You are the Dragonborn. Hero of legend. Powerful Demigoddess. You purged Alduin from the world. Your words alone can turn the world to your will. You deserve the glory, and the honour that comes with it.
Cura stewed in her thoughts as she walked with her companions and Keeper. She kept her head down and remained mostly silent as she traversed the fields, some distance ahead of the others.
A few hours has passed as they walked through the mountains. Cura hadn't taken well to Fast Travel, so she dared not attempt it so soon. The Keeper agreed.
"You know, sometimes I miss Solstheim." Vilja blurted out loud. "My family is back there, and it is quite a distance away."
Indeed, the Isles of Solstheim - mainland and its archipelagos, were some ways northeast of Skyrim and closer to Morrowind. They were lands with their own unique culture and intrigue to be had. And, according to some, considerably more laid back than Skyrim.
Inigo spoke up. "Well, we are happy to have you here, Vilja. I would just like you to know that."
"Really? Oh, how sweet of you." Vilja endeared. "I wasn't entirely sure, you know? Cura doesn't say much to me, but she talks to you all."
"It's probably because she's known us longer." Lucien proposed a theory.
"But how will she get to know me if we never have a conversation?" Vilja looked further ahead on the mountain trail at Cura and Keeper Carcette, who were at the front lead.
"Don't you worry, Vilja - I can get a conversation between you started right now!" Inigo gestured for her to follow him as he walked across jutting rocks to cut the distance between them and the two Bretons in half.
"Hey! Don't leave me behind!" Lucien exclaimed as he ran after them.
Inigo tapped Keeper Carcette on the shoulder. "Keeper, may we share words?"
"Certainly, Inigo."
"Our friend here - Vilja - is feeling a little bit homesick. She comes from Solstheim. Do you have any advice for dealing with that?" Inigo asked.
"Sure; despise your living relatives and reminders of the past." Keeper Carcette snorted out a sardonic laugh. After the confused stare from around her subsided, she rephrased. "Er, rather, embrace your new environment and try not to think of the fonder aspects of home."
Cura raised a brow. She'd never heard Carcette speak venomously about her homeland before. There were times she was homesick, herself when she recounted some of her youthful days walking the cool beachside of the Iliac Bay, of the wonderful wineries, of the rolling green hills and the stylish wooden architecture.
Maybe she was in a bad mood right now.
"Where are you from, Keeper?" Vilja asked
"The kingdom of Wayrest in High Rock." Carcette said sharply.
Cura crossed a bridge and the others followed. "Skyrim is a beautiful place. I personally am proud to call it home."
Inigo elbowed Vilja with a wink. Now they could talk!
Vilja stammered for a second, but found her footing. "So, you've lived in Skyrim your entire life? Have you... have you ever thought of travelling to other lands?"
Cura thought about it for a second and then spoke. "I'd like to see High Rock someday."
"What about Solstheim?" Vilja asked. "Don't you need to go there for Lucien, too?"
"Dumzbthar." Lucien specified.
"A Dwemer ruin. Always so much fun." Vilja rolled her eyes, recalling their search for the Elder Scroll for Dragonrend. Though Blackreach proved to be more dangerous for her.
Keeper Carcette looked at Cura's new arm. It was based on Dwemer technology. She wondered, to herself, what might the world have looked like, had the Dwemer never vanished?
Then again, perhaps it was better this way, she figured. A world of metal makes hearts grow harder, as evidenced by the invention of weaponry.
Though, perhaps that could be better attributed to the failings of mortals than the environment itself.
They descended the upper mountain and walked down the pass east of High Hrothgar. Cura sighed as they walked past the mound of stones, Vigilant Hilde's resting place.
"Back where it all began." Cura clicked her tongue. Though it was a sad place, she took solace in the knowledge that Hilde was in Sovngarde, and with Lydia and Torygg.
Keeper Carcette furrowed her brows. "What happened here, exactly?"
"This was where Vigilant Hilde was killed by that Ice Wraith. She's buried under those stones." Cura pointed as they passed by.
"Uncanny..." Carcette covered her mouth with her hand. "Cura, look below." She pointed below the bluffs, where a house now stood. They saw it from behind on this angle, however. It was large and vertical in its construction, and it borrowed much from Solitude's architectural design, minus the plated roofing. It's roof was solid.
Cura's eyes widened. "Is that my new home?"
