Day Forty-nine Part One

Touching the shrine of Arkay had restored my stamina and boosted my health but I still felt too tired to do anything else except eat that night. I had gone to bed early and was surprised how late it was when I finally awoke.

I lumbered downstairs in Breezehome to find Lydia cooking up a meal over the fire pit.

Lydia noticed me and covered the simmering pot. "I was wondering if you would sleep all day. I was about to check to make sure you were still breathing."

"My entire body aches," I said as I took a seat by the fire. "I can see how Bone Break Fever gets its name. I feel like all my bones are trying to heal at once."

"It'll pass soon as you walk around. While you were sleeping I gathered the stuff we collected and sold them around town."

"Get much?"

"We made a cozy little profit, my Thane."

"Cozy?" I said, "Sounding a little too housewifey there, Lydia. Don't go getting any ideas. Us dragons have to keep our wings moving, if you know what I mean."

"Please, no one knows that better than me. I also know you need more help than I could provide. So don't get full of yourself either, Ralos. Now, are you eating or what? The Jarl wants to see you."

"Balgruuf's back? What kind of mood was he in?"

"I don't know, I talked to a messenger. The boy seemed a bit frightened, though. I suggest you eat so we can go before he sends the Guards after you."

I wanted to laugh, thinking of our little trick we left for them. I was sure Balgruuf would take it lightly. Well, I was sort of sure. I had better hurry.

We made our way to Dragonsreach which is where we were headed next anyway. Instead of Irileth stopping us, the Jarl himself came forward as we approached his throne.

"You've got a lot of nerve showing up here after what you pulled," Balgruuf said.

I knew just what to say to diffuse the situation. "Huh?"

"Don't 'Huh?' me. I nearly wet myself when I hit that trip wire and that damn troll fell on me. Ugh, I can still smell it on my armor. I should have you whipped and dragged through town by your..."

"Nuts," Lydia said, "I told him he was nuts to do that to you, my Jarl." She stood next to Balgruuf.

"What?" I said, "You helped me prop it up."

"It is one thing to prank a Jarl, but then to blame it on your Housecarl," Balgruuf shook his head. "Perhaps I should rethink this whole Thane thing. In fact, get out of my castle! You are no longer permitted in Dragonsreach! Take your Destiny and shove it where the chaurus don't bite!"

My mouth fell open. How could Lydia turn on me like this? What in blazes was she doing?

Unable to contain themselves any longer, Lydia and Balgruuf burst out into laughter, clapping each other on the back and pointing at me. Soon everyone was laughing.

"Did you see his face?" Balgruuf said, tears in his eyes. "Like a cow about to meet Butcher's hammer. Priceless!"

"I'm sorry, Ralos," Lydia said, "I ran into the Jarl this morning and he convinced me to do this."

"What?" Balgruuf said, "This was your idea, woman."

Lydia shrugged, "There's enough blame to go around." She turned to me. "No hard feelings?"

I seethed yet I smiled, knowing I'd been duped. "You're so going to get it."

"You say that to all the women."

"That's beside the point," I conceded. "You should be ashamed, picking on a recently ill person."

Lydia pondered that thought. "And yet... nothing."

"Come along, Dragonborn," Balgruuf said, "Let's get on with this dragon trapping. I'm eager to see if it will actually work."

"I see how it is," I said to Lydia. "The gloves are off now, girlie."

I turned away with Balgruuf, partly so Lydia would not see me smiling.

Balgruuf summoned a few guards to follow us to the great porch. One guard, a mere whelp with more brass than brains ran ahead of us.

"Mister Thane? My name's Brett. Is it true?" the guard asked, "Are you really going to call a dragon?"

"We're not going to the porch for lemonade and moonsugar cookies, boy," I said. "If you want to see how a real man deals with a dragon, you can join us, just stay out of the way and do as your told."

The boy lost some of his enthusiasm and mumbled to himself as we went through the door, "Man, were they were right about him. What a pri.."

I missed the last word, but I assumed he said 'prince'. That boy had a bright future ahead of him. I could see him going places.

Balgruuf, the boy-guard Brett, and I ran towards the open area of the porch. I noticed Lydia slipped through the door as well before it closed. There were guards standing on either side of the room up on some balcony. For the first time I noticed the trap hanging from the ceiling. It looked like a simple wooden stockade. I had my doubts about whether or not it would hold a dragon.

"Go ahead and call this beast of yours," Balgruuf said, a tinge of fear quavering in his voice. "We're ready."

"His name's Odahviing," I said defensively.

"Whatever, Dragonborn. Just call him so we can trap this dragon."

