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-25th of the Last Seed, 4th Era 201-
The events after Mirmulnir had been slain by the other Dragon had been rather hectic for Rahgol, first he had to visit the Temple of Kynareth to get his wounds healed, then he was rudely awoken from his nap by the loud shouting of a group of old men on a mountain followed by being basically dragged up to Dragonsreach because the Jarl wanted to speak with him.
Balgruuf looked up upon Rahgol's approach. "What happened?! Is the Dragon dead? Is Irileth all right?!" He asked with concern.
"The Dragon's dead, don't worry and it turns out... I'm Dragonborn." Rahgol said with an exhale, still coming to terms with this discovery. It couldn't be true, it just couldn't.
"Dragonborn?" Balgruuf's eyes widened. "So it's true. The Greybeards really were summoning you."
"So it seems." Rahgol muttered, crossing his arms over his chest. He still had doubts, still had a hard time believing that he could be the Dragonborn, the so-called 'ultimate dragonslayer' that was worshipped by the Blades, and held the power of gods. And given his upbringing, it was hard to see any Dragon as a beat to hunt for sport."
"Regardless of this discovery, you've done a great deed for me and my city, Dragonborn." Balgruuf said, gaining Rahgol's attention once more. "By my right as Jarl, I name you Thane of Whiterun. It's the greatest honor that's within my power to grant. I assign you Lydia as a personal Housecarl, and this weapon from my armory to serve as your badge of office. I'll also notify my guards of your new title. Wouldn't want them to think you're part of the common rabble, now would we? We are honored to have you as Thane of our city, Dragonborn."
"I'm honoured." Rahgol said dryly, though Balgruuf didn't seem to notice.
"And also, you can purchase property in my city. There's a vacant house, Breezehome. It's yours if you want it." The Jarl said.
Rahgol contemplated it for a few seconds then nodded. "Sure. And I'd like the necessary essentials to make it look like an actual house which includes bedroom, guest bedroom, you name it.
Balgruuf nodded. "I will have Proventus see to it that all you require is put into your new home. Now, it may be best you meet with your new Housecarl before you set off for High Hrothgar."
Rahgol just grunted and turned to leave, walking down the steps towards the doors of Dragonsreach where he found a black-haired Nord woman in steel armour waiting for him.
"So, you must be Rahgol." Lydia stated.
"And you're Lydia." Rahgol returned.
"I'm assigned to protect you with my life, and I'm sworn to carry your burdens. Is there something that I need to carry?" She asked in an unenthusiastic voice.
"Can you fight?" Rahgol asked, not really caring about what her responsibilities as his Housecarl were. If she can fight then that was good enough for him.
His question did make Lydia perk up. "I'm trained in sword and shield fighting, but I've also learned the basics of archery." She answered, getting a small smile out of Rahgol.
"Good, we'll see how good you are on the way to Ivarstead." He replied, getting a slightly confused look from Lydia. "Oh, have you not been told? Well, just in case you haven't I'll tell you the full story: You see, I happen to have powers that allow me to eat Dragon souls and shout very loudly; as a result of this, a group of old monks have summoned me to their monastery on a mountain to learn more about my gift and so I have to go to Ivarstead to climb said mountain."
"You are very bad at explaining things." Lydia deadpanned after a moment of silence.
"It's one of my better qualities." Retorted Rahgol with a smirk before he turned serious "Now, we need to spend the rest of the day preparing for our journey to Ivarstead, so I want you to go and buy what you believe to be enough supplies for both of us on this journey, then double it. Here's one thousand Septims to buy them with, also make sure to get the shopkeepers to write you a list on how much you've bought and what it cost."
"Why am I to get double the supplies necessary? Why are you giving me money for this and why do you want this list?" Lydia asked, bewildered at her Thane's odd requests.
"In order: I want you to get double to be sure that we don't run out of supplies, I gave you the Septims because this is my little journey that I'm bringing you along on, therefore it is my responsibility to fund it and I want the list so I know what we've got, how to ration it effectively and how much to reimburse you if the cost of supplies is more than I gave you." Rahgol answered before he shot her a look. "But don't you dare waste my money, otherwise this will be a very short partnership indeed!"
