Ch 6
Trissa was awoken from a dreamless sleep by a sharp rapping on wood. Her eyes opened sluggishly and she looked around, her groggy mind for a moment confused by her surroundings until it caught up with her memories. Shaking off the residual sleep, she sat up and stretched her arm over her head.
The rapping came again, and she realized that it was someone knocking on one of her tent-poles.
"Yes? Who is it?"
"I have come to bring you to Lady Nasuada." A lilting voice purred. She recognized the voice as that of the furred elf from yesterday.
"Give me a moment!" She said as she climbed off her cot, clad now in the simple clothes she'd bought back in Oakhollow. Deciding against armor for the moment, she belted on her daggers and sword and threw on her traveling cloak, raising the hood as she stepped out of the tent.
Blohdgarm waited outside the tent with a bored expression on his face, barely sparing the dunmer woman a glance before turning and waving for her to follow. A bit irked by the man's dismissive behavior, Trissa followed. She glanced around and saw that two other elves had moved to flank her, the trio creating an escort for her as they made their way towards the command tent.
Trissa huffed with annoyance. "I thought that letting Saphira into my mind was supposed to make the lot of you trust me." She said with a slight edge to her voice.
"The Lady Nasuada believes in prudence when it comes to newcomers. There have already been several attempts on her life, two from men who had previously been screened. Nothing is certain in times of war." Blodhgarm purred, his voice soft.
Trissa couldn't really fault that logic, but there was something else she wanted to ask him.
"My apologies, I don't mean to pry, but why do you have fur? Do you follow Hircine or something?"
This actually caused the elven man to look back at her, one eyebrow raised. "I do not know whom you refer to, but no, I do not follow anyone. I look this way because I find it pleasing, that is all."
Trissa nodded hesitantly, and the rest of the walk passed in silence until the tent came into view. Saphira was lying outside the tent, head resting on her forepaws, eyes closed. One of her lids lazily rose at the quartet's approach, the dinner-plate sized eye of deepest blue regarding the four elves. The three natives stopped and bowed at the waist, making a strange hand motion and speaking in that strange language she could not understand.
Trissa just nodded. "Drem Yol Lok, Briahna Saphira." She said, then walked past the stopped elves, two of whom regarded her with disapproval. She glanced back at the Wolf-Elf. "Well, you coming?" She asked.
Blodgharm glanced at the other two, who nodded and took up position beside the door as Trissa walked into the tent.
The tent was similarly occupied as it was the day before. Nasuada was seated in her throne, king Orin standing to her left, and a large man in chainmail armor at her right.
Eragon was standing to one side with Arya, the two looking over as Trissa entered, Saphira's head sliding through her flap shortly after and receiving a scratch along the brow from Eragon and rumbling appreciatively at the feeling.
On the other side of the tent there were two women and a small child. One woman was about her height, with bright blue eyes and wearing a gold armband in the shape of a snake. The other, whose skirts the child was hiding behind, was shorter, with a rounded face and thick, curly brown hair.
Trissa recognized the child, though, as she was the strange girl from the night before who she sent scurrying into the darkness.
Nasuada turned from her conversation with the armored man as Trissa entered.
"Ah, Blodhgarm, Miss. Darkfire, perfect. Eragon and Arya just finished telling us about what happened in their travels through the empire. We can get started then."
Trissa glanced at the unknown humans. "I don't believe we've all been introduced." She said.
"Of course. This is Jörmundur, one of my advisors and military commanders," she gestured to the armored man, "This is Trianna, the leader of Du Vrangr Gata, the Varden's wizards." The woman nodded. "And that is Angela and Elva.." The curly haired woman smiled and gave a small wave, while the girl shrunk away.
Trissa felt a pang of guilt to pinch in her chest as she realized that she probably overreacted the night before.
"Trissa Darkfire." The dunmer said, nodding in return and lowering her hood. "Now, I believe I promised to explain myself."
"Indeed you did." King Orin said, a hint of eagerness in his voice.
Trissa took a deep breath and crossed her arms, lowering her head as she placed most of her weight on her back leg, considering where to start. "Alright, what I'm going to tell you will probably sound insane, but please bear with me. First off, how familiar are all of you with the Aedra and the Daedra?"
