Dragonborn part 7

-Apocrypha-

Tarrion made his way through the unending maze and pathways of Apocrypha. The ground was littered with books and torn-out pages and scrolls beyond count. He had received a welcome from the Master of this place; Hermaeus Mora himself. The Daedric Prince of Fate and Knowledge.

Tarrion had dealt with a few Daedric Princes in the past, and he had learned to avoid them, yet now it seemed his path would again cross one of them, and Hermaeus Mora clearly remembered him.

As he made his way over the bridges and pathways of one of the Daedric Realms he could see on occasion a grotesque eyeball appearing and disappearing in the sky. He was being watched. The road led him upward to higher areas and after a while he arrived at a strange pedestal with a large Black Book.

… careful before….

… too late…. Will not leave….

He could hear voices echoing from the book, yet they did not seem to come from this place. He did not know where they came from, but he had no time to ask. A large mass of tentacles and numerous eyes appeared in front of him and although he could not see a mouth, he knew that Hermaeus Mora was smiling.

"Hmmm….. You thought to reject me…. And yet…. Here you are. This is Apocrypha, where all knowledge is hoarded."

Tarrion still held his sword in his hand and he had no intention of sheathing it. It would help little against one of the Daedric Princes, yet he held it anyway… out of defiance to this being.

"What do you want this time?"

"Hmmm…. It is not what I want that brought you here… but what you seek. And just like Miraak did eons ago…. Your journey in search of knowledge has lead you here to my realm… as I knew it would. And just like Miraak… you are Dragonborn… a Seeker of knowledge and of power."

"I did not come here to learn Miraak's secrets, Hermaeus," Tarrion said with clenched teeth. "I am only here to put an end to him."

"Hmmm… and just like before… you fail to realize that the one is the other. And for that… you'll need my help. You can spend a thousand lifetimes here, and you will still never find the secrets you need. So…. You will serve me, willing or not."

-Solstheim-

"Barricade the door!"

Frea shouted and started grabbing and pushing anything she could find to block the large metal door. The roars had become louder and all three knew that a Dragon was approaching, and each of them knew it was no coincidence.

"A Dragon… how exiting," Neloth said happily and he started curling his goatee again. "We might be able to subdue him and I can run a few tests on him."

"Dammit old man! Help me push these rocks or cast a spell on the door… or something!"

Frea seemed to be in a panic now that she had to face a Dragon without Tarrion. She had seen how he was able to bring down the Dragon at Searing's Watch, while her attacks barely grazed the beast. Now Tarrion was in some far-off world and she had no idea how to bring the beast down.

Serana stayed calmer that her. She had faced a few Dragons with Tarrion, like Durnehviir, and she knew a few weaknesses by now… yet deep down she did feel a hint of nervousness. A Dragon was not to be trifled with and without Tarrion, it would be difficult at minimum. She looked at his transparent body kneeling motionless on the floor.

"Please, Tarrion. Whatever it is you're doing, hurry."

-Apocrypha-

"I know what it is you want. To use your power as Dragonborn to bend the world to your will."

Tarrion wanted to protest to this accusation, but before he could his mind was filled with a sudden burst of knowledge and a new Word echoed through his head.

HAD

"Here then is the knowledge you need, although you did not know you needed it. The second Word of Power. Use it to bend the wills of mortals to your purpose. But… this is not enough. Miraak knows the final Word of Power… and without that, you cannot hope to surpass him."

Tarrion noticed how suddenly all the different eyes aimed at him, like Hermaeus Mora's full attention was now directed at him.

"Miraak served me well and he was…. Rewarded. I can grant you the same power that he wields, but like all things… knowledge has its price."

Tarrion could guess what it was and he saw a few of the eyes that were looking at him make a move that seemed like a nod.

"Indeed, mortal. 'Knowledge for knowledge'. The Skaal have withheld their secrets from me for many long years. The time has come for this knowledge to be added to my library."

