Delphine was standing near the counter, talking to the bartender, when Esbern and I entered the Sleeping Giant Inn.
"Delphine!" He called out. She turned around, eyes wide, and he laughed as if in disbelief. "I… It's good to see you. It's been a long time."
She walked over and clasped his arm. "It's good to see you, too, Esbern. It's been too long, old friend. Too long." The Blade cleared her throat. "Well, then. You made it, safe and sound. Good. Come on, I have a place we can talk."
As she led the two of us back to her secret room, she called back, "Orgnar, hold down the bar for a minute, will you?"
"Yeah, sure." The bartender watched us pass with a look between confusion and interest.
Once we were down in the hidden room and out of earshot, Delphine began, "Now then. I assume you know about–"
"Oh, yes!" Esbern said, nodding. "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…"
While we watched he rummaged around in his pack, muttering to himself. Delphine sighed.
"Esbern, what…"
"Give me… just a moment… Ah! Here it is." He pulled out a book and set it on the table. Then he beckoned to us. "Come, let me show you."
Flipping open the book, he pointed to a map. "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?" Delphine asked me. I shrugged.
Esbern hushed her. "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?"
"You mean… You don't mean to say you haven't heard of Alduin's Wall? Either of you?" He looked between us with obvious disbelief.
"Let's pretend we haven't. 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. 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 that Alduin's Wall will tell us how to defeat Alduin?" Delphine asked.
"Well, yes, but… there's no guarantee, of course."
"That's good enough for me," I told them.
Delphine nodded. "Sky Haven Temple it is, then. I knew you'd have something for us, Esbern." Turning to me, she said, "I know the area of the Reach that Esbern's talking about. Near what's now known as Karthspire, in the Karth River Canyon."
"All right. Let's go, then. Are you ready?"
"Always. Let's go see if we can find this Sky Haven Temple."
As we made our way out, Delphine stopped by the bar and said to the man behind it, "Orgnar, this is it. The inn is yours. I'm probably never coming back here."
"Well, now. That's something to think about."
"Take care of yourself, Orgnar. Goodbye."
"Yeah… sure. You, too, Delphine. You be safe."
They shook hands and Delphine followed Esbern and me outside.
It was dark when we arrived at Karthspire. Stars winked in the black sky over our heads. The silence was abruptly broken by the loud roar of a dragon from somewhere nearby. I paused and drew my bow. Rounding a bend in the trail, I finally found the source.
A large camp was built on wooden platforms over the river. I saw people running about on them, casting fire at the dragon that hovered above. With a roar, it spewed fire down on them. More flames were cast between them, dancing in brilliant amber flashes in the darkness.
"Forsworn," Delphine said. When she drew her sword and hurried forward, I grabbed her arm.
"That's not what we're here for," I hissed. "Let them deal with it."
Grudgingly she nodded and turned away, leading us up into a cave set into the mountainside.
Deep inside the tunnels, past what looked like an extension of the camp outside, we came across some old ruins. Pillars lined the cavern, and I saw what looked like another passage above, but there was no way to reach it. Only a raised stone bridge that would have led to a platform reached by a set of stairs.
"This looks promising," Delphine said, climbing them. She lit a torch and looked around.
"Yes. Definitely early Akaviri stonework here," Esbern mused.
"We've got to get this bridge down." She knelt beside three waist-height pillars at the top of the platform. "These must have something to do with it."
Esbern came up beside her. "Yes. These are Akaviri symbols." He pointed to each in turn. "Let's see… You have the symbol for "King"… and "Warrior"… and of course the symbol for "Dragonborn." That's the one that appears to have a sort of arrow shape pointing downward at the bottom."
"If the Akaviri were all about the Dragonborn…" I stepped forward and both Blades moved aside as I turned the pillars so that the symbol for Dragonborn faced us on each. As I did, there was loud groan and the bridge swung down.
Delphine looked over at the bridge and the tunnel beyond. "It worked. Let's see what else those old Blades left in our way."
I followed them up the tunnel and around the corner. Just beyond I saw another room. Before either of us could take a step, Esbern slammed to a halt and shouted, "Wait!"
"Why are you stopping?"
He pointed at the ground. "We should be careful here. See these symbols on the floor?"
Delphine crouched to examine them. "Hmm. Esbern's right. Look like pressure plates."
I looked out across the room. On the other side I saw a chain set into the wall. A way to turn off the trap.
"Right. I'll go."
"Don't be stupid," Delphine snapped. "Without you–"
"It's all for nothing. Yeah, I got it. But I have experience with this kind of thing, so just let me do it."
I looked down at the tiles, recognizing the Dragonborn symbol again. I stepped out onto one of them. Nothing happened. I stepped onto another nearby. Again, nothing.
"Be careful," Esbern urged.
