Dragonborn 8

"Ah… there you are. Ready to go in?"

"Yes. Lead the way."

Tarrion and Serana had finally reached the tomb where Tharstan claimed Vahlok was buried. It was a few miles south southeast of Skaal village and it was difficult to find. Tarrion could see why no-one had found it till now. The entrance was not visible, yet one of the corridors had caved in and they found themselves now traversing the dark hallways of a place where no-one had set foot in centuries.

The place was no different however from any other Nordic tomb that Tarrion or Serana had entered before and they saw the murals that Tharstand had no doubt researched. Most of them were weathered and broken, yet many of them were still intact and Serana could indeed see roughly hewn lines of text and imagery.

After a short walk they arrived in a massive cavern. They could see a small overlook at the edge of a large abyss but there seemed to be no way across. On either side of the hall they saw two more pathways that lead to new halls and corridors. On the floor they could see several Draugr lying. In the centre of the hall, a few metres below them, they saw a deep pit with an fire that seemed to burn out of itself. A small pedestal was placed in front of it.

"Ah, here we are," Tharstan said. "This is as far as I made it last time. Look. There are two paths that lead in either direction. If we figure out this Riddle of Fire I am sure we can pass. But I have been unable to do so."

He lead them to the pedestal and looked at a small tablet that lay on it. "There is writing on this in the Dragon Language. I was able to translate enough to know that a sacrifice is needed to continue, but I don't know what kind of sacrifice. I threw a few objects of little value to me in the fire, but nothing happened. Then I threw in my most treasured book, thinking it would only be triggered by something of value, but still nothing happened. I think something else is required, blood or even a life."

Tarrion looked at the flames and came standing next to Tharstan. He could read the riddle and saw that Tharstan was right. A sacrifice was indeed needed.

To all those trespassing, read these words and take heed.

A sacrifice of flesh and bone will bring you closer to what you seek.

"You are right," he said to Tharstan and he nodded. "A sacrifice is needed… but one of flesh and bone."

"We'll I'm not about to throw myself into the fire," Serana said sardonically.

"Neither am I," Tarrion concurred and they both looked at Tharstan who immediately went pale.

"Now… Now ho—hold on just a second!"

"Stay calm," Tarrion chuckled. "I am sure we can just use one of the Draugr that are lying about."

This was correct and after Tarrion dragged one of the corpses to the pit and threw it into the flames, there was a deep rumble and the gates on both side of the cavern opened up. Tharstan sighed in relief and seemed to be more than glad that the he would not be thrown into a fiery pit.

"Good… good. It looks like we can head in either direction. Eh, you two seem to know what you are doing so you'll lead."

The dungeon was no different than Tarrion had seen before, beside that it had a few extra corridors and even a few puzzles that they needed to solve. The corridor lead them to a large hall, yet not as large as the central cavern, and they found a Word Wall and Tarrion learned another Word of Power.

MID

Tharstan ran to the Word Wall and saw the inscriptions on them.

"Hmm…. Yes fascinating…. This wall seems to tell a story. I can make out a few words here… It seems to tell the story of a 'Guardian' who gained honor in life… Yet death was his reward? Strange."

Tarrion came standing next to him and read the words carefully. "It tells the story of Vahlok… the Guardian. Here lies the Guardian who gained much glory. For his eternal loyalty he joined the dead with great honour. It seems that Vahlok was indeed fiercely loyal to the Dragons and he was given an honourable death."

"Ah… I see," Tharstand mumbled and he quickly scribbled a few words in his journal. "You'll have to teach me a bit more about the Dragon Language… I cannot make out half the words here."

"Hmm… maybe later. For now, let's continue."

Next to the Word Wall they found a small pedestal and a strange object lay on it, but both Serana and Tarrion recognized it as a Dragon Claw. They had seen them before, except this one was broken in half. Serana picked it up since it would likely be useful later.

When they returned to the main hall, the other corridor led to a similar Hall where they found another Word Wall and Tarrion learned another Word.

VUR

Tharstan grabbed his journal and waited for Tarrion to translate the inscription, since he knew by now that he was not as well versed in the Dragon Language as him.

