Chapter 31

Having seen much of the world, Whiterun was a city of simple Nordic and homely beauty where the cobbled path wound its way around the houses of which the rooftops were painted yellow and decorated with ornate woodwork. The city was surrounded by grassy hills, dotted with the pinks and blues from the wild flowers that grew near the creek and river. The whole view was serene and beautiful, bathed in the orange glow of the setting sun, but Ganir found it a foreboding of what was about to transpire.

Even Tormagg could sense it as the steed impatiently shifted from one hoof to the other, bristling every once in a while as if to say, 'get on with it!'.

The Dark Elf glanced over his shoulder at the Great Porch of Dragonsreach, where he could see the lone silhouette of Ancano. Though he knew it wouldn't be long now, he felt this 'pang' in his chest, as if it released that rush of adrenaline that began to surge through him and he grew all too aware of his breathing. One by one, he saw how the braziers on Whiterun's walls were lit, until at last, Ancano also signalled that he was ready by shooting a flare of magical light into the sky.

The Dark Elf's red eyes sought the mountains around him, as if all that would've been enough to lure the dragon, but he knew better and took a deep breath. This is it…Here and now…He tightened his hold on Tormagg's reins to keep the steed at bay when he Shouted, "ODAHVIING!" and his Voice was carried far into the mountains until its echo died.

"He shan't deny the call." Esbern had said. "He will want to test his mettle against the Man who defied the World-Eater."

Clad in the colors of blood in the snow, Odahviing came flying from the mountains in the North-East and bathed in the remaining light of the sun, he looked even more fierce than the sound of his roar alone showed. Ganir originally intended to gallop around the fields to make sure he had Odahviing's attention, but when the lithe dragon was clearly headed straight towards them, he immediately turned Tormagg around and raced towards Whiterun's gates, urging the horse to go as fast as it could.

"Dovahkiin!" Odahviing taunted, bathing the Dark Elf in his shadow as he closed in. "Bo luft zey!"

"Come and get me first then! See if you're quick enough to catch me!" Ganir taunted in return, his voice barely audible over the thunder of Tormagg's hooves and the horn that Irileth sounded; the signal to open the gates.

Balgruuf stood on the walls as well and once the dragon had appeared, he had ordered his archers to ready their bows. The moment Ganir raced through the gates, which had barely opened and the dragon came flying near over the gates, he bellowed, "FIRE!". Odahviing snarled at the rain of arrows that forced him to stay his airborne path in pursuit of the Dragonborn, who was headed towards Dragonsreach.

"Even an army won't save you, fahliil!" Odahviing swerved mid-air with the intention to land on the Drunken Huntsman's rooftop, but it was then that Ondolemar, Esbern and Farengar came from their hiding places on the roofs of the barracks, Drunken Huntsman and the smithy, firing their magical spells at him. "Tricksters!" Odahviing snarled. The rapid flap of his wings nearly sent the men flying off the roofs, but they held on to the ropes they had fastened as a safety precaution and maintained their barrage of magical flame and lightning. Though his thick hide and scales protected him, Odahviing bared his teeth in a snarl. "Die, worms!"

He opened his maw with the intent to burn them all to a crisp when he was nearly knocked out of the air by a powerful Voice that shook him to the core. "FUS RO!"

Ganir had seen that Odahviing's focus had turned towards the mages and had immediately turned, rushing towards the small square near the city's gates. The Shout alone was enough to get Odahviing's attention, and Ganir had to hold on tight to Tormagg's mane and reins as the horse was terrified of the dragon who was back in hot pursuit of them both.

"I will make you watch them burn once I'm through with you, elf." Ganir tried his hardest to focus on the road ahead of him, the houses, statues and fountains all a blur but he could feel the dragon's hot breath on his back. "Your game ends here!"

The Dark Elf had made his way to the upper tier square of the city. All he'd have to do now, was make it up the steps to Dragonsreach and rush over the make-shift ramp to the Great Porch, but Tormagg was not fast enough.

Ganir's surroundings were a blur and Tormagg's horrible, tearful cry of pure anguish tore not only at his ears but also his heart when Odahviing's jaws snapped shut over the horse's back and tore away at the horse's body. With Tormagg torn from underneath him, Ganir was sent flying and he made a painful landing, rolling over the sharp, cobbled stone. Though most of his armor and his arms protected him, when he finally lay still on the ground, he could feel the warmth of blood pouring from somewhere on his head.

