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Introduction Someone was going to pay for this embarrassment. Riding in the dingy cart with nothing but a bunch of dirty Nords for company actually made her huff in disgust. The Dominion didn’t deserve her service. She hadn’t been a part of the Justiciar holy order for long, but her brief service had been more than noticeable. She’d accomplished things that no one thought could be possible for one so young. Even on the isles there were those who did not see the harm in letting people worship the Nordic God/King. The Thalmor found this to be a dangerous and rebellious mindset that needed to be quashed quietly and efficiently. Freyanna was really good at her craft and sniffed out heretical sympathizers with an almost magical sense that none of her other comrades could seem to match. She’d risen through the ranks of the Justiciars faster than anyone could’ve ever expected and it was this facet of her life that she concluded might have threatened some of her higher ranked brethren. The attempt on her life came rather unexpectedly. If not for the flame rune she’d set up on the outside of her window completely deflecting the incoming ice spear and her lightning quick reflexes it would’ve been successful. She’d ducked just enough for the second ice spear to deflect off her skull leaving a huge bleeding gash on the top of her head. It almost knocked her unconscious and the succeeding ice spear deflecting off the left pauldron of her armor confirmed that someone was trying to kill her. She quickly erected a ward that continued to be struck by ice spear after ice spear. She spotted the dark robed assailant on the roof of the next building. She felt his attacks had weakened significantly . He was absolutely spent. His golden eyes met her silver ones from a distance and she smiled wickedly as if she knew something he didn’t. He desperately took a vial from his pocket. No doubt in her mind that it was a magicka potion. He wouldn’t get a chance to drink it as she dropped her ward and let loose a fireball of such power that it incinerated the culprit as he was about to drink. The resulting explosion took off most of the roof of the building he was standing on. When the city guards finally reached her it wasn’t to assist her like she expected, it was to arrest her for destruction of property. If not for her standing as the most promising Justiciar in the Thalmor Corps., they might have tried to execute her on the spot. Her superiors weren’t very pleased and decided that she needed to be taught a lesson in humility. She was banished to this frozen world of the mighty Nords. She was ordered to meet up with the Thalmor representative Seadil Adael who was supposed to be waiting for her in Darkwater Crossing to inform her of her assignment. She was early and he wasn't there so now, she was on a trip to Akatosh knew where.One of the captured Nord continued to attempt to make small talk while they rode toward the town. He was a rough and handsome Nord, but that wasn’t unusual. The Nords were powerful warriors and their swords had split the skulls of many of her people during the Great War. Unlike many of her mage touched comrades, she respected their brutal power and their ability to field fearsome armies that rivaled both the Empire’s and Dominion’s best. It was best for all that they were constantly fighting each other. To have a united Skyrim rally behind the empire would not bode well for the Dominion. She examined her surrounding company and came to the disturbing conclusion that she was, however ridiculous, being lumped in with them. That Imperial Captain bitch seemed hell bent on associating her with these handsome brutes. It most certainly didn’t calm her mind that Ulfric Stormcloak was on the cart with them. How could that imperial bitch believe that not only an Altmer, but an officer in the Justiciar Corps. be a part of this Stormcloak rabble? She’d been briefed that this rebel movement was as racist as its leader. They hated elves almost as much if not more than they hated the Empire. To think that she could ever be a part of such a movement actually made her smirk with quite a bit of arrogance.As she thought about the ambush conducted by the Imperials, she started to feel a sense of admiration for them. It was text book and it caught all of them by surprise with its violence and speed. It had ended the fight with little bloodshed as Ulfric surrendered quite quickly. She ended up being caught up in the middle while eating at the communal fire and waiting for Seadil to show. The group of what she knew to be Stormcloaks were giving her the evil eye and she could do nothing but smile at them. It didn't matter how much she argued with the fucking Imperial Captain that she wasn’t a part of these Stormcloak’s forces, they still bound her and took her prisoner at the point of their swords. The talkative Nord actually tried to convince them that she wasn’t with them, but the stubborn Imperials did not believe him either and put her in the wagon with rest of them.She contemplated making an escape attempt right there and killing all of them with a firestorm spell, but she didn’t think it would be a good idea to make so many enemies so soon. Neither the Dominion nor the Empire were really aware of her predicament, but she hoped that she would have a chance to clear things up once she got to wherever they were going and she could speak to more reasonable people.The long ride into the small town of Helgen was uneventful up until she saw who would've been her supposed leader in this land of Nords. She spotted the Skyrim ambassador Elenwen in full Thalmor Robes on her horse and to her complete surprise, Elenwen's eyes met hers in a look of complete and surprised amusement. The bitch just sat on her horse and watched; smiling arrogantly as she slowly rode by her sizeable entourage. She didn’t even attempt to make a fuss about her being on the cart with a bunch of Stormcloak rebels. Elenwen's expression of enjoyment at her degradation started to make Freyanna's blood boil. The ambassador bitch would hear her once she was free, she made a point of it. When the cart finally made it to its destination, Elenwen was nowhere to be found. She continued to scan the area for her, but couldn’t spot her or any of her people anywhere. She wouldn’t just leave me… would she? Her thoughts started to wander back to the isles and the assassin. Are they still trying to get rid of me? She was starting to go from rage to a calculating calm as she quickly and methodically began to analyze her current predicament.As she was assisted off the cart she couldn’t help but notice the inordinate amount of Imperial soldiers there. Was this for Ulfric or was there something else? As she continuously scanned the area with her stunning silver eyes, she finally caught sight of Elenwen once again, watching from a good distance away. She got a dreadful feeling in the pit of her stomach as Elenwen watched her with that smug expression on her face. She wasn’t going to do anything to free her. It looked like she was just there to watch her get executed with the rest of these Nordic rebels. So much for my loyalty to them and doing my best to further the cause. She couldn’t help but be disgusted. Some of her superiors must have deemed her enough of a threat to their positions that they decided to liquidate her… again. She swore that this would be their last opportunity to do so. She started to search for a way out, but came to the conclusion that there were way too many soldiers for her to take on at the moment. Her fears were confirmed when the one other prisoner claiming to be innocent tried to make a run for it and was cut down by a deadly accurate swarm of arrows. Her mind was continuously observing and making calculations of how quickly the archers reacted and their accuracy, as she continued to ponder her limited options she suddenly felt a shove from one of the soldiers who had helped her off of the cart. She’d been asked for her name.She started to think that she shouldn’t reveal who she was at the moment, but she had to try and see if ambassador Elenwen truly knew what she was doing. She nodded in Elenwen’s direction, “She knows who I am and why I’m here.” The Imperial scribe turned towards the Thalmor representative.“She says you know her.” Hadvar yelled to her.“Just because she is an Altmer doesn’t make her my kin.” She watched her smug expression with barely contained fury. “I don’t have any idea of who this criminal is.”Hadvar turned back towards her and she didn’t hesitate. “Freyanna Elsonire.” She would give them no more and Elenwen would be the first of the betrayers that she would kill before finding out who else was involved in this plot against her.Of course her name wasn’t on the list, it didn’t matter because the bloodthirsty Imperial Captain wanted her dead as well. There had to be some sort of arrangement going on here between the Thalmor representative and the Imperial Captain. She straightened up to her full and considerable height before joining the rest of these Stormcloaks in the line for the headsman’s block.She watched as one of the rebels walked to the block in anger and without hesitation. The headsman swing was precise and quick as the rebel’s head rolled off the block and his body went completely limp. Although the talkative one thought it was admirable, she didn’t. There was no way she would go out of this world so quickly and cleanly. She swore she would take out a large number of them as she scanned the ramparts and watched the Imperial archers start to take a more relaxed posture. She continued to make observations of the area and made a hierarchical note by the amount of threat each of the Imperial soldiers positioned around her posed. By the time they called her name, she’d frozen the ropes of both her wrist and leg restraints so that they would come apart easily once she made her escape attempt. As she started to slowly approach the block a booming and unfamiliar roar echoed through the air in the distance. It caused everyone to take a pause and look around to see what it was. As she leaned over the block she turned to look into the eyes of her first target only to have her breath taken from her at the sight behind him. She was in disbelief as the headsman began his upswing and before he could commit to the downswing she shifted her weight under the Captain’s foot causing her to stumble to the side. At the same time she placed an ice spear into the eye of the headsman. “DRAGON!” She heard a woman scream as she looked toward the now recovered Captain who was already lining up her sword swing at her.A deafening roar came from the tower where she knew the creature was perched. It seemed that the skies had opened up with a storm of falling fire and destruction that she’d never seen the likes of before. She sidestepped the Captain’s sword stroke and planted a bound dagger she’d summoned to her throat. Thank you beast, if I could kiss you without dying I would. “FUS RO DAH!” It sounded like words coming from the dragon’s maw. The impressive shout was simultaneously accompanied by a loud crackling boom that knocked over dozens of Imperial soldiers. She leaped forward to avoid a falling streak of fire; she smiled as she rolled forward and got back to her feet. The chaos being caused by the creature was immense. She ran quickly towards the tower the creature was perched on trying to get out of its line of sight. She continued to scan and search the immediate area for Elenwen who was nowhere to be found. She looked up to see the dragon had taken flight and was now bombarding the village with fire from its maw and setting it further ablaze. It was strange that during this epic demonstration of destructive power she almost understood the beast. It seemed to be actually saying something in a long lost tongue as it poured fire into the village. As fascinated as she was with the beast, she needed to get herself out of this mayhem before her luck ran out. She quickly made her way to the tower directly across from the one where the dragon landed and found herself in the company of the Stormcloak rebels. The talkative Nord was there and actually smiled at seeing her. She paid them no mind as she quickly started to look for a way out while the handsome Nord began to deliberate about the dragon’s presence in this world. She admitted to herself that the dragon was a fascinating occurrence and on any other occasion, she would’ve loved to talk about it. It just wasn’t fascinating enough at the moment for her to not think about how to get away from the Imperials and the quickly disintegrating town. The tower suddenly shook violently as the dragon crashed its head through the masonry midway up the stairs. “YOL TOOR SHOL!” She quickly put up her most powerful ward as the creature let loose with its devastating fire breath. Again, she noticed the strange words coming out of the dragon’s mouth as it breathed fire into the tower. She couldn’t understand how during all of this chaos she could actually make out sounds that were very much like words coming from the beast. It drained every bit of her magicka to sustain that ward during the beast’s fire breath attack and she let out an exhausted breath. She couldn’t help but admire the outright destruction caused by the creature. Her wards had never been breached and in one single attack the creature had completely drained her mana. She turned to see that Ulfric and Ralof were crouched behind her, while three of the others on the stairs had been turned into charred corpses. “You’re welcome.” She mentioned to them and before they could respond she took off running to the now cavernous hole left by the dragon. She leaped down to the semi-destroyed inn next to the tower and made her way out to the main courtyard again, picking up a pair of imperial swords from a couple of dead soldiers along the way. As she made her way towards one of the town gates she came face to face with the Imperial scribe, Hadvar. She faced off with him and was ready for a fight when he stopped her with a hand gesture. “Now is not the time.” She kept her guard up, ready for him to try and kill her. He turned around. “Take care of the boy, I have to find General Tulius and join the defense!” The chuckle that left her mouth at the preposterous notion must’ve made it to Hadvar’s ears as he looked at her and frowned. “Follow me prisoner, if you want to live.”“I don’t think so.” She whispered to herself. Just a moment ago this man and his ilk were going to separate her head from her shoulders and now he expected her to trust him? She scanned the area and watched as he ran towards the danger which unfortunately also led to the gates. He was brave. There was no denying it and in another life maybe she would’ve followed and helped him, but right now she was getting out of there and woe to the person or even dragon that tried to stop her. She ran as quickly as she could towards the gates when the giant black beast incinerated another house near her. She could feel the beating of its wings as it took off again and circled around to make another devastating pass on the helpless village. Every time that beast used its fire, she could make out some sort of words. She’d have to research this phenomena later, right now she had to survive and escape.She watched as the Imperial forces tried in vain to take down the dragon. No one was paying attention to her and that was working to her advantage at the moment. The dragon swooped down and laid waste to the ramparts with one fiery pass leaving the lifeless and burning bodies of the imperial archers contorted in all sorts of painful looking positions. There were bodies everywhere, this dragon was killing everyone in sight and she did not want to be one of them. She made her way up the northern ramparts and jumped off while casting a Slowfall spell that allowed her to land like a cat from the twenty foot drop. As she ran through the brush along the road, the sounds of the destruction got softer and softer until she could no longer hear them. She finally stopped running and took a seat on the side of the road and tried to rest for a moment. She hoped that the dragon wouldn’t bother with a single Altmer hidden on the side of the road. The dragon was the most intriguingly terrifying creature she’d ever faced and this one she had to thank for her freedom.Elenwen definitely knew what happened here. Did she set me up to be killed or was it some chance arrangement between her and my other cowardly rivals in the Dominion? She couldn’t be sure of anything other than she did not dare go to the Embassy near Solitude. Even if it wasn't Ambassador Elenwen's idea to kill her, that show in Helgen showed that she was spineless and would probably do anything her superior's asked her to, even if it was wrong. Elenwen was not one to rock the proverbial boat and if it was easier to have one low ranked Justiciar liquidated, she’d probably have her killed as soon as she appeared at the Embassy’s doorstep. Freyanna was not about chance it and therefore deemed it best that she be thought of as dead. She’d find a way to get back into the game and get her just deserts later. She sat there contemplating what she was going to do next. She had nothing but the two Imperial swords she used to help defend herself and the disgusting rags the bastards put her in when they took her armor. The more she thought about her predicament, the more she started to become somewhat depressed. Her own people had betrayed her and if they saw her again, they’d probably try to kill her again. She couldn’t understand why they would do such a thing. She’d done nothing but be the best Justiciar she could be and they repay her by trying to kill her? Damn politics. She wanted so badly to lash out and scream at the top of her lungs, but knew it would be waste of energy. She slowly got to her feet and stretched out her muscles. She picked up her weapons and started to once again follow the road. She’d need to get supplies to begin to start her path of vengeance. The swords would fetch a good amount of coin at any vendor, but the key was finding a place to sell them. As she slowly walked the path she could hear the patter of feet running behind her. She quickly stepped off the road and hid behind a rock as she waited for whoever was coming. To her relief it was one of the Stormcloak rebels. The talkative one named Ralof passed her position in a steady and determined gate. He hadn’t noticed her and she decided to follow him just out of sight.She followed him for four days, she heated the snow with her magic to drink water and caught a couple of rabbits which she roasted as well with her magic. It was something that she’d been trained to do in her violent life as a Thalmor Justiciar. She could live off the land quite easily and although uncomfortable, she was completely in her element. She watched in the distance as Ralof would start a fire and rest as well. She didn’t know if he was eating or drinking enough water, but she assumed he was because his pace had not slowed. She listened and could hear him humming songs in the dead of night. It actually made her smile to think that he could actually be so chipper, even after all that had just happened. Her tenacity in following the handsome Nord was rewarded when she saw a small village in the distance. She let out a thankful breath of relief and began to slowly approach it with her swords slung over her shoulders in makeshift scabbards made of tree bark twine. Her feelings of elation were soon tapped down though. The two big and fully armored guards at the entrance made it a point to block her path. “We don’t want any more freeloaders here, so be gone!” They weren’t going to allow her entry into the village. Again, she started to get angry and thoughts of burning these two to cinders started to cross her mind. She kept her cool though and continued to try and persuade the guards to let her enter.“Please, I’m here to barter and won’t be staying any longer than necessary.” She tried to explain, but they laughed at her as they continued to block her path. Her pride was completely stung and her fury started to boil over into her facial expression. The violent thoughts going through her head were overwhelming, but she took a deep breath and let it out slowly to calm herself. She knew that she needed to keep a low profile as she had no allies or friends to vouch for her and any violence would attract unwanted and possible fatal attention. “She’s with me!” Freyanna was shocked to hear his voice. The voice of her handsome quarry was angry and she noticed Ralof approach with a determined gate as he addressed the two guards. “Let her pass.” He was grinning as if she were some lost relative and actually seemed very happy to see her. She wanted so badly to smile, but she felt somewhat ashamed as she thought about how much Ralof’s attitude would probably change if he ever found out she was once the most prolific and capable Justiciar for the Thalmor. “Come friend, the empire may not have welcomed you, but I will.” He put his arm around her shoulder and ushered her into the village. “My sister should be at the mill, she’ll help make sure you’re taken care of.”“Thank you.” She was genuinely appreciative of his concern for her. His gentle smile put her completely at ease. “My name is Freyanna.” She couldn’t believe her luck as he guided her into the village, which seemed completely oblivious to what happened in Helgen.“I’m Ralof if you didn’t already know.” He looked up at her curiously as they walked together. “What’s a High Elf like you doing in Skyrim?” The question sounded jovial, but there was that hint of mistrust in his voice. “That Thalmor representative had no love for you and you don’t seem to be a friend of the Empire either.”She gave him an understanding look. Trust was something that was earned in the crucible of life and she was sure that although he’d taken a liking to her, he didn’t completely trust her. That was okay with her because it meant that Ralof wasn’t the handsome fool she initially thought he was. “I killed a Thalmor assassin sent by a suitor that I spurned… and I also just happened to destroy the house he was shooting at me from as well.” She shrugged innocently while she studied Ralof’s expression change from one suspicion to one of amusement. “The Dominion doesn’t take kindly to having a fireball destroy the house of one of its ruling counsel… figured I’d get as far from the Isles as I could.” “HA! I knew you were a rebel at heart!” He clapped her shoulder a little harder than she expected which caused her to stumble forward. “Any enemy of the Dominion is a friend of mine.” She let out an amused chuckle as they approached a blonde and pretty human woman near the mill.She spent most of the rest of the day cleaning herself up and eating. She found out that he got separated from Ulfric and his other comrades during the dragon attack. He explained that he didn’t know how many of the others had made it out and that as soon as he was able, he’d set out for Windhelm. He also couldn’t stop praising Freyanna’s martial and magical prowess. It almost made her blush.Gerdur mentioned that a sizeable detachment of Imperials was seen just north of Helgen headed towards Falkreath. She also mentioned that some of Ralof’s comrades passed through Riverwood before he got there and described a scene of complete devastation. Helgen had been completely destroyed with a disturbing amount of dead innocents. It was something that Freyanna wasn’t used to hearing let alone witnessing. An entire village had been erased from the land. She’d done her fair share of killing, but nowhere near the scale of that creature. It was amazing to her that the dragon had wiped out an entire village in an instant. She’d never seen the kind of destructive power that dragon had shown in the village. As she continued to think and try to remember the incredible event, she started to ponder the word-like sounds she heard coming from the beast during the attack. She couldn’t help but think that the sounds had a semblance of some ancient language, a language that no one else but the dragon knew. Maybe it was some sort of spellcasting. She actually thought that this was plausible because the words that came from the beast seemed to be followed by some formidable array of powerful effects such as fire. Now that she had no home or official mission other than revenge, maybe she’d make this mystery her new mission for the moment and head up to the College of Winterhold to see if she could learn anything new. Ralof’s sister was hospitable to a fault. Being an Altmer, she didn’t expect such fine treatment from these rebels. She was floored when Gerdur invited her to stay for dinner. She tried to refuse as graciously as possible, but Ralof wouldn’t have it. These small kindnesses from people who were supposed to be her blood enemies affected her deeply. Most of the people of the provinces looked upon them with suspicion and fear. Ralof and his relatives only saw someone who helped save a kinsman and needed help themselves. They didn’t hesitate to help her despite being of the same race as those who would persecute them. It was astounding to her. The beef stew was divine and she continuously caught the lingering gaze of Ralof as she ate. She’d always had this effect on men and mer. She was as tall as the tallest of Nords and her well-toned body was more akin to an athletic human or orc than a mer. Some speculated the she must’ve had some orc or human mixed in with her Altmer blood. It was always meant as an insult, and it was usually delivered by someone jealous of the attention she received. Those particular rumors didn’t stop the rest of her would be suitors from hungering for her attention. They’d look into those bright pools of silver that were her eyes and they’d always tell her how beautiful she was. There were many in the Thalmor and Dominion who had proposed to her only to be rejected for being the asses that most of them were. The only one she actually cared somewhat for she didn’t even have a chance with as Ancarion was sent off to Solstheim on a mission to obtain some sort of new weapons-making material. She then turned her eyes to Ralof as he ate, meeting his eyes for a brief instant as he quickly turned away with a slight semblance of pink creeping into his cheeks. He would’ve been someone she considered beneath her station in the past, but his kindness and hospitality in her moment of dire need had changed her mind. His obviously kind heart towards a complete stranger could be considered a weakness, but at this moment it made him the sexiest man she’d ever met and more than worthy of her attention. She actually smiled as she imagined having her way with him. He most certainly could be a very pleasurable distraction if the moment ever presented itself. Ralof mentioned to her about joining the Stormcloaks against the Empire and that she should join him on his trek back to Windhelm to join Jarl Ulfric. She couldn’t help but chuckle at his offer. “The Stormcloaks would accept me? Really?” Ralof looked her up and down with a slight grin.