Dragonborn part 3

With the day nearing its end the Northern Maiden came in sight of the Island of Solstheim. Tarrion stood on the bow of the ship and saw the island in the distance.

From where he stood he saw glimpses of something like a wall, built high, and he saw a few dome-like buildings. Two small masts from small boats were barely visible against the rocky mountains, and a few smoke plumes indicated that people were trying to stay warm in their homes.

On the right side of the town, Tarrion saw only endless ash lands, the further he looked, the lower the terrain became. A few dead looking trees brought only a little variety in the dead landscape.

On the other side of the town, the terrain went up, till it turned into mountains with snow-covered peaks. A few pines were visible on the slopes and on the far side of the town, but it mostly looked dead and desolate.

"This is Solstheim?" a voice said behind him and Serana came standing next to him. "This whole place looks… well, dead."

"Mhm…" Tarrion nodded. "It used to be a place of beauty… but that was taken away, by that..." and he pointed to the far south.

There, in the distance, just beyond the horizon, they could see the peak of Red Mountain, still smoking.

"When Vvardenfell erupted, the blast was felt here. For days the ash landed on this island, and now the entire southern part of it is covered in ash."

Serana looked at him.

"I read about it," he shrugged. "It once belonged to Skyrim, but after the disaster, the High King gave it to the Dark Elves, since Vvardenfell was practically uninhabitable. Now it is part of Morrowind."

As the ship neared the port captain Gjalund walked up to the two. When Serana looked at him, he quickly averted his eyes and faced Tarrion, only looking at Serana from the corner of his eyes.

"So… here we are. This is the town of Raven Rock. Can't say I am all that glad to see it again. I eh…. I guess I wish you good luck. Maybe you can put a stop to whatever is going on over here."

He guided the ship into the harbour and Serana saw a Dark Elf with black hair and a noble's clothing standing on the edge of the dock. She saw he had his eyes closed, almost like he was meditating.

But as soon as they made port, she saw that he was not meditating at all… he was about to fall asleep.

"Ah, Gjalund we… we almost though you… would not return," the Elf said. He talked slow, and yawned every few moments.

"I almost didn't, Adril… but I was… convinced by these two to go anyway," and he made a quick nod to Tarrion and Serana.

The Elf turned to them and looked at them with heavy eyes, and Tarrion thought that we was two seconds away from falling asleep.

"You two… I do…do not recognize you. I assume this is your fist time to Ra- Raven Rock… what is your business here?"

"We are looking for someone named Miraak," Tarrion said and he stepped forward. "Do you know someone like that?"

The Elf made two nods, but they were not an answer, only a sign of his fatigue. "Miraak?... no… I don't think I do."

"Sir…" Serana asked and she looked at the Elf. "are you alright?"

"I'm tired, lady. But please remember, both of you… This is Morrowind, not… not Skyrim. This is sovereign territory of ho.. house Redoran. You will have to abide by our laws…" and after another huge yawn he added. "Any questions?"

Tarrion decided to shoot the moon. "Are you sure you have never heard of Miraak?"

Adril slowly shook his head. "No… I don't think so… but please, let us sit somewhere. I feel like I can fall off the pier any second."

They followed the Elf and entered the town of Raven Rock. They quickly saw that Adril was not the only one who seemed to suffer from sleepless nights. Wherever Tarrion and Serana looked they saw citizens and guards walk past, but each of them had their head down, arms hanging down and with small slouching steps.

"Is everyone here… drunk?" Serana asked.

"Hmm…. No, lady…" Adril said after another yawn. "We're all just very, very tired. None of us have slept well in the last few weeks… It's been almost… two months now."

"Why?"

"Hmm…" Adril shook his head. "Let's go inside… I need to sit down."

They entered a large, dome-shaped building and a small sign was built next to the entrance. 'The Resting Netch'.

Inside they entered a small hall, with a large staircase that led downstairs to a large hall with a bar and about a dozen tables with chairs. It was clearly an inn, and a few hallways lead to separate rooms for patrons to stay in.

