Hello again people and welcome back to Skyrim: Darkblade Chronicles. It came to my attention that I have been pretty hasty with how I executed these chapters, so I spent the last couple of days (between the time when this chapter was posted, and the previous one) correcting some errors. Funny enough, using the word "then" too much is the smaller mistake I made...I have got to be on the ball more. Anyway, here's hoping the next chapters will be structured better...
Review Response: I forgot to mention that there are mods for the Shouts in Skyrim, some for empowering them, some for giving the Shouts new effects, and even at least one for new Shouts altogether, namely Thunderchild. Honestly, I have no intention to use those Shouts; not only do I not understand some of them, but some have the same problem as vanilla Shouts. Alot of them are just glorified spells, others are combinations of different spells/Shouts, and others are just funny gimmicks; ultimately the Shouts I'm referring to are redundant.
I do respect that the new Shouts have different effects based on how many of the three Shout words are used, but IMHO, the execution is unacceptably flawed.
The bounty Skyrim has reaped from my services can be neither denied nor denounced, but I often wonder if it could be done by anyone. Others deserve no less than I for the many steps Skyrim has taken in the path to prosperity and righteousness, steps that are long overdue. Nevertheless, if another, far younger person were to be made Dovahkiin, could they have done what I did? Would they have the heart to put aside morality to do what needed to be done?
More still, would they have the wisdom to cast aside the freedom granted by the lack of morality's shackles, or would they acknowledge why those shackles are there to begin with?
Serana continued to watch Sheldon work on the forge as he shaped and cooled the steel into almost a dozen swords and axes, then he stopped and looked over the weapons.
"That should do for now." Sheldon said simply, then Serana approached him.
"So...any ideas for our next move?" Serana asked, then Sheldon looked at her.
"Well, until Dexion rests enough we cannot have him read the Kel, but there are other things we can do in Skyrim..." Sheldon said.
"Such as?" Serana asked.
"First, I will teleport myself to Whiterun to give the Companions the mammoth meat I promised them. Then we will head to Haemar's Shame to clear it out." Sheldon said.
"Terrific...and what am I going to do in the meantime?" Serana asked.
"Whatever you please, but don't worry, I will return within a minute, and I will not delay." Sheldon said.
"I would sincerely hope so given where I am." Serana said seriously as she folded her arms, then Sheldon stared at her.
"I do not understand why you're this cynical as often as you are." Sheldon said.
"Well things haven't exactly been very inspirational, heck without you I'd probably be as gloomy as the sky would be if you used Storm Call, and I'm pretty sure that's saying quite a bit." Serana said.
"It is indeed." Sheldon said.
"Still...I have to admit that treating things lightly can make them easier to deal with, just like that...mind-boggling stoicism you've been practicing." Serana said.
"Mind-boggling?" Sheldon asked.
"I just don't get why you treat what's been happening lately like they're everyday occurrences. I get that you've dealt with worse, and frankly I'm alittle afraid to ask how much worse it was, but...still. How do you do it?" Serana asked.
"Dov wahlaan fah rel, dragons are made to dominate. The will to power is in our blood...so said Paarthurnax himself." Sheldon said.
"Well that explains why you went around looking for ways to get as powerful as you are, but...that doesn't answer my question." Serana said.
"Yes, it does, other dragons mean to acquire power by asserting it over others, but I assert it over myself. Given how...tyrannical the dragons were Alduin's time, that is a statement larger than Skyrim itself." Sheldon said.
"O.k...that does answer my question." Serana said seriously, then Sheldon looked away, sighed, and looked at Serana again.
"I will return before long." Sheldon breathed out, then he look his scroll out of his satchel, unrolled it, and was enveloped in the same vortex the scroll always used...then Serana looked at the swords, and the grindstone.
Sheldon appeared at the top of the stairs in front of Dragonsreach, then he looked out at the city of Whiterun. The Gildergleam tree was in full bloom, dozens of stalls, new watchtowers, and various wooden fortifications lined the walls, and the guards wandering the area had plating forging into their uniforms. The distant walls were raised higher than they were when Sheldon first came to Whiterun, and the wooden barriers around the thickened walls gave abundant cover for the guards. The garden around the statue of Talos had a garden splendid enough to be worthy enough of the two gardens on either side of Dragonsreach behind the Dragonborn hero standing before the bridge leading to its entrance.
