Returning to Riverwood ( pg 3)

 

 After a good night's sleep Hulda, the owner of the Bannered Mare woke me when she set the bread out to proof. I ate a breakfast of yesterday's bread, cheese, fruit, and some milk, the meat that Hulda put on the plate I gave to Tex, who was more than happy to eat it.

   When I was finished I put the plates and cup in the kitchen where a sleepy Saadia was mixing a pot of something. She smiled at me and went back to stirring the pot. I asked Tex if he was going to come with me, with a hearty sigh he heaved to his feet and I told him he wasn't obligated to come, it was up to him. At that, he whined and I told him we would not always be getting up this early, I just wanted to get to Riverwood before Faendal left to go hunting, as I would like to tag along and maybe pick some of the mushrooms that Arcadia wanted. He walked over and licked my hand and we headed out the door and off to Riverwood.

    We made it to Riverwood with no problems at all. Which was a wonder, but Faendal had already left to go hunting. So I asked Alvor if he needed more help at the forge, he replied no, but with Faendal off hunting and Sven sulking, Gerdur might need help over at the mill chopping wood. I sighed and decided that as their was no enchanter in town and I didn't have enough ingredients to make any decent potions I might as well chop wood, besides it would help build up my muscles and wind. So I spent the day chopping wood and delivering it to the various houses in town that had paid for the wood and then got paid for my labor.

   That night I decided to play at the Inn, so I asked Orgnar if that would be alright. so that night I played at the Sleeping Giant Inn and caught Faendal between sets and asked him if he was going hunting again on the next day. He said that no, he had not planned on going out again tomorrow, as he had gotten a large Elk, so the whole town had meat for a couple of days at least.

    He must have seen the disappointment on my face because he said he would be happy to go with me to pick whatever herbs it was that I wanted and knew some good places to get them. He said Sven could just get out of his sulk and behave like a man and do his own work at the mill.

    So the next morning Faendal and I headed out of Riverwood together with both our dogs following along. He asked me what kind of herbs and mushrooms I was looking for and we headed in the direction that he thought I might find the majority of them. As we came to a fork in the road he asked if I would like to see the local Talos shrine, I replied yes, cause if the Thalmor had anything to say about it, all the Talos shrines would soon be torn down.

   So we headed off in the direction he pointed out, I stopped here and there to pick herbs and mushrooms. Faendal said the shrine was close and as it was close to lunchtime, we might want to head there, because there were benches we could sit on and they had a nice view of the mountains and lake.

   Right as we got to the base of the path that would lead up to the Shrine, we passed a small patrol of Imperials. The Captain asked what we were doing, I told him I was out picking herbs for the Alchemist in Whiterun and that Faendal said the view from the benches up by the shrine was very nice, so we were going to go have lunch up there.

    I guess a Breton and a Bosmer eating lunch at a Talos shrine sounded more like a tourist trip than a worshiper going to ...well worship, so the Captain said just to watch out for the Thalmor as they could be nasty.

   As we got to the top, we saw a slaughter, several priests and worshippers had been killed. I saw one Thalmor mage and several Thalmor soldiers. As we got closer to see if anyone was still breathing, the Thalmor soldiers, who looked more like skeletons stood up and started attacking us. Both dogs, rushed in and each grabbed a leg on the closest skeleton and started to pull in opposite directions, I would have laughed if not for the sword in it's hand.

    I used the staff and summoned a lesser deadra, a Dremora Curl answered the call. I then cast a mage armor spell and started lobbing firebolts at them. From behind us, I heard a horse scream in rage and the thunder of hooves as it went past me, Faendal pulling me out of the way just in time.

   The Captain jumped off the horses back and started chopping at the further skeleton, his soldiers and a heavily armored dog also joined the fray. Afraid I would hit one of my new allies, I decided that healing might be the better way to go, so I darted behind everyone casting healing spells.

    When the Skeletons were down, the Captain walked over and asked if we were alright. I said yes, but it looked like the Thalmor had been here. The Captain walked from corpse to corpse shaking his head and muttering. I didn't catch what he was saying, but it didn't sound like he was happy.

   About the time he got back on his horse, the Skeletons decided to resurrect again and the battle started over again. This time when it ended one of the soldiers walked over to each skeleton and poured salt on it. He winked and said it was an old wives tale, but it wouldn't hurt to try it. I laughed and said surely not.

   So we spent the rest of the afternoon picking flowers and mushrooms and in a couple of small ponds, I found some Nirn root and minnows that had some medicinal properties. Faendal said he knew where a hunter's camp was and we could probably stay the night with them, which is what we did. The next day we found an Alchemist's camp and his corpse. After picking through his things and finding a journal and some useful herbs, I picked more on my own, and then Faendal said we should probably start to head back to Riverwood if we wanted to get there before nightfall.

