As the sun began to rise over the horizon, I stood in awe at what just happened around me. It took several moments for me to come to terms with the occurrences. First we kill a dragon, then I seemed to have absorbed something from it, and then I'm something called, 'Dragonborn.' I couldn't begin to imagine how this day could get any more surprising.
"Dragonborn?" I asked the guard who stood before me. "What do you mean?"
"In the earliest tales, back when there were still dragons in Skyrim, the Dragonborn would have the ability to absorb the power of the dragons he or she had slain. In doing so, the Dragonborn would gain remarkable powers unlike any mortal had seen before." He explained. I looked down at my own two hands, pondering if I really was capable of doing such a thing. "That's what you did right? You absorbed its soul?" He asked.
"I'm clueless at what just happened to me." I said.
"There's only one way to know for sure." The lone guard said. "Try shouting. According to legend, only the Dragonborn can shout like the dragons without any training." I wondered what he exactly meant by the word, "Shout". I've always thought that dragons breathed elements from within their bodies to attack. Then I looked back on when the Black Dragon at Helgen attacked and somehow summoned a rain of fire and rock. Perhaps there was much more to dragons than just viewing them as heartless beasts with no logic. If they could shout, who knew what else they were capable of?
"Are you feeling ok? You took that dragon's soul! It did not look or smell natural, my friend. If that happened to me I would no doubt soil myself." Inigo declared as he approached me.
"I'm fine…I think." I said as I carefully rubbed the healing scar at the back of my head. After all that happened, my ears were still ringing. I yawned to try and get rid of it.
"If you insist." Inigo remarked.
"I can't believe it!" Sofia exclaimed. "You killed that dragon and absorbed its soul too? This day just keeps getting better and better."
"Maybe we should visit a healer just in case. Then again, I do not believe that the involuntary absorbing of dragon souls is something most healers have experience with. It was just a little surprising to witness. I'm sure you're alright…maybe."
"Just wait 'till I tell people that a true hero slayed a dragon. Of course you helped out a bit." Sofia said, referring to herself. I gave her a look. This woman was really brazen to announce such a statement. "I'm only joking, although you couldn't have done it without me." She added.
"The old tells tale of a Dragonborn who could kill dragons and steal their power. You must be the one!" A guard said to me.
"What about you Irileth. You're being awfully quiet." Another implied.
"Come on Irileth, tell us. Do you believe in this Dragonborn business?" A third one asked.
"Hmph, some of you would be better of keeping quiet than flapping yoru gums on matters you don't know anything about. Here's a dead dragon, and that's something I definetly understand. Now we know we can kill them. But I don't need some mythical Dragonborn. Someone who can put down a dragon is more than enough for me." She implied, being ever skeptical.
"You wouldn't understand housecarl. You ain't a Nord." A guard said replied.
"I've been all across Tamriel." Irileth scoffed. "I've seen plenty of things just as outlandish as this. I'd advise you all to trust in the strength of your sword arm over tales and legends." While she was talking, I was trying to understand how exactly to shout, just as the guard told me to. But all I heard was a word, it was the same word that I found upon the wall of Bleak Falls Barrow. I heard it from a place I would never have guessed, from inside me. Over and over again, it whispered to me. I felt it pulsing in my head repeatedly. Putting two and two together, I obeyed what my soul felt from within. I aimed my mouth towards the sky and breathed in deeply. Feeling the crisp Skyrim air touch my lungs, I suddenly let loose what I can only describe as a dragon's shout. "FUS!" I shouted tremendously into the air. To my astonishment I saw my shout creating ripples in the wind itself, before it dissipated entirely. In that moment, my head felt completely relieved as the echo I kept hearing within me was gone. I felt as if I woke up from the longest sleep it had ever endured.
"The Thu'um!" One of the guards said. "He summons the Thu'um!"
"That was shouting you just did. It must've been. You really are Dragonborn." Another said. I was surprised that I could do such a thing having no idea how to do it in the first place. I blinked before turning to Irileth with a devilish smile on my face. "You were saying sister Dunmer?" I said.
