"The time comes soon when… What?" The voice was male
Dar'adhavi blinked to clear her vision as a man in armor similar to the cultists wheeled to face her. She could make out four of the floating tentacled daedra from her last visit flanking him, and she could sense a dragon nearby. A dragon and… something like a dragon.
I suppose that's what a Dragonborn feels like.
Before her vision was fully clear, the masked man shot lightning at her. She fell to her knees in pain as he walked closer.
"Who are you to dare set foot here? Ahh. You are Dragonborn. I can feel it. And yet…" he chuckled. "So you have slain Alduin. Well done. I could have slain him myself, back when I walked th earth, but I chose a different path. You have no idea of the true power a Dragonborn can wield!"
She rolled her eyes at the posturing, but some force kept her on her knees.
Miraak Shouted, and she turned her attention back to him. "Mul Qah Diiv!"
Light formed around him, and she could see the echoes of a dovah in the shape of it.
"This realm is beyond you. You have no power here. And it is only a matter of time before Solstheim is also mine. I already control the minds of its people. Soon, they will finish building my temple, and I can return home." He turned to the daedra that flanked him. "Send her back where she came from." He turned to leave, adding over his shoulder, "She can await my arrival with the rest of Tamriel."
The daedra lashed her with power, but she gritted her teeth and bore it, glaring at Miraak's back as he mounted the dragon that waited. The dragon did not seem pleased, and Miraak looked to be controlling its flight, like a horse.
Dar'adhavi narrowed her eyes as the dragon took off, and she allowed herself to succumb to the blows of the daedra.
When her vision cleared again, she glowered at the book, then shoved it into her pack.
"What happened to you? You read the book, and then… it seemed as though you were not really here. I could see you, but also see through you."
Dar'adhavi twitched her tail. "Dar'adhavi saw Miraak, and his dragon."
"Where? Where is he? Can we reach him? Can we kill him?" Frea demanded, eagerly.
"Not yet. Not with this. He is in Apocrypha, and has the loyalty of at least some of the daedra there."
Frea considered this. "We should return to my village, then, and speak to my father. Perhaps Storn can make sense of what is going on."
Frea shoved past her, darting down the far passage. Dar'adhavi rolled her eyes and followed, mentally going over what she knew.
Miraak in in Apocrypha. He is bound there, somehow, and can not leave without the temple being finished. Likely, the other Stones Frea mentioned play some part, as well. He has a dragon, but I doubt he has earned his loyalty. Given the skeletons in and around the temple, the dovah serves out of fear, or some manner of binding.
She considered the wall she found in the mine, and the one she'd seen in the temple. Those held the first two words she had heard Miraak use to form his armor.
And the third… Diiv. Hmm. This would be simpler with Paarthurnax or Vulthuryol here.
She shook her head, dismissing the idea.
And since he can do that, he might be enslaving the minds of Solstheim with a Shout, as well. She sighed, annoyed. Dragonrend had skittered under her fur like a wild thing, and she doubted any Shout Miraak made use of would feel pleasant.
Dar'adhavi followed Frea out through a small cave, ears pinning back when a small clump of snow loosened and fell on her head with a wet plop. She shook off the snow, following Frea along a game trail.
Frea stopped at a branch on the trail, pointing North.
"See that green light? It comes from the Wind Stone, where my people work against their will."
Frea turned and continued along the path. Dar'adhavi gave the light one last look, then turned to follow. They ran in silence, each consumed with her own thoughts. After several minutes, Dar'adhavi was startled out of her thoughts as a strange glow slowly overtook the horizon.
"Storn has used his magic to raise a barrier around the village to protect the few of us left. That the barrier is still there is a good sign."
Dar'adhavi followed Frea into the village, shaking off the faint tingle of magic from the barrier as Frea approached a small group kneeling in the square.
"Father! I have returned! There is yet hope."
"Frea! What news do you bring? Is there a way to free our people?" the man kneeling in the center of the group replied.
"No. But I have brought someone who has seen things."
Dar'adhavi approached the group. "This one is Dragonborn. She has seen where Miraak hides to consolidate his power, and will see him fail."
Storn looked up at her. "Truly? You are Dragonborn, like Miraak? This is good. Travel to Saering's Watch. Learn there the word that Miraak learned long ago, and use that knowledge to free our people."
Dar'adhavi nodded and left the village. Saering's Watch was already labeled on her map, and she followed her map towards it. She stopped once out of the village and counted her supply of arrows. She snarled softly and changed her course, heading back to Raven Rock. Glover could supply her much faster than the beleaguered Skaal, and she could secure the whispering tome in Severin Manor, away from innocent eyes.
The journey was fairly uneventful as the landscape shifted from snow to ash. Dar'adhavi leaned against a tree, halfway up a slope as the sun sank below the horizon. The drifts of ash made the going difficult. Idly, she wondered if there was a way to clean it up as she surveyed the drifts, keeping an eye out for more ash spawn. She was just shoving off the tree to continue onward when all her fur stood on end.