It seemed all of the town had fallen on hard time, as there were only a handful people present. The bartender absently cleaned a mug and stared at the counter with his eyes half closed.

"Morning, Second Councillor."

Adril did not say anything, but only nodded. He lead Tarrion and Serana to a table on the far side of the hall and fell into a chair.

"I must ask you… what brings you here? Why are you looking for this… Miraak?"

"He tried to kill us," Tarrion answered. "I met his cultists that claim that he is the true Dragonborn, which I find unlikely."

"How so?" Adril asked with a yawn.

"Because I am the Dragonborn."

Adril did not move, and did not even seem a little astounded by this. "I would stand up and shake your hand… but I am too tired to do so."

"Why is that?" Serana asked. "You said that for the last two months no-one has slept well here… what is going on here?"

"I'd like to know that myself too, lady," Adril answered and he started to explain what has happened… although he was frequently interrupted by large yawns.

"It started about two months ago… some of the townsmen started sleepwalking and left town to the Earth Stone… on the other side of the bay. A few tried to wake them… which succeeded, but the next night they too started sleepwalking. Now… every night… something calls us out to the Earth Stone, and there we start to labour on… something there. We are building a structure around it."

"Why are you doing that?" Tarrion asked, but the Elf shook his head.

"We have…. No idea. We are sleepwalking as we do it. We do not rest until the morning, and by then our bodies are exhausted. We just want to sleep again… but after a short while, we started sleepwalking again. And now… every time we fall asleep, we start sleepwalking to the Earth Stone and continue building that structure… day or night does not matter anymore. Some have started following us and they hear us chanting a rhyme."

"What rhyme is that?"

Adril took a deep breath… or yawn.. and said;

"Here is his shrine

That they have forgotten

Here do we toil

That we might remember

By night we reclaim

What by day was stolen

Far from ourselves

He grows ever near to us

Our eyes once were blinded

Now through him do we see

Our hands once were idle

Now through them does he speak

And when the world shall listen

And when the world shall see

And when the world remembers

That world shall cease to be."

As Adril spoke Tarrion felt himself shiver and the hair in his neck stood upright. Adril felt the same and he shivered and seemed uneasy.

"This has happened every time we go to sleep… first only at night, but now all the time. We cannot rest properly… our supplies run dry… we cannot go out to hunt because of the Ash Spawn, and our guards are too tired to protect us. We fear that we will soon die of exhaustion."

He looked up at Tarrion, and Tarrion saw a desperate look of pleading in his eyes… a look he had seen many times before. "Please… if you're the Dragonborn, maybe… maybe you can help us."

After Tarrion paid for a room and asked the innkeeper to take his supplies from the Northern Maiden and bring them to his room, did the two leave the Resting Netch and walked toward the end of the town. The tide of the ocean caused the waves to crash on the beaches and a few gulls sung their song as the sun was climbing further down.

"Are you alright?"

Serana looked up and saw Tarrion looking at her with concern in his eyes. "Me? I'm fine… no need to worry about me."

The tone of her voice was frustrated and she picked up a rock and threw it in the waves. She walked away from the town, toward the other end of the bay, where in the distance they saw a soft, green light coming from a strange structure.

"What is it?" Tarrion asked and he took her hand.

"Nothing, I…" and she sighed. "I'm just annoyed by the fact that you are again asked to help an entire town."

Tarrion furrowed his brow. "You don't want me to help these people?"

"No… not that… I'm just annoyed that it happens 'again'. This is not the first time trouble has found us, Tarrion…. I don't mind helping others… in fact I love that part about you," and she gave him a slight smile. "But, even during the times when we live peacefully in our home, I can never be sure if the day stays calm, or that a courier shows up with a request from one of the Jarls… or the Companions or the College. You are an important man, and I wouldn't want you to be anything else… but just the fact that so many people often ask you for help… it prevents me from feeling a calm, a time without worrying that something can happen any moment."

"So.. would you ask of me that I call off any and all responsibilities for a while… and devote my time to only you?"

