The encounter with the Dragon had awakened something inside my Horse. Drago seemed empowered and pounded his hooves along the road towards Whiterun at a mighty gallop.
The Road was quiet and the sun had started to set as I reached a junction in the road. Another Argonian thief ran out of the shadows brandishing his Daggers. I had tackled a few of these Highwaymen and their armour was always too light to withstand my blows. This lizardman had fine glass armour. I unashamedly stripped the armour from him it would fetch a fair price.
With darkening skies my attention stayed on the road the rest of the way to Whiterun. It was late and I didn't want to mingle so headed straight for the Bannered Mare. I paid for a room but chose to sit out on the balcony of my room rather than socialise. The music of the Bard lilted upwards and the chitter chatter of mugs and gossip relaxed me. The belly of mead and venison steak forcing my eyelids heavy. I retired.
My sleep was deep and my dreams dark, filled with screams and images of my shop in the Imperial city burning. The birth of my daughter only for her to be snatched away. Turning to my beautiful wife for release reaching to embrace for her to tumble to mist.
I woke late and didn't feel up to riding straight away. My mind still hummed with my nightmares so I headed to the Blacksmiths and traded the treasure from Pinemoon Cave. I bought some dwarven ingots and set about forging a new Bow. Again the rhythm of the bellows and the ring of the anvil calmed my mind. I left the bow with Adriaette to string for me and headed to Belethor's I knew he would want to trade swiftly for the Dragon bone and scale I carried in my pack.
Untying Drago from the stable he seemed well rested after the previous day and nosed me as I attached he's bridle. Once more I struggled to through my leg over his back not because I was tired or over weight, my coin purse was bursting from the exchange with Belethor. He nearly fell off his stool when I produced the scale.
The distance to the Shrine was short. I drew my bow and tested the string, it was well made, turning off the path it wasn't long till I got chance to test it. Accidentally we stumbled on a pack of wolves lying low in some dense scrub. They were on us before I could climb down. Drago was magnificent once more, as I drew my bow, he reared up and brought his hooves down on the wolfs head in a crushing yelp. The second leapt at his hind legs but he kicked out knocking the wolf to the ground. I let my arrow fly striking the wild dog through its chest ending its suffering.
Throwing my arm up to catch Drago's saddle I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. I dropped drawing my bow and scanned the hillside. I couldn't see anything. Stupid old man letting a couple of wolves get the jump on you. I patted Drago and saw it again. Camouflaged with the long grasses I spotted the Sabre Tooth Cat.
Poised in strike position it had been stalking the wolves when I blundered over the hillside. I drew the arrow back and fired. The giant cat was quicker than I expected. Lunging forward it leapt towards me as I got a second arrow away into its hulking shoulders. It stuck in but didn't slow its charge. Slinging my bow over my shoulder I grasped the hilt of my blade and brought it up as the cat jumped mauling me. The blade pierced straight through but its momentum meant it fell onto me. Pinned on my back the beast let out it's death note. A low deep purr.
I wriggled and writhed but I couldn't get out from under the Sabre Cat. I whistled for Drago, moments later I felt his warm nose nudge my forehead. I grabbed the reigns and he instinctively began to slowly draw me out. I must return to the stable and inquire about where this horse came from. Back in the saddle we trotted up the remainder of the hill coming round to a huge over hang of rock.
Nestled beneath a statue of Talos adorned with candles, flowers, septims, weapons of all kinds, helms and now Torygs Horn. It was very satisfying positioning it next to the other tributes. I ate some lunch and fed Drago whilst looking over my map. Dead Mans Respite was nearly all the way back towards Solitude. I still had time so headed back towards Whiterun. Galloping towards the Fort I decided to take the Right fork which I had never been down before. Hoping it would lead to the pass in the mountains.
The road ended at a small cemetery called Hamvir's Rest. After dealing with it's skeletal guards I studied my map again. Dead Man's Respite was over the otherside of Eldersblood Peak. I decided to follow the lower reaches of the mountain round until I found the mountain pass. Shortly after finding a small cottage I heard that now familiar sound in the distance. Peering up through the mist and cloud I spied another Dragon circle the peak of the mountain. This was getting ridiculous. Where these Greybeards sending the Dragons to get me? or destroy me? They certainly didn't want to shake hands and share a mead. The torment of the riddle to these new happenings was distracting me from my ultimate goal of getting home. My dreams flashed before me again sending a cold shiver down my spine. I closed my eyes and pictured them smiling.
That ear bursting noise snapped me back to reality. The Dragon had spotted me so I leapt down off Drago securing him to a tree before running out onto the hillside Bow drawn. I was too exposed, the Dragon had plenty of space to perform multiple flaming runs. Soaring metres above my head spewing out fire enveloping me. I managed to keep calm switching between healing and arrows as the Dragon swooped backwards and forwards. I saw it's wings stretch open as it landed paces in front of me. For all their strength they were slow to land. I ran at the beast jaws slashing with my sword. Parting scale and blood from bone the dragon fought back snapping its fearsome teeth. It butted me off balance before picking me up in it's mouth. Tooth grated on metal, my sword tumbled to the ground as the Dragon prepared to shake me like a Dog with toy. I grasped my dagger and plunged it into the Lizards eye. Wedged in the Dragon threw it's head back letting me plummet to the ground. Breathing heavily I gulped a potion as the beast writhed in pain lashing its head until the blade worked free.
I took my chance and charged at it's bloodied muzzle. Roaring in defiance it let it's tongue of flame loose engulfing me. As the flame rushed at me I retorted
"FUS!"
Instantly the Dragon recoiled dazed by my Shout. I continued the charge grabbing my sword I slammed it onto the Dragons face in a double strike. Sending it sliding to the bottom of the slope in Ash, Light and ruin.
Returning to Drago loaded with Dragon remains the clouds had cleared from the top of Eldersblood Peak. Poking out at the top I made out the points of another of those walls like back in Bleak Falls. I flicked Drago's reigns and he sped me the rest of the way to the peak. Again I was faced with a curved wall of nordic symbols. A set started to glow and rush towards me and the runes imprinted in my mind. I have no understanding of what it meant. But as before it was over before it started. The Dragon had hoarded some kingly loot, climbing on to Drago's back I coerced him down the steps and in to the valley. On the other side of the River running along at the bottom I could see the Entrance Stone's to Dead Man's Respite.
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Now I am anxious for his... more