I felt my anger rising and had to control myself from sending the Jarl into the sky with a shout. Lydia looked at me strangely and I knew it was obvious on my face. I was not sure why I felt insulted by Balgruuf's casual hatred of the dragon. Perhaps because of the Blades' threats against Parthurnaax. He would not have hurt them, but they wanted him dead. Everyone thought all the dragons deserved to die. Perhaps this Odahviing was just another pawn of Alduin. At least this time I did not want to kill the dragon. Perhaps I've been seeing this whole thing wrong...

This was no time to derail my destiny. I had to defeat Alduin first, no matter how I may evetually resolve this conflict of feelings.

"You do remember your plan to lure the dragon, yeah?" said Balgruuf.

"I'm getting to it," I said, "Don't get your balls in a gruuf."

I stepped out onto the porch and recall the shout I need. "O DAH VIING!"

The echoes of the shout dissipate. The boy walks up to me. "I could have done that. Listen to this. O-dah-viing-he-whooooo!"

He and Balgruuf got a good laugh out of that. Lydia merely shook her head. Then the boy picked his head up and stepped closer to the edge. "What was that?"

A dragon roared from behind the castle then flew in front of us. It pinwheeled suddenly then dove for the porch.

Brett threw his hands up and ran. "I was only kiddiiiiiiiii." His voice trailed away as the dragon picked him off the porch and flung him out into the open air. I was right about him going places.

Odahviing circled back around and made another pass towards the balcony. This time however, we were ready with our bows. They seemed to make little impact on his hide as he came to a stop and hovered for a moment. I was not about to let him torch the place though, so I immediately struck him with the Dragonrend shout. His head lurched back and only a spittle of flames struck the floor. He flew off even though shrouded in the aura of the shout. Moments later he realized his doom and came to a landing on the balcony.

"You will pay for this insult, Dovahkiin," the old dragon said.

"Correction, dragon, you're the one paying - with your blood. And I've got your change right here."

I charged in with my sword and shield while Lydia and Balgruuf did the same from all different angles. To his credit, Odahviing put up a good fight but between our attacks and me keeping him grounded with my shout, he eventually weakened. Since I did not want to kill him, I slid over to Balgruuf and told him to follow my lead.

I pretended to be grievously injured. "We are routed!" I cried out. "Fall back!"

Balgruuf, annoyed at not being able to finish off the dragon, complied after one more swipe of his bloodied sword. Lydia looked shocked and ran to my side as well.

"Where are you hurt?" she said as she reached my side. "I could try healing you."

"Now is not the time to profess your love for me," I said.

Lydia looked startled and at a loss for words.

"It's a ruse, housecarl, now fall back."

Lydia, her face flushed, grabbed my arm and helped me limp further back into the porch.

"You will not escape me, whelp!" Odahviing said and began crawling towards me, his jaws salivating with the anticipated grinding of my bones. His triumphant smile turned to shock as the wooden harness snapped around his neck. He tried to free himself, but the device held him in place.

I stopped and pulled free from Lydia. "Thank you, housecarl. You're quite the actress. Your concern for me almost seemed genuine."

Lydia stammered for a moment then said, "I better go check on Balgruuf while you deal with the dragon."

I wondered after Lydia. Battles did not usually faze her as much as this one did. Perhaps, like Balgruuf, she was torn by having to not kill a dragon this time. It could not be helped. Hopefully, it would not be in vain. I approached Odahviing.

As I stood in front of the fuming dragon I put my hands in front of me with my thumbs together and looked through them like a portrait frame, moving them around with Odahviing in the middle.

"What are you doing, Dovahkiin?" the dragon finally asked.

"Oh, just getting an idea of what your head would look like mounted on the wall. I'd have to make the outhouse a lot bigger, though."

"I will not justify that with a response. You went to a great deal of trouble to put me in this humiliating position, caught like a bear in a trap. You must want to know where Alduin is, or you would have killed me, hmmm?"

"The thought crossed my mind," I said, "He owes me some septims and won't pay up."

"There are those who wish to be rid of Alduin, though are hesitant to make it known. I came to your call to see for myself how your thuum measures up to his."

I smiled and placed my hands on my hips, "No doubt you have seen enough to make the only correct decision. What am I saying? Of course you have."

Odahviing's eyes looked around, "You seem to have made the decision for me. But if I tell you what you want to know, will you release me?"

"I will consider it, if I find the tone of your response agreeable. Proceed."

"Fine. Alduin's base camp is in Sovengarde where he feeds on the souls of the dead. He uses the portal in Skuldafn. I do not need to tell you, he has marshaled his forces there, just in case. Now, will you let me go?"

"I will let you go if you agree to serve me."

Odahviing chuckled, smoke leaking from his snout. "No, not until Alduin is truly defeated will any of us stick our necks out that far. But, there is more you need to know."

"Holding out on me already? Tsk, tsk."

