Eyes of the Dragon
8th of July, 1996
Gareth moved aside as the sand came pouring. "Hey!" he called out. "Anyone there?"
"Is that you, Gareth?" Jena asked.
"Yeah," Gareth answered.
"Where are Kato and Bill?" Jena asked.
"Bill is fine, but Kato did a lot of crazy shit, and he isn't doing great," Gareth answered. "We think he needs a healer."
"Go back further. We'll blow the rest of this out," Dunkan called. "Then we can get Sif and Syn to see Kato."
Gareth backed off around several bends in the tunnel. He could feel the blast of wind and the sand it carried with it. "Where is Kato?" Sif asked as she walked up next to him.
Gareth led the teams down the tunnel to the village. "They should be in here," he said as he opened the door. His eyes widened. "Bill?" he said. Bill didn't respond. He was still sitting against the wall holding Kato up.
"Don't touch them?" Sif said. "Something is going on here. You don't want to end up like them, do you?"
Gareth backed away. No, he didn't want to end up like them. "What is wrong with them?" he asked.
"I don't know yet," Sif said. "Hopefully we can figure it out. How about you go outside and tell Syn and Vekk exactly what happened down here."
Gareth nodded. He would do that though he had a feeling that his knowledge of recent events wasn't going to help much.
Day Unknown. Year Unknown.
Bill sat up slowly. His head hurt. He looked around. Trees surrounded him. 'Where am I?' he asked himself. He had been with Kato Peverell and Gareth Wild stuck in a temple away from the rest of his team. This was not a temple. He stood up slowly and looked around. He saw the glimmer of water between the trees. With no other landmark, he headed towards the water.
It was a beautiful lake. To the north lay mountains clad in snow. Bill wondered how he had gotten there. He saw a splash in the water and for a moment he thought it was just a fish. He walked closer along the shoreline to get a better look.
A woman got out of the water. Her long brown hair covered her chest but it was clear enough that she wasn't wearing anything.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"William Weasley," Bill answered.
"William," she said almost like she was tasting the name. "Did you know that it's a mess in here William?" she asked.
"A mess?" Bill asked. He looked around. Things looked pretty peaceful to him. He looked back at her. He blinked a few times. She had pointed ears. She wasn't human. "Where are we?" he asked.
She laughed as she walked up on shore. "Don't you know that?" she asked.
"I know where I was," Bill said. "But I have never seen this place before."
"And you will never see a place like it again," she said. "Since this place isn't real."
"What do you mean," Bill asked. It felt real. He could smell and feel. There was a slight breeze that ruffled his hair.
"Aren't you cute," she said. "No wonder Kato thinks you are no threat to him."
"You know Kato?" Bill asked.
"Of course, I know Kato," she said. "Everyone here knows Kato. This is his mind after all."
Then it clicked for Bill. Kato had grabbed onto him and something had happened. He must have somehow been brought into Kato's mind. He looked over at the woman. "Then who are you?" he asked.
"A memory," she said. "I'm the memory of his beloved, Rhavaniel."
"You made the Cure for the Werwolves?" Bill asked. He recognised the name. Kato had told him that.
Rhavaniel chuckled. "That would be me," she said. "Maybe you are sharp enough to help him after all."
"Help him with what?" Bill asked.
Rhavaniel shrugged distractingly. "His mind is a bit chaotic right now. The Hist messed him up even though it didn't mean to," she said. "You will have to put him back together."
"Why me?" Bill asked.
"Why you as in why not me?" Rhavaniel asked. "Or why you as a spoiled child who doesn't want to do their chores?"
"The first one I guess," Bill said. "Since the answer to the second probably is that I was the only person he trusted enough to let me in here at least that was nearby."
"I'm not real," Rhavaniel said. "What needs to be done I cannot do even if I feel real to you I'm only a fragment of the real Rhavaniel. I'm only Kato's memory of Rhavaniel and his memory is good, but he didn't know everything there was to know about me."
Bill nodded slowly. "Where do we start?" he asked.
"In Lakeview Manor where he used to live," Rhavaniel said. "Kato came to Skyrim as a child and grew up here with several people who care deeply about him. Out of the people that truly matter I was the last one he met. That is why I am the first you meet. I am not as intertwined with his memories as the rest of them."
Rhavaniel wrapped herself up in a cloak and the next time Bill looked at her she was dressed in armour very similar to Kato's armour. They reached a house up on the hill surrounded by trees. It was a sturdy building made of logs. The windows were small and there was a smoking fire pit nearby with an anvil and other items Bill assumed a Blacksmith might use.