    The rest of the day was very uneventful, which I at least was more than grateful for. Tex and Faendals dog would dart off into the brush and out would pop a rabbit or fox, but they were only putting in a small effort at chasing them so they all got away.

~~~~~
    When I returned to the Inn, the Keeper handed me a note. I went to my room and opened it. Reading the words, I felt a burning rage inside. So the hunt was on again, the hunters might find themselves the hunted this time...  I had never run and I would not start now.

    I thought back to when it all started, the first lesson I had in stealth and killing. And the last day, that caused me to be the hunted. Though most had quiet trying, I was a harsh teacher, death being a failing grade. My Master should have known that you can't teach a man to kill, to be a confident killer, and then abuse him. He counted on himself always being the better assassin, but everyone grows old and slows down. I grimaced and the scar's on my face pulled. I may have walked out bloody and hurt, but he and all the rest of his henchmen were carried out and placed on stone slabs.

Riverwood and New Friends ( pg 2)

    

I got up very early the next morning and ate breakfast, I made a small pouch with potions and other odds and ends. I secured this around my waist and said goodbye to Hadvar, the rest of the family still asleep. As a headed out towards the edge of town one of the guards caught up to me and said that the night was very still, but he had heard howling in the direction I would be traveling, so I should be very careful.

    I crossed the bridge and paused to watch the sunrise.  As I rounded the first bend in the road a deer almost trampled me in its effort to get away from a pack of wolves that were chasing it. I ducked behind a tree and peeked back at the wolves. They had not yet seen me, but it would only be a matter of time before one of them smelled me. I was not wrong as the largest wolf stood at the edge of the river and growled while watching the deer bound across.

    I thought about sneaking back to Riverwood and telling the guards, surely a large pack like this would be taken care of? But as the wolf swung its head in my direction I realized I would not be able to outrun the entire pack or any of them really. So I backed to the edge of the river and summoned a familiar. That took most of the magic I had, so I drew the sword and set a flame spell.

    Using small gout's of flame and the sword I kept the wolves away from me, my familiar did away with two of the cubs, but there were still way too many wolves. I put up the sword and dove toward the center of the river, trying to swim to the other side. I realized my mistake right away, the current was to strong, I would never make it. So I turned to face the direction of the waterfalls and just directed myself away from the worst of the rocks.

    I must have gone over three sets of falls before I got to an area that was shallow enough for me to stand and make my way to the edge. As I got to the edge and tried to boost myself up on the rocks a hand inserted itself in my line of sight and I heard a gruff male voice telling me to take his hand. He hoisted me up and out of the river and I thanked him. He nodded and then turned to help his fellows with the wolves that had followed me down the falls.. but had hopped from rock to rock.

      Deciding to stay and help the Imperial soldiers might not have seemed like the smartest thing to do, but as one had helped me, I would return the favor. So I summoned my familiar and then noticing that the soldier who had helped me out of the river had dropped his bow, I picked it and the quiver up and started taking pot-shots at the wolves. It wasn't long before all the wolves were dead or on the run, so I gave the bow back to the soldier and decided to skin all the wolves, hides are worth money and I could use more of that.

       I had almost gotten to the turn into town when I heard a commotion on the farm off to my left. I saw three people fighting a giant, two with swords the third shooting at it with arrows. I again summoned my familiar and then drew the sword, setting a flame spell to my left hand. I stayed out of the other's way and sliced at the giant from the side, using my flame as I could when the others weren't too close.

      The giant finally hit the ground with a crash that made the ground tremble. The man that was there came over to me and told me I looked strong and should join the Companions. Ah, so, mercenaries, honest ones with a good reputation, but still mercenaries. Looking into the man's eyes I saw a bit of interest that might make it worth my time, it would be something to think about. One of his female companions came up to me and said I would make a good shield-sister, I thanked her and said I would have to think about it. 

     It was getting on late afternoon by the time I got to the gates of Whiterun, I would not be heading back to Riverwood tonight. I did stop at the smithy long enough to ask her if I could leave my wolf pelts and come back and tan them later. The woman was kind enough to say that was alright and that she might be interested in buying them if I wanted to sell.

     I hurried through town and up to the Jarl's Palace, wanting to give my message and then head to the Inn for dinner. After a quick chat with his Housecarl, I went up to talk to him and he thanked me with some gold and armor. It was nice armor but would fit me twice around, so I guess I could sell it to the smith. Before I left the Jarl asked if maybe I could help his court mage with a problem. I said I would at the very least hear the problem out and see if I could help. Plus he might have some magical supplies I could use.

     So I stood there listening to what it was they wanted me to do. Was this what I had been placed here to do? It seemed like a heroic enough thing, but I would need time for my magic to recharge, I was not as yet anywhere near full strength. I told the Jarl I would take on the task, but that I needed a bit of time, as I would need some supplies and other things to help me get out alive. That big strong Companion... he might do, but would probably require me to join the Companions to do so. I knew Hadvar would, but he had been pretty burnt in trying to escape the dragon, so would need more time than I to heal.

    I asked the court mage what he had for sale and he showed me his wares. He had mostly lower-level spells that I already knew and couldn't use right now due to lack of magic, but he had some scrolls that would come in very handy until I could use my magic at full strength. I looked at his soul gems and sighed, those would have to wait also, I just was not up to enchanting.

   I went to the Inn and asked about a room, I grudgingly parted with the ten gold for the night.  I did ask her if she knew if the general store had any musical instruments. She said she didn't know, but the Inn's bard told me that while Belathor did have an old lute, he was asking way more than it was worth. He did know that the smith had a half finished lute, had been commissioned to make the strings, but the bard had never come back, so she might be willing to sell it at a descent price.

   The Bard followed me to the stairs up to the room I had rented and told me that if I got the lute and got it finished I might be able to play here tomorrow night as he had a job out on one of the farms to play for a wedding reception. I thanked the man and made my way up to the room. The Inn Keeper had put some hot water in the washstand so I made washed as best as I could, it would have been nice if they had had a bathing room.

    The next morning I ate and then went to talk to the smith. She did indeed have a half-finished lute and said that she would trade it and the strings for some of the pelts I had brought in. So we dickered for a while and she got all of the pelts, I got the lute and strings, plus her apprentice would be making me a  water-proof backpack to store the lute in. I finished the lute, that really just needed a good coat of varnish and to be strung. I put just one coat on, left it on the table inside the smithy to dry for a bit, and walked around town.

      I visited the Alchemist who asked me if I had any fresh ingredients I could sell her. I told her no, but I had a few potions I had brewed yesterday if she was interested. I sold her a couple of the duplicate potions that I really didn't need and then asked her what she was looking for. I told her I would see if I could find some of the items she was looking for near town, as I was playing at the Inn tonight.

     I went to the smithy and put another light coat of varnish on the lute and told him that I would be back in the late afternoon to pick it up. I then headed to the Inn and asked the Inn Keeper if she would like me to take her hound out for a run while I picked some herbs for the Alchemist. She laughed and said that the big mutt wasn't hers, but had shown up one day and never left.

     I coaxed the big dog to come with me and asked him what his name was. He didn't really answer but gave a low woof at me, so I said Tex it is then. Tex chased after rabbits and brought one or two back to me, which I put in my pouch for dinner later. When we stopped in a meadow where I found a lot of the herbs and other ingredients the Alchemist wanted, he caught another rabbit and had a brief lunch of his own. I noticed a small grove of trees a little ways past a watchtower and decided that might be a good place for the mushrooms, which was on the list that Arcadia .

    So we headed in that direction, but I made sure we were closer to the watchtower before heading that way. I waved to the guards and pointed to my basket. When I noticed a commotion in the distance, slightly past the grove of trees it gave me a slight pause, I really didn't want any trouble. As the fight got closer to me, I saw that it was a giant tundra spider and a mage. He had conjured up something that I could not quite make out through the tree line. As they got closer and closer, I realized what it was that the mage had conjured and I really hoped he lived long enough for it to dis-spell, not all conjured deadra return when the mage dies. Such was the case, as the tundra spider killed the mage, the Winged Twilight did not dis-spell. I backed up as they got closer, but Tex decided to join the fray.

   I tested out my magic and sighed, not enough, but more than I had had yesterday. I summoned a flame atronach and then backed further away. As the fighting got closer still, I ran towards the watchtower, the guards had all pulled out their bows by then and started shooting at the spider and deadra. I could only hope they did not hit Tex. As the spider went down, I got enough of my magic back to cast a firebolt spell and I lobbed a couple at the Winged Twilight and she soon went down under a barrage of arrows and firebolts.

   I went out to the corpses and gleaned what I could from them, a deadra heart would bring some good coin. The mage himself had the best loot for me, a staff of summoning, from the runes lesser deadra, which explained the Winged Twilight.  This was something I could really use right now. Tex and I headed into the trees, but there weren't to many mushrooms as the trees were not really thick enough. I heard the faint sound of water trickling in the distance and a humming sound that generally meant Nirnroot, so I headed that way. Their was only one Nirn plant and I picked that one, making sure to leave roothairs so that it would regrow.

   We got to town in early evening and I headed straight to see Arcadia and sell her the items that I had picked. I walked out with a tidy sum of gold, it would help. I then headed to the local bathhouse and took myself a nice long soak. The bath attendant laughed at the look on my face when Tex joined me in the larger pool. He said that the water constantly moved, so it was clean, even if the muddiest of dogs jumped in. He then laid a large towel on a bench for me and another on the floor all spread out, for Tex.

  Tex soon had enough of swimming and jumped out of the pool, shaking off, he then went to the towel and rolled on it. When he was done doing that he picked it up and carried the towel over to the large bin that other dirty towels were in... I could only guess he had been in here a few times. As I climbed out of the pool and started drying off, he went over to the fire and laid out beside it. I put on my clothes and then sat on the chair beside the fire, toweling my hair as dry as I could. I then brushed it with the warm fire was a comfortable backdrop.

  I sighed and told Tex he was welcome to stay, but I had to go so that I could play at the Inn and not have to pay for my room and meal.

