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Chapter 43 - Dirsha's Adventures

5E 22

Dirsha sighed as he mounted Odahviing's neck to depart for the beginning of his adventuring year. He wasn't looking forward to it, but Mother's insistence on the family tradition - and, to a degree, his desire to prove he was capable of independence - had him resigned to it. Divines, not even his older brother, Freyr, had been able to avoid "adventuring" for a time.

Dirsha chuckled at that. His Nord adopted brother had known at the beginning of that year that he wasn't going to be an adventurer, at least in the normal sense of the word; he'd already known he wanted to be a multi-crafter, was already a skilled smith and alchemist, and had started learning enchanting. So instead of hunting bandits, draugr, and hostile wildlife - except when they interfered with his real goals - Freyr had concentrated on gathering rare alchemy reagents, learning advanced smithing techniques, and collecting soul gems.

If - and it was a big if - he could convince Odahviing to go along, he'd follow his own interests the same way. Though his interests were different, primarily history, they were just as likely as Freyr's to lead him into so-called adventure, especially in Hammerfell, where he'd chosen to go.

He was surprised when Odahviing banked right, instead of continuing the straight flight to Sentinel. He couldn't ask why, over the wind-roar of a dragon's flight, but he grinned as they approached the Direnni Tower on the Isle of Balfria in Iliac Bay, close to where High Reach and Hammerfell met. This was one of the most significant places in Nirn's history.

Odahviing backwinged to a landing, and Dirsha dismounted, turning to his friend. "Thanks, Odahviing. I never thought to stand here myself." He looked around, then sighed. "It looks ordinary, except for the round tower. Did the Divines really meet here to plan Mundus?"

"So it is said, but that is not something dovah can testify to. We were no more than wild animals, though immortal ones, until Alduin civilized us." Odahviing sighed heavily. "Which made his corruption more terrible when he succumbed to it. He raised us to the heights, then fell, and in his fall led us to the depths."

"Until Mother defeated him, and led you back up." Dirsha nodded, looking around. "I've read that this place was used as a fortress, a prison, and even a palace, but right now, it looks deserted. That's kind of hard to believe."

"Not really," Odahviing said, a bit smugly. "It is an important piece of history, and well within Skyguard patrol ranges from Skyrim, High Rock, and Hammerfell. When it looks like bandits or the like might be moving in, the Skyguard does as well, if necessary with Legion assistance. History is as important to us as it is to you, and we preserve its physical reminders as best we can."

A young Redguard woman emerged from a door to one of the buildings at the base of the central tower. "Welcome, visitor," she said with a smile. "I'm Rienna, one of the caretakers here. You would be Dirsha, Stormcrown's heir to Skyhold?"

"Yes." Dirsha's ears twitched. "How did you know?"

She chuckled. "You match the description the dovah give of you - dark brown, with dragonscale armor and a dragonbone sword and ebony mace - and you're with Odahviing." She turned to the dovah and bowed. "I am honored to meet you, Drog Odahviing."

Odahviing inclined his head. "The honor is mine, Miss Rienna. Since you are a caretaker here, is it possible for you to show Dirsha around the interior?"

"Certainly, if he wishes." She turned to the young Khajiit. "Very little of the interior decor is original, other than wall carvings, but the recreations are from contemporary drawings and paintings of the earliest times the Tower was known to have been in use."

"I would love to see it," Dirsha said enthusiastically. "If I weren't Mother's heir, I'd be working on a degree in ancient history at Winterhold University, trying to reconstruct what happened before the dovah became civilized."

"Let's go, then. You'll love it here." She led him into the building, and when they vanished inside, Odahviing snorted a soft laugh. Dirsha would be a conscientious ruler, but his heart would always be in the past. The boy had gotten his love of history from his father, but at least he hadn't also gotten a hatred of rule from his mother.

Odahviing settled, half-spreading his wings to the sun's warmth. This could take a while.

When the two re-emerged, still talking, Dirsha was carrying several books, not at all to Odahviing's surprise. As he stowed them in his pack and mounted, Rienna smiled at both Khajiit and dovah. "It was a pleasure showing you the Tower, Dirsha. It's too bad Odahviing is too large to take a tour."

