Drunken Huntsman
"Well," Jenassa stood, "What a sight for sore eyes you paint." We embraced as old friends, and I saw she had switched back to her old Leather Armor without the helmet. "Want me for some more of your adventures?" She grinned, "Free of Charge."
I laughed, "That's okay," I didn't want to say I don't need her any more. "Would'ja lookat this?"
I pulled out a bundle, and handed it to her.
"Well!" her eyes went wide, "Where did you come across this?"
I pulled up a chair, "It's a long story." She ordered Mead. "Huh! Well, I took care of our friend overlooking Solitude," she nodded understanding, "But when I got out, I was unarmed, and just had some golden armor for protection. So, I snuct into a crypt, found an old axe stuck in the floor, and started back. I didn't dare return to the Stables, and even skirted Morthal."
"Is that where," she couldn't keep her eyes off the bow, and arrows lying on the table, and the guy behind the counter seemed to take notice as well.
"I'm getting to that," I rolled my eyes, "Anyway, I found these stairs up to this pass. It was real wide, but an old ruin stretched all the way across it. I ran into a Frost Troll, and I can usually handle them now, but then came another, and another. I finished the first one quick, but I had to fall back. I ran east, up some stairs to see if I could take them one at a time, but wouldn't you know it, aNother one ran out from behind me!"
"And then?" She sat foreward, fingers together in front of her like those triangular arches.
"I had to run, down these stairs to a door, and thank Hircine they didn't follow." I took a breath to steady my fingers. "Now, you know I'm not usually creeped out by those places, but some of them Draugr, they were real tough. It seemed almost all of them could throw Frost, if not icecicles, or Atronachs. I got a really good old sword off one, like my other one, but much sharper, and that helped.
Anyway, it was near the end when I got to this dark room, and a horned one with," I waved at the table, "Well, that. He saw me, and shot me once, and I thought I was gonna die. So I retreated to heal," look around to see if anybody was listening, "howled out, and that wasn't even enough to more than wear him down. I don't know how many times he almost killed me, but when I was myself again, I threw some dust, and rolled away to behind a pillar."
I remembered, "Oh, there was some Vampire lair in there, Movarth, I think his name was. So anyway," I got back on track, "I used it all, rolling in invisible, then out until he calmed down, then back to tackle him again." I didn't add that Draugr don't heal. Who do you think taught me that? "Then, I had to drop down, where there was another one, with this." I had to put away Red Eagle's Honed Anchient Draugr Greatsword of Embers. I grinned, and pulled out my new treasure. "He was tough too, but I got real good at blocking, and bashing, so he barely even hurt me." I just kind of trailed off, got lost in the beautiful swirls, and black glass of my new knife. Sighing, I put it back, and got up. "So, I want you to have that, nobody I know could get better use from it, and as you can see, I got my own Ebony now."
Sanctuary
"We need to talk," Astrid met me at the door, with what's his nuts, the new Kajit.
"Both of you?" I looked down on him, "I thought he just Listened."
"Yes," he looked nervous, "But this one must speak for our Mother to be heard." Like Dovakiin, he seemed to have swallowed the whole Chosen One spiel, and only answered to The Listener now.
I sighed, "Let me change," and stripped off the Elven Light Armor before pulling on my Beloved's hide, Fine Armguards, and some boots I got off a Stormcloak officer. I petted the fur, and felt better immediately. "So," I met them in the Night Mother's chamber, "What's up, a new Contract?"
"The Mother was with you," Astrid leaned back, crossed her arms, and let him do the talking, "She knows what you saw, sees what you know."
"Ah," I pulled up a chair, "And?"
"She says there was a Black Sacrament in the basement of Elenwen's Solar." I remembered, "And a chest full of Gold."
I sighed, "Yeah, well the contractor's dead," she had one of her Wizards do the ritual for her, he was delicious.
"Yes, but you took the Gold," he nodded, "And therefore accepted the Contract."
"What?" I looked over at Astrid.
"He's right," she nodded soberly, "We can, of course get someone else to perform it, but by turning away from the Brotherhood, we cannot let you leave, alive."
I caught my breath. I was so used to the homey safe atmosphere that I'd even left my sword by my bed. I looked back, at the closed door behind me. Even if I escaped them, and fought my way to the Black Door, they would find me. "Huhaha!" I pretended to laugh, "That won't be neccessary. I'm glad to help, but I was just unaware of that rule."
"You read the tenents," She smiled coldly, "While we may have, strayed from them before." you mean You did, "But with the return of the Night Mother comes a return to Traditions. Even without her, we couldn't let such an infraction go."
"Of course not," I swallowed, "It was just a misunderstanding."
"You brought the note?" the Listener crept foreward.
"No?" I shook my head, "But I read it."
"Who's the target?" I turned back to Astrid.
"Delfine," I sighed, "The leader of the Blades."
"Truly we are blessed!" Astrid spread her arms to the coffin, "By the Night Mother. First Elenwen, then the Emperor, and now this!"
"The Emperor," I boggled, "THE EMPEROR!? Of the Empire?"
"Yes," she laughed, "and with this, the Dark Brotherhood will Rize Again!"
It almost didn't even sound like her.