"The pleasure is all yours," Rhavaniel said as she reached the door.
"Will I have to fight?" Bill asked.
"If you do, I'm right here and I will help. Kato does not want to see you dead," Rhavaniel said.
"That is reassuring?" Bill said. He pushed the door open and walked inside. Nothing looked strange. He walked further in. To his right, he saw something that resembled an oven. He opened a door to the left and found a greenhouse.
Then he heard something. It sounded familiar.
Bill looked up at the ceiling. His eyes narrowed as he saw something move. Was that a… dragon? He walked over to the staircase and headed up slowly. Charlie always said you had to be careful with dragons. He doubted little ones like Qozul were any different. "Hey little guy," he said calmly. "I want to help you." He sat down on the landing and watched as the little black and green dragon climbed around on the chandelier that hung down over the kitchen table. Bill sat and spoke to the dragon for a while before he scooted over to the stairs and headed down to the kitchen. Maybe there was something in there that the dragon would like to eat. He found some fruit and some dried meat. He headed back up and sat down. "Hey little guy, would you like some food?" he asked. He held the meat out towards the dragon.
The dragon stopped climbing and looked over at Bill. It moved closer and sniffed the air.
"Come on little guy," Bill said softly.
The dragon made a noise that sounded like it was saying something.
"It's fine," Bill said. "I'm not going to hurt you," he said.
"Zeymah," the dragon said and it lifted from the chandelier and flew to the railing that Bill was sitting by.
If Bill wasn't mistaken that meant brother. He didn't know very much Dragon-tongue, but he had picked up a little from his time with Qozul and Kato. He gave the meat to the dragon and watched it consume the food. The little dragon flew over to Bill and said something else. "I'm sorry I don't understand you," Bill answered. He stood up slowly, but the dragon seemed happy where it was so it didn't move. Bill took a look around the rest of the house, but he couldn't find anything.
When he got back outside he found Rhavaniel still standing there. "Oh, you found Krinahkro," she said.
"Is that his name?" Bill asked.
"It is," Rhavaniel said.
"I'm guessing I was supposed to find him," Bill said. "There was nothing else in there that seemed important right now."
Rhavaniel smiled. "How about we ask Krinahkro where we need to go next," she said before looking at the dragon and asking it something in Dragon-tongue.
Krinahkro took off from Bill's shoulder and started flying away. "I guess we follow him," Bill said. He was already moving and Rhavaniel was following. "Where do you think he will lead us?" Bill asked.
"I have no idea," Rhavaniel said. "It should be somewhere important to Kato, but I don't know what exact moments the Hist might have touched upon."
Bill nodded.
Day unknown. Year unknown.
Bill wasn't sure how long they had travelled or how far they had gone. It all felt like a blur to him. All he knew was that without magic he would be very cold right about now. It was snowing heavily. The snow beneath their shoes crunched as they walked.
"There is a barrow up ahead," Rhavaniel said. "Maybe that is where Krinahkro wants us to go."
"Let's hope it is," Bill said. His breath came out as white vapour. "For being in his mind this feels very real," he said.
"Kato is a Master of the Mind and this is his mindscape," Rhavaniel said. "He likes that it is realistic."
"It would be amazing if we weren't freezing right now," Bill said. He dusted the snow off himself as he entered the barrow. "So this is a grave?" he asked.
"Yes an old Nord named Yngol was buried here," Rhavaniel said.
"Should I worry about undead?" Bill asked.
"Barrows usually have them," Rhavaniel said. Then she smirked. "Why? Are you scared?" she asked.
"Not necessarily. I'm wondering two things: if I blast them to shreds will that hurt Kato? And will they stay dead if I blast them?" Bill asked. After the necromancer, he wanted to know what his options were.
"You cannot hurt Kato by attacking the monsters in here," Rhavaniel said. "And yes, unless there is a necromancer involved, things tend to stay dead if you kill them."
"Good to know," Bill said.
"And no there is no necromancer in this barrow," Rhavaniel said.
Bill sighed. "Hey!" he called out as little Krinahkro took off from his shoulder and chased after a ball of glowing light. "Little guy, wait," he said. He drew his wand and headed after the dragon. This time Rhavaniel didn't leave his side. She was following him closely as they ran through the frozen corridors. Bill heard the draugr before it appeared and sent off a blasting hex in its direction.
"Now that's it," Rhavaniel said. "You do have it in you." She charged a ball of lightning and threw it at a group of undead that came their way.
"You think that killing things is good?" Bill asked.