I picked my way through, stepping on only tiles marked with that symbol. Once I reached the other side I pulled the chain. There was a series of clicking noises from beneath the floor.
"Looks safe now. Let's move," Delphine called.
As we hurried forward, over yet another bridge, I heard Esbern say, "I think we must be close to the entrance."
A final tunnel led out into a chamber whose ceiling was open to the sky. The natural walls were carved further down so that they were mostly smooth. At the far end, a giant sculpture of a man's face was set into the wall. Between it and us were several concentric rings of stone.
"Wonderful," Esbern breathed. "Remarkably well preserved, too. Look here! You see how the ancient Blades revered Reman Cyrodiil. This whole place appears to be a shrine to Reman. He ended the Akaviri invasion under mysterious circumstances, you recall. After the so-called "battle" of Pale Pass, the Akaviri went into his service. This was the foundation stone of the Second Empire."
Noticing the stone circles at last, he pointed at them and said, "Ah… here's the "blood seal." Another of the lost Akaviri arts. No doubt triggered by, well, blood. Your blood, Mara."
"What?"
"Try dripping blood onto the carving on the floor," Delphine suggested.
Grimacing, I looked at the carving. It didn't seem I had much choice at the moment. Not if we wanted to get into the Temple.
Kneeling down, I pulled off my glove and drew my knife. I nicked one of my fingers and let the blood that welled up drip onto the stones.
The instant it made contact the stones flared with light. I stepped back as they turned. There was a loud grinding sound, and the carved head of Reman Cyrodiil lifted out of sight, revealing a passage beyond.
"You did it! There's the entrance!" Delphine said, her face alight with wonder. I healed up the cut and took the torch she handed to me. "After you, Dragonborn. You should have the honor of being the first to set foot in Sky Haven Temple."
"There's no telling what we might find inside."
I stepped in and pushed open the stone door just beyond. Inside was a set of stairs. Carved reliefs were set into the walls. Esbern stopped to examine several of them as Delphine lit the braziers lining the hall with her torch.
"Fascinating! Original Akaviri bas-reliefs, almost entirely intact! Amazing… You can see how the Akaviri craftsmen were beginning to embrace the more flowing Nordic style…"
"We're here for Alduin's Wall, right, Esbern?" Delphine asked him sharply as she walked past.
"Yes, of course. We'll have more time to look around later, I suppose. Let's see what's up ahead."
The hall ended in a massive chamber. There were several holes in the natural stone ceiling above, revealing glimpses of the night sky. Below, at the center of the room was a long stone table. Several doorways led off to gods-knew where. Finally I saw by the flickering torchlight that one of the walls was elaborately carved with a massive relief design.
"Shor's bones, here it is! Alduin's wall!" Esbern gasped, hurrying toward it. "So well preserved… I've never seen a finer example of early second era Akaviri sculptural relief…"
"Esbern! We need information, not a lecture on art history!"
"Yes, yes. Let's see what we have."
He lit a brazier nearby and gazed up at the wall.
"Look, here is Alduin! This panel goes back to the beginning of time, when Alduin and the Dragon Cult ruled over Skyrim. Here the humans rebel against their dragon overlords – the legendary Dragon War." The old Blade led me through all the events depicted in the carving. "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?" Delphine asked. "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. 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?"
"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. Damn it," she growled. To me, she asked, "Have you ever heard of such a thing? A Shout that can knock a dragon out of the sky?"
I shook my head. "No, but the Greybeards might have."
"You're probably right. I was hoping to avoid having to involve them in this, but it seems we have no choice."
"What do you have against them?"
"If they had their way, you'd do nothing but sit up on their mountain with them and talk to the sky, or whatever it is they do. The Greybeards are so afraid of power that they won't use it. Think about it. Have they tried to stop the civil war, or done anything about Alduin? No. And they're afraid of you, of your power. Trust me, there's no need to be afraid. Think of Tiber Septim. Do you think he'd have founded the third Empire if he'd listened to the Greybeards?"
I remembered the vision of myself, of what she did with her power, and the dreams I'd had recently.
Still I murmured, "Don't worry. I'm not going to lock myself away." Not again. Not after what happened last time.
"Good. The Greybeards can teach you a lot, but don't let them turn you away from your destiny. You're Dragonborn, and you're the only one who can stop Alduin. Don't forget it."
"I'll see what Arngeir knows about this shout, then."
"Right. Good thing they've already let you into their little cult. Not likely they'd help Esbern or me if we came calling. We'll look around Sky Haven Temple and see what else the old Blades might have left for us. It's a better hideout than I could have hoped for."
"Look, here. In the third panel," Esbern cut in. "The prophecy that brought the Akaviri to Tamriel in the first place, in search of the Dragonborn. Here are the Akaviri – the Blades – you see their distinctive longswords. Now they kneel, their ancient mission fulfilled, as the Last Dragonborn contends with Alduin at the end of time. Are you paying attention, Delphine? You might learn something of our own history."