As he walked down the stairs away from Dragonsreach, he noticed the various barrels, crates, and sacks lining the sides of the streets, a clear sign of future progress to come. He then stopped in front of the statue of Talos, ignored the alchemical ingredients growing around it despite the temptation to pick them. He then touched the shrine, and was enveloped in a weak vortex of light purple energy. He then looked at the house opposite the side of Jorrvaskr upon which Sheldon stood...and recalled the siege of Whiterun.
Numerous stones and fiery projectiles were launched at the city from the Stormcloaks' catapults, and Sheldon had to stop more than a few using both his magic, and the Voice. Several houses were destroyed, and even more guards lost their lives, or a limb which had to be either regrow, or reattached. The new fortifications were proof that Jarl Balgruff the Greater was living up to his name and reputation.
Sheldon then ceased his remembrance and proceeded up the stairs to Jorrvaskr...then opened the left set of doors...
When he entered, he immediately noticed the chandelier was strewn with mammoth tusks, and the tips of each one was connected just below the primary flame. The roots of the tucks each had a smaller candle within their hollowed-out bases. Aside from the tusks, there were shields and crossed swords set up on the pillars and walls where before there were none. The rest of the walls had troll skulls, and even dragon skulls hanging from them along with the various deer and sabre cat heads.
The firepit in the center of the room had the same space-encompassing iron grill that it always had...a prime area to set the mammoth meat, especially with over a dozen people lining the room speaking to one another, until...
"Sheldon Darkblade!" Vignar yelled as he spread his arms, then he approached Sheldon as the other Companions noticed Sheldon, and whispered among themselves.
"I am pleased to be back." Sheldon said, then Vignar laughed and shook hands with Sheldon.
"And we are pleased to have you back Harbinger. How goes your crusade?" Vignar asked.
"Quite well, have Aela and Njada returned?" Sheldon asked.
"Ah, so you met them in the Rift have you?" Vignar asked.
"I have indeed, and we struck down a mammoth together." Sheldon said.
"A mammoth? A grand feast is in our future." Vignar said seriously.
"Yes it is, and I have brought its entire carcass in pieces." Sheldon said, then Vignar widened his eyes.
"You are as generous as ever Harbinger." He said.
"I will not give you everything, but there is still plenty of meat and bones at your disposal." Sheldon said, then Vignar motioned to the grill.
"Please do put some on the grill and join us Harbinger." He said, then Sheldon shook his head.
"I cannot. I promised someone I would return to them." He said.
"You're not working alone?" Vignar asked.
"No, I have a new companion, one that I believe is the key to more doors to the future than one." Sheldon said.
"Ah...I see, well I look forward to the tales you will likely have when you return to us Sheldon." Vignar said.
"I will have many to tell." Sheldon said, then Vignar smirked.
"Well, Aela and Njada will be pleased to see that you have fulfilled your promise." He said.
"Speaking of which, I see that Jarl Balgruff has fulfilled his promise to bolster the city." Sheldon said.
"A remarkable task even for him, and the best part is...he's not done. He's made all these improvements to the walls, the farms, the guard, and even the temples of Kynereth and Arkay, but he's vowed to not stop until the city is as prosperous as it could possibly be." Vignar said.
"In that case, I will order a shipment of supplies, especially coin to be sent here as soon as I am able." Sheldon said, then Vignar chuckled.
"Jarl Balgruuf will be quite pleased." He said.
"Until then however, he will have to make due." Sheldon said.
"As will the rest of us, and I am certain that Clan Battle-Born will back him up as we Grey-Manes will." Vignar said.
"Are you still at odds?" Sheldon asked.
"Well...old wounds heal slowly, but there is still a glimmer of hope things will return to as they were before the civil war." Vignar said.
"Good, now I must ready the feast and be on my way." Sheldon said.
"Excellent...Companions! Circle, new bloods and the rest of you. Take your places at the table and witness your Harbinger's work." Vignar said, then the Companions took their seats at the tables as Sheldon materialized over a dozen large slabs of meat and organized them on the table with platters on them.
"I trust you still have an ample supply of sauces and other side dishes in storage?" Sheldon asked simply.
"We do indeed." Vignar said.
"Then I will leave the rest in your hands." Sheldon said, then he walked to the doors.
"Summon the cook!" Vignar exclaimed, then a servant went downstairs as Sheldon left the hall.
He then activated his scroll again, and returned to Fort Dawnguard, went inside, and ran through the kitchen as Serana stopped using the grindstone, and turned to see him.
"While you were away I sharpened a pair of swords." She said.
"A fine start." Sheldon said.