"Hmm… this is interesting!" Tarrion said after reading. "This stone commemorates the valour of the Guardian, noble servant of the Dragons. Whose fate it was to defeat the treacherous Miraak….. You were right Tharstan. Vahlok did indeed fight Miraak and even defeated him."

"Then how is he still alive nowadays?" Serana asked.

"Maybe that is where the Skaal legends come in play," Tharstan pointed out. "They say that right before Vahlok was about to destroy Miraak, he was pulled away from this world. The Book 'The Guardian and the Traitor' claims that it was the Daedric Prince of Knowledge himself; Hermaeus Mora."

"The legends are correct," Tarrion mumbled to himself but Tharstan heard him.

"Hmm? How do you know?"

"Ah. A long story. Too long for here and now. Let us continue."

Next to the Word Wall they found the other piece of the Dragon Claw and when Serana put them next to each other, they melted together and became whole again.

Returning to the main cavern they saw that the small overlook that stood at the edge of a massive abyss had a small slot in which a Dragon Claw would fit. Serana wasted no time in using it and placed the Claw in the slot. Immediately something happened that none of them had seen before.

With a flash a blue platform appeared at the edge of the overlook. Then another…. And another… only for the first one to disappear. They seemed to be made from pure magical energy and they lead toward the other side of the abyss. There were only two at a time, the first disappearing as the third one appeared. They only lasted a few seconds before fully disappearing and after the last platform had vanished the claw fell out of the slot.

"It seems we'll have to cross this chasm here," Tharstan accurately pointed out and he looked down. "That is a long way down. Whoever dares to pass this has nerves of steel."

"Or they can fly," Tarrion said and he also looked down. "One misstep and you'll fall way down. There is no way anyone can survive that. You'll have to be crazy to even-…"

With a flash the first platform appeared and Tarrion watched in horror as Serana ran to the first platform. It was just about to disappear as leaped over it and landed on the second one.

Serana now jumped from platform to platform… reacting as fast as the platforms appeared. With a last jump she arrived at the other end of the chasm and as she turned around, the platforms reappeared. But this time they did not disappear and they formed a blue bridge from the overlook to where Serana was now standing. The claw fell from its slot.

Serana waited for both of them on the other side and had a wide smile on her face as she saw Tarrion's look of horror and anger.

"Dammit, woman," he panted as his heart was racing in his chest. "Will you not scare me like that again?"

"Have a little faith, Tarrion. I can't let you have all the fun," and she patted him on his chest. "Come on… chop, chop. I doubt this was the last of the puzzles of this place," and she turned around and walked further into the tomb.

"She is your wife?" Tharstan asked and he held the Claw in his hand.

"No…. not yet," Tarrion answered.

"Well, I can see who wears the armour in the relationship."

"Shut up."

A few corridors later they came across another cavern and again Serana was the one to traverse it, since she would not take no for an answer and Tarrion saw that she was able to cross the cavern with little effort. He also realized that even if she would fall, she would be able to transform into a cloud of bats and fly to safety. He on the other hand would only able to save himself from the fall by using a Shout, but climbing back would be a different story.

After a third large cavern they arrived at a large Nordic puzzle-door and after they used the correct symbols Tharstan placed the claw into the slot and the door opened. Behind the door there was a massive hall. The ceiling was not visible, despite the large sconces filled with fire that illuminated almost everything. Rows and rows of sarcophagi were placed in niches and there was a large, shallow basin filled with water in the middle of the hall. At the far end they saw another sarcophagus, different from the others. It was ornamented, with imagery covered in gold-leaf and a large stone slab with inscriptions closed the coffin. Right behind that they saw another large Word Wall, but Tarrion knew they would not reach it before dealing with the host of this place. He drew his sword and readied a powerful Ward Spell in his left hand.

"I… I hope you'll don't mind if I stay here," Tharstan said with a small voice, and he took a few steps backwards. "I'll follow you in once I know for sure that the coast is clear."

He did this not a moment too soon, because just as he stepped outside the hall, the door closed again and Tarrion and Serana were trapped in the hall. A massive rumble echoed throughout the entire Tomb and a voice thundered from the sarcophagus.

WO VODREMT DII PRAAN

The stone slab cracked as the one underneath it tried to break free.

