The Guild of the Dragonborn
Chapter 3: Going Separate Ways
Disclaimer: I don't own Skyrim or any of the characters just the Guild's concepts
After defeating the dragon outside of Whiterun and being named Thanes of the city. The group was sitting around in the small house known as Breezehome. It was gifted to them by Jarl Balgruf as thanks for defeating the dragon and keeping Whiterun safe. Currently they were discussing their next plan of action.
"I think we should find out more about that black dragon." Shishinee said.
"Where do we even start?" Sin'Hadir asked.
"The college of Winterhold maybe?" Hidirion offered.
"Those stuck up magic users wouldn't waste their time with us, no offense to those who use magic here." Bord argued.
"Why don't we split up?" Shealin asked.
The group turned to him for further explanation.
"If we split up, we're more likely to uncover more secrets than if we tried as a group. One or two of us is less intimidating than all of us."
Hidirion nodded as he processed the train of thought.
"I agree with Shealin."
The group murmured agreement with the Khajit as well.
"Where do we go then?" Hi'er'lek asked.
Hidirion considered this, "I think we should join the factions here in Skyrim that best suit our interests."
Hi'er'lek nodded and stood to leave. "I'll approach that companions in Jorrvaskr."
"I'll come with you." Bord said, standing up and following him out.
Pirdien, Tsunaya and Hudien followed the other two out.
"I'll be going to the thieves guild in Riften." Shealin told them before pushing off the post he'd been leaning against.
Sin'Hadir followed him out.
"I'll be attending the college." Hidirion said before leaving himself.
Shishinee followed him out and that left Shilaney in the house alone. She sighed as she took the key and locked the door behind her. Looking around the city she set off on her own.
3 days later, the ragged flagon, Riften.
Shealin sighed as he plopped into a chair, he was wearing the thieves guild armor along with Sin'Hadir. While they'd been down in the ratway they'd discovered a woman who changed Sin'Hadir from a green Argonian to a black one.
A man approached them, he was older, balding, and wearing a gray version of the clothes they wore. They'd come to know him as Delvin Mallory.
"Heard about Goldenglow Estate. Nice work." He said sliding them a bag of gold.
The two of them opened it to find 500 gold pieces. Shealin tied the bag shut and nodded his thanks to Delvin who looked around for a moment before shrugging to Shealin, a sign that he didn't know what was going on.
Brynjolf approached them, he was the vice-leader of the thieves guild, wearing a blue version of the outfit. He sat down across from them and grinned.
"Seems you two are moving up in the world. Maven Black-Briar has asked for you both personally."
Shealin looked to Sin'Hadir, Sin'Hadir looked at Shealin. They both looked at Brynjolf.
"What does she want with us?" Shealin asked.
"Don't know, but I do know it'll give you some rich coin for both of you. Unless you keep her waiting."
Shealin agreed on that point "Where did she say to meet her?"
"At the Bee and Barb inn here in Riften, upstairs, turn right. Can't miss her." Brynjolf told them.
The pair stood and nodded their thanks before heading toward the thieves guild cistern which contained the secret entrance used by the guild.
Meanwhile, at Jorrvaskr in Whiterun.
Hi'er'lek walked in with the head of a falmer on his belt.
Bord followed with a smile on his face with Pirdien, Tsunaya and Hudien.
"What a glorious battle! Those falmer didn't know what hit them!" Bord shouted as they approached the table.
"So I've heard, we've already received payment from the client." Aela said throwing them a bag of gold.
Hi'er'lek caught it in the air and opened it to reveal 500 gold pieces.
He tied it shut and put it on his belt, handing the head of the falmer to Skjor who mounted it on the wall next to their other trophies.
"What's next?" Hi'er'lek asked
"Don't worry, there are still plenty of jobs to be done, but first we'd like to introduce you to the newest member of the circle." Aela said indicating a Nord man wearing fur armor on her right.
"The name's Wuu-shin." He told them aggressively
The group could see no weapons on him.
"He fights with the heart of a true warrior." Aela told them. "He's already proven himself a worthy member of the Companions."