I asked her why he keeps saying "This one," but she shrugged and said that it was probably to make fun of the lizard men.
Karthspire
Wow, we must have really cleaned there clocks, because the camp was still deserted, and nobody even cleaned up all the bodies. Not many places bandits don't move right into soon after they're deserted, but I guess the obvious massacre scared them off.
And the draw bridges were still down, so I didn't have to dig out the old journal to remember how they opened. I snuck up to the big room where I last saw Her, but it was so bright, the guard saw me right away.
"Who goes there?" I stood up, and stretched.
"Dread Fall," I announced proudly, "Where's Lydia?"
"Off with the Dragonborn," his hand went to his sword as I got closer.
"I'm here to see Delfine."
"You mean Delphine?" He blinked, and shook his head. At least he was a Nord, so I could understand his thick accent.
"Yeah," I shrugged, "Her."
"She says you are not to step past the seal," he pointed, "I'll see if she's willing to come down."
While he was gone, I checked the big old chest in the middle of the room. Lots of Dragon Bones, and Scales, even some armor that looked like it was made from it. Sure, I could have followed him, maybe even cut him down, but I had no idea what kind of resistance to expect inside. Besides, I'm an Assassin, not a Bandit.
"Thank you, Goldir." I was sitting on the chest when she showed up, and he waited back by the door again. "I heard about the Embassy," she nodded. She'd changed into the same weird armor as Goldir, blue steel with one of those swords tucked in her belt. Upside down, her hand rested calmly on the long braided hilt.
"So you know Elenwen is dead," I grinned, "And I killed her?"
She sighed, "I guess I should thank you for that." I waited, "So, you're hanging out with the Dark Brotherhood now?" I nodded, it wasn't really a secret any longer. "Did you just come to brag, or do you expect some sort of payment?"
"I got payed, handsomely for it," my face heated up. This wasn't how I planned it, but now, I knew I couldn't just challenge her, prove once, and for all who the better warrior was. She stood back, sheild hanging from her arm, and by the time we really got going at it, either Golldir, would join in, or run up the stairs again to fetch Esburn. I don't know him, his capabilities, or how he would react.
"If that's all," I stared longingly at her back, "I have a lot to do." But he watched me, I knew enough he would warn her before I got a hit in.
"So," I tried to make nice, "Golldir, is it? Where'd Dovakiin, and Lydia go?"
"High Hrothgar," he said, "Overlooking my home village of Ivarsted."
"Oh," I headed back out, "Good." Maybe I could get him to trust me, enough to let me in.
High Hrothgar
"Uh!" 7000 steps, eh? Okay, there was some good fights on the way up, sabercats, an ice troll, and some of those weird floating ghostly frost snake thingies. There was a castle, but it was locked, and there wasn't really any way around. The cliff dropped off dangerously on one side, and sloped up steeply with loose slippery snow my feet wouldn't stick to. So, I waited a while, until I heard Shouting up there.
I couldn't make out the words, but it sounded like a thunderclap. Goldir said I just missed Him, and with a few shortcuts, I maybe even made up some time. I saw some rocks around the other side I can maybe climb, and I've rested up enough, so maybe I'll try that?
Okay, wow. Just wow. I can't really write about it, I swore to Dovak, and I can kind of understand the secret. He looked better in the blue steel armor, and smelled even better than I remember Goldir. It's weird, at the time, I didn't think he was all that good looking, but ever morning, while I was lying there trying to sleep, I kept remembering the smell.
Anyway, the rocks worked, but I got to this ice storm that was so cold, even for me. It sapped my strength, and I was about to give in when I heard that thunderclap of a shout, and it cleared away like magic. And there He was, Dovak, walking proudly up with the sun behind him. I guess I just wasn't used to being up this late.
He asked me what I was doing there, and I had to lie to Him. I figured out on the road that the best way in was to join the Blades, and He liked me more than Delphine. Lydia stood between us, she had her shield out, but kept her hand away from her Blade. Now, I could see her face, the helmet looks kind of not unlike the Wolf helmet, without the jaws Pretty enough, I guess.
So anyway, He told me He had to go to the top, and I could Follow Him if I wanted to. We came to more of the cold wind, but He set himself, arms back, and blew it away with his Thu'um. I staggared a bit, it was so powerful. Then we were at the top, and all I can say is there was one of those weird word walls. He learned a lot from it, how to breathe Fire, like a Dragon, and from the conversation, something else.
I finally found out what this was all about. The Dragons were returning, of course, but the reason is, the Great Black Dragon, Alduin is bringing them back to life. Dovak told me all about it on the way down. The Blades used to guard the Emperor, like the Penitus Occulatus does now, and served the Dragonborn as the ultimate Slayer. Like Esbern told me, only he can absorb their souls, like a big walking soul gem, and chanel that power into shouts.
So anyway, He sent Lydia back to the temple to report in, and carry back some more Dragon Bones, and Scales. "I am sworn to carry your burdens," she sighed, and rolled her eyes. Why the attitude? Doncha know He's the Dragonborn, bitch? Some people have no idea what it means to serve. So, anyway, He told me He's not returning yet, so I could go with her to wait for Him, or He might need some help getting the Kell. That's what he called it.
