Chapter 56

Bo and his companions arrived in the small village of Rorikstead late one afternoon. It had rained earlier in the morning but the sun now crept out from behind big fluffy clouds and the temperature was beginning to warm. The closer they drew to the little village the more eagerly Jane sat up in the saddle. She was desperate for a hot bath more than anything since her hair still reeked of the Stormcloak soldier's blood from the day before.

Frostfruit Inn had just come into view as they began ascending the small hill and her eyes widened as they took in an incredibly awful sight.

Alduin flapped his massive black wings, creating a flurry of wind around the village. A nearby burial mound suddenly exploded as a massive Dragon skeleton burst into life and began clawing out from under the ground. The horses stopped dead in their tracks and Bo threw himself down from their steed and ran as fast as he could towards the pitch-black Dragon with blood eyes.

Jane gawked up at Alduin, seeing him for the first time in the flesh. She was completely amazed and horrified by his presence. He had an aura of great power that radiated off of him in waves. She sat rooted to the saddle, staring up at him as the others dismounted from their horses and began charging towards the Dragon corpse. Its flesh began to stitch back together, woven with ancient magic as Alduin called to it. Suddenly Alduin turned his head towards Jane and she swore he looked directly at her. It felt like her breath was knocked out from her chest and she gasped as something deep inside her began to stir. The Dragon roared, and the sound pierced into her very core. She felt something entirely strange and completely indescribable come over her.

"Jane!" Lynne shouted. "What are you doing!"

Alduin began to fly away. No number of arrows or magical attacks seemed to affect him. He took off towards Whiterun and the group was left with the Dragon he had brought back to life. It grinned as its rust-colored skin stitched back together, revealing a hardened scaly shell that was harder to pierce. Bo, Naz, and Ahmon fronted the attack while Nara and Lynne assaulted it with magic further away.

There was another roar just as Jane stumbled off the horse and straightened up. She swiveled her head towards the source and her stomach sank as a second Dragon suddenly appeared in the sky. She quickly conjured her bow and began running towards the grey-scaled Dragon while Nara and Lynne followed close behind. It stopped, its attention fixed on a poor goat nearby. When it was close enough Jane conjured several flame Atronachs since she recognized the beast was a frost Dragon.

Lynne ducked away just in time to avoid a stream of ice. Nara yelped as ice crashed into her arm but she quickly recovered and dashed away, focusing her lightning attack on its behind. Jane continued to fire arrow after arrow at its scaly hide and eventually it was weakened enough so Lynne could deliver the fatal blow. The Dragon screamed as Lynne plunged her dagger through its skull and collapsed to the ground with a loud thud. The Nord stumbled back onto the ground. After a moment she stood up and let out a deep breath as she wiped the sweat from her brow. Across the road, Bo had finished off their Dragon and he patiently waited to absorb its soul.

This was the first time they'd encountered two Dragons at once. Jane stood close to the frost Dragon, inspecting it with great curiosity. She remained where she was near its head as it too burst into a shower of sparks, and she expected it to rush towards Bo. However, something else happened. When Bo turned towards the other Dragon he watched in utter horror as the Dragon's soul suddenly rushed through Jane's body. She closed her eyes and sucked in a deep breath as her entire body tingled with energy. Light swirled all around her and after a moment it grew fainter until it was completely gone.

When she opened her eyes, she found everybody staring at her with open mouths. The only person who wasn't impressed was Bo. His shock quickly turned to fury and he clenched his hands into fists.

"No… no," Bo growled, his voice shaking. "This is my burden!"

Bo's voice echoed loudly in their ears as he roared. Jane sighed, and she didn't try to stop him when the Orc spun around and began running towards his horse. He leaped up into the saddle and snapped the reigns. The stallion took off at a gallop across the golden plains and Jane watched him until he was out of sight.

"Jane..."

Jane turned towards Lynne, who was staring at her with an incredulous expression.

"Did you... have any idea?"

"Um," Jane sighed, and she rubbed her neck. "I uh... well, I did talk to Arngeir a bit, but he was cryptic. I only asked if it was possible to have more than one Dragonborn."

"That's crazy," Ahmon laughed, but there was no humor in his voice. "Of all people, it's you."

"I know, I know… Bo…"

"He'll get over it," Naz growled. "He's letting his emotions get the best of him but this is a great thing for us."

"Where did he even go?"

Nara gazed out at the landscape with a sullen expression, and then she glanced over at Ahmon who shrugged.