"We call it 'Stendarr's Retreat.' Lovely, isn't it?" Keeper Carcette marvelled. "We figured that it would have a gorgeous view of the land from here, and we know High Hrothgar means so much to you. Though, I didn't know that this area was where the incident occurred, specifically."
"It's wonderful, Keeper! Thank you." Cura smiled. Unfortunately, they had other things to attend to at the moment.
Inigo laughed. "My friend, you now have a castle to live in! Heh."
It wasn't exactly to scale, but he wasn't entirely wrong about its fashion. It did resemble much a small fortress. As they continued on further Cura could see the front from a distance, where there appeared to be a forge and armourer's workbench.
A decent small home to be sure, but she had already been spoiled by Heljarchen Hall and Hjerim.
Still, at least there was no graveyard in the side room in this house.
At least, she hoped not.
Inigo examined the property from afar. He found it fascinating, but he honestly preferred Cura's home in the swamp for it's character. Though, he decided to keep that to himself.
"I'll come back here sometime." Cura assured the group.
"Of course. It's all yours. You deserve it." Carcette reassured her.
Cura looked up to the Throat of the World in the hopes of seeing Paarthurnax soar about, but no. It was way too high up to see from her current vantage point.
She hoped he was doing all right. Last they'd spoken, he flew off to spread the Way of the Voice across the continent to other awakened Dragons.
Cura rather liked the idea of a peaceful coexistence with Dragons as opposed to fear and tyranny.
Perhaps then, with her work done, the other Dragons would fight against Alduin next time, should he ever return.
A pipe dream, but a worthwhile prospect just the same.
In the apex of the Mythic Dawn temple, before the restored gate to Oblivion, Vonos stood and paced the floor, slowly and shakily. His energy and his spirits were at their all time low on this day. "I see. So the hour of my death draws nearer."
He gestured with a flicking wrist motion, and Silus came to him from the distinguished crowd with an Ambrosia.
Vonos had fallen ill with a horrible case of Bone Break Fever the past year, and neither potion nor temple would cure him, and he hadn't long to live.
Vonos took the Ambrosia into his hands and bit into it to soothe the agonizing pain that wracked his weary body. "Oghh... oh... Hmm..."
"Your condition worsens by the day, master." Silus sighed.
"Where is the Dragonborn? She... surely she must be on her way..." Vonos slowly anchored himself to the nearby wooden chair next to their Daedric Altar. "You know... I must die by her hand, and hers alone."
"We are doing our best to lure her here. And your men have killed that fool Skorvild by the Shrine of Stendarr south of Whiterun." Silus informed him. "I haven't received word beyond that."
"Confound it! If I die here, like this, then the last three years will have been a waste!" Vonos roared before flying into a coughing fit. He slouched forward and hacked his lungs away facing the floor.
"Master!" Silus quickly laid his hands upon his arm.
Vonos clasped Silus' face in his hands. "Silus, my truest assistant - if I fail, it must fall to you to become the sacrifice to Dagon."
Silus felt a cold chill rise the length of his spine. "M-me?"
"Escape from this place... flee to the isle of Wyrmstooth. It is north of the Sea of Ghosts...speak to the Madena lookalike. I've had her... procure a boat from Dawnstar... using her authority..." Vonos instructed as he slowly released him. He laboured for breath.
"Master..." Silus hated the idea, but understood the necessity. "Of course. I'll... I'll be there within a few days."
"Good... good man. The Dawn is breaking." Vonos reminded him. "Our Lord... will have his vengeance. When you see the Dremora roaming the lands, know that I've... succeeded. That Mehrunes has rewarded my fealty. Now go, Silus. Go."
Silus'expression saddened as he pulled away. He quickly pulled his hood up and ran out of the sacrificial chambers.
"Oghh... oghh..." Vonos groaned in anguish as he attempted to stand again. He looked up to the ceiling. "I curse all of the Dragonblood. From Miraak to St. Alessia to Martin Septim to Vigilant Cura... all of them. All of them. Oooh... oooh..."
The other cultists made noises of compliance and agreement. They well and truly hated them all, beginning with Cura, their direct opposition.
"May her name be forever cursed!" one cultist declared against Stendarr's loyal follower.
"Bind Stendarr's Dragon in chains!" another shouted.
"Cast her soul into the Deadlands!"
"May she be forever damned!"
"Cursed be her god!"
"Cursed be her love!"
"Punish that swine!"
"May Cura feel the pains of a thousand-thousand knives!"