Dazed and his vision blurry, Ganir managed to get to his feet, but he stood shaking in his boots. His stomach churned when he watched how Tormagg lay writhing on the ground. His hind legs were broken and his whole back was bloodied and twisted. Rage and grief overwhelmed Ganir.

The ground shook when Odahviing made his landing and Tormagg's panicked cry and widened eyes tore away at Ganir. "You care for this pathetic beast?!" Odahviing snarled and though he had not wanted too, Ganir looked away when the dragon rammed its winged talon down on Tormagg's neck and the horse's cries were silenced. "Enough of your games, Dragonborn. Fight me!"

Though he wanted nothing more than rip the dragon's hide off right now, Ganir grit his teeth. He wasn't seeing one, but four dragons. His blood boiled in rage and frustration. This isn't going as planned…It would take all of his strength to will his mind and body to get itself together and work…if he survived for that long.

When Odahviing roared and lunged forward, Ganir instinctively dove forward and down to the ground as it was the only and safest option and the dragon crashed into the statue of Talos and the wall behind it. "YOL TOOR SHUL!" Within seconds, the whole square was bathed in flames that burst from the furious dragon's maw. "Face me with dignity and honor, Dovahkiin!"

For a dragon his size, Odahviing was remarkably fast when he spun around and Ganir got too little time to think. Though the bright flames had shaken him back to the here and now, Ganir acted on pure instinct when the dragon dove towards him again. With the intention to grab the dragon's horn and Shout the beast's head against the ground, he hoped to find the time to lure the dragon into the trap this way. But Odahviing had anticipated this and swiftly turned his head away from the Dragonborn in an attempt to shake him off.

But Ganir held on and the momentum that Odahviing created by shaking his head, permitted for the elf to throw his weight back and swing himself onto the dragon's back by grabbing another horn with his free hand.

Odahviing's tail missed him by just and Ganir had to hold on to the spines on the dragon's back to avoid falling off or getting impaled by one of the many sharp talons on the dragon's wings or tail. "Zu'u fen velaaz nau fos reyziin do hi mindin Zu'u gunaar hin qeth ko thok kolos hi engein, fahliil!"

The sudden jerk nearly threw Ganir off the dragon's back and though he now lay flat on his back, the Dark Elf managed to hold on with his legs and grab hold of a spine as Odahviing leapt, spread his wings and flew off. Aside from struggling not to vomit, Ganir also had no clue as to what was up or down anymore. Odahviing would rapidly twist and turn mid-air, going as far as even loop and brush past the ground and over the city's rooftops by just in an attempt to throw the Dragonborn off his back.

His muscles burned as he fought gravity to get himself sat upright, but that wasn't the end of it as he had to hold on for his dear life and he pressed himself down on the dragon's back. When he finally got his bearings straight, Ganir's eyes widened when he saw they were headed straight back to Whiterun.

"Fire!" Ancano and Ondolemar bellowed, both on separate ends of the city. The moment the arrows flew, both the elves cast their spells and they were set ablaze. Ganir was about to yell at them for almost hitting him, when he saw how it forced Odahviing to alter his flightpath to Dragonsreach.

"You want to fight, Odahviing?! Then we fight!" Though he was small and insignificant to the dragon in weight and size, when Ganir threw all his weight forward to the left side of the dragon's head, it was enough to catch the dragon's balance off-guard.

The rapid flutter of wings made Ganir worry for his safety as the sharp talons brushed past him by just, but as the dragon tried to steer itself back into balance, the Dark Elf saw his chance and though he was terrified and very aware of the altitude he was at, he took the jump, back on to the dragon's neck and then to the horn on the right of Odahviing's head.

Because they were so close to the palace, Odahviing couldn't steer away as he could break his wing and the two of them dove down towards the Great Porch. When Odahviing tried to recover, Ganir snarled, "FUS!" at the beast, in the hopes of disorienting it long enough. Both he and the dragon skidded over the stone floor as they made their less than graceful landing, but by rolling over the floor, Ganir lessened the pain of the impact some.