"How did it go?" Serana asked.
"Apparently the jarl of Whiterun, Balgruuf the Greater is not done improving Whiterun, not by a longshot." Sheldon said.
"Balgruuf the Greater? And I thought Erik the Slayer was on the nose..." Serana said casually.
"Jarl Balgruuf lives up to his title in more ways than one. In fact, he is one of the most noble men in Skyrim, and one of my greatest allies. It was he who enabled me to capture and recruit Odahviing in the first place." Sheldon said.
"O.k...I'd like to meet him someday." Serana said.
"I would gladly introduce you, but like you said, some day." Sheldon said.
"Right, for now...we've got some vampires that need slaying...and I cannot believe I said that..." Serana said.
"Vampires fighting one another is not uncommon, even like this." Sheldon said.
"I'd still like to know just how you learned so much about vampirism." Serana said, then Sheldon sighed deeply.
"To be honest Serana...that is one of my most heavily-guarded secrets, and only Aela knows it aside from me." He said.
"Aela...that werewolf lady?" Serana asked.
"Yes, she knew what kind of person I was before I came to Skyrim, and I didn't even have to tell her." Sheldon said.
"So you trust her above all others I take it?" Serana asked seriously.
"If you're wondering if we're romantically involved, then no we aren't, and we never have been. Nevertheless, she is the one who made me a werewolf...and deep down, I am quite thankful for it." Sheldon said.
"Why? Do you want to go to Hircine's Hunting Grounds instead of...whatever afterlife Bretons have?" Serana asked.
"No, when the time comes, I will get rid of my lycanthropy; I have done it with all the other werewolves in the Companions except for Aela who insisted on remaining as she is. I can do it to myself as well." Sheldon said.
"How exactly?" Serana asked.
"By burning the heads of the Glenmoril Witches." Sheldon said.
"Say what now?" Serana asked.
"Hundreds of years ago, a Harbinger made a pact with them in exchange for power. Four months ago, I cured the ghost of the previous Harbinger, Kodlak, of his lycanthropy. Better still, he gave me hope that the werewolves of Hircine's Hunting Grounds can be freed. The Harrowing of the Hunting Grounds he called it..." Sheldon said, then Serana took a moment to think.
"So...souls can be freed from Oblivion? Is that what you're saying?" She asked.
"It's a theory, but a hopeful one...and it is not alone. I know of at least one occasion where Molag Bal tried to merge Nirn with Coldharbor...and his efforts were thwarted one of his own captives, namely the Vestige. But, he did not do it alone anymore than I aided Skyrim; Meridia herself intervened and gave the Vestige a fighting chance against the Lord of Domination." Sheldon said.
"And...that's why you like her?" Serana asked.
"One of many reason yes." Sheldon said seriously, then Serana sighed deeply.
"How do you know all of this?" She asked.
"I have found so many documents of daedric encounters that I could probably fill a city's worth of libraries with them. However...the idea of freeing souls from Oblivion is a theory...but if it's true..." Sheldon trailed off.
"Wait, you said this Kodlak person mentioned freeing souls from Hircine...who mentioned freeing souls from Coldharbor?" Serana asked.
"Molag Bal himself did." Sheldon said.
"You're kidding right?!" Serana asked seriously.
"Not at all, according to what I read, the Vestige actually fought Molag Bal, or Stone Fire as Meridia calls him, and thanks to her, the Vestige was able to defeat Stone Fire in single combat. Afterwards, Stone Fire mentioned that thousand times a thousand souls were freed, whether that's because of the battle, or the rest of the Vestige's efforts, I don't know." Sheldon said.
"I...I can't believe this..." Serana breathed out.
"Now you know why text that involve vampires, no matter how minor the connection were of immediate interest to me." Sheldon said.
"And you found this out just by studying vampires?" Serana asked.
"Yes..." Sheldon said.
"O.k. I know Julianos mentioned things are connected, but this is just crazy." Serana said seriously.
"I know...but I have reason to believe the theories." Sheldon said.
"Well, I don't know what to believe..." Serana trailed off.
"Take as much time as you need Serana." Sheldon said, then Serana sighed deeply.
"When are we leaving?" She asked.
"We can leave right now, if you're o.k." Sheldon said.
"Let's go." Serana said.
"It's in a cave just south of the Throat of the World, the road at its base actually." Sheldon said.
"Alright then." Serana said, then she held onto Sheldon as he readied the scroll.
When the vortex ended, they stood over a dozen yards in front of a cave entrance, and the entire area was coated in snow.