MIRAAK

With a burst of fire and lightning the stone slab shattered to pieces and the Dragon Priest rose from his grave.

His mask was pure white and seemed to be made from ivory. His robes were plated with gold and his bony hands held a staff that was made from ebony. The head of his staff had the shape of a Dragon's head with rubies as eyes. Behind the mask two fiery eyes glared at his enemies.

ZU'U FEN GRUNZ HI ONT ZOS

With a flash Vahlok summoned a huge fire-stream and he tried to blast Tarrion away. Tarrion was able to summon his Ward before being incinerated but the impact alone pushed him back a few steps. The stones beneath his feet cracked under the pressure of the spell. Serana came to his aid and fired a few Ice Spears at the Priest, who was forced to summon his own ward, which gave Tarrion enough time to regain his balance and he fired a large Fireball at his opponent. Vahlok was now forced to go on the defence, but this did not take long.

GANOG

With a burst of blue flames he threw Tarrion and Serana backwards and he slammed his staff on the ground.

BO WAH DII AAK

A tremor came from where the Priest stood and a deep rumble echoed through the hall. The sarcophagi opened and over forty Draugr stepped from their graves. Each of them drew their swords and cried with voices of death at the two trespassers. Tarrion immediately summoned two Drermora who proceeded to cut the onrushing Draugr down. Serana summoned a Gargoyle and for a few moments it seemed that they would stand a chance. But soon Serana's Gargoyle was killed and Tarrion's Dremora were swarmed by the Draugr's sheer numbers. Vahlok noticed this and uttered a deep and rasping laugh.

HI FEN DIR

The Draugr slowly closed in. Tarrion and Serana were unable to reduce their numbers because as soon as one fell, Vahlok would resurrect them again. His staff would glow with a pale blue and the rubies would light up.

"We need to get rid of that staff!" Serana shouted as she cut down a few more Draugr.

"I can't get close to him!" Tarrion shouted back but then he got an idea.

With both hands he sprayed fire on the floor, and the bodies of the Draugr were incinerated as they tried to cross the wall of flames.

"Follow me when you're ready!" and after those words he Shouted again.

WULD NAH KEST

Fast as the wind he flew past the Draugr and stopped right in front of Vahlok, who did not expect a move like that. Unable to react in time he was forced to raise his staff to deflect Tarrion's sword. Tarrion immediately noticed that at close range Vahlok was at a disadvantage, and he circled around the undead Priest till he had his back to Serana.

"NOW!"

With the sound of many flapping wings and screeching of bats, Serana transformed into a cloud of bats and mist and reappeared behind Vahlok and sliced him over his back, piercing the golden armour. Vahlok wailed in anger and turned around to strike her. But Tarrion was quicker and he grabbed Vahloks staff, forcing him off his balance and with a mighty strike he severed the staff in two.

A massive shockwave caused all the Draugr to drop to the ground and their bodies lay motionless. With a cry Vahlok teleported and reappeared at the other end of the hall.

HI FEN DIR MIRAAK

"Zu'u los ni Miraak!"

Tarrion shouted the words at Vahlok…. Who stopped. For a few seconds he did not move and only looked at his two opponents. Tarrion stood near the other end of the basin, opposite of Vahlok and Serana had jumped on the sarcophagus and was ready to fire all her spells at the Priest if he would move.

"You are not Miraak?"

Tarrion saw how Vahlok seemed to calm, but he had no intention of sheathing his sword as he did not trust the Priest. Vahlok's eyes started to douse a bit as the fire within him calmed and he lowered his hands.

"Who are you then?"

"I am Tarrion. I am here to find a way to destroy Miraak."

"Yet, you are Dovahkiin… just like him," Vahlok answered. "But…. He is your enemy?"

"Yes."

"Then we share a common purpose. I shall call the enemy of my Enemy 'Friend'."

The priest now fully lowered his hands and approached the two combatants and he hovered a few inches above the water in the basin. "Let us speak."

"What does he want?" Serana asked as she looked at the Priest. She was only able to catch a few words from the conversation, yet she did not fully understand what was said.

"Later," Tarrion said quickly and he took a few careful steps down to the basin.

"What are you doing?" Serana almost yelled as she saw how Tarrion was only a few metres away from Vahlok.