"May she die a horrible death!"
"Curse her, and her allies as well! Any who swear fealty to her unholy name!"
"Down with Stendarr's Dragon! Down with his Vigil!"
"May hope be forever lost to the heathens."
Amidst the permafrost-coated stones at the flat, mid-corona of the mountain was a lone campsite where Mythic Dawn Cultists' congregated around the fire.
"Rielle. It's imperative that we find it in there." one of them muttered.
After all, it was Vonos' orders.
"The Keeper was apt in discovering your whereabouts, fiends. Prepare yourselves to receive Stendarr's mercy!" a Vigilant clad in enforcer armour called out with a crossbow in his hands.
"Vigilant scum. You think by killing us you're going to stop us?" one of the cultists inquired with a laugh as seven of his friends exited their tents.
He took out a journal and gave it a light twirl before tossing it into a snowbank nearby.
"The mercy of Stendarr does not extend to Daedra worshippers." the leading Vigilant proclaimed.
"The glory of Mehrunes does not extend to the unanointed." the cultist spat back. "You're all less than dirt, and the sooner you realize it, the better."
"Glory to Dagon!" one of the cultists exclaimed as he brandished an ebony dagger from his sleeve and hurled it into the throat of one of the Vigilants.
Immediately a hailstorm of crossbow bolts and lightning bolts filled the air as the factions duelled.
"The Keeper's orders are to abolish them all! Do not falter!" the lead enforcer shouted over the loud sounds of flying bolts.
"Your Keeper is a whore!" exclaimed one of the cultists as he impaled a Vigilant through his right arm.
The Vigilant responded in kind by using his left hand to punch him in the face. After a healing spell, the Vigilant closed their distance and brought down his mace upon the cultist's left temple, crushing the bone under the steel.
"STRUN BAH QO!" came a familiar Shout as the skies quickly clouded over.
Vigilant and Mythic Dawn Cultist alike looked up to the skies as a heavy downpour consumed the land. Oppressive Lightning bolts struck the very ground and sides of the mountain, causing wayward stones to crash upon some of the Cultists.
Cura came sliding down the mountain slope, taking care of her footing. She was followed by Inigo, Keeper Carcette, Lucien, and Vilja.
As soon as they flooded in, the Mythic Dawn Cultists who remained quickly turned tail in attempt to flee.
Inigo's ebony arrow pierced the skull of one and Lucien besieged another with his powerful fire spells. Vilja set upon one with her sword, leaving no opening in her fierce onslaught, cutting him down quickly. Keeper Carcette's Warhammer made short work of the last toady.
The storm continued to rage, washing blood into snow before the climate slowly reverted to its natural state.
The leading Vigil enforcer saluted Keeper Carcette as she approached the scene. "Keeper, it's good to see you! Thank you for the assistance. You as well, Dragonborn."
Cura exasperatedly responded. "Of course. Is there anything we should know?"
The Vigil enforcer walked over to the snowbank where the cultist had thrown his journal. "I think you may be interested in this. He threw it aside before our duel began." He walked up to the Keeper and Cura, and passed it to her to read.
"Excavation Leader's Journal
2nd Sun's Height, 4E 201
The dawn is breaking. Vonos has successfully pierced the veil of the liminal barrier.
But there is much work to be done. We have unearthed an anchor point, but must still reconstruct the gate itself. And even when it is complete, the veil of the liminal barrier remains. Vonos in his infinite wisdom continues to work day and night to find a way to break it.
It may be but a singular gateway, but Valkyn Gatanas and Methats await us on the other side, preparing to march for our Lord.
I will keep the faith, for Lord Dagon.
10th Sun's Height, 4E 202
Vonos has been studying all known information about the Mysterium Xarxes, consulting with Dagon's Dremora, and experimenting tirelessly, but is still unable to open the gate.
However, he believes that an object may exist which could be strong enough to hold the portal open. What kind of artifact could hold such power? Even a thousand Soul Gems would likely dissolve in the presence of a Sigil Stone.
We must redouble our efforts. I have sent additional scouts to Solstheim and Cyrodiil to learn anything they can.
20th Sun's Height, 4E 202
One of my scouts has returned from Bruma with promising information. The ancient Ayleids are well known for their Welkynd Stones, rare aetherial fragments comprised of powerful meteoric glass. A Great Welkynd Stone, the most powerful of these stones, was typically held within the heart of each Ayleid city, but these stones have long since been plundered or lost to time.
