Wrath of the Dragon part 4

Two shadows crawled over the walls of the dimly lit hallway. Two figures walked behind each other, both large and carrying weapons.

"You really think we should have sold those weapons?"

"Why? We can only carry so many."

"I know… but some of them looked like they could fetch a heftier price than what we got for them. I mean… if we would have taken them to the Thieves Guild… we could have been set for life… all of us."

"Hmpf… not worth the trip since there is no guarantee. They're called the 'Thieves' Guild for a reason… I doubt they would have given us the price those weapons were actually worth."

"Look, I'm just saying-…"

"Shut your trap, Haran!"

A new voice joined the two and a woman clad in iron walked towards them. Her face could be considered 'ugly' yet no man has been brave enough to say that to her face… those that did have not been able to live to tell the tale. She had wild, brown hair and a hairy chin. Her plated gauntlets were clenched in a fist or grasping a dangerous looking sword. She walked up to the large man and despite that she was almost a full head shorter than him, he recoiled.

"Enough with the chatter and bring the gold to the back… I'll put it all in the vault myself later."

"Rigel, please," the other man said with a small voice. "With this gold and the gold we already had, we could all be living like kings for the rest of our lives. Isn't it best to-.."

"Quit thinking with your head, Bär," Rigel barked at him. "It is not your best feature. Now bring the gold to the back or I'll show you how dangerous this sword really is. I doubt the Dragonborn left it to gather dust, and it still seems to be sharp enough to cut your head clean off. Want to find out if it can?"

Neither said a word and walked further into the corridor after nodding. Rigel looked at them and pulled the sword from its sheath. After admiring the blade for a few moments she smirked, put the sword back and left.

As she walked away, a shadow crept back through the hallway towards a secret entrance hidden behind a large cabinet.

"How much did you hear?"

"Enough," Serana answered as she stepped from the shadows. "Some of your belongings are here, yet the rest I am afraid has been sold."

"Did you hear to whom?"

She shook her head. "No, but not the Thieves Guild. So I presume local bandits and merchants."

"Hmm," Tarrion grumbled. "I care little for my wealth, yet some of the artifacts I have collected are… powerful to say the least. They cannot fall into the wrong hands."

Serana nodded: "I agree, yet I think they sold the majority of them. We cannot search for all of them… not now. We should take what we need from here and seal the place, that we may come back for the rest later… when we have settled more important matters."

Tarrion nodded in agreement and headed down the tunnel that lead into the hideout.

They found numerous bandits, more than three dozen of them, yet they encountered them in small groups. None of them were a match for the duo and it did not take long for them to reach what seemed to be a gathering room next to a large, makeshift barracks.

There they found four bandits with an ugly looking woman with a hairy chin waiting for them.

"So…" the woman started. "You have come to claim your possessions? Well… it took more of my men than I'd like to admit to take it from you. That Redguard bitch of you was tougher than I expected, but ultimately… no match for me."

Tarrion felt his voice shake. "You killed Rayya?"

Rigel nodded with a grin. "I don't know her name, nor do I care, but if that was her name… then yes. But I do think you should thank me… she didn't."

Neither Tarrion or Serana answered, yet Serana readied herself for slaughter. With how this woman was talking, it would not take long for either of them to lose their patience.

"You see," Rigel continued. "After I defeated her, I did not kill her. I had decided to capture her and have her be my handmaiden. But the men wanted to … have some fun with her. Since that is not something I approve of… I decided to put her out of her misery then and there. I hope you appreciate the care I showed by protecting her like that. So I'd like to see some gratitude."

She pulled a sword from its sheath and Tarrion recognized Dragonbane, the sword that slew Alduin. Rigel clearly did not know the true nature of the blade as she smirked at the two. Tarrion felt himself about to burst from anger at what he heard, yet he kept his sanity… for now. "I do not thank… or show mercy to those that raise their hand against my friends."

"She was a friend?" Rigel snickered. "So she wasn't just a bed-warmer?"

With a flash Serana transformed into a cloud of bats and mist and propelled herself to Rigel. Faster than anyone could react Serana grabbed her by her throat and bared her fangs. Rigel went pale grasped Serana's hand, desperately trying to release her throat.