"I merely forgot you are not familiar with Skuldafn. You will find it is quite inaccessible to someone of your ilk, unless of course you are hiding wings beneath that ridiculous armor."

"Ridiculous armor? You know, I think that trap would look nice on you as a collar. I could put little bells on it so we would know when you were sneaking around."

"All right, it is not ridiculous. It is very stylish and masculine looking. Now what if I were to agree to fly you there? Would you release me?"

"I think I could agree to that, if you promise not to aid Alduin until this is settled."

"That much I can do. Now, if you please, the gawkers are starting to appear."

Suddenly Farengar appeared behind me. "Magnificent. What a grand opportunity."

"Not now Farengar," I said, "Real men are talking here."

"Mr. Dragon," the mage said, ignoring me, "I wonder if you might indulge me in a few experiments? I'll only need a few samples from you, some scales and perhaps some blood. It will only hurt a little bit."

"The nerve of the humans," Odahviing said, "Totally out of the... mage? What are you doing back there?"

"I see an open wound, I'm just going dig out a few scales. Just hold still."

"All right. Here, you may sample this as well."

Odahviing grimaced then passed a toxic cloud of gas directly at Farengar. The mage began coughing and hacking at the putrid smell. The air was wavy all around him.

"Now for an old childhood trick," the dragon said then turned slightly and sent a spark of fire at the cloud of gas.

The stank cloud burst into flames. Farengar screamed and ran for the door, flames trailing behind from his flaming robes. Odahviing laughed, as did everyone else present. Balgruuf actually fell over onto the floor in gales of laughter.

"Odahviing, my brethren," I said, "You've just made a friend for life."

Odahviing chuckled, "I'm glad you are Dovah enough to enjoy our sophisticated humor. Now, the trap, please."

"You got it, buddy."

I ran up to the balcony to the release lever. A guard stopped me when I got there.

"Are you sure you want to do that?" he said.

"Are you sure you want to try to stop me? I think my new friend down there looks pretty hungry."

"Let him be, guardsman," Balgruuf said from below, still wiping tears of mirth from his eyes. "The Dragonborn knows what he's doing, I hope."

The guard stepped back hesitantly.

"That's what I thought," I told the guard. "You probably would've given Odahviing the White Runs anyway. A dragon's stomach is more sensitive than you think." I threw the lever and the trap sprang open.

I reached the porch and Odahviing was still stretching his long neck. "We had a deal, Dovahkiin," he said, "And I, like all dragons, am a dragon of my word. Just let me know when you are ready and we will be off. I warn you, though, you will be changed by the experience. Once your wings go flap, you never go back. You will envy us even more than you already do."

I smirked, "I can already Shout, breath fire, and light my own farts. If all you got on me is flying, I think I can handle it. Lydia, on the other hand, may have a lot to get over."

"Lydia?" Odahviing said. "The human warrior over there? She can not go with you."

"What? What are you, some kind of weak-backed wuss? You can easily take both of us. I demand that you do."

"Demand as you wish, Dovahkiin, but her fate will be sealed. Where you have to go, there is no return. If you wish her to meet her fate now and go to Sovengard, that is your choice. I did not think you to be so selfish as to feel you may do whatever you wish with another's life."

I had no response to that.

"It is something I would expect of Alduin," the old dragon added.

My first response was anger and I clenched my fists to argue the point, but he was right. I could not do this to Lydia, but I also knew she would not listen if I told her the truth. She would demand to go and I would not be able to stop her.

Lydia saw me speaking with Odahviing and started towards us. I moved to cut her off. "I'll explain it to her," I told the old dragon.

I met her half way. "I heard you need the dragon to fly us to meet Alduin," Lydia said. "It's probably best, then, I'll wait to eat."

"Yeah, about that," I said, lowering my voice, "Odahviing here is pretty old and doesn't have the stamina to go all the way."

"So you two have something in common?"

"Ha. Funny. At least, he says, not with the both us. So I'm going to have to go alone."

"Out of the question," she said, her eyes wide. "What would you do without me?"

"It's true the drone of your voice does help me sleep, and the sounds of you eating have helped me lose weight by taking away my appetite, but there is nothing to be done about it this time. I have to go after Alduin now before he knows about Odahviing."

"But what about your shoulder? Your training is incomplete with just a sword and shield."

"I think I've got the hang of it, thanks to you. I have to go, I'm sorry."

Lydia bit her lip, obviously wanting to say more. "Not as sorry as you'll be if I have to come and rescue you."

"And what will happen, woman, if I return triumphant?"

Lydia leaned forward and whispered in my ear. I managed to keep my knees from buckling, but I couldn't stop the grin. "In that case, maybe I'll..."

I whispered something in her ear. When I pulled away, her face was flushed red but she was grinning as well.

She slapped me across the face. "You're such a pig."