"You wish to destroy Miraak, is it not? Why?" Vahlok asked him.

"He tried to kill me… and he threatens Solstheim once more. If he returns… he will destroy the island… and more."

Vahlok seemed to think. "Then why have you come here, to my resting place?"

"I am here to find answers. How you defeated him, and how I might do it again. But this time he must die."

"Agreed. In my lifetime he was a danger after he was seduced by the Dark One, and he killed many on his quest for power. I was send to destroy him, but I was unable. He was pulled from this world before I could. I was only able to end his reign temporarily."

"How did you defeat him? Tell me how, so I can end him permanently."

Vahlok shook his head. "His power and knowledge have likely grown in the ages he was gone. If he is able to return to the world… I fear you will not be able to stop him. But… you might succeed in weakening his grasp over the island."

"How?"

"Hmm…. In life many served my Masters. But many of them betrayed us and followed Miraak. The strongest of them are here… on the island. They are Priests like me, yet of lesser strength. They still serve him, even in death. I killed them and sealed their bodies in tombs… but I know they would return. I have been charged with defending this island from them…. And Miraak. Untill my purpose is fulfilled, I cannot leave."

"Then where are these acolytes? I will find them and I will destroy them. I have destroyed their kind before."

Vahlok looked at Tarrion and saw that there was power in him. Power enough to do as he claimed. "Hmm… Perhaps. I will tell you were they are. Destroy them, before you confront Miraak. Destroy them, and his influence will diminish… but only for a time. He will try to return, and so you must destroy him in his own realm."

Vahlok looked again at Tarrion and he saw that there was a chance that he could indeed defeat Miraak. A Dragonborn of considerable power and enough knowledge stood before him and he knew that Miraak would be challenged by this.

"There are three Acolytes here on the island. Zahkriisos is one. He lies buried beneath the mines filled with Black Stone. Dukaan.. the most loyal of the three… He lies in a barrow to the north of here, in the frozen glaciers of the island. And Ahzidal… the most bitter of them all. He lies buried beneath the ashes, but his power is the greatest of the three. And he will find a way out, unless you confront him first. But be aware. He seeks to enter the minds of lesser people and he can corrupt others."

As Vahlok spoke Serana came standing next to Tarrion who could almost see visions of the three Priests Vahlok spoke about. He did not know if it was only his imagination, or if Vahlok was able to grant him a greater understanding. For now he did not care, but he also did not trust Vahlok, but as long as Vahlok did not attack, neither would Tarrion. Serana still had her weapons ready, ready to strike as soon as needed.

"And what of Miraak himself?"

"Miraak is Dragonborn. His power is greater than his acolytes combined, but he has become arrogant. I could not fight him as I should. His soul is that of a Dragon… like my masters. I can only urge you to fight him as a Dragon… not as man."

Vahlok disappeared and reappeared next to his sarcophagus. He stepped back inside and looked at Tarrion. His eyes had doused and it almost seemed he was tired.

"Why do you help us?" Tarrion asked.

"Because I await his death. My oath will be fulfilled when he is dead, and until then I am bound to this island. Kill him… and I too will finally rest."

And with those words he lowered himself into the sarcophagus and the stone slab reformed itself. It floated back over the tomb and sealed it once again. Tarrion and Serana were left alone in the hall with the Draugr lying everywhere.

"What in Oblivion was that?"

As soon as they were outside the barrow Tarrion breathed in the alpine air and he felt refreshed. He had learned another Word of Power from the Word Wall behind Vahlok's sarcophagus.

SHAAN

He had explained to Tharstan what happened and he seemed to burst from excitement. "A real Dragon Priest! And we were able to live to tell about it. What a book this will make!"

He quickly left for Skaal Village to make notes while Serana and Tarrion left at their own pace to Raven Rock. As they walked he told her of the conversation he had with Vahlok and she listened closely, and after he had finished she sighed.

"So we first have to destroy three other Priests before it is Miraak's turn? It looks like you were right."

"Hmm?"

"Well… on the ship… you said that you thought this would be bigger than a rogue mage. Well… it is. Three Dragon Priests… a Dragonborn Dragon Priest…. A good Dragon Priest... an entire island that is threatened… mind-controlled people… a Daedric Prince that is involved. It almost seems someone wants to test both of us."

