Chapter Twenty

The majority of what remained of Evening Star was spent running favors across Skyrim, the pair taking the time to journey to the Throat as the year changed from 4E 201 to 4E 202, Dar' writing a letter as they rested in High Hrothgar.

Turdas, 1st of Morning Star, 4E 202

Dear Mother and Father,

I hope the New Life Festival treats you well along with the new year. I write to you from High Hrothgar, the fortress on the mountain above Whiterun. Inigo and I just came back down from the peak watching the year change. I have two friends that live on the peak-they're dragons, believe it or not. Odahviing-"Winged Snow Hunter" in their language-he helped me get to where I had to go to stop Alduin and Paarthurnax is a teacher of the Thu'um, or Voice. His name means "Ambition-Overlord-Cruelty" but he is...he sees me as a kindred spirit I think-he is very knowledgeable. I go up there to find peace and quiet up there. There's another dragon that is in the area, but he is unsure of me still-I can see it in his eyes. They're expressive-the eyes of this dragon are hard to describe in a letter, but they're different enough where I have trouble reading him. I have some things to take care of in the morning, so I will close now.

Raj ahziss shal,

Your Clever Shadow

Dar' smiled to herself, folding the letter and sealing it. There was so much she wanted to tell her parents about the dragons she knew, the sound of a dragon landing in the courtyard making her look up before getting to her feet and going outside, blinking up at the dragon, the purple eyes focused on her. She moved closer slowly, the wind blowing the snow around them as she looked back, confusion and curiosity in her gaze. "You've followed me?" she asked, wanting to understand why now of all times. "You are the Kinzon Vokun yes?" he intoned, smiling at her.

"'Sharp Shadow'...sharp as in clever." The Khajiit nodded. "Yes, that is what 'Dar'Mora' means in the language of my kind."

The dragon opened his dark blue-black wings to reveal the deep purple underside, bowing his head before coming back down. "I am Strunkaalnaar young Kaaz. I feel I have been...hevno to you when you have come to see Paarthurnax-something that might be seen as niid nonvul?"

"You show much honor in coming to tell me so, Champion of the Storm's Peak." Dar' smiled at him, reaching out with one hand. "You were only harsh because you did not understand why I came up there-I could feel your miinne on me while I spoke with Paarthurnax." She tilted her head. "What is your ruling of me?"

Strunkaalnaar smiled at the hand touched his snout and moved gently, being joined by the other as she scratched his long horns. "That you are worthy of the knowing, Kinzon." Came the reply. "I heard your voice when you Shouted down those that hunted us lingrah vod-it is what made me seek out my zeymah Paarthurnax-he would know why the Thu'um was heard in the land you call the Reach. Odahviing returned and explained what happened-that the Wuth Gein was safe from the brunikke."

The white-furred feline sat down and took out her notebook and some charcoal, sketching the dragon and showing him when done. "I enjoy getting to know dragons Strun," she said, feeling him rest his head on her shoulder gently as they heard movement, Inigo and Arngeir coming over, the Greybeard looking at her. "We also heard the Shout that day Dar'Mora," he said. "They did not take it well?"

"I...kinda told Delphine she was acting like the Thalmor and she lost it." Was the reply. "She tried to attack but her blade glanced off my shield-it was then I called on the Thu'um and Shouted her down." She bowed her head. "I apologize for misusing my gift Master, but I felt it was the only way to get through to her."

"There was no misuse young one." Arngeir smiled at her as she got to her feet, Strunkaalnaar following behind and bowing his head before looking at her. "Should you need me, Kinzon, you have but to call. Odahviing and I would both come to your aid."

"'Kinzon'?" Inigo asked, watching his friend look over as the dragon launched into the air, heading back up to the top of the peak. "It's as close as they can get to 'clever'-the word means 'sharp'."

There was a crackle above them, lightning shooting out into the clouds. "He is known as the Strunzeymah," Arngeir intoned. "Instead of Fire or Frost, he breathes electricity. He is kin to Paarthurnax, and hasn't been seen in a long time-he never cared to be worshipped though he did have a small following back in the day."

Dar' smiled as they headed out, thinking about some of what they had done as of late. She wrinkled her nose as she thought of meeting Langley Longseer, having truly fought with herself not to Shout him off the cliff that day and shook her head as they headed for Whiterun.

