As we head onwards the next day – I assume it's the next day, at least – I tell Serana everything I know about Dagoth Ur's return and the Nerevarine, the Oblivion Crisis, and everything I know about what has happened since, including the return of the dragons. She takes it all in without even blinking. Amazing – not many people would be so believing.
We soon reach the next tower with its Keeper sat on its stone throne at the foot. On our approach, the headless figure rises and pulls out a massive battleaxe, made out of the same material as its armour. Working together, Serana and I fight to slay the thing and to stay well out of reach of the great weapon. A good many arrows and icicles later the Keeper is merely a pile of black sludge like the one before it, and I am searching the skyline for our last target. I spot it in the distance, and swinging my arms to loosen some of the tension from the fight I lead Serana towards it.
Not far from the second tower we reach a dark stone platform with a tall black pole at one end, a metal cup sitting before it. Curious, I walk up to the rod and examine it. The cup seems to be of the sort I've seen used to contain soul gems, so as an experiment I place one inside.
Suddenly, with a blinding light and an incredibly loud bang, the rod is struck repeatedly by the lightning which has been constantly blasting throughout the Soul Cairn, and I am thrown several feet backwards, eye stinging and ears ringing. Once I can see again, I return to where I stood before to find the rod is gone and in the place of the ordinary soul gem is a black one, used to hold the souls of sentient beings – used for pure necromancy. I don't think I'll be playing with any other lightning rods I find in this place…
Continuing on our journey, I find myself deep in thought. Many ignorant Cyrodiils throughout the years have assumed that we Dunmer were necromancers because of our ancestor worship, but it is only in the very rare cases that they are right. In actuality, a Dunmer necromancer is much rarer than one of another race. The soul of a living being is sacred, not to be used in any way. Yes, you'll find ghosts of Dunmer ancestors roaming many a tomb in Morrowind, but that is because they are willingly safeguarding the remains of their family, not because they are being forced to by some foolish mage. That being said, I remember Cousin mentioning in one of his letters being asked by a Dark Elven alchemist in Skingrad what the fine for necrophilia was! That caused much commotion when Mother read the letter to us – grandmother said 'what do you expect from a Hlaalu?' and started a loud argument that nearly got the town guard – who, Balmora being a Hlaalu town, were Hlaalu retainers – called in to calm us down!
I am dragged out of my reverie by an arrow slamming into my side. I swear that hurt more than usual… I turn towards the source to find Serana has already dealt with the problem, and I can't help but feel a little disappointed that I missed out. Readying a healing spell, I grit my teeth and yank the arrow out, being careful to pull in the exact opposite direction to its entry into my flesh. Immediately casting the spell, I lose very little blood; I can't help but notice, however, Serana's slightly regretful face as the liquid soaks into the grey sand. Of course – she hasn't fed since her brief stay at Castle Volkihar, if at all since I found her. Another problem to deal with when I can, I suppose. But how?
A little ahead of us I can see an altar of some sort, so I head over to investigate. Upon the stone platform the metal altar sits on is a spell book, which, when I open it, teaches me a spell to summon a boneman of my own to fight for me. No sooner has the book dissolved from my hands than we are attacked again by a gang of bonemen. Since these skeletal creatures seem to be rather weak, it looks like my new conjuration spell will stay unused.
We soon reach the last tower, sat in the middle of a sprawling open ruin. This Keeper is surrounded by bonemen, so I leave them to Serana while I attack the Keeper. After around a quarter of an hour of fighting, all that is left of our foes are the little black puddles. It's strange – despite the Keeper being much larger than his supporting minions, all the puddles are the same size. I'd have thought the Keeper's would be bigger.
Judging by the directions we've been travelling in, Valerica's prison is somewhere east of us, so I head off in that direction. As we pass south of Jiub's camp, at the foot of a glowing well of some sort in the centre of a large stone platform, I spot a sheet of paper lying on the ground. Picking it up, I see it is covered in a neat scrawl.
and the silt strider bouncing me around at full gallop. Finally, with a silent prayer, I released the string. The arrow sang through the air like a howling demon as it sliced its way towards its target. Finally, just as it crested the lip of a foyada, the arrow struck it in the midsection. It let out a horrible cry and fell out of sight. My cries of triumph were
I guess this must be a page from Jiub's first volume. I tuck it into my bag and continue eastwards. We're soon back at the ruin where Valerica was held, and I climb the steps to find the barrier has gone.
"You managed to destroy all three Keepers? Very impressive." The elder vampire says.
"Are you able to give us the scroll now?" I ask.