We got back to the castle, and he talked to this monk guy way up in a tower. I recognized their robes, the Greybeards, ancient voice masters that have to take a vow of silence so they don't kill you with a whisper. Ok, so I was impressed. Maybe all this destiny and stuff is getting to me, but for the first time I realized how great everything going on around me was getting.
Frosen Hearth Inn: Winterhold
While we were on the road, to Windhelm, Dovak told me more about the Thu'um. I heard about the Ancient Nords using it, but I didn't know it could be learned without killing Dragons, and Weird Walls. Even Ulfric, the Stormcloak was going to be a Greybeard once, after he quit the Legion, and before he started the war against the evil Empire. That's where he learned what Dovak calls Unrelenting Force.
He doesn't mind me calling him that, for short. I think he's grown up a lot, gotten over His importance, and even started being embarrassed by it. Now, he seemed almost humble. He said maybe it was better not to be called by his title all the time, and it was even getting annoying. "That's something I like about you," my face warmed, "You're not just some mindless follower, with your eyes all starstruck by the prophecy, and Legends."
He taught me a new Battle Cry, since I get so much practice with mine, and howling when Hercine overtakes me. He saw me do that one too, when we got attacked by 2 Dragons at once! As soon as one was on the ground, I braved it's icy breath, and charged in to finish it while Dovak fought the other. He understood. I didn't tell him how it happened, but just that I had to, for some of my friends. Anyway, I practiced, and practiced, every fight, and by the time we got here, I was getting pretty good at it.
He gave me an old Amulet, of Talos. Even though my spirit belongs to Hercine, I prayed on it, and HE said it wouldn't conflict with HIS Ring. Anyway, Dovah said it would help with the Battle Cry, and there wasn't much else to do on the way. Now, he's up at the college, trying to find that Kell, but I just can't bring myself to go in there.
Just the Elf at the door put me off. She said I had to cast a spell to go in, and she'd even sell me one if I wanted. She didn't have Bound Battleaxe, and I couldn't do a Flame Atronach no matter how I tried. Oh well, Magic just isn't for me, and I didn't really want to go up there with all those wizards anyway. She sold me a scroll, though!
Uh, why can't I sleep? I guess it's all the noise out in the tavern, the bard singing the Age of Agression, maybe I'll go get some mead.
M'zark
Imagine all I was missing out on all this time. I just followed Dovak a couple days, and now finally get a chance to write while He works on this big Dwarven ball thingy. So, he got back from the college, and we took off right away. He told me about this crazy old guy, who gave him a box, and a ball, then we went to the ruin.
It's huge, the Dwarves must have been something else, because here we are, centuries later, and almost everthing still works. Those spider thingies seem to be fixing it up, where walls are crumbling, but their weird machines are outlasting even the stones they cut their halls out of. Then, we ran into these ball thingies that rolled up, and folded out to tall skinny golden warriors.
And they were tough, even my Ebony knife wouldn't cut them, but my hammer sure smashed them up good. I tried shouting at them, but they didn't even notice. Dovak's voice pushed them back real good, so I snuck ahead, since He clanks too much to catch them by surprise. Imagine that, Him following me? I chuckled quietly to myself, and brought the head down to smash another one.
Then, the biggest one of all. Gods, it was a giant, and even Dovak had more trouble with it than any Dragon. I rolled up the stairs, and around some pipes to drop quietly behind it, then bashed it real good in the waist so it fell down. Then there was some Imperials fighting upstairs, so I killed them, and Dovak figured out how to make the stairs down open. He took the girl's Gauntlets, and weird spikey shield, I guess he just can't stand for all his armor to match. Oh yeah, he found some Ebony boots in a chest somewhere. I was kind of jealous, cause all that stuff looks fantastic, but there's no way I could ever sneak in them.
Then, we went down. Way down on this platform with gears in the corners, and saw teeth they hooked into. I don't know how long it decended, too slow to figure out the depth, but when we came out, I was speechless. I can't even call it a cave, it was so huge, a Dragon could probably fly around in it. It had a city, and took forever to search it. And it wasn't empty, not at all.
Oh, I forgot the creepy little eyeless Mers back there. They didn't look like much, but they took a lot of pounding, and could shoot with uncanny accurecy if you made any sound at all. At least Dovak took most of their attention, and arrows while I got around to backstab them. We made a great team, really, his piece mail soaked up their strikes like a bar towel, and he dished it out in great portions.
But that was back in the tunnels, and walkways. Then we came to a city, in the middle of the huge cavern, and they were everwhere. Even Dovak had to blast them away to run, and I got backed into a corner with arrows coming in from all over. "FAAS!" they ran, but that just made more room for the others to run in. And gave me a moment.
I was saving this, but what did I have to lose? Even howling out would probably get me killed, so I slit the seal with my thumbnail, and opened the scroll. It went away in a puff of frost, and the chill crept up my arms as they straightened out to my sides as if parylized. WHOOMPH! I threw it down, and the blizzard exploded out, whirling in a cloud that swept the courtyard of even the bodies.
Wow, this magic is powerful stuff! Thank the Daedric Princes Dovakiin survived. He'd fled into one of the buildings. He appologized for leaving me there, but I forgave him immediately. It was a rout, but he was extremely impressed that I dealt with all of them, even if I didn't say how.