"I doubt the Skaal are willing to give this up to you, Hermaeus," Tarrion answered bitterly. "If they have withheld this from you for so long, why would they give it up now?"

"Times change, mortal. And even the Skaal know that all things must change eventually. Miraak has forced their hand, and so will you… if it is your wish to surpass him."

"I do not want to surpass Miraak… I want him dead!"

"The one is the other," was the simple answer. "Send the Skaal shaman to me. He holds the secrets that will be mine."

"And what if they refuse?"

Tarrion could now hear a slight annoyance in Hermaeus Mora's voice. "My servant Miraak would have found a way… and I am sure you will too."

The large Black Book in front of Tarrion gave a slight pulse, indicating that if Tarrion would read it, it would take him back to the real world. He gave the mass of eyes and tentacles a last angry gaze and opened the book.

"Not so fast," and the Book slammed itself shut.

Tarrion looked up and now he knew that Hermaeus Mora was smiling to himself. "What is it?"

"I have another proposition for you…. One I am sure you will find… hmmm, interesting."

-Solstheim-

Serana felt the heat that now came from the door. The room was shaking and the roars from outside had become deafening. The Dragon had landed outside and now tried to break down the door and its fiery breath slowly started to break through the door. A slight crack was already visible and a few flames pierced through the open area.

"Dammit… we can't stay here forever!" Frea shouted. "We will have to retreat to the lower levels."

"Speak for yourself," Serana said to her and she stood between the door and Tarrion's body. "I am not leaving him."

It was clear that Frea wanted to speak against it, but Serana's eyes were now so fierce it would seem her gaze alone could kill.

"Hi nis filok!"

The Dragon taunted them and Frea's face became pale when she heard the words. She could not understand them but she felt the power that came from the Dragons mouth and it terrified her.

"Zu'u fen ni ru!"

For a few seconds it was silent outside after Serana spoke those words and both Frea and Neloth looked at her with something that almost looked like awe. But behind the door the Dragon started laughing and it rammed its tail against the door. The metal warped and daylight now shone through the newly formed hole.

YOOR TOOR SHUL

A massive stream of fire burst into the room and Neloth conjured a powerful ward to protect himself and all behind him. Serana fired a few powerful Ice spells through the door, yet she could hear them break and shatter against the hard scales. Another laugh came from the Dragon and its head rammed itself through the opening. Quicker than the Dragon could react Frea circled around the ward and using the rocks she launched herself toward the head. The Dragon roared in pain when her axe rammed itself against its neck and it quickly pulled back.

"NOW!" Frea shouted and for once Serana agreed with her. Rushing after her she jumped into the open air.

The Dragon had left a trail of blood on the ruins outside and everywhere they looked the ground was blackened and scorched. The blood trail ended suddenly and they knew that it had taken to the skies again. A roar rent the sky apart again and the Dragon appeared behind them and landed on the roof of the tower.

"When Miraak returns, all will bow to him," and it breathed fire again.

Yet this time it also howled in pain. Serana could see the blood still dripping from its neck and she saw that Frea had severed an artery near its throat.

'Good,' she thought to herself and ducking away from another Shout she fired a powerful Ice Spell at the wound. It hit its mark and the Dragon roared in pain again. Neloth had also climbed out of the tower ruins and saw what she was doing, and immediately fired a Thunderbolt at the wound.

"Well spotted, girl," he said happily.

The combined effort of both Serana and Neloth were able to force the Dragon to land. It knew it could not Shout again without ripping its own throat apart, and it saw that it was outnumbered. Frea ducked under its jaws and sliced the beast again, after which both Neloth and Serana fired a flurry of spells at the wound and not long after the Dragon roared again and fell dead on the ground.

Still in awe of their kill both women neared the dead Dragon and Frea panted. Her armour was damaged and blood stained her hair. The Dragon's corpse started to glow and it then burst into flames, and for a moment Serana thought that Tarrion was standing behind her. But when she turned around she only saw the shade of Miraak…. Smiling at her.