Meanwhile, at the College of Winterhold.
Hidirion shut a spell book after he finished. He held it up and burnt it with a simple fire spell. Shishinee looked up at him from the arcane enchanter she was working with. Her bow laid on the table while a Grand soul gem was on the table, in the center was a small fireball.
"Which spell was that?" She asked.
"Fireball." Hidirion replied as he moved toward her. "What do you have here?" He asked.
"I'm going to try and enchant my bow with this fire spell, hopefully it works." She said as she began to channel the energy necessary.
They watched as the soul of the beast trapped in the Grand Soul Gem poured through the fireball and lit itself aflame before traveling into the bow. When things settled the bow had a redish hue to the wood and the soul gem appeared empty and lifeless, the fireball had doused after the bow began to glow.
"Excellent work, but you've only scratched the surface." Tolfdir told them as he approached.
"Master Tolfdir." They both said, bowing to him.
"I was wonder if you two would fancy a trip to Sarthal?" Tolfdir asked.
"Have we found something?" Hidirion questioned him.
"No, just a fun trip to the ruins for a learning experience."
"Why not then." Hidirion said following him out.
Shishinee grabbed her bow and slid it over her shoulders before following them out.
Meanwhile, just outside the city of Falkreath.
A figure ghosted across the dirt path of the country, across from where it'd left the trees was a caravan of stormcloak soldiers. The priority target, the sergeant who led them. The figure stopped in the shadows of a tree, hidden from sight. It lifted a bow up and aimed it at the leader. The figure was wearing a mixture of red and black cloth, identifying them as a member of the Dark Brotherhood. The slim figure of the assassin suggested it was a woman.
The bowstring released and the arrow arced into the leader's throat, knocking him to the ground. The squad of soldiers began to panic as their leader seemed to be cut down out of nowhere. The Assassin slunk off into the shadows, disappearing behind a door into a rock wall. As the assassin entered the Dark Brotherhood's hideout she removed the hood from her face to reveal Shilaney.
Shilaney made her way through the sanctuary and found Nazir, a Redguard man with a red turban wrapped around his head, he also wore the Dark Brotherhood robes under a red cloak, a scimitar hung from his waist.
"I hear you did your job well, that pays in this business." Nazir told Shilaney as he threw her a sack of coins.
She caught it palm out, turning her hand over she undid the loop and examined the contents, what looked like one-hundred gold septims gleamed back at her. She tied the bag to her belt and asked for another contract.
"You've changed quite a bit since you joined us Shilaney." Nazir said as he gave her a piece of paper.
"I've had to." She said, "In my earlier disposition I wouldn't have been able to handle the work needed to be in the brotherhood."
She turned on the spot and left the Sanctuary to seek out her new target.
Back at Jorrvaskr
Hi'er'lek and the others were sitting at the large U shaped table in the companion's hall when Aela approached them with a job.
"This is important as it contains information about a piece of Wuuthrad. I want you to take your regular group with Wuu-shin on this mission."
"Yes Shield-sister." Hi'er'lek said standing up and grabbing his battle-axe from his side.
The others grabbed their gear and left the hall.
The Ruins of Sarthaal, near Winterhold
Hidirion lowered his hands as the last of the Dragur fell to the floor.
Shishinee appeared from around the corner and looked around. There were half a dozen Draugr on the floor, most of them had been burned severly, but a few of them had arrows protruding from their corpses. Shishinee retrieved her arrows and slid them back into her quiver.
Hidirion looked from her, to their path. A doorway was standing open before them, and at the end of the tunnel was a large orb that floated in a mystic blue magic.
"That seems to be the source of the trouble here in Sarthaal." Hidirion said.
Shishinee nodded and followed him into the room. Inside they found a two sets of stairs that led them down below. Where a table with a Draugr Overlord sat laid in the middle of the room in front of the orb. As they approached the Draugr came to life.
"Get down." Hidirion shouted as the Draugr drew its head back.
"Vus-Ro-Dah!" It shouted, releasing a sound-wave that sent the pots and quills off the table flying into the air.