"There's the entrance to Haemar's' Shame." Sheldon said as he pointed at the cave, then Serana stared at it.
"I'm okay with the dark, but I've spent more than my share of time in caves already." She said.
"You have not spent anywhere near as much time going through caves as I have, and being sealed within a cavern does not count." Sheldon said seriously.
"Fair enough, let's pick these berries and go." Serana said, then they picked the snowberries from the four small bushes around them, and saw no one coming, so they entered the cave...and blood drenched the entrance floor.
They then walk slid down the ice-covered slope ahead of them, and Sheldon rolled along the ground as Serana barely caught herself.
"You adapt well Serana." Sheldon said.
"No thanks to you." Serana groaned, then Sheldon looked to the left, and saw a woman on the top of a wooden walkway. Sheldon then materialized his bow, notched and loosed an arrow, and it hit the woman in the upper chest. She fell to the wooden floor, and Sheldon went to the two barrels at the walkway's base, grabbed the potatoes and carrots within, then he went up the walkway.
He then took his arrow back, along with the septims, ale bottle, petty soul gem, and the iron dagger, and elven bow the woman had.
"I suggest you take as much blood from her as you can." Sheldon said, then Serana looked at him curiously.
"Alright..." She said, then she sank her fangs into the woman's neck as Sheldon opened the nearby chest. He then took the common soul gem, large magicka potion, two hundred septims, and the quiver of steel arrows. He then took the iron arrows on the table, put everything in his satchel and walked past Serana as she finished drinking the woman's blood.
"That thrall is quite telling..." Sheldon trailed off.
"You don't say, I can smell vampires up ahead." Serana said, then Sheldon crouched and went through the tunnel ahead of them with Serana directly behind him.
"Laas..." Sheldon whispered, and he continued through the tunnel until he saw the first vampire walk toward the mouth of another tunnel. He then put an arrow through her head, and went down the wooden slope in front of him and Serana. Both of them effortlessly avoided the pressure plate with a spiked wall above them, and Sheldon took his arrow back, along with the vampire's gold, steel war axe, and the dust Sheldon reduced it to with a lightning bolt.
The pair then went through the winding tunnel, and ignored the torches lining the walls.
They continued until they saw another thrall leaning on the wooden platform ahead of them. Sheldon then slowly approached the thrall, drew an ebony dagger, then stabbed the thrall in the back of his head. Sheldon then set the thrall on the ground slowly, then took his arrow, then the thrall's iron greatsword, septims, and green apple. He then looked ahead, and saw two vampires who haven't noticed their dead thrall, sitting at a table next to a fire with a skeever roasting on a spit. Another vampire sat on the end of the cave atop a wooden platform with a wooden ramp. A cooking pot, an alchemy lab, a chest, a table, and a cabinet were all set up around her.
Sheldon then summoned a frost atronach between all of the vampires, and the two vampires sitting down stood up and backed away from it.
"So much for stealth." Serana said.
"That's the point." Sheldon said, then the two vampires cast lightning at the atronach, but only shaved pieces off of it. The last vampire cast an orb of blood magic that staggered the atronach, and it turned its attention to her. Sheldon then materialized his bow, and loosed an arrow into one of the two lesser vampires, and the other one turned to see him. Serana then cast two icy spears at the surviving vampire, and hit him in the back as the last vampire put her hands together, gathered lightning into her hands, and destroyed the atronach with a final lightning bolt.
Sheldon then materialized Chillrend and Speakbreaker, jumped off the wooden platform he was on, then walked toward the vampire.
"I'll bathe in your blood! The vampire yelled.
"Gaan Lah!" Sheldon yelled, then the vampire covered herself as a wave of purple energy washed over her, and Sheldon absorbed green and blue energy from the vampire.
"What?!" She exclaimed, then she glared at Sheldon, and Serana hit her with an icy spear through her abdomen. She then fell to the ground, and Sheldon walked up the slope and looked her over. He then split the vampire's head in two with Chillrend, and de-materialized his weapons as Serana looked over the carnage.
"Done and done..." She breathed out.
"The resources in this area are now ours for the taking." Sheldon said.
"And by ours you mean yours." Serana said as she folded her arms.
"I don't recall anyone saying or proving that you cannot use anything here." Sheldon said simply.
"I don't recall anyone giving me the ability to store a whole butchered mammoth in a bag the size of a grape." Serana said seriously, then Sheldon stared at her.