“You did save Ulfric’s life from that beast. He’d be more than willing to take you on and I would split the skull of anyone who said different.” He countered with such fire that it actually made her smile.“It would still put both you and Ulfric in a position I wouldn’t like to see.” She politely declined his offer to travel up to Windhelm as she didn’t need to be a part of any organization in which she depended on anyone other than herself. “I’m honored that you asked me, but I can’t.” “The offer will always stand for you.” He insisted as he finished his stew. He stood up and started to gather his weapons and supplies as he prepared himself to leave. He fiercely embraced all of his family members until he finally stood in front of her. “I mean it friend. If you ever find yourself near Windhelm, stop by. Ulfric would probably want to thank you personally.” With a strong embrace that took her breath away, he took his leave of her and made his way to exit the house. They all followed him out and watched him as he mounted a horse Gerdur had procured for him. She found that her gaze lingered on him as he made his way out of town using the northbound path. She’d have to make her own way, but first she needed new clothing and at least a dagger for defense.Gerdur pointed her over to the Riverwood Trader to procure some supplies for travel. Gerdur had offered her some of her own clothing, but Freyanna refused on account that she’d already given her more than she could’ve hoped for. She’d make sure to pay this wonderful family back when she could and if she had any power whatsoever, she’d make sure they would be protected as well. She pawned off the swords for a steel dagger, a pair of black leather leggings and a wolf fur shirt. Lucan, the merchant, was a bit of a miser as she knew the swords were worth much more than what she got for. She did catch his sister Camilla mention something about a claw made out of Gold that was stolen from him. She mentioned that she would be inclined to retrieve it for him, but only if he gave her a substantial reward in addition to the two swords she’d bartered off to him. He didn’t quite agree to the terms, but he did tell her where he thought the thieves were in case she became more reasonable. She’d packed up as much as she could and made her way towards the Nordic grave just outside Riverwood, it was called Bleak Falls Barrow. If that claw was made of solid gold, it would most certainly allow her to fetch a hefty price on the market and maybe she could book passage to the College of Winterhold where she could hopefully find some respite in learning new magics. When she next confronted her traitorous brethren, she would be more than ready to extract her pound of flesh from them. Bleak Falls Barrow A group of about ten bandits, traps everywhere, a dozen undead zombie-like Drauger, a trio of giant spiders, and piece of shit dirty little prick of a Dark Elf thief had stood between her and this Golden Claw. They had all been sent to their respective makers and she now had a pretty sizeable coin purse as well as serviceable weapons and leather armor. She was brutally efficient in her use of magic and combat skills. Her disorganized foes didn’t stand a chance. Even so, she hadn’t ever had to fight so many opponents in such a short span of time. Her body protested and was as sore as it could be with bruises and cuts all over. Thankfully no one had gotten a clean shot on her and she had no serious injuries. One bandit had begged for mercy just before she plunged both of her daggers into the sides of his neck, abruptly silencing his pleas. The Draugers were nothing more than fighting corpses. They died a second time easily enough as their movements were slower and a lot easier to predict. The spiders… she burned them, and burned them, and burned them until there was nothing but ashes. She hated spiders, especially giant ones. She should’ve left the dark elf to be eaten by the giant arachnids, but instead she freed him thinking he could help her find the Golden Claw. He did nothing of the sort and ran from her only to die by triggering a spring loaded spiked wall that struck him with such speed and power that it impaled him in several parts of his body. She laughed at his misfortune as he was suspended on the spiked contraption as it retracted. She found the Golden Claw on the dark elf’s lifeless cadaver, fought off a group of Drauger and evaded more traps in what amounted to a grave robbing endeavor. Using the claw to open a strange door she found herself in a cavernous tomb searching for valuables. Freyanna actually felt quite demeaned by what she was being forced to do to get back at those who had wronged her. They’ve turned me into a grave robbing scavenger. She thought to herself.She noticed that at the center of this enormous crypt was another of those black coffins that had contained those fearsome undead warriors. She made a point of keeping an eye on it as she continued to search the area for anything she could sell. As she searched underneath the coffin she swore that she could hear a whisper coming from somewhere. It wasn’t exactly a sound. It was more like a slight burning or itching sensation in her mind. Someone or something was calling to her inner mind trying to draw her attention. She looked over to where the feeling directed her and noticed lone standing gray wall that had numerous inscriptions engraved on it in some unknown language. The whisper kept calling to her and she felt an almost uncontrollable urge to approach that wall and see why she was feeling this whisper inside her mind. As she got closer, her mind started to focus on the words and symbols, she could see the words starting to take shape and everything started to make sense to her. It was euphoric as she started to recognize the characters, the words, the meaning. It was as if the wall had transferred the language into her mind and she could now read the inscription. “Here lies the guardian Keeper of the dragonstone and a FORCE of unending rage and darkness.” She felt the word’s power burn into her mind and could feel it become a part of her. She became completely absorbed as the blinding power of the word etched itself into her consciousness. Once the word’s transfer had ended she didn’t have enough time to think as she barely dodged the sword stroke of another one of those undead Drauger. This one was different though. It was stronger, faster and quite a bit more dangerous than the others that she’d faced inside the rest of the crypt. “FUS!” The creature uttered the word from the wall and the force coming from its meaning pushed her forcibly enough to stumble backwards. She actually had to do a reverse roll to get back to her feet. The creature charged her only for her to sidestep and kick it in the behind, making it fall flat on its face. Flames shout out of her free hand as she set it alight. It started to stand, but she wouldn’t have it. A fireball struck it with such force as to knock it back down. She continued to pour her flames onto the now prone creature and watched as it once again attempted to stand only to fall still on its face. She watched as the corpse smoldered and saw a slight movement of its arm. She immediately jumped on its back and plunged her twin steel daggers multiple times into its back and skull until it stopped moving and finally lay still. She was completely spent as she stood slowly from the now still creature.“Fus?” She whispered to herself and turned to look at the strange inscription on that wall. Her feelings were telling her that she’d heard that before. Her memory couldn’t place any face to the word other than this undead monstrosity, but she was sure she’d heard it somewhere before. As she continued to search the undead corpse, she discovered a tablet with inscriptions similar to those on the wall. To her surprise it was as if it was written in a language she felt she’d always understood yet she knew she had never learned. “Here lie our fallen lords until the power of Alduin revives.”Alduin? The world eater? She sat on the now empty coffin inside the giant crypt and continued to look at the tablet. What did this mean and how in the eight divines could she read it? There were powers playing here that she didn’t understand, powers that she felt she needed to understand. Then it hit her, the dragon at Helgen! The words on the wall, the dragon… Could that dragon be Alduin? It actually sent a shiver down her spine. Dragons were supposed to be only legends, but that black monstrosity wasn’t. It was real and it spoke those words that she now completely understood. She kept thinking of how it was possible for her to understand. She’d never been taught such a language and yet it felt like she’d always known it. She found her way back through the barrow and exited the way she came in. She let out a demoralized huff at the sight outside, on top of a swirling blizzard, it had gotten quite dark. She felt completely drained from her trek through the barrow and her various encounters. She didn’t like the idea of staying in the crypt, but the biting winds and snow had made up her mind for her. It was either stay warm in the makeshift bandit camp inside the crypt or brave the blizzard outside in the dark. She decided to stay and would head back to Riverwood at first light and see about trading some of the items she’d taken from the place. After visiting Lucan and Alvor, she had plenty of supplies, a hunting bow, a nice new pair of imperial short swords, and an excellent set of light leather armor. Alvor had been a sweetheart by giving her a significant discount and thanks to him she no longer had the appearance of a homeless beggar. She now looked every bit the part of a capable and dangerous person. Gerdur and Hod both commented on how imposing she looked and mentioned that she doubted anyone would try anything with her while she traveled to where ever she was going. The only thing she couldn’t get was a horse. She probably would’ve traded everything for a horse at that moment. Traveling on foot was both draining and slow. She decided to begin her long trek to the College of Winterhold and she would pass through the large Fortress Town of Whiterun in order to rest and resupply. Just as she was about to take her leave of them, Frodnar tugged on her hand to get her attention. The little boy’s steely blue gaze met her own fiery silver one. He reached into his pocket and put a silver coin in her hand. “This my lucky coin that uncle Ralof gave to me. I think he’d want me to give it to you so that it could protect you.”The supremely selfless gesture completely floored her and left her almost speechless. “I… I don’t know… I shouldn’t accept this…”She tried to give him back the coin but the fiery young boy wouldn’t hear it. “You saved my uncle. You’re my friend now and I want you to keep it for luck.”The only person that was ever this kind to her was her mother who was killed during the Great War. This young human boy did not see an Altmer. He saw a friend who didn’t want her to think she was alone in this world. She crouched down in front of the boy and gently kissed his cheek. “Thank you Frodnar, I think it’ll help me quite a bit.” His cheeks turned as crimson as strawberries which caused her to smile. “You’ll always be welcomed here Freyanna.” Gerdur mentioned to her as she slowly made her way out of the village. In all of her time on the Isles, she’d been told of the barbaric and vicious Nords. This trip to Skyrim was becoming a real eye opener and she swore that no matter what happened, she’d protect this family as best as she could. They were more than worthy of it. It took her five days to make it to Whiterun and she couldn’t believe what these guards were telling her. She couldn’t come in because they were locked down as a result of a dragon attack on Helgen. “Do I look like a dragon to you?” She sarcastically mentioned to them.“Sorry our orders are clear. No one gets in unless they have direct and urgent business with the Jarl.” The guard’s position seemed adamant, unless maybe she mentioned that she was at the attack and escaped? She started to think better of it. What if the Imperials had put a bounty for her capture? They’d most certainly would’ve done so for Ralof, Ulfric and their comrades. She was an escaped fugitive so maybe it would be in her best interest to just see if she could get her supplies outside of the town and be on her way. There was a horse dealer there, but she didn’t have the coin to purchase one. She counted no less than two healthy stallions and four mares. She’d have to find a way to get possession of one of those mounts. She asked the stable hand if there was anything she could do to bridge the difference in price. Skulvar told her that she’d have to speak with his boss Lilith only she was inside the city which unfortunately she couldn’t get into. She was so tempted to steal one, but there were just too many soldiers in the area to do that. It was bad enough to be running from the Empire and Dominion, she didn’t need any more trouble by rousing the locals.She huffed in aggravation and started her way on the path back to the northbound road. As she slowly made her way east through what were some pretty substantial farms she could hear the sounds of a battle just around one of the wind mills. She quickly made her way around the large structure and came upon a scene of a multitude of warriors trying to take down and very large and angry giant. She contemplated in joining them, but thought the better of it. Why waste her time when it was obvious that they had the issue well in hand. She did enjoy the show as she watched them fight it, as did quite a few spectators. “YOL TOOR SHOL!” She heard the thundering sound of the words in the distance and turned to see a huge cloud of smoke.“FUS!” The words were coming from where the smoke was. She immediately went into a sprint as she seemed to be the only one who was hearing the shouts.As she ran toward the rising cloud of black smoke only to stop in her tracks when she saw the monstrous creature rise from out of the smoke. It roared the words as fire poured out of its maw, consuming everything in front of it. The soldiers defending the tower were overmatched by the beast. It wasn’t the same creature as in Helgen, but it seemed to be just as destructive.She quickly hid behind a large stone as she heard the men scream as they died. She watched as one soldier ran by her hiding spot towards the city. “You are brave worthy enemies. Your defeat brings me honor.” She peeked over the rock to see who spoke those words and to her everlasting shock, it was the dragon who’d spoken those words. She could understand it as she made eye contact with it to her complete horror.It was about thirty feet away and it had just incinerated about five guardsmen. If she did nothing now, she was dead so in an instant she dashed towards the monster as fast as she could while drawing one of her swords and sending a lightning bolt into the creature’s head. The creature was actually stunned for just a moment as it reared back in obvious pain. Before it could get its bearings, Freyanna had run underneath its body and found the spot where she though its heart could be. She thrust the sword up as hard as she could in between its armored scales and it sunk deep and true. The monster screamed in agony as it reared back on its two hind legs. She then sent a lightning bolt into the blade which caused the creature to go limp and almost flatten her as it fell forward in a thunderous cloud of dust. She rolled out just in time and drew her other sword while leaping on the creature’s back. The remaining guards watching her couldn’t believe their eyes as she steadied herself with little effort and thrusted her remaining blade through the dragon’s eye and into its brain, killing it instantly. She pulled the sword out and buried it to the hilt into the creature’s skull with all of her might to make sure it was dead. The creature didn’t move and it was obvious to all that she’d just killed it. She turned to look at the remaining guards and saw that all of them were whooping and hollering at her victory.The remaining guards were ecstatic and praising her like a goddess of war. She pulled her sword out of the creature’s skull and began to wipe the deep red blood that seemed to just pour off of it. She felt incredible, she’d just become a Dragonslayer! The guards were all over her patting her on the back and still trying to believe what they just saw. As they all swooned around her she started to feel a strange sensation come over her as a forceful wind started to build around her in a blinding show of white light and swirling air. It was all focused on her and the dead dragon as it seemed that she was sucking the power of the beast into herself. It was pure elation that she felt as the power of this ancient creature started to course through her veins. The guardsmen all stood back with uncertain expressions as she took the beast’s essence into herself. It lasted several seconds, but the power she felt within her was enormous. The words it spoke, she understood. She looked over to the guardsmen who slowly approached her, one in particular looked very disturbed. The power now coursing through made her want to shout the dragon’s words to the heavens. “YOL TOOR SHOL!” She shouted towards the now empty tower and to her unexpected horror, an impossibly large plume of flames exploded from her mouth and struck the tower with such tremendous force that it finally collapsed completely. Most of the guardsmen drew their swords in fearful shock with a lone exception that had the look of an awestruck child.“You… You’re Dragonborn.” The guardsman told her with an expression of disbelief in his voice. “You killed that monster and took its soul.”She’d read about the Nord legend, but she thought that it was nothing but a myth to prop up their Nord God Talos. There were no dragons during the age of Tiber Septim, but that didn’t stop the legend of him being divine. “What does that mean?” Freyanna asked with some uncertainty as she watched as this lone guardsman order his comrades to stand down. This one seemed to know a little something of what she may be experiencing.“You shouted and it was like you were a dragon yourself. You have that dragon’s power now and can shout just like it did when it was alive.” He explained and she now understood completely as the words in her mind were forming the shouts the now dead Mirmulnir had used on the tower and the men here. “You should go see the Jarl, he’ll want to know what happened here.”“I don’t think so.” She answered back thinking that seeing the Jarl could get her back in irons.“I think you…” The guard started to try and persuade her when he was cut off by a thunderous call from High Hrothgar.“DOVAHKIIN!” Dragonborn? Who would call me that? What do they want?“The Grey Beards are calling to you… you are Dragonborn.” The guard looked at her very confused expression. He’d never heard of an Elf ever being Dragonborn, but he couldn’t doubt what he just saw. She shouted like one and obviously had the power of the dragon. “Just like Talos, they’re masters in the ways of the voice.”Freyanna turned to see that a large group of people were gathering around the now dead beast. Some of the warriors who were fighting the giant were also there and they had obvious admiration in their eyes for her. She started to become uncomfortable as she sheathed her sword and began to walk back towards Whiterun. “I need to get to Winterhold, please.” She started to make her way through the crowd when she was stopped by the knowledgeable guard.“You should go to High Hrothgar, they taught Talos the ways of the voice.” He pulled his helmet off to reveal a ruggedly handsome and scarred Nordic man. “If anyone can answer your questions about what you are, they can.”It wasn’t in her plans, but if those Grey Beards knew how she could master this obvious gift, she would make the detour. She continued to make her way with a many of the guards and town folk patting her shoulder and congratulating her on the killing of a bona fide dragon. No one had done such a thing since ancient times. As she cleared the crowd which was still examining the corpse of the dragon she could see a squad of guardsmen led by a dark elf woman heading towards her. She quickened her pace hoping that they would avoid her. Of course it wasn’t to be.“Hold!” The Dunmer yelled to her. “Irileth, this is the one who killed the dragon.” One of the guardsmen yelled to her.“Listen to me, I am leaving and you’re welcome!” Freyanna was starting to lose her temper as everyone seemed to want to speak to her and keep her from her own interests. She started to make her way around them when Irileth stepped in front of her. “Jarl Balgruuf would like a word with you.”She glared at the well-armed and armored Dunmer. She the scanned the guards with her and they all had their hands on their weapons. They were ready for a fight and it really set her off. “You’d kill me? Even after I killed that beast?!” She scanned her surroundings and noticed that the archers had taken positions to surround her. “This doesn’t have to get to that point.” Irileth mentioned as she tried to de-escalate the situation.She then saw as two of the giant killers joined Irileth in their showdown with her. She let out a breath of defeat. “Alright, I’ll go see your Jarl.” She glared at the two giant killers with a steady and challenging expression. Farkas couldn’t contain himself as he glared back at this amazing Altmer woman. “What are you staring at Elf?!”Her sword was drawn in one lightning quick movement and the point was on his throat before anyone could respond. “A coward.” She iterated to him as the rest of the guards and her companion drew their weapons. Farkas knew she could’ve killed him in an instant. She quickly sheathed her sword and turned to follow Irileth back towards Whiterun. Njada was completely floored by the Altmer’s speed and finesse. To stop that sword so precisely after such a quick and violent movement was as impressive as it got. This High Elf woman was incredible. She’d be a perfect fit for the Companions and by the look on Farkas’ face, he agreed. She couldn’t wait to tell the rest of the Companions what they’d witnessed here. “Come on Farkas, let’s get back to Jorrvaskr. Kodlak needs to hear of this.”She could feel the dragon’s power within her. If she could shout the way that dragon did, she could kill everyone in this crowd before they knew what to do, hell she felt like she could take out the whole city. Who’d stop her? Talos might have been the greatest Nord using his power of the voice to become the great Tiber Septim, but she doubted that Tiber Septim could ever imagine the power coursing through her veins right now.She’d go and see these Grey Beards and find out what they knew and what they could do for her. She didn’t understand this gift given to her by the Divines, but she smiled inwardly at the incredible feeling of power within her. Those Thalmor traitors, those bastards that had tried to end her were going to pay dearly. Elenwen probably headed back to the Embassy near Solitude. She probably thought her dead. Their comeuppance was going to be gloriously slow and painful.She’d spoken with the Jarl who was ecstatic with her incredible feat of martial and magical skill. It was more than worthwhile as he’d given her a very sizeable reward for killing the beast and saving a good part Western Watchtower’s detachment. He’d also made her an honorary Thane of the hold, complete with her own Housecarl. Lydia was sworn to protect her with her life and to serve her. It took Freyanna completely by surprise. She’d had Justiciars whom she outranked and could order around, but this was completely different. Lydia’s appearance projected not only that of a beautiful woman, but also that of a powerful warrior. As useful as it could be to have her fight alongside her, Freyanna didn’t fully trust any of these people and decided to make the trek to High Hrothgar without her. Lydia mentioning that she’d be in Dragonreach if she ever needed her.She used the large reward to purchase another imperial sword and a horse. She was now fully equipped and supplied to make a trek to where ever she wanted to. Her saddlebags were filled with food, potions and everything she needed for her and her new four legged companion. The Jarl and his people weren’t the wiser of her situation as she never mentioned being at the attack in Helgen and therefore no one in Whiterun could ever connect that horrible event with her. She quickly headed out of the City and made her way towards the Grey Beards where should could hopefully get the answers and training that she needed to master this Dragonborn gift.