"I stand corrected, brother." She said half-hesitantly before I started back down the road to Whiterun, Inigo and Sofia following close while the guards stayed behind.
"Wait, so you really are Dragonborn?" Sofia asked.
"It would seem so." I said to her.
"So I would guess that makes you kinda special. I suppose you almost live up to my standards now. Good looking, strong, brave, adventurous. So tell me, what women are you into? …Not that I'm interested or anything." She said, almost stuttering upon her last sentence. I turned my head towards her with a surprised expression on my face. I was having the strangest feeling that she was beginning to fancy me, and yet refused to admit it. I chuckled at the thought, wondering what other shenanigans Sofia might get us into with that kind of defiant attitude.
"The Jarl is going to be very happy with you. Killing that Dragon deserves a reward I reckon. Maybe ask for your weight in sweetrolls." Inigo expressed.
"What is it with you and sweetrolls?" I asked.
"They're soft, delicious, and creamy on the top. What's not to like about them?" He asked.
"Well for one, I've heard a rumor that the more intolerant guards sarcastically ask people if someone stole their sweetroll whenever they're bothered." I replied.
"That's not the sweetrolls' fault though." Inigo said.
"Good point." I shrugged. We walked up the cobblestone road towards the gates of Whiterun just before we felt the entire land begin to shake. "What in the-?" I stuttered, trying to keep my balance from the quaking ground before we heard a thunderous noise, like that of an eruption. We heard a clamor of voices from the sky saying in unison, "Dovahkiin!"
"What in the name of the gods was that?" Inigo asked.
"I have no idea, but somehow I have a feeling we've become involved in something bigger than any of us." I remarked as we entered the streets of Whiterun. All the people were either panicked, confused, or hysterical at what just occurred. Even the guards of the area had seemed to be in a state of unusual alarm. As we entered Dragonsreach, we saw a number of people surrounding the Jarl, trying to find any reason that can bring them comfort at the mysterious tremor. A burly fellow named Hrongar turned towards me and said, "We were just talking about you. My brother want's a word with you."
"Why am I not surprised?" I muttered before I approached Jarl Balgruff.
"So what happened at the watchtower? Was the Dragon there?" He asked.
"The watchtower is severely damaged, but we managed to kill the Dragon. There is…something else however I think you should know about." I replied.
"Out with it then." Balgruff said.
"It turns out I may be something known as Dragonborn." I said. The whole room went silent as soon as I mentioned the word.
"Dragonborn?" Balgruff asked. "What could you possibly know about the Dragonborn?"
"When the dragon was slain, I seemed to absorb some sort of power from its body, a dragon's soul as the others have been calling it. Apparently I can shout as well." I replied.
"So it's true. The Greybeards really were summoning you." Balgruff said in astonishment.
"Who are the Greybeards?"
"Masters of the Way of the Voice. They live in seclusion high on the slopes of The Throat of the World, the tallest mountain in Skyrim, and of Tamriel."
"If they live in seclusion, what would they want with me?"
"The Dragonborn is said to be uniquely gifted in the voice; the ability to focus your vital essence into a Thu'um, or shout. If you really are Dragonborn, they can teach you how to use your gift. You should get going, there is no denying the summons of the Greybeards."
"Really? If that's the case, then I guess I should get going." I said, curious as to what methods they'll demonstrate to me, now that I have unlocked a magic possibly older than time itself.
"What about the reward?" Sofia asked me.
"Ah yes." I said. "We did kill the dragon my Jarl. I believe such an endeavor deserves a compensation to match."
"Indeed. You have done a great service for me and my city Dragonborn. As a token of my esteem, you are hereby permitted to purchase property within Whiterun, and by my right as Jarl I name you its Thane. It is the greatest honor that's within my power to grant. I'll be sure that the guards will be notified of your new title. Wouldn't want them to think you're part of the common rabble now would we?" He asked.
"Of course not my Jarl." I said, a hint of apprehension fleeing my lips. I could barely contain my disbelief at my new social status.