"A problem we will rectify in due time." He said as he looked to the chest behind him, then opened it. He then took the septim bag, petty soul gem, quiver of steel arrows, and a gold and ruby circlet. He stored all of the loot in his satchel...but held out the gold and ruby circlet as he looked it over.
"Problem?" Serana asked.
"This looks like the Diadem of the Savant." Sheldon said, then Serana smirked.
"I take it that's another of your priceless artifacts?" She asked casually.
"I left it at the College of Winterhold; they need it more than I do." Sheldon said.
"Because?" Serana asked.
"Because it makes casting spells easier, as does the Saarthal Amulet." Sheldon said.
"Yeah that would be right at home in a place full of mages." Serana said as Sheldon put the circlet in his satchel.
"You should know the Saarthal Amulet and the Gaulder Amulet have a staggering resemblance to one another, and that is no coincidence. They are both amulets crafted by the ancient Nords...in the First Era." He said.
"I see..." Serana trailed off, then Sheldon looked at the kettle next the chest which was about the same size as the chest.
"Fort Dawnguard could use this." Sheldon said simply, then he made the kettle vanish.
"You have got to tell me where you send your stuff." Serana said.
"It's called a pocket dimension." Sheldon said, then Serana's eyes widened.
"A pocket dimension? That explains alot..." She breathed out.
"You've heard of it?" Sheldon asked.
"Yes I have, but I've never mastered it." Serana said.
"Then we have more reason to practice alteration magic than I thought..." Sheldon trailed off, then he looked at the cabinet, and sighed when he saw the blood-soaked human skull. He then took the common soul gem out of its holder, as well as the straw bundles in the cupboard. He then walked back the blood-soaked table next to the alchemy lab, and grabbed the hanging rabbit there.
He then went to the cooking pot behind him, put the rabbit on the table next to him, then used a dragonbone dagger to pelt, and butcher the rabbit.
"I'll just brew some things I guess." Serana said, then Sheldon materialized a set of giant toes, vampire dust, river bettys, antlers, bear claws, wheat and blue flowers.
"Use these for poisons and potions." Sheldon said, then Serana looked over the ingredients.
"Alright." She said, then she started her work as Sheldon put water into the pot, heated it with fire magic, then he put mashed potatoes, and the rabbit into the pot.
Minutes later, he sat at the table in the middle of the room, craved the roasted skeever, and ate it along with his rabbit stew, and some sliced apples.
"Would you like some Serana?" Sheldon asked.
"On my way..." Serana said as she continued to pour the mixtures into their respective bottles, and Sheldon continued to devour his meal. He then drank the last of his stew, and set up another portion of food half the size of his own, and left the table. Serana then watched him approach, then she went past him, as Sheldon looked over the potions and poisons.
"These will do quite nicely." He said, then he put each of the bottles in his satchel, and Serana sat where Sheldon sat and started eating. Sheldon then searched the dead vampire at his feet, and found a flawless emerald, septim bag, glass sword. He then took his arrow, used lightning to turn the vampire to dust, and put the bag of dust, and the vampire's outfit in his satchel. He then went back to the skeever, and put what was left of it in his bag as Serana finished her meal.
"I'm alittle amazed no one came to investigate the smells. Then again...they had to have known the skeever was cooking, so more food being added to the mix isn't unlikely. I'd really hate to be any of the poor sods that had to smell this without being able to eat it." Serana said.
"Laas Yah Niir..." Sheldon whispered, then he looked at the exit.
"Let me guess, the place is infested with people?" Serana asked casually.
"No." Sheldon said simply.
"Of course there isn't..." Serana breathed out, then he went to the area under the wooden platform ahead of them. He then search the two cabinets there, and grabbed the void and frost salts, the iron shield and helmet, and the magicka and health potions. He then returned to Serana's side as she ate the last of her apple.
"Are you satisfied?" Sheldon asked.
"Yeah, that should get me by for a while...well, that and this." Serana said as she took out the White Phial, and drank the blood within.
"Good." Sheldon said, then he vaporized the two vampires at his feet, gathered their ashes, septims, steel axes, and the ruby one of them had.
"Let's go." Serana said, and Serana stood up, and followed him to the exit. Before they left the area, they approached the table in front of it, and looked over the set of candles on one side. They then looked over the iron dagger, and woodcutter's axe, both of which were drenched in blood along with the table itself.
"Damn..." Sheldon whispered.
"It seems these vampires have been busy..." Serana said.
"Not for long..." Sheldon said, then he led Serana down the tunnel.