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Whiterun Stormcloak camp - 20th of Lastseed, 4th era year 201 The Whiterun Stormcloak camp was abuzz with activity at the booming sound coming from the Greybeard’s Monastery of High Hrothgar. Ulfric Stormcloak was still reeling from the events at the village of Helgen. It was frightening to think that the dragons were definitely returning to Skyrim. That black devil effortlessly killed countless of well-armed imperial soldiers who were trying their damnedest to destroy it. The arrows and magic just bounced off its unholy obsidian scales. The best of the empire were nothing more than annoying insects to the creature which swatted them dead with its massive claws and breathe of fire. Sitting with some of his men eating, Ulfric looked up at the peak with some sadness, wishing he could go back to that life of learning and contemplation. It wasn’t meant to be as the war with the Aldmeri Dominion had decided for him that a peaceful life as a Greybeard would never be his. “They call for the Dragonborn.” He mentioned to Hjornskar, the camp commander.“A Dragonborn?” Hjornskar mentioned with quite a bit of amazement and puzzlement. “Like Talos?”“Yes…” Ulfric looked up at the mountain again while taking a bite out of his mutton stew. He started to ponder what that meant. Talos was Tiber Septim, the greatest Nord that ever lived. Dragonborns were meant for greatness, whether for good or for ill they were unworldly powerful. “Let’s hope this one helps us drive those pointy eared bastards and milk drinking Imperials out of our land.”“Do you think it has something to do with the dragon that destroyed Helgen?” Hjornskar asked as he himself ate.“I don’t know if dragons returning to Skyrim and a Dragonborn appearing all of a sudden are related…” Ulfric looked troubled as he answered his subordinate. “But it sure does look like it.” Ulfric started to think about the subject. “Is it true that a Dragonborn can take on the power of the dragons they kill?” Hjornskar asked as he took a long swig of his mead. “Take their souls?”“That’s what the legends say.” Ulfric answered while thinking that it was probably just a folktale. “There were no dragons during the time of Talos, but he was still said to be Dragonborn. The Dragonborns are those supposedly blessed by Akatosh himself and are able to use the most powerful Thu’ums with very little effort or training.”“Blessed with the soul of a dragon?” Ulfric nodded in affirmation of Hjornskar’s comment. “This could be the portent of a new order in all of Tamriel.”“WE are the portent of a new order.” Ulfric shot back with some vitriol in his voice. “If I have anything to say about it, Skyrim will be done being the sword arm of the Empire or any others who’d want to rule over us, we’ll make sure of it.” Hjornskar looked quite a bit puzzled at Ulfric’s little outburst. “Get my men ready, I leave for Windhelm within the hour.” “Yes, my Jarl.” Hjornskar stood up from the table and started barking orders to those leaving with Ulfric.As much as he didn’t want to admit it to himself, Ulfric knew that Hjornskar was right. Dragons hadn’t been seen in Tamriel for thousands of years only for one to annihilate Helgen a few days ago. “If any more stragglers from Helgen appear, make sure you tell them their Jarl is alive and still fighting.” Hjornskar smiled and nodded.He looked up the mountain and knew that it was an unmistakable shout… Dovahkin. A Dragonborn had been called by the Greybeards to ascend to High Hrothgar, which meant that they had sensed her. He’d felt her power too, that High Elf at Helgen. She didn’t seem to be a friend of the Empire or the Thalmor for that matter, but she also didn’t seem very eager to be associated with their rebellion. Freyanna Elsonire… he thought of the name. Elsonire… that name sounds so familiar… He thought as he started to check on the horse, he was going to ride back to Windhelm. 22nd Midyear, 4th Era Year 174 – On the outskirts of the Imperial City The blood slowly dripped from his forehead into his left eye and caused him to blink uncontrollably. The firm tug he gave on his chains confirmed that he wasn’t going anywhere. The center post of the tent was thick and strong, he knew there was no way he could free himself at the moment. The gag in his mouth also seemed to confirm that they knew about his proficiency with the Thu’um. How could he have been so careless? All he was tasked to do was scout out the Dominion’s forward-most positions in the Great Forest area north of the city and report back. Once they had finished performing their primary function, he decided under heavy protest from his second to Instead, try and acquire a target of opportunity.It was a classic bait operation on the Dominion’s part and he fell for it hard. Ulfric lost some of the empire’s best scouts because he needed to take a shot at capturing what seemed to be an unarmed and unprotected Thalmor Officer. The moment they attempted to take him, a large platoon of Bosmer came out of their hiding places and put an end to their adventurous kidnapping attempt with a murderous barrage of extremely accurate arrows. His men fought valiantly, but they were outnumbered and outgunned. He’d used his Thu’um to knock a few of them out of the high branches they were shooting from, but immediately afterward everything went black. He didn’t know it at the time, but he was struck with a blunt-tipped arrow that almost split his skull open. No quarter was given by the elves, the lone exception being, himself. The two lightly armored Bosmer guards watched him in strict silence. There was absolutely no compassion or understanding in their eyes. They’d probably rather he be killed so they didn’t have to watch him. If he was truthful with himself, he wished he had the courage to die with his comrades rather than suffer the disgrace of being captured. That deviously designed arrow that struck him made it impossible though, so now he was faced with the worst situation possible. They’d try to break him to get information on the Imperial City’s defenses. They’d try to find out who he really was. As he continued to contemplate his plight, the tent entrance drew open with a swish as a tall female Altmer entered in full Thalmor robes, followed by another even taller female Altmer in full elven armor. The silver eyes of the armored Altmer bored into his own and he felt a sudden chill go down his spine. “Can I ask you something?” The robed one addressed him with barely veiled amusement. He ignored her and stayed silent. “Oh… but where are my manners?”He felt an armored hand forcibly grab and raise his chin. He found himself once again staring into those hypnotic silver eyes of the armored Altmer female. “I hear you can use your voice as a magical weapon.” She examined his face until he forcible drew back in anger. She didn’t smile and even though he was expecting a physical retaliation from his show of defiance, it never came. She just stepped back and took off her helmet, releasing her tight single braid of luxurious platinum blonde hair.“Don’t be so rude Talania, he’s our most honored guest.” The one called Talania turned to the robed Thalmor with obvious annoyance. “Allow me to make introductions.” There was an almost palpable difference between the two Altmer. “I’m head interrogator Elenwen and this is Field Commander Talania Elsonire.” Talania was a warrior, there was no doubt in his mind. The closer he looked at her armor, the more he saw the dents, dings and stains of battle. “You and I will most definitely be getting much better acquainted in the near future.” He huffed back in continued defiance.Talania didn’t respond to his muffled outburst, but Elenwen did. “You see, that is uncalled for.” She walked up to him and was within an inch of his face. “You will tell me everything I want to know, everyone always does.” She whispered with such menace that it made him actually rethink his outburst. She turned back around with a barely audible chuckle and motioned toward Talania. “He’s all yours commander.” She then walked out of the tent with an obvious spring in her step.“I don’t wish to make this hard for you.” Talania stepped up to him and started to undo the straps on his gag. “I’m not like that viper that just left.” She motioned for one of the Bosmer guards to step behind him. He suddenly felt a blade to his throat. “I actually admire courage and have to say that although it was foolish of you to try and capture one of my Lieutenants, it was also very brave of you.” She continued to undo the straps on the back of his head as she talked to him. “Just so you understand, I will ask you a series of questions and you will answer them to my satisfaction.” She uncoupled the gag and started to pull it out of his mouth. “If… you answer, I will make your stay here quite a bit more tolerable.”He was about to answer her when he felt the blade on his throat press down a little more firmly. Talania nodded for him to answer. “And if I don’t?”“Then I won’t have any choice but to turn you over to Elenwen’s people.” She looked at him with some concern. “She will not be nearly as pleasant as I.”“You know that I can’t cooperate, so you might as well turn me over to her.” Talania watched him and shook her head.“Don’t you understand?” She got in his face and to his surprise it almost looked like she was pleading with him. “She’s going to break you in every way possible. Make no mistake, you’ll tell her everything and no longer be the man you are now. She’ll take everything from you.”“I’ll take my chances.” He stubbornly defied her.“Then… please forgive me.” She forcible put the gag back in his mouth and strapped it tight. She put her helmet back on as well as her gauntlets. The sad look on her face actually made him rethink his stance, but not enough to stop her from leaving the tent.“It’s what I love so much about humans.” Elenwen came back in, only this time she had two other robed Altmer with her. “Sooo tough.” She gave him an exaggerated expression of puffiness and faux toughness. “Until I’m done with them.” She laughed as the two male Thalmor started to pull some pliers, small knives and clamps out of a chest in the tent and putting them on a small table. They put a chair right in front of him, facing him. “Call me when he’s ready to talk.” The two Thalmor nodded and continued what seemed like their preparations for torturing him. Elenwen left the tent and shortly afterward a bound and beaten man was brought in and forced to sit in the chair in front of him. He didn’t recognize the man, but by the look of the footwear he was most certainly a legionnaire.They tortured the man for hours on end until he died, forcing him to watch. Once they finished, another prisoner was brought in and put in front of him and they tortured her terribly before she too died. Ulfric was sure that they wouldn’t have wanted him to talk, but the guilt was building inside him. They’d said that his unwillingness to talk was the reason these men and women were forcefully being skinned alive while conscious, having their fingers slowly crushed under a devilish device called the ‘Thumbscrew,’ and other multitudes of elven barbarisms to get him to talk. The first legionnaire didn’t make a sound as he was slowly drained of his life in the most painful way possible. The relief on his face as his life faded was one that Ulfric would never forget. The two Thalmor even stood there in admiration and commented on the toughness of the man. The next three though, their screams would haunt his dreams for the rest of his life.After two days of being forced to watch them torture four of his Imperial brothers and sisters to death, the two Altmer entered the tent without their customary prisoner to torture. Instead, the one called Elenwen entered right behind them with that arrogant smirk he had come to hate so much. “I’d hoped you’d be reasonable, but it seems that Nords are a particularly stubborn bunch, wouldn’t you agree.” She looked over to her two hooded accomplices who both chuckled. “Now, what we did to those men you so conveniently sacrificed is going to be repeated on you… only it will be much slower, much more painful and you will be fully healed at the end of the session so we can repeat as many times as necessary.”He watched them defiantly as he was ready for the pain and was swearing to himself that one day he’d make them pay for this. Do your worst, bitch. He defiantly thought to himself. He watched as Elenwen went into the chest filled with torturer’s tools and pulled out what appeared to be a wickedly evil looking scissor.“But, first we’re going to make sure you never kill another Mer with that voice magic of yours.” She smiled as she opened and shut the scissor in an almost playful manner. “Your tongue will be removed and then we will continue with the interrogation.” She chuckled quite happily. “Of course, you’re going to have to write your answers then, or maybe nod and shake your head.”A torrent of thoughts went through his head. He’d lose all chances of mastering the Thu’um. He’d never be able to speak again. He swore that he’d shatter their bones before letting them cut his tongue out. The two hooded males started to undo his head and gag restraint while Elenwen just watched him with an evil grin on her face. As soon as the gag was out, he started to lash out. “FU…” He felt everything go rigid and couldn’t move any part of his body.Elenwen stood there as the magic flowed through her fingers. She’d paralyzed him with some sort of spell. “Don’t worry it’s only temporary, until we finish with our little surgery here.” The two hooded Altmer started to manipulate a brace-like device that would keep his mouth forced open. They inserted it into his mouth and secured the top and bottom to his upper and lower jaw. His mouth was wide open when the scissor-like device was positioned in his mouth in a spot that left no doubt in Ulfric’s mind that it would cut and tear his tongue out. They did this while casually talking about how incredibly tough that first imperial prisoner was. Once the tongue remover device was in the proper position with its blades above and below his tongue, they both turned to Elenwen. She took a hold of the tool’s handles and started to slowly close it. He felt every bit of the pressure and started to taste his own blood as the blades started to bite through. He knew he was broken and his own feelings of self-importance wouldn’t allow this to continue.The muffled and incoherent sounds of desperation that came from Ulfric’s open mouth got Elenwen’s attention. She turned her golden eyes on him and the expression on her face became completely serious. They had locked eyes and he could see that she recognized the terror completely seeping through his stare. “Turn your eyes away from me if you’re ready to talk.” His response was immediate as his eyes looked away from her. “If you lie, I’ll know it.” He felt her release the pressure on the device and his mind started to go back to what the Elven Commander had told him, no pleaded with him. She will break you… He thought to himself while Elenwen continued to address him. “I will turn you into a cripple and send you back to your father Jarl Hoag as a useless retch.” He’d tuned her out as he thought of the four people who gave their lives for him and for what? Granted it was their duty to sacrifice for him, he was Hoag’s son after all. He couldn’t get over that they had not broken… It was he who had broken… just like that Altmer Commander had said he would. He felt a deep shame grow in the pit of his stomach as she slowly removed the cruel device from his mouth. Road to Falkreath – 20th of Lastseed, 4th era year 201 General Tullius looked as tired as he was. To lose a chance at cutting off the head of the Stormcloak rebellion weighed heavily on him. Elenwen continuously tried to talk him out of killing Ulfric and it confirmed in his own mind that the Thalmor were more than happy in the continuation of Skyrim’s Civil war. A dragon, an Akatosh forsaken dragon! He thought as he rode at the head of the remnants of his forces. How am I supposed to stop a monster like that? As he continued to think on the event, he also thought of the High Elf killing his Captain and Executioner in such a swift and dramatic fashion. Freyanna Elsonire… The name and face were now burned into his memory and he would find out more about the supremely deadly Elf. She claimed quite clearly that Elenwen knew her. Elenwen denied it, but there was something about the ambassador’s demeanor that was screaming to me that she absolutely did. Elenwen was playing one of those elusive games that he couldn’t stand. He didn’t like the Thalmor or their representatives. They were conducting a holy war against one of the Empire’s staunchest allies. He still couldn’t understand why the White Gold Concordant was agreed to and specifically why the Nords were being punished so harshly for believing in Talos. He was sure that it had something to do with the Thalmor planting the seeds of division into the Nords and the result was this Stormcloak rebellion. He huffed in agitation knowing the exact reason why the Thalmor wanted to keep Ulfric alive. If Skyrim remained divided, the Aldmeri Dominion would hold a much more favorable position against the Empire should a war break out again.Once in Falkreath, he’d put out an Imperial bounty for this elf. He’d find out eventually who she was and what relationship she had with Elenwen and the Thalmor that made them want to get rid of her. The column of about thirty legionnaires looked haggard and quite defeated as they made their way towards Falkreath. They’d fought hard to try and save Helgen, but there was no stopping that black thing. They’d lost over half their own fighting it and saving a decent portion of the village’s residents. They deserved some rest. Once in Falkreath, he’d make sure they were well fed, rested and supplied for the long march back to Solitude. He’d already sent out one of his best scouts to inform the Emperor of the situation as the news of this attack was much too big to wait. Dragons returning to Tamriel were an ominous sign for all.Hadvar watched General Tullius closely as he marched with the rest of the men. To say that he wasn’t happy with what happened at Helgen would be an understatement. That dragon absolutely decimated his unit while destroying the village. Forget the list. She goes to the block. The captain’s words kept replaying in his mind and he couldn’t help but feel ashamed that he’d done and said nothing. Everyone on the list was a confirmed criminal or stormcloak sympathizer. All of the people they expected to be there were. She was the only exception. No one knew her, no one vouched for her and to play it safe they took her into custody with the rest of the criminals. She explained that she was with the Thalmor, but once in Helgen the Thalmor Ambassador denied knowing anything about her. Freyanna Elsonire… It was the way she announced her name. Everyone there heard it. It was as if she wanted everyone to know who she was before she died.They’d lost a lot of lives that day and he just couldn’t get over the General’s and Captain’s cruel and non-caring attitude toward someone who was probably innocent of all the charges against her. And you just went along with it. His own thoughts were torturing him. The General fought bravely and organized the evacuation of the village with great skill. It was obvious that he was a man of great ability and leadership, but to just execute someone because she just happened to be in the same tavern as the criminals was immoral. By your orders, Captain. Follow the Captain, prisoner. What good would it have done had he stepped in and protested? The Empire didn’t suffer insubordination and he’d probably be put in line for the block as well. Still, it bothered him and a slight grin appeared on his face as he thought of the prisoner’s incredible show of both martial and magical skill. The dragon attacking along with her deadly abilities made him think that Akatosh himself was watching over this Freyanna Elsonire and he punished them for the injustice they were about to perform.They set up camp just outside Falkreath and quickly settled in for the night. The skies were clear and the stars were stunning as Hadvar took to patrolling the camp during his scheduled watch. The skies would never be the same in his mind. He kept thinking on what he’d do if he spotted a dragon flying or swooping down silently on them. Ever since the destruction of the Blades, there were no trained dragon slayers on any part of Tamriel. Arrows did nothing to that creature. The spells used by the battlemages had minimal effect. If those monsters couldn’t be touched, they couldn’t be killed. The dragons held all of the advantages because of their flying ability, not to mention their size and power. He wondered if better equipment could’ve made a difference. Enchanters and their weapons were going to be in high demand now that this creature roamed free. As he walked the outskirts of the camp his mind kept going back to that beautiful and deadly Elf. When she squared off with him in the main courtyard, he thought he was going to die, but she had no interest in fighting him though and took off like a bolt to get away. He watched in awe as she made her way up to the ramparts and leaped out of the village and onto the road towards Riverwood. She did chuckle at his thinking they could organize some kind of defense against that monster and he had to admit that it must’ve sounded pretty silly to think they could do anything to stop it. He kept thinking that if he ever crossed paths with her again and if he were in any position to do so, he’d try to make amends for the empire’s harsh treatment of her. She didn’t deserve it and the Empire didn’t need an enemy with her deadly skillset. Whiterun Stormcloak Camp – 21st of Lastseed, 4th era year 201 Ralof approached the camp with caution knowing that his brethren could be very dangerous if they thought he was an enemy. His caution was unwarranted as he heard someone yell his name with an enthusiastic vigor. “RALOF!” One of the outer camp guards approached him with a huge smile on his face. “You made it out!” The guard took the reins of his horse. Ralof dismounted and lightly embraced his comrade. “Did any of the others come through here?”“You missed Ulfric. He left yesterday for Windhelm.” The guard answered as he guided Ralof’s horse back towards the camp’s improvised stable.“RALOF!” He turned to see Commander Hjornskar approach and before he could respond, the large man put him in a powerful embrace. “It’s good to see you made it lad.” He pulled back and put his rather large hands on Ralof’s shoulders. “Anyone else with you?”“No, I haven’t seen any since Jarl Ulfric and I got separated in a collapsing tunnel.” Ralof answered, but he was curious as to how many of his comrades had made it with Ulfric. Hjornskar left no doubt by his next disturbing comment.Hjornskar looked legitimately troubled. “So only four of our people made it out so far?” “If it wasn’t for this High Elf woman, none of us would’ve made it out.” Hjornskar listened intently to his explanation. “She saved Jarl Ulfric and me from being incinerated by that beast.”“A High Elf?” Hjornskar ears perked at the description. “Ulfric said nothing about one of those pointy eared devils saving his life.”Ralof bristled a little at the insult. He knew Ulfric’s disdain for the Dominion was so deep that he couldn’t praise an individual for saving his life just because they were an Elf. “She is the most formidable battlemage I’ve ever seen. She cut down the executioner and Imperial Captain in the blink of an eye.” Hjornskar could see that his comment bothered Ralof. He had to watch what he said as not everyone hated the elves the way he and Ulfric did. “Both you and Jarl Ulfric should know that not every elf is a murderous Thalmor.”