"V.. Vampire?"

"Believe it, bitch!" Serana hissed at her and she sunk her fangs into Rigel's throat.

The fight was short and ended as swiftly as it had begun. Tarrion fired an Ice Spear at one of the bandits and attacked another. The other two tried to flee at the sight of a powerful Vampire, yet were killed before they could reach the door.

Behind him Tarrion saw Rigel lying in a pool of her own blood, her throat ripped open. Serana licked her lips and spat on the ground.

"She tasted as bad as she looked."

Tarrion did not say a word as she took Dragonbane back and strapped it to his belt. A small keychain hung form the dead woman's belt and he took it with him. In the far back of the barracks they found a small, almost perfectly hidden tunnel that lead to two large, wrought-iron doors. Using the keys they found on Rigel's body they opened the doors and discovered that it was the entrance to a large vault.

It was filled with weapons and armour, some of them ornamented, others made from what seemed to be pure sapphire and emerald. A few large, marble statues of the gods had small lanterns placed in front of them, lighting them up and causing the marble to shine and the eyes, which were made out of gemstones, to light up. A large statue of Dibella was placed separately, and Tarrion saw that it was not like the ones he had seen before. This one seemed to be specially made out of pure gold, and potrayed the goddess of beauty in a more erotic way, lacking any clothing and, in a provocative way, almost welcoming anyone who looked at it.

"Ironically, it seemed she worshipped Dibella," Serana remarked sardonically. "It would seem the goddess of beauty did not bestow that gift upon her worshipper."

Tarrion ignored the provocative statue and looked around and saw more and more wealth the longer he looked. It meant nothing to him now that he knew he had avenged his housecarl and friend. He saw a secondary tunnel going further and knew it had to be a secondary exit, made in case of a cave-in.

"We should leave," he said and he walked towards the secondary tunnel.

"Give me those keys," Serana stopped him. "We should lock the vault door."

"Why? Thieves and brigands can clear this place out for all I care. I couldn't care less about the riches here."

His voice was bitter and angry, yet Serana walked towards him and spoke calmly.

"I know… and I agree. But it is good to know that this is here," and she took his hand. "Your wealth has allowed you to help people… to make sure that money was never a problem or an obstacle that would prevent you from protecting or helping others. We cannot carry all of this with us… but maybe, when all this is over, we can once again help people the way we did before."

"I thought we wanted to kick the people of Skyrim in their behind, because of all of this?" he said, and she nodded.

"I know, but we only do that to make them understand that they need to, first and foremost, rely on themselves… not us. But that does not mean we will never help another soul ever again."

Tarrion did not answer. Serana took the keys from his hand and looked at him with love. "Just think about it for now. In any case, we should not allow bandits to get a hold of this. They will only use it to wreak more havoc on Skyrim."

She locked the large doors and walked with him to the other side. Tarrion's mind was still too occupied with the need for revenge for Rayya's death and the betrayal of the jarls… but he decided to trust Serana. He nodded at her and let her take the lead. On the other end, near another hidden entrance, she sealed it behind her, and the entrance was now invisible. They both hoped no-one would come looking in this place and hoped the bodies would be enough to scare others away.

Over the next week, Serana and Tarrion travelled through Falkreath hold and headed towards the east avoiding the city yet sticking close to the main roads. As they travelled they found numerous signs of conflicts, and a few places where large scale battles had been held. On the border between Falkreath and the Rift, in the shadow of the Monahven, a large battle had taken place, and many of the bodies had not been buried and were left as food for wolves and bears. They spied on a large encampment of soldiers from Falkreath near Orphan Rock and found many of the men and women to be cold and miserable, each of them wanting to turn home. Overhearing the soldiers, Serana found out that For Neugrad to the south had been taken by soldiers from the Rift, a clear provocation, if not a complete declaration of war, from Jarl Maven. Yet not far from Haemar's Shame they found an encampment of Rift soldiers who seemed to disagree with their orders.

"Why in oblivion are we here? To satisfy Maven's lust for power?"