"I assign you a personal Housecarl; Lydia. And finally, I give to you this weapon from my armory to serve as badge of office. We are honored to have you as Thane of Whiterun, Dragonborn."
"I am privileged to be one my Jarl." I said as I felt myself swell up with pride. I bowed my head in a gesture of gratitude before I grabbed ahold of the weapon I was awarded with from Proventus; a custom decorated greatsword. For the first time in a long time, I truly felt like somebody that has a place in the world. I headed towards the kitchen to meet up with Lydia.
"Congratulations on becoming a Thane my friend, you wear the title well." Inigo commented.
"Thanks. I couldn't have done it without you guys." I admitted.
"Perhaps I could take advantage of you sometime." Sofia said.
"Say what now?" I asked.
"I mean, if we get into trouble I could use your status to my advantage." She said.
"Or if we get into trouble, I could use my status to remind you of your place." I said with a grin, placing my hand upon my hip. As soon as I said that, Sofia slightly puffed her cheeks.
"Don't think some fancy title is going to make me your servant." She replied. "Although I must admit, I am happy for you."
"Thanks Sofia." I said as I grabbed a carrot from a bin and ate it. I was hungry and tired after fighting and traveling for a day and a half. I saw a female Nord wearing steel armor making something in the cauldron next to the fireplace.
"Excuse me, are you Lydia?" I asked.
"I am. And you must be the new Thane. I overheard the conversation from afar. It is an honor to serve you." She said.
"Serve me?" I asked. I began to question if I was even ready to have someone carry out deeds for me. "Well I - *cough*. Remind me what a Housecarl does exactly."
"As my Thane, I'm sworn to your service. I'll guard you, and all you own, with my life." She said as she stood at attention.
"That must be a heavy burden to carry." I replied. "I'm Adonis K'hotei by the way."
"I've been sworn to carry a lot of burdens in the past. Some have called me redundant for doing so." Lydia replied, crossing her arms.
"In that case, why don't we get ourselves a drink and settle down at the Bannered Mare?" Sofia asked. "I'm feel like I could go for a nice foot rub."
"I thought you weren't allowed there anymore." I said.
"Well…that's sorta true. But you're a Thane now." Sofia responded. "I doubt Nazeem would have the guts to make a mockery of us now."
"Alright, I'll do this, but just this once."
"Good, my feet are feeling quite sore." She said.
"As are mine." Inigo stated.
"Want to join us Lydia?" I asked.
"I don't see why not." She agreed before we made our way down past Jorrvaskr and a statue of Talos where some ill-mannered monk was blabbering about. As soon as we entered the market district of the city, we entered the Bannered Mare. As I feared, Hulda took one look at us and immediately became impatient. "What are you two doing back here?" She asked.
"We are three weary warriors looking for a place to rest for the day." I replied.
"Haven't I told you that you're not welcome to bring that drunk in here?" She asked.
"Who are you calling a drunk?" Sofia asked, her tone becoming stern.
"No need to cause a scene." Inigo intervened.
"And now the guards are letting cats into the city?" Hulda inquired.
"As Thane of Whiterun, I politely ask of you to allow us to spend the night here, and provide us with a reasonable amount of sustenance." I said.
"You? Thane of Whiterun? Any other fancy stories you can come up with?" Hulda rudely retorted.
"I'm going to have to ask you to refrain from using such manners Innkeeper." Lydia said as she approached her. In that moment, Hulda's expression changed from stubborn to nervous.
"You're…Lydia. The Housecarl that lives in Dragonsreach?"
"Yes, I am." Lydia responded.
"And this is your…your Thane. F-forgive me sir." Hulda apologized. "I'll see to the need of you and your company right away."
"That would be best."
"Can you remind me what your name was?"
"Don K'hotei." I answered.
