Interlude – On a Dragon's Breath

  • 18th Rain's Hand

    I've found where Gwaihen called her home.  I say called, because it seems no one has lived here for months.  Spring is causing a riot among the stones, and I worry the hovel will collapse on me at any moment.  Some smudges in the layers of pollen suggest someone came back to retrieve the books that must have lined the shelves.

    On the floor was a darkened lantern; it has her magic all over it.  I keep picking it up and holding it, peering into the windows.  Oh, her magic is intoxicating, but I can't take the lantern with me. So, I've set it in my lap for the moment, because I found a journal kept in a strongbox.  She must have left in a hurry, for she forgot to lock the box.  Or maybe she knew I was following her.  Has she heard my song in the taverns by now?

    I'll record a few entries here.  Most of them are concerned with the observation of dragons, though it is the latter content that disturbs me.

    14th Sun's Dawn

    Sent report along with a courier.  Nice lad.

    Target emerged from tomb and headed back the way he came.  Will continue to shadow this user of the same power I possessed.

    17th Sun's Dawn

    Orders changed.  Am now reassigned to research the dragon threat specifically.

    Personal research ongoing.  No solution found.  Morthal has proven to be a disappointment in that area.  Will try Winterhold in the morning.

    Meeko will not settle.  The aurora is golden tonight.  Like that night.

    27th Sun's Dawn

    Still no solution or indication regarding personal research.  Winterhold is a cold, dreary place, and the book I purchased is a cold, dreary tome.  It has given me an interesting lead, though.

    Dominion work will place this project on hold.

    13th First Seed

    I remember this place.  Derk--he and I slew a dragon here.  That feels like years ago.  A new beast has taken over the nest.  I am not to kill, only observe.  But it is difficult being near this place, just as it is difficult to look over towards Darkwater Crossing.  Difficult to sleep in my own bed under leaf and stone.

    Mammoth Skull Roost:

    Dragon: Active inhabitant.  Green skin, fanned tail.  Displays webbing between spines.
    Sex: Unknown
    Hours of Activity: Crepuscular.
    Behavior: Appears to patrol territory within a three-mile radius.  Does not seem inherently aggressive.

    14th First Seed

    Dragon seen posturing after making a kill.  Made guttural croaks that sounded like language.

    Meeko was spotted while observing creature too close to nest.  Was forced to end observation early.  Will try another location.

    17th First Seed

    Bandits guarded this dragon's roost.  I suppose they were after the mound of trinkets it's guarding.  Unlike the previous dragon, this one displays skill in metallurgy.

    Goldleaf Roost:

    Dragon:  Somnolent, but resident.  Grey and gold skinned with gold leafing on the edges of its scales.
    Sex: Possibly male.
    Hours of Activity:  Nocturnal
    Behavior:  Seen smelting trinkets into molten precious metals to coat scales for decoration.  Observed bandits bringing offerings to the dragon.  Used the same strange language to subdue them once they began to rebel against its leadership.  One bandit in particular tends the dragon at all times.  Speaks on behalf of the creature when issuing orders.

    Dragons are intelligent, as I've known for sometime.  They understand complex concepts like value and social hierarchies between themselves and other species.  Do possess a language of sorts.  The language is familiar--an echo from a dream.  Have yet to see any offspring or social interactions with others of their kind.

    23rd First Seed

    This one dwells on one of the tallest peaks.  Thus, it seems the species prefers to roost in high places.  It is not to search for prey, but to observe the land they own.  There is a prideful posture to these creatures.

    Climbing the mountain to observe this dragon on its perch was much harder without someone--without him--to help me.  But I have succeeded.  Though, I wonder, in the clouds veiling Hrothgar, if there, too, was a dragon.  I am struck by flashes of memory.  Of that voice rolling like thunder through the clouds.  I would believe it to be a dream had I not stopped dreaming since the incident.  Now my sleep is only crowded with memories of a life I never had, a person I never was.  Someone lost to me--carved from me on that wild night of battle.

    Upper Rime Roost:

    Dragon:  Alert, but frozen still.  Scales are white like snow, spines black as charcoal.
    Sex: Likely female.
    Hours of Activity:  Crepuscular.
    Behavior:  Has constructed a nest-like structure of ice and stone.  There is a sarcophagus nearby that is sealed during the day.  At night fall, an ancient body rises from the coffin to cool the nest while the female leaves for some hours.  Nest is apparently empty, but dragon persists in calling out at all hours of the day.  Undead and dragon converse fluently in the dragon's language.  I need to get closer.