Researchers have speculated for centuries that more Great Welkynd Stones may exist, but none have ever been found. The last Great Welkynd Stone seen on record was in the Third Era; when it was snatched and used to bring the downfall of our Lord.
Then, it was ultimately Mehrunes' undoing, but irony may be smiling upon us. Something of such power could be exactly what we need to bring the gate to full power.
One researcher has set their sights on the ancient Ayleid ruin of Rielle as such a place where a Great Welkynd Stone may exist. Many have explored its depths through the years, though none have ever found a trace of such a thing.
Could a Great Welkynd Stone truly be hidden deep within Rielle? I've told my scouts to capture this researcher and bring him to me. We must learn all we can.
2nd Last Seed, 4E 202
My scouts captured the Ayleid researcher from Bruma, but upon returning, the Vigil of Stendarr were seen guarding the Pale Pass. My scouts had to detour through the wilderness of the Jerall Mountains to avoid them. Could the Vigil be aware of our movements? Is there a traitor among us? We cannot risk any sort of confrontation with the Vigil until we have the full might of Dagon behind us. There is too much at stake.
While interrogating the researcher I learned that Rielle is structurally weak, making entry difficult. With the Vigil blocking the Pale Pass, this greatly inhibits our expedition. He also spoke of other dangers, but I dare not repeat them, lest I give substance to his ravings.
We must find a way into Rielle. Vonos and I have agreed that we have no time to waste. I have selected only our most trusted disciples to set up a base camp in the mountains west of Ivarstead. We will operate under the darkness of night to excavate our own pathway through the Jerall Mountains and into Rielle. It will take time, but it is the only way.
14th Last Seed, 4E 203
After much blood and sweat, we finally breached Rielle through its northwest corner, but the challenges within have proven to be quite deadly. The only man who returned alive claimed he barely escaped the clutches of an undead monster. Several have gone inside only to never return, and I am unsure how many more souls I can spare.
All this and yet no signs of a secret chamber or Welkynd Stone.
There are legible portions of untranslated words on the pages retrieved from the researcher in Bruma. I've summoned one of my best scholars, Janus, to assist me in my Ayleid studies. Perhaps there is something we are missing.
15th Last Seed, 4E 203
According to the books Magic from the Sky, and Glories and Laments, the ancient Ayleids believed that Nirn was composed of four basic elements - Earth, Water, Air, and Light. Janus and I feel this is extremely important, may be the key to obtaining the stone. The incomplete texts recovered from the researcher in Bruma make mention of previously unseen Elemental Shards. But what are they? Where are they? We will prepare another team to descend upon Rielle with this information.
We're running low on supplies and may need to delay the search if we lose any more men.
17th Rain's Hand, 4E 204
Vonos has sent an urgent communication. The Vigilants of Stendarr have increased their presence and have been seen questioning townsfolk. Acolyte Skorvild and Priestess Enakain have gone missing, their whereabouts unknown.
It is best for us to assume the Vigil knows of our plans. There is no time left to delay. Janus must join one last expedition team to locate the Great Welkynd Stone. I will send the last of my guards along with him as protection.
This is our last chance. Dagon, give us strength."
"Oh, dear... oh bother. Need I ask why they need a Great Welkynd stone?" Lucien shuddered. "Oh, this is not good. Not at all. If they truly are planning to open an Oblivion gate, then that, indeed is the thing they need. The one thing. And we would all be doomed."
Keeper Carcette nodded approvingly. "And this, dear Cura, was what I was talking about. If we'd overlooked this, it matters not if we slaughter the lot of them in Red Scar Cavern, for these fools would have picked up where they'd left off."
Shamed, Cura crossed her arms and looked away with a pout. "Sigh... you're right. I just thought about cutting the snake off from its stinking head - I hadn't considered that its body could regrow from the severed limb."
How long had the Mythic Dawn been active under her nose? Evil cultists, cursing all that is good, lurking in the shadows, manipulating the lands... especially while the Vigil was in recovery after the Volkihar attack.
When the cat's away, the mice will play, after all.
According to the journal, it's been going on at least since 201.
Lucien paced the floor as he began to deduce their intentions. "Now, the only reason I could think of for them needing something as powerful as a Great Welkynd Stone would be to use it to open a gate to Oblivion."
"That is our suspicion currently." one of the Vigilants stated.