~~~~~
     I slipped into a shadow as a guard walked by and waited, then crossed the space to the door of the house I was looking for. Picking the lock was a matter of seconds and I slipped inside before the guard made it to the end of the house. Waiting till my eyes adjusted to the gloom inside the dwelling, I then made my way to the second floor. I made my way to the master bedroom and staying well in the shadows, watched for a minute to make sure both occupants were asleep. My contract was only for the man, so I went to his side of the bed and then poured a paralytic on the edge of my dagger blade. I put my hand hovering over his mouth, I slit his throat and wiped my blade on the blanket. I walked quickly and quietly out of the house, leaving an in-expensive onyx necklace on the table by the door. I put my ear to the door and listened for the slight scuff that would tell me the guard had walked by. I then opened the door just enough to pass through and walked out into the night, getting on my horse and riding back to the Inn..
 
 

A New Day ( pg 1)

        I woke with a splitting headache, which was actually nothing new. I opened my eyes to bright sunshine and winced. The big Nord sitting across from me smiled and said he was glad I was finally awake. He had feared that I would never awaken. Little chance of that.

        So this would be my new awakening point, I would pay attention. It always happened at a turning point, something momentous was going to happen and I would have some part in it, no matter how large or small. Someone I needed to save or something I needed to do.

         I took stock of myself and realized that I was bound and wearing rags... well that wouldn't be a first either. I had just gotten some very nice armor to, pity that, I wondered if there were any Khajiit Caravans, I had credit with them. There was another man in rags across from me a horse thief and the Big Nord said the man with the gag was a Jarl....hmmm maybe I was to save him?

         I whispered the words of a spell, just to see what kind of shape my magic was in and soon realized I would be lucky to cast novice level spells. Checking my memory, I still knew all my spells it would just be a matter of having enough power to actually caste them.

        The big Nord, Ralof he said his name is... asked me who I am, I looked at him and will a straight face, said "just another blood cursed Breton mage". He looked a bit startled for a moment, but then nodded, he had heard his people say that about mine. I didn't mean it in exactly the way I meant him to take it though. I really was Blood Cursed, my whole family was or what is left of them.

      Our curse was two-fold, the first was just bad luck that one member of our family insulted another families favored son, well insulted might be putting it to mildly, humiliated might be a better word. So much so that he could not live with the shame and killed himself. From that day on his family hired assassins to murder any female children in the direct line. I was on the run.

      The second part, we are none of us sure where it came from or why, but all of the female children were cursed to "come back to life" and we did, it was not a pretty thing though, not for me anyway. I would come back to life at the same point over and over and over again, until such a time as I did whatever it was that the Divine or Deadric Prince wanted to be done. Sometimes it was saving someone's life because they had a major part in history.... others it was just pointing that person in the right direction and once it was stealing an item that could have been used to de-rail an Empire.

      So as the cart came into the town that Ralof named Helgen, I looked around and wondered what it was that I was supposed to do. I noticed a Thalmor speaking to an Imperial of high rank. Ralof was good enough to name them all for me. I really liked this big Nord, chatty as he was.

      We got off the cart and headed over to where a chopping block was set up... Now that one would hurt, it was one of the few things that would kill me permanently. The first of the Nords was set to the block and then for some reason, the little witch of an Imperial captain decided I should be next. We all heard a roar in the distance, it was something I had heard before. The man who took my name and said he would send my remains back to Highrock told me to come forward. Wouldn't that be a hoot, the only thing they would be able to send back to my home was the Family Necklace, the rest would turn to ash and blow away as soon as my head parted from my shoulders. I wondered if their was even an instant of pain.

     As I laid my head on the blood soaked block and the Headsman swung up his  blood soaked axe, there was a disturbance in the air and a huge black Dragon landed on the tower behind him and started spitting fire and what appeared to be a blast of air that knocked me over. I lay there a minute and then, I heard Ralof say to get up... move Breton, we won't be getting another chance. 

     So I got up and ran to the Tower door, where I could see others in the blue tinted armor waiting. Ralof and another soldier went up the stairs while the Jarl of Windhelm helped another tend to the wounded. I followed Ralof up the stairs, I did not want them asking me to perform magic right now. The unknown soldiers was moving some debris so that we could get all the way up to the top of the tower, evidently it had been partly carved out of the mountainside.

    He almost had it cleared when the dragon pushed his big head through the wall, spitting fire at the soldier and instantly killing him. Ralof and I ran back down a flight of stairs until the dragon was gone. Ralof then went back up the stairs and waved me on. He told me I should jump across to the Inn and make a dash from there. It would have been very nice had he cut my bonds loose before I jumped, but he kept insisting I go.

    I landed hard on the other side and looked around to see if perhaps someone had left a knife, no such luck though. So I tried my magic and while it covered my hands, the bonds did not burn... enchanted bonds, figures.  I swung down to the 1st floor after looking around and not seeing an exit to the town. I knew there had to be one somewhere if I could just make it to one. I stood in the shadows of the doorway and watched the Imperial as he tried to protect an old man and boy when the dragon landed. They all three ran my way as the dragon landed... and snatched up the guard that didn't run fast enough. The Imperial said he was glad to see me still alive and that I should follow him.

    I did follow him straight into the courtyard where many imperial battlemages were fighting the dragon, to little avail it seemed. He then headed for the Keep proper and I trailed along behind him, but the dragon hit me with one of those blasts of air again and I fell to the ground. While I was trying to get up I heard Ralof and him speaking, but when I got to my feet and looked around I could not find the big Nord anywhere. I followed the Imperial into the Keep and he asked me if that was really a dragon. I told him it, sure enough, looked like one to me.

  After he cut my bonds free, he told me to look around and find some new gear. The only things I could find were some light armor, all the same. Imperials have no sense of style, but I put a set on and stuffed some of the rags into the toes of the smallest pair of boots until my feet didn't slide back and forth anymore. I felt very clumsy in the oversized boots, but it was better than nothing. I grabbed a sword and then grimaced at the quality of it, training blade, no better. Hopefully, my life would not depend on it.

  All the way through the dungeon below the keep I followed Hadvar, as that is what he said his name was. Summoning my familiar, the weakest of the spells I knew, but I could do no better right now and still have enough power to use other spells. I would need at least a day or so to recharge.

   We finally made it out of the cave system under the keep, that would be very useful knowledge, only to watch the dragon flying away. I followed Hadvar to his Uncles home in Riverwood, the man was very hospitable and said I could take anything I wanted, within reason. I ate dinner with them and then fell into a deep sleep, waking up the next morning.

   I went to the general store and sold some of the items I had picked up and then went to Alvor, Hadvar's Uncle, and sold some of the armor and weapons that were leftover. I asked him if he needed any help around the forge, that way I could earn the materials I would need to make myself some armor. Something that suited me and wasn't ten sizes too big, which most of the stuff I had gathered was. Their was nothing I could use in his stock either, he looked at me and shrugged with an apology on his lips and I told him not to worry, I knew how to make my own things.

   So I spent that day helping Alvor and getting the pieces together that I would need for my armor, that night he asked if I could get to Whiterun and tell the Jarl about the Dragon. He said it wasn't far and I should have no problems, maybe with the odd wolf, but nothing else. He said I was more than welcome to come back and stay with them till I was fully recuperated. I told him I would go first thing in the morning and try to get back by nightfall, but if not I would be back the next day. I was also hoping the general store in Whiterun would have a lute, I could sing for my supper and not have to do manual labor. My magic would not be up for enchanting for a little while and I needed what I could gather to defend myself if necessary.