Shishinee and Hidirion had ducked behind the table, they stood now, both of them ready to fire.
Hidirion blasted the Draugr with twin Firebolts. Shishinee released her arrow and it drove home in the undead monster's head leaving it protruding as it set fire to the walking corpse. The two of them backed away as the Overlord swung a large blow with its Great-sword. Hidirion reached into his backpack and produced a scroll. He quickly read the incantation on the piece of parchment and watched it burn as he prepared the spell in his hands.
"Shishinee, cover me." He said as the Draugr walked around the table.
"Right." She lifted her bow up and fired three arrows in quick succession that drew the attention of the Draugr Overlord.
It began to make its way to her when Hidirion lifted his hands up and then slammed them into the ground. This released a large storm of Fire that burned the Overlord instantly.
"What was that?" She asked.
"Fire Storm, a master level spell." Hidirion explained.
"When did you learn that?"
"Just now, that scroll taught me how to use the incantation, though I only had enough to memorize it for one use. I'm already beginning to forget parts of the incantation. That's why I prefer books. You can study them as long as you like until you've got the spell memorized."
"Anyway, the orb."
"Right, right." Hidirion turned and approached the orb, putting a hand out the magic disappeared.
Tolfdir finally caught up with them and was gasping for breath as he arrived.
"I see you've found the artifact. While I was at the college I received word of a large magical power. This parchment has the letter that sent to us about it." Tolfdir handed Shishinee a piece of paper which she scanned quickly.
"Come on." She told Hidirion and the two of them left the ruins.
Shealin and Sin'Hadir disappeared into the ratways, arriving back at the Thieves Guild. There they were greeted by Brynjolf.
"Nice job boys." He said, handing them both sacks of coins, "While you were gone we got word of a rare treasure in this dungeon. We figured you'd be interested." Brynjolf said, handing them a piece of paper.
"Thanks." Shealin said, he and Sin'Hadir used the secret entrance and left the Guild, heading out for the dungeon.
Meanwhile, in the opposite corners of Skyrim.
A young man was walking through an ancient and decaying fort, though it looked like it had been worked on recently. He was wearing a suit hardened leather strips that were lacquered on the front, a pair of fur boots with buckles around the ankles and along the outside portions of the boot, his arms were covered in fur gloves with lacquered leather bracers, His face was obscured by a steel helmet, on his right arm was a round shield with a sun symbol on the front that had swirling pieces extending off the shield. On his waist was a simple steel war-axe, his back had a crossbow slung across his shoulders.
"Diren." One of the men in the fort nodded at him as he approached.
"Sir." He replied.
"We've received word that the Vampires are targeting this set of ruins for some religious purpose. We're sending you to deal with them."
"I understand sir."
Diren left the fort and began to travel toward the ruin his leader had described to him.
Meanwhile, a young woman wearing a red cloth shirt over a black, long-sleeved undershirt, the red cloth extended to form a kind of dress that covered a pair of black boots that had a folded over top half. Her hands were covered with black leather gloves with steel, clawed hands. Her eyes were blood red and she had a pale complexion about her. She also wore a simple hood over her head. She was walking through an ancient castle filled with men and women who shared her complexion.
"Ah, Viren." A man said to her as she approached him.
"Lord Harkon." She replied with a nod of her head and a curtsey.
"I have a mission for you my dear." He said.
"Yes my Lord?"
"There is an ancient ruins that the Dawnguard have sent an agent too. They think we have sent one of our own into the cave to find an ancient ritual rite, but we faked that information to fool them into a sending an agent to the ruins so we could send you to kill them."
"I understand my Lord." She nodded her head and curseyed once more before leaving the castle.
The groups each headed to the ruins in search of their own objective. It wasn't until they all arrived that they realized something was amiss.
Hidirion and Shishinee noticed the smoke rising from a fire up ahead. They readied their weapons and approached cautiously. They stepped through the clearing in the trees and stopped. Before them Shealin and Sin'Hadir were holding daggers at them.
"Hidirion?" Shealin asked.
"Shealin? What are you doing here?" He asked.
