The Tokers

Loading Screen… The Volkihar are a species of vampire in eastern Skyrim that live beneath the ice in ponds, only coming out to feed…

~OoOoO~

Whiterun's golden farmyards shined brightly under the rising sun. Sasha dragged his feet over the paved stones. The light wind played in his mind like a calm hymn. Crumbling structures and dolmen ruins littered around and a group of warriors battling a giant. Sasha ignored them as he trailed over to the stables. An influx of river water entered the city's sewer grates and a few orioles flew around. – The scenery of the city was also something to behold, even for Sasha. It adhered to a hill with large, surrounding walls, guard towers interspersed. Background nothing but golden wheatfields.

Sasha didn't realize a gloved hand was pressed to his chest.

"Huh?" He stared at the guard.

The law-enforcer wore some mixture of leather, fur, and steel. Chainmail underneath with animal skins on the back under a T-shaped helmet with a full view of the bearded Nord's face from behind his nose-guard.

"City's closed with the dragons about. Official business only." The guard stepped back a little.

"I've got news about the dragon attack," Sasha said lazily. "Riverwood sent me."

"Oh, the Jarl will want to see you then. In you go." The guard and his comrade pushed the gate open slightly and Sasha slipped through.

Rarely would he ever use this phrase to describe anything, but this place felt like home. Tan, wooden buildings with mosaics within the glass. Pockets of short, florid grass and a wide, stone path.

A Nord in Imperial armor was arguing with an Imperial woman in blacksmithing robes.

"We'll pay whatever it takes but we must have more swords for the Imperial soldiers," said the blond man.

"I just can't fill an order that size on my own. Why don't you swallow that stubborn pride of yours and ask Eorlund Gray-Mane for help?"

"Hah. I'd sooner bend my knee to Ulfric Stormcloak. Besides, Gray-Mane would never make steel for the legion," responded the blond.

"Have it your way. I'll take the job, but don't expect a miracle." The Imperial woman tied her hair back.

Sasha moved on, lost in thought as he observed the edifices of the street and market district. A few women were gathered around, either buying or selling. A stand full of vegetables, one with meats, and a last one with jewelry. Sasha rose the steps, passing the inn. A blooming cherry blossom tree in the center of the square.

A kid came up to him and started babbling about stuff until he said one line that caught Sasha, "people do what's in their will." Then the child sat down and started meditating of all things.

"What's your name?" Sasha spared an eye.

"Lars Battle-Born."

Sasha nodded and walked around the curve of the tree, seeing a Redguard couple arguing with each other.

"I know your family's sword is important to you. But we can't afford it."

Sasha halted when he saw the grandiose statue of Talos and the preacher in front of it, shouting to the people. Sasha shook his head in disgust and walked on up the staircase. – Dragonsreach was wide and spacious with pillars raising the vaulted ceiling. Tables were on either side of a great hearth and the Jarl sat on his throne in the center, a dragonhead screwed to the wall behind him.

Sasha removed his helmet and approached the Jarl.

"Who's this?" The Jarl said.

"My name is Sasha."

"Jarl Balgruuf, a pleasure to make your acquaintance, young man. Now, what brings you to my court?"

"I have information regarding the dragon attack on Helgen and the Burning of Bruma. They are linked." Sasha spared a glance at the Imperial steward and Dark Elven housecarl.

"Irileth, Proventus, Hrongar, with me and Sasha in Farengar's room. Now." Jarl Balgruuf stood up and the delegation was soon in the court-wizard's office.

Besides the court-wizard, there were some guards wearing ebony armor and two other people in the room. The guards were told to leave but the two people stayed. The first was an Imperial with brown hair and hazel eyes with tan skin and a thin goatee. The other was a Nord woman with white hair and green eyes, an athletic build.

"These are my thanes, Lucien Flavius and Alhana Courtea." The Jarl waved a hand over the two.

Sasha half-raised a hand in acknowledgement, not really looking at the thanes. The lady named Alhana, probably the same age as him, was eyeing him curiously. Sasha avoided her gaze and put his hands in his pockets.

"Now, Sasha, tell us everything," Irileth commanded.

This is my moment to get my foot in the door.

"The dragon that burned down Helgen burned down Bruma first. I know because I'm the only survivor. It killed my family, and it told me it was after me for reasons I don't understand. Then it tracked me down in Helgen and razed the village." Sasha quickly thought of a lie. "It said that I'm its kin or something?"

"Perhaps you could be Dragonborn?" Lucien instigated the inquiry.

"Don't be nonsensical, Lucien." Farengar waved the Imperial off. "Only those who wear the Amulet of Kings and prophecy the fates of men are Dragonborn."

The room had a desk with an alchemy table and enchanter's block in the room. A map of Skyrim with pillars fused to the wall next to peeling wallpaper.

"Don't forget the ability to shout," Hrongar added.

"Did Alessia, Reman, or Talos or their descendants shout much?" Alhana stepped in.

"Enough of this." Jarl Balgruuf held his hands in a stopping gesture to everyone. "Sasha, Alhana, Lucien, I want you to help Farengar with his project while Hrongar and Irileth will send troops to Riverwood and investigate Helgen and Bruma."

"Yes sir." They all nodded.

"Ulfric Stormcloak is dead," added Sasha.