The Great Porch was a massive balcony where most of Whiterun's festivities were hosted, but very few knew what true purpose it had served many ages past. Dangling from the ceiling by massive chains, a solid, heavy yoke hung from the ceiling. But in his rage, all that Odahviing saw was the little elf within his grasp. "Nid staad wah ru uv iliis, Dovahkiin! Alok wah krif zey, nikriin! Meyvitaan!"

"NOW!" Ganir yelled at the men on the battlements and they sprung the trap, diving for cover. A startled cry escaped the dragon as the yoke slammed down on his neck and locked him in place, trapped under the sheer weight of the yoke and chains.

"Meyvitaan! Nikriin!" Odahviing swung his tail from the left to the right in an attempt to slam the stone pillars, but couldn't reach them and he flapped his wings in a desperate attempt to lift off, but the yoke did not yield. His eyes locked on to the smug, but dazed Dark Elf that stood before him. "YOL TOOR SHUL!"

The dragon's toothy grin fell when the Dark Elf was unharmed by the flames. "Give up, Odahviing. I won!"

Though the Dark Elf staggered and his face and hair were smeared with his own blood, he was still standing.

"You went through a great deal of trouble to put me in this humiliating position, Dragonborn…But do not think me defeated!"

"JOOR ZA FRUL!" Ganir poured all of his rage into the Dragonrend Shout; all the pain he felt right now along with the anger he felt over Tormagg's loss.

The dragon cried out and his pupil's dilated as he was overwhelmed with a most primordial fear he, as a dragon, couldn't know or understand to exist. To die in battle, that was one thing, but to suddenly grow aware of age and mortality, this was such an incomprehensible concept to Odahviing it shook him to the very core. "NID! Dovahkiin! NID! I yield! No more!"

Though he didn't exactly feel sorry for Odahviing, compared to Alduin, the Dragonrend Shout had such an impact on the dragon he submitted that Ganir could only imagine what Odahviing was experiencing right now. And also, why the Greybeards felt so strongly opposed against the Shout's existence.
Odahviing lowered his head to the ground as low as he could as a sign of his submission as he spoke. "I acknowledge the suleyk of your Thu'um, Dovahkiin, but I fear your victory is a small one. After all, you are after Alduin, are you not?"

"That's why we've gone through all this effort to get you," Ganir fell to his knee as black dots began to dance before his eyes and his head felt as though someone was stabbing him repeatedly. "And you're going to tell me where he is…"

Odahviing at first cocked his head slightly before a deep rumble emanated from his throat. "Pruzah. Rinik vazah, Dovahkiin. Alduin bovil. He is hiding in Sovngarde where he feasts on the soul of the mortal dead to regain his strength; a power he jealously guards. How can you hope to even defeat him, as powerful as you are, Dovahkiin."

"By seeking him out in Sovngarde and you're going to tell me how to get there." Ganir spat some blood out of his mouth on to the ground. "Or need I kill you here and now and find another who's more cooperative?"

"Drem, Dovahkiin. Nid, you need not seek the aid of another. I will aid you." The thick, dagger-like scales on Odahviing's body rustled fearfully as a shudder ran through the beast. "But it is not as … easy as you think. Are you even sure you can you truly defeat Alduin?"

When Ganir made to run a hand through his hair, he pulled it away when he felt how soaked his hair and face was with his own blood. "This…isn't good."

The dragon regarded him with curiosity. The Dark Elf had made no attempts to veil his weakness, or was it a ruse? Regardless, he wasn't about to try his luck. That Shout…that horrible Shout. And his death would be a disgraceful, humiliating one; trapped like cattle.

At first, Ganir thought the pounding he heard and felt was of his heart, but it was his head. He tried his hardest to suppress the nausea that overwhelmed him, along with the fatigue and pain. His back was bathed in cold sweat but he knew he wouldn't be able to hold it much longer.
"Ganir!" Ondolemar dove forward to catch the Dark Elf lest he hurt himself even more. The High Elf knew he had no reason to panic, but still his heart raced as the Dark Elf was unconscious and badly hurt.

"Ancano!" Ondolemar called to his friend, who came running in. He was followed by the Blades, Jarl and Irileth.

