Tirdas, 8:34 PM, 4th of Mid Year, 4E 202
Two guards stand at the southwest border of Skyrim near Falkreath, leading to Hammerfell. And the only way passed is the gate they guard. "And I hide here in a damned tree waiting for something to happen." I mumbled. The gate was not that impressive. An eleven-foot stone wall with a wooden door and a watch tower just down the road. Even if I were to climb it, the guard would surely see me. Both sides were surrounded by tall mountains making it impossible to take a horse or any larger items across. So that rules out sneaking. I could leave Shadowmare here and climb the mountain. Or use an illusion spell and disguise myself as a common nobleman. I shifted in my crouched position on the branch I stood on. Watching as the guards opened the doors for a caravan of Khajiit and Imperial merchants. That's when it hit me.
I slid down the tree trunk and got closer to the gate, staying in the shadows of the treeline as I did. I watched the guards as they checked their caravan for any contraband. They were both on one side so I could easily get in or under the carriage, but there was one very big problem. They are heading into Skyrim, and I want to get out. I'll have to wait until a caravan heads out for supplies. Looking up at the sky I groaned. It's getting dark, and cold.
Two hours have passed and still no caravans or travelers going out, only a lot going in. Mostly soldiers from Hammerfell and High Rock. I guess they got wind of the World Eater's return. Well, Talen-Jei got the other factions to join him so there is no way Alduin will survive. This day will be his end. No more listening to his ramblings, no more worrying about dying at his claws, no more worrying about another damned dragon war. I'll still be the Dragonborn and all that, but for now I just want to take a few weeks... actually no, months, off. And if Alduin somehow lives through the onslaught of Legion troops AND SOMEHOW finds me, Then I will make sure that he stays dead this time. But I know that Talen-Jei will prevail, because he has an army of trained soldiers who have everything to lose if they fail, and because he is Akatosh... Hmm... Now that I think of it, I'm not really mad about him anymore... Eh. All well.
Bringing my attention back to the road, I saw a rather idiotic scene, at least on my part. A Dark Elf was sneaking up behind the guards as a carriage of spices made its way into Skyrim. Suddenly, as the gates closed, he used an invisibility potion and snuck through. The gates shut with a loud thud. I waited with baited breath to hear his scream or see the archer over the wall fire or an arrow but nothing happened. He crossed the border! And all he did was drink a potion! Why on Nirn didn't I think of that? It's dark and the guards would be too distracted by the passing caravan to notice me. Now all I need to do is get myself against the gate and wait for another caravan to arrive, cast an invisibility spell, slip past the guards, and I'm on my way to High Rock. Maybe go to Satakalaam and camp there tomorrow night, then I-
"DiHMMM!"...Well dammit I've been spotted. Wasting no time I summoned a sword into my hand and turned to where I heard the voice. I watched the forest for any signs of movement. I tried to keep my breathing to a minimum but I was just to panicked at the moment to do so. I could hear my breathing amplified through my ears. But thankfully, no one was there except for some wildlife and the trees and shrubs. I scanned the outline of the forest one last time before dispersing the spell. It must have been one of the patrols.
Turning back to the task at hand, I sighed as I slid down into a small divot near the gate and waited to hear it open. I decided to travel light, I don't have any armor, weapons or camping gear. All I have is light black leather armor and a map. So not much. I knew that a caravan might not appear for a while so I closed my eyes and covered myself with the cloth of my cloak. I found a comfortable position and started to drift off to sleep. I listened to the birds in the forest as the moonlight shined through my eyelids. For once in quite a while, I felt truly calm. I couldn't help but smile. It feels nice, yep.
Hours later in the morning... Everything was numb. Except for my back, it hurt. I inhaled through my nose and stretched. "Finally awake, Diinmaar?" I froze. Please don't let him be here. Please, PLEASE! Don't let him be here. I opened my eyes to see Talen-Jei crouching over me, he looked concerned. Like I care. I groaned and tried to sit up, but something stopped me. Looking down on my chest, and at what was keeping me pinned, my mind shut down for about ten seconds. For some reason, Kasrava was sleeping on me! With no clothes! Shaking my head I snapped my attention back to Talen-Jei who was smiling.