~Timeskip~

The white-furred feline glared from the shadows as she came out of Arcadia's Cauldron, hearing Olfrid Battle-Born bully the old woman with his son Idolaf, baring her fangs at the callousness they showed and waiting until they left before going over. "Fralia?" she asked, watching the Nord woman look up at her before pulling her into a hug. "Dar'Mora...it's awful." She sobbed, clutching at her desperately. "I shouldn't bother you with my troubles-it's been years but I still remember the little kitten that used to follow my sons around."

"Fralia, if something's happened to them, you know I will help if I can." Dar' gently soothed her, calming the woman who had been like a second mother to her and finally letting her go as she exhaled. "Come up to the house-I will explain there." The woman said, the group heading up to the Gray-Mane house and going inside, a Nord male coming out with a battleaxe. "Mother, what's the meaning of this?" he asked. "Who have you brought into our home?"

"Avulstein, put that down!" Fralia scolded. "She's here to help find Thorald!"

"How do we know she's not spying for the Battle-Born? This was..."

Avulstein was cut off by a growl, looking over at the two Khajiit as the smaller of the two lit into him. "Avulstein Skead Gray-Mane!" she snarled. "How dare you accuse someone you know of working with those khaj aki fools?!" She removed her helmet, green eyes catching the light as he blinked, setting his axe down and moving forward. "Bishu roliter?" he asked quietly, surprised he remembered the words taught so long ago and grinning as she smirked before pulling her into an embrace. "Air!" Dar' gasped, nearly collapsing as she was released before smiling up at him. "Ok Avulstein, what's happened to Thorald?" she asked. "And what do the Battle-Born have to do with it?" She glanced behind her, shaking her head. "Forgive my manners, Fralia and Avulstein Gray-Mane? This is my friend Inigo."

The Nord eyed the blue-furred Khajiit before shaking his hand, clapping him on the back. "You have my thanks for watching over one who was like a sister to me and my brother." He said. "As for Thorald, I know he's not dead. The Imperials have him and are keeping him somewhere, but I don't know where. The Battle-Borns have basically been taunting us with the knowledge."

"Be at peace liter," came the reply. "Leave it to us all right?"

The pair left the house, Dar' gesturing to her friend to keep watch as she peered in the window, seeing Olfrid look at a piece of paper before setting it on a desk and leave the room, the click of the lock being heard. She waited a moment before using a telekinesis spell to move the latch, moving as quick as she dared before carefully pushing the window open and slipping inside, weaving a spell around both of them to keep them hidden for good measure. Sure, the old Nord had helped the Thieves Guild get a foothold in the city, but that didn't mean she was going to stop harassing them. The Khajiit lifted up the paper, reading it and finding it was a message from Tullius:

It has come to my attention that inquiries have been made as to the whereabouts of one Thorald Gray-Mane. It is my duty to inform you that Thalmor agents have taken possession of the prisoner and have escorted him to Northwatch Keep. I don't think I need to elaborate. It is in everyone's best interest if the matter is dropped entirely. I trust there will be no further inquiries as to this matter.

Gen. Tullius

Inigo suddenly got the feeling something was wrong and made a buzzing sound he hoped those inside the house would think was just bees flying around, hearing his friend slip back out as the window closed behind her, locking itself as she reappeared, her eyes having gone hard as jade. "How bad is it with your brother?" he asked softly as they hurried back to House Gray-Mane and went inside, heading to where her friend was. "Avulstein we got problems." She said, handing the missive to him as she bared her fangs and watching him read the words, tensing.

"The Thalmor..." he said. "By the Nine. Well, we know where to hit them." He looked up at them. "You're going to help us right? Thorald can't be left to those...monsters."

"Va wo jer liter," she said in Ta'agra. "You know I will stand with you. Besides, since when do I need a reason to take out Thalmor?" She checked her pack for bandages and magicka potions, nodding. "We'll meet you near the keep Avulstein." She said, watching him slip out of the house before doing the same, catching the cart to Solitude, heading up the road. They met up with Avulstein and two other Nords, who frowned at the pair, blinking as Dar' hugged their leader and nodded, letting go and taking in the situation before grinning evilly, glancing back. "I think I can get them all taken down-there's a lot." She glanced back at the pair. "I'm Dar'Mora by the way and this is Inigo."

"Name's Geirlund," said the one wearing scaled armor. "This is Vidrald. Avulstein mentioned you-said his sister was coming. He didn't mention you were Khajiit."

"What's this 'way' you're thinkin' of?" Vidrald asked, watching her step out and Shout into the sky. "Odahviing!" she roared, taking a deep breath. "Strunkaalnaar! I ask for aid this night!"

