Chapter Eleven

Dar' returned two days later, limping slightly and grumbling. Inigo rushed over, helping her to a chair and watching her heal her leg. "What happened?" he asked, Delphine's voice overlapping with his as she came out. The Khajiit downed a healing potion, looking at them. "Just ambushed a Thalmor patrol up the road." She grinned. "Don't worry-I tossed the bodies into the woods." She got up, testing her leg. "So, what did you find out?" the Breton asked.

"The Thalmor know nothing about the dragon attacks." Dar' said, watching the woman raise an eyebrow. "Really? That seems hard to believe. You're sure about that?" she blinked at the glare she was given and went on. "You're right, you're right. I just...I was sure it must have been them. If not the Thalmor, who? Or what is bringing them back?"

"I don't know Delphine," came the reply. "But they seem to be looking for someone named 'Esbern'."

"Esbern?! He's alive?!" Delphine cried. "I thought the Thalmor must have got him years ago. That crazy old man...figures the Thalmor would be on his trail, though, if they were trying to find out what's going on with the dragons."

"Mind explaining Delphine?" Inigo asked, coming out in his armor. "What do they want with this man?"

"You mean, aside from wanting to kill every Blade they can lay their hands on?" she asked, looking at them. "Esbern was one of the Blades archivists, back before the Thalmor smashed us during the Great War. He knew everything about the ancient dragonlore of the Blades. Obsessed with it, really. Nobody paid much attention back then. I guess he wasn't as crazy as we all thought."

"The Thalmor think the Blades are to blame." Dar' said.

"Ironic, right?" was the reply. "The old enemies assume that every calamity must be a plot by the other side...even so, we've got to find Esbern before they do. He'll know how to stop the dragons if anybody does. Do they know where he is?"

"They seem to think he's holed up in Riften."

"Riften, eh?" The Breton thought for a moment. "Probably down in the Ratway, then. It's where I'd go. You'd better get to Riften. Ask around the Ragged Flagon, in the Ratway. It's at least a good starting point. Oh, and when you find Esbern, you may have some trouble getting him to trust you. Just ask him where he was on the 30th of Frostfall. He'll know what it means."

The pair nodded, leaving the inn and heading to Whiterun Stables, catching the carriage to Riften. "Back to Riften once more," Inigo said as they went along. "Esbern sounds like a useful ally."

"I don't think that patrol I ran into was an accident Inigo," she replied. "Something about the whole thing...usually such patrols have three people-there were a lot more-ten at least. One got a lucky hit off when I was stepping over him-bastard was playing dead."

She looked up, noticing her companion checking her leg armor. "I can't even find where you got hit..." he said, his orange-red eyes meeting her green ones. "It's like the armor repaired itself."

Dar' reached down, feeling for the hole that had to be there and finding nothing. "I have no idea Inigo," she said, shrugging. "Something to do with the nature of dragon scales maybe?"

They got out at Riften Stables, heading out into the lake to tend to something before returning to the Thieves Guild with a grin-the task had appealed to her sense of honor, plus the guy had been an Altmer and her view on his kind had taken the fore. She didn't hate all high elves-she knew that there were good and bad in every race, but the way Aringoth had begged for his life had sickened her; he had cared nothing for the men they had killed getting to him except that he didn't have to pay them anymore and was more worried about his own skin. It had been all she could do not to put an arrow into his throat to shut him up. She met up with Bryn, getting a new mission before asking about Esbern, the Nord eyeing her. "Yeah, I think I know your guy," he said. "He's holed up in the Ratway Warrens and paying us a lot of gold to not let anyone know." He looked up at her bright green eyes. "I'm only telling you this now Dar' because there's been some Thalmor that came through here and tried to rough us up.

The two Khajiit let out identical snarls. "Not surprised Bryn." The white furred feline intoned. "I'm going after him-could you do me a favor and see if we have any other rats scurrying around down here? After all, isn't the Ratway Guild turf?"

Brynjolf smirked at her wording. "Point taken lass." He said, looking at an imposing Imperial that watched the Flagon. "Dirge, check the upper area for anyone that doesn't belong and report back."

Dirge blinked, Dar' handing him a pouch with 100 Septims. "For you time Dirge," she said, the man blinking at her before grinning. "Stop back later when you're not so busy little lady," he said. "Drinks will be on me."

She blushed before heading out the back door and into the other section of the Ratway, taking out a Thalmor before he even saw them, moving through the tunnels quickly and dispatching a few more Thalmor. "I hope we find Esbern before the Thalmor do," Inigo said, looking over. "Though these seemed to be waiting for us."

