Stepping out into the warm Sun I was surprised how strong I felt. Breathing deeply of the fresh morning air I smiled for the first time in an age as two children ran past playing tag. My weeks off mourning had obviously had more of an effect on me than I thought. My armour didn't ache or pinch in the usually way and the normal stiffness in my hip was dulled. I felt 15 years younger. I said a small prayer to my beloved and set out towards Jorvaskar.
It was still early so the mead hall was quiet. Kodlak sat in his usual place by the freshly crackling hearth. A hearty fry up sizzling in a pan with Aela tending the preparations where the only people around. I didn't head to my seat instead stood opposite Kodlak on the other side of the fire. Kodlak nodded his greeting as he lit his pipe and Aela rose from heat of the fire.
" Morning my friends. I wanted to come and say thank you for your help and guidance. I have thought it over and I cannot ignore this Dragonborn prophecy any longer. I'm going to visit the Greybeards."
Aela smiled and headed round the fire to stand by me
"I'll go with you. I've never done the Pilgrimage before and it's a hard trip."
"No, I think I have to do this on my own. Something is different I'm not sure what it is but ever since you came to see me at Breezehome. This is my Pilgrimage, anyway I won't be alone I'll have Drago. Thank you for offering though my friend."
Smiling I placed a hand on her shoulder giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"Please, continue with your breakfast I want to head out early and make good time to Ivarstead."
Bowing and turning to leave Kodlak spoke for the first time
"Larz, be careful, this path that you head down is a treacherous one. The mountain is old and so are those Greybeards. I've known people go up those steps and never back down."
I turned back and smiled at him
"Come on, what could go wrong I'm the Dragonborn remember."
Shaking his head Kodlak began laughing as I walked out the door
"You old fool Larz hahaha".
It certainly felt like a new day. I had a spring back in my step. The Sky was blue dotted with white clouds, Whiterun was bustling with repairs from the battle and the market was back in full swing. I took advantage and traded some of the rarer items I had collected on my conquest across Skyrim. After Kodlak had so plainly put it I had been instrumental in helping the Empire claim most of the Realm. I had come to terms with it but the occasional salute or hail of "Legate" still didn't sit comfortably with me. The Companions Nordic traditions had saved me from my grief and I now trusted in it so that I might see her again one day. That new found faith is what had given me the renewed strength and vigour. The only reason I had set out that Pilgrimage.
I paid for Drago to be housed back at the Stables where I originally bought him. I didn't want to drag him into Battle with me. To much had already happened it such a short time. He looked strong and rested as I approached his bay. He snorted his usual greeting and nudged me. I patted him and greeted him with a ripe red apple.
It had been weeks since I last rode him and I remember feeling a gust of tundra air blowing the fragrances of the wild flowers all about me as we galloped down the main road towards Valthiem Towers. The pleasantness of the day didn't last. I hadn't even got out of the hold before and only to compound my actions the croon of a Dragon boom above. It wasn't as big as any of the Dragons I had already faced, it didn't have that metallic shine to its scales but rather a dull green. As it circled round over the Windmills I could see the Guards already in action firing volley after volley up at the green hide. The continued barrage didn't take long to ground the beast, faltering in the air it began to drop as I ran to their aid. It crashed onto the tundra sprinting I closed the gap sword drawn.
For the first time I purposefully let my shout go stunning the Dragon momentarily as my blade met with scale. Its attacks were already laboured, blood dripped off it's muzzle as it thrashed and after several more hard hits it fell back to the earth. It's soul burning up and flowing into me. Once more the visions flashed through my mind. Only this time it felt as though I was retched from the ground, vision clearing on the sight of that Black monster. Fear running all down my spine and then a rush of wind and the calm of the sky. It was almost as if I was summoned against my will and the only thing I wanted to do was get away. My mind whirled back to reality with a startling realisation that the emotions I had felt were the Green Dragons I had absorbed. Instantly the vision made sense, I was seeing through the Green Dragons eyes and it was afraid of the Black Dragon who seems to connected to all of this the Dragons, the Prophecy, Skyrim and me.
I didn't stand on ceremony and wait for locals to gather and climbed onto Drago's back. I got turned around on the forest paths after Valthiem and by the time I found my way the best of the day had begun to hide behind the mountain. I managed to find a small mining settlement at Dark Water Crossing who welcomed me to their hearth for the night. I spent the night telling stories as even these back water people have heard of me and my "Adventures". It was fun and I enjoyed their company.
Lying back on my bedroll the night sky unveiled itself but the silhouette of my wyrd stood looming in the dark. I'd heard that the Throat of the World was nearly as big as The Red Mountain to my dismay. Only my destiny would send a sixty five year old on a mountain climbing expedition. I tried to ignore the saddle sore of my destiny as I drifted off to sleep.
Comments
I like the perspecti... more