Hey guys I hope your all enjoying the story, now I just want to say thank you for the support I am seeing so far. It means a lot, thank you to everyone who faved and followed me or my stories. Same to my reviewers, thank you very much. I love hearing back from you guys. Now onto the reviews! DarkNorth I am glad I could help make a story you like, and I am glad you like the way it started. I hope you continue to stick with the story my friend. Now I am going to be working on my main stories but I will be back here soon enough. See you all in the next chapter!
Despite my best attempts, I couldn't get drunk… I partially blame it on the fact my physiology is different, damn Esbern and his potion… The other reason is the fact, unless it's my old friend Sam's or Sanguine's brew I can't get hammered that easily. Pushing my eighth drink away, I shrugged off my gear and with a quick search I found what I was searching for. My pipe. The design of the pipe is simple, and short. It in some ways reminded me of Aragorn's pipe from Lord of the Rings. Now despite the fact when I was Arthur, I never smoked a day in my life… Well when I became Calder I decided to change that. Mostly because it was a way for me to relax, and it helped pass the time. After a little more searching, I found a small metal box, that was big enough to fit in the palm of my hand.
Opening the box, I chuckled to myself. "Alfred can be an ass, but at least he does his job." The box is filled to the brim with tobacco pipe leaves, though not just any tobacco. My favorite. Maduro tobacco. It is grown in the southern province of Cyrodiil, and it is surprisingly sweet. I had discovered it quite by accident when Ri'saad and his caravan were passing through Whiterun. I took to the leaf right away, and I've been smoking it for years.
Carefully I packed the bowl of the pipe, and with the use of a nearby candle I was soon smoking.
Taking a puff from the pipe, I began to think over my options and hopefully decide what I should do. I could become involved with the Grey Wardens, and risk dying at the hands of the taint. Or I could just show up at Ostagar and destroy the canon. My full strength is intact, and if I could pull Odahviing or Durnehviir, or both I could end the Blight in one go. It would save a lot of lives, but it could create new problems for this world. Not to mention change the course of many lives, many people could end up dying or worse.
Sighing I bit the end of my pipe in frustration, as I tried to go over all the details of the three games plus DLC along with books and comics… Which isn't easy, since I spent more than several decades in another video game world. Angrily I let out another puff of smoke, mumbling to myself. Mostly I am cursing the mad Daedric Prince, because he had to be the one that sent me here. He would be the only one that would.
"Excusez moi? May I join you?"
Looking up I slowly pulled the pipe out of my mouth. "Sure."
"Thank you." Taking the seat in front of me, is a gorgeous red-head dressed in the black, gold, and red robes of a Lay sister. Yep the former Orlesian bard Leliana has sat down at my table. Why she wanted to sit with me, when there is literally plenty of available places to sit. Guess she wants to speak to the outsider. "Forgive me for intruding, but you looked a little lonely."
"It's fine." Shrugging I really didn't mind, Leliana is a cool character and I could use the distraction from my thoughts.
Flashing me a brilliant smile the Lay sister nodded slightly. "You are new here are you not? Then allow me to be the first to welcome you to Lothering. I am Sister Leliana."
"A pleasure, my name is Calder." I smiled back, but my mind began to race with what would bring the former bard over to me. "What can I do for you Sister?"
"It's not everyday someone new comes into the village." Shrugging her shoulders Leliana placed her hands in her lap. "I know what that is like."
Deciding not to be an ass I simply nodded before taking a puff from my pipe. "Well thank you for the company Sister."
"Of course, Calder… May I ask where are you from? Forgive me it's just your accent is a little strange, it sounds like the dwarves, with a hint of something else." The Lay Sister turned her confusion.
Strange accent? Thinking back on how I sound… Yeah, I guess it would seem strange, I guess my Nordic accent is slipping in occasionally. "From the North, the far North." Which is true sort of, Skyrim is the Northern province of Tamriel. "I'm from a land that isn't on any map in Thedas."
"Oh, my you must have traveled far." Leliana's eyes widen, and I could see curiosity burning behind her blue eyes. "What is the name of your land? What brought you to Ferelden? Forgive me, it's just a stranger from a strange land, it is like something out of the old stories."
I couldn't help but chuckle at her excitement, for someone who loves tales and stories this is an exciting moment. "You are fine Sister Leliana." Holding up a hand with a small smile, I took a moment to look around. No one else was paying attention, so it wouldn't hurt to share. "I come from a land called Skyrim, it is the Northern Province of the continent Tamriel. As to what brought me here? I'm just a traveler."
"A lone wanderer then? It must be exciting to travel like you do. Seeing so many wonderful things, but do you not miss your family?"