"I don't want another civil war, yet we are heading towards one."

"We're almost lucky all the Jarls have taken matters in their own hands, because if they start to side with each other… we would be in the middle of a full scale civil war already. At least this way the battles are smaller."

A few of the conversations were even more personal than just disagreeing with orders.

"I have family on the other side of this mountain pass. If I see my wife's brother… I will not kill him. I will tell him to run."

"What if he tries to kill you?"

"Then he has made his choice… and he will have to live with it, and I will die with mine. I will die with a clear conscience as I refuse to kill my family just because I was given orders."

"Orders are orders."

"Is that what you tell the gods when you meet them in Sovngarde? Is that what you tell your family when you bring them the body of their husband or son?"

"…"

It was in these moments that both Tarrion and Serana felt torn. They saw how war can bring the out the worst in people when they slaughter their brethren… yet they also saw the best in people when they are willing to ignore orders and even lay down their lives, to protect those that they care about.

Tarrion saw that maybe Tosh Raka was wrong when he also blamed the people of Ka Po Tun for their downfall. Here he saw that the people try to fight in their own way, and do their best in their own way.

He also remembered what Serana said. Power gives weight to your actions, and the more power you have, the larger the consequences of your actions. The average man may not have a large impact on the world or the lives of others… yet he does what he can.

On the ninth day they knew the next day the Dragons would be waiting for them at Skuldafn, they journeyed deep into the wilderness where Tarrion transformed. Serana kept her distance as she put his clothes in her backpack, and even though she had rode on his back for three days straight and thus should be used to seeing him like this… she still felt awe and surprise when she saw how his body changed. His hands and feet turned into claws and grew larger and larger. His head grew two, large horns that arced backwards and from his lower spine a tail stretched out further and further. As his body grew, two massive, black wings grew painfully from his back and she could hear him grunt and roar in pain. Several trees were levelled by his body, and three others were pushed away by his wings and tail.

When his transformation was finished, he seemed to be almost eighty metres long with a wingspan that was roughly the same. The scars that were on his body had turned blood red and gave him a dark and terrible appearance. He again tried to smile at her, yet it only made him look more terrifying as he bared his teeth.

Serana slowly walked towards him and felt the heat coming off his body growing more and more intense as she neared him. It was far hotter than last time and as she sat on his back it felt like there was a fire burning below where she was sitting.

"Are you alright?" she heard his voice rumble.

"It feels like I am sitting in a furnace… but I'll manage."

He nodded and waited for her to wrap a long rope around his neck and tie herself to him… just in case. He warned her as she spread his wings and she held on tight, almost feeling her skin burn on his scales… not knowing if this was because of the power that now radiated from him, or if this was normal. But then again… her future husband, a Werewolf, just transformed into a Dragon and she, a Vampire, sat on his back.

What could be considered 'normal' in their lives?

At midnight they arrived at Skuldafn where everything was quiet. It seemed the Dragons had not appeared just yet, and Tarrion hoped they would all come the following day.

Skuldafn was large. Larger than any of the ancient bastions or strongholds that could be found in Skyrim. It also held a powerful secret. On a large courtyard at the top of the temple was a massive pit. If the strange pedestal nearby was activated the pit would turn into a portal that would lead directly to Sovngarde, yet the only thing that could activate it was a specific staff that Tarrion had tried to break. When he found that the pieces would reassemble themselves, he decided to hide the staff in three separate places, known only to him and a few others, hoping that no-one would be able to reassemble the staff and enter Sovngarde through here. Tarrion had made this decision after talking to Tsun after Alduin's defeat… knowing that the living do not belong in Sovngarde… only the dead.

They decided to wait inside the main bastion… the only place large enough for Tarrion to enter. Yet as large as that place was, Tarrion found it to be cramped and he was unable to raise his head.

"Let us wait here," his voice bellowed through the halls and Serana covered her ears.

"You don't want to wait outside?" Serana asked, but before he answered she already understood what he was trying to do.

"You want to impress them… shock them as you walk out of here as a Dragon."