The group looked up at the twin roars, a call of alarm coming from the fort as two massive shadows soared overhead, the female Khajiit pointing towards the structure as they passed before drawing her Dragonbone blade and rushing in with a yell, Avulstein laughing. "C'mon boys," he said. "You know she won't leave any for us if we don't get in there!"

The three Nords and the blue-furred Khajiit rushed in, joining their friend who was happily slaying any Thalmor that tried to escape the dragons before dropping her shield, casting a ward as a bolt of lightning streaked in front of the group, Inigo turning and taking out one that came up on the side. "Nah-nah-nah-nah-nah-nah! Talos is amazing!" he taunted as he ran the elf through with his ebony blade. "Remind me to enchant that later!" he heard his friend call, the fight ending after about 5 minutes, Geirlund kicking one of the bodies before looking up at the dragons. "How is this possible?" he asked, watching Dar' go over to them after grabbing her shield. "They are my friends," she explained, turning and introducing them. "This is Odahviing the Winged Snow Hunter and Strunkaalnaar the Champion of Storm's Peak. My friends, meet Geirlund and Vidrald, along with my honor-brother Avulstein Gray-Mane. We seek our brother Thorald within this place."

"We will stay and keep an eye out for any reinforcements Dar'," Odahviing intoned, watching them rush inside. The group hurried through the keep, the dragon attack having drawn every Thalmor out of the place save one, Vidrald cutting off his head as the two Khajiit rushed over, carefully freeing the Nord cuffed to the wall. "Easy brother," Avulstein said as he knelt next to them, the white-furred feline cleaning his wounds before healing them with her magic after setting several potions down if she needed them. "How do you feel Thorald?" she asked, watching him look up at them as she finished. "Avulstein..." he said. "Who have you brought with you here?"

"Look at her brother," he replied. "You should recognize her even after all these years. The only thing different is the scars on her nose."

Thorald Gray-Mane stared for a moment, remembering a time when they were followed around by what he remembered as a white furball with a bow. "Dar'Mora?" he asked, pulling her into a hug. "Little sister..."

"Too long, my brother." Came the reply as they let go and she got up, helping him to his feet. "Come, I have friends waiting outside."

They left the keep, Strun bowing his head to them. "We greet you, kin of our friend." He said formally, the weakened Nord staggering slightly. "Dragons?!" he shook his head. "Only you Dar'."

Dar' swung herself onto the dragon's back, looking at them. "You coming? Thorald can ride with me and Odahviing can take Inigo and Avulstein..." she looked at the other two who shook their heads. "Get them home safe Dar'Mora," Vidrald said, Geirlund nodding as they headed off. Inigo climbed onto Odahviing, the Nords sitting behind them as they launched into the sky. "We need to head to Whiterun my friends," she said, feeling Thorald hold tight to her waist. "Thank you, bishu roliter," he intoned softly as they flew, landing several hours outside Whiterun as the sun began to rise. The group got off as the female Khajiit took off her helmet to shake her head, suddenly getting zapped by a small electrical charge that made her fur poof up, the dragon trying to smirk innocently. "Funny Strun..." she said, shaking herself and getting her fur down. "Thank you both for your help."

"Call if you have need my friend," Odahviing intoned, the pair launching into the air and flying off as she put her helmet on before grabbing a hooded cloak and putting it on the Nord before they headed in, walking up to the house. "Fralia?" she called, watching the old woman come out as the hood was dropped, rushing to her son. The two Khajiit quietly left, heading out. "I like your brothers Dar'," Inigo said. "They really do care about you-and you about them. Fergus and I were like that-we were always together."

"My family and the Gray-Manes were always quite close," came the reply. "I used to follow those two around-we'd have mock sword fights, play hide-and-seek. Market days were always fun and I always felt like I belonged-like I wasn't the outsider most people saw when they looked at me."

(A.N.: cutting this a little shorter than I would like, but the next part makes more sense as a new chapter. Anyways, Dar' makes a new friend and restores one she views as a brother his freedom

Ta'agra translations:

khaj aki=sand-smelling [meant as an insult]

Bishu roliter=small sister [small as in younger-also a reference to Dar' being shorter than a Nord]

Liter=brother

Va wo jer=I am with you

Dragon translations:

Hevno=harsh

Niid nonvul=not honorable

Miinne=eyes

Lingrah vod=long ago

Zeymah=brother

Wuth Gein=Old One [aka Paarthurnax]

Brunikke=savages

Strunzeymah=Storm Brother

Coming up next: times change for Dar'-'change' being the operative word here!)