So, anyway, it wasn't there, so we fought some more spiders, and Falmers, and a giant, and finally found the M'zark Tower. More Falmers, the last one was real nasty. Well, there was 3 of them, but we took out the first two real easy, and this guy with an even dorkier helmet than the Iron one fought like a spell sword with a bound one, and shooting Icicles at us. Dovak burned him with Jol, he wasn't frightened by FAAS, and he chased me around a while as Dovak got his voice back. Then He blew him down so I could finish him off.
Oh wait, I think something's happening..?
High Hrothgar:
Dovak gave me a choice, I could go with him, back to the Throat of the World, or meet him back at the temple. I knew they wouldn't let me in, and didn't want to sit on the chest for days, so I followed him. But the Greybeards stopped me, one said that he must face the World Eater alone, it is His destiny, and sacred ground.
I didn't tell them I already been up there, knew their not-so little secret, but while I was there. Arngier wouldn't stop talking, I guess he got lonely up there too, cause the other 3 couldn't speak. I learned a lot, about the history of the Dragon Wars. He told me about Ulfric, described him as "Always Impetuos, he never had the calmness of spirit to meditate."
Then, I asked him about Faas, and he seemed surprized. "Another student, in the way of the voice?" He laughed, "Let me see what you have learned." He let his hands out of his sleeves, and stood back to crouch in front of me.
"FAAS!" I yealled as loud as I could, then ran with the words "Ru Maar" echoing in my ears. I'd never felt such terror, even with a dragon chasing me, or in my worst nightmares, but then I blushed when it weared off. "What did you do?"
"Your pronunciation was imperfect," he nodded, "So by completing the words, I was able to turn it back on you." I caught my breath, "However, you have started the first steps on the path, should you chose to pursue it."
"I don't know," I rubbed my chin, "I can't really grow a beard."
"That is unnecessary," he chuckled, and the room shook, "One of our founders, Gormlaith Goldenhilt was a woman, and it is said that her voice carried for miles." He shook his head. "The 'Greybeards' is merely that which they call us, the Superstitious, without the knowlege to better describe us. In the days of the Blades, they called us the Black Robes, and there have been other names they called the Order of Thu'um."
The walls shook again, and dust pattered down to the floor. "Now," he looked up, "If you will excuse us," the other three were moving to the door, "It is time for us to pray for the Dragonborn as he fulfills his destiny."
Outside, I had to hide under the doorway, as the mountain seemed to be coming down from the battle raging above. They stood in a square, arms raised to each other in the center of the courtyard, and I swear I could see the waves of their Thu'um rippeling out in a dome which shattered the falling rocks as they struck it...
Whiterun
How do you dress for court? Well, I guess I had a dress sword left over.
"I have a message for you," the corior stopped me at the gate, and I waited patiently for him to hand it over.
quote Maven
My patience is wearing, child. I await news of our mutual project.
M. B.
"Wait!" I stopped him, and scribbled something out to take back to her. Stupid, Dreadfall, very stupid. I bet she has a payment waiting for me too, but I'd gotten so caught up in what all was happening lately, I had completely forgotten.
quote Dread Fall
The job is done {I wrote on the back of her letter,} I shall return for the reward as soon as able.
I took out my Seal of the Black Hand, and rubbed it with charcoal to sign it.
That done, I caught up with Dovak at the steps of Dragonsreach. Even as Jarl Balgruuf the greater was refusing, on the grounds of the War with the Stormcloaks, a guard ran up, and announced they were attacking! I'd noticed their camp had moved closer as we approached, and they were building what I had thought to be large tents.
"This is not your responsibility," The Jarl stood, "Dragonborn, but we need all the help we can get to repel this attack. I know you have already done so much for us, but if you do this for me, it will allow me to honor your request."
"So," Dovak turned to me, "Up for a fight?"
SHINK! "You bet!" I ran for the Drunken Huntsman, but she was already gone. Even the guy behind the counter, and Avenicci woman were at the gate, preparing to defend the city. I couldn't wait, so as soon as Dovak came out of his house, we went out to the gatehouse, amidst the fireballs raining down from Catapults.
Burning arrows, and Firebolts shot from the walls, but the drawbridge was up. I climbed up on the wall, jumped to the roof of the watch tower, and ran to meet the onrush of Stormcloaks. "Fus," that didn't sound like "RoDaH!" Whiterun Guards flew back, tumbling against the walls, then another Voice joined the fight.
"Wuld," it was Dovakiin! "NahKest!" He came from out of nowhere, and stood, arms out to his sides, a mace, and handaxe hanging out, and oddly in his original Iron Helm, and Hide Armor.
"Stand Asside," Ulfric spoke, as the soldiers spread in a ring around them, "This is not your fight."
"My fight," He raised his head, "Is with the World Eater, and your petty Jorre' squabble stands in my way."
"RrhH!" I looked to the sky. Great, just what we needed. Wouldn't you know, the Dragon Magnet was in full force! I squinted, looked like a Blood Dragon, from the East.
"FuUS," Ulfric started,
"RoHDAH!" Dovak turned it back on him. He didn't fly back, but staggared several steps."
"Galmar," he got back to his feet, "Take the gate," and readied his axe.