At that question I flinched slightly… My family… Other than asking Alfred to check in on them… I hadn't given them much thought… Yes, my children and their children and so on are grown and can take care of themselves… Yet my wife… Her death didn't hurt me as much as it should have. Perhaps because I believed we would be reunited when I had died. However now? Since it is now back on my mind… The pain slammed in me harder than an Orc war hammer, I won't see my wife again…Not unless I die and even then, there is no guarantee I will go to Sovngarde. That is very depressing. As these thoughts flooded my mind, I felt something touch my hand. Looking up at Leliana she had sympathetic look on her face.
"I am sorry I didn't mean to- "
I smiled, but it didn't reach my eyes. "You didn't know. It's fine Sister Leliana, it is just my wife not long ago passed."
"By the Maker I am sorry." Leliana gasped.
"Don't be it was simply her time, she lived a good long life." Which is true, given the fact she was over four thousand years old… Yeah, my wife is… or was Serana Volkihar. If your wondering about our children? They are mortal…Sort of, they are Dragonborn like myself, but otherwise mortal. Serana was cured of her vampirism, and we had a family.
Frowning in confusion the Lay Sister turned her head. "Long? Surely you must be joking, you barely look a day over twenty-five and unless you married young or she was a great deal older- "
"We married young." Again, also true, I met Serana a year after fighting Alduin and we married not long after that. Though for the long life… Well I am far older then I look, and not just because I was an old man not that long ago. Esbern the lore master of the Blades created a potion to help protect me against dragons. Yet what he didn't realize was the fact the ancient Akaviri meant for this potion to be taken by none Dragonborn's. It had a… Interesting side effect on my body. I became more dragonesque, my eyes changed from blue to gold, I was stronger, faster and more durable. Then there is the fact my life span increased dramatically.
It increased so much so that my teacher and friend Paarthurnax named me Lingrah Nahl Jul or the long-lived mortal. Frankly speaking I could have lived longer then I did, but when Serana passed I knew it was my time to go… Shaking my head I cleared my throat. "Could we possibly change the subject?"
"Of course, I am sorry I brought it up." The former bard smiled sadly. "Perhaps you could tell me some stories of your homeland? In a past life I used to be a bard, knowing some new stories would- "
A scream interrupted the red-head, quickly jumping to my feet my hand going for my sword. A villager ran into the tavern panting heavily, his shirt is soaked with sweat, and he had a panicked look on his face "Darkspawn! Darkspawn just on the outskirts of the village!" Everyone in the room remained still for half a second, before running and screaming. Well everyone, expect for Leliana, Hawke and myself.
"The Chantry! Get to the Chantry!" Leliana shouted above the chaos, as she tried to direct the people.
Hawke had a hard look on his face, as he began to give orders. "Militia members to the armory!"
Looking around I undid my cloak, picking up my crossbow followed by my helmet and shield. "Tiid!" As time froze, I walked toward the tavern wall. "Feim!" Stepping through the wall and to the outside I took a moment to scan the area while time was still frozen. There were thirty darkspawn, many of them were the Hurlock's with a sprinkling of the shorter ones… Genlocks. Though I couldn't see any of the magic users the Emissary I think their called. A handful of the darkspawn were racing toward the village, as the majority were headed for the out lying farms. This is my first time seeing these things and they… Well they are ugly, and quite frightening looking. The games could never convey how utterly horrifying they truly are.
Dark gray/green like skin with putrid sores, and scars covered their face. Their mouths were filled with fangs and they had sunken in eyes. The darkspawn all wore crude looking armor and used pathetic looking weapons. They looked like something out a nightmare, I could understand why normal people would be afraid of these things. Especially since they were literally a walking viral infection.
(AN: Play this for the fight, a fitting intro song for the Dragonborn. SKYRIM THEME - "Dragonborn" (METAL/ROCK COVER by Jonathan Young)
However, I've faced worse things, and I had decades of experience under my belt. These things are nothing compared to the things I have faced. Placing my helmet on my head, I knew what I had to do. Time which had been completely still until this point began to move like it was in fast forward. That will change in a moment. "Tiid Klo Ul!" Time once more time utterly stopped, raising my crossbow I fired. Not wasting time, I pulled out another bolt and fired again. I repeated the process, until all the darkspawn had bolt's pierced through their body and armor.
Taking off past the darkspawn, who were slowly began to move again their bodies reacting to the crossbow bolts. Pushing on toward the farms I could see a Hurlock heading straight for a two children… Shit and he's moving faster and faster. Growling in frustration, and removing my crossbow, I pulled my shield free and held it in front of me like a battering arm. "Wuld Nah Kest!"