"Rather I think it is good that you are capable of defending yourself and the people around you. It would be sad if that cute blonde girl was to die because you can't raise your wand to defend her and yourself," Rhavaniel said. She threw a bunch of skeletons back against a wall and they shattered.
Then they heard a scream in terror.
Bill started running. He had lost sight of Krinahkro some time ago. He hoped that the little dragon was alright. He rounded a corner and saw someone running ahead of him. Judging by their height he would guess it was a child. He blasted another draugr back and followed the child. No matter how fast he ran he couldn't seem to catch up. If he had to guess he would assume that it had been the child's scream he heard earlier.
There was another scream and Bill threw a door open. The monstrous form of a man was fighting a creature that Bill had never seen before. A long tail swished behind them. Big pointed ears rose from their hair. They ended up opposite Bill and he stared at the humanoid-looking cat.
"This one could use some help, human," they said irritably.
Bill shook himself out of his confusion and raised his wand. He considered what to cast for a second before throwing out a body bind and a blasting hex. Rhavaniel entered the room and joined in the fight. The monstrous man slammed his enormous axe through a wall as he turned around and focused on Bill. Bill moved out of the way as the axe slammed down where he had stood only moments earlier. He drew runes into the air and overcharged them before sending the whole thing off. Normally that wouldn't have worked so effectively, but he guessed that the rules were a little different in Kato's mind.
Rhavaniel cast a torrent of fire at the man and the cat jumped up and rammed their daggers into his shoulder. Bill sent off a cutting curse and sliced his throat. The giant of a man went up in smoke.
As the smoke cleared, Bill thought for a moment that he saw a familiar young teen leaning over the body of a woman, but they were gone too fast for him to be sure.
"So this is the one that has come to help Harry-ma," the cat-woman said as she walked up to Bill.
"It would seem that way," Rhavaniel said.
"This one is Naya-ko. Who are you and what are you to my Harry-ma?" Naya asked.
"I'm William or Bill," Bill said. "And I guess I'm Kato's friend." He was a little confused. Why was Naya calling him Harry and not Kato? "My girlfriend is a very good friend of his." He hoped that was a good enough answer.
"Bill's mate is Fleur-la," Rhavaniel said.
Naya's eyes widened for a moment then she nodded. "Then this one understands better," she said. "Naya-ko will help you restore Harry-ma."
"Thank you," Bill said. He scratched his head feeling rather embarrassed to ask, but he had to, "What are you, Naya-ko?"
Naya blinked in surprise. "Naya-ko is a Khajiit," she said. "Khajiit is a beast-folk of Nirn. We were here before the elves and men."
"Nirn?" Bill repeated confused.
"This planet is Nirn. The country is Skyrim and currently, you are in Eastmarch Hold," Rhavaniel said. "The big city of this Hold is Windhelm and it isn't that far from here."
"I guess it is up to you where we go next," Bill said as he looked at Krinahkro. The little dragon flew over to a door and they all followed after it.
8th of July, 1996.
Sif and Syn came walking out of the hut they had placed Bill and Kato in. Neither man had moved since they arrived. They were both breathing normally and from what they could tell there was nothing wrong with them. They just wouldn't wake up.
"So we think the tree did something to them?" Dunkan asked.
"The Hist might have but only if they drank sap," Sif said.
"Well, Kato drank from it. The ghost Argoinian gave it to him," Gareth said.
"Then I would say he probably isn't in any danger," Sif said. "If a Tree Mender offered him sap they probably knew what they were doing."
"What if we took down the tree?" Vekk asked.
"Then they could very well die," Sif asked. "We don't know what connection they have with the tree. Cutting it down would do more harm than good."
"I'm pretty sure Kato worked rather hard to heal it," Gareth said. "If nothing else he would be pissed if you cut it down."
"I guess we'll just have to wait and see then," Jora said.
Day unknown. Year unknown.
Bill looked in awe at the view from the mountain. When they had first reached the Throat of the World, he had looked upon the mountain with dread. The idea that they had to climb it was not appealing to him in the least. Now that he stood before the doors of High Hrothgar he was glad he had done it.
Naya and Rhavaniel were pretty good company. Though he was still confused about the whole Harry and Kato thing. Rhavaniel said Kato and Naya said Harry. Asking them about it didn't help either. The only thing that Bill was certain of was that Kato and Harry were the same person.
"Now we just have to go the last bit," Rhavaniel said. "I'm guessing we're here to see Paarthurnax."
"Sounds good to me I guess," Bill said. "At least as long as we're not fighting him."