“Did you hear that the Greybeards have summoned a Dragonborn?” Hjornskar quickly changed the subject.“I heard the shout, yes.” Ralof happily obliged as he continued his conversation while walking towards the main camp fire. “Talos willing, he’ll send both the Imperials and Dragons back into Oblivion.”Just as they both sat down in front of the fire and received a bowl of mutton stew, a young scout stormed into the camp with a supreme sense of urgency. He was out of breath as he approached them with what had to be some kind of important message. “What is it lad?” Hjornskar immediately asked.“It’s incredible!” The scout huffed as he bent at the waist and supported himself with his hands on his knees. “A dragon was killed near Whiterun’s western watch tower!”“What?!” Both Ralof and Hjornskar replied in unison.“I saw it myself sir…” The scout continued to huff. “This High Elven woman… She… it was incredible!”“Spit it out lad!” Hjornskar was sitting at the edge of his chair.“She slayed it… she jumped on its back and buried her sword into its skull.” Ralof couldn’t help but start speculating that this High Elf had to be Freyanna. “And then… she shouted just like the monster and an enormous plume of flames erupted from her mouth… and destroyed the tower!”“A High Elven Dragonborn?” The disdain in Hjornskar’s voice was unmistakable. “Talos would be rolling in his grave.”“If it’s Freyanna, she’s no friend of the Thalmor or the Empire.” He hated this aspect of the Stormcloak movement. Ralof understood the hate against the Empire and Thalmor as a whole, but there were individuals like Hjornskar and Ulfric who associated all Elves with the Thalmor and all Non-Nords with the Imperials, and that was wrong.“Freyanna?” Hjornskar wasn’t made a commander for no reason. He caught Ralof’s obvious affection for the High Elven woman. “Freyanna Elsonire…” He’d never forget the name of that Elven Goddess. “She’s the one who saved both Jarl Ulfric and me.” That’s all he’d say about the matter though. Ralof wouldn’t volunteer that he and his family had assisted her in getting back on her feet in Riverwood. “Elsonire… I’ve heard that name before.” Hjornskar looked like he was searching his thoughts. “Yes… she was the Thalmor commander under General Naarifin who first breached the western walls of the Imperial City during the Great War… Elsonire… yes, that’s the name.”“That’s not possible, the Thalmor there said she was a common criminal.” Ralof responded. “She looked far too young to have taken part in the Great War.”“Elves live a lot longer than we do.” Hjornskar was still searching his mind for something else. “Talania… Commander Talania Elsonire.” All that studying of war and its history had, at the moment actually become quite useful. “Her combined unit of battlemages and heavy infantry took the western ramparts of the Imperial City with heavy losses, but they ensured the Dominion would win the battle by allowing the substantial elven reinforcements to storm the city through their foothold.”“Could she be related?” Ralof wasn’t always impressed with book knowledge, but this had completely floored him. Could Freyanna actually be that commander using a different name? It didn’t make sense. Why would the elves send this hero of theirs to be killed in Skyrim? “It could be that it is her and the Thalmor only wanted us to believe she was about to be killed.” Hjornskar continued and even though Ralof didn’t want to believe it, he had to consider that it was possible and that this Elven Goddess of War might’ve possibly played him and his family for fools. If he ever saw her again, he’d find out.“Wasn’t Jarl Ulfric part of that battle?” Ralof asked thinking that maybe he had recognized the name during their brief time at Helgen.“He was, but he never speaks of his time there.” Hjornskar answered. “I get the feeling that it’s a sore subject for him… being that the elves were victorious.”“I’d thought that maybe he would’ve recognized the name.” Ralof was sure that Ulfric knew something, just by Hjornskar’s description of how he omitted Freyanna from his description of the events at Helgen.“He didn’t mention it while he was here…” Hjornskar’s expression was one of analytical thought. “As a matter of fact, he never mentioned this elf woman at all.”She told them that the Thalmor woman knew her… Ralof continued to think it through as he searched his memories of the events at Helgen. The way she announced her name to everyone there… like… maybe she expected someone to know? “If it is the Commander Elsonire, there was no one more ruthless and skilled as she was.” Ralof listened with much curiosity. “She was the Commander of Naarfin’s Elite and there was no unit as feared or as deadly as that one.”“How do you know all this?” Ralof was actually quite impressed with Hjornskar’s knowledge on the subject. “I studied at the Imperial City during my younger years and learning about the war was something I became very passionate about.”“Do you really think it could be her?” Ralof was starting to doubt his own judgement of character.“I don’t know, but if the stories and writings are to be believed, she was as deadly and proficient as the one you described as Freyanna Elsonire…” Hjornskar thought a moment. “It’s possible, but I’m trying to wrap my head as to why they would want her dead. Was the dragon a part of the plan? I don’t know for sure, but the one thing I know from your tale and the scout’s… Talos help us, if Commander Elsonire is the dragonborn.”Ralof’s mind kept going back to Helgen and Riverwood. She had nothing. He thought about her equipment. She improvised on the fly with her magic and equipment she picked up from the dead. His thoughts continued to go to Freyanna’s interactions with her sister and her family. She was so gracious, so real, so awkward… like she didn’t expect such courtesy… I… could it have been just an act? “She didn’t have to kill that beast. She could’ve run away and let it slaughter the rest of the tower guards.” The scout mentioned with some indignation as he broke Ralof’s train of thought. “She saved those men… She probably saved a lot more than just those guards.” “Like the Blades of ancient times.” Hjornskar mentioned with some admiration. “If the dragons are coming back, the death of one of their own at the hands of the Dragonborn will give them pause.”Ralof was somewhat confused, but he’d reserve judgement until he got the full story on her. Somehow, he felt that he’d meet her again. Thalmor Embassy – 5th of Hearthfire 4th Era Year 201 Elenwen wasn’t her usual arrogant self as she sat in her office pondering what her next plan of action was going to be. Although the plan to keep Ulfric Stormcloak alive had succeeded in spectacular fashion, the one to get rid of the youngest Elsonire had backfired miserably. She knew that the supremely talented girl had survived. The Dominion leaders were going to be very pleased that Ulfric survived and escaped, but a certain few individuals among them were going to be asking questions about Freyanna’s current situation. She didn’t expect them to believe that Freyanna could’ve been the victim of some bandit attack or any other random event. She was much too skilled to fall to a rabble, but maybe, just maybe, she could convince them that the dragon had killed her. “She never showed.” She lifted her head and saw her messenger, Seadil Adael approach her desk with some desperation. “The townsfolk said that a high elf woman was taken prisoner by General Tullius along with the leader of the Stormcloak rebels.”Elenwen looked at the supremely young Seadil. He was only fifty years old and already running important missives for an ambassador in the Thalmor. She wondered just how many of her brethren had him in their sights thinking that they deserved Seadil’s job more than he did. “We were too late.” She explained.“Too late? What do you mean too late?” Seadil’s expression changed to one of worry.“She’s dead.” The look of shock and dismay on Seadil’s face was priceless. It was no secret that Seadil couldn’t wait to meet the daughter of Talania Elsonire, Commander of Naarifin’s Elite. Everyone heard the stories of how Talania had been instrumental in the taking of the Imperial City. They’d also heard that Freyanna had been following in her mother’s footsteps in spectacular fashion for one so young. She was the most prolific battlemage in the entire Dominion and it was only because of her unruly attitude towards her commanders that she hadn’t been promoted faster than she already was. It was also suspected that she’d let some of her targets go, explaining that they were innocent of the charges against them. She’d even go out of her way to prove it which upset her superiors even more. They’d privately lambast her and accuse her of trying to make fools of them. These officers usually had someone in high places looking out for them and it was this that had led to the first attempt on Freyanna’s life. With both Lord Naarifin and Commander Elsonire dead, Freyanna had no one to stick their necks out for her.“How?” Elenwen actually suppressed a chuckle at Seadil’s obvious sadness. She needed to keep the attempt on Freyanna’s life a secret from everyone except the trusted few.“Would you believe a dragon?” She put on a faux aura of sadness. “A dragon destroyed the entire village of Helgen along with most of the prisoners and more than half of the imperial detachment.” This was a part of her job that she loved. “There were charred bodies all over the rubble that was once the village. We couldn’t find her anywhere.” Misdirection was one of her favorite things.“So, she might still be alive?” Seadil’s face filled with hope.“No…” She put up her best expression of understanding. “Nothing could’ve survived in that tower she entered. The Dragon destroyed it with her inside.”Seadil sat down, totally defeated. “What are we going to tell the council?”“The truth.” Elenwen got up and sat in the chair next to him. “As crazy as it sounds, she is the first casualty in what looks like to be a much more serious conflict.” She gently squeezed his shoulder to comfort him and he nodded solemnly. “I’ll break it to the soldiers, mages, and staff.” He stood and was about to quickly leave her office. She could tell that he was hurting inside. She also knew that most of her staff would be just as disappointed and angry at not being able to meet the heir of the Great Commander Elsonire.“Hold on Seadil.” She stood up with him. “I’ll go with you.”“She had no siblings?” Elenwen shook her head in acknowledgement of his question as they walked to the courtyard. “I’ll go gather the staff.” He mentioned and quickly went about directing everyone to the courtyard. As she thought about the whole situation, she smiled at the one good thing that had happened, Ulfric’s survival. He’d keep the Empire’s forces mired in Skyrim for years to come.She felt somewhat relieved that she’d still be able to work like nothing happened, but she also had to make sure that Freyanna stayed away or dead, preferably both. She had a couple of soldiers and mages in mind that would hopefully make sure that Freyanna never came back. She felt a slight chill go down her spine as she thought of what would happen if Elsonire managed to get back to her. It was a good feeling as she relished the challenge of pitting herself against the great heir of Talania Elsonire. High Hrothgar – 28th Evening Star 4th era Year 201 Arngeir quietly watched her in the courtyard as she went through her martial training. She was swift, fluid, and immensely skilled with all of her preferred weapons, in this case her blades. As much as he wished she’d relinquish her Spellsword ways he understood that she couldn’t stop being who she was. “WULD NAH KEST!” She covered hundreds of feet in an instant and struck the training-dummy with disturbingly deadly sword strokes. She then summersaulted backwards while twisting and landed facing in the opposite direction. “YOL TUUR SHUL!” The enormous plume of flames that erupted from her voice would’ve incinerated everything within its considerable cone of fire. The Thu’um came so naturally to her. She’d already learned all the shouts that they knew and could use them with very little effort. She was already the deadliest being in all of Tamriel with the lone exception of Alduin himself.He knew that training her Thu’um would be a harbinger to a war that would be as bloody as Tiber Septim’s ascension to power if not more. Still, in the three months or so since she’d return with the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller, her personality had come through and she seemed to be on the right side of decency and honor. She was respectful, selfless, and seemed to actually care much about the world around her. She explained how a member of the Blades named Delphine had taken the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller to in order to confirm that she was sent by them. It actually made him smile that she’d spurned their request to help them in their barbaric mission to kill all dragons. Freyanna explained that this Blade named Delphine thought the Thalmor were involved in the resurrection of dragons. Freyanna actually seemed surprised that they would come up with such a ridiculous hypothesis. Freyanna explained that the Thalmor had wiped out the Blades with the exception of some inconsequential individuals who seemed bent on blaming the Thalmor for everything. The most important detail of the meeting between Freyanna and Delphine seemed to be the mapped pattern presented by Delphine which showed where and in what order Dragons were being resurrected. The map showed that the small mining settlement of Kynesgrove had an ancient dragon burial mound which according to Delphine’s pattern was the next one which would produce a dragon.He examined the dragonstone and came to the same conclusion as this Delphine. If the dragons were being resurrected, the one in Kynesgrove would be the next one. Arngeir struggled somewhat with his belief that Freyanna should follow the Way of the Voice. If Alduin has returned, she’s the only hope for our continued existence. He thought, which meant she would have to fight. Like Tiber Septim, Freyanna Elsonire’s life would probably be a violent one. He continued to watch her train when he heard the door to the monastery open behind him. Wulfgar appeared with a small wooden chest. “Dovahkiin.” He whispered, causing the usual rumble every time he spoke her title. By Wulfgar’s mannerisms, it was obvious that the box was for the Dragonborn.It seemed that Freyanna understood that the box was for her as well because she was on the stairs examining the box within seconds. She undid the latch and opened it slowly. The smell of burnt wood, fabric and… flesh overwhelmed her senses as she recoiled slightly at the stench. She started to examine the content of the box and it was filled with charred objects such as broken pottery, children’s toys, blackened jewelry, and one pristine envelope with her name on it. Arngeir watched her as she started to shake slightly while opening the envelope.
“Dragonborn, if you truly are what the Greybeards think you are. I’m writing you this to inform you that the mining village of Kynsegrove is no more. It, along with most of the people in it were completely destroyed by a dragon you probably could’ve helped stop. I know you took the map with the list of burial mounds. You know where to meet me if you decide to do something other than meditate. Delphine.”
Freyanna was visibly shaking as her mind traveled back to Helgen and the Western Watch Tower. During the attack in Helgen she’d been too preoccupied with trying to escape to notice any details. But, as she examined her memories deeper she noticed the horrified child huddled close to another imperial as Hadvar tried to lead her towards the main imperial force. She looked at the burned doll and a single tear started to trickle down her cheek. “I let them die.” She whispered to herself.Her eyes met Arngeir’s and for the first time she felt unworthy of the gift she’d received. “Dragonborn, what is it?” The shame she felt slowly burned into her psyche and transformed into a seething anger.She stood up to her full and imposing height. “I won’t allow this to stand.” Her eyes never leaving Arngeir’s. “Alduin has returned and I cannot sit out the destruction of our world waiting to meet your master.”“Do what you must, Dragonborn.” There was noticeable disappointment in his tone. “You wish me to stay out of this?” She wasn’t even attempting to hide her disdain. “To let those immensely powerful creatures slaughter all including the innocent?” She held up the tiny and scorched doll that was once probably a small child’s toy.“Perhaps it is the will of the Gods that this world end.” Arngeir answered with some uncertainty.“PERHAPS IT IS THE WILL OF THE GODS THAT I STAND AGAINST AND STOP ALDUIN!” She countered angrily. She saw that Arngeir was supremely saddened that she was going out to do battle against the dragons. “What is it Arngeir? Why would you not want me to defend Tamriel from this monster?”“I will not keep you Dragonborn, it might truly be your destiny to destroy Alduin.” Arngeir’s saddened expression lightened somewhat. Freyanna could tell that he was keeping something from her. In her three months there, she’d never been given an audience with their master. Arngeir continually declared that she wasn’t ready. It actually made her huff in disgust as she turned and started to make her way towards the temple.She stopped just short of entering and turned to face Arngeir, beneath her anger she still felt a love for the old seers who had taught her not only many new and extremely powerful shouts, but also a way to peacefully meditate on the true meaning of said words. This gift she was given, these shouts, she would no doubt put to use in this coming war against that ebon scaled beast. “Thank you Arngeir and I’m sorry.” She didn’t give them a chance to answer as she quickly entered the temple. Arngeir followed her in shortly after and found her in the communal sleep area gathering her things. “Freyanna?” He quietly addressed her and she turned to acknowledge him as she continued to gather her things. “Do not let this war change you into one of those blood thirsty killers.”“Killers?” She paused her actions for a moment to ponder the comment. “You mean the Blades?”“Yes and they will try to use you for their own barbaric purpose.” Arngeir answered.“Everyone has a motive for why they do things, even you.” She finished packing her knapsack. “Who’s to say whose motives are more legitimate?” She walked up to him and planted a soft peck on his forehead. “I just know I can’t stand idly by while dragons keep wiping out village after village because some vague prophecy predicted they would.” Arngeir’s expression saddened at the realization that Freyanna was right. “I will always be who I am… what I am… no one will ever change that.”“I hope you understand the path you are about to follow is dark and violent. It has changed many and steered them away from the true path of peace… the way of the voice.”“I do and it already has somewhat, but not by convictions of right and wrong.” As her beautiful silver eyes locked on to his own, Arngeir came to the realization that this world had another champion. Her will was as strong as any he had ever encountered. There was little doubt in his mind that she’d succeed in destroying the World Eater. His only fear was that she would lose herself in the process and become someone she wouldn’t recognize. “I cannot follow the path of peace when all around me darkness and war consume and destroy everything and everyone.”She noticed that as she talked Borri, Wulfgar and Einarth had entered to what amounted to be a good bye. “We will be here waiting for your return should you decide to rethink your current path.” She nodded to them all and exited the temple.As she exited the temple, she visibly exhaled into the cold mountain air. She began to make her way back down the mountain to retrieve her horse from Boti who had agreed to take care of it for a nominal fee of two hundred septims per month. She’d amassed quite a stash of septims from the bandits she slaughtered at Bleak Falls Barrow, but she was beginning to run short. She’d have to purchase supplies for the journey to an area just south of Gjukar’s Monument. She thanked Akatosh that she possessed a horse. The journey would take about five days rather than the two weeks if she had to do it on foot.As she made her way towards the village, she heard the sounds of a conversation just around one of the bends in the path. A male voice was speaking with distinct accent that could be from nowhere other than the Somerset Isles. “We are looking for the criminal Freyanna Elsonire, have you seen her.” Freyanna heard the ruffling of paper.“I might’ve seen her.” It was Klimmek whom they were talking to. “Maybe you could help me and then I can help you.”“LAAS YAH NIR!” Freyanna shouted Aura Whisper which was barely audible and completely undetectable to the conversating parties. She counted the auras of six surrounding a seventh aura whom she assumed to be Klimmek.“Fine, here.” There was an exchange of coin made by what she now guessed was a Thalmor Justiciar patrol. She ducked behind a boulder and waited for the end of the conversation.“She comes down from the temple every so often to pay for her horse’s lodging.” Klimmek advised them. “You could probably find her up there in the temple, but don’t expect the Greybeards to let you enter.”“Let us worry about that.” She watched as the Thalmor patrol started its way toward her while Klimmek picked up his load of supplies and started in the same direction, quite few steps behind the Thalmor.She watched as they passed her position. One wizard and five warriors… She felt quite flattered that she garnered so much attention from the Ambassador who feigned ignorance when she was asked about her. When they had all passed her, she slowly got up, quietly unsheathed her swords and made sure they would be within the affected area of what was coming next. “TIID KLO UL!” She leaped towards the rear most warrior while he and the others started to turn toward her in the most ridiculously slow manner imaginable. Her first sword swing slit the throat of the first soldier, the second swing beheaded the next one as she spun and lined up her next strikes. The Thalmor had still not yet fully turned to face her when she struck down and killed the last three Altmer warriors, leaving only the Thalmor wizard. She watched the horror on the Wizard’s face as the lifeless bodies of the five warriors had not yet finished falling to the ground. Freyanna let the affects of her Slow Time shout end as she put the tip of her sword to throat of the Thalmor Wizard she didn’t recognize. “So Elenwen has found another fool.” There was palpable fear in the wizard’s expression. “Do you yield?” She asked in the most threatening tone she could muster. The wizard nodded and put his hands up in a sign of surrender. “If you try anything that I deem threatening, I’ll not be as merciful as I was with them.” She motioned to the five dead Thalmor Soldiers she dispatched with such little effort.“I won’t. I swear.” She motioned for him to sit on his hands. “Do you believe her?” She asked him. He feigned complete puzzlement at the question. “What?”“Don’t play stupid!” She put the sword to his throat again. “You know what I mean!”