He nodded and she found herself having the urge to laugh. "This is just like Ancestor Glade. You and your sense of drama," she chuckled.

"No, I just want them to realize, all at the same time, who they are dealing with."

He whispered, yet it still sounded like someone was shouting and the echoes made it even worse as the empty hallways shook.

"I want them to realize that I am more powerful than any of them. That I did defeat Alduin… that I defeated Miraak, who slew countless of their kin."

He paused for a few moments before concluding: "I want them to realize that I am Dragonborn."

Serana nodded solemnly, yet she did so with a smile. She agreed that the Dragons needed to understand who they were dealing with… yet she also knew that Tarrion, in doing so, would show off his newfound powers.

When dawn approached, the first of the Dragons started to arrive. At first only a few, yet as the sun started to rise, more and more came. Meanwhile, Tarrion stayed hidden, and although Serana explained to Paarthurnax, who arrived as one of the first, that Tarrion would show, he would only do so when all had gathered.

At noon it seemed the last of the Dragons had arrived, and all were on edge. They knew Tarrion was inside somewhere, yet none knew what was about to happen. They could sense another being was inside the main bastion, yet the massive iron gates stayed shut. More than thirty Dragons had gathered, all in different sizes and with different colours. Odahviing with his red scales, with purple and blue on the wings. Paarthurnax almost fully green with a white underbelly, and many other dragons who were blue, brown, and a few who were white.

When the sun had reached its highest point, Tarrion decided it was time to address them and Serana pushed the doors open. The dragons were scattered all over Skuldafn, some perching atop the towers, others in the courtyards below… yet all saw the large black Dragon appear and all fell silent. Although Dragons could not make the same facial expressions as humans, Serana saw their eyes widening as they saw something all considered to be impossible.

With his wings draped behind him, almost like a long cape, and his head lowered made him terrifying. Paarthurnax moved backwards, away from the massive Dragon that seemed to be almost twice his size. Odahviing could not understand what he saw and seemed to be frozen with both fear and awe. When Tarrion neared him, the red Dragon lowered his head and moved out of the way, clearing the path for his Thuri.

As he stood there, Tarrion looked over the thirty Dragons that had gathered and he was not sure if he felt disappointed. He knew there were around twenty more in Skyrim alone, yet they did not come. Yet it seemed the majority of the Dragons were still loyal to him… or they feared him enough to not go against him. For now this was enough, he thought to himself. Before he spoke he looked around one last time to see if more might be coming, yet the skies were empty and a total silence had fallen on Skuldafn… all waiting for him to speak, some fearing what was to come.

"I am returned."

His voice thundered over the ancient temple and Serana had to cover her ears. He spoke in the language of the Dragons, yet after spending years with him, Serana was able to understand almost everything, letting context fill in any blanks. The Dragons closest to Tarrion instinctively lowered their heads in submission.

"And I am disappointed. I thought I made you understand that the people of Skyrim are not to be harmed. I thought I made it clear that their livestock are fair game… yet the farmers are not to be touched. Have I not made this clear enough?"

It took a few moments for anyone to respond. Most of them were still too shocked to see him before them like this, yet eventually an answer came.

"Have you told humans not to harm us either?"

A Dragon had reared its head from atop the tower it had landed on. Tarrion saw the Dragon's scales were almost all pristine white.

"We agreed.. I remember… we would not harm the people of Skyrim. Yet they did attack us. Do you suggest we let them?"

"What is your name?" Tarrion asked.

"I am called Briikunyol."

"Then, Briikunyol," Tarrion answered. "I will place no blame on you for defending yourself, but I do not speak of a single attack on the humans. All over Skyrim it seems the people are under attack from the Dov. Are you suggesting all of you suffered the same?"

"I do not," the white Dragon answered. "but the humans especially have grown bold. The Blades of old have been reformed, and although they do not have a Dragonborn to lead them, they have killed a few of our kind. Their magics have started to become more than just an annoyance… and they resort to tactics below that of cowardly."

He paused for a few moments before continuing. "But there is more. Some of the Dov have started to follow the one who calls himself Vulthuryol."

