Day Twenty-seven

Despite the prospect of having to walk all the way back to High Rothgar, I was in a good mood as soon as I saw my new armor waiting for me the next morning. Even Lydia's growling stomach could not distract me from admiring the Blades fashion taste once again. I put my old armor in a chest in the room just in case I found something wrong with this one. I was sure it would be there when I came back.

The four of us had a large breakfast at the table in the dining hall. Esbern and Delphine could not stop talking about the Wall and the events it may be depicting. As soon as they finished eating they were right back looking at the Wall. They did not even seem to remember Lydia and I were still there, much less that we were leaving. If their plans did not parallel mine, I probably would have just left them there to figure it out for themselves. I saw the typical apathy and rudeness had no culture lines in Skyrim.

Lydia showed me an outdoor courtyard I had missed yesterday and I suggested the quickest way out might be to just scale down the side of the mountain. She had no objection so we take our time and before long were back on the ground. We struck East, following no particular road yet. The land was mostly hills and prairie so the going was at least easy and anything dangerous was seen well in advance. The only things we encountered, however were wolves and bandits, nothing that really posed a test for my new armor. I was almost tempted to start a fight with Lydia just to see how it would hold up, but I did not want her to get hurt or anything. Her battleaxe and seeming obliviousness to my pain may have had a little to do with it, too.

Halfway to Whiterun I finally got a real test. We were following a stream, swatting mudcrabs as we went, when suddenly another blood dragon flew from out of nowhere and rained fire down on us. This one was particularly irate, roaring and wheeling about for another attack. Perhaps he recognized the Blades armor and was harboring a grudge of some kind. I tried to dodge his breath but he still caught me. The armor held back the flames a little better than my old steel one, but it still got toasty quickly inside my metal shell.

We started shooting arrows at him but he proved elusive. He had little problem hitting us though. His scalding stream of fire did not have to be as accurate as our arrows so he had the advantage there. I noticed something moving in the distance as I followed his flight. Mammoths! Where there were mammoths, there were usually giants.

"Lydia," I yelled at her, "Let's go towards those mammoths and see if we can find a giant to help with this thing. Maybe he at least can take some of the heat off us."

"Was that supposed to be funny? 'Take the heat off'."

"Oh, I guess it was funny, wasn't it?"

"No, I just asked if it was supposed to be."

I ignored her and took off at a run towards the huge animals. Sure enough, as I neared the mammoths, a giant showed up waving a club around over his head. His attention at first seemed to be on us but as soon as the blood dragon flew over our heads, the giant took off after it instead. The dragon torched the mammoths on a fly-by, earning the anger of the giant.

We slowed down to catch our breaths. The dragon was fixated on battling the giant and his mammoths to the point of completely forgetting about us. I had seen what a giant could do to a dragon so that was fine with me. We switched to our bows and walked towards the battle. Once we were within range, Lydia and I added our arrows to the dragon's hide to speed his demise. The dragon might have won if he had not chosen to land to fight the giant. The battle was over quickly once the giant's club was brought to bear against the beast. Getting giants to help with these dragons was a pretty good idea. The savings on arrows alone would make it worth it. We stayed just long enough for me to absorb the new soul.

The remainder of the trip held no more surprises. It was late when we arrived in Whiterun so the only place to sell anything was at the Drunken Huntsman. I sold off the weapons and armor we had collected then went to Breezehome for a well-deserved rest.

Day Twenty-eight

In the morning I was forced to use my healing magic on my legs and back from all the walking we did. I passed by Lydia's room on the way downstairs. She was sitting on her bed in her smallclothes, which were smaller than usual, I thought approvingly, and rubbing her legs and feet.

"Why not use your healing magic?" I asked, not wondering if she minded I watched her. "You said everyone has some ability."

"I told you, I'm not very good at it. I'll be fine in a few minutes."

"I could stop in at Arcadia's and see if she has some scented oils that I could rub in for you. I've been told my hands are like magic and that was before I knew they actually were."