"Attack!" a massive bear of a man charged, axe raised, and started hacking at the barricades erected. Even over the crush of battle, yell, screams, and clashing of metal, I could hear their Dragon's Debate over the din.
"Zun!" I couldn't tell which, "Haal Viik!"
I managed to sneak around the side of the battle, after hacking through to the wall. Everyone was to caught up in it to pay attention to me.
Galmar, the bear man was almost through, though. I knew even if Ulfric were martyred, he could get through, and destroy the city, the keep we need for Dovak's next quest. I couldn't let that happen.
"FAAS!" I threw my Battlecry at the officer. He straitened, turned, and laughed!
"Was that you," he looked down on me, "Little girl?" I showed him my blade, and set myself silently. "Hahah!" He raised his battleaxe, "You can't scare me!" Stupid, again. He's Ulfric's second, and a Nord. No doubt prepared for such a tactic. "HRRUH!" I fell back with the force of his blow, but got a strike in with my pommel before he could recover, and slashed at his thighs. "RAUGH!" I ducked, and rolled behind him, even got another hit in before he could turn, and backhand into my guard.
It still hurt, I couldn't hold up to this forever. And his weaker soldiers would get over their Fear soon enough, so I had to finish this quick. Before he could bring the axe around for another strike, I went for his wrist, caught my blade behind the haft, and tore it from his grip.
"Iiss," Dovak shouted behind me, "SlenNUS!"
I backhanded Galmar, then grabbed his shoulder to twist behind him. The handle flipped in my grip, so I could bring it down at his throat, and straight through the inside of his armor. "HUH!" I kicked his body off my blade.
Turning back, the Stormcloaks had stopped. Spread out between me, Dovakiin, and Ulfric. He knelt, like a statue, covered in frost.
"Go home, Ulfric Stormclok," He stood over him, "You have lost!"
Dragonsreach
Jarl Balgruf the greater had to agree, now. Then he turned to his adviser, who nodded.
"Step forward," Avenicci said, "Dread Fall. Kneel, and present your sword."
The Jarl took it, and let the flat rest on my shoulder. "We heard of your heroic fight in defense of our city. Taking Galmar in single combat at our gates deserves recognition. We are short on Housecarls at the moment, but by my right as Jarl," he switched over to my other shoulder, "I name you Champion at the Gates of Whiterun. Farengar,"
"Yes, my yarl?" the blue robed figure ran up.
"See if you can do something with this," He turned the Ebony over to hand it over to his wizard. "The Sword of Whiterun." I stood, and he put his hand on my shoulder. "For the first time in the history of our city," he looked on me with affection, "We now have both a Sword, and Axe of Whiterun. May it serve you in battle as it has served us."
When I got it back, my blade had a new greenish glow. I asked, and Farengar snickered. "They say you showed great endurance in fighting the Stone Fist. So, I thought it fitting that it take the stamina of your enemies to sustain you. {Absorb Stamina 15 Points.}
"Got any scrolls?"
"What did you have in mind?"
"Well;"
Sky Haven Temple:
At last! To think, I used to complain about little fetch-quests. After all that just to get in the gate, I'll never do it again. I thought I'd have to take on Alduin myself before they accepted me. Then again, their paranoid security measures can't be called unwarrented. "This is serious," I stifled my giggle, and tried to keep a straight face. Delphine finally came down to meet us, and looked on me with obvious doubts. "You can't be serious." She turned to him, "I cannot sully the good name of the Blades by allowing someone like," she hooked a thumb at me, "Her into our Temple. And yet, you want her to join us?" "You don't know her that well," Dovak had his helm off so I could see his brow furrow. "The way I do. She was with me at Helgen, and escaped alive. She has fought Dragons with me, and I have seen her bravery for myself. She went and got Esbern out of hiding. She held back the Stormcloaks with me, and was honored for it. She even fought by your side, and I remind you, impressed even you by her actions." She sighed, "I'm not debating her abilities in battle. But strength with the sword is not all it takes to be a Blade. Since the days of Tiber Septim, General Talos himself, we have fought with Honor, and served the Dragonborn with," "Oh," he interrupted her! "Come off it! You haven't once Served Me! I can't count how many times you said it, but I've fought for you, killed for you, suffered for this birthright I never asked for, and what have you done? You order me around, run from almost every fight, and get me to do your dirty work. Since I met you, I've gotten you Dragonstone," he counted on his fingers, "Killed Mirmulnir while you ran back to Riverwood, Saloknir while you practically stood there, and watched, got you this Temple, doubled the ranks of the Blades, and asked Nothing in return!" I looked on Him, with a little awe. I hadn't noticed before, but looking back, I saw him transform, from the ragged bound prisoner at Helgen, to the mismatched clubsy warrior, to the self diluded "Dragonborn" singing his own praises. And now, finally,the Dovakiin of legend, and prophecy stood before me. Now He was arguing for my honor. "Think about that," he turned, and walked up the steps, "I need to go talk to Esbern." "Where do you think you're going?" She put one hand up, and the other down on her hilt. I looked around, just me, and her, and smiled. "Tell you what," I reached back, even as she was twisting the handle in her grip. SLIKT! "Uhn!" She drew, and struck before I could even lift my hilt. I fell back, but she just stood, dropped her shield, and gripped it in both hands. "No," she smiled, "I'll tell you." Held beside her like a dual cast spell, the blade arched up at an angle between us, pointed right at my face. "You can come in My temple over my dead body." "Fair enough," I crouched, and rolled into a strike. She parried, "Hah!" and sidestepped unbelievably light in all that armor. "You face a Master of the Akaviri arts, you'll have to do better than that!"