    So after dinner that night, when the others went off to the Sleeping Gaint Inn, Hadvar opened a book and I started on my armor. The pants went together fairly quickly as I had already used an awl to punch the holes in the leather. Instead of sewing it together like one would cloth, I used softened leather laces to make a latticework of X's, this left a tiny gap in the two outer sides, the inseam, I sewed together like cloth, with a much thinner leather cord. The top was based on a sweater design and used yarn and metal, I had bought the yarn at the general good's store. With the tiniest tickle of magic, I made the metal as flexible as the yarn and then knit me a sweater with the two intertwined. It wasn't perfect and was a bit small, I misjudged how much yarn I would need and it wasn't enough. It would do the job though.

    I noticed Hadvar watching as I finished up the sweater and he said he was amazed that such a thing could be done. I told him the spell was a specialty of my family and a secrete that we kept, which was the truth, only I was my family and I was the only one that knew the spell. That was probably why he had never seen a chain-mail sweater before, I did tell him that this one was more yarn than chain-mail and not of the best quality, that would take weeks to do and I didn't have that much time right now.


~~~~~
 I heard the door open and shut, felt the draft but heard no thunk of heavy armor boots or the swish of the soft winter ones the Ladies liked to wear in the area. A thief or assassin and as no one had come in earlier to check on the patrons, it was more than likely an assassin. I pulled my blades silently, whispered a spell, and tensed my muscles to spring forward if need be. Out of the darkness same a soft melodic male voice.

   "Khajiit would prefer his brother did not slit his throat, as this one only came to give a message from our Lady."  Knowing the Khajiit could see me very clearly in the dim light, I put away my daggers, but kept my hand near to the one in my boot.

    "And what has the Lady to say, you are not her normal messenger."

    " This one understands that the Esteemed brother assassin will understand the message that makes little sense to Khajiit. Lady Astrid says, "The Morag Tong has paid the Brotherhood to finish a contract that is heading to Skyrim. she will be wearing the necklace".

       I shifted slightly as the Khajiit finished and I saw his ear's perk when he noticed the change in my demeanor.

       "Ah the Esteemed brother does understand the message? This one will admit he is confused by the lack of information, many females wear necklaces". I nodded

      "That is true, but this is a special necklace, worn by only one family a family that the Morag Tong has been paid to eliminate, to the last female babe in arms."  I heard the Khajiit hiss and saw his ears go back flat against his head.

     " Babies? Your people would kill babies, for what reason?. This one can not understand that the Lady Astrid takes some odd contracts, but she has not yet asked this one to kill a child."

     It would be impossible to explain the politics of Highrock to a Khajiit.

    " It politics Brother, nothing more, nothing less. One family insults another, one family gains prestige the other wants, so they hire an assassin.  This family spends a fortune and hire the Morag Tong to kill every female in the other family, lock, stock, and branch.. the contract it reads every female. So as soon as the Molag Tong find out a member has reach majority, they go after them. Only in the first years did they kill children and the retribution was swift for the Molag Tong and the family that hired them, and not just from the family they were assassinating."

      "Ahh, this one can see going after an adult, by waiting till they are old enough. You were there when the contract first was taken, yes?"

      "Yes, I was. I never killed a child, though I was sent after a family that had two. I didn't know that till after I had killed one of the elders and a little girl came out of her room. My contract said that I was to kill all that resided in the house, but no one had said anything about children." My voice must have given away my feelings as the Khajiit stopped asking questions. Those large green eyes would haunt me with their fear and hatred.

     "This one only stopped in on a hunch that the Esteemed Brother would be here. Khajiit was given a fool's contract to go after a student at the college in Winterhold. This one thinks the college is well protected and he might not make it out, so he stopped here first to relay the message. "

      I nodded, the Khajiit was right, the entrance to the College was well guarded and he probably would not make it in, let alone out... at least not by the front door.

     "Brother, go down to the back of the college and look for an entrance to a troll's lair. Take a grappling hook and rope, at the back of the lair there is a ledge, this leads to some tunnels below the college. They are used from time to time and while there are a few of them, it should not be hard to make your way through. Just take food and some weapons, the troll isn't the only danger."

    "This one thanks his Esteemed Brother and if this one makes it through this contract, this one will owe his Esteemed Brother a favor"

    I listened to the Khajiit walk towards the door, he really was good at sneak and his grey and black fur only helped in the shadows.

     So one of the family had been in hiding all this time. The chances of her coming to this remote Inn were slim, but I would keep an eye out for her... I had taken a contract that was not, as of yet, filled.

The end of A Journey... pg 30

Akeemi part 30 - The End of a Journey

When the world stopped spinning, I found myself standing in the Time Wound.  The roaring in my ears, the sound of dragons. I stood there listening to the babble of multiple dragons all proclaiming that Alduin was dead.... something about me and my Thu'um... and that they were free.

I figured standing there looking confident was about the best thing I could do at that time. I did not wish to appear weak before the assembled dragons.  In reality, I was shaking both inside and out.  I was glad Adrienne had put a heavy silk lining in this armor, otherwise, my teeth would also have been chattering. I started thinking about the meaning of fire, concentrating on the warmth part, it did seem to help.

As more and more dragons left, I went to speak to Paarthurnax.  He congratulated me on my victory over Alduin, though he was saddened by his brother's death, Akatosh's first son.  I did not tell him that I thought Alduin was not truly gone, just perhaps any physical form he might take, for the time being anyway.  A soul did not just cease to exist, definitely not one as strong as Alduins. He flew off after saying that he was going to see if he could convert other dragons to The Way of the Voice.  I wished him luck in that endeavor,  but I didn't think many would join.

The next dragon to land near me was something of a surprise,  Odahviing.  He also congratulated me but did not seem overly sad at Alduin's demise.  He said he had thought about the gift of my knowledge and did not wish to accept it at this time, but would sometime in the future when things were more settled.   He also did not think too many would follow Paarthurnax's, "Tyranny in the Way of the Voice". I understood because I could not follow it either.

He surprised me when he offered to come to my aid, should I need him, if he heard of course. I thanked him and did ask one favor of him, simply spreading the word that I would not go dragon hunting unless my people were being attacked.  He said that was fair enough, though he thought there were those that would, just because they would not believe in the strength of my Thu'um. I shrugged my shoulders, that was no more than I had figured.

I looked around the mountain top, empty and quiet, the snow falling in large flakes, it would probably turn into a blizzard before long. I adjusted the pack and staff's on my shoulders and told my feet they might as well get to walking, not like I really could conjure up a horse. Well, maybe I could if I knew the proper spell. I was too tired to use my Thu'um to both clear the weather and move faster, so I went as fast as my legs would carry me.

  The Greybeards were waiting in the courtyard when I got there. Arengier congratulated me and asked what I was going to do now. I had to tell him that I wasn't sure, but I planned to head home and take a prolonged vacation if the dragons, war, vampires, and other such disasters would leave me alone for a while. I got a hug from each of them and I kissed Borri on the cheek, he seemed to have a good sense of humor.

I walked through the Temple and had almost made it out the door when I was grabbed from behind. Fear and rage were my first emotions, I was a fool for not paying attention.  In a split second, I had two spells ready, I cast a lighting cloak spell and a levitate spell that I had not used in...well ages. Only I didn't levitate myself but used it to throw the other person into the wall.