The Jarl nodded and left along with Hrongar and Irileth. Farengar looked over at the three remaining. "There have been reports of a…" Farengar crunched his fingers in together and made some sort of shape with his hands. "Grey something."

"Grey something, huh?" Alhana crossed her arms and leant on one hip. "How informative."

"Yes, well, I've been doing some research and there is a prophecy written that details when certain events take place, an entity known the Stillborn will awake and it will be up to the Last Dragonborn to stop it." Farengar sifted through some books and scrolls on his desk, pushing aside a soul gem and set of mancala.

Lucien and Alhana glanced at Sasha.

I should pepper in some humility. They're more likely to think I'm Dragonborn if I'm humble.

"Relax guys, I don't think I'm the Dragonborn." Sasha hid his grin.

"Sounds precisely like something the Dragonborn would say!" Lucien pointed a finger in the air.

Alhana smiled at him but Sasha just slightly grimaced and shifted his attention toward the wizard.

"If these sightings of this 'greyness' are anything substantial, we should investigate. My research tells me the Elder Scroll of the Stillborn also known as the Elder Scroll of the Last Dragonborn or the Elder Scroll of Dragons was last seen with Boethiah. Her summoning circle is on the island of Roscrea, far to the north, just below Atmora. Are you three up to this momentous task? You will be rewarded handsomely of course." Farengar stared at them all gravely.

Sasha shrugged. "Sure."

Alhana raised her hand next. "I'm in."

"I won't be much help in terms of fighting, but I will be there too!" Lucien did a little tap-dance.

"Excellent." Farengar swept his robes off the floor in a single swish.

Maybe the Stillborn's a Daedric Prince?

Alhana approached Sasha. "Would you care to join Lucien and me at the Bannered Mare?"

Sasha froze. That's the first time a woman's ever asked me to join her.

"Yeah, sure," Sasha responded apathetically. He didn't allow any joy to enter his voice so the woman would not think he was too eager.

You can't trust her, Sasha.

Later, they were in the Bannered Mare. Alhana and Lucien were upstairs while Sasha had snuck into the cellar. – There were barrels and barrels of wine and mead. The smell was intoxicating. Sasha's horned helmet was off to the side. His bow was attached to the shelf and stretched back; an arrow aimed at the inside of his mouth. Sasha pulled back the bowstring, ready for its impact to pierce his skull.

He heard Alhana's laughter followed by Lucien's giggles resonating from the floor above.

I've made it this far, maybe I should just see this through to the other side, then I can kill myself.

He gently drew the bowstring to a close, coughing slightly.

Sasha trudged himself up the ladder and climbed into the inn. He walked into the center room with his hands in his pockets.

Alhana waved to him; her cheeks were red. "Drink with us!"

Sasha remembered the way Juliet had treated him. He was sixteen and she was the first and only girl he'd ever liked. But she didn't like him, had treated him like he was worthless. It was there and then he'd decided there was no such thing as love and vowed to stay away from women altogether. He'd never undergo that level of humiliation again.

The inn was warm and there was a mantle in the center with glowing embers. Sasha hid his rage as it burned inside him as red and as hot as the fire. If I'm really that repulsive, I'll just stay away from all of you.

He ignored Alhana and stepped outside instead. It hurt to be this cruel, but he couldn't risk the humiliation again. It was scarred on his soul.

Sasha walked around the water-well centered around the center of the square. He traced his way to the foot of the city, just outside and saw a group of Khajiit caravanners and Redguard nomads with shaved heads and big, ginger beards without the mustache. They were all smoking nirnroot out of pipes. Sasha sat down near one who looked different from the rest. The Redguard nearest him was half-Nibenese, with shoulder-length black hair, deep tan skin, dark-brown eyes, and wearing a yellow robe.

"Hi." Sasha waved slightly.

"Welcome, I am Yeshur Toker of the Toker clan. We are a group of nomads who smoke the astapara, the Nirnroot to connect with Anu, and his son Akatosh. Would you like to join us?"

Sasha sat down and took the full pipe from Yeshur and smoked it, inhaling thoroughly and exhaling. The Khajiit smiled as he coughed. Sasha felt a sense of elation, the world becoming soft. He laid down on the warm ground as the Tokers circulated their wisdom in hushed whispers near the fire.

Alhana and Lucien flooded into the direction of them. They sat down and started smoking nirnroot with them. Alhana's melodious laughter sang through the sky and Lucien was smiling ear-to-ear.

"Tell me about your religion." Sasha rolled his head to the side to stare at Yeshur.

"We travel all over Cyrodiil, Hammerfell, and Skyrim and collect the astapara. We believe not in violence but also advocate for native peoples to get their land back. The Reachmen, the Nedes, and more. We worship Anu and his son, Akatosh, and believe in maintaining our celibacy. We also fast most days."

"Interesting." Sasha scratched his chin. "Sounds a lot like my lifestyle. But how can you resist land-theft without violence, though?"

Yeshur looked at him and said, "with man this is impossible, but with Anu all things are possible."

~OoOoO~

A/N: So, Dragonborn don't absorb souls and shout a whole bunch in this version of events. They instead are like the Dragonborn of the Pre-Skyrim lore as Farengar described. Wanna leave a review? I know you do lol. I could use feedback on this so far. What do you think the Stillborn is?