Chapter Seventeen

The next morning Dar' awoke to movement, Inigo looking at her. "You have guests, my friend." He said softly, moving away so she could get ready. The female Khajiit came out, breakfast having been brought up and a red-headed Nord sitting down. "Jarl Korir," she said, bowing slightly before sitting down, smirking internally at the look of shock on his face as he realized who she was. "Dar'Mora?" Korir breathed, blinking at her. "Where is Savos Aren?"

"He was killed by a Thalmor by the name of Ancano." Was the reply as she sipped from her mug, taking a bite from some bread and swallowing. "I take it you're here due to what happened yesterday?" She raised an eyebrow, setting her bread down. "You came here hoping to bully Savos over it, didn't you?"

The Nord swallowed. "I...admit that I did." He admitted, watching her sigh.

"You know Korir, instead of blaming the mages and doing nothing else, why not rebuild what you have?"

Inigo grinned as the other male considered her words. "You speak sense Dar'...I mean Arch-Mage." He said, watching her wave off the title before starting in on the apple dumpling that was in front of her, the Nord looking up at her companion. "How are you taking this title? Must seem a little strange to you."

"Dar' is who she is and that will always be so to me-I don't see titles, I see her for who she is beyond all that-keeps her grounded."

Dar' grinned. "Honestly I owe Inigo for this," she explained. "I was nervous with my magic-Inigo helped me find strength and confidence with it. As for what you believe, there is a book you may wish to look over-'On the Great Collapse'-hopefully what one of the former Arch-Mages said will explain why the town fared so badly-and the College was unaffected." She looked off. "Savos once said that the Sea of Ghosts came alive when I asked him about it-and that the magic used to protect this place saved it from the worst of the damage."

"I'll look into the book Dar'Mora," the Jarl said, looking at her. "But I make no promises that my views will change."

"By all means, do your own research-I do not wish to influence your views in any way. I merely ask that you see how it is from the opposite side. Anyways, if there's anything that happens over what occurred, we'll deal with it."

He nodded. "I never would have taken you for a mage-and I really don't want to anger you-lest it get back to Ulfric. I'll leave the College be for now." Korir got up, bowing to her before leaving before Dar' leaned back. "I don't want to offend him, but the guy's stubborn." She got up, finishing her breakfast before heading downstairs, talking with the other mages. There were a few new students, the Khajiit greeting them with a smile before heading for the Arcanaeum, going over to Urag. "How are you today?" she asked, watching him look up. "Look," he said. "I'm not one for commendations, but I might've lost everything that matters. So...thanks."

"Think of it as repayment for helping me get away from Ancano that day." Was the reply as she looked at the books. "Have anything for translating dragon runes besides 'Myth no More'? I've been meaning to ask."

The Orc thought for a moment, going to a case and taking out an old book, watching her take it reverently and sit down to read, Inigo chuckling. "That's Dar' for you-even after defeating Alduin she's still a scholar at heart."

Urag chuckled. "You know what I lack is anything about dragons-think of what a prize this library would be with that information." He wandered over to where Dar' was, sitting down and watching her devour the book, her journal out as she went between the two. "What is it like to shout?" he asked, feeling a bit nervous as her green eyes looked up into his black ones, thinking on how she could word it before exhaling a cold mist. "It's power in the most raw form Urag," she explained, watching him brush the frost from his robe. "It's...primal. To a dragon, however, there is little difference between talking and fighting-two dragons Shouting at each other is actually a deadly verbal debate."

"Where did you come across that information?" he asked.

"Tinvaak with a dragon-the word means 'conversation' in their language. I hope that others will be open to speaking with me-think of what we could learn."

The Orc laughed. "Truly a scholar at heart." He intoned.

The female Khajiit worked on her translations for the next few hours before getting up, stretching as she put her journal away and handed the book back. "I have something I have to deal with Urag...and I feel knowing several words is going to help big time. Thank you for letting me use this."

He nodded, watching her get up and head up to the Arch-Mage's quarters to change into her armor, sighing. "I need to deal with the Blades Inigo-if I don't, something is going to happen."