"Have a seat." Hulda said with a change of behavior before heading towards another section of the Tavern with a cooking pot to prepare some meals. I left some coin on the counter for her as payment before we all sat down by the fire, taking a load off our shoulders. Hulda then asked what we'd like to drink. All four of us said Honningbrew Mead. Inigo as usual asked if there were any sweetrolls, and sure enough there were. I had myself some cooked Venison along with baked potatoes. I couldn't remember the last time I had a decent meal. Spirits were merry that night as more folk gathered when the sun went down. The group and I nearly spent all day in the tavern, still stunned that we killed a Dragon. Some of the people recognized us and gave us praises for our accomplishment. Others like Uthgerd the Unbroken was skeptical, and wanted to see how tough I was in a fist fight. She was stronger, but had a lot of armor on. I on the other hand was faster, and could land an elbow strike right on her lower skull. In the meantime, Sofia and Lydia seemed to get along pretty nice while Inigo and I talked along. I wanted to know more about this mysterious friend of mine.
"So Inigo, I'm actually curious to know where you came from. Before…all this amnesia stuff happened to me." I said.
"Are you sure you want to know?" He asked.
"Positive." I assured.
"Alright. So, I was born in a backwards village within Elsweyr. I had a twin brother named Fergus. He was born before I was. At the time, the moons shifted just so slightly that we were both born a different skin color. He was orange and I was blue."
"Very interesting. What about the village made it backwards?"
"They believed that because my fur was blue, I was cursed and had to be sacrificed. I don't remember the exact details of how we survived, but we did."
"And they say the only barbaric race in Tamriel are the Nords. Pfft." I remarked. "May I ask the whereabouts of your brother?"
"He's…dead." Inigo said hesitantly.
"Oh. If it's not too much to ask, how did he die?"
"We were taking up a job as sellswords in Cyrodiil at the time being. That night some radicals had accused us of being thieves, as they were on the hunt for Khajiit who had stolen from them. We were asleep in our tent when they ambushed us. My brother woke me up and said, "If you love me, you'll run". Without a moment's hesitation, he pushed me out the tent and I rolled down the hill which we had been camping upon. A while later, I came across his body, all beaten and torn." Inigo said. He blinked many times as he explained his story to try and hold back the tears.
"I'm sorry for you loss Inigo." I replied.
"Thank you. That means a lot."
"If it makes you feel better, I too know how it feels to lose family. I had a sister once."
"What was her name?"
"Layla. Unlike my family she was an Altmer because she was adopted. I still loved her dearly when I spent my youth on the island of Solstheim. One day when she was old enough, she decided to join the ranks of the Thalmor. Have I told you about that before?"
"I do not think so."
"Right. Well, she expressed in the many letters she sent that she strongly believed in keeping peace between the Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion. She was such a pacifist that she couldn't bring herself to harm an ash hopper. It made me both dumbfounded and devastated when she was executed for what they deemed high treason."
"What did she do?"
"I don't know. The Dominion refused to reveal any information to my family and I."
"That must've felt really upsetting."
"It was. Her loss made me feel worse about myself. I wanted to be there for her, alas I was not. So I left Solstheim and passed through Skyrim towards Cyrodiil to try and start a new life. Beyond that…I can hardly remember a thing until the point I had become a bandit." I rubbed my nose and sniffled as I felt an old wound imbedding itself into my mind, along with the physical one that was still recovering.
"I hope your memory recovers soon my friend."
"Thank you." I said before I finished my venison. Across the fireplace, Sofia and Lydia seemed to be enjoying themselves along with the occasional argument between Nord women. Sofia was bragging about she could outmatch Lydia in terms of almost everything she possessed. Lydia wanted to challenge her to a drinking contest, so I had to intervene to stop the both of them from getting into further trouble. It wasn't long before Inigo and I had both socially exhausted ourselves and retired to a bed that was available.
The next morning I felt well rested indeed. I slept so much that it was noon. And by that time, the rest of the gang had awoken, and were awaiting me downstairs. We asked directions on how to get towards Ivarsted, which was the town closet to the so-called Seven Thousand steps to High Hrothgar. I knew it would be one s'wit of a hike. After gathering our things, we left the inn and headed up the road. A while later after crossing a bridge and killing off some bandits that threatened us to pay a "toll", we soon became lost along a switch of paths that led downward. This was confusing because it seemed we were getting farther and farther away from The Throat of the World the further we attempted to travel around the mountain. Sofie even admitted that she was always confused coming down this series of paths. Soon we came across a mysterious Khajiit known as Ma'iq the Liar. "You there, Traveler, may I ask you something?" I asked.