    I have managed to bring a goat up the mountain to the nest.  It was reluctant to follow me, and reacted the way animals do when encountering men.  That never happened to me before.  Most prey animals have shown inherent trust in me.  Only further proof that my personal project is of even greater importance.  Something is very wrong.

    The dragon accepted the goat as an offering.  It froze it solid and stored it near the nest, supposedly for later consumption.  Then it said something I didn't understand.  It rose to a terrible height and boomed something else.  I didn't know what to do, so I ran.  To my surprise, the creature did not chase me.  It only watched me scramble back down the mountain.

    25th First Seed

    Sent my report to Solitude.  Ondolemar should be pleased, though I do not know what he is looking for.  I included my own experiences prior to the incident in hopes of providing proof that the dragons appear to be operating on independent agendas.

    Meeko and I have retired to a different camp near the falls.  I can't bear to be in that barrow anymore.  Too many memories and lost dreams.

    That was the end of her journal.  I've never known her writing style, but words written upon a page reflect the state of the writer's mind.  If this is the case, the writer's mind is empty of motive beyond what it's been ordered to do, while fragments of a shattered life intercede with present reality.  This is not the mind of a healthy Bosmer as it is focused on the now in a manner befitting a dead stump.  I must find her soon, before she actually turns into a stump!

    The lantern is warm in my lap, though it must have lain cold for sometime.  I suppose her magic is reacting to my presence, for the longer I sit here, the fewer plants I see creeping through the stones, the brighter the lamps that remain hanging become, the louder the trickle of water is from the courtyard.  If only I could have visited her while this home was in the height of its magic and beauty.  I would have had the valley ringing with our voices.

    In a faux book behind the bookshelves, I found something else.  A store of letters was hidden here, why they weren't burned, I do not know.  Again, I wonder if she knew I was coming.  If some part of her is leaving clues so that I might find her.  What a dreary chase this has been, my dear.

    28th First Seed

    To Gwaihen of the Clan Irwaen:

    Due to an unfortunate series of events at the Thalmor Embassy, we must refocus our resources to containing the threat posed by the newly emerged Dragonborn.  For it was his efforts that resulted in the aforementioned incident.  As such, it is in the Dominion's best interests that your research regarding the dragons be terminated prematurely.

    You will find enclosed your formal Leave of Service documents as well as a sum of gold for your efforts.  You will remain unconnected to the Thalmor until such time that we may require your service once more.  At that time, you shall be notified via courier.  Should you proceed to proclaim acts in the name of the Thalmor or the Dominion, your privileges shall be revoked and any protection you claim from the aforementioned entities shall be forfeit.

    On a personal note, I would like to congratulate you on your research as it proved crucial in exacting judgement on the matter of the dragon emergence.  Should you ever require any guidance or assistance, do not hesitate to contact me personally.

    May you walk ever in the light of Auri-el.

    Regards,

    Ondolemar
    High Justicar of Solitude

    2nd Rain's Hand

    Gwaihen,

    Please find enclosed the deed to your plot of land located seven miles northeast of Falkreath.  The plot information is as follows:

    Plot: Lakeview Grounds
    Plot Size: Three Acres
    Construction permit: Small structure with no more than five chickens, one cow, and/or one horse permitted.

    Changes in structure must be certified by the Jarl or his Steward.  Please notify either of any additions.

    As the Steward, allow me to welcome you to Falkreath and we look forward to the presence of such an esteemed member in our community.

    Sincerely,

    Nenya
    Steward to Jarl Siddgeir of Falkreath

    Falkreath, then.  She has moved to Falkreath.  At last, a solid lead!  I'll be on her doorstep before she knows it.

Comments

5 Comments
  • Kynareth
    Kynareth   ·  June 4, 2013
    It is painful to read her reports on dragon sightings...to know her thoughts from before and then to read her emptiness.  I am glad to see Ondolemar again and how she at least found occupation while she is trying to find her way again.  Very well-written!
  • Tim
    Tim   ·  January 4, 2013
  • darren
    darren   ·  December 24, 2012
    you do realise the next part wpuld probably be valindor finding gwaihen, with either meeko chasing him away from the house or gwaihen trying to chase him away. or maybe they get together and build the house haha
  • Bryn
    Bryn   ·  December 24, 2012
    @Darren And I, will always love you... I don't know why but I though of that song, I like that song
  • darren
    darren   ·  December 24, 2012
    love will find a way?