A/N: Happy Halloween update!

"A spot is open in my court for you to be Thane. I will, of course, need you to become a little more known in my Hold by helping people, a task I am sure you will find simple."

"You compliment me, my Jarl."

"It is thanks deserved for ridding us of the vampire threat. Many thanks will be given to Thonnir, as you requested. Now, have a safe journey wherever your feet take you."

Elana bowed low and left the Jarl, purse a little heavier and new goal in mind. But first, Ustengrav.

The Dragonborn perched quietly, just outside the cave entrance in a tree, letting the battle rage on around her.

"Wise decision. Their numbers and strength shall be greatly depleted by the time they find you, or you move forward. Pity the wolf does not understand strategy."

There was a rash burning in her stomach to launch forward into the fight and kill any mage or bandit that came close. But her knees and back ached with reminders, so Elana clung still to the tree as men fell while friend turned against friend.

Greed is a funny sort of mistress.

Just before the few survivors could celebrate the victory of their greed, Elana burst forth, sword in hand, and a vicious FUS RO sent their bodies flying into about to be chased down by the Dragonborn.

As she cleaned her bloody sword and collected items of value, the dragon murmured suggestions for improvement.

And here I thought I needed a corporeal follower.

"Do not get sassy with me. This is important and I'm trying to help get you out alive."

It will be better once my throat cools back down. She sheathed her weapons. Let's go inside and see what this is all about.

Elana crept down the inner hall, ears straining to hear any sounds of danger.

She was rewarded. Another group of foes stood milling about the next open area, discussing something or arguing; she didn't really care to know the difference. Instead, she looted a dead draugr and drank a little water to try and cool her throat. Elana strung her bow, drew an arrow, and waited patiently for a shot.

She was rewarded. Following the soft 'twang' of her bow, the seeming leader of the group dropped. Moving quickly while the others still had to search, she managed to get two arrows into another, ending him, before she was forced to draw her sword and leave her hiding place.

FUS RO!

As the bandits and mages alike flew back, Elana caught her breath. Bringing her sword back up, she charged forward again and finished dispatching and looting her enemies.

She swept the room of valuables and continued down.

"I would have thought you had learned to bring a follower with you."

She uncorked a healing potion and drank it as she replied, Yes and no. I've learned to be smart when I go without someone watching my back.

"Whelp confidence."

Shut up.

She let the conjurer be killed by the draugr before she stepped out into the light, sword swinging through the air to destroy the creatures.

See. When I'm careful I do just fine. Admittedly, I'd rather not have to be careful. This takes much longer.

Mirmulnir chuckled. "Like a true dragon."

She paused at a fork in the hallway. Down or onward? Onward.

She was rewarded by two draugr bursting from their coffins where the hallway opened up to a higher ceiling. Son of a barrel. She unsheathed her sword.

She hacked and slashed, doing her best to avoid the frost spell the stronger draugr cast. If she had been one for boasting during battle, now would have been the time. But Elana had developed the skill of bearing the brunt of battle silently. It kept random people from knowing she was Elana and not 'Elan.'

Instead, she growled in the face of a draugr when he got too close before removing its arms.

"I don't think I will ever understand you."

Elana smiled to herself as she crept down the hall towards the black, imposing door.

Nii LOS HeyV DO ENOOK

FEIM

MUN WaH LahNey VOTH ahKRIN ahRK ZIN

FADE

LEH ROK FeiM VODahMIN KOTIN VULOM

No, no, now is not the time to FADE! Now is the time to fight-

Her head cleared just in time to fight off the draugr that emerged from behind the waterfall. Able to breath easily, she rummaged through the chest.

Mirmulnir, must acquiring these words be so difficult and distracting?

"Apparently so. No doubt it is due to your mind taking in something never meant for humans. You become a little more dragon with each mastering of a Word."

Interesting. She began to poke and prod at his memories. Alright. Where is it?

"Nice try, hatchling. But I can only give you understanding when you first take my soul into yourself. Even then, you would be luck to catch more than enough understanding for one Word. This is not defining some simple concept like 'bachelor' where the meaning is literally in the term. This is comprehending the entirety of a concept such as fire. Fire that is small, large, fast, slow, killing and warming. You might be partially dov, but it is still a feat for your mortal mind to take in all this understanding at once."

Don't get philosophical on me. Elana rose, preparing to continue on. I'll just have to kill another dragon then, won't I?

"And cast his soul out before he can read you and latch on, yes. I don't think you would appreciate four parts to your soul."

Rolling her eyes, the Dragonborn forced her way forward.