"Yes, my Thane." replied Lydia, backing up with a cold drop of sweat running down her brow. "Ah, what will you be doing all this time?"
"I'll be forging a new set of armour and weapons, mine got ruined in that fight with the Dragon." He said before handing her a key. "Don't lose that, it's your key to Breezehome and I won't pay to cut you a new one. You can stay in there for tonight if you'd like, then meet me at the Skyforge in the morning."
"Aye sir." Lydia responded with a mocking salute before the two parted ways to carry out their individual tasks.
-26th of the Last Seed, 4th Era 201-
The next day, Rahgol and Lydia completed their tasks. Rahgol went to the Skyforge and forged some new armour, which happened to be of Ebony design as Eorlund had some Ebony ingots to melt down and use to create the Ebony armour and weapons. It was an improvement from using Iron Armor and swords, so Rahgol had a full set of Ebony Armor, including the helmet, forged alongside a pair of Ebony Swords. He never really saw fit for a shield, though he could use one, but he preferred to have two blades rather than one to be honest.
After that, he met up with Lydia who had two boxes with the supplies they'll need as it was a few days ride to Ivarstead, four if they keep a good pace, and that's followed by going up seven thousand steps to reach the monastery.
Rather than take the long way, in which they'd need to go into the Rift and past Riften just to make for Ivarstead, they took a path that led to the ruins of Helgen. The once proud Imperial stronghold was now a bandit infested mass of crumbling walls and collapsing houses that the two warriors had to clear in order to continue on their journey. They had just reached a clearing where Rahgol dropped his bag to the ground and turned to Lydia.
"We'll set up camp here for the night. Stay here and guard the supplies while I collect some firewood." He said, making the Nord woman cross her arms and scowl.
"Why?" She asked, her question earning her a roll of the eyes from Rahgol.
"Because it's cold and I have no desire to suffer from frostbite." He answered rudely before a handful of snow hit him in the face courtesy of his irate Housecarl.
"Don't treat me like an idiot, what I wanted to know is why I'm guarding our supplies and not collecting firewood." She snapped back at him as her Thane brushed the snow off his face.
"Do you even know what to look for when gathering firewood? What will burn and what won't?" Rahgol asked with a glare, his question making Lydia falter and start to splutter. Rahgol smirked at her actions. "I thought not."
Rahgol left the spluttering Housecarl and began his search for firewood, attempting to find the driest branches he could, though the task was not easy as there was a recent layer of snow in the area, making the majority of the wood he found wet.
As he continued his search, he noticed that the various animals that called Skyrim home were nowhere to be seen: no rabbits darted through the grass, no foxes stalked the woods and no elks watched him from the safety of the trees. Even the more vicious predators like wolves and Frostbite Spiders were mysteriously absent as he trudged around the area.
Eventually the mystery was solved when he reached an area where the ground had been singed to black glass, the trees scorched and clawed and a half-eaten bear carcass left in the middle of this devastation. Rahgol raised an eyebrow as he observed the scene and turned to leave, but before he had taken too many steps, a voice rang out.
"You are either very brave or very stupid. Most joor would be screaming and fleeing towards the nearest settlement when they saw this." Rahgol turned back to the area, his eyes scanning it to find where the voice came from, until he located the source in a tree on the opposite side of the burned area to where he stood.
"And I doubt most mortals would have the chance to see a Dragon laying in a tree." Rahgol retorted as he stared at the speaker. A Dragon with red scales and piercing green eyes, its forelegs were wrapped around the trunk - claws dug into the bark – to give a bit more support to its back legs – which were clinging onto a particularly thick branch – and its wings, one of which was resting against the next tree.
"Aalkos." The Dragon said, the bulkier build and deeper tone of his voice identifying him as male. "Still, I question your survival instincts if you do not flee at the sight of a Dov, and witnessed the aftermath of his hunt."
"If you wanted to kill me, you would've done it already. But since you've been following and watching me, killing me is not what you're here for." Rahgol said calmly, watching as the red Dragon got off the tree, dropping a dead bear carcass.
