Hey there all y'alls. How are you doing? I hope you're doing good. I am. It's raining right now and we have been in a drought for like five months so this is epic. Well, drizzling, but it's the thought that counts, right? Anyways, here we go with the story.
Kell sat down in the chair while resting his head in his hands. He was exhausted from his fight against the dragon. Not only that, but now he was something called Dragonborn. Sure his world was pretty weird, but now? Now it was just damned near insane. He was supposed to go off and kill these things on a regular basis, when he had a hard time with just one with half the guards of Whiterun assisting him.
He heard foot steps and raised his head to look at the Jarl. Kell stood up quickly and faced the man while never losing eye contact. Balgruff looked at him a few seconds before extending his hand. Kell looked at it before extending his own and shaking the Jarl's hand.
"Whiterun owes you a great debt. Because of you that dragon was killed before it could cause any further harm. I heard you fought bravely and discovered something about yourself out there. Dragonborn, huh? Interesting." Kell just nodded before looking around.
He was in the main halls of Dragon's Keep and had been resting. The journey back was quick and full of celebration and pats on the back. Mostly from the over excited guards, who not only aided in the killing of a dragon, but got to fight with the Dragonborn, hero of legends. While Kell was happy that the dragon was killed he couldn't help but have a nagging feeling in the back of his head. What if there was more? Where were they coming from if there was more? Could they stand a chance against more if they were attacked again?
Too many questions, with too little answers, and Kell didn't like it. He looked back at the Jarl who turned to his Steward, with a large grin.
"Make note of this; from this day forth, this man shall be the Thane of Whiterun, Kell of Blackmarsh. Wouldn't want you to be just like the common rabble now would we? Should you need anything just let the guards know and they will help you, or they can answer to me." He ended with a hearty laugh before returning to the throne. He sat and let out a sigh.
As Kell was about to leave there was a loud, almost force that sounded out and caused everything to shake violently.
"Dovahkiin!" Kell looked around and watched as the chandelier hanging above the table shook and got dangerously close to falling onto the table. Once everything calmed down Kell slowly turned to the Jarl while standing at the ready in case anything else were to happen.
"What was that?" Was all Kell asked. Balgruff leaned forward on his throne and rubbed his chin in thought.
"If my memory serves me correctly, then that was the Greybeards, the masters of the voice, calling you to the snowy tops of their mountains to meet with them." Kell looked out a window and saw the snowy mountains of the Throat of the World in the distance.
"Why do they want to see me?"
"To train you in the way of the voice. I'd hurry to them if I was you, don't want to keep those old men waiting." Kell gave a small nod before leaving the palace quietly. The Greybeards. In his entire time in Skyrim he had never heard of these people. The name caused him to instantly dissect that they were older men. Older men tended to be wiser though, in Kell's opinion. He had nothing better to do so he decided it would be smart to go and see these masters of the voice.
He stocked up on supplies and began the trek to the village at the base of the mountain. Ivarstead is what the guard had told him. He would be lying when he said the guards were friendly to him. Almost too friendly for his tastes, but he wasn't in a position to tell them what to do. He guessed that if you were able to kill a dragon and eat it's soul that you were someone who should be respected. Kell only gave respect where is was earned though, regardless of title.
Almost an hour into his trip Kell heard something behind him. When he turned all he saw was a quick flash of black and red. He couldn't make out what it was but knew he was being followed. He continued on his way and shot back an occasional glance. When he would do so he would see the same flash of black and red. Easy to miss to most, but in Kell's old line of work if he wasn't always on his toes then he would have died long ago.
He had to admit that the person had skill. Most people would have been caught by his third glance back, but this one, whoever or whatever they were was smarter and faster then anyone Kell had dealt with before. Kell knew dropping his guard, even for a second, could result in death so he made sure to never lose focus and to never stop or put himself in a bad position. He wasn't going to let some cut throat or assassin kill him after he fought a dragon and lived.
Well into the night Kell arrived in Ivarstead and immediately went to the inn. Upon arrival he saw it was a smaller, homey establishment with a smell of food and mead flowing around in the air. The bard was playing a flute and a few people were dancing or cheering as he did so. Kell took a few steps in when someone flew over the table in front of him and was then followed by another person. They two tumbled on the floor as Kell walked past.
