I can't sleep, so here's another chapter.
Skyrim(c) Bethesda.
Forgotten Paladin, Chapter VI: Peace Council I.
The road is long and uncertain. Maybe it just seems that way; there are very little roads around Winterhold. No surprise; it is sad and lonely place to be. Not that many would stay, but those who do, stay because it is all they know. For the mages, however, moving the entire College would be a longer and tedious task, so it stays.
Clutching the furs closer, she thinks of home. Nothing comes up, for she doesn't know where home is. Whiterun has made a substitute, but it isn't much. The Companions have become family too her, but can never fill the void her blood family has left. She shivers from cold, but walks on forward. When she came back from the Graybeards the second time, from Delphine, Esbern and the Thalmor, she asked Kodlak to train her in the Paladin ways. Tell her stories of her father.
Kodlak had smiled gently at her when she asked. Even though he couldn't train fully, he could teach her how they held themselves. Boring as it had been, she found herself never once regretting it. An icy cold wind blew though, interrupts her thoughts momentarily. Looking at her surroundings she knows she near Windhelm again. Its gray walls beckon.
A smile is brought to her face when her thoughts go back to Paarthurnax. It had been quite the jump to see the leader of the Graybeards; however she is happy to see him every time she goes up. He, and the Graybeards, ignores her family heritage, and for that she is grateful. Doubts fill her as she loads into the carriage. Given the ways of the Blades, she wonders how long it will before they find out about Paarthnurnax. As much she wishes to deny it, she knows they will not take too kindly to him.
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Balgruuf stares at her, mouth opened in shock. "You're asking me to do what?" She smiles at him, understanding his position well. "I need to trap a dragon. I need to know where Alduin went." He gets up, walks to her, stares her straight in the eye. "Do you know how crazy this is?" Nodding she shifts her weight. The fire behind her warming her back, gives her warmth through the stares she receives. Even by the guards. "The fate of the world depends on it."
"I know this, Kaylee. However, I can't do this with both General Tullius and Ulfric breathing down my back!" He yells slightly at her, and she bows her head in submission. He paces a little before stopping. "Perhaps the Graybeards will be willing to host a peace council." Lifting her head, she replies, "Do you think they will like that idea? Inviting men of war into a temple, a place of peace." Balgruuf shakes his head. "No, they won't but they must understand." She nods and turns on her heel. "Perhaps I will be able to make them see reason."
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She is right of course. Arngeir is furious, doesn't want them there. She can tell by how much he doesn't, the walls shake a little each time he speaks. Grabbing his shoulder lightly, she reminds him that is her duty, and want, to defeat Alduin. It is the only way to get Balgruuf's cooperation. He looks around the halls, as if they will help. "Sometimes," she says "that are some things you don't want to do, that you must do. Especially if it is for the good, or the best. Master, I do my duty as Dovahkiin with pride. And I do it for the people of Skyrim, of Tamriel."
Arngeir's head snaps towards her, there is a small light in his eyes. "I suppose you're right, Dragonborn. Even we must bend to the winds of change it seems. Very well. Tell the men of war, the Graybeards call for them." She smiles, and wraps her arms around him. Gives him a light hug. He does the same; she can feel the pride coming off of him. Sky above, voice within.
Windhelm is closer, faster with carriage. The cold here is different. It is like you can feel the despair in the city by the cold alone. She hates it for that. Makes her want to help, but she can't. Perhaps if she comes back alive, she can help. The Palace of Kings looms over her, beautiful and grim. It has seen much she thinks - too much.
Inside, it is warm, but not enough to ward off the despair the wind brings. She can see Jarl Ulfric on his throne. They gazes meet, his seems strong and unnerving. Kaylee knows better. There's a hint of tiredness that only battle worn people could detect. He keeps strong for his people, noble as it is. Five steps away, his housecarl becomes tensed
"A Paladin comes to our Hall." His voice is rougher than she remembers. "Aye, one does. Not to join the Stormcloaks." The housecarl doesn't like that response. Ulfric holds up his hand towards him, keeps him from unsheathing his battle axe. He cocks his head to the left, resting it gently on his left fist. "Then why are you here?" She gives a grim smile. "The Graybeards have called a peace council. Alduin has returned." If he is the true Nord he says he is, then that name should be familiar. It is, his face grows concerned. "Then a civil war won't matter if Alduin wins." She nods. "Aye." Suddenly he frowns at her. "What about General Tullius?" "I haven't spoken to him yet. Windhelm was closer. That is my next stop." He's not happy about her answer, but reluctantly agrees.
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They are arguing again. Dancing around the table. "He doesn't have the men; he'd be insane to try." Rikke shakes her head in disagreement. "Not what my scouts report, sir." He sighs. "We can't do anything about it. Jarl Balgruuf refuses to allow to garrison men in his city, yet he doesn't accept Ulfric's claim either." Rikke stroke her chin. "Perhaps we can place a camp, not too far from the city. Doesn't hurt to be prepared." He agrees.
There is a movement in the doorway. A clearing of the throat. He lifts his head to yell, but he stops when he sees a familiar face in somewhat familiar armor. He closes his mouth, waits for her to speak. "The Graybeards call for a peace council, until I can take care of the dragon menace." He and Rikke stare at each other. Rikke turns her towards the newcomer. "Why should we go?" She straightens up at the question, confident. "Alduin has returned. Ulfric has already agreed to go." He sees Rikke's mouth open. It's one the first few times he's seen fear in her eyes.