"Ma'iq knows many things. What does this one wish to ask?" The fellow said.
"We need to find the path to Ivarsted." I replied.
"Ah, I see. This one needs to keep following the path it is currently on. Fort Amol is where Ivarsted is located nearby." The Khajiit said.
"Liar liar your robes are on fire. The words you weave make you perspire." Inigo said.
"Why does this sand walker call Ma'iq a liar?"
"Fort Amol is further down near Darkwater Crossing. I know because I've traveled to Riften. It's nowhere near the Throat of the World."
"This one is smarter than Ma'iq thought." The Khajiit said as he crossed his arms. "There is a left turn coming soon. Walk up the path that is parallel to the waterfall nearby. Ma'iq is tired. Go bother somebody else." He said before pressing on.
"Well, he sure was a strange one." Sofia remarked as we continued onward. We soon arrived at Ivarsted in the afternoon. "Do you think Sabrecats and Khajiit are related somehow related? They do seem similar except the Khajiit is more human. You don't suppose a human and a Sabrecat…nope. I'm not going there. People get a little touchy when I say that."
"I refuse to believe I am related at all to those ravenous beasts." Inigo remarked as we approached the bridge that lay before us and the Seven Thousand steps. Before that were two men, a Bosmer and a Nord talking between each other.
"On your way up the seven thousand steps again Klimmek?" The bosmer asked.
"Not today Gwilin. I'm just not ready to make the climb to High Hrothgar. The path isn't safe." Klimmek replied.
"Aren't the Greybeards expecting some supplies?" Gwilin questioned.
"Honestly, I'm not certain. I've yet to be allowed into the monastery. Perhaps one day." Kilmmek said. The bosmer departed as I approached the weary-looking Nord.
"I heard you were planning to deliver some supplies to the Greybeards." I said. "May I ask what type?"
"Mostly food supplies like dried fish and salted meats; you know, things that keep fresh for a long time. The Greybeards tend not to get out much, if you catch my meaning." The Nord responded.
"And what do the folks of Ivarsted get in return?"
"Well, it's kind of an understanding between us. I mean, it just wouldn't feel right to charge them for a bit of preserved food. Trouble is, my legs aren't what they used to be and climbing the 7,000 Steps takes its toll." He stated.
"Perhaps I could do it for you for a reasonable payment." I offered.
"Really? That would be kind of you. Here, take this bag of supplies. At the top of the steps you'll see the offering chest. Just leave the bag inside and you're done." He said before handing me the backpack, which fortunately felt many pounds lighter than the Dragonstone I had to carry to Whiterun.
"Anything we should be on the lookout for?" I asked.
"Well, there's the occasional wolf pack or stray, but that's all I've ever had to deal with. Shouldn't be a problem for the likes of you. Other than that, watch your footing. In these wintry conditions, the stairs can be treacherous." He advised as I placed the bag upon my back.
"Thanks. I'll make sure these get delivered." I said.
"Be careful up there." Klimmek replied before heading to the Inn. As he did, we began the climb up.
"Can you imagine the Greybeards get some poor guy to walk all the way up to High Hrothgar to deliver them some food they're too lazy to fetch for themselves?" Sofia asked.
"Perhaps the Greybeards have gotten old and weary." Inigo said.
"But should he be getting paid at least? And the Greybeards can't even bother to do that as they just sit on their lazy backsides with whatever it is they do." Sofia responded. As we climbed up, we encountered various enemies such as frostbite spiders, wolves, and unfortunately a frost troll, which proved to be a tough enemy. Eventually, as night began to fall, we made it to the monostary of High Hrothgar. It was quite a sight. What made it even more impressive was the fact that it was built this high up. The ancient Nords must've put a lot of effort into building this as the rest of the ruins across Skyrim. Along the path we saw many tablets that told how the Way of the Voice came to be. But only one of them caught my attention. It said, "The Voice is worship; follow the inner path; speak only in true need." I pondered what it exactly meant.