Serana did not say 'yes', but neither did she shake her head. "I.. I'm unsure. Our lives are nothing if not exiting… we are never bored, and I don't want us to ever be bored…. But just a vacation, or something like that, would be nice."

She carefully smiled at him and he looked out over the open ocean as they walked further away, toward the end of the bay.

After an hour of walking they arrived at the Earth Stone, and it reminded Tarrion of the Standing Stones of Skyrim. A single pillar, seemingly formed from rock, stood up in the middle of the ashy grounds. A small area, almost like a basin to hold water, was made around it, but it stood dry and empty. Glyphs and runes and imagery were made on the stone, yet they were in a language that neither of them had ever seen before, yet they felt ancient.

All around the stone they saw pieces of rubble and stones hewn into a rough shape. A structure was already made around the stone, yet it was unfinished… and half a dozen men and women were walking around with pickaxes and hammers and chisels, and each of them recited the lines that Adril had told Tarrion and Serana.

"You there…"

A Dunmer walked up to the two, and they saw that he was not in a trance like the others. He wore red and yellow robes, like a wizard. His skin was grey, his eyes were old and sunken and he had a short, black goatee.

"You don't seem to be I the same state as all the others here, quite fascinating. Might I ask what it is you're doing here?"

He spoke with a posh accent, like he was a wealthy man, and judging by the three rings on his fingers, he likely was.

"Who are you?" Serana asked.

"Hmm…" the man mumbled as he curled his goatee around his finger. "Where I come from we first introduce ourselves before asking someone else… but very well. I am Neloth, a Master Wizard of the House Telvanni. Now who are you, and what are you seeking here?"

"I am Tarrion… this is Serana… we come from Skyrim and we are looking for someone named Miraak."

"Miraak, you say?" Neloth asked and he kept curling his goatee. "Hmm… I can't say I.. Yes!... I do know of someone who was named Miraak… but that makes very little sense… Miraak has been dead for thousands of years."

"Dead?" Serana asked surprised.

"Yes, that is what I said, girl. I don't know what this could mean, but it is quite fascinating isn't it? Perhaps it has some relation to whatever is going on here and what these people are working on… I can't wait to see the end result."

Neloth looked at the structure that the people were building as they were chanting.

"You haven't tried to stop this?" Tarrion asked.

Neloth looked at him like he had gone mad. "Stop this? Goodness, no. That would interfere with whatever is going on, and I wouldn't be able to see the end result! You clearly are not an academic, are you?"

"These people work here against their will," Serana said loudly and she took a step toward the Elf. "You don't even want to try and help them?"

"To what end, little girl?" Neloth asked with one eyebrow raised. "From what I gather they return here as soon as they fall asleep again. So why bother?… plus I am sure they will forgive me once I have found out what this structure is."

Tarrion saw that Neloth was clearly not concerned with anyone other than himself, and he decided to change the subject. "So, do you know anything else about this Miraak?"

"Hmmm, maybe. There is this temple on the island, dedicated to Miraak? Or maybe built by this Miraak. I cannot be sure of that, I have never been there myself. If you plan on visiting that place… it lies near the southern-most peak. You'll notice it when you near it."

Serana and Tarrion left Neloth to observe the working men and women. They knew that Neloth was right in saying that the people could not be helped right now… not until they could find a way to break the hold that… whatever it is… has on these people.

The two returned to Raven Rock, and with the sun setting, they went to their room in the Resting Netch. Adril was nowhere to be found, and the Innkeep was still trying to clean the same mug.

"This place is giving me the creeps."

Serana removed her cloak and sat down on one of the chairs. "Something is seriously wrong here. I agree with you now… this is no ordinary mage or bandit."

Tarrion nodded and thought about what Neloth had said. 'Miraak has been dead for thousands of years.'

"Do you remember what that book said? 'The Guardian and the Traitor'?"

Serana nodded.