"It seems I have underestimated you, Daughter of Coldharbour."

Serana did not respond but Frea looked at her in surprise. "Daughter of what?"

"Interesting though," Miraak continued. "That someone would give his heart to such a monster. Or is he just using you for your body? Or maybe it is the other way around."

Serana gritted her teeth and her hands were freezing with Ice magic she wanted to fire at him.

Miraak chuckled and with one hand raised he absorbed the soul of the Dragon. "A pity… such a good beast send to the slaughter. But he was hardly your first slaughter, was he?" and with another laugh he disappeared into the thin air.

Frea stood silent and even Neloth knew not to respond to the exchange. Serana ignored their stares and entered the tower where Tarrion had just returned.

"Wha-…. What happened here?"

Tarrion looked around at the destruction left by the Dragon, but when he saw Serana's face he stopped moving. He could see the anger and pain in her eyes as she stared at him.

"Tell me you're going to tear Miraak apart, limb from limb."

-Skaal Village-

Something was off… Serana knew this. At first she wat too angry to notice but after a while she started to see just how quiet Tarrion was. She gave him a few concerned gazes and he would smile at her, but she saw it was not a confident smile. He was trying to ease her mind, but it had not helped. Something had happened to him while he was in Apocrypha.

After Tarrion had returned to Solstheim they returned to Skaal village. Neloth had asked Tarrion a number of questions about the Book, yet Tarrion seemed to be lost in thought most of the time. The old wizard then returned to Tel Mythrin saying he should be able to locate more of these Black Books. Serana hoped that she would never see these accursed books ever again.

Frea had lead the way and something about her was different as well. When Miraak had mentioned that Serana was a 'Daughter of Coldharbour' Frea had asked what that meant, but Serana had refused to answer. Neloth seemed to know what it meant, but had said nothing… out of fear for Serana or for another reason. But now Frea walked ahead, also lost in thought.

Arriving at Skaal village they saw that everyone was up and about. People were tanning hides or carrying wood for fires. They saw one sitting on a large wooden block repairing his bow and in front of the great hall they saw a strong woman standing.

"Ah, Frea…. You return. What news is there?"

The woman was a bit taller than Frea and she had long brown hair. Her brown eyes were bright and pierced through the falling snow and her voice was strong.

"Fenari… yes we have returned from the Dwarven ruins," Frea answered and it was clear she was talking to her chieftain. "We have found another of these Books there and Tarrion has made it clear he needs to speak to my Father."

Fenari looked at Tarrion and Serana. "I cannot thank both of you enough. You have saved our people from darkness. Forgive me for not thanking you sooner… I found myself unable to stand after you freed us from the Dark Spell."

Both gave her a nod, but Tarrion did not smile at her. "We need to speak to Storn… it is urgent."

"He is in his hut," Fenari answered. "Meditating I think."

They found Storn in his hut drinking tea, and when the three companions entered he smiled.

"Ah… I see that you've returned safely, Frea."

"I have, Father. And it seems your wisdom is needed again."

"Of course," the old man said calmly. "What can I do to help."

Without asking Tarrion grabbed one of the chairs and sighed as he sat down. "I need to know the Secrets of the Skaal."

It was silent for a few moments. Storn froze when he heard those words and Serana looked at him like she did not understand. Frea on the other hand first was surprised, but then narrowed her eyes in anger.

"What?"

"I do not understand why you would ask this of me," Storn said slowly.

Tarrion sighed again and explained. "I read the Black Book at Nchardak. It took me to Apocrypha… the realm of Hermaeus Mora. He explained that Miraak was his servant, but he had grown 'restless'. He told me that I needed a Shout that would force even Dragons to obey my command. I learned the first Word already at Searings Watch, and he gave me the second Word. But the final Word…. He refused to give it… unless-.."