"Well, we've made it here alive. This place looks huge. I would hate to be one of the Nords who built it on the highest mountain of Skyrim of all places."
"It was quite a climb wasn't it? Maybe we should just slide back down." Inigo stated.
"If we did that, there might be a chance we would get impaled on a rock or a tree." I stated as we climbed up the old stone stairs to the bronze doors.
"Congratulations feet, you did it! You too feet, you performed well." Inigo said to himself as we entered the monostary. We looked around and the place seemed to be quiet as any place can possibly bet. I had an almost-certain feeling it was abandoned. "Hello?" I asked as we walked further into the building. As we did, we saw four figures walk out from different rooms of the monostary to greet us. They were dressed in old fabric hooded robes, which looked like they were worn by many and passed down from generation to generation. They soon came to a stop, lining up in a group of four across from us. The room filled with silence once again, as the only sound that was heard was the faint wind from outside the walls. One of the hooded individuals stepped forward towards me and spoke, "So... a Dragonborn finally appears, at this very moment in the turning of the age."
"You call me Dragonborn, but I fail to understand what it means." I replied, using the best of my linguistic skills.
"First, let us see if you truly are Dragonborn. Let us taste of your Voice." The old fellow said.
"Are you sure about that?" I asked, feeling puzzled at the request.
"Do not be afraid. Your Shout will not harm us. Strike us with the power of your Voice." He commanded.
"Alright then." I replied, trusting his word. Attempting to imitate what I spiritually felt after absorbing the Dragon Soul, I took an inhale. There it was, the need for that word to escape my lips, to unleash it upon my targets. I focused my ocular aim, and then with a mighty exhale, I shouted, "Fus!". The air became rippled once again as my shout made its way across the room, hitting the Greybeards. Fortunately, they were still standing. The old fellow smiled in satisfaction. "Dragonborn, it is truly you after all. We welcome you to High Hroghtar. My name is Master Angier. It is I who speak for the Greybeards."
"My name is Adonis K'hotei, but you may call me Don. Who are the Greybeards, what do they do here, and why High Hrothgar of all places in Skyrim?" I asked.
"It is we who are the Greybeards, followers of the Way of the Voice. You stand in High Hrothgar, on the slopes of Kynareth's sacred mountain. Here we commune with the voice of the sky, and strive to achieve balance between our inner and outer selves." Angier answered. "Who are these two that stand behind you?"
"Friends of mine. Inigo and Sofia. I doubt I would've learned I was Dragonborn without their help. I'm sure they'll do nothing to deface this sanctuary."
"Very well. They're welcome too. Now tell me Dragonborn. Why did you answer our summons?" Angier questioned. I began to ponder the meaning of that for some moments before I realized I hadn't the faintest idea. "I wish to pursue the knowledge of what it means to be Dragonborn." I said.
"We are here to guide you in that pursuit, just as the Greybeards have sought to guide those of the Dragon Blood that came before you."
"You're telling me I'm not the only Dragonborn?"
"You are not the first. There have been many of the Dragon Blood since Akatosh first bestowed that gift upon mortalkind. Whether you are the only Dragonborn of this age... that is not ours to know. You are the only one that has been revealed thus far. That is all I can say."
"I must ask, if you seek to guide me in the path of the Dragon Blood, what destiny awaits me?"
"That is for you to discover. We can show you the Way, but not your destination."
"Alright. If it's not too much trouble, I am ready to train with you. I hope my friends are allowed to witness."