"Kodaav?" The Dragon offered with a nudge to the carcass but Rahgol declined with a shake of his head. "Nid? Zos fah zey ruz."
"What do you want?" Rahgol demanded as the Dragon began tearing into the carcass. He looked up from the carcass, blood dripping from his mouth and he glared at the human.
"You dare make demands of a Dov? Truly you are as rude as my thuri described." Though the Dragon was glaring, his words had little actual anger behind them.
"I've heard worse comments that describe me. It's just the way I am." Rahgol said with a cold smirk.
"Zu'u zent gein voth zos. .. prudaaven ahrk honah do onikaan waan kuz ko ahrk wahlaan naal Paarthurnax." The Dragon commented, causing Rahgol's expression to darken slightly.
"How do you know that?" Rahgol asked with a growl. "I swear to the gods, if you or that black Dragoness have harmed him..."
"You'll do what?" The Dragon challenged. "The only reason you are not dead for being what you are is because of my thuri's interest and her intrigue about you. But I can't help but wonder why the old one would take you in, clearly he knew what you were from the beginning. How did you come across him?"
"That's none of your business." Rahgol growled, a sound that barely sounded human.
The red Dragon stared at him before he scoffed and gathered the bear carcass in his claw. He spread his wings, preparing to take to the skies. "Borii tiid mu tinvaak, Zu'u tovaak hi dahmaan hin staad ahrk ofan zey prudaav fir Zu'u los meyar ol Dovah."
With a mighty flap of his wings, the gust of wind throwing Rahgol off his feet, the red Dragon flew off into the air, leaving a very annoyed Dragonborn to sit up and glare at the Dragon until his form disappeared beyond the clouds.
"Fucking asshole..." He growled.
-31st of the Last Seed, 4th Era 201-
After his encounter with the red Dragon, Rahgol and Lydia had rested for a short period before continuing on to Ivarstead and then, High Hrothgar. After ascending the Seven Thousand Steps and facing off against a few hostile creatures that called the mountain home, the two stood outside the monastery that the Greybeards called home.
"So... you lived here?" Lydia asked, having once asked Rahgol about his past and he mentioned that he actually used to live at High Hrothgar since he was a child, at least until he left a few months back to begin exploring Skyrim and even all of Tamriel.
"I did." Rahgol said, staring up at the place that he once called home, and still does. A place that held better memories compared to some of the bad ones from before he came to be here. "A word of caution; be careful in here. Though they maintain neutrality in most affairs, the Voice of a Greybeard is still a highly dangerous thing, a whisper could kill us both."
Lydia nodded as the two entered. The doors closed behind them as four men walked into the halls, each wearing hooded grey robes with ornate patterns on them and each with a log grey beard. One walked in front of them and spoke to Rahgol.
"Rahgol, I see you have returned. We thought you'd be still exploring Skyrim or had crossed the border." He said. His voice – though quiet – was easily heard over the howling winds and contained some undeterminable quality that commanded respect.
"A lot has happened in recent weeks, Master Arngeir." Was Rahgol's simple response. "You know why I've come back."
Angrier didn't look surprised as he gave a nod. " You are answering our summons. But we must see if you truly have the gift, yet you do not know why nor understand the importance of your abilities. We aim to teach you this, though formalities must be observed first." He said, spreading his arms wide. "So, let us taste your Thu'um."
"FUS!" Came the shout from Rahgol, a blue shockwave emerging from his mouth and slamming into Arngeir, though the only thing it did was make the old man's robes and beard flutter in the wind created by the shout.
"Good, your blood is giving you an innate ability to focus words of Dovahzul into a Thu'um, though your Shouts are admittedly lacking in power. This shall come to you with time and experience." Arngeir said as he dropped his arms back down to his sides again. "You have proven that you are Dragonborn and your training will begin, but the hour grows late so we will begin your training tomorrow at sunrise. I'm sure the two of you would like to rest after your journey here."