She glanced around as she dropped into a crouch, but there was nothing there. She was prepared to shrug it off as nerves when a deafening roar split the sky, blinding light piercing her eyes as she flung up a hand to protect herself. She felt the tingle of a dragon in the back of her mind as she blinked the stars and ash from her eyes. It seemed almost familiar, somehow.
She shook her head and faced the dragon. She felt her knees go weak as she realized who had landed before her.
"Alduin."
He glared at her, crimson gaze pinning her in place.
"Dovahkiin," he snarled in reply, finally turning his gaze up to glare at the sky.
Dar'adhavi sat abruptly, ignoring the ash that puffed up around her. "What- how?"
He snarled and glared at her again. "I owe you nothing."
She nodded. "Fair. I suppose this means I must fight you again."
"You do not sound pleased at the thought."
She snorted. "I'm not. I didn't wish to fight you in the first place. I would like to find a peaceful solution to this, if one exists." She slowly rose to her feet, doing her best to brush the ash off. "So. Whenever you're ready, then."
Alduin growled lowly. "You won, Dovahkiin."
She cocked her head. "But you returned. Is this not a rematch?"
"You won. You have proven your Thu'um is the stronger. I must serve you, in whatever way you command," he spat the words.
Dar'adhavi froze, mind racing through the implications. "I would like to restore Numinex, though I do not know the Shout you used. And this other Dragonborn, Miraak." Alduin snorted in surprise. "Yes. This one was not impressed when she first met him. However, he has a Shout that bends the stones to do his bidding, and possibly several Dov, as well."
"And you wish this Shout, as well?" Alduin sneered.
"No. I sought Dragonrend as I was told it was the only way to stop you. I only used it the once. I'm seeking how to break his control. If the Dov wish to continue to serve him, that's a separate issue."
Alduin hummed in thought. "I would need to taste the Thu'um he used to control the stones. And if you have the remains of Numinex, I can restore him."
She sighed, glancing up the mountain. "His remains are at the Throat, guarded by Paarthurnax. Well, most of them. Some are at the Skyforge, to be turned into weapons for me."
Alduin snorted. "That seems wise. Who suggested it to you?"
"Vulthuryol suggested using the bones of Numinex as weapons, and Paarthurnax suggested finding scales to forge into armor." She scowled, thinking. "If you would be willing, I came across a journal of a smith. It details how to make the weapons and armor. Eorlund could use that."
Alduin snorted as Dar'adhavi began to pace. "I will carry this journal to your smith, Dovahkiin."
"Good. And you will terrify the citizens of Whiterun, which is also good. Try not to eat anyone, though. It complicates things." She grinned up at him. "I was told that there is a Word of Power at Saering's Watch, on the northern edge of Solstheim, and that that is one I can use to free the Stones, and those who toil at them."
Alduin studied her, interested. "I see. And you seek out that word, as well?"
"Arrows first, and I want to get rid of this key to Apocrypha, then I'll seek it out." She shot Alduin a look. "And I want you to stay in Skyrim. I'll deal with Miraak on my own."
She continued on her way, flicking an ear as Alduin walked alongside her. She stopped and turned.
"You really aren't meant for overland travel. Say your piece."
Alduin studied her in silence for a long moment, then spoke. "Miraak fears me. It would serve you better were I to remain here."
"Miraak is an idiot with an overblown sense of his own superiority. He might have feared you once, but no longer." She huffed a laugh. "He seems to think that he could have defeated you, like swatting a fly. No. I'll let his arrogance be his downfall. Now, wait here while I get that journal. And then stay in Skyrim. I won't lose those dov loyal to me to him."
Alduin cocked his head as he studied her. "I will see these stones, and if I might learn the Shout you need."
So saying he rose, wheeling gracefully and flying off toward the Skaal village. Dar'adhavi watched him leave, tail lashing. Finally she continued on her way to Raven Rock. If Alduin was going to rain down fire and destruction, she'd deal with it later.
She reached the Bulwark, brushing the ash from her fur. The guards ignored her, muttering amongst themselves about the dragon sighting. Dar'adhavi walked past them, shamelessly eavesdropping, then sighed and continued to her new home. None of them knew anything more than she, and the sight of dragons was not as common here as it was becoming in Skyrim.
As she passed Glover's forge, she paused. "Glover. This one has need of quite a large amount of arrows, the sturdier the better."
He grinned at her. "That will be easily enough done, with the mine open again. Come back in a few hours, and I'll have a few dozen ebony arrows for you."
Dar'adhavi nodded and continued to Severin Manor. Once inside, she dug the first Black Book out of the pile by the door. Taking it and the one from Miraak's temple, she headed into the master bedroom. She cleared out the safe, dumping everything on the floor to be sorted later, and shoved both books in, locking the door behind them. She knew very well that the lock wouldn't dissuade a determined thief, but it would stymie anyone less.
She looked at the pile from the safe, and considered the pile by the door and sighed. She was tired, and the day was only getting worse. She gave the bed one last, longing look, then climbed up the stairs one last time. She found the journal and an empty sack and headed back out to the ashlands. She knew that Alduin could find her in Raven Rock, but she didn't want to terrorize the town just now.