"I have regretted my size many times since swearing to thuri Yssha," Odahviing said calmly. Mostly because he'd been unable to go into dungeons with her, to protect his thur as was proper. "But knowing Dirsha, those books will contain numerous illustrations, and he will share them with us."

"Of course I will." Dirsha turned his attention to Rienne. "If you get to Sentinel while I'm there, stop by - I'll take you out for dinner, in return for your courtesy."

"I'd like that. Perhaps later, then." She returned to her duties, and Odahviing lifted off for the capital of Sentinel. He circled the city to give Dirsha a good view, then landed at the far end of the causeway.

Dirsha had seen paintings, of course, and knew Sentinel had nothing in common with Skyrim cities except for a causeway similar to Windhelm's, but the golden domes and wide spaces between buildings were totally different, and he wanted to see more. He slid down Odahviing's shoulder to the sand, then cat-grinned up at his friend. "You've delivered me safely, my friend, and I'm not supposed to call you unless I'm in danger I can't handle. So you might as well rejoin Monah.[Mother]"

"Geh. Enjoy your adventuring year as much as you can, fahdoni. I might recommend the Sentinel Royal Library and any yokudan ruins you might find in that time. If you do not call me, I will return only when your year is over."

"I know ... but I'll miss you, fahdoni. Be well!" Dirsha watched as his friend leaped into the air and took wing, heading back for Skyrim. Then he turned, and strode across the causeway toward the city. There were no gates, just a beautifully carved archway, but it did have a pair of guards, who wanted him to identify himself and state his business.

"I am Dirsha, of Family Marcurio within Clan Ysshaya, heir to Skyhold in Skyrim. I'm on my adventuring year, and I'd like to find a guide to Mother's home here, if that's possible."

"Quite possible, my Lord," one of the guards replied. He used a whistle to summon a third guard from further into the city. "Khafiz, take Lord Dirsha to Stormcrown's home."

"Not 'Lord,' please," Dirsha said. "This isn't Skyrim; here, I'm just an ordinary citizen."

"As you wish, then," the first guard agreed. "It'll probably get used anyway, though, with everyone knowing Stormcrown's heir is solid brown, and that armor."

Dirsha shrugged. "Would it help if I changed the armor? I'm sure Mother has several sets at home."

His escort chuckled, guiding him down a wide road shaded by palm and fig trees. "You could try, but I don't know how much good it'll do. She's well-liked here, and her family's pretty well known. Freyr's armor and weapons are almost as good a status symbol as those made by Stormcrown herself."

Dirsha purred. "I'll be sure to tell him, when I get home. He does take pride in his work."

"What of your sisters and younger brother? Rumor has it that Fayna, the younger girl, is studying for the priesthood?"

"Not exactly," Dirsha said. "In a way, though, since she's studying the Way of the Voice with the Greybeards, and Paarthurnax says that she has some talent for it, even though she's not Dragonborn."

"Really? Excellent ... maybe she can replace Master Borri, the Nine rest his soul."

"Mother says he's happy and doing well in Stormhaven. He found a mountain lake and built a nice little hermitage."

Khafiz smiled. "Good. Is Kazdi still at the Mage's College?"

"Uh-huh. She inherited Grams' and Father's magica, so naturally she's trying to surpass both of them in every School. She might just do it, too - I could almost feel sorry for any necromancers she goes against, when she gets to her adventuring year. She has a serious hatred for them, for some reason."

"She'd be welcome here, then - we've been having an epidemic of the barstids here, the last couple of years. A powerful mage with a grudge ... well, she could probably name her own price. What about Ahiru?"

"Still at the run-and-play stage, where he loves to sneak up and pounce on your tail, if you have one. Uncle Nevan's going to be starting him on weapons work in a few months, I think. And hope! It's kind of hard to maintain dignity representing Mother when my tail suddenly gets pounced on or bitten."

His escort laughed, then pointed him toward a large building with a gold dome overlooking a flat roof. "Here we are. I need to return to my post now, but it's been nice chatting with you."

"And with you." Dirsha watched him leave, then found the bell-pull beside the door, and tugged it.

Moments later, the door opened to reveal a female Orsimer, who smiled at him. "Master Dirsha - you made it. Come in, I'll show you your suite. I'm Umar gra-Yarug, the steward here. And your ... what's the Skyrim term? Oh, yeah. Housecarl, if you want one while you're here."