Inigo nodded; he liked Paarthurnax and honestly couldn't understand why anyone would want to kill the old dragon as she came out and they headed for Sky Haven Temple.

~*Timeskip*~

They arrived at the temple, finding the pair outside on the overlook and listening to Esbern talk about a dream before Delphine turned to her. "We heard the news," she said. "That you left Whiterun on the back of a dragon! That's a little...showy-even for you. I take it you have good news to report?"

"I traveled to Sovngarde and killed Alduin there." Was the reply.

"That's great, but there's one more thing Dar'-we know about Paarthurnax."

"He's a dragon and he's helped me."

"And that's fine-but it's long past time for him to pay for his crimes. He was the right hand of Alduin-many of the atrocities he committed are still remembered, thousands of years later. Until he's dead we would dishonor our oaths as Blades if we continued to help you."

"I'm afraid Delphine's right." Esbern spoke up, having noticed the look on the female Khajiit's face. "I'm sorry this has to come between us."

She glared at them with narrowed eyes before turning on her heel and storming off, heading for High Hrothgar. When they reached it nearly a day later, she went straight to Arngeir and told him, like she had promised. "Now you see why I warned you against them!" he said. "Bloodthirsty barbarians!"

"Were their words true about him being Alduin's ally?" She asked.

"Yes." Came the reply. "But understand-during the days of Alduin all dragons where his allies. There nothing else they could be. If not for Paarthurnax, Alduin could not have been overthrown. It was he that first taught men to use the Thu'um."

"Do not worry Arngeir," Dar' said calmly. "I will not kill Paarthurnax."

"Kynareth has placed wisdom in you Dar'-all you need to do is learn to listen to it and your path will be clear. Go, ask him his thoughts."

She bowed, leaving and heading up the mountain, noticing a few dragons there as her friend looked at her. "What troubles you, little Kaaz?" Paarthurnax asked.

"The Blades say you deserve to die." She admitted. "But I do not wish to kill you."

"The Blades are wise not to trust me," he intoned. "Onikaan ni ov. I would not trust another dovah. Dov wahlaan fah rel. We were made to dominate. The will to power is in our blood. You feel it in yourself, do you not? I can be trusted-I know this, but they do not. Onikaan ni ov dovah. It is always wise to mistrust a dovah."

"Why shouldn't they trust you my friend?"

"I have overcome my nature only through mediation and long study of the Way of the Voice-no day goes by where I am not tempted to return to my inborn nature. Zin krif horvut se suleyk. Which is better-to be born good, or to overcome your evil nature though great effort?"

"So how can I make them understand?"

The dragon reached out with one wing, touching her shoulder with the claw. "You already know-you must simply find the words. Tell me, what is the relationship the Blades have with the Dovahkiin?"

"They are there to protect the Dragonborn," she said after thinking about it. "And I've been letting them try and rule me, haven't I?" Her hand tightened on the grip of her Dragonscale shield, a snarl on her face as she turned to Odahviing, the dragon launching into the air from his perch and landing near her. "I know that look..." he said. "Come-we fly the skies of Keizaal together once more-I will speed you to where you need to go so they can see dovah AND Dovahkiin working together!"

The two Khajiit climbed onto his back, the other dragons that were on the mount roaring as they launched into the air, shooting through the sky. Dar' let out her own jet of flame, the red dragon chuckling. "You are strong Dar'Mora," he said, the trip taking only a few hours due to his speed as he landed on the overlook, Delphine staring as she slipped off and stormed over. "We deal with this now Delphine-you are my Vahlok-not my Jun! You will do as I say!"

"You have been blinded." The Breton ground out as the white-furred feline roared. "Bruniikke!" she Shouted, the ground shaking. "You're as bad as the Thalmor and just the same! You're both caught up in your own cause you can't see if what you're doing is even the right thing anymore!"

"How dare you suggest that? You test our patience..."

"Bloodthirsty barbarians...Arngeir was right..."

At that, Delphine let out a yell and drew her blade, lunging at the other female, who blocked it with her shield, her green eyes blazing above it before getting sent flying by her words.