"I know...and I don't like it." came the reply. "Feels too much like a trap."

They kept going, coming to a large metal door and knocking.

"Go away!" a gruff voice said as the shutter in the door was opened.

"Esbern? I'm a friend-Delphine sent me."

"Delphine?" the man asked, staring out at her and she dropped her hood as a sign of good faith, her companion doing the same. "How do you...so you've finally found her, and she led you to me. And here I am, caught like a rat in a trap."

The female Khajiit sighed. "The Blades were searching for me-I'm Dragonborn."

"What's that you said? Dragonborn? Then there's really hope after all. Let me get this unlocked."

The shutter closed, the sound of multiple locks being undone as the other feline muttered about 'crazy old men'. Finally the door opened. "Come in, quickly." Esbern said, watching them enter before closing it and asking several questions, Dar' answering them before watching him hurry about the room, Inigo peering out the shutter after moving it. "I think we have company." He said, his companion looking over. "Esbern stay here for a moment," she said, raising her hood. "We'll take out the Thalmor then head out."

He nodded, the pair rushing out of the room and taking them down before the old man came out, following behind them back to the Flagon, Dirge waiting for them. "Got another of your kind with brown fur hanging around in the main area," he said. "Black patch over one eye. Know her?"

Dar' shook her head. "She's not with the caravans-I smell a trap." She grinned at him before looking back at Esbern. "Stay behind Inigo."

She turned, blinking as the door to the Flagon burst open, the Khajiit and the Imperial charging across the area to engage the Thalmor that burst in, the other feline that was with them clawing her across the nose. "And now you pay for meddling in the affairs of the Thalmor!" she cried as her opponent staggered, an ebony arrow stopping the downward swing. Dar' stared as the other female fell to the ground before retrieving the arrow, Dirge helping her over to a chair. The old Nord came over, using a bit of magic to close the wounds before letting her clean up. "It's the best I can do," he said, watching her look up at him. "It's all right Esbern," she replied as she got up, using a quick healing spell. "I don't mind if it scars, but I think I need to start learning to fight with a shield." The white-furred female looked up at the Imperial that had helped her. "And Dirge, thank you."

He nodded, watching them leave. "Tough little thing-I'll get these bodies cleaned up and out of here."

-*Timeskip*-

The trio came up the hill into Riverwood from Whiterun, Dar' looking a little travel-worn. She rubbed at the new scars on her nose gently-they didn't hurt but she could feel where the fur was gone. "Going to take some getting used to," she muttered as they crossed the bridge, entering the Sleeping Giant Inn. Delphine looked up, hurrying over. "Delphine," Esbern said. "I...it's good to see you. It's been...a long time."

"It's good to see you, too, Esbern." Came the reply. "It's been too long, old friend. Too long." She looked over at the two Khajiit. "Well, then. You made it, safe and sound. Good. Come on, I have a place we can talk. Orgnar, hold down the bar for a minute, will you?"

"Yeah, sure." Orgnar said as she led the way downstairs, looking at them. "Now," she went on. "I assume you know about..."

"Oh yes!" the old Nord said. "Dragonborn! Indeed, yes. This changes everything, of course. There's no time to lose. We must locate...let me show you. I know I had it here, somewhere...give me...just a moment..."

He began to look for something, the other three staring. "Esbern, what..." Delphine began as he set a book on the table. "Ah! Here it is. Come, let me show you." He tapped the book. "You see, right here. Sky Haven Temple, constructed around one of the main Akaviri military camps in the Reach, during their conquest of Skyrim."

"Do you know what he's talking about?" the Breton asked the pair, Inigo shrugging as his companion shook her head, the man shushing them before going on. "This is where they built Alduin's Wall, to set down in stone all their accumulated dragonlore. A hedge against the forgetfulness of centuries. A wise and foresighted policy, in the event. Despite the far-reaching fame of Alduin's Wall at the time-one of the wonders of the ancient world-its location was lost."

"Esbern, what are you getting at?" his colleague asked in exasperation, the felines grinning.

"You mean...you don't mean to say you haven't heard of Alduin's Wall? Either of you?"

"Let's pretend we haven't." came the reply. "What's Alduin's Wall and what does it have to do with stopping the dragons?"

"Alduin's Wall was where the ancient Blades recorded all they knew of Alduin and his return." Was the explanation. "Part history, part prophecy. Its location has been lost for centuries, but I've found it again. Not lost, you see, just forgotten. The Blades archives held so many secrets...I was only able to save a few scraps..."

"So you think Alduin's Wall will tell us how to defeat Alduin?"

"Well, yes. But there's no guarantee, of course."