The male yell that I heard as I turn around and faced my "attacker" was from a very familiar voice. As he slid down the wall and the last of the lightning, dissipated from his armor, I ran over to him, with a healing spell all prepared.

"Damn it all woman, what in Oblivion are you trying to do?" He got no further in his tirade as I placed my hands on either side of his head, releasing the healing spell as my lips met his.

"I told you I would return, but I didn't expect you to be here. I would not have reacted so quickly if I had." I was half sitting half kneeling on his lap and my lips were not far from his. We were as firmly pressed together as two people in bulky armor can be. I did not want to let him go and yet I stood up and offered my hand to him. He took it and stood up.

"My Lady, I saw many dragons, including the one that you flew off on, flying to the Throat of the World, I heard them Ummm talking to each other. Even though I could not understand, I figured if they were coming here, then either you or Alduin would come out of that Time Wound thing."

"So I decided if they thought you might appear here, then here is where I needed to be. Only it was very cold up there and all of those dragons made me edgy. I told Nelthas and Aranea to stay at the house, just in case I was wrong." It made sense anyway and I was happy to see him.

"Well my Love, let's get going, I would like a bath and if I have to jump in the river to get the smell of musty old bones off of me, then that is what I am going to do. You did bring the horses right?"

He chuckled and said that yes he had. "How long do you have?" I turned and smiled at him.

"Til I die, old and grey hopefully." His eyes said that he thought I was only telling him what he wanted to hear.  "No, my Love, I am being serious. T'sun as much as said that I had a task yet to do, but that I would be welcome in Shor's Hall upon my honorable death...or words to that effect anyway. Don't you see? If I was to go to another time and be another person, I might not have a way to earn my way into Shor's Hall, just because I am Dragonborn here, does not mean I will be there. Do you see?"



A Warrior in Ancient armor stood at the bend in the road, watching the two ride into Iverstead. A huge black hound trotted up beside him. 

"Can you see what happens to her next?"

The Black hound stood there no more, in his place a warrior appeared, his blue eye's slightly sad.

"No, I can not see, her destiny is now her own to make." The ancient warrior nodded and turned, disappearing into the shadows. T'sun stood there a moment longer, watching and listening till he could no longer see the pale gleam of her hair in the late evening sun or hear the music of her laughter.

" I will miss you too my friend, live long and be happy." With that he turned and walked into the shadows, returning to his post.

    ~~~~~~~~                                                 Finis                                           ~~~~~~~~

This is the last of Akeemi's story, as with many of my Fan Fiction stories it is a 'write as I go in a challenge' story. This challenge was Dead is Dead, the character dies and they are done, following the  Skyrim main quest. In this particular challenge, we were allowed to 'resurrect' at specific points if we died. All of Akeemi's resurrections are reflected in this story, except one. Technically the challenge was over before I got to part 29, so I didn't write in her death in Skuldafn.

I hope you enjoyed Akeemi's story.

On my Way to Sovngarde pg 29

We landed at Skuldafn and I thanked Odahviing for bringing me here. I did tell him that he was wrong in one respect, I did not really envy the Dovah their wings, my mortality and those things that came with it were a good trade-off. I regretted the necessity of using dragonrend, but as he had felt what it meant to die, I would gift him with the rest of the knowledge of what being mortal meant, but I would like him to think about it.

" You can not unknown the emotions and feelings and I would not force those on one who lives more by instinct and logic."

"Thank you Dovahkiin, I will think on that. It is a generous offer. I will wait to see who has the Stronger Thu'im, if it is you, I will have your answer." With that, he took off and I was alone in this place.

I turned and faced Skuldafn and started forward. Draugr, Skeletons, and Dragons, I found a good use for the Storm Call Thu'um and as many fell to that and my Storm Atronach as any other spell I used. Getting through the Temple was a matter of seeing them before I was seen and hitting them with a spell or arrow.

When I left the Temple for the main altar area, I was almost overwhelmed. I called a storm and summoned two Atronachs then backed through the Temple door. The Deathlords followed me through the door, along with some skeletal guardians, but the dragons and the Dragon Priest did not.

My Atronach's followed me through and though they dissipated fairly quickly under the onslaught, I used my staff to summon more, then used my lighting rune staff to help keep them at a distance. I used up what magic I had, most of them were on the ground, hopefully, dead for good. A few were still coming at me, so I pulled my ax, thankful that mage or no, I kept in practice with it.

When all who had followed me back into the Temple were down, I paused at the door. I used a few of the potions that Aranea had put in the packs and thanked her for-sight in getting them for me. I recalled quickly that the two dragons outside had been Elder Dragons using Frost, so I quickly cast an Icy veil spell to help dissipate some of the effects. Then walked out the door again.

I quickly used my Thu'um using Storm Call again. Caste dual Flame Atronach spells and started lobbing firebolts at the dragon and the few Deathlords that had not followed me through the door.  With the Dragon Priest getting hit with lightning so often, he was having problems of his own... but even the Dragons were smart enough to land and stay low. He kept to his Alter and was holding his Staff up high... it was acting like a lightning rod.

I saw one lightning bolt hit the Dragon Priest square and he dissolved into a pile of ash, at the same time, I felt a new Dragon arriving. This one was stronger than the two Elder Dragons I had faced and I had been hard-pressed with them. So I darted towards the alter, picking up the Dragon Priest's mask and staff, the staff I put in the slot on the alter.

I watched as a blazing white light opened up in the space before the Alter and felt the dragon land.  I turned just in time to cast a ward spell and back down into the portal. The Thu'um he used actually knocked me into the portal.

When I could see again,  I knew I was standing in Sovngarde. Tear's struck my eye's blind for a moment, then I dashed them away. I had a job to do, I was not a Nord, but this, I could spend eternity here, not soon though, I would prefer to spend a lifetime with Signar.

I heard Alduin calling in the mist that covered the valley, I heard the sounds of men dying, dying a final death, their souls lost for the power that Alduin craved. I walked down into the valley, the shadows of the lost echoing in my ears. I readied my Clear Sky's Thu'um so that I would not be walking in the mist, I was not sure that Alduin could not snare my soul.

I found a couple of soldiers in the mist and they followed me for a time, but they got to arguing with each other and I could not see them any longer. I heard the yells as Alduin took their souls, my heart was heavy as I neared the bridge to Shor's Hall.

"What brings you here, grim wanderer, to Sovngarde, Shor's Hall to the honored dead?" The deep voice startled me, as I had not seen the man standing in the shadow of a pillar. I looked up at the man and continued to tilt my head up, good Lord was he tall. I looked into his Crystalline blue eyes and blinked.

"I pursue Alduin, the world eater. I wish entry to the Hall of Valor."  I tipped my head sideways and stepped back once, so my neck wasn't at an awkward angle while still keeping eye contact.

"You are not an honored Shade, but among the living, why dare you the land of the dead. By what right do you request entry?"

"By right of Birth, I am Dragonborn."

" Ah, it has been a long time since we had one of the doom-driven hero's of the Dragonblood pass through Sovngarde."

"May I pass into the Hall, I only wish to speak to the tongues of old?"

"Living or Dead, by Shor's decree,  none may pass this perilous bridge, til I judge them worthy in honorable combat". The feral grin on his face told me he enjoyed his job. He pulled his ax and took a warrior's stance across from me.

I would have been more comfortable using magic, but I too drew my ax, but then conjured a shield and our battle commenced. We traded blows for a time, he had a counter for every move I made like he was a sparring partner or had often seen me in battle. I got some good solid hits in, I had not used a shield much in Skyrim, but I had in other wars.