I laughed and quickly jumped on top of Odahviing's back, settling in near the base of his neck. "Try not to dream of me too much, Lydia. I don't want you worn out before I return."

To her credit, Lydia managed to not shed a tear. Instead she reached behind her and threw me her Sanguine Staff. "At least take this from me," she said. "And I want it back."

I caught the staff and stowed it away. I turned Odahviing towards the open air then turned to Lydia one last time. "You want it all right."

She stepped closer. "I love you."

I kicked Odahviing to get him moving. "I know."

The old dragon beat his wings twice and we were off into morning air.

The ride to Skuldafn did not take as long as I thought and not nearly as long as I wished. I would never admit to an already arrogant dragon, but once I was back on the ground, I felt like something had been taken from me.

"Welcome to Skuldafn, Dragonborn," Odahviing said. "Did you enjoy your ride?"

"It was passably tolerable, though I think my eyes will take an hour to close from the cold air freezing them open."

"So much the better. You will need your eyes open for what awaits you. I must take my leave before I am spotted but I will tell you, the door to the temple is up around the right. If you make it through, there is a dragon priest guarding the portal. He is dour and nasty, even for a priest. Good luck, Dovahkiin."

"Until we meet again, Odahviing," I said as the old dragon prepared to leave. "Tell the other dragons I will be fair so long as they know who is number one around here."

"I believe they have your number already, Dovah."

Odahviing took off and I unsheathed my sword and the staff Lydia gave me. "Lets start this off right," I said and summoned Kynval.

The Daedra Lord appeared, his sword ready to cut. "What is this place? Wait, where is Lydia, human? What have you done with her?"

"Calm down, dark and gravelly," I said, "Lydia couldn't come here so she gave me you to use. Now that I'm in control, I expect a bit more respect from you."

"You'll get whatever respect you deserve by using that sword you hold so delicately. What happened to your greatsword?"

"I hurt my shoulder."

"Aww, too heavy for little human boy?"

"It was a battle injury, hornhead, and I can hold my own with a sword and shield against any opponent."

"You mean like them?"

I looked to where Kynval pointed. Two draugr were headed towards us, their swords held high for battle.

"Yeah, like them. Now, let's get into this temple so I can move this along, unless you're afraid I'll upstage you among your undead buddies?"

"Bah," Kynval growled then ran towards the gruesome grey zombies.

These draugr turned out to not be the typical run of the mill jaw-draggers. It did not help matters that two more draugr began hitting us with arrows from further away. Then things really got heated up when a dragon swept down and began setting us on fire. I did not want to think that maybe Odahviing set me up, but the reception seemed to be ready for quite a lot.

Unfortunately for them, it still was not enough to deal with me.

The first two draugr fell, though I had to re-summon Kynval once to give the archers another target. The dragon chose to hover and spray his breath around, but that was easily evaded. The draugr archers were slightly easier to slay but then the dragon landed, blocking the way I was told to go. I kept Kynval on scene while I took my time with my bow, whittling the dragon's health down from behind a stone pillar. Finally I could tell he was weakening so I downed some invigorating vegetable soup I kept at all times and charged in with my sword and shield. His flames were a nuisance whenever bashing him did not rattle him enough to stop. He died, flopping over in what looked like a siezure until his soul's flame erupted out of him and warmed my own.

"I suppose you will do until I can be returned to Lydia," Kynval said, sheathing his sword. "Try not to get yourself killed, boy. I don't want one of these bone-shamblers getting a hold of me."

"Afraid you might like it?"

"This time, you've gone too faaaaaah."

The Draemora Lord vanished and I enjoyed the silence as I proceeded. The silence lasted only a few moments before another dragon launched into the air from a perch to my left. I noticed more draugr running towards me as well. This sucked, and here I just ticked off my helper.

My shoulder may have been injured, but my legs were just fine. I could easily outrun these pathetic corpses and I did not see the point to wasting my resources out here. I doubted there would be a trading post anywhere around to buy more potions or food. I gritted my teeth and broke into a full run towards the temple. I did not need Kynval's help to avoid the arrows that suddenly seemed to be raining down from every direction. The dragon flew up from behind me, this one's breath a frosty white. I stopped behind a pillar until he passed. His breath would not bother me much as a Nord, but it could slow me down. I took a quick look around and spotted the largest door around and ran for that one.

I ran up some broken steps where two draugr were waiting for me. I evaded their pitiful swings, though one stopped to laugh evilly at me while banging his sword against his shield. I found it insulting so I did the same back at him then followed it up with a reply of my own.

"FUS-RO-DAH!"

He and his fellow dead-boy went flying off the landing onto the ruined steps. The dragon came in for another pass but I managed to put up my shield as I walked backwards to the door. I fell through just as his breath ceased.