She paused and I thought I may have finally gotten to her. "I've seen where your hands have been lately. I'd just as soon get a massage from a hagraven.
But thanks, anyway. Your generosity knows no bounds, I'm sure."

"Just thought I'd offer," I said, leaning against the doorjamb.

She looked up at me. "This is all you're going to see. Anything else and I'd have to look into getting a stronger helmet to protect my damaged brain."

"Fine, your loss. I'll be at Adrienne's working on my armor."

I dressed in my finest city clothes and popped over to the blacksmith to ask if I could use her worktable.

"For that armor?" Adrienne asked, "Where did you get it, from an antique dealer? An old antique dealer?"

"I'll have you know this is genuine Blades armor. It is what they wore when they fought dragons and I think it is impressive."

"I'm impressed it hasn't fallen apart. Help yourself, but don't get your hopes up. If you want some real armor in the future, let me know. I may have some steel plate coming in soon."

I waved her away and put the armor on the table. Before I started, however, I donned a pair of gauntlets that I had found that gave me a much better feel for the metal, as well as a necklace that I found near them. I could not explain how, but they seemed to be a matching pair and worked even better when together. I also drank a draught that I found labeled 'for Blacksmiths only'. I quickly set to work with some steel ingots I had and before long I had the black armor looking much better, superior even, to what it was. Even Adrienne was impressed with my work, though she doesn't say so. I could tell from the hard glint in her eye, though that could also be from the sparks flying off her grindstone. I packed up my armor and returned to Breezehome.

Lydia was dressed and actually had breakfast waiting when I returned. She took a slight umbrage at my shocked expression.

"I got tired of waiting for you," she said, "Don't get used to it."

I placed my armor on the table by the door and tore off a chuck of the cooked beef from the spit. I blew on it to cool it then chewed, and chewed, and chewed. "This could take a while to get used to."

Lydia was creative in her responses, suggesting other ways the beef might enter my body other than by eating. I took my plate and ate outside until she cooled off.

I decided to use the pass through the mountains to get back to Iverstead. I knew I was a Nord but I was getting downright fed up with walking through all these mountains. I thought maybe the Fates were toying with me on a metaphorical level. When this was over, my palace would be in a lowland with some hot springs, and even hotter women.

As usual, Iverstead was quiet, except for the woodcutter, Temba. She was cursing and spitting venom over the abundance of bears around Iverstead. She even offered a reward for bringing in ten bear pelts. I made a joking suggestion about what the reward could be and I found out why her name was Temba Widearm. She somehow got me in a headlock and her freakish arms threatened to cut off my air. Lydia was distracted by a bird in a tree, or something, because my gasps for help went unnoticed. She finally released me and I let her get back to work. By the time I could breathe again, my temper had cooled and I decided to forgive her indiscretion, for now. Lydia helped me up, asking what happened and if I was all right. I shot her a nasty look and simply rubbed my throat.

We crossed the bridge towards the seven thousand step and Lydia tapped me on the shoulder. "Look, a cave. And a bear. Might be more inside, too."

I was in no rush to help Temba's situation but I knew how fierce the bears here were and it would be a good test of my reworked armor. It turned out this one must have been sleepy because it did not put up much of a fight. Or it may have been too full, having gorged itself on two hunters I found lying dead at the cave entrance. Either way, I finished it off by shouting it into the river below. Screw Temba and her reward. I hope the bear survived and came back even angrier. By then I would be in High Rothgar.

In the cave was another bear and between the two of us and one of Lydia's summoned wolves, it died quickly enough but not before it gave my armor a few claw scratches. I think it actually made it look better. The cave offered up a few nice items including a fascinating book titled, 'Heavy Armor Smithing'. I stashed that away for my library. There was also a big golden dwarven helmet. I showed it to Lydia.

"Now this is gaudy."

"Actually, I kind of like it," she said, turning it over in her hands. "It's too heavy though."

"Yeah, you're not walking behind me wearing that thing. Leave it and we'll pick it up on the way back, if we have the room."