Tarrion nodded. "I have heard of this one… what of him? Is he more powerful than me?"

"After what we see here today," Briikunyol answered, and Tarrion could hear reverie in his voice. "I think none of us will ever question your might again. But many thought you were dead, or gone for good. We were leaderless."

"Has Paarthurnax not taken up his role of leader?" Tarrion asked and looked at the old Dragon from the corner of his eye. It did not go unnoticed to him that a few of the Dragons seemed to do something that looked like scoffing when they heard him ask this.

"With all respect to the Old One," Briikunyol answered, "he has done little. He has taught us all his Way of the Voice, and although we do not disagree with it… if we did, we would not be here… but he also binds us all to inaction. Vulthuryol and his followers have claimed much of the northern wastes of Skyrim, and a few areas in what the humans call the Rift, yet we cannot do anything to stop them."

"The Way of the Voice is a road of peace," Paarthurnax intruded. "The ways of violence and destruction only end in death. This has been the case time and time again. None of you were around for all those ages, yet I was. Peace is the only way for all to live."

Before anyone could stop them a debate erupted amongst the Dragons. Paarthurnax tried to convince others of the peaceful approach, while the others refused to hear it anymore, growing tired of his 'endless ramblings of peace'.

"ENOUGH!"

Tarrion's roar was heard above all others and all went silent.

"Retaliation should never be one's first response. The peaceful approach must be the first approach at all times, or the cycle of retaliation will continue endlessly. All of you must understand this."

He looked at the Dragons around him and he would make them listen. "If you are attacked, you can defend yourselves, but only by means necessary. Mortals cannot permanently harm you… know this or you will suffer the consequences."

He turned to Paarthurnax. "And the Way of the Voice is thousands of years old, Paarthurnax. The Old Ways may have worked all those years ago, yet times change. Having witnessed all those ages, as you said, you should know this best of all. Only a fool clings on to the teachings from long ago, even when they no longer work. You are in charge of the Dov in Skyrim, yet you sit by while they go against you. What kind of leader sits back while that happens?"

He then directed himself to all present. "LISTEN! I will bring about the peace again amongst the Dov, once again. But I will not do so by the Way of the Voice. I have given all a chance to come here and show their loyalty to me and to the peace in Skyrim. Those that are not here were given their chance…. They were given a warning. There will not be a second. But this is one that I give to all: Do not threaten the peace in Skyrim, or I will hunt you to the ends of this world and you will know that I. am. DRAGONBORN!"

And without warning to anyone he Shouted.

MUL QAH DIIV

Erupting like the sun itself, a massive wave of power and light came from the large, black Dragon. Serana felt herself forced backwards by the sheer power, and even the two Dragons, Odahviing and Paarthurnax recoiled and quickly moved away. A golden aura of flames made from pure light emanated from Tarrion's body as he approached an overlook that gave a view over the lands of Eastmarch far below.

'Whether they feared or loved me,' he thought to himself. 'They will do so again.'

-Riften-

Mjoll sat next to her bed. Her eyes were closed as she rested during the brief moments she allowed herself. Next to her still lay her close friend Iona who, even though she still did not look the Iona she remembered, was recovering. With Lydia's help she slowly nursed her friend back to health.

STRUN BAH QO

A thundering echo shook Mjoll awake. Next to her Iona woke up as if from a nightmare. The windows shook as the echo rang their ears and they heard Lydia curse to herself in the next room.

"What in Mara's Name?" Lydia asked as she entered the room, but before any could respond a lightning strike flashed across the sky and a new rumbling could be felt in their bodies.

Rain started to fall from the now black skies and before long it was pouring down. Lydia had heard this Shout before, yet never of this power, but she knew who was responsible.

"He must be outside the gates!" Mjoll said loudly, her voice almost drowned by the rain outside.

Immediately Lydia ran downstairs and left the building to head for the gate.

"Open up!" she shouted at the guards.

Both were still too stunned by the sudden echo that they could still ringing in their ears. Lydia moved them aside and opened one of the gates on her own. But outside there was only Shadr tending to the horses. Hofgrir came walking out of his house a bit further away and looked at the skies.