"Nah, Paarthurnax is friendly enough," Rhavaniel said.
"This one thinks dragon could fly down the mountain instead of Naya-ko having to climb up," Naya complained. "Naya has no wings but dragon does."
"Dragons won't make life more convenient for you, Naya," Bill said. "They don't work that way."
"Bill-jo is as mean as dragon," Naya said. "Poor Naya's fur is all wet."
High Hrothgar was an intimidating building, but it was empty of life.
"I guess Kato decided he would rather not deal with the Greybeards," Rhavaniel said.
"This one found them rude," Naya said. "Good that Harry-ma didn't add them."
Bill studied the building as they walked through it. He might have preferred some people there. It was a little strange to have a building like this with no one in it. Imagine Hogwarts but empty. He didn't like it.
The courtyard was large and the wind swept over the ground pulling the snow with it. Bill wished he had a winter cloak with him. Spells were good in a bind, but clothes were still better. The little dragon looked at him and growled.
"What does he want?" Bill asked Rhavaniel.
"He points out that you never did ask," Rhavaniel said. "I don't know about what though."
"Can he read my mind?" Bill asked.
"Probably," Rhavaniel said. "Krinahkro is powerful. What did you want?"
"Winter clothes," Bill grumbled.
Krinahkro grumbled something and Rhavaniel laughed before walking back to High Hrothgar. She opened the door and pulled out three heavy winter cloaks. "I guess he provided for us," she said. She threw one over to Naya and handed one to Bill before wrapping herself up in the last one.
"Naya has forgiven Bill-jo for dragging her up the mountain now. This one likes the cloak, yes," Naya said. "Bill-jo has to remember that he can ask for things. Harry-ma has put a lot of trust in Bill-jo and with that trust comes power."
"I'll do my best to remember that," Bill said.
Krinahkro wrapped up in Bill's hood and looked out. It wasn't much further now and he was excited.
A heavy wingbeat was what first alerted Bill to the presence of a much larger flying creature than Krinahkro. He looked up and stared in awe at the large wyvern that was landing before them. When Krinahkro took off from his shoulder he almost tried to stop the little dragon. He didn't want anything bad to happen to him.
Krinahkro seemed unafraid, however. He flew up to Paarthurnax and landed in front of him. Paarthurnax leaned his head back and roared to the sky. Then it was little Krinahkro's turn and as he drew in a breath to roar he seemed to grow larger. He roared and Paarthurnax faded away.
"I hope that made sense to someone," Bill said.
"Krinahkro has found a piece of himself. He is on his way to being restored," Rhavaniel said simply.
"I will assume that is a good thing," Bill said.
"This one thinks Bill-jo doesn't know Harry-ma as well as he should," Naya said. "Krinahkro is Harry-ma."
Bill looked down at the little dragon who now was the size of a larger dog. "This is Kato?" he asked just to clarify.
"Yes," Rhavaniel said. "Kato is a Dragonborn. That means he was born with the soul of a dragon. Krinahkro is his true name. The human that you see may be nothing but a shell. We are not sure."
Bill shook his head in confusion. Hopefully once they had restored Kato he could explain this to him. He looked down at the dragon again. "I guess we're heading back down now," he said.
Krinahkro flapped his wings and took to the sky.
"Naya-ko is very disappointed in Harry-ma," Naya muttered. She really didn't like the snow. Why did it have to snow in Harry's mind? That made no sense to her.
Day unknown. Year unknown.
Bill started at the heavy metal doors of a Dwemer ruin several days later. They looked familiar to him, but he couldn't quite put his finger on why. According to Naya and Rhavaniel, they were going down into Blackreach. It didn't sound like a pleasant place. He was starting to worry. He had no concept of time passing outside of Kato's mind. How long had he been in there? As far as he knew the only way to get out was to put Kato back together though so he guessed he would do his best.
"This way William," Rhavaniel called. She was standing next to what Bill could only describe as an oversized birdcage. She opened it up and stepped inside.
"Where is Naya?" Bill asked.
"Oh, she went on ahead. At least Blackreach is out of the cold," Rhavaniel said. She pulled the lever in the middle of the platform and it started moving. Krinahkro wrapped around Bill almost protectively. Not that Bill was sure who Krinahkro was trying to comfort Bill or himself. He had realised as they travelled with Krinahkro that even if he was supposed to be Harry or Kato. He acted more like an animal. So he guessed that the dragon represented a more animalistic instinct than Kato himself. To be honest, all the different names were just very confusing.