"Dreh ni fus dii bah!" she roared, sending her tumbling into the stonework, Esbern staring at the battle in shock before looking at the dragon calmly watching the pair, Dar' pointing her Dragonbone blade at her fallen foe. "I do not wish to kill you Delphine, but you will learn to listen this day! Plus, I never said I would stop fighting dragons-there are plenty that harm others-those will be what the Blades will deal with."

The Breton woman stared up at her through the flames of the blade, realizing how the horns on her helmet resembled those of a dragon. "I yield Dar'Mora," she said, watching as the blade was sheathed before the hand was extended to her, taking it gingerly as she thought on her words. "And...you're right-I have been acting a bit like the Thalmor with my demands." Her eyes cut the Odahviing. "What of this one? Is there..."

The red dragon came over, eyeing her. "Zu'u Odahviing," he said. "Dar'Mora has proven herself to me and we are allies. I came this day to show we can work together." He eyed the old Nord nearby. "And if you are going to try something like that fool kro did, I would not recommend it."

"Didn't help that Farengar was a bit of an idiot to begin with." Inigo muttered, Esbern looking at him. "I would ask your thoughts on this." He said. "You seem oddly at ease with Dar'Mora's actions."

"Dar' is who she is Esbern," was the reply as he looked over. "You and Delphine and many others see her just as the Dragonborn. I see her for who she is under all the titles, trappings and everything else-that is the difference. Odahviing and Paarthurnax see her as I do as well. Tell me-did you two ever stop to think how terrified she had to have been saving the world-being pushed into doing this without thought or care to her feelings?" He watched them look down at his words. "As I thought-Dar' is more than just what titles she's been given-the power and abilities she bears. Maybe if you got to know..."

"You know I'm not letting them anywhere near Paarthurnax Inigo," the white-furred female growled. "At least, not for a while and only if certain promises are made. Plus, it's Paarthurnax's choice ultimately." She looked at them. "I'm a scholar at heart-think of what we could learn from them-about the past and how they see the world. I want to learn things from their side-we know how it was for the people back then, but have we ever thought to find out what the dov went through? It must have been pretty bad if Alduin's own right hand, err wing turned on him."

Delphine stared, realizing the wisdom in her words. "All right Dar'-we get it." she said. "But if Paarthurnax slips up, it's on your head."

"Fair enough Delphine," she drew her blade. "Now, would you do me the honor of another spar? Haven't had a decent workout in a while-bandits aren't all that good."

There was a laugh as the two went at it, both panting after several hours. "Your enchanting abilities are impressive Dar'," the Breton intoned, taking the blade when it was offered and eyeing it with a practiced gaze. "Flame I can understand, but there is another here-it's familiar."

"It's an enchantment against dragons-I have it on this one and on Dovahfeyn-the greatsword that Vignar gave me."

"Now we just need recruits," Delphine said as they sat on the ledge. "You might be able to help with that."

Dar' laughed, smiling gently and noticing Esbern and Odahviing in a quite animated debate. "I think I've created a monster," she intoned, nodding to the pair and watching the old man write something down. "Those two will be at it for hours if I know Esbern."

"That's how scholars are from what I've seen," the Breton replied. "He was the archivist and always loved knowledge.

The Khajiit leaned back, removing her helmet and relaxing.

(A.N.: I'm cutting this one shorter than I really would have liked-wasn't expecting it to be 5 pages when I moved it to its own document-coming up is the remainder of the Thieves Guild Questline!

Dragon translation:

Kaaz: Khajiit

Onikaan ni ov: Wisdom (in) not trust(ing)

Dovah: dragon

Dov wahlaan fah rel: Dragons (were) created to dominate

Zin krif horvut se suleyk: (Better to be) honorable (and) fight (than be) snared by power [best translation I could come up with for this]

Keizaal: Skyrim

Bruniikke: Savages

Dreh ni fus dii bah: Do not force my wrath

Zu'u: I (am)

Kro: wizard

I wanted something more-there is a mod that has similar dialogue, but I did change it up and added the battle in-Dar' and Delphine have never really fought and I wanted my Khajiit good and ticked off to start Shouting)