Most of the faces in the room looked confused, but she caught Angela starting in surprise. "I assume you've never heard of them." She said, ignoring the woman for the moment. "Well, to put it very simply, the Aedra-or Divines-are a pantheon of nine supernatural beings-Gods, essentially- who are regarded as benevolent and good in most circumstances, embodying ideals and concepts like Love, Honor, Beauty, Commerce. etcetera; the Daedra are a group of sixteen beings who have a similar level of power, but are far more of a mixed bag when it comes to their intentions for mortals. Some are decent enough, like Azura, Meridia, and Nocturnal, while others like Molag-Bal, Boethiah and Hermaeus Mora care little to naught at all for Men or Mer and use mortals as tools and playthings in their sick games."
"While this is interesting, what does this have to do with who you are, and how Arya sensed dozens of minds within your own?" Nausuada asked.
She paused again, briefly considering if this was the best course of action, but continued. "It has quite a bit to do with that, actually, considering it is because of one of the divines that I'm here in your world."
The reactions were about what she'd expected.
"So you're saying you were sent to help us by...what, a god? That's preposterous." Arya said scornfully. Blohdgarm's unamused expression said he shared the sentiment. Most of the humans in the tent looked at her with either disbelief or contempt, save the one called Angela, who seemed to be sizing her up. However, it was Orin that picked up on the hint in what she had said.
"Wait, you said 'our world.' Are you implying that you aren't from this planet?" He said.
Trissa nodded. "Exactly. I come from a world called Nirn, which was created at the beginning of time by the death of the god Lorkain. The Divines and the Daedra played a role in creation as well, but it was primarily Lorkain's death that cause Nirn and it's many people's to be. However I have recently found out that shortly after Nirn's birth, the Aedra and Daedra decided to see if they could accomplish together what Lorkain had died to do alone. And as such, they pooled their powers together and created this world, your own."
There was a pause, then Arya spoke again. "Well, that's a slightly less fanciful explanation for the world's creation than the one the dwarves came up with. However that doesn't make it any less untrue."
She is telling the truth.
Saphira's voice slipped quietly into the minds of all present, and all looked at her. Did you forget that I'd looked at her mind already?
A few sheepish faces showed that some had.
I saw her in a place I do not recognize, surrounded by unfamiliar two-legs species, and earlier her fighting beasts like I had never seen. She is either from another world, as she claims, or from a land so far away it may as well be another world. Which it is makes no difference. The dragon snorted as she finished, trickles of smoke wafting from her nostrils.
Eragon looked at his dragon with no small amount of hurt, even as the others in the tent tried to process this information. Why did you not tell me this yesterday? He asked.
She asked me not to. Saphira said, projecting a small feeling of regret through their link. I would have spoken if she did not, but I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt.
Eragon cocked an eyebrow at that. No offense, Saphira, but that doesn't seem very normal for you. Normally you're suspicious of almost anyone new.
Saphira hummed quietly, thoughtful. I don't know Eragon; there is something about her...she is different. Very different. And she had to leave behind a family to come here; a mate, and offspring, and a good deal of friends. Yet she doesn't seem resentful; she genuinely wants to help us. I thought that was enough to give her a day.
Eragon couldn't really fault her reasoning. He sent an understanding feeling to his partner and tuned back in just as conversation started up again.
"From what you've said," Orin spoke up, "these 'gods' of yours, both the good and the bad, seem to have a noticeable impact on 'your world'. If they created ours as well, like you claim, why haven't they done the same here?"
"King Orin, do you actually believe her?" Jörmundur said with some disbelief, still not fully convinced even after Saphira's statement. "This is lunacy."
However it was Nasuada that answered. "Everything is possible until it is proven otherwise, Jörmundur; thus is the creed of Science, yes?" She glanced at Orin, who was a little surprised at the woman's parroting of his term. "I haven't been entirely toning you out when you get to ranting, Orin." She said with a small smirk. The king chuckled a bit at that.
Gesturing to Trissa, she continued. "Even if we decide that this woman somehow managed to trick Saphira with false memories, she still looks nothing like any race I have ever seen, speaks in strange and unfamiliar tongues, and has powers in her words unlike any magic I've ever seen. Can any of you say differently?" She said, looking at the five present wizards.
"Well, I haven't seen it yet, so I can't exactly say…" Trianna said, both cautious and curious in her tone of voice.
Nasuada looked back to Trissa. "Well, could you demonstrate this 'Shout' you spoke of yesterday?"
Trissa thought for a moment for an appropriate, then took a breath.
"FEIM!" She shouted, and the world took on a bluish tint as her body faded to a spectral outline.
Several of the people in the tent blinked in surprise.