After they went through the winding tunnel, they reached the entrance to another cavern.
"I don't like the look of this..." Serana trailed off, then Sheldon looked around at the open area, the wooden fence around the massive hole in the ground, and sighed.
"Forget stealth." He said seriously, then he materialized Chillrend and Spellbreaker, and charged at the vampiress on the right.
"I knew I heard something!" She yelled, then she backed away from Sheldon as she channeled lightning into her hand, but Sheldon tackled her to the ground, and stabbed her in the chest with Chillrend.
"Who's there!?" Another vampires asked seriously, then Sheldon watched her run from the bottom of the hole, up the wooden slopes and stairs on the hole's wall.
"This won't end well for you!" Serana said seriously as she cast icy spears at the vampiress...but she dodged both of them. Sheldon then charged at the vampiress, but she jumped over Sheldon, and ducked under his swing as he turned around. The vampiress then kicked Sheldon in the chest, but his stance kept him from moving back. He then swung at the vampires several times, but each swing was dodged...until Sheldon sliced her thigh and encased her in ice.
He then materialized his mace, and smashed the vampiress' head.
"She was much stronger than the others..." Sheldon trailed off as Serana approached him, then she turned around as a female thralls with a steel warhammer charged at them.
"Sovngarde awaits you!" She said seriously, then Sheldon replaced his mace with Chillrend, and the thrall put her hammer in the way as Sheldon brought Chillrend down on her, but the blade sliced the hammer and the thrall's ribcage in half.
"That'll teach you." Serana said, then Sheldon took the thrall's sizable septim pouch, and the hammer's head, looked back at the headless vampiress, and inspected her corpse.
"She only has this steel sword...and apparently she relied on unarmed skills instead." He said as he took the vampiress' sword, and put it away.
"Well look how far it got her." Serana said, then Sheldon went upstairs, and inspected the corpse of the first vampiress he struck down. He found a pair of septims, a sapphire, a bottle of weak poison, a strong healing potion, an iron mace, and even a book. He then vaporized the body, gathered the vampiress' ashes and clothing, and looked over the book.
Mention the word "Nightingale" to any thief worth his salt and he'll laugh in your face. He'll tell you that the supposed avengers of the Daedric Lord Nocturnal are nothing but fictional characters who live nowhere else but within tales designed to scare young footpads into doing what they're told. But are they fictional or simply misunderstood?
While it's true that most scholars would scoff at the notion of a holy sect appearing within the normally unethical and unorganized rabble that is the Thieves Guild, evidence suggests that such a group existed at the time within the borders of Skyrim. One hundred and twenty years before the publication of this tome, a corpse was discovered wearing a strange suit of armor that was described as "forged midnight." The tattered armor bore a crest of some sort, the symbol of a bird embracing a circle of undetailed blackness. The remains and the armor was taken to the College of Winterhold for study, but mysteriously vanished only a day after it arrived.
The crest from this armor was circulated around Skyrim for years but identification proved almost impossible. Then the most unlikely of sources, a prisoner incarcerated within the mines of Markarth, claimed that it was the mark of a group of thieves who called themselves the Nightingales. When pressed for more information, the prisoner claimed that the Nightingales were warriors of Nocturnal and performed her bidding without question. He claimed his source was someone he knew within the Thieves Guild of Skyrim, but he refused to identify them by name, so his story was quickly dismissed.
The second piece of evidence pointing to the existence of the Nightingales exists to this day just outside of Riften. Discovered at the terminus of a short pathway off of the main road stands a stone of unidentified blackened material. Carved into its face is the same avian symbol previously found on the dark suit of armor. To those that subscribed to the existence of the Nightingales, this was though to be some sort of meeting place. To others, this symbol was once again dismissed as a hoax or simply a diversion created by the Thieves Guild. The final, and most controversial sample of evidence is a passage found scrawled on the inside of a cell wall in Whiterun. The cell had previously been occupied by a Dunmer named Lorthus was incarcerated for murder and was set for execution. After the deed was performed, and Lorthus' cell was examined, the following was found etched into one of the stone blocks: "Take my hand Lady Nocturnal, for it's my will to serve you. As a Nightingale, I'm born anew. Let my past echo our triumph."
This is the first and only time that a solid connection between Nocturnal and the Nightingale has been made. The unusual nature of the passage, the religious connotations towards Nocturnal made by a career criminal, kept discussions lively for years regarding the possibility of this group actually existing. Sadly, since not a single passage of evidence beyond this has surfaced to date, this exciting discovery faded into obscurity and the debate subsided.