"Sky Haven Temple it is then. I knew you'd have something for us Esbern." Delphine looked at Dar'. "I know the area of the Reach that Esbern's talking about." She explained. "Near what's now known as Karthspire, in the Karth River canyon. We can meet you there, or all travel together. The Reach is wild country these days. The Forsworn are everywhere."

"Why don't we meet you there," the female Khajiit said after thinking about it.

"Your call. Might be safer to travel separately-attract less attention that way. Don't worry, I'll get Esbern there in one piece. We'll wait for you near Karthspire. Good luck."

The group headed up, the Breton giving the inn to Orgnar before they headed out, splitting off into pairs. Inigo smiled as they got back into the carriage at Whiterun and headed towards Markarth, Dar' having fallen asleep after getting in as he looked at the sky, thinking before moving to the other seat, gently letting his friend rest against his shoulder. They rattled on for several hours before the driver stopped, the movement waking the other feline, looking at him. "Here we are." He said, watching them dismount and head off. "Feeling better?" Inigo asked, looking at her. "Yeah," came the reply. "I was worn out."

They moved along, meeting up with Delphine and Esbern just as a dragon attacked, the group bringing it down before Dar' absorbed the soul. "Ah, the power of the dragon is yours," the old man intoned. "There can be no doubt you are the Dragonborn of prophecy."

The two Khajiit rolled their eyes, taking out the Forsworn before entering the Karthspire, the white-furred feline's knowledge of traps coming in handy before they reached a cave, the two Blades looking at a seal on the ground. Dar' grumbled, removing one of her gauntlets and cutting her palm with her Dragonbone dagger, letting the blood drip onto the seal before healing the wound, watching it come to life. "You first Dar'," Delphine said. "You should have the honor of being the first to step into Sky Haven Temple."

They went inside, Esbern commenting on the stonework before heading up the stairs into a massive chamber. "Shor's bones! Here it is!" he cried, examining it. "Alduin's Wall...so well preserved...I've never seen a finer example of early second era Akaviri sculptural relief..."

"Esbern," the other Blade snapped. "We need information, not a lecture on art history." She glanced at the two Khajiit, seeing them grinning. "You're amused by this, aren't you two?" she asked incredulously.

Her reply was a smirk, the old Nord barely paying attention to what was going on behind him as he lit a brazier. "Yes, yes. Let's see what we have..." He looked at the carvings. "Look, here is Alduin! This panel goes back to the beginning of time, when Alduin and the Dragon Cult ruled over Skyrim." He gestured to another area. "Here, the humans rebel against their dragon overlords-the legendary Dragon War. Alduin's defeat is the centerpiece of the Wall. You see, here he is falling from the sky. The Nord Tongues-masters of the Voice-are arrayed against him."

"So, does it show how they defeated him? Isn't that why we're here?"

"Patience, my dear. The Akaviri were not a straightforward people. Everything is couched in allegory and mythic symbolism. Yes, yes. This here, coming from the mouths of the Nord heroes-this is the Akaviri symbol for 'Shout.' But...there's no way to know what Shout is meant."

"You mean they used a Shout to defeat Alduin? You're sure?"

Esbern looked at her. "Hmm? Oh, yes. Presumably something rather specific to dragons, or even Alduin himself. Remember, this is where they recorded all they knew of Alduin and his return."

"So we're looking for a Shout then," Delphine looked defeated. "Damn it."

She looked over at Dar'. "Have you ever heard of such a thing? A Shout that can knock a dragon out of the sky?"

The Khajiit shook her head. "No, I've never heard of anything like that." She said.

"I was afraid you were going to say that. I guess there's nothing for it. We'll have to ask the Greybeards for help. I hoped to avoid involving them in this, but we have no other choice."

"I'll go speak to Arngeir. Maybe he knows." She looked at Esbern. "Honestly Delphine, I don't know how you do it-in the short time I've known him, Esbern's nearly driven me as crazy as Sheggorath the Skooma Cat."

The Breton blinked at her before chuckling. "You learn to deal with him after a while. Thank you for finding him Dar'."

The Khajiit waved as they headed out. "Why do I get the feeling Arngeir is not going to be happy with what we have to ask him?" She said, Inigo looking at her. "I think you might be right." He replied, shaking his head as they stepped out of the cave. "But first, let's find a place to camp-you need rest."

Dar' smiled weakly, helping to pitch camp for the night.

(A.N.: This chapter is a bit heavy on the dialogue but it's needed-I really couldn't do like other chapters and pass over it. Plus, Dar' and Inigo being amused by Delphine's exasperation with Esbern was just too good to pass up.)