"Yes, please, follow me. Keep watch for Durnehviir. With the prison's barrier down, he's almost certain to investigate."
We follow Valerica into the building, to find that it is merely a wall around a large courtyard. There is an alcove in the western wall with an alchemy lab and several bottles and ingredients sitting on a shelf. Valerica is leading us towards it when Serana pauses.
"Wait…" She cautions. "I hear something!"
I look up just in time to see a great slime-green dragon sail over the wall and glide around to start attacking us. He Shouts something, and a group of bonemen appear out of nowhere and attack us as well. I leave them to the vampires, focussing on Durnehviir.
"Joor Zah Frul!" I Shout at the beast, and he flies straight into the path of the blue dragon-magic, causing him to recoil and forcing him to land. Since my bow is already in my hand, I ignore Dragonbane and shoot arrow upon arrow at the dragon, most bouncing off of the green scales or batted away by the creature's great curved horns. The lucky few that strike the soft flesh, however, seem to do damage enough, and eventually Durnehviir lies defeated and his summoned minions disappear.
I am waiting for his soul to come cascading out towards me, and I can't help but feel disappointed when instead the corpse vanishes in a purple cloud. I turn around at the sound of soft footsteps.
Forgive my astonishment, but I never thought I'd witness the death of that dragon." Valerica says.
"What makes you say that?" Serana says beside her.
"Volumes written on Durnehviir allege that he can't be slain by normal means." Normal means? I wouldn't call yelling at a beast until it falls 'normal'. "It appears they were mistaken. Unless…" Valerica trails off.
"Go on." I urge her.
"The soul of a dragon is as resilient as its owner's scaly hide. It's possible that your killing blow has merely displaced Durnehviir's physical form while he reconstitutes himself." She explains.
"How long will that take?"
"Minutes? Hours? Years?" Valerica suggests. "I can't even begin to guess. I suggest we don't wait around and find out. Now, let's get you the Elder Scroll and you can be on your way."
In the alcove, on the shelf with the ingredients, is a long box, inside which is the scroll we need, encased in its golden sheath. Carefully tucking it into my satchel, I turn back to the now released vampire.
"Now that you've retrieved the Elder Scroll, you should be on your way." She says. "If there's anything I can do before you depart, just let me know."
Hmm. Since she knows so much about the Soul Cairn…
"Can you help me get my soul back?"
"So, my daughter applied some of the lessons I taught her about necromancy, did she?" She sounds proud. But then, so would any teacher upon learning of a student putting their teaching to good use. "Don't worry; I think I can help you."
"Good – I could use all the help I can get."
"Your soul essence was trapped inside a gem. When you and Serana entered the Soul Cairn, it was 'given' to the Ideal Masters as payment. You simply need to retrieve the gem. The moment you touch it, your soul essence will be restored."
"Any idea where it could be?" I ask.
"There's an offering alter not terribly far from here. I'm willing to bet that the gem you're looking for is there. Is there anything else? Could be your last chance."
"You're staying here?" Serana asks, a tinge of sadness in her voice.
"I have no choice. As I told you I am a daughter of Coldharbour. If I return to Tamriel, that increases Harkon's likelihood of bringing the Tyranny of the Sun to fruition."
"We'll return for you when we can." I promise.
"I appreciate your concern for me, but Serana is all that I care about. You must keep her safe at all costs. Remember that Harkon is not to be trusted. No matter what he promises, he'll deceive you in order to get what he wants. And promise me you'll keep my daughter safe. She's the only thing of value I have left."
I bow my head in assent, then leave the building with Serana. To get a rather nasty surprise outside.
Waiting atop a black stone archway over the track is Durnehviir.
"Stay your weapons!" He cries in a deep growl when he sees us. "I would speak with you, Qahnaarin."
Qahnaarin? "I thought you were dead."
"Cursed, not dead. Doomed to exist in this form for eternity. Trapped between laas and dinok, between life and death." The great dragon laments.
"Why are we speaking?"
"I believe in civility between seasoned warriors, and I find your ear worthy of my words. My claws have rended the flesh of innumerable foes, but I have never once been felled on the field of battle. I therefore honour-name you Qahnaarin, or Vanquisher, in your tongue."
"I found you equally worthy." Always worth flattering a dragon – especially if it means you are no longer dinner!
"Your words do me great honour." Durnehviir bows his head slightly, then continues. "My desire to speak with you was born from the result of our battle, Qahnaarin. I merely wish to respectfully ask a favour of you."
"What kind of a favour?" I query.
"For countless years I've roamed the Soul Cairn in unintended service to the Ideal Masters. Before this, I roamed the skies of Tamriel. I desire to return there."