"This is not what it looks like." I hissed, I tried to get out from under her but she had a firm grip. One arm was under me, holding my back. The other was on my chest, keeping me down. I slowly moved the arm that was on my chest and lifted her off and set her down gently. Crawling out and dusting myself off, I faced my pseudo father. He opened his mouth to say something but I held up a hand before he could. "No, I will not help Whiterun or face Alduin. No, you cannot convince me to. And no, you can not follow me. This is my vacation, and it is about time I get one. Skyrim has caused me nothing but trouble. Here, I learned that my family is a lie, and that people can't seem to help themselves. And I know you mean well..." I held up my hands. "...and I've somewhat forgiven you out of acceptance. But this is still hard for me to do. So I'm taking a vacation to clear my head and hopefully come to terms with things." I have Talen-Jei's full attention now. "I know for a fact that you and the Legion can defeat Alduin so... yeah. I'm leaving Skyrim in turmoil knowing that you will make it better. Because I've tried everything but more and more problems just pop up. I'll be back in a few weeks... or months." I took a step towards him and placed an arm on his shoulder. "Maybe we can just... go back to how things were when we were younger. And forget any of this ever happened." I let my hand fall as I started to walk to the gate. There was no point in trying to sneak passed if the one I was hiding from knows where I am. I looked over my shoulder as I walked. "Maybe someday I'll call you father again!" I casually yelled back to him as the guards opened the gate for me.
"Diinmaar wait!" Talen-Jei called. I stopped just a few feet from the road. I let out all of my breath and turned to face him.
"I told yo- Mff." Talen-Jei sprinted to me and buried himself on me. I almost fell on my back for the sheer force of the impact. I was shocked by his sudden and unprofessional outburst which caught me off guard... "Are you crying?" I felt him nod while he clutched my shoulder. "Jeez, get a hold of yourself. I said someday. Not yet." I yanked him off of me and took a step back. He straightened himself up and wiped his tears.
"Ah, the joys of being mortal..." I waited patiently for him to finish. At least I think he has more to say. He had a distant look on his face.
"Uh, hey." I got no response. "Alright..." I was going to poke him with a claw but then I got an idea. Looking from my hand to his face, only one thing comes to mind. Reeling my arm back with a grin on my face, I brought my hand down, but Talen-Jei shook his head before I could and I froze. He gained a questioning look.
"Diinmaar?" He asked.
"Yes?" I remained still.
"Were you going to hit me?" I nodded.
"It would have been too easy. You were in the middle of saying something and you stopped so..." I lowered my arm. "you were saying?" There was a pause. Talen-Jei simply looked at me.
"Sit." I rolled my eyes and did so. He then spoke. "What I was saying is that before I came to Nirn, I never would have even come close to how I act, think or feel now. Being mortal is a gift for us gods." He spoke with a hint of guilt. "Sure we lose our power overtime, but that makes it all the more challenging. I had to learn how to do the simplest things like, managing a house, or learning how mortal politics are vastly different than ours... and taking care of you was the best thing I ever did and still do! Even if you don't want me to. I found the love of my life on Nirn, and she is everything I could have hoped to have for a second chance. Diinmaar..." He knelt down and clasped my cheek. Stroking with his thumb. "Keerava and I may not be your biological parents, but we are the one who took care of you and raised you as our own when they abandoned you in the middle of that street in the rain, alone." Talen-Jei's voice slightly cracked as tears started to ripple down his face.
"I know." I mumbled.
"I wanted to make you the son that would help those in need not because you had to but because you knew that it was the right thing to do. I wanted to make you the son that would help me remember that this world can come back from the brink of collapse. I wanted to make you the son that would save not just Nirn from evil but all of Mundus. I want you to be my son, Diinmaar." He wiped his tears away and sighed. "I know you are mad at me for not telling you sooner, I was scared that you wouldn't understand. I know that this apology probably means nothing to you. But... it means everything to me." He then stood up, brushed himself off, and held out a hand.