"They are, as long as they respect our traditions. As for you, you have shown that you are Dragonborn. You have the inborn gift. But do you have the discipline and temperament to follow the path laid out for you? That remains to be seen. Now, about your training, you have already taken the first steps towards projecting your Voice into a Thu'um, a shout. Now let us see if you are willing and able to learn. When you shout, you speak in the language of dragons. Thus, your Dragon Blood gives you an inborn ability to learn Words of Power. All Shouts are made up of three Words of Power. As you master each Word, your Shout will become progressively stronger. Master Einarth will now teach you "Ro," the second Word in Unrelenting Force. Ro means "Balance" in the dragon tongue. Combine it with Fus - "Force" - to focus your Thu'um more sharply."
Master Einarth aimed his lips towards the ground, and whispered that very word. No sooner did I see the inscription itself seemingly illuminate around the stone. As I focused my attention on it, I felt being drawn to it just like before at Bleak Falls Barrow. This time however, I didn't feel as lightheaded. I then heard the word of power inside my head, "Ro". Angier seemed pleased.
"You learn a new word like a master... you truly do have the gift. But learning a Word of Power is only the first step... you must unlock its meaning through constant practice in order to use it in a Shout. Well, that is how the rest of us learn Shouts. As Dragonborn, you can absorb a slain dragon's life force and knowledge directly. As part of your initiation, Master Einarth will allow you to tap into his understanding of "Ro."
Before my very eyes, the life force which seemed to that of a Dragon flowed from Einarth to me, just like from the Dragon at the Western Watchtower. I therefore made an educated guess that in order for me to gain the understanding of a word of power, I'd would have to gain the soul of a Dragon, or from someone who has a high understanding of the Way of the Voice. "Now let us see how quickly you can master your new Thu'um. Use your Unrelenting Force shout to strike the targets as they appear." Angier said.
"Fiik... Lo...Sah!" Borri said, making a spectral target appear before me. I then focused my consciousness onto my inner voice, which I vaguely felt pulsing from deep within my very being.
"Breath and focus Dragonborn." Angier advised. I began to wonder what he meant by that at first, before realizing that perhaps I didn't need to understand it at all. It simply was what it was, breath and focus, which I concluded was the key to achieving a shout. As soon as I did that, I felt the shout growing, expanding, wanting to erupt from my esophagus. "Fus…Ro!" I shouted. As the shout impacted the spectral figure, it seemed to disintegrate.
"Well done. Again." Angier said. We did the same tactic a few times over before I had won his approval.
"Impressive. Your Thu'um is precise. You show great promise, Dragonborn. We will perform your next trial in the courtyard. Follow Master Borri."He said before the rest of the Greybeards followed him out the doors, as did we.
"Those Greybeards are a strange bunch." Sofia said. "Imagine having to sit in silence all the time, I just couldn't do it. I struggle staying quiet for even a minute. What's the point of having all that power and not using it?"
"Perhaps they'll give us an explanation." Inigo said. "I wonder if I could ever grow an impressive beard."
"Don't you have enough hairs on you already?" I joked. Sofia chuckled as Inigo felt flustered. As we entered the courtyard, the sun had already descended. The night was still young, and so there was still time to train.
"We will now see how you learn a completely new Shout. Master Borri will teach you "Wuld," which means "Whirlwind." Angier said before Borri whispered the word onto the ground. Again, I heard the word pulsing from where it glowed like fire.
"You must hear the word within yourself before you can project it into a Thu'um. Approach Master Borri and he will gift you his knowledge of "Wuld." Angier said, before Borri passed on his life force onto me.
Now we will see how quickly you can master a new Shout. Master Wulfgar will demonstrate Whirlwind Sprint. Then it will be your turn. Master Borri."
"Bex!" Borri said, before opening the gate. All of a sudden, Wulfgar shouted Whirlwind Sprint which to my very eyes gave him the ability to move faster than a Bloodthirsty Sabercat. I blinked, as I had a hard time believing at first that an elderly man such as Wulfgar could achieve such a feat. "Now it is your turn." Angier said. "Stand next to me. Master Borri will open the gate. Use your Whirlwind Sprint to pass through before it closes." I nodded, doing so before Borri announced in the Dragon Tongue and opened the gate. Seeing how I was against time on this trial, I had to be quick to focus on the Thu'um. As quick as lightning, the word seemed to fly from my mouth as I took off at the speed of a hawk diving on its prey, "Wuld!". Before I knew it, I was on the other side of the gate in an instant. I smiled in a gesture of self-confidence before walking back to Angier. "Your quick mastery of a new Thu'um is... astonishing. I'd heard the stories of the abilities of Dragonborn, but to see it for myself..." He expressed, pausing between words.