"Spare me your wahpaak, skahgein," Odahviing bared his teeth in a snarl and hissed at Ancano, whose fingertips crackled with teal lightning as he initially thought the dragon and Ganir had fought. When the Arch-Mage saw that the dragon made no move to attack, however, he backed down, his dark golden eyes never leaving Odahviing's grey ones. "I have yielded…But I will defend myself."

"He needs healing, Ancano, right now, or he won't make it…" Ancano knew exactly what Ondolemar meant and after shooting the dragon a final, warning glare, he gestured for Ondolemar to follow him. Ondolemar lift Ganir up into his arms and carried the Dark Elf to safety.


Flaming, magical birds circled Ancano as he bathed in the gentle warmth of the morning sun. His primary focus lay on his breathing but he was enjoying the view over Whiterun and the plains beyond. His face fell into a scowl, however, when his peaceful morning meditation was crudely interrupted. The walls of Dragonsreach shook and a most loud, angry roar was audible on the other end of the palace, shortly followed by the clatter of boots and cries of panicked men.

Either that blasted lizard has a terrible morning mood…As he had feared, someone came knocking at the door to his chambers and with a tired, annoyed, "Enter," he grabbed the overcoat of his robes.

Proventus Avennici, still clad in his woolen nighties, burst into his chambers and looked very distraught. "Arch-Mage, we need your help!"

"If it involves the dragon…"

"It does! Quick! Please!" Before he could even answer, the Steward had run off, assuming the Arch-Mage would follow.

Ancano heaved a deep, irritated sigh and rolled his eyes while buttoning his robes up. Though he had no desire to get anywhere near a furious dragon (the beast's roars still most audible in the background), he also knew that they would face a big problem if the dragon broke free in his rage.

It was a good thing that Ancano had such swift reflexes, because he had barely made his way past the massive doors to the Great Porch when he was forced to raise a powerful barrier to withstand the flames that burst from Odahviing's maw.

"I told that s'wit it was a bad idea, even for him," Irileth grit her teeth as she and her men had all instinctively raised their shields for cover even if it was useless. The barrier that Ancano had raised proved more powerful and more than enough to protect them.

But in spite of all the racket the dragon made, Ancano could clearly distinguish the panicked cry of Farengar who stood cowering in a corner from where he couldn't, nor did he dare to try and flee. The Nord was also clutching something in his hand and it didn't take long for Ancano to sort of figure out what the Court Mage had been up too.

"Wahpaak, Joorre!" Odahviing snapped his jaws at the terrified Nord. "You dare test my prem against my kaat to the Dovahkiin?! I told you to begone, mage!"

"I only took a sample!" Farengar cried. "Will someone please just helpme?!"

"I can understand if you're angry, Arch-Mage, but if you could please,-"

The Arch-Mage hadn't the best opinion of Farengar to begin with. In his eyes, the Nord was an arrogant, loud-mouthed prat everyone would listen to as there was no other competent soul around for miles in regards to any magical affairs.

So the fact that Farengar had decided to brazenly walk up to a dragon and take 'samples' just confirmed the High Elf's prejudices. "And you want me to help how exactly?" Ancano sneered. Proventus winced when the High Elf shot him a haughty glare. "I'm afraid there's no cure for such sheer stupidity, nor am I Dragonborn, so it will have to wait until Ganir is fully recovered."

Proventus couldn't believe what he was hearing. "But surely you wouldn't-!"

"Just watch me…-," But Ancano had barely turned to leave when Odahviing's voice rang clear, followed by a silence that Farengar used to scamper to safety as fast as he could now that the dragon's attention was on Ancano.

"Skahgein fahliil! Elf mage…" It was hard for Ancano to pinpoint the dragon's demeanor as he still looked rather furious but the dragon had addressed him. Odahviing's scales were rustled like a porcupine would rise its spines to defend itself and thick smoke emanated from the dragon's nostrils. "I would…speak with you…" A deep low growl escaped Odahviing's throat; a sound like a rockslide, as he narrowed his grey eyes at the House-Carl, her men and the steward. Farengar stood cowered near the doorway where he was catching his breath. "Naalein…Alone…"

Ancano clenched his jaw and slightly tensed, flexing his fingers as he contemplated the dragon's request. He knew he'd be fine. It was just not part of his morning routine to converse with a moody dragon. Nor was he sure if he could really trust Odahviing and Ganir hadn't recovered yet either. "Well, what are you standing around for?" Ancano snapped at the Steward, House-Carl and the men. "You heard the dragon, move it. Crisis averted."