With these scant samples of evidence, conclusions are difficult to formulate. All we're left with are more questions than answers. Can religion and thievery coexist? Does the Daedric Lord Nocturnal have active agents roaming Skyrim with a no-doubt nefarious purpose? Does the Thieves Guild have extensive knowledge of the Nightingales, but remain sworn to secrecy? Perhaps one day the answers to these questions will be revealed, but at present it falls to you, the reader, to decide whether the Nightingales are fact or merely fiction.
"Meyye..." Sheldon whispered as he put the book away.
"What?" Serana asked.
"That means fools." Sheldon said.
"Well you have not one, but two weapons named after them, and a suit of armor that belongs to them, so..." Serana trailed off.
"That's because I'm one of them." Sheldon said.
"I figured at much." Serana said, then Sheldon ran to the area opposite the location in which he fought the vampiresses. He went past the brazier, through the entrance to a small room with cages, coffins, a cabinet with potions, books, and even a piece of cheese. The side of the room had a chest, and Sheldon approached it immediately, destroyed the lock, and looked inside.
He found a strong healing potion, an ebony greatsword with a very strong turn undead enchantment, a large bag of septims, and a spell tome for summoning storm atronachs.
"An excellent find." Sheldon said.
"I'll bet the Dawnguard will be happy to get that sword." Serana said as Sheldon put it in his satchel, then he went to the cabinet, grabbed the cheese, magicka and health potions, the wine bottle, and the two sacks of flours.
"Down the stairs." Sheldon said, then he left the room, jumped over the wooden fence, and looked around. He first saw a dead bandit on either side of the hole. He then searched their bodies...and noted the numerous bite marks on their arms and neck. Neither of them had anything of value, so Sheldon looked at the table and cabinets ahead of him instead.
He grabbed the two strong healing potions, and the ruined books, and turned around as Serana jumped off the fence like he did.
"You know those books are likely unreadable right?" She asked.
"They can be restored, or used in other ways, like fuel for a fire." Sheldon said.
"If you say so..." Serana breathed out, then Sheldon walked past her, and she followed him down the wooden slope, and through the tunnel ahead...to Haemar's Shame.
When they reach the end, Sheldon stopped walking, and looked to the side.
"Laas..." He whispered, then he channeled lighting into his hands.
"That's rare..." Serana said.
"A frostbite..." Sheldon groaned, then he walked past the two braziers up ahead, and when he turned the corner, a single frostbite spider was there in plain sight.
"Damn those things are ugly as sin..." Serana groaned as Sheldon channeled magicka between his hands, and vaporized the spider with a single devastating bolt.
"They are indeed a repulsive species, along with everything else I mentioned about them." Sheldon said.
"Wait, something just hit me...how exactly do you get goodberries?" Serana asked.
"I use nature magic on a corpse, as long as it wasn't undead before." Sheldon said.
"Then why not use frostbites to grow them?" Serana asked.
"Because my favor with Kyne doesn't often allow it." Sheldon said.
"Well, ask her to give you more favor then." Serana said.
"If it was that simple I would have hundreds of them in my possession at all times." Sheldon said seriously.
"Right..." Serana said, then Sheldon entered the spider's lair, and searched the area for egg sacs, took the eggs within, then used fire magic to torch the webs, and looked over the web-covered corpse hanging from the ceiling.
"Damn..." Sheldon whispered.
"I hope that was one of the thralls." Serana said.
"It certainly wasn't a vampire; the venom wouldn't have done anything to them." Sheldon said, then he walked past the pillar in the middle of the room, then the brazier.
After they went through another winding tunnel, they entered a room full of cages and coffins.
"Unbelievable...how did they get all of this stuff in here?" Serana asked.
"I do not know, now do I care." Sheldon said, then he took the iron dagger and bowl of salt on the nearby table, and walked through the room. Sheldon opened a chest soaked in blood, opened it, and took the large bag of septims, the grand soul gem, strong health potion, strong stamina potion, and the iron greatsword within. He then took the quiver of daedric arrows...and looked it over.
"Nice find." Serana said, then Sheldon put the items away, turned to the blood-soaked arcane enchanter behind him, and took the greater soul gem. They then left the room, and went down a pass with braziers on the left side next to a short wall with columns formed into it. When Sheldon turned the corner, a thrall in iron armor was there...then Sheldon materialized Chillrend, severed his head, and the thrall's corpse fell onto the stream behind him.