“Tha… th… that you’re a traitor?” He nervously responded and she nodded to affirm his response. “I… I… d… don’t know. I just follow orders.”“What did she say that I did?” She didn’t want to kill him, she wanted to send Elenwen a message.“The ambassador accused you of conspiring with the Stormcloaks to overthrow the Empire in Skyrim and nullify the White-Gold Concordant.” She watched his eyes for any semblance of deception. “She said that you were caught in Darkwater Crossing planning your role in assisting Ulfric Stormcloak and his followers.” “So, everything I’ve done… my loyalty… my years of service… all thrown away on a complete lie.” She didn’t sense any deception in him and felt completely betrayed by her own. “Does everyone think that or are you just one of Elenwen’s lapdogs trying to get a promotion?” She could see his troubled expression as he tried to search for an answer. The point of her sword pricking his windpipe quickly got his attention. “We… were told to be discreet and only report to her when we finished the job.”There was the answer she was looking for. Elenwen had to be one of the masterminds in this plot against her. “So, only she knows you’re out here.” He nodded. “You know she’d only kill you if you actually succeeded in your mission, loose ends and all that… right?” “You’re everything they said you’d be.” He was scared, but there was a tinge of admiration in his voice.The point of the sword started to pierce his windpipe. “What do you mean by that?”He started to grimace and she could see the desperation in his face. “Please, don’t kill me… please.” She released the pressure somewhat by pulling the sword back so the tip just hovered less the inch from his throat. “There are those who see you as the natural leader of our people and now I understand why many of them would want you dead.”She looked into his eyes and saw a glimmer of awe. “What about you?”“I… I’d follow you into Oblivion… my Lady.” He lowered his head in acknowledgement of her position over him.“So easily you’d turn against her?” She chuckled in disbelief. “Go.” She waved him towards the path down the mountain. “Tell Elenwen that I’m not impressed with her efforts and that she’d need not send anyone else. I’ll be visiting her soon enough.”“And after?” He asked her as if he were truly serving her.“What’s your name?” She didn’t trust this wizard, but she’d let him live to tell Elenwen she failed.“Antoleono, my Lady.” He kneeled in front of her with his head bowed in supplication.“If you truly believe me, I want you to send a missive to Elenwen saying that you found me, but were almost mortally wounded and I got away.” His golden eyes were on her as he slowly stood in front of her. As she looked at him, she noticed just how young he was to be a Thalmor platoon leader. He couldn’t be any older than one hundred and fifty years. “I think you’re lying to me, but I will give you a chance to assist me.” She’d led her first team at one hundred and twenty, but everyone said that she was the exception and not the norm.“I swear on Auriel that I will serve you until I die, I will keep you informed on everything happening at the Embassy and more if you wish.” Antoleono sounded sincere, but just a few seconds ago he was willing to kill her. Was her power and presence really that influential? “I’ll tell the Ambassador we killed you and that should keep the rest of the hunters from coming after you.”“That’s acceptable. Now go… I’ll send someone to let you know when I need you.” She sent him off, but he stopped short. “What is it?” She found herself positioning herself in a fighting posture.“She’s going to want proof.” He approached her as unthreateningly as possible. “Do you have anything that I could show her?”“What were you planning on giving her?” She watched as he visibly gulped. “Let me guess, my head?”He nodded uncomfortably, but then quickly went over to one of the dead female Altmer soldiers. His hand flared with a flame dancing on his palm. He was obviously thinking of using one of their heads as proof.“NO! You’re not going to desecrate them!” As much as she hated Elenwen, these soldiers had given their lives for the Dominion and she wasn’t about to let anyone violate them. “Go! Figure out how you’re going to tell her and… if she lets you live, report to me in Whiterun… I won’t be holding my breath.”“Your swords?” He asked meekly.She looked at the two imperial swords that she’d actually become quite attached to and then looked at Antoleono. She was sure that Elenwen would know they were hers. She unsheathed them and tossed them to the ground. Her hands flared and a flame burst from them striking the blades on the ground and leaving them with a coat of blackened soot. “You explain it.” She ordered him and he nodded with a smile as he picked up the smoking blades. “Help me remove their personal things so you can take them back to their families.”“The Ambassador will use their deaths to sully your name.” He made a good point as he kneeled over the decapitated corpse of one of his rear guard. He pulled off the personal identification locket all soldiers wore along with a small leather pouch filled some septims and a mini-portrait of what he assumed was this soldier’s wife or girlfriend. They quickly gathered all of the personal effects and Antoleono began to remove one of the soldier’s armor. “I’ll take care of these and the bodies. You just make sure you get your story straight.” He handed her all of the personal effects and began his trek down the mountain.She watched him like a hawk as he descended down the path. Once he was out of sight, she turned to the bodies of the Altmer soldiers littering the path to the monastery. “Damn you Elenwen. You’ll pay for their deaths, I swear you will.” She whispered to herself as she started to gather the bodies and remove their armor and weapons. How am I going to honor them? There’s nothing here. In the end she reasoned that the mountain itself could serve as their burial ground. They were already higher than any of the burial towers on the isles and they deserved to be interred in a place of honor.Even with the forced conscription of Klimmek, it took them till nightfall to dig the five graves. She felt it was her duty to honor their deaths. Foot soldiers were always deemed expendable and forgotten by all except their families. They did all of the dirty work, suffered the most casualties and were usually looked down upon by the so called elite units. It always made her angry because without those dedicated infantry, there would be no Dominion, there would be no Empire. They were more valuable as a whole than all of the elite units combined. The one thing the foot sloggers usually did have on all the other units was their sense of camaraderie. She had fond memories of serving with them as a platoon Battlemage during her time in the Dominion’s assault corps. The jokes and constant ribbing of each other was something she enjoyed tremendously with her unit.She stared at the five graves for what seemed like an eternity. Elenwen had sent them to kill her and she ended them as easily as taking a breath. She sent Antoleono down the mountain hoping against all hope that he’d be halfway to the Embassy by now. Unfortunately, as she expected, he was still there, waiting with the rest of his platoon. All of them hidden off the path just before the bridge to Ivarstead. The elven armor she took from one of the dead Altmer felt like home, as did the two elven swords. She had to give it to Antoleono, he was loyal and succeeded in getting away with his life to cause her more pain. The Aura Whisper shout was incredibly useful and she knew from experience that there was no way they could see her yet. “Klimmek, stay here.” She whispered to him as she studied the Altmers’ positioning. She noticed three archers with their bows already drawn and cocked at the bridge. Antoleono was on the other side of the bridge just like she expected him to be. He’d cover the archers and the archers would cover swordsman. It was strong position, but what they didn’t take into account was her new abilities. Antoleono was betting that his archers could get some arrows loose before she reached them using her slow time shout. She wasn’t going to make the same mistake this time. She began to run down the path and saw the twelve warriors start coming out of their hiding places. She put up her strongest ward and felt it get hit by a barrage of arrows. As she approached the shield wall being formed by the remaining twelve warriors she let out her unrelenting force shout. “FUS RO DAH!” The twelve soldiers were knocked back off their feet and were in the air for a good thirty feet. They hadn’t landed yet when she let out another slow time shout. “TIID KLO UL!” She dodged the second barrage of arrows with ease as she made it past the archers and as the shout began to lose its effect, she let loose with another shout the wizard wasn’t familiar with. “WULD NAH KEST!” In a blurry instant she sprinted across the bridge and was once again nose to nose with Antoleono. Her eyes locked on his horrified face again as her twin swords entered his body just underneath his rib cage. She glared angrily into his eyes and could see the life seeping out of them as she spun around and used him as an arrow shield. She put her mouth to his ear. “I knew you wouldn’t believe me.” She whispered as several thumps signaled that arrows had struck his back.“I’d never betray my own.” He was slowly dying, but the defiance he expressed actually made her feel saddened. “Unlike you.”The arrows had stopped coming, but she could see that they were organizing to cross the bridge. She quickly cast a wall of ice and sprinted toward where her horse was kept. A couple of town guards tried to stop her, but she once again used her slow time shout to avoid them. She jumped on her already saddled horse and bolted westward out of the town, leaving both the Altmer and Town’s forces angrily screaming for someone to stop her.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Sowing of the Wind Whiterun Hold, The Great Henge – A few miles southwest of the Sleeping Tree Camp It was over. Delphine thought to herself as she looked at the triumphant creature towering over her. It let out a thunderous roar almost as if it was announcing its victory over her. She tried to stand, but the attempt resulted in her feeling a stabbing pain where her left thigh had been broken. She leaned back on one of the large pillars next to this creature’s former grave, the rest of her body was too battered to compensate what she knew were mortal wounds. All she could do was look the creature in the eye with a steely glare of defiance. The dragon turned its glare to her and she could hear it inhale quite fully. Delphine felt that this was a good death. She glared at the beast expecting the imminent end when all of a sudden the dragon reared back while letting out a roar that was more akin to a scream of pain. She watched as it leaped into the air and attempted to fly away from whatever caused its current agony.Delphine’s eyes went wide when she saw that the dragon’s wings had been sliced into useless shreds of dangling flesh. As quickly as it went into the air, it crashed back down on the ground in an enormous cloud of dust and dirt. She looked around for what could’ve caused such a terrible injury on the powerful creature and noticed a figure in the golden armor of the Thalmor calmly stalking the creature’s hind quarters. The monster turned to face this new and ominous threat only for it to be struck with a fireball that exploded with such force that it caused the creature to be stunned momentarily. “WULD NAH KEST!” In an instant and moving so fast that Delphine’s eyes couldn’t follow, the golden armored woman was now directly underneath the dragon’s slightly raised head, as it tried to shake off the previous attack. It had no time to react as the woman’s sword was thrust into its lower jaw, through the soft under pallet and deep into its skull.Delphine smiled at the sight of the monster dropping instantly as the woman swiftly pulled out her blade and sidestepped the falling and now lifeless mountain of a corpse. Delphine let out a breath and watched as the Dragonborn reveled in her kill. She watched the dragon’s life force being torn out through dragon’s eyes as its soul was sucked out in a brilliant show of light and wind. Absorbed by the Dragonborn, her savior, Freyanna Elsonire. She would fight. Delphine thought as her own breath had become ragged and labored. She felt a smile form on her own face as she watched the Dragonborn look within herself as the soul of that dragon became one with her own.Freyanna’s eyes finally met hers and the look of concern actually made Delphine chuckle in pain. She looked every bit the Thalmor in that armor. Either she was with them or she must’ve had an encounter that ended badly for the Thalmor. “Nice outfit.” She mentioned with a grimace as Freyanna kneeled next to her and pulled out a small vial from her knapsack. Freyanna ignored her comment as she popped the small cork from the vial and put it to Delphine’s lips. “Shut up and drink this.” Delphine didn’t hesitate to gulp down the contents of the small vial. She could feel the magical properties of the potion slowly spreading from her stomach to the rest of her. It was rejuvenating and Delphine only wished she had more as her leg was still pretty mangled. “You really are Dragonborn.” “That’s what they tell me… now hold still.” Delphine watched as Freyanna gently placed her hands on and took a hold of her broken thigh. “This is going to hurt like a Daedric lord.”Delphine nodded as Freyanna manipulated her leg with her magic and set the bone with an audible pop. Delphine grimaced in silent anguish as this High Elven slayer continued to pour her healing magic into the leg. “There… you should be good as new in a couple of days.”“Where did you learn to do that?” Delphine couldn’t believe the amount of magic and knowledge Freyanna had. She looked relatively young, but then again, she was the Dragonborn and that in and of itself made her special.Freyanna smiled as she helped her to her feet. “Come on, my horse is just beyond that hill… I hope.”“You hope?” Delphine tried not to chuckle at their current predicament. Having to walk back to Riverwood was not a good thought.“Vuljotnaak wasn’t exactly a calming and welcoming creature.” Freyanna held her waist while Delphine slung her own arm over the Freyanna’s shoulders as they slowly made their way towards what she hoped was a horse. “Sugarfoot wouldn’t get any closer.”“Vuljotnaak? The name of the dragon?” Freyanna chuckled as she nodded.“It would be pretty silly if the dragon’s name was Sugarfoot.” They both cleared the small hill and saw Freyanna’s horse calmly eating grass near a clump of trees. Delphine chuckled as she winced in discomfort. “You learn their names as they die?” She asked.“I learn… no I experience everything. Every memory, every action… everything they knew, did, thought about doing while they lived.” Delphine listened in amazement as they walked to her horse. They stopped next to the horse. “Get on… I’ll help you.” With Freyanna’s help, Delphine mounted the horse sidesaddle and allowed the Dragonborn to guide it back towards the dead dragon’s remains. “Sometimes their memories and knowledge come later, like how valuable their scales and bones are.” Delphine watched as Freyanna started to gather as many of the beast’s dried up scales and bones as she could bear. She put the filled sack into the saddlebag and looked at the substantial skeleton to see if there was anything else, she could take. “That skull would probably fetch a kingly sum… damn it. If only we had another horse.”She looked around to see if there was anything she could use as a carrier. Letting out a huff, Delphine watched Freyanna as she started to pull off the teeth of the dead beast. “So… are the Thalmor involved in the return of the dragons?”“No more than the Blades are.” It was an attempt to disarm her verbally, but Delphine caught the slight hitch in her breath at the mention of the ruthless Altmer organization. “No more than the Greybeards, or Empire, or even Ulfric Stormcloak.”“You’re Thalmor aren’t you.” Delphine commented and the dejected expression on Freyanna’s face confirmed her suspicion.“I was… not any longer.” Freyanna finished pulling out the last tooth and putting it in the saddlebag. “If I was still serving them, you’d already be dead.”Delphine’s smile was returned by Freyanna as they started to make their way back to Riverwood. Delphine knew that Freyanna could’ve killed her the first day they met when she revealed to her about being a Blade. “What happened?”“All you need to know is they are my enemy now.” Her glare became ominous and menacing. “And, the ones responsible for making them so are going to pay.” “You understand that even though you could’ve killed me, one of the Thalmor’s goal is the elimination of all the remaining Blades.” Delphine’s own glare bore into the Freyanna’s in an intensely silent battle of eyes. “You could just be using me to get to the rest.”“Fine, I already have the next target thanks to the Dragonstone.” Freyanna broke her glare. “I’ll drop you off in Riverwood and find a way to destroy that black monster without you.”“Ha! As formidable as you are, you haven’t the slightest clue as to how to stop that beast.” Delphine responded back.“And you do?” Freyanna countered with an angry glare. “Last I saw, you were about to become a snack for Vuljotnaak.”She really didn’t mean for this to turn into an argument, but Delphine had the right to be suspicious of everyone. “Listen, it’s obvious that you’re not with the Thalmor anymore, but I have contacts that can confirm or eliminate that they’re involved.” Delphine saw that it was a mistake to rile her up as she just shut her out. Delphine pulled on the horse’s mane, causing it to stop. Freyanna was angry, but she had to be confronted; Even if it meant her own death. Their eyes met once more. “What do you know about the Thalmor operations in Skyrim?”“You mean other than the fact that they’re trying to kill me?” She answered angrily. “Absolutely nothing.”“So, it couldn’t hurt to try and find out what they know and what they’re doing, right?” Delphine had a point and maybe she could get to the bottom of who was involved in trying to kill her. “Even for you.”Freyanna just stood there pondering the situation. The Thalmor embassy was one of the most secure places in Skyrim. It was filled with Battlemages and Soldiers from the Justiciar Corps. Even with her newfound abilities, she’d never be able to get inside and out without massacring a lot of her own people. “What do you suggest is our next move then?”“I’ve already sent word to one of my operatives in Solitude to meet with you.” The statement made Freyanna chuckle. “What’s so funny?”“I hope you don’t think I’m going to be sneaking into that fortress.” She could see that Delphine’s plan required exactly that. “Elenwen and her minions are just waiting for me to show up there.” Delphine looked like she wanted to say something, but couldn’t. It was clear that she was stumped on what to do next. “Solitude is also probably a bad idea as I’m sure those legionnaires and General Tullius will want to take my head off, again.”“What in Oblivion did you do to garner such attention?” Delphine was troubled, but she felt a sense of comfort at the admission that Freyanna was not on good terms with the Thalmor, and it seemed the Empire as well.“I did nothing!” Delphine could see that Freyanna’s anger was starting to well up again. “I reported to Darkwater Crossing like I was ordered. Next thing I know I’m being taken prisoner by the Empire because I was in the same place as a bunch of Stormcloaks. Oh and I guess it was a good idea for the General Tullius to sentence me to death without even knowing who I am!” She took a deep breath and let it out. “If it wasn’t for Alduin attacking Helgen, I’d probably be dead.”“You were in Helgen when Alduin attacked?” Freyanna nodded.“Yeah, I was.” Delphine watched her loose herself in the memory. “The two dragons I’ve killed were nothing compared to him.” Freyanna turned and started once again to lead the horse towards Riverwood. “I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to kill such a monster.”“Two dragons?” Delphine wasn’t impressed easily, but it was obvious that this Altmer woman was more formidable than she originally thought.“I killed Mirmulnir near Whiterun’s western watch tower.” She could see the semblance of a smile appear on her face. “He tried to wipe out the guard encampment there… his surprise at the end was priceless.” She was nonchalant about it, but she sensed her teetering emotional state. This must be an enormous burden for her, even before adding her own people’s betrayal, and the empire’s suspect complicity.Again she pulled on the horse’s mane forcing it to stop. Freyanna turned and glared at her in annoyance. “I want you to know that I am with you… to the end.”Freyanna chuckled and once again continued on down the path, pulling the reins of the horse. “I’ve heard that before, from others… and they didn’t hold up their end of the bargain.” Elenwen’s Office – Thalmor EmbassySeadil entered her office with a look of indignation. “You said that she was dead, except now I hear that she killed six of our Justiciars in a small village called Ivarstead.”Elenwen looked at her runner and feigned sadness. “So it’s true?”Seadil gave her a quizzical expression. “What’s true? That she’s alive or that she is the traitor the Imperials accused her of being?”“It looks like both.” She could see the anger on his face; this boy wouldn’t be convinced of her turning traitor easily. “But, why? Why would she turn her back on us?” He was completely at a loss to explain Freyanna’s actions.“I don’t know Seadil.” She motioned for Seadil to get closer. “I was ordered by the Council to watch her closely when she got here.” She whispered.“What?!” The shock on Seadil’s face was priceless. “Whatever for?”“I think we just got our answer, don’t you?” He shook his head in disbelief. The daughter of one of the Dominions greatest heroes was a traitor?“But I don’t under…” Seadil tried to make sense of it, but was quickly interrupted by Elenwen.“Look, I don’t know why the Kinlords wanted her watched, but it seems pretty evident that she’s gone completely rogue.” She sounded pretty angry. “Six dead comrades at her hand is pretty damn convincing!” He listened intently, but she could tell that he was completely demoralized at this bit of news. “I’m going to need you to get message back to the isles. We’re going to need reinforcements to deal with this, not to mention the fact that dragons have returned to Tamriel as well.”“Yes ambassador, of course. I’ll be on the first ship out.” He took his leave and started to make his way towards his work space. He sat down at his desk and began to write the request for reinforcements. As he wrote the reasons he stopped before writing her name. How could she betray them, her own people? He knew that there’d been an attempt on her life on the isles. Could someone high in the government want her gone? She was a threat being who she was so the answer to that question had to be an unequivocal yes. Kinlord Tulinondel,
The Thalmor Embassy and consequently our continued presence in Skyrim has come under increasing threat with the appearance of dragons and the betrayal of Justiciar Lieutenant Freyanna Elsonire. A dragon has attacked and completely destroyed the Skyrim Village of Helgen and it is unknown where and when the creature might attack next. As First Emissary I am humbly submitting a request to double the military faculty at the embassy including an additional platoon of battlemages.
