Fredas, 10:01 AM, 14th of Sun's Dawn, 4E 202
"We looked everywhere, Akatosh. Where could he be?" Alduin asked as Akatosh rode on her neck in his Argonian form. She's been complaining about Diinmaar for the past few days now, and he can't stand it much longer. Their destination was at the top of the large mountain where Paarthurnax sat, teaching his new students, young dragons and mortals alike, the Way of the Voice.
"Have we checked Daggerfall?" Akatosh asked with a hint of annoyance as they continued to circle the mountain.
"Yes! The dragons there haven't seen him! We checked Daggerfall, here, Cyrodiil, the Rift, Coldharbour, Akavir, High Rock, Black Marsh, Elsweyr, Hammerfell, Morrowind, Summerset, Valenwood, Atmora, Yokuda, Pyandonea, Umbriel..." She yelled out all the places her forces visited. "...over the oceans, Cathnoquey, Esroniet, Roscrea, Thras, Yneslea, Aubis, the Outer Realms, THE VOID... Do you know how HARD IT WAS to get there? All that's left is Lyg, which I still can't get to because I don't know how to, AND YOUR realm! Diinmaar said something about Lyg a while back but... I don't know." She finished breathlessly, panting as she tried to catch her breath. She headed for the landing on the Throat to take a break from the endless flying. She landed a bit away from Paarthurnax so he could still teach. Alduin didn't fully agree with this at first but a certain Argonian popped up in her head and stopped her from torching the old dragon. She only sat in the snow in silence as tears slid down her muzzle and fell to the ground below. After a few moments of solemn silence, she finally spoke. "How did he even make such a Shout?" She whispered.
Talen-Jei looked to the sky and tried to remember the day his little boy came to him with a beaming grin on his little face. He held up a chicken and said it was Inigo. He didn't believe him at the time, even thought the chicken had blue feathers. He just assumed Diinmaar painted the chicken blue, but then he Shouted again and there Inigo was. Sheogorath was laughing behind them. That man may be mad, but he has a kind heart. Talen-Jei chuckled at the memories as he came back to reality. "His uncle, Sheogorath." Alduin by this time was only looking at the kids in silence when she looked up at him.
"Uncle?" She questioned with an unknowing gaze. He chuckled.
"Yes. Old Sheo was first forced by me to babysit Diinmaar when I needed to do my duties around the city. At first he was only doing it because I told him to. But in a very short time did he start to actually show a bit of... compassion, towards my son. Soon Diinmaar started calling him Uncle Sheo and it stuck from there." Talen-Jei looked out into the horizon in wonder. "It's amazing at what the powers of an innocent child can do to even the strongest and most evil of creatures..." He paused in thought. Then he shook his head to clear them. "But to answer your question... Sheogorath helped him along. Diinmaar was the one who made the Shout. Why? Trying to reverse its effects?"
Alduin didn't know what to think. It wasn't Sheogorath's fault because he was originally forced to do this. And he is considered her lover's uncle. But... She had the urge to kill, to slaughter, to maul and tear, but she just couldn't... wouldn't. If it weren't for Sheogorath... she would have never found the love of her life. If it weren't for Sheogorath... she would still be... a monster... a monster that Diinmaar would have killed. And that is something that she couldn't even think about. The prophecy stated the World Eater and the Dragonborn were destined to fight. It made her sick of just thinking of that. That wasn't Alduin. This is Alduin. That Alduin was only a power hungry shadow corrupted by anger and hate, betrayal and the urge for dominance. But she is more mature now. More wise. More⦠In love. With a person, an ideal and a goal. She could only give a brief smile at her new development.
"Thank you, Uncle Sheo." She whispered, trying the shortened name. Talen-Jei was surprised by Alduin gaining a true smile after so long that he gave her an equitable look, even if her smile was a brief one.
"Alduin... I th-"
He was cut off by a blue portal suddenly opening a few feet away from them. Talen-Jei, Alduin, Paarthurnax, and his students all watched the floating doorway to see what would come out of it. Or if anything does at all. "Master Paarthurnax? This one wonders what that is?" One of the young Khajiit students asked, pointing at the swirling vortex. The old dragon simply told them to get behind him, which they did. A few brave dragons and mortals readied their spells and claws for what's to come. Because nothing good ever comes from randomly appearing portals. Talen-Jei only watched on with curiosity and Alduin stood vigilant near it, waiting for any threat that may come out. But she heard something on the other side. It sounded like... screaming?
On the other side of it, a group of adventurers debated on traveling through. "Are you sure it's safe?" Husk asked while we talked as the others all stood at the edge of a portal that Tarvokus told me about.
"Yes. Tarvokus said this should bring us somewhere in Tamriel." I stated. Inigo didn't bother waiting so he jumped right in, screaming in excitement. Veezara shrugged and just fell face first into it. I looked at Husk and he looked at me.