"Idiots." Kell muttered under his breath so only he could hear it. He knew how to solve most disputes without the need of violence while most all the people in Skyrim solved their problems by stabbing or punching something. Kell went to the table in the far corner and sat. He leaned back in the wooden chair and the chair let out a faint creak as it supported his weight. After a few minutes a women come up and asked Kell what he wanted.
Not in the mood of craving anything specific the Argonian ordered venison. Meat was always something Kell seemed to be in the mood for, probably due to him being an Argonian but he was never really sure. He had seen plenty of Nords and Elves eat large portions of meat that could make Kell sick. While he waited Kell studied the crowd and sipped his mead.
Mostly Nord, the occasional elf. The thing he noticed the most was a Red Guard women in the corner. She seemed like a warrior of sorts, judging by the steel plate armor that adorned her body as she sat in peace and watched as well. When their eyes met Kell held her stare. She eventually broke it with a scoff and went back to sipping her mead.
Kell moved to someone else and went back to his own mead. He slowly looked out the window without turning his head and saw the shadowy figure outside. Kell turned his head towards it and watched it disappear from sight and into the darkness. Kell narrowed his eyes but lost focus when his food was slapped down at his table.
"What are you doing here, if you don't mind me asking." Kell looked at the women who was a red head with a slim body.
"Traveling to the top of the mountain to meet the Greybeards." He heard a cough and turned to see the Red Guard women was choking on her mead. Kell shook his head and went back to his food. The women asked him a few more questions which he answer blankly or left large holes to it to keep her from knowing something about him he didn't want out. He wasn't a fan of crowds and knew if people found out he was Dragonborn he would never get a chance at some peace and quiet. He just drank his drink and ate his food, avoiding most eye contact with people.
He was getting ready to turn in when he heard a large amount of shouting to his right. He turned and saw the Red Guard women up in someones face. They were shouting and it was getting pretty heated.
"Milk Drinker!" That was all it took for the man to throw a punch at the women. She just backed away and gave him a swift uppercut, that cracked his head back. Kell couldn't help but wince at the power behind the blow, but decided to continue watching. Once the man recovered he rushed at her and tried to slam his entire weight into her. She was very fast though and just moved to the side while holding her foot out. When the man tripped on her foot he slammed into the wall and fell, limply, to the floor.
"Dumbass!" She cracked her right knuckle and went back to her mead. Kell walked to his room with a small grin on his face. While Nords could be annoying he found other races to be quiet entertaining as well. Red Guard were cocky, Orcs were usually too head strong for their own good, and Imperials were always quick to make fun of everyone else, and the first to back down in a fight. While Kell knew every race had their quirks he knew Argonians were probably the strangest out of all of them. While most were moving to be more modern, Argonians tended to stay more towards the ancient ways of life. This had upsides and downsides.
Upsides because he learned to be strong, and that if he wanted something he would have to work for it. The downside was obvious, they would never really advance anywhere while the rest of the world would. He liked to think he took the best of this and left behind the lacking parts of being an Argonian. While he would try newer things and didn't mind advancements, he knew he preferred things to remain the way they were. To much change made him uncomfortable and it was something he wasn't sure he would ever be able to get over. He stopped pondering over life and just settled into his bed and slept.
When Kell awoke in the morning he just sat on his bed for a few minutes and let himself wake up. He eventually sat straight up on his bed and then looked around. He licked his lips a few times before standing and getting his gear ready. Once he had finished that he entered the main hall to see only a small amount of people were actually up. The women who served him the night before, an old Orc who was silently eating, and the Red Guard women from the previous night. The strange part about her was the occasional glance she was giving him. While he didn't mind too much, they caused him to get ready to go on the defensive, should she try anything.
He didn't ask for anything specific and just waited for his food. While waiting he looked around the inn and found it to be in very good condition. Relatively new with plenty of effort put into decorating it as well as maintaining it. He looked back when his food and drink arrived and slowly ate it, not in any rush to climb the large mountain. As he drank his mead he looked out the window to his left and saw nothing but darkness. He knew rising before the sun was a good idea but after seeing that he was followed by that shadow and having some suspicions about the Red Guard women who kept glaring at him, he debated on whether he should wait or not.