It is also with utmost regret that I inform you the traitor Freyanna Elsonire has murdered six of our Justiciars, including Justiciar Lieutenant Antoleono as he attempted to speak with her about her association with Ulfric Stormcloak and his rebel forces. The event occurred in the small village of Ivarstead. Please do not delay as we are now in a very vulnerable position here.
Respectfully,
First Emissary of Skyrim Province, Elenwen,
Seadil looked at the missive and let out a demoralized huff. He picked it up and entered Elenwen’s office once more. “Here is the request.” He handed the missive to Elenwen for approval. He watched her read it and look up at him. “I know this is difficult to accept, but what other explanation is there for her murdering six of our own?” Elenwen could still see that Seadil wasn’t fully accepting the situation with Freyanna. She put her signature on the letter, put it in an official envelope and sealed with the official Thalmor Stamp. “Go, every bit you delay gives her and the dragons an advantage over us.”“Yes Ambassador.” He left the office and went to his quarters to pack thinking there were some serious games being played by the Ambassador and probably others. She probably wanted him gone, but couldn’t have him killed because of his own connections. Deep down inside he didn’t believe that Freyanna was a traitor. He thought that she was definitely a threat to those above and was probably being set up because she had no one to look out after her. That was going to change when he got back to the Isles, his mother would hear of this obvious farce. He’d get to the bottom of it and once he found the truth. Those responsible for it would be brought to justice.He finished donning his robes and supervising the removal of his personal affects. He directed his servants to load the wagon and tell the driver to be ready to leave. Once he was satisfied that he had everything he needed, he walked to and stopped by Elenwen’s office once more. “Is there anything you need before I leave Ambassador?”She could sense his sudden disdain for her. He didn’t believe that Elsonire was a traitor. She smiled at the irony. “No Seadil, stay safe on your trip.” If he only knew that his mother was one of the Kinlords involved in the plot against Freyanna… oh the scrumptious irony.He walked out of the embassy and boarded the wagon. He left the embassy with an escort of four guards and they started to make their way towards the Solitude Shipyard. As much as he wanted to believe that his mother would help him find the truth, she’d never take sides against one of her comrades in the council. He’d find a way to get to the truth no matter how difficult and dangerous it was. Freyanna’s mother was a hero of the Dominion. Freyanna herself had distinguished herself in Hammerfell during the war holding her position near the city of Rihad despite being heavily outnumbered by the Redguards. It was clear from that point that the name Freyanna Elsonire was on the rise towards greatness. Her performance as a tenacious, yet fair Justiciar after the war must’ve been too much for some of those above her. How could they be so shortsighted? In his young career as a messenger for the Altmer power players, it never stopped amazing him how the worst enemy of the Dominion seemed to always come from within. These mer needed to be stopped and he had an idea of how he was going to do it. There was one person whom he knew would have her back and he would find a way to get word to her. Riverwood – Blade’s safe house at the Sleeping Giant InnI shouldn’t have let her go alone. Delphine’s eyes were on a map rolled out on the table in the center of the basement hideout. Not like I had a choice. Her eyes were on the destroyed village of Helgen. Freyanna had said that maybe, her former captors had taken her original equipment there and that she’d like to look around the old barracks there. Her own personal swords, bow, dagger and armor had to have been stored somewhere. What if they were waiting for her to return there? Damn it! She thought as she slammed her closed fist on the table and map. It had been a couple of days since she’d left. She should’ve been back by now with her horse. Just as she started to gather her equipment to go search for her, Delphine heard the false door to the hideout open. “Delphine? You down there?” Her heart lightened at the sound of Freyanna’s voice.“It’s about time!” She waited by the table and saw the impossibly tall and imposing altmer come down in her full armor. This armor was different from her last set though as she could see Freyanna was sporting a very serious expression. “What happened?”Freyanna removed her helmet and Delphine could see the cuts and bruises on her head and dried blood caked her normally beautiful blonde hair. “Fucking Bandits, Imperials, Thalmor… even a bona fide fucking assassin!”“Are you okay?” She didn’t mean to sound as concerned as she did, but there was no hiding the fact that Freyanna had been in one hell of a fight.“Yeah, just tired.” Freyanna sat in a chair and began to pull off her armor. “We’ve got two more horses, and enough loot to supply us for the next couple of years.” She explained as she removed her chest plate to reveal even more bruises and one nasty looking slash type scar running from the left side of her stomach to the right side. “I got my stuff back too.”“Fuck Freyanna! Why didn’t you let me come with you?!” Delphine’s anger was coming through as more of Freyanna’s battered body became visible. “You could’ve used my help by the looks of the ass whoopin you took!”Freyanna laughed painfully. “They… it looks like they all have a bounty for me.” She laughed through her statement. “I had to sneak past the town guards here to get to you.”“That’s not good.” Delphine grabbed a couple of small vials and handed them to Freyanna. “How in Oblivion are we going to stop Alduin and his dragons with everyone out there trying to kill you?”“Oh and to top it off, here.” Freyanna pulled out a small crumpled parchment and handed it to her.
Board the vessel Northern Maiden docked at Raven Rock. Take it to Windhelm, then begin your search. Kill the false Dragonborn known as Freyanna Elsonire before she reaches Solstheim. Return with word of your success and Miraak will be most pleased.
“Miraak? Another Dragonborn?” Delphine couldn’t hide her surprise. “Looks like it.” Freyanna downed the contents of one of the vials. “Whoever he is, he’s not a fan of mine.” She then downed the second vial and quickly started using her healing magic on herself. “These masked people on the road back here asked me if I knew about the Dragonborn.” Delphine watched and listened in complete enthrallment of her amazing skill as a healer. “I knew I should’ve lied, but as soon as I told them, one of them tried to hit me with an ice spear to the gut, I dodged it by twisting, but it left me with this beautiful mark.” She pulled off her boots and gauntlets and stretched out in her chair. “I’m thinking Solstheim should be my next destination.”“Before you even think of going anywhere, you look like you could use a hot bath.” Delphine commented and she knew it was the right thing to say as she could see a smile forming on Freyanna’s face.“That would be lovely.” She responded. “The horses and loot are at Gerdur’s mill. I trust you can handle the task of selling the surplus stuff.” Delphine nodded as she started to make her way up the stairs. She stopped short of the door and turned to look at her. “I’ll have Orgnar set up the bath upstairs. Just try not to be seen like that.” Delphine looked at the supremely fit and beautiful High Elf. “Unless of course, you want the attention.”Freyanna chuckled. “I’ve had enough attention these last couple of days to last me a few months.”Delphine smiled and exited the room leaving Freyanna alone with her thoughts. She picked up the gilded elven chest plate with the seal of Akatosh emblazoned dead center in silver. It was the armor that her mother had made for her along with the two supremely exquisite and balanced elven swords. The bow and dagger she’d been issued just before traveling to Hammerfell on her first assignment as a platoon battlemage. She’d never fought as hard as she did against the Redguard’s forces. They were supremely skilled warriors with an unpredictable style that was the perfect foil for Altmer rigidness. If it wasn’t for hers and Ancarion’s platoons during the Hammerfell campaigns of the Great War, Rihad would’ve been lost and the whole army of Lady Arannelya would’ve been vulnerable to a two pronged assault. She smiled when she thought of her friend Ancarion. He was the typical pompous ass Thalmor towards others, but he had this dry sense of humor that always put a smile on her face. After that battle, they’d become good friends and she got to know the more gentle and endearing side of the usually dark and mysterious Altmer. He cared for his men as much as she did, but he never showed it to those outside his platoon. The deaths of so many of his comrades had caused him to breakdown emotionally in front of her. It affected her so deeply that she tearfully shared her own anxiety about the deaths of her own comrades. They bonded immediately, but kept their relationship professional until she decided some years later that she wanted to take it to the next level. Mother would’ve said he was beneath you. She thought to herself with a smile only to think of the time she caught a glimpse of his magnificent physique while he was changing out of his robes. I wish he was beneath me. She could feel herself get warm in the all the right places as she thought of the supremely handsome Altmer Battlemage. Her thoughts were interrupted by the false wall opening again. “Here, take these. Your bath is ready.” Delphine came down the stairs and Freyanna felt her cheeks get hot as she jumped to her feet and caught the luxurious robe that had been tossed to her. “He must’ve been something to make you blush like that.” Delphine chuckled.Freyanna’s lips slowly curled upward into a most mischievous grin. “Yes… yes he is.” She donned the robe and followed Delphine upstairs into the usually open room of the inn. Delphine had closed the door for privacy and she noticed a new addition to the room. A large leather skin tub framed with wooden supports setup in the center of the room. It was filled with steaming water that beckoned her to immerse herself. “The water has some additional healing herbs mixed in as well as lavender for the scent.” Delphine explained. Freyanna didn’t really need to hear anymore and it didn’t take her long to remove her robes and enter the tub. The moan of ecstasy that left her lips made Delphine smile. “This is wonderful.” It was as heavenly as she thought it would be. Every muscle in her body just seemed to loosen up and relax as the heat from the water penetrated every part of her body. It was exactly what she needed at the moment.“You can thank Hod for the tub.” Delphine mentioned. “He says it’s yours if you want it.”“Akatosh, I love that family.” The scent of the lavender had completely relaxed her mind as well. “I gotta make sure I give them something before we leave for Solstheim.”“You really think heading there is a good idea?” Delphine asked.“If there’s another Dragonborn out there, we should try to get them on our side don’t you think?” Freyanna leaned back and slowly immersed her entire head in the water then quickly came back up. “What do you know of this Miraak?”“Nothing…” Delphine looked like she was trying to remember something. “Other than his followers trying to kill you… no… nothing.” She looked over to Freyanna. “I think we should see what the Thalmor have before you go gallivanting all over the north in search of some Dragonborn cult.”Freyanna chuckled again as she took one of the soaps from the small table next to the tub and began to scrub her body. “Tell me again how in Oblivion we’re going to do that?”“I have a spy who works at the embassy.” Delphine started to ponder the situation. “They’ll kill him before he ever finds anything useful.” All of a sudden Freyanna had an epiphany as she looked over to Delphine. “I can cause a distraction so that your spy can do his thing.”“How do you mean?” Delphine was all ears.“A few fireballs into the fence and buildings will get a reaction… not to mention a little bit of fire and ice breaths to go along with them as well.” Delphine could see that Freyanna was in full tactical thought. “I can breach one of the walls and that will set off a panic that should move the majority of their security to cover it.”“Breach? How?” Delphine had to admit that it was a sound plan so far, but she hadn’t seen anything from her that would make her think she could pull off such a powerful spell.“I took down a whole fortified guard tower with my fire breath, their fence is going to be nothing compared to that.” That confidence was certainly contagious, but they still had to inform Malborn of the plan. They’d have to travel to Solitude and somehow, Freyanna was going to have to sneak into the city.“That… that sounds like a great plan except for the part where you and I will be taking on the brunt of their forces by ourselves.” Freyanna chuckled at the very valid concern as she continued to wash herself.“Not us… me. You’ll be guarding my flank when they try an enveloping movement… Akatosh this feels good.” She quickly submerged her head again for an instant and came back up. She then stood up in all her naked glory and grabbed a towel from the same table the soaps were on. “It’s probably better that I go and speak with Malborn and you wait outside Solitude.” Delphine found herself staring at the supremely beautiful Elf. “There’s no way you won’t be noticed.”“I’m going in.” She sounded dead serious. “General Tullius owes me an apology and I’m going to wring one out of him at the point of my sword.”“I hope you’re joking.” Freyanna was drying her hair nonchalantly while still displaying her incredibly fit and beautifully naked body. To be that comfortable in the nude usually meant that someone was used to dressing and undressing amongst others. It usually meant military life. She started to dress by putting on a bra and undergarments. “Please tell me you’re joking.”Finally, Freyanna smiled. “I’m not that stupid, but I really do want to punch him in the face.” She put on the luxurious red robe and sat on the bed. “Malborn is going to have to be ready sneak around and kill because there will still be a couple of mages or soldiers left to guard their secrets.”“Don’t worry about him, he’ll be fine, he knows that place like the back of his hand.” Delphine seemed really confident in this Malborn. “I hope so or this is all going to be for nothing.” She pulled the hood of the robe over her head and started to make her way back down to the hideout. “I’ll be cleaning and oiling my gear for a bit.”About an hour later, Freyanna came back upstairs in black leather pants and top, a pair of black felt boots, and a black hood and cape. It hid her features well, but she still looked too fabulous not to be noticed. “Where do you think you’re going?” Delphine asked her.“I’m going to see Hod and Gerdur to thank them for that magical bath.” Delphine apprised her and noticed the twin elven daggers on the front of her waist. “We should probably sell as much of the loot as we can before we leave.”“Lucan isn’t going to have enough gold or supplies.” Delphine commented. “We should probably sell off some of the stuff in Whiterun.”“I’ll let you handle that.” Freyanna was about to leave when she suddenly turned to Delphine. “Balgruuf made me a Thane. Is there any way we could use that to our advantage?” She rushed passed Delphine and reached for an axe hanging on the weapon rack. “He said this axe was a symbol of my title.” The axe crackled with magical energy.“It should shield you from the bounty at least from Whiterun’s guards, that won’t mean anything if we run into Imperials or Thalmor.” Delphine motioned for her to give her the axe. “It’s pretty and well…” Delphine took a swing at the training dummy in the room and a large spark of cold froze the dummy solid where it was hit. “Very nice.”“Enchanted with a cold type spell.” Freyanna mentioned. “There’s also the housecarl he assigned to me. Lydia should be waiting for me in Dragon’s Reach.”“A housecarl? Wow, you must’ve really impressed him.” Delphine took a couple of more practice swings with the axe and put it back on the rack. “Yes, we should take advantage of that as well. We need all the warriors we can get.”“It’s settled then, we’ll leave for Whiterun tomorrow.” Freyanna was about to leave again when Delphine stopped her.“How do you feel about hiring a couple of mercenaries?” Freyanna actually started to ponder the idea.“I’m not against it. You have anyone in mind?”“Jenassa and Uthgerd can usually be found in the two eateries there.” Freyanna watched as a mischievous smile slowly appeared on Delphine’s face. “What’s with the smile?” She couldn’t hide her curiosity.“Uthgerd will be fun trying to convince to come with us.” She playfully answered. “She’s a bit of an ass.”“Great” Whiterun Stables four days later.Freyanna methodically saddled their newest mount in complete silence as Lydia, Delphine, Uthgerd, and Jenassa waited for her on their own mounts. They were all giggling and chuckling like children at the sight of an obviously annoyed Freyanna who was sporting a nice sized black eye thanks to Uthgerd’s preferred method of compensation. Uthgerd seemed happy enough to have taken the worse of the fist fight turned bar room brawl with Freyanna.“I don’t see what’s so funny!” Freyanna barked out at the four and that only caused them to break out into all out laughter. She started to smile despite not really wanting to. She was actually happy at the outcome of her trip to Whiterun. Balgruuf and his men wouldn’t honor the Imperial bounty because of her actions in saving his people from that dragon. He said that she’d done more for his people than even the empire and that was something he’d remember despite her currently unfavorable standing with the Imperials. She looked over again and was completely satisfied with the imposing group of warriors. This heavily armed squad would deter any highway men from attacking them and they would actually give Malborn a fighting chance to succeed in getting much needed intel. Jenassa and Delphine looked the part of stealthy and agile assassins while Lydia and Uthgerd looked every bit the close up and personal armored killers that they were. Elenwen wouldn’t expect her to show up in such force. With them watching her flanks, she was sure that she’d get most if not all the soldiers in the Embassy responding. Freyanna wondered if Elenwen would even come out of hiding and take her lumps. Probably not, mother had her pegged as someone who never committed herself unless she had every advantage. They began their trek towards Solitude in silence as she continued to think on the situation at hand. There were going to be a lot of casualties when this was all said and done. She’d cement herself as a traitor if they ever found out she was involved in this operation. They betrayed you… they’ve been trying to sully your name… mom’s name… why? She pondered the myriad of reasons why she was in the situation she was in. The only thing that continually kept coming up in her mind was that she was a threat to someone important. That someone had Elenwen in their pocket and now the entire embassy staff thinking she was traitor. Delphine could see Freyanna’s troubled expression as she suffered in silence. “You okay?”“Yeah, just thinking about my mother and what she’d tell me to do.” Freyanna kept her eyes on the path as she talked. “She really hated politics and politicians.”“Was she the commander of Naarifin’s Elite?” Delphine had heard of the unit. It was the most feared unit in the Dominion. Freyanna nodded.“She taught me almost everything I know.” Delphine listened as she watched her in her full Thalmor armor. “She would tell me that there was always a solution to any problem. One just had to look hard enough for the answers.”Delphine would ask her more, but she’d heard that Naarifin and his lieutenants were hung from the highest towers to be picked on by vultures. She assumed that Talania was one of those elves swinging from ropes in the Imperial City after it was recaptured by Emperor Titus Mede II. She remembered the brutality of that war and how the Blades were wiped out as a cohesive unit. She lost a lot of friends in that war. “What would she say about our current situation?”“She was pretty straight forward. She’d say to find our enemies and destroy them.” She smiled as she mockingly stated her dead mother’s advice. “So according to her, we have to destroy the Thalmor, Imperials, another Dragonborn and not to mention the dragons along with the fluffy and super lovable Alduin.”Delphine laughed lightly. “You certainly know how to make friends.” “It’s strange how much I actually miss her. She wasn’t the warmest person on Tamriel, but I always knew she had my best interest at heart.” Delphine was soon joined by the other four women as they all listened to her. “She admired all peoples and always told me that I could learn much from even the lowliest beggar.”“She served under the Lord Naarifin, the one that wanted to sacrifice everyone in Imperial City for some prophecy?” Jenassa asked with some obvious disdain. “The same Lord Naarifin that ran gladiatorial contests to the death in the Imperial Arena?”Freyanna gave her a puzzled look. “What are you talking about?”“I know a lot of lies are printed in books, but I was there when Naarifin and his army occupied Imperial City.” Delphine interrupted. “Maybe your mother was unaware of his master plan, but Naarifin would’ve unleashed Oblivion on the city if it wasn’t for the emperor’s forces liberating it.” She could see that Freyanna was listening. “Oblivion?” It was clear that Freyanna wasn’t aware of what her mother’s commanding officer was involved in. “Literally, he wanted to open portals to Oblivion and flood all of Tamriel with Daedra. If it wasn’t for the emperor killing him… Imperial City would’ve been sacrificed and Naarifin would’ve had an army of Daedra to command.” Freyanna knew that Naarifin was a mage of extremely formidable ability. He’d actually taught her much of what she knew. He’d conjure atronachs with an ease that she’d never seen before or since. Did she know? She thought to herself. “The Culling? I’ve read about the prophecy…” She looked into Delphine’s eyes. “I always thought it was some nonsense written by the Imperials to justify the massacre of all the Altmer troops in the city.”“Massacre? You think it was a massacre?” Delphine scoffed quite visibly. “It was a hard fought victory and your people refused to surrender.”“BECAUSE SURRENDER MEANT DEATH AT THE HANDS OF YOUR PEOPLE!” Freyanna barked back angrily. “I saw what the Imperials and Redguards did to Altmeri soldiers who surrendered!” Delphine was taken aback by the show of anger. “Your people were just as blood thirsty as mine, don’t try to make it seem that they weren’t.” “YOUR people are the ones who invaded! YOUR people are the ones who were the cause of the death that happened afterwards!” Jenassa joined in the argument with vigor. “THEY ARE THE ONES WHO IMPOSED THEIR ANTI-TALOS CRAP ON THE NORDS!” Freyanna couldn’t deny what she was saying as it wasn’t wrong. The Dominion was the aggressor during the war. “NOW THEY FIGHT AND KILL EACH OTHER AS WELL AS THE IMPERIALS! FOR WHAT?!” A feeling of shame was starting to creep into her as she started to ponder her role in the war. “IT’S SO FUCKING OBVIOUS THAT YOUR PRECIOUS DOMINION DID IT TO GET AN ADVANTAGE IN THE NEXT WAR… WHICH THEY WILL START!”“You’re right…” She sounded so defeated. “I can’t believe that she didn’t know. She had to know.” Delphine couldn’t help but feel some sadness at the sight of Freyanna contemplating all of the betrayal and possible betrayal she was experiencing. “I…” She stopped and turned to all of them. Her eyes actually seemed to focus on all of them with a stern and determined glare. “I will not allow the Thalmor to operate freely in Skyrim… or anywhere else I can stop them.”It was strange to watch this formidable looking Elven Battlemage state that she was about to go to war with her own people. She turned back around and continued ahead of them. “She’s going to do some terrible things.” Jenassa smiled as she whispered to Delphine.Delphine didn’t smile, but she felt relief that Freyanna seemed to have chosen sides and it was evident that the Dominion was now in trouble when it came to her. “You shouldn’t push her so hard.”Jenassa smirked like she didn’t care. “Some people need to be confronted in their dillusions.”