Bill drew in a sharp breath as he laid his eyes upon Blackreach for the first time. It was beautiful. The cave ceiling above looked like it was filled with stars and large glowing mushrooms grew like trees illuminating the path below them.
"Everything down here wants you dead," Rhavaniel said calmly as they walked. "Don't hesitate to attack if you see something."
They joined Naya further up the road and the four of them continued together. A large buzzing insect of some kind appeared from nowhere but Krinahkro launched himself at it and tore it apart.
"Now dragon is useful at least," Naya said.
"Do you really want to say that so he hears you," Bill said.
"Krinahkro-do wouldn't hurt Naya-ko," Naya said.
A strange feeling settled in Bill's stomach as they kept walking. He wasn't sure what it was. As they came closer to the big city that seemed to dominate the centre of Blackreach, he felt more and more uncomfortable. His heart pounded in his chest and his ears buzzed. They walked through an arch as they entered the city and Bill looked up. There was someone hanging from the top of the arch. He took a few steps back again just so he could see what it was. He presumed that it was another Khajiit. Were they alive or dead? Bill couldn't be sure.
"Took ya' long enough," the Khajiit that hung from the arch called down. Then they gracefully lifted themselves up and somehow managed to free themselves before climbing down the arch and landing next to Naya.
"This one is not amused Rashall-dar," Naya said. "Why would Rashall-dar hang from chains? Makes no sense to Naya-ko."
"I think it makes perfect sense," Rhavaniel said. "He probably stole something and they discovered him."
"Rashall-dar would never let them catch him," Naya said. "Rashall-dar could steal your teeth and you wouldn't know until you wished to bite something, yes."
Bill was staring at them. Was he hearing correctly? Was this man a thief? What type of people did Kato know?
"So who're ya'," Rashall said as he turned to Bill. "Ya' here to hurt Harry-ma? I'll gut ya' where ya' stand ya' know. No one hurts me cub and gets away with it."
"William is here to help," Rhavaniel said before Rashall could really get started. They didn't want to scare the poor human off after all. He wouldn't be of much use if he was hiding in a corner.
"If yar sure Rhavaniel," Rashall said. "I'll still poison his ass if he hurts Harry."
Rhavaniel rolled her eyes. "He can't really hurt you," she told Bill. "How about we keep going? I'm pretty sure that the mangy cat is what we came here for."
"Ey, who're ya' callin' mangy?" Rashall said. "Ya' silly tree-hugger."
They were walking as they argued until suddenly Bill stopped. The strange feeling he had been having was stronger now, and it wasn't just a feeling anymore. He could hear the drums now. He turned around slowly. Every single way out was blocked. The square they stood in looked more and more like an arena. Then the walls started crawling.
"Falmer!" Rhavaniel shouted.
Rashall drew his weapons and Naya fished out daggers from somewhere. Bright fire gathered in Rhavaniel's hand and Bill wasn't quite sure what to do. He drew his wand. Did they really have to fight? Wasn't this the Falmers' home? They were the intruders, right? He watched the strange humanoid creatures come closer. They just needed to get out of there. He pointed his wand at the ground and started drawing runes.
"William!"
Bill looked up as Krinahkro slammed a Falmer out of his way.
"What are you doing you damn turnip?" Rhavaniel shouted.
"I'm setting runes that will put these things to sleep," Bill responded. "We can't fight forever."
Rhavaniel moved closer to Bill. "I guess you have a point," she said. "Krinahkro and I will have your back while you finish that." She lifted her staff. Lightning danced over the sky and struck down amongst the Falmer. Krinahkro breathed fire as the Falmer got closer. Then he stomped down on one of the runes.
Bill tapped the other end of the sequence.
"Naya! Rashall! Get back here!" Rhavaniel shouted. "We're getting out." She threw out a cloud of smoke and Bill activated the runes.
"Scale the walls?" Rashall asked.
"Or go through them," Bill said. He cast a blasting curse at one of the walls. It exploded in a cloud of debris. They rushed through and headed towards the closest elevator.
10th of July, 1996.
Sif sighed as she settled down next to Bill and Kato's beds. She was worried for them. If they didn't wake up soon, she wasn't sure they would ever wake up. Whatever had happened between them had linked them together. She hoped that Bill could manage. He was no healer, but she had a feeling that didn't matter.
"No change?" Syn asked as she walked into the hut.
"Not that I can detect," Sif said.
"They are strong for humans," Syn said. "They will be fine. Kato is quite special if I have understood it correctly. Madam Glint seems impressed enough with him. He must be good to heal a tree like the Hist."