"KAIA!" She slashed viciously at my block, then danced away before I could recover for a counter strike. I turned, to face her circling around me. "KIAH!" I sidestepped, turning about my foot to follow through with a backhand, but cut nothing but air.
I never faced someone who fought like this before. Almost like my hybrid style, but so much faster I couldn't get a strike in. "HIYA!" I ducked under her swing, and got a cut across her flank before she danced away. The energy swept back into my weary arms from the enchanted blade, and I charged before she could come for me again.
"HUAH!" she staggared back, but struck me with her hilt, and slashed at my exposed thigh. I got my blade up before hers could come back around, and rolled out with her slashing behind me. There, that had to be my problem. I was fighting her, though she can strike twice to my every swing.
"Don't fight," I reached into my pouch, "Kill." POOF! She charged, but I rolled aside, invisibly. Three, four, THUNK! POOF! I caught my breath.
"Where are you!?" She twisted, and turned with her guard up, "Face me, you coward!"
Then, she did something unexpected. Backing toward the wall, faster than I could roll, she tucked her sword away, and filled the room with Flames!
"Uhn!" My last dose of Dust wore off, even as I was outlined in fire.
"There you are!" She charged, jerking the handle from her belt, edge up to strike in the same movement. It surprised me, once, but this time, I blocked the handle, and snapped my edge against her wrists. Her blade clattered away, but before I could follow through, she grabbed the thick ruff of fur around my neck, rolled backwards, and threw me across the room!
"Hurh!" all right, bitch. I didn't even straighten up from my crouch, but hunched further. Felt the bones stretching in my arms, and hairs prickling through my skin. "HraAAAH!"
She smiled, calmly took a large red potion, and waited for me to finish. "So," she chuckled, "Finally you show what you truly are, Beast. What're you waiting for, come at me."
"FRAASH!"
She held firm at my roar, stepped foreward, and flipped her blade to rest her palm on the pommel. I charged, pouncing to claw, and bite at her, but she whirled, flipping the edge up, and slashing across the underside of my muzzle. I landed, rolled out, and leapt back at her, but she twisted away, leaving another slash across my flank.
I was getting killed! Bleeding from my forearms, chin, and side, I ran on all fours, and jumped out to the waiting ramp. "Come Back Any Time!" she stood on the cliff over looking me. "I'll Be Waiting!" The fear, and rage subsided some, and I regained the form of my birth while she watched.
"I'll be right up!" I growled, but popped some potions, and fixed my armor on the way.
{Note, she's a paper doll, and a Poser. Quite literally, she likes to pose for screenshots, completely unaware of the fourth wall, even as she smashes through it. So, most of these pictures are reference to her playing dressup, changing outfits, and in this case her Maximum Armor. Fighting her toughest foe to date, after soloing 2 Draugr Death Overlords with Ebony.}
I couldn't run. No matter how I felt about her, and my pride, I was under a contract. Failure ment I couldn't even hide, not from the Brotherhood. But I had to calm down, swallow the shame, and anger, and excitement. She was better than me, but I bet a lot of it had to do with how calm she is. That's how she was able to manipulate me, force me into her fight, baiting me into the trap of her Blade. Somehow, I have to turn that around, throw her off guard, make her lose her composure.
I have to Think.
By the time I got up there, everyone was waiting for me. Dovak, and even Esbern. "Lydia," she ordered, "Golldir, guard the exit so she can't run away again."
Goading me, I took a deep breath, let that pass. "So," I turned on Dovak, "This is your leader? Is this who decides your Destiny?" He looked away.
"Nice try," she sneered, "But you won't turn him against me so easily." She had her blade tucked away, edge up, with another one like it, only shorter. "Look at her, pathetic. She attacked me, when I tried to turn her away. The one you suggest I trust?"
He looked doubtful, but then at me. I saw something, in his eyes. Unfamiliar, I have no idea what it could be. Maybe betrayal? He shook his head, but kept his silence.
"Let's finish this," I crouched, and held my blade across, in front of my chin.
"As you wish," she smiled, and drew both her blades. I waited, confident that my mistake earlier was letting her draw me into an attack. She circled, and I turned, the two flunkies at her back.
"What're you waiting f',"
"KAIA!" I parried her blade, but she held onto it, followed through with her short one, flipped it back, and spun to a backhand unbelievably fast. But I interrupted it with a bash from my pommel, and stepped back to counter.
"That it?" she slashed, but came up short, so I cut above her blades, and knicked her shoulder. That's it! Even with all her speed, the one advantage I had was reach! She side-stepped away, but I followed, slashing at the edge of my reach to scratch her paldron, then bringing it around for an overhand power strike.