"Oh, wonderful. Just what we needed." Vilja slapped herself in the forehead. "The Dragon apocalypse just wasn't bad enough. We need Daedra, too."
"We're going to Rielle." Keeper Carcette proclaimed, gesturing towards the other Vigilants. "I want three of you to stay here; guard this campsite in case more of these Devils return. If they do, either put them in irons or put them in the ground."
"As you command, Keeper." the speaker proclaimed as he chose his companions among his group.
"The rest will come with us." Carcette stated.
"We'll meet the rest of the team. Some have gone to Rielle, as per your orders." a second Vigilant spoke up.
Keeper Carcette furrowed her brows. "What?"
A moment of silence passed and she exchanged a perplexed glare with Cura and the other Vigilants.
"I never gave such an order."
Everyone fell silent as a thick veil of tension consumed the group.
"Uh-oh..." Inigo sung warily.
"I... I just learned about Rielle." Carcette stated, raising a hand to her breast and the other to the air. "I swear it upon Stendarr's truth. I hadn't given such an order."
Cura grit her teeth. If Keeper Carcette didn't pass on such an order, who had?
"When did I 'order' this?" Carcette asked for verification.
"Last night." the Vigilant raised a brow. "We received a letter from the Beacon, addressed from Keeper Carcette. Are you saying..."
"I wrote no such letter!" Keeper Carcette protested.
They had to go to Rielle - something awful was likely to transpire there.
"Oh..." the Vigilant massaged his neck nervously. "But... it had the Vigil Seal on it... and the handwriting looks like yours." he turned in the letter. "See?"
Good man, he kept it.
Carcette opened it. The seal was broken, but it clearly bore the Cyrodiilic Chalice of Stendarr. There was no deception in his words; it looked exactly like her handwriting, down to way she crossed her T's.
"Thanks to the now-missing researcher, we have gained insight into the location of where the Mythic Dawn will next excavate. An ancient Ayleid Ruin known as 'Rielle', far to the South, approximately South of Arcwind Point.
You mustn't allow them to obtain a Great Welkynd Stone. We all know what's at stake should they prevail.
- Keeper Carcette "
The Keeper was stunned. With trembling fingers she dropped the note into the wet snow.
"A serious case of stolen identity, I think." Lucien shuddered.
Cura stepped closer to Keeper Carcette and looked at her with concern. She understood very well what this meant. Left or right, up or down. Whatever lead they followed, they were walking into a trap, one way or another.
"What does this mean, Keeper?" the Vigilant asked, dreading the answer.
"We must go! Quickly!" Carcette barked the order. Truly, the troops may be in grave danger.
The group hurried, with four Vigilants in tow. They rushed along the stony heights with mad fervour in the hopes that they weren't too late to save the other Vigilants.
Cura wasn't sure what to expect going forward, but she knew it wasn't going to be easy.
One of the Vigilants at Stendarr's Beacon ascended to the Fort. She walked past the gate and towards the stone tower.
Below the main battlement, she tread through the halls and descended past the common room and entered the Keeper's Chambers.
Keeper Carcette appeared to be there, standing with her back to the door and her hands clasped behind them.
"Keeper! I have news!" the Vigilant declared.
Keeper Carcette turned around to face her. "Yes? What is it?"
"Vigilant Cura has finally awoken, and she is on the field again." the Vigilant exclaimed happily.
Keeper Carcette smiled. "Wonderful! I'm happy to hear that! Once I return to the Hall, I'll give her the keys to the new home. She'll be so thrilled."
She walked over to a map of the province.
The Vigilant shifted nervously for a few moments and the Keeper quickly picked up on this. "What's wrong, Vigilant?"
"I have some bad news... the Mythic Dawn priestess, Enakain, has escaped our custody." the Vigilant reluctantly informed her.
The Keeper's eyes opened wider for a split second, and she stood straight. "How? When did she escape? Did we get anything important from her interrogation? Any clues?"
"No, ma'am. Nothing except for a Cavern near the Velothi Mountains."
Keeper Carcette nodded slowly. "All right. Are there Vigilants surveilling the area?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
"The Mythic Dawn are known for their traps and deception. That cavern may be connected to the Ayleids excavation in some way. We will have to be mindful; I don't want a repeat of the Volkihar incident." Carcette mused.
"Definitely not." the Vigilant responded anxiously.
"You're dismissed. Thank you for the report." Keeper Carcette waved her away as she returned to her studies.