Dar'adhavi stretched as the door swung closed behind her, and she decided to kill a bit of time examining the Earth Stone. She wasn't surprised to see the wizard had gone, or that several of the Redoran guards and townsfolk were still laboring away. She circled the site, weaving in and around the enthralled laborers as she studied the stonework. It appeared to be more in the style she had seen in Apocrypha, and she snorted. Miraak didn't seem able to come up with any ideas of his own.
She felt the familiar tingle of an approaching dragon and headed down the coast a short distance. Alduin landed before her and she gave him an annoyed look. She flicked her ears toward the town, but no one seemed to have noticed his arrival.
"So, what have you learned, Oh Eldest and Wisest of the Dov?"
He glared at her. "I must serve you, Dovahkiin, that does not mean that I will tolerate your mockery."
Dar'adhavi leaned against a tree. "Hardly mocking. Speak to Vulthuryol or Odahviing. I speak to all of the dov so."
"Hmm." Alduin glowered at her, and she gave him an innocent look. "I have found the Word you need, and have sensed the other two from the enthralled stones." He shifted his gaze to the Earth Stone, then back to her. "Miraak is bound to Hermaeus Mora, and that one will be most displeased with my interference."
Dar'adhavi straightened. "Can the daedric princes harm the dov? I never thought to ask."
"Not harm, but it would be… unpleasant for some time."
Dar'adhavi chewed on her bottom lip as she thought, tail lashing. "Miraak hides in Apocrypha, and is bound to Hermaeus Mora. I misdoubt that he could be slain without Mora's approval… Ah, well. We can harry him without approval. What are the Words?"
Alduin shook his head, but he turned to a collapsed pillar and Shouted. Dar'adhavi walked up, studying the words as Alduin gave her his knowledge of them. She rolled the words over in her mind, sneering at the feeling.
"It seems simpler to simply ask for what you want," she muttered. She turned to the Stone, grabbing the sack with the journal. "Thank you for the Words. Now, Eorlund at the Skyforge needs this, and Numinex needs to be resurrected. Go attend to those, and I will start breaking Miraak's hold over Solstheim."
Alduin chuckled quietly as she slung the sack over his neck. "You have the Shout to force my actions, and you still give me the option to refuse?"
"Well, yes. I would rather have the dov, you included now, serve me because they wish to, not because I forced them." She studied the sky as she thought. "You know, I have Odahviing and Sahloknir guarding the Emperor. You might enjoy tormenting the nobles as well."
He took flight, taking a moment to study her from the air. "Or, I could return here, and assist you in handling Miraak."
Alduin flew off before she could reply, and she glared at his retreating form. Once he was out of sight, she sighed and started walking toward the Earth Stone. Since she was here and had the words, she might as well start here.
She studied the area, finally clambering on top of the pillar Alduin had used. She readied her bow, placing an arrow to the string, then took a deep breath.
She Shouted. "Gol!"
The response was instantaneous. The construction glowed red, then shattered. The water around the stone, ankle-deep when she traversed it earlier, spat forth one of the oversized daedra from Apocrypha. The daedra reacted as the last had, spewing poison and tentacles as it stood.
The former enthralled had shaken off the effects much faster than she expected, but she was glad for the assistance. The Redoran Guard she had freed charged into battle, and several of the civilians tried to throw a punch or two, as well. Dar'adhavi grinned as she fired over their heads, grateful, for once, that the daedra was so much larger than the mortals around it.
It fell under the combined attacks, and Dar'adhavi sighed. Her relief was short-lived, however, when a second daedra rose from the shallows of the bay. Heaving an annoyed sigh, she began firing upon the daedra, while the Redoran guard closed with the beast, slashing at it with their swords. It, too, fell in short order, and Dar'adhavi waited to see if a third would appear.
Once she was certain that the Stone was cleansed, she hopped off her pillar and made her way into the town. Captain Veleth caught her eye and jerked his head toward the Bulwark. She followed him up the stairs, enjoying the feel of the sea breeze in her fur.
"So, you know what caused that? And you can stop it?"
Dar'adhavi considered. "This one knows some of what caused the enthrallment of your people, yes, and does seek to free them. She needs to find the other Stones, though."
Veleth nodded. "Well, that I can help with. Here."
He took her map, marking the locations of the Stones for her and handing it back. She looked over the map, tail twitching as she studied it.
"Very well. This one needs to free the Skaal enthralled at the Wind Stone next."
Veleth nodded, casting his gaze over the ashlands. "Let me know if you need any help. You've more than earned it."
Dar'adhavi hummed in thought. "First, this one must cleanse the Stones, then…" she sighed. "This one has found two books that are bound to Apocrypha so far, and might need to find more."
"Well, you've got quite the journey, then." Veleth held out his hand and Dar'adhavi handed over the map again. "There. Tel Mithryn, There's a wizard lives there, Neloth. He's an ass, but he's been looking into those books, too. You might get some information from him."
She took the map again, nodding her thanks. She shoved it into her pouch as she clambered down and sought out Glover. She really didn't want to face another of those monstrosities without enough arrows.