He then inspected the thrall's body, then sighed deeply.
"Nothing." He said, then he led Serana down the other side of the room where the stream led, then they went down the winding tunnel until they saw a long upward slope.
"I've got a bad feeling about this..." Serana said seriously, then Sheldon slowly approached the entrance...and saw a vampiress sitting in a chair on the left side.
"Again, forget stealth." Sheldon said as he channeled frost magic between his hands, then he launched an icy spear through her head.
"Who's there!" Another vampire asked, then he and two others charged up the stairs, and Sheldon materialized Chillrend and Spellbreaker. He raised his shield in time to stop a barrage of blood magic orbs, then Serana reanimated the dead vampiress on the side. Serana then moved to the opposite side, and cast lightning bolts at the vampires, but her spells did nothing.
"Pathetic!" A vampiress exclaimed.
"Yol Toor Shul!" Sheldon yelled, and a massive discharge of fire engulfed the vampires, and they screamed and thrashed about as the flames ravaged them. One of the vampires turned to ash, but the other two rolled out of the blaze, and took several seconds to heal themselves with blood magic. The male vampire punched the ground, then stood up as Sheldon walked down the stairs, and the reanimated vampire followed him.
"We're not done yet!" The vampire yelled, then he used a spell on the reanimated vampiress behind Sheldon...he he severed her head and watched the vampire as his eyes widened and the now-headless vampiress turned to ash.
"Do you think I'm a fool?" Sheldon asked seriously.
"You were a fool to come here, and I do not fear you...Dragonborn!" The vampire growled as he and the other vampiress stood up.
"Then you are far braver than you should be." Sheldon breathed out, then the vampire channeled blood magic through his body, and the vampiress did the same.
"Oh no you don't!" Serana yelled as she jumped over the wooden fence on the other side of the room, then she shoot both of the vampires in the back with icy spears.
"You...damned traitor..." The vampiress groaned, then she and the other vampire went slack as Sheldon stood where he was and looked them over.
"Her loyalty is to Skyrim, just like mine is." Sheldon said simply, then he searched the ashes of the vampire Serana reanimated, took her dust, and iron axe. He then took the jewels and weapons from the other vampires, as well as the ashes from their bodies after Sheldon vaporized them. In the meantime, Serana stood before the statue of Clavicus Vile, and his dog Barbus, and looked around.
"Sheldon...about my loyalties..." Serana trailed off.
"Don't...you have made it quite clear where your loyalties lie, and anyone who lacks civility, not like yourself, has no business judging you." Sheldon said, then Serana sighed and smiled.
"Thanks Sheldon..." She breathed out, then Sheldon looked at the statue.
"Clavicus Vile...it looks like these vampires didn't get their boon afterall." He said.
"Despite the vampires giving two baskets worth of apples, bread, and two slabs of meat." Serana said, then Sheldon took the offers and put them away.
"They're my dinner now." He said.
"Yeah, take offerings from a daedric prince, great idea." Serana said casually.
"I'm his champion too...or so he believes." Sheldon said.
"I figured as much, but that'll egg him on even more." Serana said.
"I do not care." Sheldon said simply, then he went up the stairs, and opened the large chest at the top...and found only a few septims, an elven sword, and an iron warhammer.
"Nice find..." Serana said, then she started laughing.
"The rest of this place has had a staggering bounty available." Sheldon said.
"Good point, now teleport us back to the Dawnguard, and lets share the bounty." Serana said.
"Very well then." Sheldon said simply, then Serana held onto him as he unraveled the scroll...then the scroll's energy enveloped them.
Ho boy, that was a chapter and a half that was, and mods for Whiterun rear their lovely heads. And speaking of lovely heads, when I did the quest A Daedra's Best Friend, I choose to get the Masque of Clavicus Vile. Despite it being...barely noteworthy as an item, at least in my opinion...it beats the hell out of the Rueful Axe. That has to be the worst weapon in the game, not counting the ones that aren't technically weapons, like the wooden sword, or the fork.
Also...I saw a reddit page that mentions how OP goodberries are...and I have to agree. Those things are like the Senzu beans from DBZ, which as any fan of the series will tell you are no joke at all. Also, I tried them to a miracle from Kyne not only to nerf them, but because the spell that enables them in the mod requires that you kill a foe with a spell that grows thorns around them. That doesn't make alot of sense from where I'm standing, so I changed it for this story.
Anyway, please be sure to Rate, Review, and Share while another chapter cooks...stay tuned.