My entire body just MOVED as if a force of wind propelled me forward into the Hurlock. With time returning to normal just as I reached the monster, the effect was brutal. My shield slammed into the darkspawn with such speed and force that it literally went splat. Turning quickly, I looked at the kids who stared up at me in awe. "Find your parents." I told them as they ran off, facing the remaining darkspawn I placed my hand on the hilt of my sword and shuddered as a warmth traveled up my arm.
"It has been a long time my friend." Drawing the longsword, I held it in front of me with a look of awe. The blade is ivory in color with Dovahzul, etched along the length of the blade in ebony. "Dovaldwiin it is time to go into battle once more." This sword, it is perhaps my greatest weapon, I forged this blade with the help of Eorlund Gray-Mane. Dovaldwiin was forged from the bones of Mirmurlnir, as was my shield and plate armor. Though it wasn't until later that my sword earned his name, translated into the common tongue my blade's name is: Dragon Destroying Steel.
Another name it earned is Alduin's Bane.
Staring at the darkspawn I cracked my neck. "Come on then!" Banging my sword against the shield, I stared at the twisted creatures who looked unsure about what to do. Finally, one of them made a decision and charged. As it swung its crude iron sword, I raised my shield blocking the attack. Pushing back with little effort, I swung Dovaldwiin taking off the head of the creature. Stepping over the fallen corpse I swung my personal weapon in a flourish. "Yem." The ebony lettering of Dovaldwiin began to glow with power, and the entire blade became wreathed in flames. Over the years my blade has been infused with many enchantments and powers. My friend the archmage Elenden aided me in this, since my skill with enchanting was nowhere near her level. By combining our knowledge, infused the power of my Thu'um or something close. With simple words, different powers activate the sword. Yem when translated into the common tongue means Blaze. The effect as you can guess is obvious.
"Gah!" Letting out a roar the collective darkspawn decided to charge me. Stupid move on their part.
Pulling the visor of my helmet up I held my shield in front of me and placed the sword above it. "Yol." I quietly whispered the word of power through my sword, the blue flames extended out and consuming the darkspawn. You know, Flemeth was right charred darkspawn does nothing for the appetite. Breathing out a sigh of relief, I quickly scanned the area, but saw nothing. Still just to make sure. "Laas Yah Nir!" My vision suddenly changed, it is similar to Predator vision or Detective Mode.
I could see the aura of the villagers and they weren't too far off. Though there is something strange, two of the aura's are different…. Instead of the purple/red, their color is a striking blue, and that wasn't the only thing that looked different. There were multiple auras that while they were purple/red they had spots of blue… If I had to guess the pure blue ones are Hawke and his sister, while the ones with spots are the Templars. Interesting…. Turning my head, I frowned… Off in the distance a large and I do mean large, imposing marched forward as it came closer I could see an orge… What caused me to frown is its aura… I have never seen an aura like this one before. the black and wriggling like maggots in a corpse…. That must be the taint… It's disturbing.
"Daal." (Return) I spoke as the flames on Dovaldwiin died down, sheathing my sword I ran over to where my crossbow laid on the ground. Sliding my shield up my back I slipped my foot underneath the stock of the crossbow and kicked the weapon into my arms. Turning back, I could see the ogre is picking up more speed, I better hurry. Reaching into my quiver I pulled a bolt free, but I removed the head and placed it in the first pouch of my belt on the right side.
Opening the first pouch the left side of my belt, I pulled out another bolt head. Unlike the pervious one which was made of dragon bone/Skyforge steel, this one is made from graphite and a harden glass that has a small amount of amber liquid. Placing the bolt head on the shaft of the bolt, I turned around to see the Orge has broken into a full run and is less than two hundred feet… away. Firing I quickly shouted. "Feim Zii!"
Allowing myself to sink into the ground, avoiding the resulting explosion. Despite not being caught in the blast, I could feel it shake the ground. Climbing through the ground and back to the surface I slid my crossbow onto my back over my shield. Walking toward the fallen corpse of the orge I whistled in shock. The orge or what was left of it, is blown to pieces. I couldn't find it's head or it's left arm or right leg, but it's chest remained. Though there is a large hole in the center. "Seems like the nitro did too good of a job… Sorine you beautiful insane bitch you never cease to amaze me."
Yeah… This is one thing I can't say I took from Mora's realm. Sorine wasn't just an expert with in all things Dwemer and weapons, she was also a talented alchemist and chemist. The crazy Breton had spent a great amount of time studying the explosive powder that the Redguard's possessed. Yeah…. Turns out gunpowder already existed in this world already. Though no one figured out how to make guns, or at that time at least. Sorine after finishing her studies, found that the gunpowder wasn't…. In her words. 'Powerful enough.' So, she began to experiment and tried to find something stronger… It took her ten years, but she did it.