"It looks beautiful," Sif said. "The tree is healthy and budding. The flowers will be lovely. I have seen Hist flowers before. They are some of the most beautiful flowers I have ever seen."
Syn looked down at Kato. "They will manage," she said. "They are capable young men."
Day unknown. Year unknown.
Bill looked up at the city that flowed out over the hills like a cake topped with the great hall Dragonsreach. They had passed this city on their way to Yngol Cave. It made Bill wonder why they hadn't just stopped by then.
A roar sounded from the Jarl's Hall.
"I guess we should get up there," Bill said.
"Usually the way it goes," Rhavaniel said. "Into danger. Unless you are a shivering skeever."
Bill rolled his eyes. He was getting used to the teasing by now. It wasn't so bad once he had realised that none of them were serious. He didn't understand the references sometimes, but he figured that didn't matter.
Whiterun was a bustling city with people moving about. "Hey Rhavaniel here to see Katla?" Jason called out as he waved.
Adrianne smiled and waved at them when they reached the old city. "Isn't Katla with you?" she asked.
"Isn't she up at Dragonsreach?" Rhavaniel asked.
Adrianne shook her head. "She left a few days ago. She hasn't come back yet as far as I know." She pulled a glowing red sword out of her forge.
"Sounds strange to me," Rashall said. "She usually wouldn't just leave without tellin' one of us about it."
"Maybe she is gone for the same reason as all the rest of you were in really strange places," Bill pointed out.
Rhavaniel had to work hard not to laugh. It was so obvious yet none of them had considered it. Both Naya and Rashall had been in places they did not belong, yet they expected Katla to be in Dragonsreach. It was quite foolish really. "Did she say where she was heading?" she asked Adrianne.
"North I think. Some cave was bothering her," Adrianne said.
Another roar cut through the air.
The towns' folk didn't seem to hear it. At least none of them reacted.
"If there is a dragon here?" Bill asked. "Is it dangerous?"
"It could be Odahviing," Rhavaniel said. "In that case, we're probably here so Krinahkro can meet him."
"Is he up at Dragonsreach?" Bill asked.
Rhavaniel nodded. "You should pay attention while we go up there though. Whiterun was the city that Kato spent time in. This place has changed because of him and with his help," she said.
Bill did his best to pay attention as they walked up the road. His eyes followed a blonde woman as she passed him. She looked like she was wearing skins and half her head was shaved.
"Come on, lass. We need to get going!"
"Coming," Lucia called.
Bill looked back at the woman that the girl ran up to. She was huge and looked rather terrifying. She looked like an orc. Or at least what he might imagine an orc to look like.
"Lucia-la was a beggar. Harry-ma and Katla-ra helped her find an apprenticeship," Naya said.
"Hey, Lars want to see what's going on by the old guard tower?" Nelkir asked. "Father needs someone to take a look and the guards are busy."
"Oh, I'm in."
"Hey Braith," Nelkir said. "Sure I could use your help. Frothar is stuck doing some boring Prince stuff with father."
"Nelkir is the younger of High King Balgruuf's two sons," Rhavaniel said. "They saw Kato as their older brother. Nelkir especially learnt a lot from Kato."
"This is as close to reality as he can make it, isn't it?" Bill asked.
"As far as I know," Rhavaniel said. "But I'm just a figment of his imagination so who knows? Maybe it was nothing like this."
Bill's head hurt. It was impossible for him to keep track of everything. This world was wondrous and beautiful and deadly. He would have loved to travel there, but doing so in someone else's mind was very confusing.
Dragonsreach was empty much like High Hrothgar had been. It was even spookier there since the town had been so full of life. They moved up the stairs and headed out on the patio. Krinahkro rushed forward towards the much larger dragon.
Odahviing roared.
Krinahkro lifted his much smaller form and roared in response. He grew once more. He was taller than Bill now. Odahviing took off and something changed.
Krinahkro walked up to the railing. "Grind… meet me outside the city," he said.
As Rhavaniel pulled the door to the interior of Dragonsreach open, they could hear people moving about. It seemed like the inhabitants of the Hall had returned. Balgruuf was standing with his back to them as they entered.
"High King Balgruuf where has your Queen run off to?" Rhavaniel asked.
Balgruuf turned around. His sword was halfway drawn, and he didn't look particularly happy. He relaxed when he saw who was standing there. "Katla went to deal with wolves or some such. The messenger that asked for her aid wasn't that well put together," he said. "He might even be in town still if you are lucky." He sighed heavily and looked back at the map. "We're getting disturbing news from Solitude. The dead seem to be crawling out of their graves. I can't even get word to the city."