I timidly reaching for his hand, I couldn't help but think that I am probably the worst son in the world. He is right. And I knew that he was right. Yet, I almost killed him. I hated him for something he knew was right. Would have I reacted differently if he told me sooner? My original parents abandoned me and he took me in. And I have nothing to show for it. My thanks was going to be killing him and leaving religion and the troubles of the world. That is a mistake. I grabbed his hand, not looking at him in the eye. He pulled me up. Alduin has Whiterun under his mercy and I was just going to leave. "Diinmaar." I looked up. My eyes are burning from keeping the tears in.
"Yeah..." He raised my chin with a finger and smiled but otherwise said nothing. I feel like I just died. "Father, I'm sorry." I tried to advert my eyes elsewhere, Talen-Jei stopped me by locking my head in place with his hands.
"Hey, look at me." He said softly. Regrettably I was forced to. My blue eyes locked on to his golden yellow ones. "I want yo-" He cut himself off and turned to face something behind him. I poked my head over his shoulder and saw that Kasrava was waking up. "Kasrava!" Talen-Jei called. Keerava groggy climbed out of the small ditch and lazily slumped on a nearby fallen tree. Moaning and groaning the whole way.
"Hmm?" Her eyes were halfway open and her body stature was limp.
"Would you please protect my son while he is on his trip?" For some reason she snapped awake. Her eyes snapped open, stood straight up, and immediately went into the treeline. Talen-Jei and I watched in confusion as she disappeared into the trees.
"What was that about?" I asked him.
"For once, I have no clue." He replied.
"What about Alduin? I should confront him and save Whiterun. If I don't I'd feel like a jerk now." He laughed.
"Leave Alduin to me, go on your vacation. Maybe I'll take one after we are done here." He looked down in thought. "You, me, Keerava, Inigo, and Derkeethus... Where is your brother anyway?" I sighed in defeat.
"I do not know. I haven't seen him sense... sense we were kids." Talen-Jei looked down and groaned.
"I'll send a patrol out looking for him. I thought he was with you." He stated.
"I heard that he might be in The Rift... Uh... Darkwater, I think." He nodded.
"Right. That will be helpful." I looked back to where Kasrava ran to.
"Should I go see what's wrong?" I asked Talen-Jei.
"Yes, that would be wise." I was about to do just that before an excellent question came to mind.
"Who is she anyway? How did she join the Elder Council?" I asked. He squished his eyes and rubbed his chin.
"I never asked her that." He smiled and crossed his arms, pointing to me with a hand. "Maybe you should ask her." I bit my cheek.
"You... don't know your own advisers? But... you're the Emperor." I was sure that he was hiding something.
"Yes. But the only member who I frequently visit is High Chancellor Barus T'Arae. She is in... Bruma, I believe." I scratched an itch that I had on my nose. There was a moment of silence where we just stood there. Birds chirping in the trees and the sound of a nearby stream. Talen-Jei clapped his hands together.
"So!" I chuckled.
"So." We both looked around and pretended nothing was happening. "Akatosh, eh? That's uh... pretty cool." I leaned in and out and swung my arms.
"Ha... yeah. It's... not as "cool" as it sounds." Talen-Jei scratched the back of his neck. A few minutes of awkward silents went by. Both of us are desperately trying to find something to say. I could not think of anything. "Well... You should go find Kasrava, I need to head back to Whiterun and... make sure Alduin does not burn the place down." I nodded.
"Yeah... Yeah, good luck." I waved as he made his way to the main road and down the hill. I breathed out, laughing a little. That went better than expected. Now I just need to find Kasrava and then I can go to High Rock!
Near a small stream, further up the hill. Kasrava sat hunched against a small rock with her face buried in her knees. Her muffled cries could be heard a few feet away as she watched her rippled self in the stream. All this time she wanted to be with Diinmaar and now that she gets that chance, she does not know what to do! She's scared that she might mess something up! Or that maybe he might find out about who she is! Or that- "Kasrava!" Diinmaar's voice echoed faintly. She sat up and faced the trees behind her.
