Chapter 5
'DOVAKIIN'
The voice shakes through the air, awaking Kili. She was surrounded by darkness.
"Hello?" Kili asked as her voice echoed through the darkness that she had found herself in. "Is anyone there?"
"Greetings Dovakiin."
Kili whirled around to see the dragon that she had slain before her.
"I am, Mirmulnir, want is you name young joor?" Mirmulnir asked as he lowered his head, to be even with hers.
Kili gulped, "Kili…where are we?"
Mirmulnir growled out a deep chuckle from his chest, "You mean to tell me you don't recognize your own soul?"
Kili gasped, "My soul…"
"Yes Dovakiin, how else would I be able to speak to you?" Mirmulnir chuckled deeply and swung his head in his own amusement.
"I...I do not understand..." Kili whispered. "Am I dead as well?"
At that comment Mirmulnir could not contain his laughter. He reared his head back and roared out with laughter. Kili pouted slightly not completely understanding what was going on. The dragon said that they were in her soul. How was that possible if she wasn't dead?
"I am the only one who could be considered dead young Dovakiin, you were near my me at the point of death there for, my soul become one with yours so that I my give you understanding of Thu'um." The dragon said as his laughter died down.
Kili's mouth formed and 'o' shape as she finally figured out what was going on.
"So...my soul seems...empty..." Kili stated more to herself than the dragon before her.
"That's because you have never been here," Mirmulnir said as he moved his head to hers again.
"Is there away to make the darkness into a place?"
"Of course, you can make your inner soul into a place a peace. The easier it in to meditate, the faster you will be able to return to the outside world."
"How?"
"Close your eyes, and think of a peaceful place." Mirmulnir whispered.
Kili nodded and close her eyes. She thought of the wilderness when she was child; the little rivers and the rolling hills. When she reopened her eyes she was in the open wilderness of her child hood.
"Perfect, Dovakiin. Perfect for the Dovah." Mirmulnir complemented, "Now...ready for your training?"
"Let's begin."
"You know much Dovakiin. And I have taught you all I can." Mirmulnir said as he landed next to Kili.
Kili huffed trying to catch her breath.
"This is all you can teach me Mirmulnir a simple word?" Kili huffed out.
"I have taught you everything I can dear Kili. Now it is up to you to find the rest of your knowledge. Seek out the Greybeards; they are waiting for you,"
"Thank you Mirmulnir...for everything." Kili said with a soft smile.
"It is I who should be thank you Dovakiin. You will give Dovah a second chance at peace. Now, wake up young one."
Kili's body jolted and fresh air filled her lungs. Her back arched against the stone she was laying one as pain coursed through her body. She groaned and rolled on to her side trying to get the pain to stop.
"Lady Danica, she's awake!" someone shouted catching Kili's attention.
"Yes, yes I see. Calm yourself," another voice said calmly.
Kili rolled over to look at the lady who was touching her cheek.
"You gave us quite a scare girl, I am Danica Pure-Spring, head priestess of Kynareth." the priestess said softly.
"Where am I?" Kili lashed out in harsh voice.
"Acolyte, get the girl some water." Danica ordered before answering, "In Kynareth temple in Whiterun. You were brought here after your fight with the dragon. You have need out for four days young one."
Acolyte returned with the water and Kili quickly gulped it down. She choked slightly, taking it in too fast.
"The Jarl asked to see you once you have recovered." Acolyte said softly.
"Acolyte, she just woke up. I doubt she is ready to even move yet, you saw her injuries," the head priestess snapped.
Kili forced her body to sit up. Having done nothing but lay still for four days, her body was stiff and sore. She continued to push through the pain into a sitting position. The two priests stared at her in awe as she looked up at them with a slight cocky, smirk.
"Forgive me sister, but I'm not one to lie on my back while I heal." Kili said softly.
The priestess nodded, "Acolyte, get her some clean clothes"
He nodded and walked to the over side of the temple.
"Where is my armor?" Kili asked as she rubbed her shoulders.
"In between the dragons' teeth." the priestess said with a snort. "Good luck getting it back, however the rest of your belongings are fine."