I stared into the crystal blue eyes as we circled each other and thought how familiar they looked again, but I know I would have remembered anyone of his massive size. We traded blows till I felt my shoulder start to ache, I really needed to keep my muscles in practice for using shields, relying on magic had made them kinda weak.

About the time I felt my shield starting to dissipate, I readied another spell this one, one of my Masters used quite frequently. As the shield dissipated, Tsun grinned and readied a blow, that never came as I unleashed the spell. A massive clap of thunder sounded right behind him and he flinched, exactly as I had the first dozen times my Master had used it.

  I swung my ax and at the last second turned it sideways so that the flat of it hit him in the head. He staggered and went to a knee, the battle was mine. I sheathed my ax and stood looking at him.

"You fought well, I find you worthy to pass. It has been long since the living has entered the Hall of Valor, I hope you find that which you seek." I looked back up into his face, his blue eye's twinkled with good humor. So I smiled back at him. "That was a clever trick, Dragonborn."

" One of my first Weapons Masters, used it on his students all the time, said if we allowed ourselves to be distracted in a battle, we die.". He smiled grimly and nodded.

I walked across the Whalebone bridge and entered the Hall of Valor. I was met at the door by Ysgramor, who told me that the doors to the Hall had stood shut since the arrival of Alduin, none to enter, trapped by his snare. None to exit by Shor's decree, but three stood ready to fight by my side, at my word.

I walked around for a moment and from a distance, saw a few "hero's" of Old that I knew, personally. I did not greet them, because they did not know my full story and would wonder at my being here in this time, so far from the ones they themselves lived in. Too long of a story for a short visit to Shor's Hall.

I found the Tongues of old and we talked for a moment, coming up with a battle plan. I needed to know their skills as they needed to know mine. When we had a plan fixed, each of us would take turns keeping Alduin grounded, for only then could we defeat him.

This is what we did, we taunted him by clearing the mist from the valley, until such a time as he came to us. Felldir and I took the two points with the most cover, Hakon and Gormlaith the other two. It was not a short battle and I used the charges up in all of my Staff's, then I used the scrolls that I had brought with me, interspersing both with the spells I knew and my bow.

When he finally dissolved into fire, no soul did we absorb... I knew that Akatosh had grabbed that and an Aspect of Alduin would return sometime in the future.  The three tongues praised me for a battle well fought and said they would be proud to call me a Shield sister.

" That was a mighty deed! The doom of Alduin and Sovngarde cleansed at last. They will sing of this battle in Shor's Hall forever. But your fate lies elsewhere, you have a task yet undone. At the end of your days, you may be welcomed back to feast by my side, I will welcome you with glad friendship and much feasting. Let me know when you are ready to go and I will return you to Nirn".

I walked a short distance away and stood looking at the valley, which was now peaceful. I walked the shores of the river and stood just looking at the aurora with it's shifting colors, I drank in the peace.

I felt a large hand settle to my shoulder. "Tarry not long, the land of the dead is not a good place for the living". I nodded and turned to face Tsun. I looked at him long and smiled, lifting my hand to his cheek, I pulled his head downward and gave him a soft kiss on the lips.

" I will miss you my friend, but I am ready to go back... for whatever time I have," I whispered against his ear.

He smiled and said that Shor had decreed me a gift, anytime I needed help I could call on one of the tongues for aid. He taught me the Thu'um. He backed away from me and right before he sent me back he winked.

My heart quickened with a thought......

Dragonsreach pg 28

 

"You want to do what?" I winced at the Jarls tone, I couldn't blame him, but I needed the trap on his great porch to snare a dragon.  So I explained it to him again.

"My Lord, I would not even think of asking such a thing, but it is not just dragons that have returned," I paused and took a deep breath, " Alduin has returned My Lord, we had him, we had him down, but he escaped." No point in saying how, I really wasn't sure myself., "I need another dragon to get information".

"Alduin, the world eater himself. Doesn't that mean it's the end of times?" He sat up straight as he said that.

"I am Dragonborn My Lord, I can defeat him... I will not will not go down without a fight. I need your help though." I could only hope I did not sound as desperate as I felt.

"Huh... Whiterun will come to your aid Dragonborn, as you came to ours. Ours the sacrifices, ours the glory." he paused for just a moment, " How do you plan on getting a Dragon here?"

" I don't know actually." I admitted ruefully, " But I needed to know if I would have your aid, plus I figured you might need to test the trap, make sure it will still work. It would be a real mess if we got the dragon into the great porch and then the trap would not spring" That was an understatement.

"You are right about that. I will have the guards not only look at the trap but to make sure they are ready for the dragon to possibly attack the town. Let me know when you are ready Dragonborn, we will be. Now, I have preparations to make and a town to run."  I knew that for the dismissal it was and left.

I had two choices as I saw it, The first was to ask Esbern if he knew of a way to call a dragon, but he and Delphine would not be happy with Paarthurnax and my association with him. The second was to go back to the Throat of the World and ask Paarthurnax himself. I leaned against one of the pillars and looked up at High Hrothgar, damn, but it was the better choice right now.

"Is something wrong Dragonborn?" one of the guards asked.

"No, friend, I am just contemplating going back to the top of that mountain?" I said pointing up at High Hrothgar.

"I don't envy you that climb, friend." He said as he continued on his rounds. For the first time, I felt a twinge of envy at the wings of my blood kin, I may have dragon blood, but I can not fly. I squashed that feeling, it could lead down a dark path, that I did not wish to take.

I headed back to the house and let the others know that another trip to High Hrothgar was in the offing. I asked Nelthas if he and Aranea would stay here, him to oversee the new additions,  I wanted locks we didn't need to worry about, Aranea to brew up some potions, we would probably need them. Some of the staffs could use recharging also. They both agreed though neither looked happy about it.

The one thing I really wanted was a bath, so I headed up the stairs. I turned on the taps and then went back to the bedroom to get out of the armor. The under-clothing I threw in the small basket I kept for that, the armor itself I turned inside out so that the heavy silk lining could air out. I hung it on the odd hanger that kept all the pieces together, but open.

" Are you trying to drown or look like a wrinkled old lady?" My eye's popped open at the voice next to my ear. Signar was sitting on the bath step, with a towel thrown over his shoulder. He stood up and pulled the towel off his shoulder, wiggling his eyebrows he held the towel out by both ends. I laughed and stood up, the water was kinda cold, I must have fallen asleep.

"I wasn't very subtle was I?" I heard him chuckle behind me as we walked the couple steps into the bedroom. As his arms came around me I leaned back into his chest, I could feel his breath tickle my ear.

"As subtle as an avalanche. The good news is that Nelthas thinks you just want time alone, with me. Aranea, now, she might have other thoughts." Goosebumps replaced the towel, as it hit the floor, but it wasn't the chill I felt.


Nelthas and Aranea were already up when we came downstairs. Neither were in their travel armor, but both had packs by their feet.

"We got these ready for you last night. Figured you would want to get up and be off as early as possible. " Nelthas and Aranea walked us to the Stables to see us off. Thankfully the weather held all the way up High Hrothgar.

This time I left Signar in Iverstead and used my Thu'um to climb the mountain faster, Paarthurnax would know I was coming. He had already thought about who to call and had an answer for me, Odahviing. I went down the mountain as fast as I had climbed it.

Signar and I stayed the night in Iverstead and I related the news to him. We talked well into the night, both of us knew my time, in this time, might be coming to an end. I lay curled in his arm's in the wee hours of the morning, I knew he was asleep from the evenness of his breathing and the relaxed weight of his arm.