"That is the shout 'Become Ethereal'. In this state, I cannot harm or be harmed by any known force in the universe." The world returned to its normal color as the shout's effect faded. "It is rather useful if one needs to descend from a high place very quickly."
Nasuada looked at Trianna and Angela. "Well?" she said.
Trianna's mouth was open slightly. "I...the amount of energy that should take...its…" She shook her head, snapping out of the slight trance her awe had put her in. "No, my lady, I've never seen anything like that."
Angela was staring intently at the Dunmer. "I can't say I've ever seen anything like that before either. And that's an impressive feat to accomplish." She said.
"May I continue?" Trissa asked, a little annoyed with the delay.
Arya still looked a bit annoyed, and Eragon was glaring at her with no small deal of suspicion, but Nasuada waved for her to continue.
"To answer your question, King Orin, the reason the Daedra and the Divines have not interfered overmuch in this world is because many of them lost interest in it shortly after it's creation. Why, I do not know, but I suspect that the happenings of Nirn drew them back and they simply didn't see the point in dividing their attentions between two worlds."
Blohdgarm made a noise halfway between a snort and a growl. "If such beings would create a world and then abandon it, they don't seem worthy of worship."
Trissa just shrugged. "I won't argue with that. And I never said you had to worship them, just that they made this place. There are plenty of people back on Nirn who do not worship Aedra or Daedra, but nonetheless they are responsible for it's creation and many of the occurrences in my world."
Eragon spoke up then. "Ok... even if we did believe you, why would your 'gods' send you here? You said yourself that they left or lost interest in us after creating the world."
"I said MOST did, boy." Eragon bristled at that, but she continued without giving him the chance to respond. "However, one of those who did not was Akatosh, The Dragon-God of Time, Chief of the Divines."
Saphira snorted at that. Dragon God? Dragons do not need some invisible sky-thing to tell us what to do.
"Akatosh is called the Dragon-God because he takes the form of a Dragon in many of his interactions with mortals, and because he is the father of Nirnian dragons; and I imagine your kind as well, Briinah. He does not demand worship from his children, just the same measure of respect you'd give to your sire or your grandsire." Trissa said.
Saphira grumbled in her throat, but let the matter rest, though Eragon chuckled as she made a further
"Wait, you have Dragons where you are from?" Arya asked, her expression changing from irritated to...maybe hopeful? Trissa couldn't say for sure, these elves were very good at keeping their expressions flat for the most part.
Saphira and Eragon;s expressions were far easier to read, the dragon's head perking up and the human boy looking at the dragon with some measure of joy.
"Aye, though they are very different from you, Briinah." The hopeful aura in the tent fell quickly, and Trissa wondered what she'd said that had caused these massive swings in mood.
"How, exactly, are they different?" Arya asked.
"For one thing, they don't have forelimbs; their wings function as front legs when they land, kind of like a bat's. And they can talk like you and me, not with their minds. Not to mention, as far as I know, all of them are male." She said.
"That makes no sense. How could a species survive if they are all male, how would they breed?" Angela spoke up.
Trissa snorted. "The Dov do not need to breed, they are Immortal."
That casued a pause. "When you say 'Immortal'," Arya said cautiously. "Do you mean that they do not age, or…"
"No, I mean Immortal. Nirnian dragons are so close to Akatosh that they are closer to Demigods than living creatures. You can slay their bodies, but unless one specific criteria is met after that 'death' any other dragon or mortal with a powerful enough Voice can come along and bring them back good as new." She looked at Saphira. "I assume by the fact that you have female dragons that Alagaësian dov are closer to regular mortals than ours; they breed and can die normally."
"Yes, though unless something kills them a dragon could theoretically live forever." Eragon said, arms crossed across his chest.
Trissa nodded. "Ah, so agelessness as opposed to immortality. But I have gotten off track. It was Akatosh who sent me here. He gave me one last duty to fulfill before I can finally rest after a life spent fighting for...well, what I've seen as the 'Good Side', I suppose." The woman trailed off, her eyes on the floor as she briefly drifted to the past. "As for why me, that would be because of who I am."
She straightened her posture and put a hand on the pommel of her sword, taking up the most authoritative stance she could, the same one she had when she first met the Emperor.
"As I said, I am Trissa Blackfire, a Dark-Elf hailing born in the Province of Morrowind who later moved to the province of Skyrim. I am also the Archmage of the College of Winterhold, the Harbinger of the Companions, the Master of the Thieves Guild, a Nightingale of Nocturnal, Master of the Blades, a Praetorian of the Imperial Legion, Champion of Azura and Meridia, the slayer of Alduin, Lord Harkon, and Miriak, and most importantly, I am Dovahkiin." She said the last word with a hint of the Thu'um, letting the tent rumble with the power of her Voice.