"… Unless you bring him the Secrets of the Skaal," Storn finished his sentence and he nodded.

"You don't sound surprised," Tarrion remarked when he saw no shock on Storn's face.

"We have many tales in which old Herma-Mora tries to trick us into giving up our secrets to him. He is our oldest enemy… and he has long sought the secrets which we have kept from him…. Much to his anger."

"Forgive me," Serana intruded. "but why would a Daedric Prince want to know your secrets? Unless they are dangerous or give Hermaeus more power…. Why would they be of any interest to him?"

And Storn chuckled, much to the surprise of Tarrion and Serana.. and to the frustration of Frea who needed to force herself to stay calm.

"You are right… our secrets are not dangerous or of great consequences if wildly known. They are simply ways of reading the earth. How to listen to the wind, how to understand the land and maintain the Oneness of it. But the one you call Hermaeus Mora…. We know him simply as Herma-Mora… the Demon of Knowledge. The value of our secrets means little to him, but the mere fact that we have kept this knowledge from him has angered him and has only increased his desire to have it."

A slight smirk was now clearly visible on Storn's face, who seemed almost proud that his people were able to outsmart a Daedric Lord.

"He said it was the only way of knowing the third Word of Power…" Tarrion said. "and the only way for me to defeat Miraak."

"And so, it falls to me to decide whether or not to finally give up our secrets… or to die with them."

"Is there no other way?" Serana asked and she looked at Tarrion, but he shook his head.

"If there is, I don't know of it."

"This is madness!"

Frea shouted the words as her anger boiled over. "You cannot ask us to give up what we have kept save for generations. The Skaal have been here since the All Maker gave Solstheim to us. We will not bow down just because you ask it of us!"

"I am not asking it," Tarrion answered calmer than Serana expected. "I am simply conveying the message; 'This is the bargain Herma-Mora offered'. There is no other. I bring the Secrets of the Skaal and in return he gives me the knowledge to…. Defeat Miraak," he concluded.

"Do you really think that we would be left alive? As soon as Herma-Mora has what he wants he will kill us all! We have no value to him if we give up our Secrets!"

"I do not think he will suddenly change that bargain."

"I'm not so sure about that, Tarrion," Serana intruded. "The Daedra are never friendly, and always work to serve their own interests. They don't care about morals. They are malicious all the time and cruel most of the time."

"True, but Hermaeus does not kill at random."

"How can you be su-…" but Frea stopped when she looked at him and her mind went rapid. "Unless….. you have met him before."

Tarrion did not look at her, but that alone told her enough. "You have?"

"I have read his Oghma Infinium," Tarrion answered calmly.

Serana was not surprised by this, since she knew already. Tarrion kept nothing from her and she knew that he also possessed the Dawnbreaker sword and Azura's Star, from the Daedric Princes Azura and Meridia. When Tarrion had told her she did not know what to think, but since Tarrion had locked them both away she saw no need to be angry about it. She knew he would not be influenced by any of the Daedra and these artefacts were claimed by him long before he had met her.

"What are you?" Frea asked in outrage. "An agent for the Daedra?"

"Be careful!" Tarrion answered sharply and looked Frea dead in her eyes. "I do not work for them, or represent them. I dislike the Daedra just as much as you… I just have the experience to know just how powerful and dangerous they are."

"That doesn't matter," Serana interrupted them. "We know what Hermaeus wants," and she looked at Storn who had his eyes closed in meditation. "The only question is… will we give it to him?"

All now looked at the old man who sighed when he opened his eyes.

"No."

Tarrion had hoped that Storn would see reason yet it seemed he would not, and he tried to reason with him.

"You have to understand… it is the on-…"

But Storn raised his hand and Tarrion stopped talking.

"I will not give him what he wants…. I cannot."

Storn walked to one of the windows that looked out over the village. He saw how the snow slowly fell down, covering the houses in a white blanket. All three saw that he looked old, but only now did he look tired and Frea came standing next to him.