I stared into the shadows of the darkened room and wanted to cry and scream at the same time. Had I not paid enough for the ill deeds of an ancestor that I had never met? I did not sleep much that night and was blurry-eyed and cranky the next morning. I tried, I really did to not let my foul mood get the better of me, but a family of frost trolls that decided to attack paid the price.

I cast a spell that up until that time I had not been able to use since handing over my family necklace to Signar. The Firestorm spell pretty much made the frost trolls die in their tracks. Signar was standing there with his sword and Shield out and a look on his face that said I had taken all the fun out of his day. I laughed and said "Sorry Sweetie" and got back on my horse.

Temper tantrum or did I now have more magic at my disposal? I wasn't sure, but it was something to think about. We got into Whiterun late in the afternoon, I decided to go tell the Jarl I knew how to call a dragon to me, it wasn't guaranteed to work, but should. We would do it the next day.

Before I left the Jarl with many last-minute preparations, he asked me to hold on a moment.
 "The people of Whiterun decided that you needed better armor, so here are two sets. Both are made by Adrinne, she designed one set, the other the Nobles of the town asked her to make. " He had the guards lay both sets out.

I looked at the gold plate set and coughed.. "Well that is rather nice, they put a lot into it." The Jarl chuckled and said that the Nobles would be upset were I not to fight this dragon in it. I sighed and looked at the other set. I gasped as I recognized some of the Dragon Scales that I had sold to Adrinne. "This, this is both beautifully crafted and well thought out. I can feel the enchantments on it. Farengar must have done some of them?"

"Yes, he said he thought about what would be most needed, it's got resists for fire, frost, and lightning on the different pieces along with a couple of other things that he could probably explain better." The Jarl had a twinkle in his eye, I knew that was just a way of saying that I should thank Farengar and ask him what all was put on it and I would before I left the Palace.

"Well as I can't carry both sets, I'll leave the Dragon Scale here and wear the Gold Plate tomorrow when we call the dragon, people will see me in it and the guards will let them know otherwise."

"That sound's like a plan Dragonborn, we will see you just after dawn tomorrow morning?" I nodded and thanked him.

I got back home and the others were sitting down at the table talking, I could smell that dinner was cooking.  I looked at them and smiled, then a thought hit me, I was missing a pair of crystal blue eyes. Where had Tex gotten off to? Well, he would reappear when he felt like it but, when had I seen him last? Could he be hurt somewhere? No.. no...we were at the stables the last time I had seen him, he was probably just out hunting on the tundra.

"So.. Tomorrow. The idea is to lure the Dragon onto the great porch and trap the dragon, I'm the bait. When I get the Dragon to land, don't run up and attack him, dissolve into the stonework and let him back me down the porch, then one of the guards will spring the trap. The idea here is to not get anyone killed. "

"Muthsera, I made these enchanted items, you can't wear them all, but I think once the dragon attacks you will know which set to put on." Aranea handed me three silk packets and I opened the blue colored one. I smiled as I touched the amulet.

"Fire, frost, and Lightning?" I asked, when she nodded I thanked her. Signar was looking at the Gold plated armor that I had placed on a chest. He was frowning when he asked.

"You don't intend to wear this tomorrow, do you? Gold? Your fighting a dragon that may use fire, gold melts at a low temperature." I sighed, as angry as he would be, I could not afford the ill will of the Nobles of Whiterun, it didn't matter if he was correct or not.

"I do, I intend to wear it on my walk to the great porch, Adrinne created that armor, she would not make something so badly as that. It is not just gold, it is gold and steel melded together in a fashion I have not seen.  More like Elven armor, but not the same materials. Besides their is a better set that the Jarl is holding, I can wear that once I get there, if I think it is a better choice." He nodded.

Our plan with Odahviing worked exactly as planned, even the armor worked with his fire breath. He even gave me the location of Alduin and how to get there, with a small hitch. Their was no way to get there except to fly. I cursed mentally and knew that made sense, Alduin would not want his main fortress to be something easy to get to.

I knew there must be a way. Unless he made his dragons fly his priests and their attendants and all food supplies in, their had to be a water or land route in. That of course did not mean it was accessible from Skyrim. So I made a deal with Odahviing to fly me there for his release. After he was released he walked to the end of the porch and rested.

I walked back to the others, including the Jarl, and told them what Odahviing had told me. Signar said not a word the whole time, but I could see his hands balled into fists, his lips thinned, his jaw hard as a rock and his eyes, the look in them was enough to break my heart.

"Aranea, could you please get the Dragon scale armor that Adrinne made me, I think in a prolonged battle it will be more sturdy." She nodded yes and the Jarl said he would show her where it was.  Nelthas trailed behind him. I walked off to one of the side alcoves to wait, talk to Signar, and change.

" So, you are going where I cannot follow? How am I to protect you?" I had stripped down to the thin gambeson that that come with Armors. He pulled me up against the hard plate of his armor and I thought I might end up with some bruised ribs from the strength of his hold. " I can not lose you."

I looked up at him and I almost choked at the look on his face, his blue eyes glittering with un-shed tears. There was nothing I could really say that was truthful that would take the look off his face. So I said the only things I could.

" I Love you, you are my heart, my soul. What I can do to return, I will, that I promise you. I will live, the Divines willing or allowing, I will come back to you".  He held me until Nelthas came with the other armor, then helped me into it. Nelthas told me to wait as Aranea was running to the house with one of the guards to get my staff's and some other supplies I would probably need and not be able to get.

When she came back I gave each one of them a hug and a kiss and told Nelthas and Aranea to take care of Signar for me. I looked around one last time, but Tex was nowhere to be found. Then I put the pack on my back, along with the staff's I wanted to take, and told Ohdaviing I was ready to go. I looked back at my friends and my heart and then with a determined set of my shoulders climbed onto Ohdaviing's neck.

Just before we took off, he said to hold tight...I would see how the dovah saw the world, I would truly know envy then. I looked down at the world after we took off and yes, it was a beautiful sight, but nowhere as beautiful as the light in Signar's eye's when I entered a room.

From the Deepest Place to the Highest pg 27

Have you ever read a story that began "It's a dark and stormy night?" And you just knew it was a horror story? Well, let me tell you, it wasn't a dark and stormy morning when we left the Statue of Azura, it was a beautiful morning, bright and sunny, with only a few flurries of windblown snow and not much of that.

We had not made it to Aftland when Nelthas pointed out that there was something on top of one of the buildings that had not been there before. We got closer and yeah... a mechanical dragon? Were the Dwemer crazy? OK, don't answer that, I can see the answer to my question.

The worst thing was, there was a dragon inside that mechanical body and he wasn't happy. They had messed with him so much that he was crazy. Evidently, the expedition that had disappeared had started the process of waking him, we had finished when we were here the last time. Well, we put him back to sleep, when I absorbed his soul, I dug into it and then used it as hurriedly as I could on the "Storm Call" Thu'um that I really couldn't use, but it was better than hearing his voice inside my head.

Before we had gathered back together to go into Aftland, an Elder Dragon attacked, and if he wasn't enough, a family of Frost Trolls also decided to attack. It was an odd fight, to say the least, the Dragon was all upset about his friend dying, but at the same time, he said it was good that his soul was finally at rest. Well, I put him at rest also, well sorta, I could still feel him inside.

We headed into Aftland, the men walked ahead, and we ran into nothing until we found a member of the expedition, he was slightly crazy and attacked us. The sword Signar put through his chest laid him to rest and then we placed him next to his brother. I read the journal and then placed it next to both bodies, if someone else came before we got out, they would know who the two of them were, if not I would send word, via caravan about the demise of the brothers.