Kili smiled and looked at her refection in the water behind her. Her back was a dark purple bruise, so she would have to avoid fighting for a while. She turned back to her front and looked down her shirt at her ribs. They were a darker color than her back, she was not going to enjoy the next few weeks at all.
"Here you are my lady," Acolyte softly as he handed her a teal, green dress and corset. "I'll leave you to dress."
Kili nodded to him as Danica, helped her up and dressed.
"There you go," Danica said as she finished off the corsets ties. "All ready to see the Jarl, I suppose..."
"Thank you priestess, I hope someday to repay you,"
"Nonsense Kili, it's my only gift in life to help others. Now go, Acolyte sent word to the Jarl of your arrival, you must not keep them waiting." the priestess urged, as she gently pushed the younger women out the door.
Once outside Kili, blinked trying to get use to the sun light, but she didn't watch where she was going, and ran into someone.
"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't see you." Kili said as she recovered.
"It would serve you some good to watch where you are going next time," the stranger snapped and stalked off.
"I was sorry..." Kili muttered to the back of the man she had pissed off.
"Vilkas, wait up!" a young, white, female Khajiit shouted after the man, followed by another man who was slightly larger than the one Kili had run into.
"Excuse me," Kili said as she steps out of their way.
"You'll have to forgive Vilkas, he's just grumpy that I out hunted him," the Khajiit said with a smile on her furry face.
"It's all right; I kind of stumble like a drunk." Kili said smiling back.
"I'm Roxanne, and this big old happy lug is Farkas, Vilkas happier side." the Khajiit said as she pointed with her thumb to the man behind her.
"Rox, stop harassing my brother behind his back, please" Farkas said as he shook his dark haired head.
Roxanne chuckled, "Sorry Farkas,"
"Would you two hurry up?" Vilkas shouted at the pair form the steps of a nearby building.
"We should get going; you should come by some time and join us. The Companions' are always looking for others to join up," Farkas said as he gives Roxanne a push towards his brother.
"Nice to meet you!" Roxanne shouted to Kili.
Kili smiled and waved at the backs of the departing duo. 'The Companions huh, something to consider when my trip to the Jarl is taken care of,' Kili thought as she head towards Dragonsreach.
"You are appointing me what now?" Kili asked in shock as the Jarl handed her the Axe of Whiterun.
"The highest award and praise I can, the title of Thane." Balgruuf said softly.
"My Jarl, I'm not Politian...I'm just a warrior."
"Yes, but a warrior who protected my people. As well as caught the interest of the Greybeards." the Jarl said as he turned back to his throne.
"The Greybeards?"
"You've never heard of them?" he asked, once seated.
"I have my Jarl, by why would they be interested in me?" Kili pushed for more answers.
"They seem to think you are the Dragonborn, they called out to the night you killed the dragon. Though no one knows for sure if you really are the Dragonborn to say, you'll need to go to High Hrothgar and ask them yourself," the Jarl answered as he reclined back into his throne.
"My lord, I do not know how to get to High Hrothgar, nor am I in any condition to travel alone..." Kili said in slight desperation.
The Jarl smiled, "Then my dear girl, your housecarl Lydia will be happy to lead you there."
As if on cue Lydia walked up to Kili's right said. "It will be an honor to travel, and fight belong side you my Thane." she said softly with a bow.
"Very well, I will gather my belongings from the temple," Kili said with a stern voice, "And will head out at dawn."
"I've marked the road to Ivarstead for you my Thane." Lydia stated as she pulled the map out of her bag.
"Be careful Kili, the road to Ivarstead has not been traveled by many, and the Seven Thousand Steps to High Hrothgar has been travailed by less." The Jarl began his explanation, "It's been a pilgrimage to test the strength of many. Consider it a blessing, no one in our life time as been summoned by the Greybeards in some time." Balgruuf said with a hint of compassion.
"Thank you my Jarl. I shall return to Whiterun after this journey, should the gods permit it," Kili said with bow, before leaving the throne room with Lydia close behind.
To be continued...