The Guild of the Dragonborn
Chapter 6: Destiny Awaits

Disclaimer: I do not own The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, or any of the characters involved except the concepts of the Dragonborn and their guild mates.

Hi'er'lek and his team entered the Sleeping Giant Inn following Delphine. She led them into a large bedroom and approached a closet on the wall.

"So, you're actually the Dragonborn. Gods you have no idea how long we've been waiting to see your return,"

"We?" Shilaney asked.

"Yes, myself, and the group I work with: The Blades,"

"The Imperial Guards?"

"Not anymore, but before that, we were Dragon hunters," Delphine pushed on the back panel of the closet and it slid away revealing a hidden staircase.

"Come on,"

She led the group down to a small room with a large, center table and a few weapon racks on the sides. Shelves containing potions, ingredients, and scrolls were on the back wall.

"As you know, Dragons have returned to Skyrim. However, they aren't just coming back from some far away land, they're coming back to life,"

"How do you know this?" Hi'er'lek asked.

"This map you see here, it's a chart of ancient dragon burial mounds. I've been out and about examining some of these sites and- Can you guess what I found?"

"Empty tombs," Andria answered.

"Precisely, there's my proof, and if my theories are correct, there's one site I haven't checked yet and it's the one place where a Dragon hasn't struck,"

"Where's that?" Lili questioned.

"Here," Delphine put her finger on the map to identify one of the symbols. "It's a spot near Windhelm, a little tavern, Kynesgrove, is there now,"

"Then we should get there before whatever is bringing these dragons to life does," Hi'er'lek slammed his fist on the table.

"Calm down, I agree with you that we need to make a move, but if we move too quickly or without caution then we'll be caught by our enemies,"

"Who are?" Shilaney seemed particularly interested in this.

"The Thalmor,"

"What?"

"Think about it, who else would benefit from the dragons returning to Skyrim? With the country in disarray from these dragon attacks the Thalmor could swoop in and take over pretending to be some kind of saviors,"

"I mean… as a theory it sounds ok… but,"

"But what?" Delphine looked to Shilaney with a glare.

"I don't know of anyone, Thalmor or no, that has the power to bring back a Dragon, let alone a fully fledged Dragon and not some undead minion. I've seen necromancers do work before, but the things they revive are shells of their former selves,"

Delphine took her input into consideration, "Maybe you're right, but whoever is doing this we need to make sure we don't play into their hand,"

"That I can agree with," Shilaney nodded.

Hi'er'lek, who's head had been turning back from one to the other as the conversation went on had begun growling, and after the last statement from Shilaney he let out a roar.

"Enough of this! Innocents are in danger, we know where the threat is. Let's go there and deal with it before anyone gets hurt,"

Delphine nodded. "Your friend is right, we need to do this, I'll meet you all there, prepare yourselves for a tough fight and meet me at Kynesgrove when you're ready, but don't take too long. We're on a timetable here,"

The group nodded before leaving the room. Hi'er'lek's team left the inn and after walking out past the wall on Riverwood's South side he stopped them and pulled them aside.

"Do we know we can trust this woman? She seems… off,"

"I agree that she's erratic, and that her theories aren't well-founded, but I think she has the potential to help us discover more about that Black Dragon," Shilaney answered.

Lili and Andri nodded "We'll follow you wherever you go,"

"Very well, in that case I think we should report back to Hidirion and see what he says,"

"A good plan," Shilaney nodded.

The group began to make their way southward back to Falkreath and the guild hall. A day later they entered the front door to find the rest of the Guild was sitting around the table discussing something.

"Ah, there you are, we were hoping you'd be returning soon. So, who was our mysterious friend?" Hidirion asked.

Hi'er'lek looked to Shilaney and she nodded before stepping forward. She cleared her throat before diving into a full explanation of the events that had transpired.

Hidirion nodded once her explanation was finished. "I can understand her distrust for the Thalmor, but as you told her, there's no one powerful enough to resurrect the dragons to their full strength, at least not amongst the Thalmor. I think we should help this Delphine woman, and figure out what's really going on here,"

The group nodded amongst themselves.

"Then it's settled. We're all going to Kynesgrove, we'll see what threat is bringing the dragons back to life, and if possible, we'll put an end to it,"

The group got up as he finished.

"Everyone meet outside in five minutes,"

The whole guild dispersed throughout the hall to gather their belongings and any supplies they would need for the journey. Five minutes later the entire guild was gathered outside the door. Hidirion turned the key in the lock of the front door and turned to face his companions. He then stepped forward and led the way to Kynesgrove. It was a few days before the group finally arrived at the tavern. Delphine was waiting for them nearby the main structure, leaning against a tree.

"Could you be any more obvious?" She asked.

"My apologies, we felt it was necessary for us all to be here," Hidirion bowed to her.

She grunted before unfolding her arms and kicking off the tree. She turned and led the group up to the top of the hill behind the inn. As they approached the group heard a familiar roar and a black shape darted by overhead.

"He's here," Hidirion said as he looked up.