"Will bor- I mean, Master Paarthurnax be joining us?" Rahgol asked as Arngeir gestured to him and Lydia to follow him further into the monastery. The black-haired Nord woman glanced at Rahgol, having noticed his slip up as well as a shine of hope in his eyes at seeing whoever this Paarthurnax is.
"No. Shortly after you left, a blizzard has surrounded the top if the mountain, barring the way to Master Paarthurnax and he has not come down since." Angrier said as he led Rahgol and Lydia to the sleeping quarters.
"Did... did something happen?" Rahgol asked with concern, which surprised Lydia.
"We are not sure... but I can only imagine that your departure had something to do with it." Angrier said, causing Rahgol to look surprise. "You were very close to him, after all. I cannot speak for him, but that is what I believe for his seclusion up there. When you can withstand the combined Voices of the Greybeards will you be allowed to ascend the mountain to speak with Master Paarthurnax, not before."
Rahgol sighed, and Lydia expected him to fight on this decision, but instead he just gave a nod. "Very well."
"Good. Now, here are your beds. I would suggest getting some rest as your training will not be easy." After saying this, the old man turned and left, leaving Rahgol and Lydia alone in the room. They deposited their bags and sat on their beds, Rahgol with a book and Lydia with a whetstone, sharpening her sword.
"So… who is Paarthurnax?" Lydia asked, breaking the silence that had fallen. Rahgol did not look up from his book but answered nonetheless.
"Paarthurnax is the grandmaster of the Greybeards. Very gifted with the Thu'um and master of The Way of the Voice." He answered, turning a page in his book.
"The Way of the Voice?" Lydia asked, her question making Rahgol glance up from his book.
"A set of beliefs created by Jurgen Windcaller. Simply put, it teaches that the Voice is a tool for enlightenment and worship of the gods. That it should only be used in True Need, rather than simply as a tool of war." He explained, Lydia gave a slow nod of understanding before asking the question that had been weighing on her mind.
"So, were you and this Paarthurnax… close?" In response, Rahgol looked at her blankly, then he closed his book and sighed while putting it on his bedside table.
"Yes. And still are, I hope." Rahgol said, his eyes turning unfocused, distant, faint. "See, if it wasn't for him... I'd probably be dead by now. Paarthurnax saved my life from a torment I experienced for the first seven years of my life. He took me in, brought me here, raised me like his own son. I am grateful for what he did for me, providing for me, protecting me. I never asked why, I just assumed he couldn't stand to watch a child be..." He shuddered slightly, inhaled deepky then exhaled. "Anyway, Paarthurnax taught me the Way of the Voice, and so much more. But I'll have to tell you more about that another time. I'm tired and need to sleep. I'd suggest you do the same, we have a busy day tomorrow."
"Yes, my Thane." Lydia replied as the two got out of their armour and extinguished the candles. Both fell asleep fairly quickly, their thoughts drifting to what the next day would hold.
And that's it for this chapter everyone. I hope you all enjoyed it, and the little insight into Rahgol's past. If you are familiar with this story, namely the last couple of versions and attempts, then you'll know what past Rahgol had. If you are new to this, you'll eventually find out, so to those who have read the past versions... don't spoil it for those who haven't read this.
Also, I need to ask, if I did have Rahgol access his Dragon form through a Shout, what could the words be? It would be a pretty powerful Shout for Rahgol to bring his Dragon form from dormancy and into physical being. Also, once he uses this Shout for the first time, should he be able to transform at will without having to always use the Shout to transform?
Dragon Tongue translator.
Aalkos: Perhaps.
Dov: Dragonkind
Kodaav? Nid? Zos fah zey ruz: Bear? No? More for me then.
Zu'u zent gein voth zos. .. prudaaven ahrk honah do onikaan waan kuz ko ahrk wahlaan naal Paarthurnax: I expected one with more... manners and sense of wisdom if taken in and raised by Paarthurnax.
Borii tiid mu tinvaak, Zu'u tovaak hi dahmaan hin staad ahrk ofan zey prudaav fir Zu'u los meyar ol Dovah: Next time we talk, I suggest you remember your place and give me proper respect I am owed as a Dragon.