The Dwemer built well, both the building machinery and its wards were still very active. The men debated the whole time, Signar thought that the Dwermer got what they deserved messing with mechanical devices and turning from the Divines, Nelthas was fascinated by all the Machinery and said he would love to get an intact automaton to study. I'm not quite sure if he meant to watch or take apart piece by piece. Aranea said that she had heard debates about the Dwemer returning as abruptly as they disappeared.

I had talked to Yargrum at Tel Fyr... I probably knew more of the Dwemer than anyone left alive. I did not at all feel sorry for them, what they did, they did to themselves.... well mostly anyway. I did however feel pity for the Falmer, that we ran into, I felt a knot in my stomach as I looked down on the first of many Falmer that would die this day. Snow Elves, what was done to them, yes I felt some pity. No one deserved to live this way...generation after generation. At the same time, the Dwemer had been gone for so long, that had there been any sense left to them, they could have changed themselves long ago, changes that would have shown today.

When we entered Blackreach proper, there was no doubt. We stood on a balcony overlooking the area, all of us amazed at what we were seeing. Giant glowing mushrooms, some reaching almost to the ceiling, which also had some kind of glowing fungus or something that looked like multi-colored stars. There were crystalline rocks of some kind that gave off a soft bright light. There was a hum in the air that was almost inaudible, but it was beautiful in the same way listening to crickets on a warm summer's night is beautiful.

We probably would have stood there for a long while, if a Dwemer guardian hadn't decided to attack us at the moment. It really didn't stand much of a chance with the five of us attacking it. We did a quick check of the area, Signar and I on one side of the road, and Nelthas and Aranea went in the other, with Tex darting ahead of us going back and forth.

I was very happy to find a lift that took us right up to the top levels of Aftland, when we found the second lift that went directly outside, I was more than happy. In the distance, I had seen more Falmer and some creatures that I wasn't sure what they were, but if we didn't find the correct tower, Mzark, then we could sleep above ground.

This is pretty much what we did, Blackreach was a huge area and we had to search every tower. A giant ornate yellow ball that glowed with a light of its own, was centered over a walled fort-type area. We skirted that, as it had Falmer and some humans guarding it, though the humans seemed to be slaves, they fought alongside their masters. In the furthest corner, just when we all began to think that we would have to storm that fort to find the Elder Scroll, we found the correct tower and we were not the only ones to have found it.

Tex ran ahead and then came back with a skeletal arm in his mouth, the hand clutching a journal. Signar and he played an odd game of tug of war over the arm and journal, but finally, Signar had the journal and Tex had the arm... then spat it out. He handed me the book and I read through it quickly.

The Book, the Lexicon, buttons that lit up... four minds and a barking dog, but we figured it out and soon were on our way back to see Paarthurnax.

On the lift we debated the fastest way back to High Hrothgar, without the horses it would be a long walk, but not every town had carriage service.  At one point Signar asked why I had not learned to conjure up a horse. I looked at him and said I did know one, but he would still be walking, Nelthas and Aranea laughed, Tex just snorted and kept going.

We decided the walk to Whiterun was only slightly longer than the one to Windhelm and since our horses were in Whiterun, it made more sense to go there. We discussed our strategy with Alduin, the best way to defeat him. What was decided is that I would concentrate my Thu'um's on Dragonrend alone, to keep him on the ground as much as possible. If he got in the air, Aranea would heal whatever wounds we had, The men would close in from the sides, with Tex harrying his legs. I would conjure atronachs to harry him at a distance and also cast destruction spells with Aranea. Heal myself as needed.

We also talked about going back to Blachreach and making that a home away from home, when Whiterun got too hot with the Thalmor. Well, Nelthas and Aranea talked of it, Signar just took my hand and said nothing. I, on the other hand, knowing it might never be, for me at least, helped them to plan out a good "expedition", to head down.

It passed the days until we got to High Hrothgar, we took the horses through the Temple, as there was no way around. None of us might be in shape to ride down the mountain. I can not say that all the Greybeards were happy at seeing the horses walk through, but Borri had laughter in his eyes.

I walked ahead of everyone with Signar leading my horse, using "clear sky's" to clear the freezing fog. Tex walked by my side, I looked down into those Crystal blue eyes and saw eternity in them, then nothing but doggy devotion. Sometimes I let my own imagination run away with me.

We left the horses right at the gate to the Throat of the World, where the icy fog never reached. Paarthurnax was waiting for me.  He said he felt the Kelle, the Elder Scroll and that time was shuddering at its presence. I would need to hurry to the Time Wound, as Alduin would surely be here very soon.

I got a hug from everyone, except Tex who reared up on his hind legs and licked my cheek... and Signar, who hung back til the others walked away. He hugged me close and brought his lips to just touch mine, "I love you, do not get stuck in time, I do not want to have to track another of these scrolls down to go hunting for you". Then his lips pressed into mine and I thought he would crush me to the steel plate of his armor.

I walked away and opened the Elder Scroll...... I saw a thousand thousand lives, things that could happen, might happen, did happen, and then the words and scenes got so bright that I saw nothing. When I could again see, what I saw was a battle of dragons and men. Carnage, the bodies of both lay strewn over the battlefield like broken toys after a child had a tantrum.

Then they came, Paarthurnax's friends, they slew a dragon in front of me but they did not use the Dragonrend shout, it wasn't needed. Then they talked for a while, Alduin had not come to do battle with them, those he had met, died, their bodies littering the ground, their souls the fuel that Alduin used to continue to fight.

I listened as the elder one said that he had brought the Elder Scroll in case they could not defeat Alduin and heard the others say that that was not what they had agreed upon. But Alduin chooses that moment to appear, so I listened and I learned the Dragonrend Thu'um and heard what he thought of it.

I watched as the woman died and the two men fought a losing battle, the elder one then brought out the scroll and said some words that sent Alduin forward in time and me back to my own.

I was disoriented for a moment but heard Paarthurnax say that Alduin was coming... I should use the Dragonrend words to put him on the ground and he would be mortal for that time.

Our battle plans worked the way in which we thought they would, except for one small detail. By the time I felt Alduin weaken to the point he was using up the souls he collected, he flew off, I tried the Dragonrend shout, but it did not work.

We healed ourselves up and then went to talk to Paarthrunax.. I apologized for hitting him with the Dragonrend shout, but I had had no chance to see what kind of spread it had, it was more than I thought. He was not happy about it, but now he could honestly say he knew what I was capable of.

We talked for a bit and came to the conclusion that we would need to capture a dragon. There was only one place that any of us could come up with that would hold a dragon because it had held a dragon. I hoped I was still in the jarl's good graces. I am not sure I would be after suggesting trapping a dragon in his home, in his town, after he tried so hard to keep the Civil War away from its doors.

We left right away for Whiterun, stopping to let the Greybeards know what was happening. Borri is the only one that would come anywhere near us and I knew he would not speak. His eyes were again twinkling as we marched the horses through the Temple. I did stop and explain what was happening and also to make sure that the horses didn't leave anything behind.

As we exited the Temple, I looked down and sighed, it was at best a two-day trip. A day or two at home would not go amiss, we might be able to manage that. I was not looking forward to talking to the Jarl, but I would... the day after we got there, as I wanted time at home.