"He's furious right now. It's best just to leave him alone."

"Come on," Jane sighed, and she began walking towards their frightened yet well-behaved horses.

"There's no use in standing around here."

Inside, Jane was nearly shaking with adrenaline, but she felt conflicted. A part of her knew that Bo would react exactly as he did, but the other part of her was frustrated that he had been so upset. She wanted him to be thrilled by this new development. It meant that he wasn't alone, burdening the title of Dragonborn, and Jane could now relate to him on a whole new level. She also felt a great sense of purpose, and with it came a new surge of motivation. Jane had been consumed by questions about why she had ended up in Skyrim in the first place if she wasn't to be the main player, and now she had some answers. It made perfect sense. There was more than one Dragonborn in the past, and now there was more than one again in the present.

Ahmon and Naz led the horses to the stables located near the side of the Inn while the women walked up the front steps and headed inside. They passed a terrified Imperial as they went, who eyed the massive Dragon skeletons with widened eyes. Once inside, Jane reached the counter first and she inquired with Mralki about renting three rooms.

"No problem, it's been dead around here lately. It'll be thirty gold."

"Thanks," Jane replied quietly, and she stood aside so Lynne could count out the appropriate gold.

"Was that Dragons I heard just now?"

"Yep. Three of them."

"Wow. I figured it's safer indoors."

"Sometimes," Nara replied, her voice grim as she thought about the burnt down farm. "Sometimes it's no better."

"Well, your meals are all provided. If you need hot water just ask Erik and he'll fetch it for you."

"Thanks."

They hung out in the main dining hall to wait. After a while, Naz and Ahmon entered the Inn and they glanced around for a moment. Ahmon smiled sadly as he spotted Nara and he kissed the top of her head when he got closer. Lynne turned to Jane, who silently twirled her room key between her fingers.

"Are you going to be okay?"

"Me?" Jane shrugged. "Yeah, I'm fine. I might as well go wash up. Who knows when he'll be back."

"Okay..."

The group watched Jane as she shouldered a borrowed pack and began walking towards the sleeping quarters. She found the room and quickly entered inside, shutting the door quietly behind her. She sighed and dropped the satchel on the floor near the bed before looking around. A spacious double bed lay flush against the far wall and a tall wardrobe and small side table were the only other furniture. A tub stood to her right and Jane perked up a little at the thought of a bath and so she headed back into the main hall to hunt down Erik.

Jane found the ginger haired Nord sitting at one of the tables with a mug full of mead in his hands. He glanced up at Jane when she approached and she could tell he was glum.

"I'd like to request a bath."

"Sure," Erik murmured, and he got up from the bench. "I'll get right on it."

"Thank you," Jane smiled slightly, and then she walked back over to the counter.

"Need a drink?"

"Just one, a honey ale if you have it."

"Coming up."

Jane had hoped that Bo would return before her bath was ready, but she was halfway through her ale when Erik returned and informed her it was ready and the Orc had yet to return. She sighed and slowly walked back to her room with her drink in hand, feeling sad that Bo had reacted so violently. She wanted to kiss him and take all his troubles away but times were changing and it was growing increasingly more difficult to comfort him.

Once back in her room Jane struggled out of her armor and then finished undressing and sank down into the steaming water with a small sigh of content. She enjoyed the bath but found it difficult to get the most out of it when her thoughts were filled with Bo. Outside, the sun had set and it was concerningly dark. She hoped he returned before dinner. However, Bo didn't appear even after everybody had bathed and regrouped in the dining hall. Jane was the last to arrive and she glanced around the table for a moment before her eyes roamed the rest of the hall, searching for a familiar face. She wore a set of Lynne's clothes since Bo had disappeared with their horse and their packs.

"He's not back," Lynne called out softly.

"Perhaps somebody should go find him," Jane sighed, and she took a seat beside Nara.

Nara reached up and squeezed her shoulder but Jane couldn't bring herself to smile.

"He's a grown Orc, he'll be fine."

"He's a troubled Orc," Jane replied firmly, and she looked over at Naz.

"Jane, you know I love you, but you coddle-"

"Naz please don't," Jane cut in, and her brows furrowed together. "I can't handle it right now."

Naz sighed, and he rubbed his hand down his dark green cheek. Beside him, Lynne lightly pinched his thigh beneath the table.

"Okay...sorry."

