Ch. 13 On Black Wings
Yup, it's time for the next chapter of Dovahkiin and I guess that it's getting to be that time of it lol. We still have quite a bit of ground to cover but let's keep going on till the dawn!
On another note, I interviewed for a job today and I am about 99.00% sure I will get it so many will be wondering how can I keep my schedule when I will be working 40+ hours a week? Simple, I can write about a thousand words in an hour so it's quite easily to do so don't worry everyone! I have a schedule and I will keep it.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, all characters are copyright of Bethesda and any OC's belong to their creators.
"General...this can't be acceptable!" Marius nearly shouted but he had enough sense to keep his voice down. To say he was shocked would be an understatement, he was downright frozen in place.
"I'm afraid not and there's nothing we can do, they claim the right to practice military exercises anywhere they choose." Tullius said as Rikke had her head down in defeat.
"So they use that excuse to march an invasion force in under the guise of "training" when we all know that it's a conquest." Marius said as Tullius sat down behind the table.
"We've already started evacuation of Solitude and Dragon Bridge but many are reluctant to leave," Rikke said as she unrolled a scroll. "We've also sent runners to each Hold, telling them to marshal their garrisons so at least they are forewarned."
"Why Skyrim though? Why not some other land like Hammerfell or even Elesweyr?" Marius asked as Tullius sighed.
"The majority of the veteran officers are in Skyrim right now and it's the perfect opportunity for them." Tullius said as Marius banged his head on the table.
"I hate being the newest guy." Marius said as Tullius did show a little grin.
"We have already started preparing a defense line and setting up siege weapons so it isn't all bad." Tullius said as Rikke finished reading her scroll.
"It's safe to assume there's more on the way but we can't be sure until the scouts report back and Jarl Elisif is requesting an update on our readiness General." Rikke said as Tullius got up and moved to the door before he stopped.
"They will be ready right?" Tullius asked suddenly as Marius picked his head up with a grin.
"If they aren't now they will be soon." Marius replied as Tullius walked out with a big smile.
"What was that?" Rikke asked with a raised eyebrow as Marius chuckled.
"That was the beginning of a new era." Marius said as Rikke furrowed her brows in confusion until she figured it out and grinned.
-Scene Change-
"Rei vok fah kriin." Alduin repeated to herself as she sent away the dragon. This was getting way too easy for her and her overall plan, she had originally thought that she would have to intervene personally in many different problems that would arise but she has had to do nothing but sit down and relax while her Dovahkiin and his enemies did everything for her. The news that dragons came to their aid when they needed would be a rallying cry for the Joor and those who went against the tide would be seen as traitors. "Life is good sometimes."
"The task is done." Odahviing said as he returned to the Dragon Fields as this place was now called.
"And the head?" Alduin asked as Odahviing sat down and began to clean the blood off himself.
"Dropped in front of the Keep, tried to put up a fight but that Nord bravado does them no credit when they are faced with insurmountable odds." Odahviing replied as Alduin stared at him.
"Let me guess, he only had a sword and nothing else." Alduin stated as Odahviing snorted.
"An ineffective one at that, the joor talked big but he couldn't back it up with any bite." Odahviing replied as Alduin huffed in annoyance.
"Most of them are too set in their old ways to care and anything new that comes up is considered to be taboo to their traditions. They do not understand that strength and honor are disappearing while cunning and guile are replacing them. The times are changing and most Nords are trying their hardest to resist it when they should be embracing it. Ativut los nunon ven amativ." Alduin said as she closed her eyes in thought.
"Planning for the inevitable?" Odahviing asked as Alduin opened her eyes.
"No, it is time for me to stop hiding and face fate." Alduin said before she took off abruptly, leaving Odahviing confused as she flew West.
-Scene Change-
"What if we destroyed the giant crystals in the Soul Cairn? Don't the Ideal Masters usually take souls that way?" Marius asked as Durnehviir flew South. There was one final Stormcloak camp they just located and now was the time to put the rebellion down completely.
"You would only destroy a soul gem, a giant one that holds an infinite amount but still a soul gem." Durnehviir stated as he debunked Marius's theory. Durnehviir did enjoy the Dovahkiin's planning and thinking even if it was in vain.
"They sure aren't making it easy are they?" Marius said as he scratched his head.
"Nid, but perhaps you should put it from your mind for now." Durnehviir suggested as Marius sighed before nodding.