I found an amethyst in a vein of corundum ore in the cave but beyond that, everything else is trash. We left and started up the steps.

I could definitely say the Blades armor did nothing to keep the cold out. By the time we got back to High Hrothgar I was freezing my draugrs off. The temple was blissfully warm and quiet, which seemed odd for people known for shouting. I sat next to a roaring brazier for a time until I could feel my toes again then I went to look for Arngeir. I found him meditating in the Western wing.

"So, you have returned, Dragonborn," he said, "Here to seek out the wisdom of the ancients?"

"In a way," I said, "I need to know if there's a shout that can kill a dragon."

The Greybeard's countenance darkened. "I sense the Blades at work here. And I see you are wearing their old armor. Have they put you up to this?"

"I've seen the mural called Alduin's Wall. It depicts the Greybeards using a shout against Alduin to bring him down. I need to know what it is."

"Will you be a tool for the Blades, to be used for their own purposes?"

"I'm no tool, Arngeir, I am Dragonborn. The Blades want to defeat Alduin to save the world? Don't you?"

Arngeir scoffed, "The shout was tried on Alduin before. He returned. They merely seek to postpone the inevitable. If the world will end, let it."

"That's easy for you to say. What do you have to lose? A building and a beard? I demand to know the shout."

"No, not until you return to the path of wisdom. The Blades have led you astray and I will not be a part of it."

I folded my arms, refusing to move. "So they were right. You do fear them."

Arngeir was about to object when thunder crashed and the building rumbled. A voice speaking in the dragon tongue could be heard, though I could not understand most of it. Arngeir's attitude soothed and his posturing turned to acceptance.

"I apologize, Dragonborn," Arngeir said, "Master Einarth has reminded me of my duty and it is not for me to decide what path you choose. But as far as the shout you wish to know, I can not teach it. Its knowledge has been lost to us. It is called Dragonrend."

I froze my talisman off to get back up there and they could not help? "So how do I find it?"

"Only Paarthurnax would have that knowledge now. He is our Master and oversees all we do and know. He can teach you, if he so chooses."

"Where is he?"

"He is on the peak of the mountain called the Throat of the World. I will teach you a shout that will allow you to reach him, but the way is perilous and your arrival is far from guaranteed."

"Another test, then?" I said, not relishing another climb even further up the mountain.

Arngeir shrugged, "It's what we do. Follow me."

I brought Lydia with me to the courtyard where I had learned Whirlwind but this time we went the other way towards an archway with a storm swirling on the other side. The other Greybeards joined us as Arngeir taught me the three words to Clear Skies.

"This will be our last gift to you Dragonborn. Use it wisely to clear the way up the path to Paarthurnax. If you meet him, remember who you are. Rest assured, he knows what you are."

I thanked them and went to the arch. "Lok Vah Koor!"

The shouts ripped the air and after a moment not a trace of a storm was evident.

"Impressive," Lydia said. "I knew you were good for something."

"I'm good for a lot of things, but you had your chance earlier today, housecarl. Find someone else to rub you now."

Lydia stepped up and whispered in my ear. Chills ran through me, and not from the cold.

"Stop toying with me, woman. You're just trying to get the breasts of me...the best of me."

Lydia smiled. She was back in her playful adventuring mood.

"Let's just go," I said.

The path up to Paarthurnax is ill defined at best, which would not be bad except one wrong step and you were turned into red crag paint. Arngeir had warned of danger so we were ready when the ice wraiths appeared. They did not pose as much of a problem now, especially with Lydia wielding a staff of flames. We got to a pair of tall stones that resembled an arch and I felt like this could be the spot. One more shout and the area opened up to reveal another dragon wall. I started towards it until suddenly a shadow appeared at my feet. As it grew, I looked up to see a huge dragon descend upon us. I got out my bow but instead of attacking, it started to talk.

"Welcome, Dovakhin," the dragon said, "I am Paarthurnax. What brings you to my home?"