"Seems like it."

Serana looked at him from the corner of her eyes and she saw he was in deep thought. She knew he had to be thinking about his encounter with Vahlok but there also seemed to be something else that bothered him. She would have asked, but she was also occupied with her own thoughts. Why did these three Priests follow Miraak? What could they gain from it? She knew that the Dragons wanted Miraak dead because of the Shout he learned from Hermaeus Mora…. The Shout that can control Dragons.

She wondered what it would be like when she looked at Tarrion. To Shout three words and even Dragons will do you bidding. To command beasts that are immortal and hold tremendous power. Is this the kind of power she would want? She thought about it and tried to imagine what it would mean for the Dragon. She quickly thought of a thrall… just like a Vampire can force someone to do their bidding. She decided it was not a pleasant thought, and for only a split second she worried about what Tarrion might do with that power. She looked at him again and her mind went rapid. She saw a man who would be able to control the most powerful beasts on earth. He would be able to destroy the Empire. He would be able to bring the fight to the Thalmor!

She stopped thinking for a few moments and repeated her thoughts. 'Tarrion could bring the fight to the Thalmor. With an army of Dragons at his command, nothing and no-one would be able to stop him. He could become High King in Skyrim if he wished.'

She suddenly imagined a terrifying vision of Tarrion sitting on a large throne. Two Dragons lying next to him and a host of defeated foes bowing down to him. She saw a gaze of power and dominion in his eyes as she imagined him, and she did not like what she saw. But most of all, she saw that she was not next to him. There was no second throne. No-one that stood beside him. Just him… alone over a mountain of slain foes, and it was truly terrifying.

-The next day-

As they neared Raven Rock Serana saw once again a man digging in the distance. She saw a few broken stone pillars just above the ashes and the man was digging between them.

"Again that man there," she said and pointed to where she saw the man. "Do you see him?"

This time Tarrion could see him too and both decided to investigate as to why this man was digging there.

When they arrived they saw it was not a human, but a Dunmer. His face was weathered and he wore a mask to protect himself from the ashes. A small tent was set up nearby and he had already dig a large hole and old stone was clearly visible.

"Good afternoon," Tarrion said and the elf looked up. "What are you doing here?"

"What does it look like I'm doing?" the elf answered angrily. "I'm digging, or did you think I was taking a bath here?"

"I'm sorry," he quickly added and he lowered his pickaxe. "I'm just frustrated by my work here. The name's Ralis Sedarys. I've been hired to investigate Solstheim to find the Relics of Ahzidal, but so far all I have found is this tomb. Buried in ash."

"Ahzidal?" Tarrion sharply asked and he remembered the name from Vahlok. "What do you know of him?"

"Not much. I have a book on him that claims he was a human long ago. He was an exceptionally powerful mage who's family was killed in Saarthal. He learned from Elves, Man and more to take revenge on the Snow Elves who killed his family. That is where the story ends. My benefactor tells me he is buried here on Solstheim but that is all I know. And so I dig here alone."

"You don't have anyone else here with you?"

"No… my benefactor spared all expense with this expedition in case it doesn't pay off in the end."

"Digging alone is going to take you years to unearth this tomb," Serana remarked as she saw the poor progress that Ralis had made.

"You think I don't know that? I don't have the money to pay people to work for me, but it takes money to make money. I already asked at Raven Rock, but they're all way too occupied with some Stone there."

"Let me go to Raven Rock," Tarrion said. "I'm sure we can come to an understanding there."

"Go ahead, try," Ralis almost mocked him and he continued digging. "Ask Azura to help you too while you're at it."

-Raven Rock-

When they arrived in the town, they saw that almost everyone was up and about again. They saw how the second councillor walked up to them and shook their hands again. "Again…. I cannot thank you enough. It has been so long since we've seen the town awake again. What can I do for you?"

Tarrion thought for a few moments before he answered. "Maybe you can help me with two things, Adril."

"Anything," the elf answered with a smile.

"Outside of town, to the southeast, there is a Dunmer digging around an old Tomb. Do you know him?"

Adril nodded. "Yes. He came to Raven Rock a while ago, before we were all taken by the Earth Stone. He quickly left town though, presumably to start digging where you found him. He only came by a few times for supplies, but that is it. How so?"