All was quiet as they flew only broken by the occasional bird or deer that glanced a dragon in the sky and sounded warnings but they were largely ignored as the pair kept going. About halfway through the trip Marius's nose caught a whiff of something that made him raise an eyebrow, it smelled sweet but with a hint of spice. He chalked it up to the forest below him and pushed it from his mind but the smell only got stronger the longer they flew and eventually he had to ask. "Do you smell that?" Marius asked Durnehviir curiously.
"Smell what?" Durnehviir asked in confusion.
"That smell, it's like honey sweet but with a hint of a spicy undertone." Marius said as Durnehviir furrowed his eyes and took another whiff.
"I don't smell anything, you must be-" Durnehviir started but suddenly dived quickly as Marius had to grab a small spike in front of him to stay on.
"What the hell is going on?" Marius said as Durnehviir swerved right as a ball of fire whirled past them that made Marius slowly turn his head and go pale.
Right behind them and looking like death incarnate was Alduin with her red eyes narrowed and a snarl on her face as she chased Durnehviir through the sky in a deadly game of cat and mouse. Durnehviir had to dive or swerve as the fireballs became faster and more frequent as Alduin got closer.
"Hold on tight." Durnehviir warned before he dived straight at the ground and Marius only had a brief moment to hold on before he was almost ripped off by the force of the wind that him as Durnehviir went straight down and Alduin followed.
"Why is she after us?" Marius asked as the top of trees got closer and looked like the points of spears.
"I don't know but hold on!" Durnehviir said loudly as he pulled up and flew just above the treeline going East. Alduin followed and seemed to get a little more angry at how Durnehviir was able to stay ahead of her.
"You cannot run forever!" She shouted behind them as Marius felt a small shiver go down his back.
"No but we can do enough to make you stop!" Marius shouted back as Durnehviir did a barrel role to avoid another fireball.
"You are doing nothing but egging her on." Durnehviir said as Marius frowned.
"Just keep trying to get away, I'll think of something." Marius said as he internally grimaced. A part of him was trying to do it's best to stay calm but another part of him was yelling for him stop running and face Alduin head on. There was the other part of his soul that was telling him to submit to her for a reason he didn't want to know.
"I cannot keep this up much longer..." Durnehviir said as his flying became sluggish and his wings began to feel heavy. Alduin knew this as she began to gain distance and her face became a smirk as Durnehviir slowed.
"We've got no choice...land wherever you can and I'll confront her while you rest." Marius said as Durnehviir descended into a small clearing on the banks of the Lake Illinalta or would've descended before an unseen fireball slammed into his left wing and with a roar of pain he plummeted to the ground.
Above them, Alduin saw them crash and still smirked as Marius untangled himself from a bush. Durnehviir slowly stood up as Marius inspected the damage before turning to Alduin with a scowl on his face.
"Why?" Marius asked angrily as Alduin just kept smirking.
"To deliver a message: In one month you will travel to the Ancient's Ascent and there will it be determined if you are fit to rule over the Dov."
"What are you talking about?" Marius said as Alduin looked at him for a moment.
"In one month, we will find out if you are fit to remain beside me, there will be no holding back or else you will die. Train well Dovahkiin and prove that you belong amongst the Dov!" Alduin said before she flew off leaving Marius growling in his throat.
"Dovahkiin, we need to speak." Durnehviir said as Marius grimaced.
"About what?" he asked as he turned around and sat on a rock.
"About what is about to happen and the consequences of becoming a dragon's mate." Durnehviir said as Marius put his head down in sadness.
-With Paarthurnax-
Paarthurnax picked looked skyward as a couple dragons descended on the Throat of the World and took places around the defunct word wall. His first students have arrived and he knew that a new era was about to begin.
"Vu do yun feln fen kos buruk." he said to himself before he addressed the dragons around him. They were younger Dov but they were to learn. "Listen well my young pupils, the innate instincts of the Dov are deadly but with proper training and meditation you can overcome them." With that he began to teach his first students the Way of the Voice and they would help usher in the new era.
An era of cooperation and understanding between joor and dovah.
And we will cut it loose there. The Thalmor have found a loophole in the treaty and are using it to their advantage while the Imperial Legion are scrambling to muster their forces so soon after the Civil War. Alduin has also finally challenged Marius to the mating fight (substitute to the mating flight most dragons do). Keep reading because things are about to happen that will shake Tamriel to the core.
I understand that this chapter might make some people confused on some things so if you all need help I encourage you to pm me if you need clarification of anything.
Read and review and I will see you all next time!
Translations courtesy of Thuum . Org
Rei vok fah kriin – Lined up for slaughter
ativut los nunon ven amativ – Progress is the only way forward
vu do yun feln fen kos buruk – The dawning of a new era will be difficult