"Father?"

Storn seemed to wake from a sort of trance and he turned around.

"The land is still corrupted. You have freed most of the All-Maker Stones, yet two still remain. The Tree Stone cannot be freed yet, but the Water Stone, north of Raven Rock settlement, is still corrupted."

"If I free the last Stone…. Will you reconsider?" Tarrion asked.

"No… there is more to this corruption. The Stones are conduits of this dark power… yet I sense that it comes from somewhere else on this island. Not the Temple… but from other places."

He seemed to think for a few moments before he looked up again. "Speak with Tharstan. He is not of the Skaal, but a Scholar from the Continent. He is here to learn about the history of Solstheim, and he might be able to help you with this. Ask him if he knows anything about Miraak before his fall… if not…. Ask him about an old tomb. He'll know what you mean."

Serana and Tarrion left the Shaman's hut and both thought about what Storn had said.

"It seems we're off for a wild goose-chase again," Serana remarked. "But this Tharstan… I know him. He was also under the influence of the Wind Stone before you freed it. I think the Skaal have given him a room in the Great Hall."

She turned around and saw Tarrion standing still, staring at the ground.

"Tarrion?... Tarrion!"

"Hmm? What? Sorry, I was…. Lost in thought."

"You have any ideas?"

"No… I… I don't think so. But, sorry. Where was this Tharstan?"

"Great Hall…. I think."

He nodded and walked toward the Great Hall with Serana looking at him with a slight suspicion in her eyes.

They found Tharstan sitting behind a small table frantically writing in his journal. He looked up when the two entered.

"Ah… I don't think I have ever thanked either of you properly."

He jumped up and walked toward the two and shook their hands. "Thank you for saving us from that mind-controlling spell. I am indebted to the both of you. If there is anything I can do to help… just let me know."

Tarrion looked at the old man. He was quite short for a Nord, and he had short grey hair and a short grey beard. His wrinkled face smiled at the two and his old, bony fingers still held the quill that he used to write.

"You might be able to help us with something, yes."

"Anything, my dear boy… anything."

"What do you know about Miraak? Before his fall, that is."

Tharstan's smile disappeared and he stroked his chin.

"Hmmm… that is a difficult question. I do have a book that could describe something about him, and I am fairly sure that it is actually Miraak that the book tells about. I have numerous notes on the history of Solstheim, I plan to write a book about it, yet most of it the developments of the last few decades or maybe the last two centuries. If I am to believe the legends, the story of Miraak is several millennia old."

"So you don't know where we might start looking?" Serana asked.

"Hmm, no… unless. Perhaps there is something here…."

Tharstan rushed to a large chest. When he opened it Tarrion saw a large number of scrolls and a pile of parchment… all of them had notes scribbled on them.

"Yes, I might have some-… no, not that one. You see last month, right before the first people started to be entranced by the Wind Stone, there was a small earthquake."

Tharstand continued to rummage through the papers and pulled an old book from the bottom of the chest.

"Aha! There you are," he said happily and he turned around. "That earthquake opened the entrance to an underground tomb. I visited it numerous times and I would be able to draw a map just from memory, I know it that well. I believe that tomb might be linked to Miraak."

"What makes you say that?" Tarrion asked.

"Because of this book," Tharstan answered and he handed the book over. Tarrion saw the title and saw it was the same book that Urag had send from the College of Winterhold.

The Guardian and the Traitor

"You see…" Tharstan continued. "This book describes a battle of immense proportions between two powerful rivals. The Guardian and his foe 'the Traitor'. This tells of a time when Dragons still ruled the world so it is an incredibly old story. But the legends of this Miraak are also millennia old… it might be the same character. This Miraak might have been 'the Traitor'."

"So what does it have to do with this old tomb?" Serana asked.

"Because of the Priest that was buried there. I found a few murals inside and was able to translate a name. 'Vahlok', and Vahlok, in Dovahzul, the language of the Dragons, means-.."