Oops, she bounced back, inside my guard, and slashed outward with both blades. "UH!" I grunted, then fell back a step when she slashed, then stabbed with her short blade. "Uhn!" my knee gave out, and I fell to kneel against my will. She smirked down at me, bringing her blades up together at my throat, and.
"FUS!"
"arGH!" she growled in frustration, even while being staggared by the shout. "Stop, enough." Dovak ran to my side. "I can't let you kill her." His hand rested on my shoulder, even as I frantically downed the last of my potions.
"Stand Aside!" she rose in full fury, and looked like she would strike Him.
"I can't." His head fell. "I didn't want to believe her, at first, but she told me. How you've been manipulating me, using my Destiny to control me. Then, I couldn't help listening, or ignore the Truth of it. It wasn't until Esbern told me about your decision, that I had to kill Him, Paarthurnax for you to help me any more."
"Fine," she put her blades away, "She can leave, both of you can leave." Edges up.
He put his arm over my shoulder. "And that's when I realised," walked me towards Lydia, and Golldir, "I love you."
"What!?" I stepped away, "No, I?" He let his arm drop.
That armor may be tough, but one thing it isn't is silent. I heard her, charging in without a battle cry this time, and my hand flashed back to my grip. I had to roll foreward to clear it, planted a foot, and twisted to come up, in a slash between her flashing blades, then down with the weight of all that Ebony.
She fell, face down, arms, and legs splayed, swords rolling away, pinned to the hilt to the sand. "Hughk!" Her breath rushed out, in a spray of blood, and wetted my boot.
Hunting Ground
K'thumP! I twisted at the sound of hooves, drawing to a run after it.
"Huhl huhl huhl!" it bounced left, and right, but I could smell it, the fear in her blood, almost hear the beating of her heart. Around a tree, then over a ridge, and down the slope beyond, but I was gaining. Now, she smelt tired, but the thrill of being so close sustained me.
I lept, sinking my claws into her flanks, and biting at her neck. Now, I could feel her blood, pumping against my lips, out around my teeth, and soaking into the fur of my snout. Delicious, I feasted until I was full, and the thrill of The Hunt faded. Rearing my head to the sky, the bloody moonlight shewn through the branches, and I raised my voice as well.
"HAROOOOOOOH!"
The hounds came, eyes glowing, and panting out tongues of flame to consume the rest. And at last, the huntmaster, Lord of the Hunt, Prince Hircine HIMself stood proudly over the scene. Only here, now, HE wasn't the ghostly glow I'd first encountered. In fact, the world faded to a shadow, except for HIS form, crowned with antlers, but not otherwise bestial. Hansome, in fact, even beautiful by the light of the Blood Moon.
"Well done!" HE smiled proudly. "Here," HE waved to his side, "Someone would like to speak with you.
I threw myself into his arms, "Sinding!" nuzzled into the fur of his chest "Beloved!"
He plucked at mine, gracefully in spite of his claws. "What's this?" I'd never known another Were who could talk to me in Wolf Form.
"Nothing," I turned away.
"Don't waste what little time we have together with lies," he said gently. "Hircine is with us, wherever we go. He showed me."
"There is," I cried, "Another."
"So modest," He chuckled, "The Dovakiin, has asked your hand."
"But I don't love him," I wiped my face, "My heart belongs to you, even as my spirit is Hircine's."
"I know," he faded to a man, kissed my tears away. "But it is not to be. I am already dead, and you must go on without me. We had a night together, wonderful enough to keep me until it is time for you to join us. The Dovakiin is powerful, a great man, and it is not yet your time."
"No," I held my hands out to him, "Don't go."
"I'll be waiting..." But he fades into the moonlit mist.
Skyrim:
"Uhn!" I let my hand fall from over my eyes. "Where?" The sun was rising, and looking down, I saw the dead elk I must have been using as a pillow. For once, I felt Rested, and stretched to work the kinks out of my back. The snow felt delightfully cool between my bare toes.
All I was wearing was my Beloved's hide, and the ring, but thankfully my Sword was still at my back. Those were the only two things I could keep on through the change, and i tried to remember where I was last night. Right, the bandit camp, with Dovak. Headded back to Whiterun, now that he had the Name he needed from Esbern.
It's okay, he had Lydia to keep him company. I refused to be jealous of her. She was his Housecarl, and he felt nothing for her, to hear him tell it. And it's not like I was in love with him, or anything, right? I don't know, I tried to think about how I felt about him.
It's sure not like Sinding, poor Sinding. Never steal from a Daedra, they hate that. No wonder we were doomed, curses are likeat. No, I shook my head, Dovah. It's sure not like the Hunger inside, deeper than my stomach, if anything, I felt full. I guess I'm just not used to feeling about him. That, and it's still hard to separate the man from the Legend.
Well, it's no doubt a long way to Whiterun, I can think about it on the way, but better get going.
Epilog: {Yeah, I know. Anyway, the contract fulfilled, most of this will be padded out with her getting in touch with her feelings;}
"I'll see you in Riften," He kissed my forehead, stopped to pray at the Shrine of Talos, and strode purposely up the steps to Dragonsreach. In his new boots, I introduced him to Eorlund, who shewed him how to work with Dragonscale. Dovak said he might try Sneaking, now that he's seen how effective it can be.