Lydia looked around trying to find her thane, yet she saw nothing. Her brow furrowed as she tired to understand what was happening. Did a Dragon use this Shout?

But before she could scratch her head over this, a new Shout echoed over the land… this one far more sinister.

VEN MUL RIIK

From afar she saw a wall of white coming and she went pale.

"Get inside," she called out to the two men running the stables. "GET INSIDE THE GATES. NOW!"

Both men saw the massive wall of mist coming for them and both dropped everything and ran to the gates where Lydia was about to close it. Hofgrir jumped headfirst through the gap and Lydia pulled the gates shut. And not a moment too soon as a tremor went through the massive doors, as if they were struck by a battering ram. Three guards immediately helped her secure the gate.

Mjoll came running and looked at her friend.

"What just happened?" she asked her. "Is this Tarrion's doing?"

Lydia opened and closed her mouth a few times before answering… not knowing if she even knew the answer.

"I have no idea," she eventually said as she shook her head.

-Whiterun-

"My Jarl… we cannot keep this up. We have ignored several calls already. If we convene a Moot ourselves would be an even greater insult."

"I know this, Proventus, but I refuse to wait any longer. We have made our intentions clear enough, even without stating them."

Jarl Balgruuf looked out over the city below him as he stood on the balcony of his quarters. In his mind he knew he was in the right. He knew he deserved to be High King. After not only siding with Empire during the Civil War, but also trying to reason with the other Jarls at High Hrothgar, who deserved it more? Elisif?

He hesitated before answering his thoughts, knowing they were bordering on treason. 'No… she may be the widow of the previous High King… but the successor is chosen by the others. I have shown to be wise and headstrong, yet not stubborn. I am deserv-…'

STRUN BAH QO

The entire castle of Dragonsreach seemed to shake on its foundations and far below Balgruuf could see the people stopping with what they were doing.

"By Akatosh, what was that?" Proventus asked as he came standing next to his Jarl.

"By all the gods…" Balgruuf whispered to himself as he looked up.

In less than no time the skies had turned black and rain started to pour down. Mere seconds later lighting started to flash across the skies and people all ran back to their houses. Balgruuf ran back inside and closed the doors to the balcony.

Mere moments later the doors to his chambers were thrown open and a dunmer woman, holding a sword in her hand, came running in.

"Are you alright, my Jarl?" she asked him.

"I'm fine, Irileth," he answered. "But what i-…"

But he was interrupted by another thundering roar.

VEN MUL RIIK

All three looked outside and from where they stood they had a good view over the plains around Whiterun, even when the rain blocked most of it. They saw a terrifying sight as the flashes of lightning gave them just enough to look at.

A wall of white swept over the plains faster than any creature could run. Within seconds the city was surrounded by a thick mist than none could see through. The ancient walls and gate seemed to hold the mist at bay… or maybe the magic that had summoned it chose to spare the city.

Whiterun had become an island amongst an ocean of white and with fear in his eyes did Balgruuf look at it all.

"H-how-…." Irileth stammered.

"Wha-.. what in Oblivion is this?" Proventus asked himself.

But Balgruuf looked outside as far as the rain allowed him. "I know of only one that can do this"

-Solitude-

She sat alone. No-one disturbed her for these few moments she gave to herself. Her bed felt comfortable, and yet it annoyed her. The blankets were soft and made of the finest materials. Her clothes were expertly made to fit her perfectly… yet now she preferred an old tunic.

'Everything has fallen into chaos,' she thought to herself. 'It has all gone wrong. How did it all go so wrong?'

She looked to her left where a small painting hung on the wall. It was a painting of her with someone.

She looked far younger than she was now, and she also looked much happier. Her clothes were made with gold and silver and a beautiful, elegant crown adorned her head. Next to her stood a man, only a little bit taller than her. He had a handsome face, long brown hair, brown eyes and a slight brown beard. A ceremonial sword hung from his hip and a smile was on his face.

She remembered that day. How long it took for them to finish and how difficult it was to stand still for so long. Yet it was also a happy day, one that she often remembered fondly.