"You first?" He gestured to it. Looking at the portal I gulped.
"Okay." I walked up to it and looked back at Husk who waved his hand for me to go. I rolled my eyes and took the plunge. My vision instantly filled with blue and white stripes and swirls.
"WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!" Inigo yelled in front of me. Veezara was flailing his arms around as he tried to steady himself, also screaming. Husk was behind also screaming.
"AH HA HA! KARMA!" I yelled at him and started to laugh as we flew through the portal.
Talen-Jei's eyes widened as he realized what this was. Acting quickly he motioned for Alduin to hide by pushing on her snout with both hands. She got the idea and looked around for a decent hiding spot, making up her mind on flying up to the peak of the mountain and looking over to see what's happening. Talen-Jei stood in front of the portal as four beings flew out of it. One landed in a snowbank not far from him, another landed in the middle of Paarthurnax's group of students who screamed and hid behind him. And the last two landed side by side at his feet. Both groaned in pain. Talen-Jei knelt down to one of them and shook his shoulder. He mumbled something but did not move. Talen-Jei shook him again. This time he looked up and he did not look pleased. He gave a sigh and let his head fall back down into the snow. "Why me." Came his muffled voice. Talen-Jei sighed and sat next to his son. Diinmaar tensed when he started rubbing his shoulder once he found a comfortable position in the snow.
Great. Out of all the places in ALL of Tamriel... I just HAD to be transported right back to Skyrim. Oh, no wait. Right next to my father. I think the other Eight hate me. I cannot be near him right now. I need time to recuperate. I'm going to head to Dawnstar and continue on my little vacation there. If I could even call it that.
Talen-Jei was still rubbing my shoulder like he always did when I was stressed. It always seemed to calm me down but now... It just feels... wrong. I heard him breath out as I moved away from him. Standing up and shaking the snow off of me, I was about to start my trek down the Throat but he stopped me. "Diinmaar." I heard him call out from behind. I ignored him and continued to walk away. "Diinmaar." He call me again a little louder this time. He sounded desperate. I didn't stop as I made my way around the bend and out off his sight. It wasn't long before I heard footsteps approaching fast from behind. It didn't surprise me that he'd be persistent. "Diinmaar!" This time he yelled. Still, I pressed on and picked up my pace down the mountain while he called out my name from behind. I almost made it across the small platform that led to High Hrothgar when he grabbed my shoulder and turned me around. "Dammit son, I'm sorry!" He pulled me in close and hugged me. Acting quickly, I pushed him away from me with force. He landed a few feet away on his back. I snorted and turning around and continuing on. This time, I never heard any footsteps, or him calling my name, or him trying to grab me. All I heard as I walked away were the birds and the wind. I wasn't ready.
A few hours later in Riverwood, Talen-Jei sat at a table and drank his problems away. Not that alcohol can affect him much. "...wonderful, I imagine." He was talking with an Argonian woman in the Sleeping Giant Inn just to pass the time. He was drinking some Argonian Bloodwine, strong stuff. "The weather's alright. Nothing to complain about." She continued. All he did was nod and lean on his hand on the table. She was a brown scaled Argonian. "And isn't that a wonderful thing? To be without complaints? I think it is something worth celebrating... I should know, I used to always complain about how my son would wander off pointlessly without direction. Now that I wonder in his stead, I see my folly. For the only way to find yourself is to lose yourself." The woman's name was Wonder-Lust. At least that's what she told him. Apparently she came here from Cyrodiil, the same as him. But she was running away from her problems back home, unlike him. "The name is apt, albeit it's never a good idea for Argonians to use that word." He replied. "I don't think my parents realized the implications. Lust for life and lust for adventure, they thought. It's a good thing I didn't become a maid, or else a noble might get the wrong idea!" She joked.
"What do you enjoy about Skyrim?" He asked her. Because he is surely not fond of this place. Bandits left and right, the freezing weather, racist Nords, the Civil War. His Daughter!
"It's difficult to choose, considering how much there is to love. I love trekking through the Pale, lapping my tail against beds of fresh snow. I love scaling the mountains of The Reach and looking down on the rivers and fords that give life to Lorkhan's Bones." Wow, okay. He's... never really thought about it like that before.
"Where else have you visited?" He asked. He was getting more and more interested the more she talked.
"I made the pilgrimage up the 7,000 steps and watched the sun as it drifted into the sea, glazing the sky in layers of magma. I traversed through the Fall Forest, and watched the open opera of leaves as they were led across the stage by the autumn wind. And when I look upon it all I feel nothing but warmth, even when people insist it's cold. Skyrim was the one place my son had never been. Which makes it all the more magical that we can see it together." How has she survived here all alone then? Only her and her son?
"Wondering can be dangerous. Have you considered wearing armor?" He questioned.