"I think that book might be relevant after all. This Neloth said that Miraak has been dead for thousands of years, right? That book spoke of a Dragon Priest who turned against his masters, thousands of years ago, and who was banished… many believe him to be still alive. We are looking for Miraak and I am fairly sure Dragon Priests are involved. What if this Miraak is the 'Traitor' from that book?"

"I have thought about that too," Serana nodded. "It is unlikely, yet it, unsettling enough, makes sense. The book also spoke of a 'dark influence'. What if that dark influence is what we see here. People losing their minds and go and create these structure around these Stones?"

"Yes, but a Dragon Priest controlling the minds of the people? That is unlike anything I have ever heard of."

With both unable to go any futher with the information they had, they both went to bed. Serana fell asleep quite quickly, yet Tarrion's mind kept trying to think of something they overlooked, until he found his eyes closing and he too fell asleep.

In the middle of the night Serana woke up. She opened her eyes and saw that she was alone, but from the corner of her eyes she saw the door move and someone just left the room.

"What the-.." she mumbled to herself and she quickly grabbed her tunic to cover herself and exited the room. She saw Tarrion walking toward the main hall.

"Tarrion? What are you doing?"

But he ignored her and turned around the corner.

"Tarrion?" she called out to him a bit louder, and she quickly ran after him.

She walked next to him and saw that his eyes were closed. His movement was slow and hazy, and he muttered words to himself, and those words terrified her for it was not Tarrion's voice she heard.

"Ahh… a new slave for me to control. Good, you will only hasten my return."

"Tarrion… wake up."

"I must say… I am disappointed. You seem strong… stronger than anyone here on the island. I thought your mind would be more difficult to break…"

"Tarrion! Wake up!"

"It does not matter…. Soon I will return, and all the world shall know it."

"TARRION!" Serana shouted and she knocked him hard on his head.

He fell backwards and opened his eyes to a terrified Serana standing over him.

"Wha-… What is it?" he asked with a yawn. It was only then that he saw he was no in his room anymore. "What? Where are we? What happened?"

"You were sleepwalking."

Serana's voice trembled and her eyes were wide open Tarrion saw how she was clearly terrified and he pushed himself on his feet. "Ugh… what happened?"

"You were sleepwalking!" Serana repeated. "I woke up when you left the bed and you were muttering to yourself. But it was not your voice… I had to knock you on your head to wake you."

"So that is why my head hurts," Tarrion joked and he rubbed his head. But Serana still had a terrified look on her face. "I'm sorry Serana… I don't remember a thing. I just remember going to sleep… and then this."

Serana brought him back to their room and kept a close eye on him.

The next day the two left Raven Rock and journeyed inland. The city quickly disappeared behind them and they were both given masks to protect their mouths and noses.

"Why do we need these?" Serana had asked.

"The southern parts of the island are covered with volcanic ash," Adril had explained. "The wind can sweep this up to create ash-storms… you will need these to cover yourself and continue to walk through them."

For a few miles, the wind had not blown very hard, but the further they walked, the harder the wind started blowing and the ash rose up and the two quickly put their masks on.

After a few hours of walking, and little to no talking, the terrain started to go up and the ash-storms died down, and the terrain became a little bit more lush. Pine trees gave cover from the sun and green grass covered many areas of the ground. Small amounts of flowers were visible around the roots of the trees and ahead the terrain started to go further upward, toward the higher areas with eternal snow.

With the terrain changing, Serana's mood changed a bit as well, and she forgot about what happened the night before. She looked around and saw how the terrain was no different from the terrain in Skyrim, and she started to feel a bit more at ease.

Tarrion on the other hand, looked around with suspicion, unsure what he could expect. The terrain, the foliage… everything seemed hostile to him. If a Dragon Priest could control the minds of the people, he had to be careful. Who knows what else could be under its influence.

As they continued walking up the mountain, the sun started to climb down again. They had walked for almost a full day now, taking only a few breaks, and the snow became more frequent until the ground was covered with a thick layer of white. The rocky hills turned into mountains and a soft but cold breeze blew up the snow, turning their hair white.