"I was going to ask you the same thing." Shealin twirled the dagger on his finger before sliding it back into his belt.
Sin'Hadir nodded at Shishinee as they sat down around their fire.
"We'd heard rumor of an ancient magical artifact that lies in these ruins." Hidirion explained, "What about you?"
"We'd heard there was a large stash of treasure ripe for the taking. We're part of the Thieves Guild in Riften. That's where we went after we agreed to split up."
"Shishinee and I joined the College of Winterhold."
A rustling in the bushes alerted them to the approach of another group.
"Sounds like five, maybe six." Shealin said, drawing his daggers and disappearing into the shadows.
Sin'Hadir did the same.
"Don't move, look like you haven't noticed anything." Shealin whispered to Hidirion and Shishinee who mouthed their understanding.
They were watching the fire intently when they heard rustling in the dirt behind him along with a gasp of astonishment.
"Hi'er'lek?" Shealin asked, "This is too strange."
"Shealin, I see you're still as slinky as ever." Hi'er'lek's voice said to him.
Hidirion and Shishinee turned and saw Bord, Pirien, Hudien, and Tsunaya. They were standing behind Hi'er'lek ready to fight with their weapons drawn. The large orc was currently breathing heavily and in a half-crouch in front of Shealin who was balanced on the balls of his feet in a half-crouch as well. Sin'Hadir was standing behind him, his dagger in his belt.
"What's going on?" Hi'er'lek asked as he noticed Hidirion and Shishinee approach.
"We were sent by the College of Winterhold to investigate rumors of a magical artifact in these ruins."
"Sin'Hadir and I were sent by the Thieves Guild in Riften to see if there was any basis on there being a large treasure in these ruins."
"The Companions sent us to investigate these ruins for a fragment of Wuuthrad." Hi'er'lek explained.
Shilaney dropped from the trees startling everyone except Shealin and Sin'Hadir.
"Shilaney." Shealin said with a nod.
"Hello everyone, what are you all doing here?"
They all explained their reasons once more, and Shilaney explained how there was a contract from a client to retrieve a family heirloom from these ruins.
"Well, since everyone is here, why don't we take this dungeon on like the dragon?"
"I agree." Hi'er'lek said, and the other warriors nodded.
"We'll tag along." Shealin said.
After they agreed and everyone was introduced to the newcomer: Wuu-shin they set off into the ruins. They traveled through the caves, keeping a close watch for any hostile creatures. After fighting through hordes of Skeevers and Undead they arrived in a large room where they found the treasures each of them had been seeking. As well as a strange stone tablet written in blood.
As they turned to leave they saw two figures standing in the doorway of the room. One of them had a crossbow aimed at them, the other had their hands armed with magic.
"Who are you?" The crossbow wielder asked.
"And what are you doing here?" The mage finished.
Hidirion stepped forward. "I am Hidirion, High Elf wizard, student at the college of Winterhold and leader of the Guild of the Dragonborn."
"Dragonborn?" The crossbow wielder asked.
"We were sent here by our employers or places of study to find objects useful to each of our professions."
The Crossbow wielder lowered his weapon and stood up straighter, he reached up and removed his helmet, tucking it under his arm. He looked at his companion and she sighed as she dropped her hood. It was Viren and Diren.
"Who are you?" Hidirion asked.
"I am Diren, member of the Dawnguard, and this is my sister Viren, member of the Volkihar Vampire clan."
"Wait, you're a vampire hunter, doesn't that mean you're to kill her?" Wuu-shin asked.
"No, I would never bring myself to kill my own sister…" Diren said, his voice lowering, he looked to the ground at his feet.
"But how will you answer back to your leader that you failed to accomplish your mission?" Wuu-shin asked again.
"I… I don't know."
"And you, Viren was it? How will you return to your Lord if you failed to do as he asked."
Viren opened her mouth to speak, then closed it and looked away.
"Why not join us then?" Hidirion asked. "We're looking to start a guild and we'll need as many people as we can."
The two siblings looked to each other then nodded.
"Alright, we'll join you." Diren said, extending a hand.
Hidirion took it and they shook firmly.