Rashall and Naya looked at each other. Necromancers, wolves and a cave. If they put all of that together it made Potema the Wolf Queen. Had she come back somehow? "We need to get to Solitude," Rashall said.
"I take it that whatever is going on there is bad," Bill said.
"Necromancer Queen," Naya said. "We have to stop her."
"I have a bad feeling about this," Rhavaniel said. She looked at Balgruuf who took on a pained expression. He sighed heavily.
"Do what needs to be done," he said. "That is what Katla would want."
It was a very grim group that left Whiterun. Bill was wondering if they really had to be so worried. This was all in Kato's mind and he had a feeling he was the one that needed to remember that even if Rhavaniel had been reminding him countless times already.
Day unknown. Year unknown.
Dragonsbridge bound the gap of the Karth River far below it. The old bridge had stood for many a century connecting the peninsula of Solitude with the rest of Skyrim. The sky was darkened and the air stood still. The village seemed empty as the party of adventurers approached. Yet there was a strange feeling in the air that had their hair stand on end.
"This one hates this," Naya hissed. "There could be stinky dead behind every turn."
"Dovah Queen is in pain," Krinahkro said softly. "She is calling for Krinahkro."
"Please don't listen to her," Bill said. "She is not herself right now and we have to figure out a way to heal her."
"Not fight?" Krinahkro asked, surprised.
Bill shook his head. He had a feeling that fighting was not really the answer. Senseless death and destruction would not heal Kato's mind despite all of his companions being rather quick to kill anything in their path. He did his best to freeze and stun enemies rather than kill them. They moved up the path to Solitude as quickly as they could through the hordes of skeletons.
Bill tried his best to not pay attention to them. They needed to stop this from happening, and he was trying to figure out how to do that.
"Krinahkro," Bill said. "We need to get up there."
Krinahkro looked at Bill. "And leave pack behind?" he asked. He looked unwilling. "To help Dovah Queen. I will do it."
Bill climbed up on Krinahkro's back. "We're going to try to get into the Castle," he told Rhavaniel and the others.
"You go ahead and do that," Rhavaniel said. "I'm about to let loose on these turnips. I need all of you to not be here when I do."
"Then Naya and I'll head off too," Rashall said. "We'll infiltrate."
Krinahkro took off and flew in towards the Blue Palace. He weaved through the air as it got colder around them. Bill drew his wand and sent out his patronus. His golden lion rushed out and attacked some wraiths.
"Head hurts," Krinahkro said.
"Hold on Krinahkro," Bill said. "We'll make it through this."
Krinahkro pulled his wings in and they sailed in towards the courtyard like an arrow. He caught them last second and landed heavily on the cobblestone.
"Have you come to join me?"
Bill turned towards the voice. A beautiful woman stood at the centre of the courtyard. Long blonde hair flowed around her and her eyes looked like the sunrise. Her pale skin seemed to glow like the moon and she was holding a hand out invitingly. "Just take my hand, brave knight," she said. "I can make you happier than you could ever imagine."
"Who are you?" Bill asked.
The woman smiled. "I am Potema, Queen of Skyrim," she said. "Will you be my knight, brave one? Many foes come here to hurt me. Please defend me."
Krinahkro roared in pain. He took a heavy step forward. He looked like he was fighting some unseen force that was pressing down upon him. He roared in pain and his scale started changing. His wings had holes torn through them and he breathed out a puff of fell flame.
Bill pointed his wand at the ground. Whatever magic this woman had she had hurt Kato badly. She held a lot of power even here in Kato's mind, but Bill was Kato's chosen champion. No one held as much power as he did right then and there. He activated his runes as undead moved up towards him. Then he pointed his wand at Potema.
"You don't want to hurt me," Potema said sweetly. "I'm just a poor innocent girl."
Bill felt his arm start to fall. "Kato right about now would be good," he choked out.
Krinahkro roared in pain and collapsed on the ground.
Bill felt a hand on his shoulder. He dared to look away from Potema.
"You can do this," Fleur said. Her silver-blonde hair shone in the light from the full moons. "Kato believes in you."
"Oh, we're not giving in," "Here, bro. You better," "keep fighting. You hear," Fred and George said as they appeared.
Next to them both Hermione and Neville showed up. "Harry does not stand alone you foolish cretin," Hermione said. She raised her wand. "We know he is tougher than that."
Bill looked around him.