'He's looking for me.'The thought made her smile just a bit.
"Kasrava! Where are you?" His voice was getting a bit louder. She opened her mouth to call out but the sounds never came. She realized that their relationship could never work. He would kill then ask questions later. Sure. Akatosh would just bring her back a few decades later but... she would not want to live in a world without the Dovahkiin. She returned her gaze to her reflection in the stream with a sigh. "Kasrava?" She blinked and wiped her tears away. Looking up behind her was none other than Diinmaar. "Are you alright Lady Kasrava?" He stood a few feet away. His hands were behind his back and his back was straight. Like a true noble.
"Um..." She cleared her throat and put on a smile. "Yes. I- I'm fine." He walked up to her and sat on the rock she was now leaning on.
"Really?" She nodded. "But did I not just hear you crying earlier? You sounded horrible." He placed a hand on her shoulder. He spoke softly. "Does this have to do with what you needed my help with? I'm sorry for not helping earlier. I was… busy."
The vibrations of his voice so close to her made all thought cease. And it felt like small needles were poking her skin. It didn't hurt, it actually felt relaxing. She felt like closing her eyes and leaning into his touch. And she did just that. Regrettably her body betrayed her as she started to purr quietly. "Kasrava?" Her purring grew in volume. She became tired and her eyes drooped. Diinmaar's hand slipped as she let her body fall. Diinmaar caught her before she hit the ground and gently set her on the ground. Once he did her purring ceased and one of her eyes slightly opened. Diinmaar shrugged. "What was that for?" He asked. She grinned as a plan formed.
While Diinmaar was off guard she quickly leaned forward and grabbed his hand and pulled him down on top of her. His muzzle landed right between her breasts. His warm breath spread across her chest and down her stomach. To her it felt amazing. She moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck. She could finally quell the growing desperation for him! Why did she not do this sooner! But as quickly as it happened it ended. Diinmaar forcefully flung himself off and backed away. "Kasrava what on Nirn are you doing!" He yelled. She shook her head out of the lust filled cloud and looked at him. She did not know what to say.
"I- I..." Diinmaar nodded his head.
"Your... what?" He snapped.
"I... I need you!"
Diinmaar looked at her dumbfounded. "L-Look Kasrava. I'm sure that you are a wonderful girl. But there's this thing that we males like to know about our significant other. Well... I do anyway." She nodded. Diinmaar facepalmed. "Getting to know the person." He grumbled. His hand dropped to his side. "And I should warn you, you would be competing with an actual dragon so..." Kasrava began to shake just a little at the thought of another claiming him.
"Who is she?" She demanded in a stone cold voice.
"Wait wait... What!" Diinmaar laughed. "You're not going to seriously confront her, are you? That would be suicide!" She smirked.
"Then you don't know me." Diinmaar sighed.
"Exactly, that's my point. What makes you think I'll even try a relationship with you? We barely know each other. I'm not trying be be rude but..." Kasrava stood up and walked up to Diinmaar, eyeing him straight in the eyes with a narrow gaze.
"We've known each other longer than you think. Now I will ask again. Who is she, and what is her location?" He sighed again and rubbed his eyes.
"Ugh! Talen-Jei is going to kill me for this." Kasrava crossed her arms and tapped her foot on the ground. "She is a higher dragon and her scales are... purple, if I recall. I sent her to Cyrodiil, saying that another was after me. Jormungander, a close friend. But she was only in heat." She scoffed with detestation. "What now?" Diinmaar asked.
"You are the Dovahkiin. You should have killed her." She seethed.
"Hey! I may be the Dragonborn, but not all dragons deserve to die!" He yelled back. That made her stop. Her expression was that of disbelief. "Think what you will but I'm going to High Rock. I've delayed myself long enough. You can either go find the dragon or you can come with me like my father said or whatever you want to do. Either way I'm gone. So." Diinmaar turned on his heels and started walking away, leaving Kasrava behind.