"Honestly, I don't know how I even did it." I said, looking down at my own two hands, pondering what else I could achieve with the voice. "It just happens."
"You were given this gift by the gods for a reason. It is up to you to figure out how to best use it." He said.
"Now then, about that question earlier. What does it mean to be Dragonborn?"
"Dragons have the inborn ability to learn and project their Voice. Dragons also are able to absorb the power of their slain brethren. A few mortals are born with similar abilities - whether a gift or a curse has been a matter of debate down through the centuries. What you have already learned in a few days took even the most gifted of us years to achieve. Some believe that Dragonborn are sent into the world by the gods, at times of great need. We will speak more of that later, when you are ready."
"When I am ready?" I asked, before looking at the other Greybeards who attended the training. "Why don't the others talk as much?"
"Their voices are too powerful for anyone not trained in the Way to withstand. Even a whisper could kill you."
"Sounds pretty overpowered if you ask me." Sofia commented.
"Power is a dangerous tool if misused, as is the Way of the Voice. This lesson had not been learned more greatly by anyone than our founder, Jurgen Windcaller." Angier replied.
"Who was he? He sounds like the spiritual type." Inigo said.
"He wasn't always the Grandmaster we know of today. He was once an astounding war leader of the ancient Nords, a master of the Voice. After the disaster at Red Mountain, the Nord army was annihilated. He spent many years pondering the meaning of that terrible defeat, and eventually came to realize that the gods had punished the Nords for their arrogant and blasphemous misuse of the Voice. He was the first to understand that the Voice should be used solely for the glory of the gods, not the glory of men. Jurgen Windcaller's mastery of the Thu'um eventually overcame all opposition, and the Way of the Voice was born."
"The Way of the voice, the Dragon Blood…" I said as I paused on what to say next, thinking about how this was all happening so simultaneously as if weaved by a godly hand. "How do I fit into all of this? Does the return of the Dragons have something to do with me?"
"No doubt." Angier said. "The appearance of a Dragonborn at this time is not an accident. Your destiny is surely bound up with the return of the dragons. You should focus on honing your Voice, and soon your path will be made clear."
"Then I shall continue my training along my travels master." I said, feeling a sense of dedication, something I hadn't felt in a long time.
"Good. Then you will be ready for whatever lies ahead. Come see us when we summon you once more. Your final trial shall be awaiting." Angier said before walking back into the Monastery. Sofia in the meantime was standing near an iron firepit to keep herself warm. Despite her being a Nord, Inigo on the other hand seemed content with the cold. "Hmm…Unrelenting Force, tallest mountain in Skyrim. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Sofia asked.
"What is it?" I asked, feeling skeptical towards what she had in mind.
"We should fetch our good friend Lydia and show her the view, and at the same time show her your new shout. If she accidentally fell, I suppose it's no big loss."
"Are you seriously suggesting…?" I asked, wondering what else brought that up in her mind.
"What? Don't give me that look." Sofia said.
"The Greybeards have taught you well, you're a quick learner Don. You are now louder and faster than ever."
"Thanks. I appreciate it." I said before yawning. "I suppose it's time we head back down. We can stay at the Vilemyr Inn in Ivarsted."
"Who's going to pay for it?" Sofia asked.
"I'll do it." I said.
"For all three of us?" Inigo asked as we made our way into the Monastery.
"Sure, why not. You didn't have to come with me all this way, yet you did. I'm sure I can return the favor somehow."
"Really? Gee…thanks I suppose." Sofia said, hearing a slight tone of coyness. We headed back out the doors of High Hrothgar and back down the steps, tired, weary, and looking forward to having a long rest.