made him stronger." He glanced back at us. "Every second I'm on this island… each dragon I slay… the only thing that makes me stronger as a Dragonborn… will be used to make Miraak stronger in return. I will not be able to progress my strength while I am here… and if he's stronger than me now… how am I going to defeat him in his home turf?" He looked up at the sky. "I think… this is one battle I cannot win against."
Frea walked up to him, placing her hand on his shoulder. "We will start by doing as my father suggests. We will learn this word Miraak learned. And… then we will pray to the Maker for answers. We will find a way to save this island… we will find a way to defeat this Miraak."
We stood there for a few seconds before the High King glanced back at Frea. "And then pancakes?"
"With butter and syrup." She answered back reassuringly.
He glanced back up the mountain. "We need that word. Let's continue on."
Cearbhail:
So, since last chapter I went onto tell you about alternative outcomes for that chapter, I've decided to keep it a thing for now on. So, there was an alternative for this one as well. The Dragonborn was going to be tossed aside or something (like battling with his bardic arts) and basically wasting time doing goofy stuff. And then Neloth was going to roll his eyes, snap his fingers, and blow up the dragon much like his Asger did. He was going to say some offhand comment about wasting time while his daughter was wasting away. Anyway, back to Veselle.