"If you mean follow me, fight with me, and carry my burdens ... " Dirsha thought for a bit, then nodded. "If that also includes giving advice about local conditions, yes, definitely."

He followed her inside as she replied. "Of course it does. What do you want to know?"

"I understand most of the intelligent dangers here are similar to the ones I'm used to from Skyrim - bandits, necromancers, and the like, and they're mostly in the near-coastal areas. It's the desert I've only read about that I hope you can give me a few pointers on."

"Well, you know we don't have things that are adapted to cold, like your ice trolls and frostbite spiders. Instead, we have things like giant scorpions and assassin beetles. Where Skyrim has hagravens, Hammerfell has harpies - better looking, but still with wings and talons. They kidnap, mate with, and then kill human males, but I've never heard of them taking on Khajiit, Argonians, or Orsimer, so you should be safe from them. Is there any particular sort of adventure you're looking for here?"

Dirsha grimaced. "Truly? Only what I can't avoid while I learn as much as I can about Hammerfell's history, especially the Yokudan parts. It's not like I'll be able to do much if any adventuring when I get home, much less make a living at it." He sighed. "If it weren't family tradition, I'd have tried to get out of it. I'd get more useful experience acting as Mother's stand-in for a year."

Umar chuckled. "Then your best bet is to check with the archaeology department at King's University. They're usually willing to take on assistants with an interest in history and the ability to be careful with evidence. Being able to fight is a bonus, as is at least some mage ability."

"Well, I learned how to treat evidence during my training with the Hold Guard, and I can certainly fight. My mage ability's not up to Kazdi's level, or even Father's, but I do know several novice and apprentice level spells, even a couple of adept-level. Can we go there tomorrow, and see if anyone's willing to let me tag along?"

"Certainly. Now, what for the rest of the day?"

"Lunch, then if you'd show me around the city, I'd appreciate it. And I suppose I should schedule a courtesy call on the King, even though I'm only the heir to a minor Hold."

"Already done - your mother had me set it up shortly after you decided to come here. You'll be having lunch with the Royal Family tomorrow. And the Heiress wants you to wear your armor." Umar chuckled. "I'm afraid Her Grace is something of a romantic."

Dirsha was a little nervous when he entered the King's University Archeology building. He told the receptionist his business, and she smiled. "You're in luck, young man. Professor Isolde is here on a recruiting trip for her dig at a Yokudan ruin not too far from Taneth. Her office is on the top floor, third on the right at the top of the stairs."

"Thank you." Dirsha followed directions, knocking on a door with Professor Isolde's name on it.

"Enter," a pleasant voice called. When Dirsha did so and bowed politely, the woman behind the desk rose and returned it, then re-seated herself and waved him to a chair beside her desk.

He waited while she studied him, doing the same to her. She was a middle-aged lady, probably an aristocrat, her black hair going gray in places, but otherwise young-looking, though her skin showed she spent a lot of time outside. Then she leaned forward, steepling her fingers. "And what does the heir to Skyhold wish of me?"

"If you recognize me, you probably know of my fascination with history," Dirsha replied calmly. "I'd like to join your dig team. I know how to handle evidence, I'm combat-trained, and I have some useful mage spells." He paused, then remembered some things he'd heard at Winterhold University, and added, "You don't have to pay me; I'd do it happily, just for the experience."

The professor laughed. "You're in. I hope you're not afraid of giant scorpions; we've been running into quite a few."

"I've never run into any," Dirsha admitted. "But if you have a book, or can give me some information about them, it would help. I have fought frostbite spiders, draugr, bandits, and a couple of trolls, so if I can learn their vulnerabilities and methods of attack, it would help."

"Done." Professor Isolde went to her bookcase, returning with a thin book. "Here's what we know about them. If you can kill one without too much damage, then get someone to preserve the body, it would be nice to bring it back here so the biologists can add to our knowledge."

Dirsha took the book. "I'll have this back to you tomorrow - and I'll try. Thank you for the opportunity!"

"My pleasure, young man. I'll send word as soon as I have the others I need. How long will you need from that to be ready to travel?"

"If all I need to take is armor, weapons, and a couple of changes of clothing, no more than an hour. If I have to carry camping gear and food, maybe four hours at most."

"An hour, then. Good. Everything else will be provided."