"It would likely be too much of a burden, given how old and frail I am, but I appreciate your concern. Besides, if you were a bandit clan, who would you consider a more appealing target, a sweet old farmer or a single soldier dressed in iron?" She had a good point, but this is Skyrim. Her logic might have worked... if we were back in Cyrodiil.
"There's always a risk on an armored warrior. Better to rob the weak." He replied.
"Such is how the beasts of the wild operate. They target the young, even when it draws the ire of the mother..." She seemed to sadden a bit after that. Did he say something wrong? "Ah, but who will serve as the matron of this old Argonian. Maybe a dragon will mistake me for its hatchling! I certainly hope not. I don't want to spend my last days in a nest, subsisting on a diet of regurgitated goat parts... My son was right. There really are fates worse than death!" She looked as though she would cry. Did her son die? "I was a cynic and a pessimist. But most of all... I was a coward." She looked down at her hands that were on her lap. Her voice was barely a whisper. He didn't wasn't to pressure him but her story intrigued him.
Maybe this can help him with his relationship with his son? "How so?" He asked. It was a while before she looked back to him, and even longer before she spoke up.
"I would wipe the counters clean four times a day, and overcook the food because I feared the meat had parasites. I slept with a candle burning, and never left my hut at night, and dared not brave the rain. I made oceans out of ponds, and mountains out of anthills... I was afraid to live because I was scared to die... I let the fear consume me, because I didn't want to ever again feel the pain of being left behind. My son didn't need that." This woman was a mess. Her son left her and she was paranoid to live. How tragic does her life get?
"So you lost more than a son." He replied. It wasn't a question, but confirmation. She nodded.
"I lost my husband to the Great War. It was so long ago I forgot which side he was on. As if that makes a difference. War makes widows of us all." Her words inspired him. And they were true. His war with Alduin caused him to break. "I once only thought of my own grief, but now I hold dear the time we shared together. I still remember the worry on his face when our son was hatched. He was so beautiful. That night I think he sloughed off more scales than there are coins in the Emperor's treasury. Our son... looked a lot like you, actually. Those dark green scales and those big bright blue eyes of his." His head perked up at this. Dark green scales and blue eyes? He swallowed.
"What... happened?" He asked a bit hesitantly.
"I sat him down in the streets and watched as an odd looking fellow carried him away. But no matter how odd and unusual that man seemed, something told me that my son would grow up better in his care than my own." That all but confirmed it. He took a drink from his wine and rubbed his eyes.
"Why... Why was he odd to you?" He asked. She looked up in thought. But then grunted.
"I... don't remember. All I can say is that he wore a cloak over his entire form. Didn't even see his hands. There's no way I could have... I always look back on that moment... Whenever we open our eyes and see something, it takes a fraction of a second to register in our minds, and understand what we're seeing. That's our destiny as mortals, to always look at the past. To always be a fraction of a second behind. They say that hounds, on the other hand, can smell things leagues away. They know a visitor is coming, or if a fresh game lies hidden behind the brush." Where was she getting to? Her words were confusing him.
"How does that relate to your son?" He asked. She laughed.
"Hounds are always looking at the future. While I could think only of the past."
She looked towards the door of the inn as some Khajiit walked in laughing to themselves. She seemed to smile as one of them walked over. He was an older man. Aged black fur, hazel eyes that seemed to have a hint of wisdom to them, and he was wearing tan scholar's robes. "Shan-Ra wonders who your friend is?" He asked as he sat next to Wonder-Lust. Akatosh smiled and replied.
"I am Talen-Jei. It is a pleasure." The older Khajiit's eyes seemed to bulge out of his skull when he heard his name.
"E-Emperor Talen-Jei!" He shuddered. Immediately he got out of his seat and kneeled and bowed his head. Talen-Jei looked at him for a moment until he remembered that he was an emperor.
"No need for formalities, Shan-Ra. I'm taking some badly needed time off." He looked up in confusion.
"Really now? Well... that is... great!" The Khajiit's seemed to relax. He got back in his seat and leaned back on Wonder-Lust's shoulder. "Shan-Ra knows that everyone needs a break from the hardships in life. Even the great Divines themselves take vacations." He said as he eyed Talen-Jei skeptically for a moment. Looking into his golden eyes searching for a sign. If Talen-Jei was anyone else he would have thought that his cover was blown. He sat calmly in his chair and waited for anything to happen. Shan-Ra narrowed his eyes and stretched himself over the table, knocking his drink and stool away. For a moment, Talen-Jei was actually worried that someone found out about his true identity, other than Keerava, Veezara and Diinmaar who already knew of his true self. Curse his mortality and his new tendencies! He needs to be more careful.
"Bah Ha ha!" The Khajiit suddenly laughed and sat back down. "You have that spark in your eyes. Do not worry. Shan-Ra knows what it is like, yes? Personal issues, Shan-Ra has had plenty of those in the past. But luckily for Shan-Ra, he has met a beautiful woman just like him to help Shan-Ra through these troubled times."