"He is digging alone and making poor progress in unearthing that tomb. I need to find something that lies inside that tomb, but it will take years if he digs on his own. I know it is a big favour to ask, but can you send a number of miners to help him?"

"Of course," Adril answered and Tarrion was a bit surprised by this. "You've helped us. You saved our lives. If not for you we'd still be enslaved to make structures around the Earth Stone. We are a mining colony but our own ebony mine is closed for over a year now. It would do our miners good to do some work again. Just tell us where you need them to go."

"You have an ebony mine here?" Tarrion asked. "Where?"

"On the edge of town. Dug into the hillside. But it was closed over a year ago on account of 'danger'. Why do you ask?"

Tarrion's mind went rapid now. "What if we try to clear out that ebony mine, and in the meantime your miners work on that other tomb with Ralis, would we have a deal?"

"Deal."

Adril immediately started preparing the work for the miners while Tarrion and Serana left for the Resting Netch to rest. He had adviced Adril to send guards with them. "It is a Nordic Tomb and those places are never empty."

"What is your plan here, Tarrion?" Serana asked as he closed the door. "I understand why you want that tomb unearthed, but what is this about that ebony mine?"

"It is what Vahlok said," he answered as he dropped himself on the bed. "He said that Zahkriisos was buried beneath 'a mine filled with Black Stone'."

"And ebony would be this Black Stone," Serana nodded. "I see. So now we have another tomb to explore."

She sighed as she dropped herself next to Tarrion on the bed. "After a day like this…. I am really looking forward to some time off."

"Agreed," and he lay next to her and they stared at the ceiling. "Do you think we'll get through all of this?"

Serana took his hand and gave it a slight squeeze. "You are worried?"

"I… I've never faced a Dragonborn before. I'm not sure how to fight him."

"The same way you have always fought all the others. With your head up, sword in hand, and ready to send them back where they came from."

"That is…" but he stopped himself. He knew that Serana did not understand what this meant, facing a Dragonborn, but he decided not to tell her. He gave her hand a squeeze.

"Thank you."

But deep inside he was afraid. Afraid for everything that he had. Afraid for Serana. He knew that this would be a battle unlike any he had faced before. In each of them he was ready to take the dive and face his foe in battle. 'With swords raised high and courage unwavering' as Tsun would have said, but not this time. This time, Tarrion felt fear. More fear than he had ever felt before. Not for his life, but for his very soul.

=End of Chapter=

=Author's Notes=

Because facing a Dragonborn is like going all-in. Like literally, all-in. And you know what it means if he loses. But we'll get to that in the next chapter. As for now, I think it was a pretty good idea that I had here. Trading favours with Adril… Tarrion clears the ebony mine, and the miners help with unearthing Ahzidal's tomb.

The conversation with Vahlok is completely in Dragon Language though. I did not feel like translating every single line in Dovahzul, so all the lines that are in cursive are in Dragon Language. Serana was only able to pick up a few words here and there but missed the majority of it.

But that is it for this chapter. Stay tuned for the next one.

Dragon Language Used:

Shouts:

MID VUR SHAAN: Loyal Valour Inspire (the complete Battle Fury Shout)

WULD NAH KEST: Whirlwind Fury Tempest (the complete Whirlwind Sprint Shout)

Vahlok's dialogue:

WO VODREMT DII PRAAN: Who disturbs my rest?

ZU'U FEN GRUNZ HI ONT ZOS: I will imprison/capture you again/once more

GANOG: Enough

BO WAH DII AAK: Come to my aid/help

HI FEN DIR (MIRAAK): You will die (Miraak)

Tarrion's Line:

Zu'u los ni Miraak: I am not Miraak.

As with the previous chapters; I plan on writing two 'intermission chapters' named Interview with the Vampiress/Werewolf. In these two chapters I plan on having an interview with Tarrion and Serana. These two chapters are to explain some backstory behind the two of them, plus including the relationships between them and other characters, the daily life they have etc. These are 'lore-friendly' questions. I got a question about 'leaky faucets'… this is a Medieval Era setting…. They don't have faucets :).

I hope this clears it up slightly.