Irileth narrowed her eyes at the High Elf, but through gritted teeth, she ordered her men to stand down. "I better check on Farengar to begin with," she growled, just as annoyed with the Court-Mage as the Arch-Mage was. "To your posts, men."

"Yes, I'll be going too then…"

"And don't let me catch that bumbling fool here again," Ancano snapped before he turned his attention to the dragon before him. Odahviing had calmed down some and Ancano noticed that the dragon was sizing him up as well. "I'm almost disappointed you didn't burn the clod to a crisp…"

The sound of rocks grinding over one another escaped from the dragon's throat. There was a spark in the beast's eyes. A sense of humor? Ancano wondered. Though Ganir had killed three dragons, Ancano began to understand why he held them in such high regard when he had told Ancano and Ondolemar all about his adventures with Cirilonde.

"Meyfir. Zin. Kah." Odahviing's throat rumbled but Ancano could not pinpoint what this odd sound indicated and he stayed his distance still. "I am aware you do not speak our vun, but I would speak with you, skahgein."

"I indeed do not, so I'd like to inquire as to what 'skahgein' means." Though Ancano found it hard to distinguish the few words of the dragon speech he had heard, he had managed to distinguish some. Yet this was a new one.

"Skahgein…" Odahviing briefly pondered on how to explain. "I do not know your name, lahzey, nor do I mean to be...vofir, without respect, but you are marked…tainted by something ancient and powerful…It is our way to speak to one another as such."

He wasn't very sure if it was a good or bad thing that even a dragon could somehow tell that the Eye's mark still lingered on him. Auri-El knew if he'd ever be rid of it or the scars that lined his whole body, which would ache from time to time if he exhausted his magical power too much. "But my name is 'Ancano', for the record. Now, what exactly is it that you wish to discuss with me?"

"The power of my Thu'um can shake mountains, yet, when that mey decided to poke at my scales it was not the Dovahkiin but you who came. Where is he?"

"Resting." Ancano replied. "You needn't worry he'll leave you trapped here."

"That is not the matter, or the concern I needed press," Odahviing said. "You do not…feel what the Dov do, Ancano. Tiid dahriit. There is little time."

The Arch-Mage furrowed his brow when the dragon's body language betrayed his fear and anxiety over something. It made no sense, as they had all assured the dragon they would not harm him.

"You must prepare, Lotlahzey Ancano. Do not forget that as powerful as you and your allies are, there are even more powerful beings who still fearfully serve Alduin. They will strike when he commands. Rok fen bo fah Gevildseod…the place you call 'Winterhold'."

"What about Winterhold?" Ancano's heart began to pound. Surely not?! "Tell me, now!"

"Alduin knows the Dovahkiin will come for him and though he is weakened, he is still Al-Du-In. When I take your Dragonborn, Ganir, to Skuldafn where he can find the portal to Sovngarde, if he manages to fight his way in, the ancient servants of Alduin will rise to answer his call to arms and they will strike."

The High Elf narrowed his eyes. "And why would you be so willingly all the sudden to help us? Or are you trying to trick us?"

Odahviing hissed through his teeth, squinting at the teal lightning that crackled at Ancano's fingertips. "Wahpaak! Krosis! You dare question my word after I swore fealty to the Dovahkiin? What purpose would it serve me to trick you? Or find out for yourself when Alduin's servants walk the earth after laying dormant for ages beyond your comprehension. But I promise you, they will come."


xxxx


First things first, I'm terribly sorry to keep you all waiting for so long for an update, but I wanted to do this chapter right and not rush it. Compared to ingame, you just Shouted. Odahviing came, you ran back, boom, trapped. I wanted it to be a bit more...exciting, I guess?

Secondly, thank you if you're still reading this, checking in, dropping your reviews etc. It's really appreciated. Again, I'm so sorry for not updating in a while.

Thirdly, well, like I said, thank you for sticking around. Please let me know what you thought of this chapter and whether you liked it or not and what etc.

Take care!

NoLoreMaster