Kato.
Harry.
It was Harry Potter.
How?
Bill had considered it for a moment as he travelled with Rhavaniel and Naya and Rashall, but it sounded so impossible.
"You'll regret this false Queen," Glint said as she appeared with a whole squadron of goblins. "We are Clan Alfknif and you have attacked one of our own."
Potema laughed harshly. "You fools," she said. "You can never win. I am the Wolf Queen and now I can command dragons."
"No," Bill said.
"You dare oppose me, you worm," Potema said.
"I do. I will not allow you to control any dragons," Bill said.
"Try to stop me," Potema said. "Krinahkro rise and devour."
Bill looked down at Fleur. "Help him," he said. "I'm going to take care of her."
Fleur nodded. She rushed over to Krinahkro and knelt next to his head. Hermione sat down next to her. Others gathered around them.
Potema laughed once more. Fools, the lot of them. What did they think they might be able to accomplish? She was all-powerful.
…
"Sif something is happening!" Syn screamed.
Sif ran into the hut where Bill and Kato lay sleeping. Kato's skin looked grey and flaking. His eyes had sunken into their sockets.
"When did this happen?" Sif asked.
"Just now. I turned around for a moment and when I looked back he was like that."
Sif weaved her magic around Kato. His vitals looked good so he wasn't in immediate danger, but he still looked awful. She looked over at Bill. He seemed to be fine so she wasn't too worried.
She scanned Kato again just to make sure that her first findings were correct.
"Sif…" Syn said.
"Yes, Syn?"
"Mr Weasley is glowing."
…
Bill rushed up to Potema. He cut runes into her chest and raised a shield as she threw lightning at him. He activated the runes.
Potema's chest started to glow. "Is this the best you can do?" she asked mockingly.
Bill stunned a group of undead. "You assume that I wished to harm you. That was not my intention," he said as he twirled his wand.
"Your turn Krinahkro," Hermione shouted. She was riding on the back of the still necrotic dragon with Fleur right behind her. They looked like goddesses out of some fantastical play. With their hair glowing and bright flowy
Krinahkro jumped into the air and slammed into Potema. Blinding light filled the courtyard. Bill covered his eyes until the light dissipated. As he lowered his arm Krinahkro was gone. Instead, there was a woman with golden brown hair and eyes like molten amber and a man with messy black hair and piercing green eyes.
Bill guessed the woman was Katla and recognised the man as an older version of fourteen-year-old Harry Potter, but exactly how that was possible still eluded him.
"I think it is about time we get rid of this parasite," Katla said. She drew a heavy sword almost as tall as her.
"I think you are right sis," Harry said. "I didn't even know I still carried a part of her within me. She certainly isn't welcome."
"She must have been lying in wait hoping to catch you in a weakened state," Katla said.
"Looks like she managed," Harry said.
"How about we deal with that then," Bill said.
"Bill," Harry looked like he didn't quite know what to say.
"After we've dealt with her," Bill said.
Harry gave a curt nod and took on a determined expression.
"You cannot win this time you, foolish child. I have dug my claws in too deep," Potema said.
"You are no deeper rooted than any of us," Rhavaniel said as she stepped out of a portal behind Bill. "The difference is that we are welcome here. You are not."
"The people that love me will never truly leave me," Harry said. "They are always with me."
Potema burst out laughing. "You do not stand a chance. I will crush you all," she cackled.
"No you won't," Hermione said.
"You see," "we're not so," "easy to get," "rid off," Fred and George said.
"This one knows Bitch Queen does not stand a chance," Naya said as she and Rashall showed up.
"Because wherever we are," Fleur said.
"We can stand together when needed," Neville said.
"And compared to all of us, you do not stand a chance," Tara-la said.
"You do not even exist," Potema said hauntingly.
"That may be true," Katla said. "But right now that doesn't matter. What matters is that Harry is real, and you are no longer welcome."
All around them, people started disappearing. Bill wasn't worried. This was something that needed to happen. In the end, it was just him, Harry and Potema left.
"Time for you to go," Harry told Potema.
The Wolf Queen shrieked as Harry cast her out.
Then everything was silent.
Bill turned to Harry. "That was quite the adventure," he said. "I'm glad it is over though."
"I was planning on telling you, you know," Harry said. "Once Fleur got here."
"She knows I take it," Bill said.
"Everyone you saw here either lives on Nirn or knows the truth about me," Harry said.
Bill nodded slowly. "I think I want to go back to my own body now," he said
Harry smiled. "That shouldn't be a problem," he said.