"What's stopping you?"
"I fear that my time here has taken its toll upon me. I share a bond with this dreaded place. If I ventured far from the Soul Cairn, my strength would begin to wane until I was no more."
"How can I help?" I am not exactly eager to unleash another dragon on Skyrim, but… I did beat him once; I can again if I must.
"I will place my name with you and grant you the right to call my name from Tamriel. Do me this simple honour and I will fight at your side as your Grah-Zeymahzin, your ally, and teach you my Thu'um." Well, a dragon fighting for me… tempting.
"Just call your name in Tamriel? That's it?"
"Trivial in your mind, perhaps." Durnehviir responds. For me, it would mean a great deal. I don't require an answer, Qahnaarin. Simply speak my name to the heavens when you feel the time is right." With a great heave, the dragon takes to the air and glides away.
Since Valerica didn't tell me exactly where this shrine thing was, I again let my intuition guide me. Heading more north than west, we come across a great maze-like ruin. Exploring the inside, we are occasionally attacked by bonemen, but they last about as long as a gambler's pay. Eventually, we find a teleport well, and I jump onto it and am transported onto the roof of the ruin.
Beneath a giant soul gem sits a chest, and something resonates inside me. The gem I seek is in that chest, I know it. When I approach it, though, the huge gem starts sucking out my life force. Stubbornly I push open the chest and reach inside, pulling out the gem and restoring my soul to its proper vessel – my body.
I jog away from the enormous crystal, and the leeching sensation stops. Since there is no well to get back down easily, and the ruins aren't that tall, I drop down over the edge and am met by Serana, who didn't come up with me. I head south west, trying to find the trail back to the stairway to the portal, and soon encounter it. A small distance along, we meet the soul of Arvak's owner. I pull the skull out of my bag and show it to the worried spirit.
"Arvak!" he cries gratefully. "You saved him! His soul is free, I can feel it! He's such a loyal beast. Here, I'll teach you how to call him to you. He'll help you get around this wretched place, but I'm sure he'd be happier someplace sunnier. Goodbye, hero! Take good care of Arvak for me. Such a good horse…" The soul fades away, wearing the happiest grin I've ever seen from a grown person, living or dead.
I don't think I'd be getting much use out of the new spell any time soon though – were I to ride I'd end up leaving Serana far behind and I am unwilling to ride off on my friends. Wow – I suddenly realise I have made the first friends I've had since I was in my second century of life during these recent adventures. I hadn't noticed how lonely I'd been…
Near the great dividing wall, I spot another page sitting on a barrel near a soul hanging around a broken cart. I pick it up and read it.
about to strike me down in anger for my somewhat sordid past? Suddenly I understood everything. Suddenly I realised that I was brought here for a reason. I should have died in those ash wastes, but Lord Vivec must have seen something inside me that he hadn't seen in millennia and decided to spare me from my fate. Thus began my ascent to Sainthood. Thus began the rise of Jiub!
Must be the last page. Considering the size of Jiub's ego, I'm almost surprised I was able to get close enough to talk to him! I tuck it in my bag and continue on through the wall, along the path past many other trapped souls and up the stairs through the portal into Valerica's secret study.
The passages of the tower ruins are silent; the remaining gargoyles, thankfully, are purely ornamental. Passing the door I'd unlocked then ignored, I detour and explore the room beyond, only to find the only loot inside a couple of enchanted weapons. Stuffing them in my bag – I still marvel at how the little thing can hold so much sometimes – I return to the passages and follow them all the way back to the courtyard.
The undercroft is silent too, the only sound to be heard in the place the dripping of water onto the stones from the slimy ceiling. Back outside at the hidden docks, we scramble over the rocks back towards the entrance ramp to the castle and manage to get to the boat and away without being stopped by anyone. We seem to have gone unnoticed, which surprises me – I'm sure Harkon would be searching for Serana by now, considering she escaped with her scroll.
Back at the mainland, we head east, following the coastline a short way until I find a trail heading towards where I assume the road to me. The track, however, turns back west, so I abandon it and return to my eastern course, pausing only to slay a trio of attacking wolves. Poor, starving, foolish creatures.
We do eventually reach the road at around the same time as the sun disappears below the horizon. Nodding to a Khajiit who is hanging around near the road, we head along the cobbles, around the rocky cliffs and below the massive arch that Solitude sits upon. I am yearning for a real bed, so I take Serana into the city via the windmill door and head into the Winking Skeever. Renting the room, Serana settles into the chair beside the bed, and I sink exhausted into the mattress.