“If you’d seen her fight, you wouldn’t be so inflammatory.” Delphine countered.“She underestimated me and still whooped me good.” Uthgerd commented with an obvious sense of awe.It wouldn’t take long before they would witness her increasingly deadly talents. They all heard the roar as they approached Rorikstead. Freyanna was off like a bolt of lightning towards the small village and they quickly followed suit. Lydia, Jenassa, and Uthgerd stopped suddenly to gasp at the sight of giant Dragon swooping down and raking the town with its fire breath, igniting a farmhouse roof in a torrent of flames. They watched as the creature looped back and started another pass. Just when it was about to let loose with its breath weapon they watched as Freyanna unleashed her own frost breath which caused the creature to lose its stability and crash land into a farm’s field next to the town. Uthgerd and Lydia started their charge towards the beast as both Delphine and Jenassa started to unleash arrow after arrow into the creature, most of which just bounced off its scales.The creature turned to face its aggressors and started to flap its enormous wings to take off. “FUS RO DAH!” The wave of energy struck it so that it had lost its balance and ended up falling back down to the ground. “FEIM ZII GRON!” Freyanna continued to shout, but that particular shout didn’t seem to do anything until she watched in horror as the dragon snapped its jaws around her only to bite into nothing but air. As the creature pulled back for another attempt to take off, Freyanna seemed to become solid again and once again attempted to put her exquisite looking elven blade through its soft palate and into its brain. It didn’t quite make through, but it made far enough for the creature to scream out in pain as blood began to pour out of its awful looking wound. “DOVAHKIIN! ZU WERID HIN AHKRIN!”(Translation: Dragonborn! I praise your courage!) Freyanna understood the creature’s compliment. “HIN DINOK FENT DRUN GEINMAAR LOT MORO!”(Translation: Your death will bring me great glory!) It was an arrogant beast thinking it had already won the battle despite the terrible wound it had received at her hand. Delphine continued to fire arrow after arrow as Uthgerd’s and Lydia’s advance on the creature seemed to take forever. “TIID KLO UI!” Freyanna’s movements became a blur of unfollowable movement. Every blur of movement ended with a blood spurting red gash on the creature’s neck and an almost amputated wing. The creature was now bleeding much more profusely as it stained the soil around it with a deep red color. It roared again in pain and tried to turn and face its tormentor who was now behind it. It started to loose strength as it tried in vain to use its one good wing to take off. Jenassa and Delphine watched as Uthgerd finally made contact with the creature and struck its head with an incredibly vicious blow of her two handed sword. That was followed by Lydia’s equally vicious sword thrust into the creature’s neck. Lydia reacted with grace and fluidity as she had to roll out of the way when the dragon lashed out and tried to snap her up in its jaws. It was too slow and was getting slower, but with its last gasp it struck out at Uthgerd who couldn’t react quickly enough. The crunching sound as its jaws crushed Uthgerd’s body caused Freyanna to scream in rage. The creature then let out another agonizing roar and dropped the now lifeless body of Uthgerd. Freyanna had climbed on its back and began to plunge her swords again and again into its undefended back. It was too much for the creature as its body gave out with more of a whimper and it finally lay there dead.Freyanna leaped off the creature’s back and immediately went to the head where Uthgerd lifeless body lay next the monster’s maw. Uthgerd was dead and Freyanna knelt at the creature’s head in obvious distress. She stood up and directed Lydia to take Uthgerd’s body. Lydia picked up Uthgerd’s body and carried it clear of the creature. Lydia could feel that the body was completely broken as it bent in ways a healthy body could never bend. She gently put Uthgerd’s body down and turned to see if Freyanna needed any more help. She and the others watched in amazement as the creature’s essence was sucked out and absorbed by the Dragonborn. It was actually a frightening sight as Delphine knew that she was absorbing another dragon’s power. “You were right.” Jenassa whispered in her ear. “If I’d seen this before, I wouldn’t have talked to her the way I did.”“She needed to hear it though.” Delphine countered as she stowed her bow in her horse’s saddlebag. They both watched as the town folk tried to put out the flames engulfing the roof of the farmhouse. Freyanna quickly ran to the front of the farmhouse.“FO KRAH DIIN!” An enormous plume of frozen air exploded from her mouth and struck the roof of the farmhouse. The immediate effect was pretty apparent as the flames died down to a smoldering as the villagers continued to launch bucket after bucket of water onto the roof. The town guards and the rest of villagers gave her space as she went back and knelt next to the body of Uthgerd. “She was as brave as I’ve ever seen, my Thane.” Lydia commented softly.“She was.” Freyanna examined Uthgerd’s body and couldn’t get over just how powerful Nahagliiv was. He was dying and weak, yet he was still able to crush her fully armored body like it was nothing more than a chicken’s egg. “I’ve never seen anything like it.” Jenassa finished gathering the horses as she spoke to Delphine. “She could’ve killed that monster without us.”“She’s a force of nature.” Delphine took the reins of both Freyanna’s and Uthgerd’s horses as she guided her own towards the village. She also couldn’t help feel hope at Freyanna’s obvious distress at Uthgerd’s death. “She’s exactly what this world needs.”A few hours later Freyanna had loaded the saddlebags with as many dragon scales and bones they could carry. They were told that they should see the Jarl for a reward as the guards had already sent a messenger to inform him of this tremendous victory. She politely refused the invitation to see the Jarl, not wanting to tempt the fates with all the contracts out on her. The villagers made sure that they were fully supplied before they again made their way north towards Solitude. Katlas’ Farm – Just outside SolitudeThe sounds of blades striking metal and wood resonated in the early morning hours. Katla watched as the impossibly tall elven female swung her blades like a whirlwind of golden metal only to be countered by the shield and steel sword of her beautiful human sparring partner. It was clear that both women were extraordinary swordswomen. As she continued to watch it was clear to Katla that the elf was the deadlier of the two. The human woman seemed to know and it showed in her frustrated expression as she ended up disarmed with an elven sword just inches from her unprotected neck.“Let me have a shot at the Altmer.” The anxious Dunmer asked the human woman as she unsheathed two imperial swords. “It takes a mer to beat a mer.” The Dunmer female playfully announced as she twirled both blades skillfully.The Dunmer immediately began to thrust and slash at the Altmer. Both elves seemed evenly matched with sparks flying from the whirling blades as they struck each other while searching for an opening. Katla found herself mesmerized at the incredible display of martial skill. Their sparring match also seemed to attract the attention of others as her husband and son joined her in watching the two elves perform their deadly dance.Although Katla couldn’t tell which of the elves had the advantage by their sword play, the smile on the High Elf and the obvious frustration on the Dunmer’s face seemed to tell the story well enough. In a flurry of movements that she couldn’t follow, the High Elf disarmed the Dunmer, kicked her to the ground and put her blade a quarter inch from the center of the Dark Elf’s chest. “Stick to your bow.” The High Elf jokingly commented as she quickly withdrew her weapons and sheathed them in one fluid motion. Before she noticed or could do anything about it, Knud had approached the High Elf from behind and tugged on her armor. The High Elf woman’s hand immediately went to her weapon, but as she turned to see who would dare try to get her attention in such a dangerous manner, a broad smile appeared on her face. “Yes little one? What can I do for you?” Katla let out a breath of relief.“Can you teach me how to fight like you?” Knud asked her with the most wide eyed innocence of a child.“Knud! Stop pestering our guests!” Katla yelled in frustration.Freyanna smiled at the woman’s obvious concern for her little boy. “Only if your mother says it’s okay.” The boy couldn’t run fast enough back to his mom and ask her if it was alright for the formidable elf to teach him some sword craft.“Please mom, can I? She says she would!” Knud begged his mother who looked a bit haggard as her eyes connected with Freyanna’s. Freyanna nodded and it was obvious that Katla would allow it.“Okay, but only for an hour. You need to do your chores afterward.” Katla told him in a stern manner. It didn’t matter because Knud excitedly ran back towards Freyanna.She spent about an hour showing the youngster some of the basics of dual wielding. She felt such peace in teaching the young human how to properly hold the small wooden practice swords. She remembered her mother when she first showed her how to properly hold two blades. She’d probably be rolling over in her grave at the sight of her daughter teaching a young Nord the secrets of the Elsonire line even if some of those secrets included some Redguard techniques as well. The boy listened intently as she gently took his little hands and positioned them around the handle of the little blades. “Your eyes…” She turned to look at the young boy and saw that he was completely enthralled with her eyes. “They… they look like mirrors…”She gave him a broad smile. “Thank you Knud, I’ll take that as a compliment.” She looked at the youngster’s stance and began to correct it by positioning his shoulders and hips into the proper fighting posture. “Now…” She stepped back from him. “I want you to thrust out quickly with your lead weapon.” He did so and it was acceptable for a first timer. “That’s perfect.” The boy smiled excitedly.“Knud! That’s enough pestering. Get inside and start sweeping the entrance.” Katla yelled from one of the fields.“Awww mom, do I have to?” The disappointment in Knud’s voice actually made Freyanna smirk. “You should always keep your promises.” Freyanna addressed the youngster. “It is one of the basic tenants of being an honorable warrior.”Knud nodded and slowly walked away and disappeared into the farm house. It was just in time as a grinning Delphine returned from her meeting with Malborn. “It looks like you’ve been busy making friends.”Freyanna took a deep breath and exhaled in a huff. “So, what’s the plan?”“Malborn is on board.” Jenassa and Lydia joined them. “Once we start our diversion, he’ll make his way to Elenwen’s strongbox and take her files. He says he’ll meet us at the Statue of Meridia just west of Solitude.” Freyanna didn’t look confident in the outcome of the plan. “Maybe we should kill everyone there and take the information off their corpses.” Freyanna’s suggestion caught all of them by surprise. She caught their unpleasant reaction. “What’s wrong?”“You really think that’s necessary?” Delphine asked her.“The moment those in Alinor decided I was a threat and tried to end my life, Queen Ayrenn and the rest of the Thalmor have declared themselves my enemy.” There was something else that Freyanna wasn’t revealing, but they could all see that she was extremely troubled.“But there are innocents who work there. Not all at the embassy are Thalmor.” Delphine added, but it seemed that Freyanna was tuning her out. Jenassa seemed quite content at the idea of wiping out the entire embassy.“You being one of the last Blades, I would think you approve of eliminating the Thalmor from Skyrim.” Jenassa countered. “I’m with you Freyanna.”“As am I, my Thane.” Lydia professed.“NO!” Delphine barked with an anger none of them had seen yet. “We can do this without fighting a pitch battle which will undoubtedly result in a massive reprisal by the Dominion.” Freyanna was putting on her helmet while Lydia and Jenassa got the horses. “Freyanna even you would admit that this would probably start another war between the Empire and Dominion! A war we can ill afford considering that dragons are coming back!”“I WON’T ALLOW THEM TO OPERATE FREELY! I WANT ELENWEN’S HEAD!” Freyanna screamed so loudly that it caught the attention of some of the workers on the farm and unfortunately two of Solitude’s roving patrol guards. When Freyanna saw that the guards were coming towards her she let out a frustrated huff. “We gotta go!” Jenassa and Lydia had already mounted their horses while both Delphine and Freyanna ran to theirs and mounted them at a full sprint.The two guards drew their bows. “Stop!” They were aiming at Freyanna when she shouted.“FUS RO!” A wave of energy hit the two guards and caused them to stumble backwards and fall on their behinds. The foursome passed them at a full gallop and headed down the road away from them, quickly out of range.“I’ll never get tired of that.” Jenassa commented with a chuckle as she rode next Freyanna.“Neither will I.” Freyanna answered with a smile. Thalmor Embassy Elenwen was in her office when she heard a thunderous crash come from the western side of the grounds. She got up and as she exited her office, another thunderous impact shook the entire building. She grabbed one of the Thalmor mages running by her. She didn’t recognize him and the outright angry glare he returned to her meant that he must’ve been just assigned to the embassy. “What’s going on?!” She ordered with such force that the young mage realized who she was and immediately changed his mood. “Don’t know, but it seems that we’re under attack!” He responded.She let him go and her mind started to race at who would dare. Imperials? No, Tullius didn’t like her, but he wouldn’t go against his emperor’s wishes. She continued to think. Ulfric… Another massive blast shook the building as she tried to think of who would attack such a powerful outpost. It had to be that shit! Or… She finally made it outside and her breath actually hitched at the destruction she witnessed. The entire wester fence line was engulfed in huge flames and completely collapsed in several locations. There were no spells that she knew of that could destroy the walls like that. It had to be a siege engine.She saw that many of her warriors were lying in various positions of unconsciousness or death. She didn’t know but whatever was attacking, it was extremely powerful. She then heard a roar and immediately looked towards the sky in fear. She turned to see that her solar was now engulfed in flames. Dragon! She searched the skies for the creature but couldn’t spot it anywhere. She started to run towards the eastern side of the grounds. She watched as her Mages and Archers were launching attack after attack at what she assumed was the monster. She wanted to see what they were firing at, but she always admitted to herself that she didn’t have the stomach for battle. As she tried to figure out what to do, an arrow struck her left shoulder with a shattering impact that caused her to fall. Fuck, we’re under attack! It has to be Ulfric or… Akatosh help me… Freyanna! She got up and made her way back into the main building. Another earth shattering impact struck the building and she could hear the columns crack in protest of the powerful attacks. The smoke was starting to build up inside the building and she felt herself start to pass out. So this is how it ends. She then felt someone scoop her up and carry her out of the building as she lost consciousness. Elenwen woke up in a very comfortable bed in a familiar yet not too familiar location. The face of General Tullius made her conclude that she was in the Solitude branch of the Thalmor embassy. Rulindil was also there with two Thalmor warriors and they looked completely exhausted. The smell of burnt flesh and material emanated from their tattered robes and armor. “Who did this?” She asked as she tried to sit up and quickly fell back at the stabbing pain in her shoulder.“I’ve debriefed as many of the staff that’s left and two of our battlemages claimed to have seen someone in Thalmor armor attacking the western façade with magic they’ve never seen before.” Elenwen’s expression stayed neutral as she listened to Rulindil’s briefing. “She seemed to be accompanied by a group of warriors who attacked our rapid reaction force as soon as they exited the southern gate.”“I’ve seen the destruction. There is no way a single person even if they were the most powerful of mages could’ve done that on their own.” Tullius interrupted.“If she’s anything like her mother… we need to inform Queen Ayrenn of the situation here.” Elenwen ordered weakly. “She’s a threat to us all unless we put an end to her.”Rulindil looked completely surprised. “You really think she betrayed us?”“Freyanna Elsonire.” Tullius’ glare could pierce the thickest of armors as he announced her name. “You said you didn’t know her.”“She’s none of your concern, we…” Elenwen could tell that it was a mistake to say those words as Tullius laid into her verbally.“None of my concern?!” Tullius’ anger was starting to surface. “You wanted her dead and used my people to do your dirty work!” He got within inches of Elenwen’s face. “She killed two of my best people and who knows how many more she’s responsible for! She is every bit my concern now!”“Fine…” Elenwen grimaced as she sat up. “I need to get back to the Embassy grounds and assess the damage.”“There’s nothing to return to. It’s completely destroyed.” Rulindil mentioned. “The entire compound was razed to the ground, along with twelve dead warriors, five dead battlemages and countless injured who are now recovering here.” She was good at keeping her expression calm, but this news put her skill to the test. “General, would you excuse us, we have much work to be done.” Elenwen addressed Tullius who nodded and began to leave the room.He stopped at the door and turned to address them. “I want everything you have on her.” The tone of the request left no room for interpretation. Tullius was demanding Freyanna’s file. She nodded with absolutely no intention of giving it to him.Tullius turned and closed the door as he left the room. “Why are we still alive?” She looked over to Rulindil.“It’s obvious. She let us go.” Rulindil answered. “If they’d pressed the attack, we wouldn’t have survived let alone be able to hold the grounds.” It puzzled him as much as it did her. “As quickly as the attack began, it also ended.”Why would she not follow through? She thought. A distraction?! “What about Etienne?” Elenwen was now standing and donning her robes.“I assume he probably burned or suffocated to death in his cell.” Rulindil answered quietly. “Nothing could’ve survived inside the dungeon.” Elenwen started to think that maybe she chose the wrong side. Freyanna wielded more power than her mother ever did and it also seemed that she was gathering allies. “Did you get anything useful out of him?” She tried to maintain a semblance of professionalism in her haggard state, but the thought of having that angel of death as an adversary no longer appealed to her.“I’ve already sent out a detachment to Riften to follow up on his information.” He answered in his own shaken manner. “We need to get word to our agents in the field about what’s happened here.”“Ondolemar needs to be told first. He’ll inform the rest of the Justiciars.” Elenwen grimaced in pain as she tried to move the shoulder that was hit by one of the attacker’s arrows.“You still haven’t answered my question.” Rulindil stated. “Lady Arannelya will never believe her best friend’s daughter and her best asset during the war would just betray us.”“She’s the only one. All the others including the queen want her eliminated.” Elenwen countered while seeing the absolute disgust in expressions of the two soldiers. She looked directly at them. “I don’t know why. I only do what I’m ordered.”The two soldiers nodded in acknowledgement as they probably realized that Elenwen was just another pawn in some grand game being played by the ruling class back in Alinor. One of them pulled off his helmet to reveal luxurious mane of jet black hair. He looked completely appalled. “So this is how we treat our own when they become too troublesome?”“Troublesome? You call destroying our main headquarters in Skyrim, troublesome?” Rulindil countered angrily. “Seventeen of our own dead, another fifteen laid up with various injuries…” He now stood nose to nose with the young Altmer warrior. “You’d call that troublesome?”To his credit, the younger warrior didn’t back down. “I’d call it defending herself! I’d call it a preemptive strike!” His eyes bore into both Rulindil and Elenwen. “If it wasn’t for her, our position in Hammerfell would’ve fallen and where would that have left us?” He slammed his weapons belt on the floor and started to walk out. “To be slaughtered by the Redguards! That’s where!”“Don’t be stupid lad.” Rulindil stopped him from leaving with a hand on his shoulder. “You’d be committing treason if you walked out on your people when they needed you the most.”“Is this what we’re fighting for? To sully the names of our greatest heroes?” He let out a calming breath. “It makes sense to me now. Why they’d send her out here to the pit of Tamriel, to the ass end of Nirn.” “Enlighten me soldier.” Elenwen wasn’t as compassionate with the youngster as Rulindil, but she was always curious as to how her people thought.“If that display at the Embassy grounds is any indication of her ability… they must be terrified of her. I’d want her dead too.” She looked at them both. “She could’ve killed us all with the power she was wielding.” He continued to talk as he lost himself in the memory of the attack. “I don’t understand why she wasn’t killed at home.”“They tried to and failed there too, she seems to have an inherit knack for sniffing out assassins and disposing of them.” Her admiration for Talania’s daughter was plain to see. “I’m pretty sure that any overt attempt to kill her would’ve probably resulted in an army of foot sloggers like you siding with her along with Lady Arannelya!” Elenwen countered. “Lady Arannelya still commands an army of tremendous power.” It looked like she’d reached the young warrior as he nodded in understanding. “Here, she’s isolated and her name means nothing.” The young soldier picked up his belt and donned his helmet.“I wonder how you would’ve reacted to being treated the way she’s been.” He looked over to her with a despondent expression.“I’m not as skilled in the ways of survival as she, I’d probably be dead.” She smiled. “I’d rather be dead actually.”“Me too.” Rulindil nodded and took the young soldiers out of the room.We’re all asking ourselves, why? What did she do to turn the Queen against her? Elenwen asked herself as she massaged her own injured shoulder with her uninjured arm. There’s only one reason to go after her the way they are. She shook her head not believing what she was thinking. Could she somehow have a legitimate claim to the throne? As crazy as it sounded, it made sense to her. Somewhere in the Elsonire line, there must be royalty powerful enough to threaten the Aldmeri crown.“Rulindil?” She motioned for the two soldiers to leave the room, which they dutifully did. Rulindil acknowledged her with his attention. “Send a rider to Riften as soon as possible. We need to warn our operatives that she might show there.”“You know our people aren’t welcome there. You’d risk exposing them?” Rulindil always thought tactics, but she wasn’t about to let her people get slaughtered because she didn’t warn them.“Send Gissur, he won’t set off any alarms.” Elenwen countered.“Is that all?” He nodded, but had a look of concern for her. She couldn’t help but notice. She paused for a second not sure if she should trust him with her next clandestine operation. “Yes, for now.” She dismissed him. She really couldn’t trust anyone but herself with thinking that Freyanna’s mere existence was a threat to the legitimacy of the Queen.