"And what is Dovahkiin, to have caused the 'God of Time' to send you from one world to another?" Arya snapped, her patience frayed by the woman's rambling.
"Dragonborn."
Saphira's voice sounded in the minds of everyone present, and her head slithered a little ways out of the tent, away from Trissa. "That is what that word means, Yes? I do not know how I know it, but my soul tells me this. Am I right?"
Trissa smiled sadly at the dragon, sensing the minute waves of fear that wafted off of the dragon's mind. She noticed how the other people in the room tensed as they felt it as well, Eragon's hand going to the hilt of his sword as he took a reflexive half-step to move between Saphira and Trissa.
Why is he so protective of her? Trissa thought. This seems to go beyond mere friendship. No matter, I'll find out latter.
"Geh, Briinah." Trissa finally said. "Yes, you are right. I am dragonborn."
"And what is a Dragonborn, exactly?" Arya hissed, suspicions flitting at the edge of her mind.
"The Dragonborn." Trissa began, "Are mortals, be they Men, Mer, Khajiit, or Argonians, who are born with a Dovahsil; the blood and soul of a Dragon. Such beings are able to instinctively learn the Thu'um in the way dragons do, where otherwise it would take years of study to master the art. They are also, in almost every instance of their birth, destined to do incredible things, be they good or evil."
She paused and took a breath. "However none of that is really what we are known for. Or at least, not what I was known for. I mentioned how, except in one specific circumstance, the Dov of my world are immortal?" There were cautious nods. "Well, that one exception is other dragons. When one Dov kills another, they can choose to absorb the soul of their foe to grow in power. It is the same for Dragonborn, except we cannot choose whether to absorb the Souls of Dov we slay. In fact we hunger for them, to a degree."
Eragon and Arya's eyes narrowed, and Blodhgarm growled deep in his throat. "So on the field, when you were going to attack Saphira, that was…" Eragon started.
"The Dragonborn are designed to be the ultimate dragonslayers, and we are feared and respected by the Dov for this fact; we are their natural predators, placed in the world by Akatosh to keep his children in check and stay their natural desire for conquest and domination through fear of our retribution." Trissa said. Then she chuckled. "As for the field...well, part of that was a reflexive desire to protect you all from what I saw as a threat, but I will admit a lot of it was simple instinct. It's been a few years since I last 'fed'."
Eragon drew his sword in an instant, Arya and Blodgharm doing the same."If you want Saphira, you'll have to go through me." The boy said.
Trissa snorted. "Oh calm down boy. It's not that great a craving that I can't resist it, and I only hunt Dov who show themselves to be dangerous to the common people."
That seemed to placate Eragon somewhat, as he lowered his blade slowly and sheathed it. The elves were even slower to do so, Arya glaring daggers at the Dunmer that promised some form of conflict in the future.
Nasuada leaned forward then, an intense look in her eyes. "Miss Darkfire…"
"Mrs."
"...ok, Mrs Darkfire, you are saying you have experience fighting dragons?"
"Heh." Trissa chuckled. "Yes, you could call forty-plus years of on-and-off hunting 'experience'. Though I don't know how effective my tactics would be against your dragons; like I said, they are rather different than my own."
"Forty?" Orin asked. "No offense, you don't look that old."
"Elves can live up to a thousand years in Nirn. I was in my seventy-ninth year when I found myself here, You Highness." Trissa said.
Nasuada continued as if the King hadn't interrupted. "Hmm...well, I think that's just about enough talk for now. From what you've said, which I am inclined to believe, you could be a very valuable ally for the Varden. But first, we need to see exactly what you can do."
Trissa grinned at the dark skinned woman, intrigued by where this may be leading. "Well, my lady, what did you have in mind?"
...
A/N: Well hello friendly readers, thanks for dropping by. Sorry about the massive wall of exposition and information after I promised escalation, but this was necessary to get everyone important on more-or-less the same page, and it'll help establish some initial relationships and opinions between characters. Next chapter should be a bit more interesting, as Trissa goes through the Varden's 'Initiation Process' and deals with her...overreaction from last chapter.
Once again, thanks for reading; if you're new and like what you saw, please follow and fave. If you aren't or just have something to say, please leave a Review, and I will see you guys in the next chapter.
Fah Bormahu ahrk fin Dovahkiin, Fonaar!