"You're a dragon?" I asked.

"Your dragon blood has heightened your perceptions. I had thought to fool you."

Lydia laughed and put away her bow.

"Why not keep your mouth busy with an apple or something," I told her then turned back to the dragon. "Sorry, I thought you were going to be another greybeard."

"I tried to grow a beard but it caught fire every time coughed. Now, fellow Dov, why have you come?"

"I need a way to stop Alduin from destroying anymore of Tamriel. I need to learn the words of power for Dragonrend."

Paarthurnax's voice rumbled and I realized he was chuckling. "My boy, Dragonrend was meant to injure and incapacitate a dragon and you want me to speak it? I see you carry a sword. Would you train someone to use it by stabbing yourself? I thought not. But first before we go any further, there are formalities that must be observed for Dov's first meeting."

Paarthurnax turned to the wall and unleashed a blast of fire at it. "The word calls you. Learn it, Dov. A gift from me so we may speak in our blood tongue."

I approached the wall and read the glowing symbols, learning a word for 'Fire Breath'. Paarthurnax granted me his understanding of it then told me to show him my prowess with our words. I was suspicious but I used my new shout and bathed his face in fire.

"Yes!" he said with glee, "It has been a long time since I have spoken to a Dov."

"I'm glad you are enjoying our little chat," I said, "But as you alluded to, you know of what I seek, but you can not teach it to me. How may I learn it?"

"You seek to kill Alduin? He has always been troublesome. You can learn it from the creators of the shout. If you can obtain an Elder Scroll, you may return here and use it to view the past, back when Alduin was last sent reeling through time."

"By Elder Scroll I'm assuming you mean something specific, not just an old piece of paper. Where can I find it?"

"That, I do not know. I have not left my home here in some time."

"I may know some people that could help. If they can, I'll return. Are you sure you can help?"

"I have no reason to lie, Dov. Alduin has gone too far and threatens more than those he would rule. He threatens all that exists in this plane. I have grown comfortable here. I will help."

I left the dragon's roost and collected Lydia by the stones.

"So what did he say?" she asked. "I didn't hear much shouting going on."

"We share the same dragon blood. He's the strong silent type, like me."

"Is he as modest too."

"No, I far surpass him in modesty. But he did give me a clue. I must speak with Arngeir again."

Back at High Hrothgar, Arngeir was still standing outside in the courtyard. He was somehow surprised I made it back. What part of Man of Destiny does he not grasp? I told him exactly what Paarthurnax said.

"The Greybeards do not meddle in such blasphemy as the Elder Scrolls. They were not meant for men to use."

"Look, if you don't know where one is, just say so," I told him. "I'll just go ask the Blades."

"The Blades? Uh...wait...now that I think on it, I may know where you can look. No need to bother with them. The College of Winterhold may have someone who knows the location of such an artifact."

"The Mages' College? I'd rather shove a chaurus up my..."

"Don't tell me you still fear mages?" Lydia said.

"I never feared wizards, housecarl," I said, "I never trusted them and you know why. I still don't."

"Even though you now use magic yourself?"

"I only use mine out of necessity."

"Necessity dictates you eliminate Alduin. The sooner you do that, the sooner you can disband the college and rein in the use of magic in Skyrim."

"I never thought of it like that. Fine, I'll try the college. Tomorrow, though, it's already too late. We'll sleep here tonight and start fresh in the morning. Hey, Arngeir, you and your boys are going to have to keep your rowdiness down."

"We'll do our best, Dragonborn."

"It was a joke, Arnie. You guys get any quieter and we'll start hearing the snow fall on the ground."

"My name is Arngeir."

"Whatever," I nudged Lydia. "You ready? Say good night, Lydia."

She shrugged, "Good night, Lydia."

"Was that supposed to be a joke?" I asked.

Arngeir broke out laughing, "I get it! 'Good night, Lydia'. Excellent!"

Lydia smirked.

"You're all against me," I said and headed off to find a bed.