Rikke is looking at him again. "We can't decline, sir." "Why is that Legate?" He snaps. Kaylee answers his question, "Alduin the World Eater is worse than Ulfric and the Thalmor combined. In other words, we're speaking about the literal end of the world. And I'm the only who can stop him." They both stare at each other. He's not truly convinced. "Ulfric is already going. If you don't go then the Empire would look back." An annoyed sigh comes from him. "Very well."
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The group isn't even out of the city when a dragon attacks. The roar fills the air as civilians run into their houses for safety. It lands in the court yard of Castle Dour, and Kaylee runs towards it. Tullius notices she isn't afraid of them, probably because how many she has faced since Helgen. "YOL TOOR!" Her Shout, or Thu'um as Rikke calls it, challenges the dragon.
He orders everyone to get up on the walls and support her if needed. This is her fight, he knows this. They all do. The dragon snaps at her, but she is quick to dodge. "FUS RO DAH!" Kaylee is pushed backwards by ten feet. Never relenting she pushes forward, sword held high. The soldiers are trying pelt it with arrows, but the skin is strong. "Aim for the neck!" Kaylee tells them this. The dragon roars in fury as arrows lodged themselves into its neck.
She's crazy, he thinks. The sword smacked it in the face, giving Kaylee the time she needs to jump onto its head. Of course, the dragon doesn't like it and moves its head erratically, tries to get her off but she balances. Her opening comes and with all the might she can muster, she swings down hard. The blade cracks the dragon's head and pierces through. They all let out breathes as Kaylee jumps from its head. There's a frighten cry of "What's happening?!"
The scales are starting to burn and pieces of flesh are flying off and disappearing. Reddish tendrils go towards her, and disappear. As they walk closer, they can see look on her face, she's somewhere else, her mind. It is one of the most beautiful things he has seen, and he will never forget. Suddenly her head goes back, her mouth opens, "YOL TOOR SHUL!" The way she stands makes part of him believe she will grow wings and fly away. He knows better.
Only now, can he place the term 'Dragonborn' on her.
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She grimaces as she sees Elenwen join them at Solitude's stables. The elf almost struts toward her, and she does all she can to not thrust her sword through Elenwen's chest. Everyone can feel the tension between the two. "Well, I thought there was something different about you, Paladin." she sneers. The Imperials are watching with concern. They didn't need a fight. Not now. To the soldiers, Kaylee seems calm, collected. Tullius and Rikke know better. If you looked closely, you could her right hand shaking. "Indeed there is." She turns on her heel, to get away. The jarl, Elenwen, and Rikke load into the cart, while she and Tullius ride on horses followed by a group of Imperial soldiers. To High Hrothgar.
It is afternoon when they stop to pick up Jarl Balgruuf. Kaylee volunteers to get him. Says about needing to stop by Jorrvaskr quickly, to appoint a temporary or even permanent Harbinger. This gives them a perfect chance to stretch. Elenwen questions Rikke about where this Throat of the World is. He can see Rikke pointing to large mountain close to them. "If you look closely enough, you can see High Hrothgar from here." She's right. He can see a hint of tower and a building.
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The monks have cleared two extra rooms by the time they have arrived. They will be able to rest for the night and peace talks will begin in the morning. For this, he is glad - he has time to think. You should take a chance to look around. Rikke's voice reminds him. It isn't much to look at, no surprise. Yet he can feel the peace this place brings. Somehow that makes the gray walls comforting. There's a slight tremble before it stops and he has to remind himself where he is.
Four gray doors meet him as he finishes climbing the steps. Kaylee mentioned something about them leading to the courtyard. Rikke has already gone out with her, and he muses he should join them. It is a simple courtyard, mostly made of snowy ground than brick or stone. Never losses the peace either. Out of the corner his eye, he sees Ulfric with his second in command. Ulfric sees him as well, and a small understanding passes through them. They will argue during the talks.
He turns left where Elisif, Balgruuf, Rikke and Elenwen wait, watching the woman in the middle of the courtyard mediate. A Graybeard sits with her, Master Arngeir. Balgruuf comments on how well she seems to being ignoring the cold which Rikke comments back on how she probably learnt that. From his view, he can see how calmly she breathes. Arngeir says something and without thinking Kaylee nods and stands, while another Graybeard heads towards something that could have been a gate.
"WULD NAH KEST!" The Shout startles most people present. By the time they are able to calm their nerves, she is already past the gate. Arngeir nods as Kaylee returns to him. "Impressive Kaylee. You have learned quite a bit since your first time here." She smiles at older man, whom retreats inside with the other male.
Elisif calls out to Kaylee asking what the words meant. She is more than happy to translate. "The Shout is called Whirlwind Sprint, or Wuld Nah Kest. Whirlwind, Wuld. Fury, Nah. Tempest, Kest."
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A small room greets him as he returns inside. It is littered with five cots, yet there are six people in this room. Elisif gives him a pleading look. "General, please convince the Dragonborn to get a cot!" A small groan of annoyance comes from the woman in question. "My Jarl, I am fine. Sleeping on a bedroll will not bother me." She's probably slept on worse, being a traveler. Running hand through his hair, he grazes sternly towards Elisif. "Jarl Elisif, I doubt she cares that much. She's probably slept on much worse than this." His hand points to the bedroll. Kaylee throws Tullius a grateful look before returning her book.