But of late… that picture began to hurt her. A deep loss and even despair came over her whenever she looked at it.

"I am sorry, Torygg," she whispered to herself. "I am not like you."

She walked away from the painting and towards a large balcony.

'I am sorry I am not strong like you. I am sorry I am not wise like you. I wish I was. I wish I was worthy of ruling. I wish I was capable of ruling. I… I wish I was like you. But more than that, I wish you were here… Tarrion.'

She was almost surprised by her own thoughts. Why would she be thinking about him… and yet she has thought of him almost every day for two years. First on moments when she would need him. During council meetings or discussions about what course of action to take. When her thanes were bickering once again, he had always been the one she could count on.

But later she would think about him when she would least expect it. During dinners, when she would take a stroll through the gardens, where she had sometimes listened to his advice.. or just his stories. She did not know what to think of him at that time, only that she was glad to have him as a thane.

But as the months passed since his departure, she started thinking about him on moments she would not mention to anyone… ever… not even him. When she was alone, she would sometimes think about him. When she had to change clothes… during baths… or when she would lie in bed.

She would feel ashamed afterwards, asking for forgiveness from the painting in her room, but that same week she would do it again.

She knew she was a mess without him… and she had made a mess out of Skyrim.

STRUN BAH QO

Her chambers shook so hard she nearly fell, gripping the balcony just in time. Behind her, a vase fell and broke on the ground. She turned around and saw the painting falling behind the nightstand. The rain started to pour down on her and at first she was shocked by what she had just heard. A flash of lightning lit up the sky and Elisif quickly entered her room. Her clothes were already wet, her eyes were still wide open as she stared outside. The skies had turned black with rainclouds and the Sea of Ghosts to the north seemed to have come alive. She grabbed the two doors that gave access to the balcony to close them when another thundering sound echoed across the land.

VEN MUL RIIK

She could see a massive wall of white spreading out over the lands below her. A haunting vastness of white that she had never seen before. In less than no time the lands below her were invisible. The rain blocked her vision, yet she could still vaguely see the endless mist below and it was a terrifying sight.

Yet a part of her was not frightened as she stood there. A part of her was not scared by this as she still held the doors. She stared outside, letting the rain wet her clothes. Even when others rushed into the room from the doors behind her, she stood frozen. Not with fear… but with hope.

"He's back," she whispered to herself and unknown to even her, a slight smile came to her face. A smile she had not felt for far too long.

She turned around and glanced at the nightstand and the painting that now lay behind it. A wave of guilt fell over her as she looked at it, yet she ignored it.

'It was so long ago,' she thought to herself.

She sighed and composed herself, telling the others to leave her, yet she beckoned one of the servants to her.

"How can I help you, Lady Elisif?"

She hesitated before she answered, yet she had already made up her mind. "Prepare a bath for me… a hot one."

=End of Chapter=

=Author's Notes=

That took longer than I hoped, but that is another chapter finished. I tried to have this finished either by new-year, or halfway through January.

I am still working on myself, so I hope you will all forgive my tardiness.

Stay tuned for the next chapter… I'll try to start writing regularly again so this Arc gets finished at least this year :)

Dragon Language:

Brii kun yol: Light Beauty Fire (a name I came up with and originally intended it for a female Dragon, before I realize that in Skyrim Dragons do not have genders) (they still all have male pronouns though… strange.)

Dragon Shouts:….. ah, you guys know them by now :)

Extra note:

I had an idea for this chapter that I decided not to include, but I'll explain here so you guys can give your opinions on it:

I originally had Briikunyol be a female Dragon, Odahviing's mate to be precise. She would tell how her eggs were smashed by humans and she took her revenge. She would also tell of how humans would steal baby-dragons from their nests to lure their mother and father into a trap.

I found out though that in The Elder Scrolls Dragons do not have gender and do not mate and have little baby dragons. (a book in Skyrim called 'There Be Dragons' says so). So I eventually decided not to include this idea.

If you guys want though I can still include this, but for now this idea is off the table… Unless everyone says 'aye' to female dragons and dragon babies.