The atmosphere was gloomy as they tucked into their meals and still, Bo did not show up. Jane barely touched her food for she had no appetite. Worry gnawed at her stomach though she tried to push it away. She wasn't sure if leaving Bo alone was a good idea but at the same time, she knew he needed space.

Eventually, she grew too tired to sit around the table with everyone and so she retired to her bedroom for the rest of the night. She ignored the sad expressions on their faces as she bade everyone goodnight and began walking back towards the sleeping quarters. Inside her room was completely dark and so Jane cast a small light spell and weakly tugged her boots off before collapsing on the bed. She was more tired than she expected and despite the worry, she felt Jane slipped into a deep sleep and did not wake until sometime later in the night.

It was past midnight by the time Bo came back to Rorikstead. He silently rubbed his horse down after taking off the saddle and when they were safely tucked away in a stall, Bo wandered up the steps to the Inn and entered inside. He rubbed his cheek and yawned while he walked past the firepit and reached the counter. A Nord with bright orange hair lounged on a stool behind the wooden counter and he eyed Bo with a curious expression.

"It's late. Do you need a room?"

"No," Bo grumbled, his voice low. "Where is the young woman with short brown hair staying?"

"Oh, the one with a bunch of friends?"

"Yeah."

Erik directed Bo to the right room and he nodded before shuffling away. He carried all of their packs and he felt a bit bad that Jane probably had to borrow clothes while he was away.

Jane. Bo's thoughts were consumed with nothing but Jane as he had relived the scene outside Frostfruit Inn over and over. He had been completely taken by surprise and after learning Jane could also absorb Dragon souls, he had been unable to control himself. That was why he ran away. He knew he had to put some distance from Jane or he would have made a bigger ass of himself than the day before. Even now, as he made his way towards their bedroom he didn't know what to do or say. He felt like he'd been stabbed in the back. Accepting that he was Dragonborn had been a challenge but accepting that Jane was also Dragonborn was a concept he was completely against. He didn't understand why it had to be her.

I never wanted her to be so involved, Bo thought to himself as he reached the door to Jane's room. I lost myself in the thrill of having a partner for the first time when I should have been more focused on keeping her safe.

Bo slowly opened the door and shuffled inside. Jane lay with her back facing him and she did not stir when he lowered the packs to the floor and began taking his boots off. Within a few minutes he had stripped down to his underclothes and he sat down on the edge of the bed with a quiet sight. He was tired, but his mind wouldn't slow down.

I know she's capable, I know she can handle herself in a fight. But this is a completely different entity. This is more than just Draugr or Trolls or bandits. I don't even know the extent of what I'm dealing with yet.

Jane felt something move by the edge of the bed and she slowly opened her eyes. When she rolled over she was met with Bo's hunched back, and her heart ached as she realized just how torn up he was about the situation. He had been gone for hours.

"Bo..."

"I'm sorry for running," Bo replied quietly, his voice barely a whisper.

"You don't have to be sorry."

"But I am. I'm sorry... for everything."

"Bo," Jane murmured, and she sat up. "Please understand that I had no idea. I didn't intend to upset you."

"I'm not upset with you, Jane. I never wanted anybody to be a part of this, but I should have known. I am too much of a coward to do this by myself."

"Don't say such things," Jane hissed, and she tossed the covers back. "Come here right now."

Bo complied. He slid back onto the bed and laid down. Then he pulled Jane close and wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug.

"Why did it have to be you?"

"Why not?"

Bo was silent for a moment and Jane quietly listened to the sound of his heart beating in his chest.

"I'm afraid."

"Of what?"

"That I'll fail to protect you one day."

"You know you're trying to do the impossible, right? You could do everything right and I can still get hurt."

Jane lightly rubbed his chest and Bo sighed. Then she craned her head back and kissed his soft cheek.

"I know."

Bo felt the same. His firm arms around her felt exactly the same. The heartbeat echoing in her ear was the same steady rhythm and when he drifted to sleep his soft snores sounded the same. But there was something different. Something had changed between them and the realization scared Jane more than anything, more than seeing Alduin in the flesh. If she thought about it too much it filled her entire body with dread and so she tried to shake those feelings and focus on the task at hand.

I wish I could just tell him everything I know. That he's a part of an ancient prophecy. That there is an end in sight even though it doesn't feel like there is. That he'll meet Alduin in Sovengarde and end things once and for all. But I can't.

Jane lay awake for a long time, her thoughts filled with too many things. That night she dreamt about a sword made of bone and a swirling purple portal that led to the afterlife.