Delphine rolled her eyes.
"I know the prophecy by heart. Once all Blades knew it. When misrule takes its place at the eight corners of the world; when the Brass Tower walks and Time is reshaped; when the thrice-blessed fail and the Red Tower trembles; when the Dragonborn Ruler loses his throne and the White Tower falls; when the Snow Tower lies sundered, kingless, bleeding; the World-Eater wakes, and the Wheel turns upon the Last Dragonborn."
I stepped up to the wall, looking at the panel Esbern illuminated with his torch. One symbol stood out, a Daedric one. I stared up at it. That piece of the prophecy was clear to me at least, just looking at that image. I remembered the first Gate I closed, the one at Kvatch. I remembered the blood, the heat, the smoky air. It was a nightmare in physical form, just like the Daedra that ruled it.
"Ah yes," Esbern began as he noticed me staring up at it. "That is the symbol for the Oblivion Crisis."
"It's the daedric letter 'o'. It was on the cover of the…"
I faltered. I remembered that infernal book. What it did. Martin had been so strong to look at it and not lose himself during that time. He had been stronger than I ever was in so many ways.
"The cover of what?"
I turned to Delphine. "The Mysterium Xarxes."
"I suppose it could have been," Esbern mused. "It was a prominent symbol, certainly, and is often associated with Mehrunes Dagon during the period. As for exactly what was inside that book… No one was able to properly document it. Martin Septim was the only one to read it, and from what was written, he–"
"There were diagrams and instructions for the ritual to get into Mankar Camoran's Paradise."
"Fascinating…" He murmured.
"Esbern!"
"What?"
Delphine pointed an accusing finger at me. "How do you know all this?"
"I had to walk through his little study space every time I tried to get through the Great Hall." I leaned on my fists against the table. "It was nigh impossible to get through there for ages. He practically took the place over."
"Who did?"
I remembered the stacks and stacks of books, Jauffre's annoyance that the Great Hall was all but unusable. The sound of page after page being turned, searching for an answer.
"Martin." I smiled softly at the bittersweet memory.
Delphine looked at me like I'd lost my mind. "Martin Septim? You're kidding, right?"
"Who do you think got that damned book for him?"
"So you are Mara Fides," Esbern said. He looked at me curiously, almost as if he was studying me. "I'll admit I have had my suspicions since I first met you. Not many outside the Blades ever knew that the Champion was a member of our order. Besides, you do so look like your statue."
I should have known when he asked about my name. Damn it.
"But that's impossible." Delphine snapped, crossing her arms. A look of suspicion flooded her face. "That happened two hundred years ago. You've got to be, what, thirty?"
"I am thirty," I snapped. Never mind that the daedric curse made me stop aging at age twenty-eight. "And yes, it is possible."
"Prove it."
"Delphine…"
"On the tenth of Frostfall, year four thirty-three of the third era, on the steps of Cloud Ruler Temple, Grandmaster Jauffre made me swear an oath," I said, cutting Esbern off. "Undying loyalty to those of the Dragon Blood, and that I would protect and serve them to my final breath. The oath all Blades took. The same oath you took, I'm sure."
She stared at me. "Gods above. How have you survived this long?"
"It's a long story, and not one I particularly want to share."
Delphine looked like she was going to press me further, but Esbern quickly beat her to it.
"What was he like?" He asked. "Martin Septim, I mean."
"He was…" My words caught in my throat and I took a deep breath. "… He was a good man. Stubborn, yes. Stubborn, kind, reserved, and strong. Understanding above all else. But he was never arrogant. Divines knew he could have been, but he never was."
"And I must ask… You may or may not know of this, but… You know how such rumors are known to come about in such situations. Nevertheless such a rumor did arise…"
"What rumor?"
He hesitated. "Were you and Emperor Martin ever… intimate?"
"Esbern! Really?" Delphine shouted at him.
I felt cold as I stared down at my hands. Tears welled up in my eyes and a hollow ache settled into my chest.
"Yes," I whispered, "we were."
Dead silence. I felt their eyes on me, but I couldn't look up.
"Was it merely physical, or…"
"I loved him," I snapped, glaring at them both. They both stepped back slightly, as if they were afraid of me. "He was the only person I ever loved, and he…"
My hands clenched into fists. All I could see were his last moments. The way he'd kissed me, told me he loved me. The look on his face before he cast down the Amulet of Kings.
"… He was gone too soon."
Neither of them said another word. They seemed too stunned to even move. Straightening, I faced them and said in a flat voice, "I'm going to go see if Arngeir knows anything about this shout. Enjoy your new fortress."
Their eyes still upon me, I turned and left Sky Haven Temple, bitter tears running down my face.
