Assignment Skyrim Borders: The Red Eagle Project, 2nd of Heartfire

• Posted by Piper Jo April 11, 2012 - 935 views

  I must explain the long gap in my journal.  I allowed myself to get diverted from my mission, but it was for such a good cause!

  The native people of the Reach are closely related to my great grandmother’s people in High Rock.  Therefore, I have always had an interest in their culture.  That’s why, when I came across a copy of The Legend of Red Eagle in Cracked Tusk Keep, I read it with fascination.  On the 30^th of Last Seed, I camped out in the safety of Reachwind Eyrie (a dwarven ruin and a fascinating site in its own right—I collected a number of dwarven technological artifacts from this site and will take them to Markarth for further study). I cracked the book open and reread it for the fifth or sixth time, when I realized that several of the landmarks described sounded familiar.  I pulled out my map and was certain.  I knew where to find Red Eagle’s sword.  I could recover it!  It was nowhere near the border, so I could not make the argument that it was part of my mandate, but still, the benefit to the Reach natives, not to say to all of humanity, would not allow me to miss the opportunity.

  Securing the assistance of the natives turned out to be an issue.  I had first encountered them while trying to survey Lost Valley Redoubt, and had found them insular and unfriendly to outsiders.  I’d interrupted some kind of necromantic ritual while trying to get a better view of an inscription carved into an ancient wall.  I never did get a good look at the inscription, and I was forced to flee for my life.  Thus, I had little hope that the natives would be willing to work with me on the Red Eagle Project.

  I headed north, and encountered the natives who controlled the crossing of the upper Karth River.  I attempted to approach one of the guards and was met with force. No attempts to talk were accepted. Once again, I was forced to flee.  That settled it—I had to continue without the cooperation of the natives.  I am at peace with that decision.  I may never hear a word of thanks in my lifetime, but future generations will be grateful.

  Continuing on my way, I reached the location of Red Eagle’s sword.  I found it crawling with natives, and had to fight my way slowly every step of the way.  I found it tragic that I should have to do this, but the preservation of the Reach’s cultural heritage outweighs the lives of a few individuals. 

  When I finally reached the ritual site at the top of Red Eagle Ascent, I found that the sword was not lost at all, but rather in use by one of those undead native warriors.  What an outrage! Through methods I will not detail, I was able to secure the sword, along with a priceless copy of a journal written in Red Eagle’s own hand, describing a ritual that would essentially turn the sword itself into the key to his burial chamber.  I continued on to the native catacombs.

  The rite called for the sword to be bathed in human blood.  It fit into its slot without any trouble, so I would guess that over the years the sword has been bathed many times.  A secret door opened in the wall, and I was able to enter Red Eagle’s burial chamber.  Just as I crossed the threshold, a skeleton arose from the corner, magical energy clearly animating it.  I rushed forward and struck it down with my draugr great sword before it could take its feet.  Hearing a sound behind me, I turned to find a crowned draugr, dispassionately observing me.

  “Red Eagle, I presume?” I said.

  In reply, the draugr opened its mouth and shouted something at me in a booming voice that physically threw me backward and wrenched my great sword from my hands.  I picked myself up and fled the burial chamber, pulled Red Eagle’s sword out of its slot, and sealed Red Eagle’s draugr back inside the chamber.

  My ancient great sword has thus been lost, but in its place, I have Red Eagle’s sword.  I cannot complain about the trade. I am saddened that I was unable to study Red Eagle’s burial chamber.  It would have told us so much about the Reach natives.  At least the position is marked so that some other researcher can follow up.  I need to get back to the border and get back to work.  Moreover, I need to get to civilization, so I can turn over the artifacts I have collected to a scholar.  I’ve had to drop many of my personal supplies in order to carry artifacts.