Serana noticed how Tarrion was lost in thought, and she knew he would not snap out of it easily… but she had an idea how to get his attention.

As Tarrion continued to be lost in thought, he instinctively followed the path that lead up into the mountains, not knowing if it would lead in the right direction.

"Haaa!"

He gasped for air as he felt an icy cold fall down his neck and spine. The snow fell like powder down his armour, and his muscles contracted when he turned around. Serana stood behind him with her hands covered in snow and a smile on her face. For two seconds he stared at her, and she only smiled back. Then he ducked and grabbed a large amount of snow and threw it at her.

The snowball fight lasted only for a minute but both of them were covered in white after a few seconds. Serana threw a snowball right against his forehead and he pushed a handful of snow in her neck.

They laughed and gasped for air as the cold of the snow fell on their skin, until Serana jumped him and they both rolled down the hill, until Tarrion was pinned down and smothered with a kiss.

As she cupped his face, he ran his hands over her back and rolled on top of her. He pulled back and smiled at her. "Thank you."

"You're brooding too much. It turns your hair grey."

"I have reason enough to be this way."

"Luckily you have me to let you smile from time to time."

He chuckled, but she saw how his smile suddenly disappeared and his eyes looked at something a few metres away. She turned her head and saw what he looked at.

A skull was half-buried in the snow… and it was not a human skull, but a Dragon skull. The lower jaw was invisible under the snow, except for two large teeth peaking just from all the white. A few metres away from the head, they saw parts of the wing bones, half covered with more snow.

He helped her on her feet and looked at the dead Dragon and Serana neared it. She had seen a dead Dragon before but not one this close. It still had a terrifying sense of power and awe, and despite that it had lost its life, it had not lost its majesty.

"By the gods…" Tarrion whispered and when Serana turned her head and saw the same as him, her mouth fell open and the cold, alpine air filled her lungs.

They found a wide path between two mountainous ridges that lead to a large and weathered building far above them. They could see a few large pillars marking the path, but everywhere they looked they saw the bones of dead Dragons. They lay everywhere… some were cracked, other's completely intact. The skulls were missing on some, and other had lost their wings. On some Tarrion could see wounds that were inflicted by weapons… others by spells, but all were brutal… like a massive battle had taken place her, a battle between Dragons and something that could withstand an onslaught of many.

"By the Blood," Serana whispered in awe. "That is a lot of dead dragons."

The path lead them further upward and before long Tarrion was not sure if the ground was white with snow, or the bones of Dragons. It looked like it was a cemetery… a graveyard for Dragons, but there were still signs of battle. Massive, cracked pillars and broken towers were built on either side of the path, and large and roughly hewn steps formed a massive staircase that lead further up the mountain.

"What happened here?" Serana asked. "What killed all these dragons? You think it was a Dragon Priest?"

Tarrion shook his head. "No… impossible. Not a Dragon Priest… not twenty of them… not a hundred. They are powerful, but not this powerful."

"Then what could have done this?" Serana asked again. "I mean… who beside you has the power to take on Dragons… and this many?"

They both stopped when Serana said those words and looked at each other. They both thought the same thing.

The True Dragonborn comes… You are but his shadow…

=End of Chapter=

=Author's Notes=

Dead Dragons… dead Dragons everywhere. The ground is littered with them. The game shows like five of them, yet I always imagined there to be dozens of them.

Anyway… I hope you liked it.. the story has not progressed as much as I thought it would… but, as I said, this Arc offers so much opportunity. I will add tons more to this DLC… it hasn't even scratched the surface of what it could be.

Also: To the people pointing out that Solstheim lies north of Morrowind and not Valenwood... i wanted to write Vvardenfell, yet that somehow became Valenwood. I'd excuse this as a typo, but i don't think i can. :)

But school starts again for me. I have to continue my education again, so I will not have as much time for writing. I'll see to it to return to this story on occasion, but I have to devote most of my time to school… something I really need to tell myself every day.

Until next time… when we will enter Miraak's Temple and discover of what this really is about.

Till then, N'wahs!