The crazy bitch created nitroglycerin… Yeah… Why she thought it would ever be needed for vampire hunting, I'll never know. It did come in handy when the invasion from Akavir occurred, and it really helped when I had traveled there and faced down the Kamal or Snow Demons, and when I fought Tosh Raka for the second time. Now in order to keep my bolt heads from blowing me up, they were carefully placed within a soft and padded pouch, that had been enchanted to resist all manner of things.
Lowering my crossbow, I sighed in relief as I rubbed my shoulders. "Been a while, but I still got it." Turning around I froze seeing the village militia, and a group of Templars… How much did they see? I prepared to take off when they cheered…. Huh?
Turns out they only saw the aftermath of my attack, and they hadn't seen me coming out of the ground. Though the Templars were more than curious about what I did to the orge and the darkspawn I turned to ash. After I quickly explained that I had used a manmade chemical along with an enchanted sword. After allowing them to carefully examine one of my nitro bolts and my sword they determined I wasn't an apostate… Thank goodness they didn't think to test ME! To be honest I am not sure if I count as a mage here. Is the Fade and Aetherius the same thing? Or could it be another plain of Oblivion?
… Damn it I'm not a mage or wizard, this isn't for me to figure out. I'm a warrior I fight at the front and take hits. I can think of this later, right now I am trying to deal with the fact, that everyone and the mother is trying to buy me a drink. It's not that I minded but I remember the first time I preformed a heroic deed…Slaying the dragon Mirmurlnir, after I got back to Whiterun Jarl Balgruuf declared me the Thane and we had one hell of a feast.
That was also when I got alcohol poisoning, luckily Restoration magic heals just about everything. So, I rather avoid having a repeat of that, sure my skill with Restoration is extremely high. Hell, it is one of few branches I am good in, but it's better to not let everyone know I have magic.
"Well look at you, not even one day and you're already a hero." Leliana smiled playfully at me as she sipped at her ale. "You really are out of a story."
Snorting I puffed out a smoke ring. "Waxhuthi." I hissed at her in the Argonian language. Sure, it's next to impossible for a non Argonian to fully speak the language or pronounce the word's properly. I was able to pick up a few things from an Argonian friend by the name of Tibus Theodes the Swift. Including a few nasty swear words. (AN: Just an Argonian character I made in the games)
The Lay Sister stared at me in confusion. "What did you say?"
"Don't worry about it." I chuckled to myself until someone slapped my back, grunting I nodded at the person before returning to smoking. The Orlesian woman had a smirk on her face, when she saw that. Rolling my eyes, I took another puff of my pipe. "Now, I believe you were asking me some questions before you started to tease me again."
Smiling slightly the former bard nodded and held up her quill. "Oui. Thank you for the reminder, now what tell me about the Companions? "After the fight and few tests by the Templars, Leliana began to question me more about Skyrim. Like some stories from the land, what was it like, same about the people. I answered the questions only stopping to clarify something she wasn't clear on.
"Merci Calder, your land sounds lovely to have heroes constantly rise up." The former bard sighed lost slightly in a day dream. "Then those Companions you mentioned, they truly sound like a noble order of warriors."
Finishing my pint of ale, I slowly stretch out my body a smirk on my lips. "Trust me they are more like a pack of wild dogs."
"Oh, they can't be that bad." Leliana said defending them.
"Your right. They're more like wolves." Chuckling softly, I stood up. "It's been a pleasure Leliana, but I think I will retire to my room." It wasn't that late, but I needed some rest and time alone.
Standing up the Lay Sister bowed her head. "Of course, may we continue this later this evening? If you aren't busy, your land sounds truly fascinating."
"Aye." Bowing my head back, I picked up my things. "Of course, Sister Leliana, till later." Bowing my head once again, I turned around and headed to my room, for some rest.
I dreamt very little during my little power nap, but what I did dream was pleasant. I dreamt that I was home in Whiterun with Serana, surrounded by the people we knew. We were all celebrating something. Of what I wasn't sure, but it was fun none the less. However, my dream was interrupted by the sound of knocking. Groaning I slowly lifted my head and glared at the door. "Who is there?"
"Forgive me your lordship, but there are some men who wish to speak to you." The voice of one of the servers answered me.
Smacking my lips, I slowly sat up and stretched out with a grunt. "Very well, where are they?"
"Right beside me lordship."
Frowning, I looked over at the corner of the room and saw my armor, weapons, and gear laying in the corner. Standing to my feet, I strapped on my sword belt and walked to the door. Unlocking the door and opening it my mouth dropped slightly. The man standing next to the serving girl, is an older man with long black hair, and beard. He wore silvery armor with a battle skirt, along with a sword and dagger strapped to his hip.
"Pardon the intrusion, my name is Duncan and I would to speak to you about the darkspawn you killed." The Commander of the Ferelden Grey Warden said standing before me.