"Yes. I am indeed running from my problems. I came here because it was the first place my son visited on his journey. I'm heading up to Helgan after I rest up here." Shan-Ra nodded while Wonder-Lust just watched from the side.
"Ha yes. Your son, Diinmaar, if Shan-Ra's memory is correct." Talen-Jei nodded. "Your son is doing a great thing, killing these dragons. Especially Alduin. Last I heard, he is holding the City of Whiterun hostage." Talen-Jei snapped to attention at that.
"What!" He snapped. Shan-Ra nodded soberly.
"Yes, sadly it is true. Alduin the World Eater is back, and apparently wants to continue what he started back in the Merethic Era. But Shan-Ra is not afraid of him. Unlike the Nords of old, we have the Legion. And..." Shan-Ra was about to continue on his rant but Talen-Jei was gone. His Bloodwine was still sitting where he left it, most of it was gone. "Hmm." He shrugged.
I was walking along the path into the city of Dawnstar in low spirits. All of this drama has taken its toll on me. I came here to help in the Civil War and possibly kill Alduin. But this place only seemed to ruin my whole life. My parents are not really my parents, my arch nemesis wanted to be my lover for a time but not anymore, thank the gods. My brother is STILL missing and he's probably dead now. And this whole time, I haven't made a single move on either of the things I am supposed to actually be doing here. And I could care less about it all! Tullius can finish the war on his own. Alduin can go and kill as many people as he wants, he won't get far. My brother... well I'm not sure about what to think. I'm sad because he's probably dead, and angry because he didn't send any type of message. It doesn't matter. I have things to do. Like get my life back on track. I need to find my brother, dead or alive. I need to help that Kasrava girl with whatever she needs help with. I need to do a lot of things.
I stopped walking at the edge of the city border. What am I going to actually do here? Kill people? Talk to the Night Mother, another God trying to manipulate me? Talk to Veezara? No... No, there is nothing to talk about. At least nothing that I can think of. No. I don't need to go to Sanctuary. What I need is a vacation. A REAL vacation. One with no adventuring, or hunting, or killing, or anything in between. Maybe I will head up to High Rock, go to a nice basin. Or maybe I will go back to my homeland in Black Marsh. Yeah. Yeah! Maybe I could bring Inigo and- NO! No. Only me. This is my vacation. No friends, no taking up a mission by some random person, no delays, no stops, no exceptions. No exceptions. With my plan in play and my destination probably set, I turned around and walked back the way I came.
It's been a few good hours of walking in peace. Another group of Imperial soldiers walked by, this time it was mages. That was the third party I've seen in the last hour. And why would Balgruuf ask for more troops? Did he join the Imperial army? Is Ulfric planning to attack? No matter. Tullius can handle whatever that bastard throws his way and I'll cut off Ulfric's head. Behind me there was another group of soldiers running to Whiterun. As they ran past I grabbed one of them by the arm. "Hey! What's going on?" I asked her. She looked determined, and a bit surprised.
"Prince Diinmaar, sir!" She saluted.
"At ease, solder. Tell me why there's a full detachment heading to Whiterun?" She laughed.
"Are you kidding, sir? Alduin the World Eater has taken the city hostage and won't leave until you talk to him or something." I quirked a brow.
"Did he say why?" She shook her head.
"No sir. But all I know is that we plan to trap him in Dragonsreach. It was built to hold a dragon! Can you believe it! We're gonna get that beast and kill him! Don't worry sir. We got this." And with that she saluted again and ran off. I ran after her.
"Hey wait!" But she didn't hear. She only continued to run to the city. I stopped and watched as more troops passed me.
Rubbing my eyes, I could only scream in my head as the two sides argued. One side wanted to go and help. To complete my destiny and all. But the other wanted to leave it to the Empire and Tullius. It is their job. But this was Alduin! The World Eater! He is no ordinary dragon. But I really want to get out of here. 'You know what, yeah. Tullius can handle Alduin. I will go to High Rock, forget my problems, and by the Nine, sleep! YES! Finally! Sleep! Oh, I can't wait!'
But all of my excitement died when I realized one fatal thing. "How will I get there?" I massaged my chin while I thought about that matter. I could take a carriage, but then Akatosh would find the transcript of my travels. So that's out of the question. Maybe I could turn into a dragon and just fly there. But, if anyone sees me they'll report it to Akatosh or Alduin. But it's better than the ladder. At least that way I would get a chance in staying out of sight. Or I can just walk or take Akvar or Shadowmare. That would be the best way to get there and not attract attention. Well if riding an undead horse that either had glowing red eyes or is literally a skeleton on fire won't attract attention, then I don't know what will. I guess I'll figure it out as I get to the border.