As he finished his meal he decided to just leave and be at the ready the whole time. He payed the women and bought some food, and mead for the trip. He pushed against the door and found an opposing force. He slammed into the door and it went open and snow fell through. He silently cursed. It had snowed last night meaning the trip was going to be even harder than it already was. He silently closed the door and took a look around before finding the base of the mountain. He came to the bridge where on the other side was the path he would take.
He took a look behind him and saw the shadow slink behind a building. He knew he could try to chase it but wouldn't have much luck in doing so. He turned back to the bridge and started to walk across. He made it to the first couple of steps when a voice sounded out to him.
"Wait up!" Kell turned to the voice and saw the Red Guard women walking towards him. He found himself unconsciously reaching for his sword. When she finally got to him she gave a slight wave and then pointed to the mountain, looming behind him.
"You gonna climb that?" Kell gave a quick glance to the mountain and then back to the women, giving her a nod.
"Why do you care?" He questioned, not hiding his distrust in her. She frowned and crossed her arms, shooting him a glare as cold as the icy snow at their feet.
"Maybe I just want to be a good person and help you reach the top in one piece." Kell narrowed his eyes and rubbed his chin.
"Funny, you didn't act like a good person to the man you beat the shit out of last night." This only caused her to smile and rub her right knuckle with her left.
"He shouldn't have been trying to make any moves on me, or touch my mead and he wouldn't have been in such a humiliating situation." Kell frowned and the stared right at her. She couldn't help but feel slightly uncomfortable under his gaze.
"I'm going to ask again: Why do you care?" She remained silent and returned his gaze.
"Tempest." Was all she muttered. Kell raised a brow and waited for her explanation. She sighed and looked to her right.
"Some bastard by the name of Tempest sent me to find you and help you, something like that. Don't ask why, I have no idea. Can we please go now, standing here and freezing isn't something I'm enjoying, Lizard Boy." Kell snarled and turned to leave but stopped.
"You may join me, but know this simple fact. We aren't the only ones who will be climbing the mountain." She went to ask when she turned and saw a shadow dart back behind a house. Her eyes widened and she took a precautionary step back.
"Lovely." She walked next to Kell and motioned for him to start. Kell just began his walk towards the mountain with the women by his side.
"By the way, name's Onyx. Yours?" Kell turned to her and slightly nodded.
"Kell." Now with the formalities out of the way, the two began the climb to the top of the icy mountain so Kell could meet the Greybeards. Not something he was overly thrilled about but knew it had to be done. He just had a nagging feeling that something very big was going to happen very soon, and it would have to do with him. He sighed and just continued walking.
"Dammit. First he sees me, now he's got a traveling partner. Could this mission get anymore difficult?" She cursed a few times before leaning against a tree a safe distance away while her target and his new companion started to climb. She narrowed her eyes on the Argonian. Every second she watched him he felt more and more familiar and she had no idea why. After a few minutes she stood straight up and began walking after him.
"Just stay patient, you'll get your chance. Good things come to those who wait." She adjusted the bow sitting on her back and then did the same to the two daggers at her belt. She knew her mistress wouldn't care how long she took, as long as she completed it without any hitches like getting caught or killed. They had been paid up front and the amount was a hefty one at that.
Once the whole pay came in it would be a very nice amount for the family. Her mistress was definitely surprised at the large amount of gold they had been offered, but the rest would only be paid if they weren't caught, which was why she was sent. Having the most patience out of the others and being very hard to spot she was the ideal person to send out.
"Don't know who you pissed off to cause so much gold to be placed on your head, but it isn't my place to figure out or even care. Just to kill you and come home."
So this took forever for me to finish on account of a couple reasons. I've been really busy with school and what have you. Sports haven't been helping the situation either and then band is horrific right now. Oiy. Also, I was having a hard time writing this one. I'm not sure why, but I didn't like it and ended up rewriting it like four times. The others just didn't sit well with me. So, sorry about the delay. Keep calm and may the Aura be with you all!