I shook my head, and came back to the house. Home, I guess I should call it, Lydia was still upstairs changing. Not a Blade any more, none of them are, even the Temple closed up as soon as Her blood touched the seal. Nice armor, though, if you likeat sorta thing.
Dovak just needed a little help, coordinating his characteristic peicemail so it actually looks good. The Dragonscale boots, of course, Akiviri Curiass, Ebony gloves, and an open faced Orcish helm, all tempered, of course. "There," I held him at arms lenth, "Much better." Sure got a pile of armor left, though, wonder what I'll do with it all?
I can worry about that after we get back from Riften. I packed, tried not to worry about Maven. She sounded miffed, though I don't guess she can threaten me with the Brotherhood no more. Oh yeah, it's gone. The whole sanctuary, burned out as if by a dragon. Poor Festus, I don't know if anybody got out alive, and I can't find Jenassa anywhere.
Not that I need her any more, but I've got so much news to tell her, and the guy at the Huntsman said she's been gone since before the attack on Whiterun. Maybe she found work, after all that sitting around, and waiting for it instead of going out, and looking for it.
Belethor sold us a couple Amulets of Mara, so I guess it's official. Strange that one appeared on me, before I ever even seen one before, in my dream, but the Priestess said that SHE can project HER influence anywhere, there is Love. Even Hircene's Realm, if she's subtle.
Ratway Cistern
"Who're you?" I chucked my head at the masked man in the center, "And where's Mercer?"
He laughed, "Dead!"
"Nevaris!?" I clapped his shoulder, "Neat armor!" It looked better then Thalmor robes, or Ebony even! Way nicer then Shrouded.
"That's Guildmaster Nevaris," He posed proudly, "now."
"Now Vari," the woman's version looked even better, slinking up to put her arm around his waste, "No need to boast." Her voice sounded like a shadow, or would if one made a sound. Maybe it was the mask, but it sounded like she was whispering across the room, right in front of me.
"Karliah," he waved to me, "This is Dread Fall."
"Oh yes," she husked, "I heard so much about you. Goldenglow, was it?" I nodded, unsure what to say. "They say it Vexed even our Vex, but you had a more,.. direct approach?" I tried not to laugh, not wanting to offend her. Now, I'm tight with the Brotherhood, but there was something, lethal about her. I could tell, feel that this was not someone I wanted angry with me. Just looking at her bow, I bet it was better than Ebony, Daedric?
"I'm with the Dark Brotherhood, now," I nodded, no idea what else to say. I swallowed, she sure paused a lot, maybe to choose what to say.
"I see," I was wearing the Shrouded hood, "Perhaps they are better suited to your style."
"What can we do for you?" Brynjolf came over, and took off his mask. There was the striking firey red hair, but he was cleaner shaven now. Just a neat beard around his mouth, and braids pulling his hair back from his face. I sniffed, was that perfume?
"Well," I shrugged, I really came to see Devlin, but I thought I'd swing by, and see what I was missing out on." Not to mention, avoid the long way through the sewer.
"Lots, lass," he chuckled, and headded back for his desk.
Anyway, Delvin bought the weird stone, said there was a bunch of them, if I wanted to go look for them, but I lied, and said I'd concider it. Guild quests, all about sneaking, and fiddling with locks. Instead of killing, not really my thing. He gave me 400 for it, and asked how the new Sanctuary was doing.
"What's that?" I shook my head.
"The Dawnstar Sanctuary," he smiled, "I hope that Kajit feller is pleased with all the upgrades he bought."
"Oh yes!' I smiled, "I haven't talked to him about it yet, but it looks great to me!" Ok, good. I guessed they weren't wiped out, and at least had another place to fall back to.
I couldn't think how to ask Delvin without giving my lie away, but fortunately, he told me about the secret entrance, so I didn't need the pass phrase. It was so well hidden, it took us a while to find it, but at last, the entrance let out into a snow cave, and tunnels. There was the body of the biggest troll I ever seen, next to an empty chest.
There was also a spear gate up to a room that looked like it could be used as a torture chamber. Thank goodness noone was in it. Ever since I saw the basement of Elenwen's Solar, I never really cared for the idea of torture. I mean, killing is one thing, and sometimes it has to be done from behind, so it can be quiet. Hurting defenseless people, just for fun, or even to get information is the lowest of cowardace.
Anyway, I checked that chest, but only found some bloody clothes that looked like they were for a jester. Like Cicero used to wear, poor Cicecro. I really felt for him after reading his journal. Outside, and to the left, a long hall led to the Sanctuary proper.
"Who goes there?" I turned to see someone behind me, chrouched as I was, with her dagger poised to strike. "Dread?"
"Jen!?" I recognized her eyes through the mask, "How did you?" we hugged real quick.
"Well," she straightened, "Someone came looking for you in Whiterun, and he told me about what happened back at the sanctuary. A Redguard, he said he knew you, and you told him about me. Since we had lost so many in the Penitis Occulatis raid, he said we could use some new Initiates, and you'd told him I was one of the best Assassins you knew."
"Oh," I nodded, remembering, "Well, I'm happy for you."
"Only Nazir, and Babette survived," she reported, "And the Listener came back just in time to save the Night Mother."
