Guild of the Dragonborn
Chapter 8: True Power
Disclaimer: I do not own Skyrim, just the concepts for the different Dragonborns and their companions.
The group rushed up the hill and as they came to the crest they stopped, gasping at what they saw:
A large, black dragon was floating overhead. They all recognized it as the one that had inadvertently saved their lives back in Helgen. It spoke, in a language that none of them understood.
"Ah… Dragonbornne, how good to see you all," it said to them in the common tongue, its voice dark and ominous.
"Who are you?" Hidirion shouted at him.
"A sad state to be in, that you do not know me or why I am here," It replied, "My name, in your tongue, is Alduin, First Son of Akatosh. I have come to claim what is rightfully mine, and there is nothing any of you can do to stop me,"
Alduin spoke in the strange language once again, turning his attention to a large mound nearby as he did so. A large, skeletal talon broke free from the mound.
"He's resurrecting the dragon!" Delphine shouted.
Alduin looked to the skeletal dragon as it emerged. Flesh, muscle, and scales began to regrow on its body as it looked to Alduin floating above. The two exchanged a brief conversation before the resurrected dragon looked to the group.
"Enjoy your last moments Dragonbornne, it is time I bid you all farewell," Alduin said before flying away.
The resurrected dragon roared into the sky, releasing a jet of fire, before taking to the air himself.
"Drem yol lok Dragonbornne, my master has told me you do not command a strong grasp on our language. For your sake I speak in this pathetic tongue, I am called Sahloknir, and it is my master's wish that I kill you all here and now,"
"I think you will find that quite difficult," Shealin stepped forward, twirling both of his daggers in his hands.
"Perhaps, but we can only see," Sahloknir took off away from.
"He's preparing to circle around, prepare yourselves," Hidirion called to his team.
Shilaney, Shishinee, and Tsunaya all drew their bows, Diren readied his crossbow while Hidirion and Lili prepared a spell in their hands.
"We'll shoot him down, once he's grounded I want you all to jump him, there's no way he can stand against all of us by himself,"
The rest of the warriors nodded their agreement as they drew their weapons. Shealin gave Sin'Hadir a look and the two faded away into the background to wait.
"Here he comes!" Lili shouted
Sahloknir flew overhead and was met with a barrage of projectiles. He roared in defiance as most of them pierced his wings and underbelly, circling back he dove toward the ground, slamming into it and dragging a large trench through the earth.
"Now!" Hi'er'lek shouted as he raised his axe.
The group charged forward with roars and battlecries, hacking and slashing away at Sahloknir. He attempted to rise but was met with resistance as Hi'er'lek slammed his axeblade into the dragon's head, using it as a leverage point he leapt up onto its back.
"Hi'er'lek, a hand," Shealin called from the dragon's side.
The orc nodded and knelt down, offering a hand to his companion. Shealin took it and the Orc practically threw him up into the air. The Khajit, light and nimble, twirled once to regain his balance and landed on Sahloknir's head, driving his daggers home into his eyes.
The dragon gave one final cry of pain before shuddering and then lying still.
"Not bad," Delphine panted from the exertion of the fight.
Sahloknir's body began to glow, and his scales deteriorated into some kind of essence which flowed into all of the dragonborn.
"By the gods," Delphine whispered in awe as she watched the process complete, "You really are dragonborn."
Hidirion nodded confirmation, "Now, I believe you have some explaining to do,"
"You're right, you deserve to know everything. Whatever you want, no secrets,"
Hidirion interrogated Delphine, questioning her on her purpose, her mission, why she had acted the way she did, any theories she had about the dragons, and anything else that came to mind.
At the end of it all he growled in frustration.
"Damn it all! Why does no one seem to have any answers for us!" He shouted.
"I'm sorry I can't be of more help, but from what you described I just don't know why you're all here,"
"It's not your fault, I apologize for my brazen behavior," Hidirion looked to those assembled and sighed.
"I think it best if we split up once again my friends, scatter yourself to the four corners of Skyrim, but keep your ear to the ground in case Alduin attempts something else, we need more information, and staying in such a large group makes it difficult to mobilize,"
"But what about the guild?" Viren asked.
"We shall disband it for now, but the hall will remain in case anyone needs a residence or a place to stay. I suggest each of you return to your own guilds and wait to see what happens next,"
"What do we do if something does happen?" Hi'er'lek asked.
"Good question…" Hidirion seemed at a loss.
"Perhaps we might meet up regularly, to collect information and confirm any rumors or suspicions. We could use the guild hall as a meeting point and arrange a date for all of us," Shealin put in.
"An excellent idea, there you have it. We'll meet up in one month's time from today to discuss anything we've heard or any rumors we pick up, is that clear to everyone?"
The group nodded.
"Good, then I'll see you all in a month,"
The group began to disband, forming pairs or small squads as they discussed where they were to return to. Viren and Diren seemed at a loss however. Hidirion noticed this.
"You two can come with myself and Lili if you wish, we have plenty of room for you at the college," Hidirion gave them a small smile.
"Thank you for your kindness," Diren replied.
"Think nothing of it,"
As the guild began to stream away from Kynsegrove and the mound Delphine caught Hidirion's arm.
"What is it?" He asked.
"Do you mind if I sit in on those monthly meetings? Something tells me that you all can collect information faster than I can, and if there's anything I can do to help I want to be there,"
"Of course, you are our ally in all this, it would only make sense that you be welcome at our meetings,"
"Thank you,"
He nodded and she let go of his arm.
With his group in tow Hidirion headed north. It was a two day journey from Kynsegrove to Winterhold. As they returned to the college Hidirion smiled to himself, seeing the building was still the same.
"Good to be back," he said to himself.
"Good to have you back young man," An older voice said to him.
"Master Tolfdir! I hope these last few months have found you well?"
"Of course, and I see you've brought some friends with you, new students perhaps?"
"The girls are, the boy is here strictly to protect his sister,"
"Of course, all are welcome here so long as they observe the rules and you vouch for them,"
"Thank you Master Tolfdir," Viren said with a bow.
"Think nothing of it young lady. Now, Hidirion, you must tell me where you've been these past few months, and leave nothing out! I want all the details,"
Hidirion gave the older man a warm smile, something the others had never seen him do before. "That's a long story,"