"Guardian."

Tharstan looked at Serana. "Yes… quite right. You know the Dragon Language?"

Serana looked at Tarrion and smiled. "I have a good teacher."

"Ah… yes, of course. What better teacher than the Dragonborn himself? Well… then I hope you understand why I think this tomb is important. Vahlok is the Guardian from this book… then who is the Traitor? We know that according to the legends Miraak turned against his masters, the Dragons. It would only make sense that he is the Traitor that Vahlok fought."

"And you think that we might find answers in this tomb?" Tarrion asked.

"I do. These ruins have been hidden for gods know how long. The earthquake happened only a month ago and those ruins have been unexplored by anyone. I have set foot in only the first few corridors, but I have been unable to go any further…. Not only out of fear of what might dwell there," he admitted.

Both Serana and Tarrion knew that this tomb would be worth looking in to and so they agreed to leave the next morning. As they walked to the house that the Skaal gave them Serana saw a worried look in his eyes.

"A septim for your thoughts?"

Tarrion continued to stare at the snow as they walked on. And only after they reached the house did he answer. "I…. I'm just thinking about…. What Frea said. Am I becoming an agent for the Daedra?"

"No," and Serana's face turned sour at the notion. "You're not, Tarrion. The Daedra have a way of manipulating people and Frea is just scared. She wants to protect her people and we are still outsiders. But you are a good man, Tarrion. I have spent several years with you to back up that claim, not to mention the countless things you've done for others. The numerous people you've saved. The times you have put your own needs aside for others."

"Serana… I-.."

"No," and her voice softened as they entered the house and closed the door behind them. She looked him in his eyes and softly calmed him. "I know you, Tarrion. I know you will never do anything that would hurt me, or anyone else. You want to help these people, even if they do not see it. Hermaeus Mora is a temporary and necessary evil. A means to an end. And as soon as we are done with all this, we will leave this island and go on a vacation."

A slight smile appeared on Tarrion's face and Serana answered it. "You still want to leave Skyrim for a time… just the two of us?"

"Just the two of us," she nodded. "I want to go somewhere far away from Skryim. Maybe we can go to Elseweyr… or Valenwood. I hear the trees there are massive and they have entire cities build in them. Maybe we can go see the oceans… where it is not freezing. Our lake is nice… but… I'd love to see more of the world. But most of all…. I'd love to see more of the world with you. The entire world can be put on hold for a time. Tell them to solve their own problems for a change."

"How will the world survive?" Tarrion chuckled.

"No-one should carry the entire world on their shoulders," and she laid her hand on his cheek. Her hand was cold on his skin, but soothing and he felt how a tremendous weight fell off his shoulders. "And after we come back… after we have seen more of the world…. You will tell all the women in Skyrim that I am your one and only."

She gave him a soft but intimate kiss. She had her eyes closed as she embraced him and she felt how a tear fell against her skin, but she knew it had to be a tear of happiness. On these moments even the strong and powerful Dragonborn could show his most human side and she loved him for it.

=End of Chapter=

=Author's Notes=

This is what I meant when I said that this arc opened up a lot of opportunities. That mysterious proposal that Hermaeus Mora gave Tarrion…. Vahloks tomb… multiple sources of the dark influence. There is more to come.

Also Tarrion has been teaching Serana a few things about the Dragon Language. Not much, but she knows a few words here and there. Her voice doesn't have the same power to it though. For that, you need to have studied it for a much longer time.

But that is it for this chapter. Stay tuned for the next one. It might take a bit longer though. I have some more exams coming up and I'll have to devote some more time on that first.

Dragon Language used:

Hi nis filok: You cannot hide

Zu'u fen ni ru: I will not run.

As with the previous chapters. If you have any questions you want to me to ask Serana and Tarrion in the upcoming intermission chapters Interview with the Vampiress/Werewolf, let me know.