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Statue of Meridia – One day after the attack on the Thalmor Embassy She couldn’t get the images out of her mind as it raced back to the Embassy attack. The way fire poured out of her shout was terrifying. It struck the western fence and barracks with such force and power that it opened an enormous breach in the fence in that area and engulfed the barracks in a firestorm. She could still hear the dying screams of the soldiers and servants in that building as they echoed through her mind. She could still smell the burning flesh and see the soldiers and mages running out of the barracks engulfed in flames. They dropped to the ground and rolled desperately in an attempt to keep the flames from feeding on their bodies. She’d killed them with only her Thu’um. It never occurred to her that her shout was as powerful as it was. Ever since slaying Mirmulnir, she’d felt that her understanding of the Thu’um had grown exponentially. The nuances in the pronunciations, the slight and almost imperceptible accents added power to every one of her shouts, power that she underestimated when she attacked the Thalmor Embassy.When the first soldier saw her, she knew that she’d have to kill many of them. They were loyal and dutiful like all good soldiers. She knew that they wouldn’t just allow her to tee off on the embassy without any response and they didn’t disappoint as they swarmed along the ramparts to prepare for an assault. She let loose with a few of her fireballs into the other building which hit with massively powerful explosions. Nowhere near the power of her shout though, it wasn’t even close. She watched as a disciplined line of soldiers manned the breach in the wall, determined to defend their piece of ground to the death. An arrow struck her ebony hardened skull, then another, and another until she responded with a force shout that swept the soldiers and archers off their particular positions on the ramparts. She wondered about the mages, until she felt the familiar numbing feeling of a lightning spell. She looked over to the northwestern corner of the wall and saw three of them. Normally an attack of that power should’ve put her down, but she felt invulnerable and watched them cast spell after spell at her. The last thing she remembered was their expressions of fear as she lashed out again with that terrible voice of fire even as she felt an ice spear shatter on her hardened skin. The result was terrible to behold as two of the mages just died when they were instantly incinerated while the third was able to put up a powerful ward that saved his life. He glared defiantly at her looking completely exhausted from the effort with parts of his robes in tatters exposing badly burned flesh. She could feel tears start to well up in her eyes. “Are you okay?” The sound of Delphine’s voice ripped her from the disturbing vision. She quickly wiped her eyes not wanting her companions to see her in such a state of distress.“Yeah…” It was a quiet and dejected response. “I’m fine.” This was an act of war and the Thalmor would try their damnedest to retaliate. Her feelings of guilt fought with her rage as her mind raced back to Helgen and the first act of open betrayal. The Dominion wanted her dead and forgotten. That much was clear. They would get neither.Delphine wanted to push, but she’d just watched Freyanna annihilate the Thalmor’s main base of operation with an ease no one could’ve foreseen. She admired the Thalmor soldiers as they bravely defended their positions, many of them making the ultimate sacrifice. Delphine knew that killing her own in such a gruesome display of power had affected her psyche. War was a terrible thing and Freyanna’s unique situation made it that much worse. She had to admit that Freyanna put up a terrible façade, and although she seemed to be holding up better anyone could’ve expected, the suffering within was very evident. To go from hero to traitor had to weigh heavily on her.They approached the Statue of Meridia and they all dismounted to wait for what hopefully would be an alive and well informed Malborn. Freyanna sat at the foot of the statue and began to meditate like she was taught by the Greybeards. She whispered almost inaudibly, but they could all sense the immense power of the words she was mouthing. The air itself seemed to vibrate as she lost herself in the powerful yet barely audible chants from her training in the Way of the Voice. Jenassa and Delphine pulled some dried jerky meat from their saddlebags and began to eat while they waited. Lydia, the ever present sentinel that she was, took a protective position next to her Thane. “Now I know why Talos is worshipped as a God.” Jenassa commented as she watched the beautiful Altmer recite her chant in an almost silent recital. “Can you feel it?” Jenassa asked Lydia who nodded in affirmation.Delphine also felt the power of her Thu’um. Freyanna’s mastery of the voice had to be more than even Tiber Septim could’ve ever imagined. She had the souls of dragons powering her voice which Delphine was sure Talos had never experienced. They waited for about an hour when Lydia’s sharp eyes spotted two people as they approached from the east. Freyanna continued her Thu’um chant and ignored everyone as they all drew their weapons prepared for the worse. The two disheveled people ended up being Malborn and an injured female Bosmer that had her arm slung over his shoulder. Malborn looked none the worse for wear, but the female Bosmer had some nasty burns on her arms and legs.Malborn looked angry as he approached them. Delphine motioned for everyone to sheath their weapons as she quickly took a hold of the female Bosmer and helped her sit down. The deep gasp and painful moan that escaped the female Bosmer as she sat broke Freyanna from her self-induced trance. Delphine gave the injured elf a healing potion and the effect was immediate as her painful expression became more relaxed. “Th… thank you.” She replied meekly.Delphine then felt something hit her and noticed a parchment on the floor. “I hope it was worth it!” Malborn mentioned with much venom. Delphine opened the parchment and began to read what turned out to be a dossier on Ulfric Stormcloak, Esbern and herself. It was the exact thing she hoped they’d find. She turned to look at Freyanna and noticed that she was now fully involved in helping heal the injured Bosmer woman. Malborn watched the impossibly tall Altmer woman in the most impressive Dominion armor he’d seen cast healing and regenerative spells on Brelas. It was an incredible sight to behold as the burns all but disappeared, leaving just a slight discoloration of Brelas’ skin. “I’m sorry.” The Altmer softly stated to Brelas. “I wish I didn’t have to do what I did.” Brelas looked puzzled until she realized who this High Elf was.“You’re her.” Brelas’ face had changed to one of surprise. “You’re the one the ambassador has been obsessing over… she said you betrayed…” Freyanna’s glare stopped her curiosity in its tracks and replaced it with sheer terror. It made Freyanna feel terrible that an innocent person could be so afraid of her. Her old comrades would’ve told her that her empathy was a weakness. “I didn’t betray anyone, the Dominion betrayed me. They’ve been trying to kill me even before I got to Skyrim.” She softened her glare and answered. “Alinor and the rest of the Dominion are going to know that no matter what they do, their betrayal won’t go unanswered.”“Well, if you wanted a war with the Dominion, I’m sure killing a bunch of their mages and soldiers will do the trick… not to mention a couple of kitchen hands, cooks and waiting staff.” Malborn was letting his anger speak as he had barely made it out of the compound before it all came down above him. Brelas and a prisoner named Etienne were the only people he was able to help escape. “You’re just like them.” He was so angry and the venom pouring from his mouth actually made everyone within earshot uncomfortable. “As long as you get what you want, who cares who gets hurt… or killed!”Freyanna didn’t react and finished examining Brelas before she stood and looked over to Malborn. “Are you injured?” She asked him. He shook his head silently while maintaining his glare at her. They all watched as she walked over to him and stood at arm’s length of the angry Bosmer. She took her helmet off and stepped a little closer. “They… and anyone who aids them will feel my wrath.” She calmly mentioned to him.Malborn’s expression stayed angry, but there was now a hint of understanding. “I’m also pretty sure they’re going to notice that Brelas and my charred remains aren’t there and will probably come looking for us.”“We have an extra horse.” Delphine interjected. “You should probably head to Stormcloak territory… Eastmarch or the Rift are pretty solidly against the Empire and Dominion.”Malborn let out a sarcastic laugh. “Stormcloaks? You mean those racist Nords that think every Elf is with the Dominion?” “You could stay with us…” Freyanna offered to the surprise of all present. “Just know that the Dominion and Empire are trying to kill me… not to mention we’re going after Alduin and his dragons… and…” She looked over to Lydia and Jenassa who were both smiling. “Oh yeah, there is another Dragonborn out there who’s trying to kill me too.” The look of utter surprise on Malborn’s face made her laugh. “All of a sudden, it doesn’t look so bad for you does it?”“I don’t want to die.” Brelas meekly stated as tears started to trickle down her cheeks. “I… I just want to go home… please.” Freyanna walked up to her and gently took a hold of her shoulders. “Where do you live?” Brelas’ eyes stared into Freyanna’s silver ones and she didn’t understand why, but she felt more at ease. This Altmer was going to save her, she just knew it.“Solitude.” Brelas wiped her eyes as Delphine also gently squeezed her shoulder. “The Thalmor are going to want to talk to you… the Empire as well.” Freyanna explained. “They’re gonna want to know why you’re not dead.” Again they found themselves staring into each other’s eyes. “They might not be gentle when they think you’re keeping information from them… even if you’re not.” Brelas seemed to understand and her eyes started to well up with tears again.“So I can’t go home?” She asked with a whimper. “I’m sorry, but you should probably stay with us or go with Malborn.” Freyanna tried to stay as even keeled as possible, but it was difficult knowing that she’d been a part of uprooting this poor person’s life. “We’re heading down to Riften, if you both wish to join us you’re more than welcome.” Delphine offered and Brelas nodded, but Malborn shook his head. “I’m headed to Windhelm. Ulfric’s capital has to be the safest place from the Dominion.” Malborn stated. “You can come with me?” He asked Brelas who thought about it, but then shook her head. She seemed to feel much safer with the heavily armed group than the unarmed Malborn. “Suit yourself.” He stated and mounted one of the horses.“Hold on.” Delphine addressed him as she walked up to him on the horse. She then proceeded to remove the saddlebags from the horse he was on. “You’re going to leave me with nothing?” Malborn asked with some indignation.“You’re a lone rider. It should be a lot easier for you to move and get to where you’re going.” She reached for her belt and tossed a small bag of sovereigns at him. He caught it and nodded. “Thank you, you’ve done us a huge favor. We won’t forget it.”“I hope I never see any of you again.” He responded and spurred his horse into a gallop towards Dragonbridge.“So what’s in Riften?” Freyanna asked Delphine as soon as Malborn left.“If the information Malborn gave us is correct, an old friend and veritable sage on Dragons and the Blades.” She responded. “Hopefully we get there before the Thalmor.”“Riften is deep in Stormcloak territory, you think they’d risk their people there?” Jenassa asked.“They have agents everywhere.” Freyanna answered matter of factly. “I should know.” She then reached for Brelas to mount Sugarfoot and ride with her. In one swift and powerful motion she pulled Brelas up on to the back of the horse. She could feel Brelas tentatively take a hold of her waist. She turned to face her. “I promise I’ll get you to a safe place… okay?” Brelas nodded tentatively.“We should get moving.” Delphine chimed in. “I want to get as far from Solitude as possible before we make camp.”They all spurred their horses into a trot and began to make their way toward Dragonbridge. *********************** Haafingar Stormcloak Camp Istar Cairn-Breaker wasn’t in a good mood this morning as he inspected the twelve man squad of Stormcloak soldiers lined up in the center of the camp. He wanted to make sure they were ready to tackle their mission of harassing the Imperial supply trains. Rumors of a dragon destroying the Thalmor Embassy the day before ran rampant within the camp and the immediate area. It resulted in their area of operation teeming with both Imperial and Thalmor warriors. The soldiers in the camp were completely giddy at the prospect of a dragon swooping in and killing their most hated foe. Many of them took it as a sign from Akatosh himself that they were on the right side of this conflict. As he went down the line, he couldn’t help but admire these courageous men and women. They’d given up their lives to fight for a Skyrim that was free of Imperial and Thalmor meddling. When he finally got to the squad leader he nodded and put his hand on the big Nord’s shoulder. “No heroics son, just targets of opportunity.”The squad leader returned the nod with his fully armored head and quickly began to bark orders at his squad. Istar watched as they made their way out of the camp in an orderly and disciplined manner. He knew the chances of all of them coming back were low, but he also knew that some Imperial or Thalmor mother would also be crying at the loss of one of theirs as well. “Sir, I have news from one of our people in Solitude.” Istar turned to see a tall and slim man he only knew as Fjolrnskar standing there breathing heavily. He was the best runner in the camp as well as the sneakiest.“What is it lad?” Istar motioned for his second to join him in the war tent.“It wasn’t a dragon.” Fjolnrskar stated, still breathing a bit heavily. “Our spy among the imperial troops overheard something about a traitorous elf attacking the embassy in force.” Fjolnrskar started to finally compose himself. “I heard the name Freyanna.”“In force?” Istar asked with some concerm. “As in a coordinated attack with other troops?”Fjolnrskar nodded. “Their reaction force was attacked as soon as it exited the southern gate of the embassy. We don’t have solid numbers, but it must’ve been a sizeable force.” Istar listened intently. “Whoever this elf is, she’s extremely talented. That embassy was manned by some of the best troops and mages of the Dominion.”“I wonder if we could use this elf for our own purposes.” Istar mentioned. “An enemy of the Dominion should be a friend of ours regardless of whether she’s an elf or not.”“I agree, we should make an attempt to locate her and see what her intentions are.” Istar seconded his commander’s idea.Istar turned to Fjolnrskar. “Send a rider to Windhelm with the news.”“Yes sir.” Fjolnrskar turned to take his leave when he paused and turned back towards his two commanders. “On another note, Roggvir was executed today.”“Roggvir?” Istar didn’t recognize the name.“He was the Solitude guard who helped Ulfric escape.” Fjolnrskar answered.“Oh.” Istar wasn’t surprised often, but for the Imperials to execute a man for helping Jarl Ulfric exercise his right as a Nord was infuriating. “These imperials really need to be shown the full wrath of all the brothers and sisters of Skyrim.” He let out a frustrated breath as he leaned over the map in the middle of his war tent. “Go.” He ordered Fjolnrskar who saluted and quickly made his way out of the tent.Istar turned to his second. “Another player in the mess that’s Skyrim.” He chuckled. “The Imperials, Thalmor, Foresworn, Dragons, ourselves and now another elven force.” He looked over the map and grabbed an inkwell and pen. “These elves may help even the odds against the Empire and their Thalmor dogs.” He dipped the pen and proceeded to X out the Thalmor Embassy from the map.“I’m sure Ulfric’s going to be happy that another elven army is fighting within Skyrim’s borders.” His second mentioned quite a bit of sarcasm. “At least they’re fighting the right enemy.”“He’s going to have to get over his ridiculous anti-elf thing. Elves are no worse than Humans, they kill each other just as well as we do.” Istar stated as he continued to peruse the map. “The thing is…” He was deep in thought. “Where are they operating from? How are they staying supplied? What’s their issue with the Dominion?”“The biggest question is how are they hiding such a formidable force?” His second took a position across from him and also started to study the map. “A force of any size would leave behind signs of their passage through an area and yet we haven’t heard a thing.”“All things that we need to know before we find out that they’re targeting us next.” Istar traced a line of retreat from the Thalmor Embassy to Dragonbridge with his finger and tapped it on the map. “I don’t see them heading towards Solitude and their substantial garrison.” He stood up and started to rub his chin as he thought. “They’ll pass through Dragonbridge, I’m sure of it.”“You want me to send a few men to ask around there?” Istar’s second asked with every bit of understanding what his Commander wanted.Istar nodded. “Make sure you choose four good people. We can’t chance they’ll be discovered.”“Understood.” With that his second saluted with his fist to his chest and left the tent.To wipe out such a fortified position… Istar started to think. Could they be a rebel force intent on a coup of the Thalmor? Could this be a trick to lure us out? Damn it! He hated the fog of war as it made his decision making more uncertain and he was more likely to make an error which could turn out to be fatal. ********************** Morthal – Mooreside Inn Freyanna had to keep her hood on as Jenassa, Brelas and Delphine were at the bar ordering food and drink for her and Lydia. They were still in Imperial controlled territory and she needed to keep a low profile. She watched as Jenassa was talking with the only other patron there, a particularly gigantic and strong looking Nord. They seemed to be having a pleasant enough conversation as Jenassa laughed at something the Nord had said to her. Without warning and as she laughed, Jenassa pointed right at her. What the fuck is she doing?! She thought as the large and powerful looking human turned to look at her. He turned back to Jenassa as if not believing whatever she said to him. She nodded as if trying to playfully counter his disbelief and motioned for him to approach the table. Delphine and Brelas looked completely oblivious to the situation as they waited for the food and drink they ordered. The Nord turned and confidently began to walk over towards Freyanna’s table. Lydia wasn’t amused as she quickly stood up and positioned herself between the table and the Nord while putting her hand on her weapon. “Whoa! Whoa woman! I’m not here to cause trouble.” He raised his hands in surprise at the complete hostility shown by Lydia.“Then back away!” Lydia barked menacingly.“Easy Lydia, let’s hear what kind of trouble Jenassa has gotten me into.” Freyanna tried to calm her very protective Housecarl who wouldn’t budge from the Nord’s path until pulled gently by her Thane. “Hey! No trouble!” Jenassa barked from the bar, sounding completely indignant.The Nord sat across from Freyanna with Lydia standing just behind him. “I’m Benor and I’m the best warrior in Morthal.” She studied the heavily muscled man and caught a glimpse of a couple of scars on his arms. His nose looked like it had been broken many times and his knuckles were heavily calloused. “That’s no boast.”“How much?” She asked him from the darkness of her cloak. The offer actually took him by surprise.“I won’t take your money. I only wish to see if you’re worthy of my services.” A sinking feeling started to emanate from her stomach. Everything to these Nords is a damn test of martial skill? “Unless of course you’re too cowardly…”Lydia wouldn’t stand for the insult and her reaction was as quick as it was castigatory. She smacked Benor in the back of the head with her armored hand, completely cutting off his attempt to goad Freyanna. “Cowardly? You’re not worthy to face her!” Lydia’s explosive outburst and action took Freyanna and Benor completely by surprise, with Benor actually falling out of his chair. Lydia started to pull her sword. “You’re going to answer for…” Both Delphine and Jenassa quickly ran to get in between Lydia and Benor.Freyanna stood up quickly and put a hand gently on Lydia’s shoulder. “It’s okay Lydia.” Lydia turned to see her Thane sporting a soft smile. “He insults in order to get a reaction.” Benor was still rubbing the back of his head. “Guess you miscalculated on the reaction didn’t you.”Benor smiled even as he could feel the lump on his head and the makings of a nice bruise. “I’m sorry my lady. I didn’t mean to offend.” He turned and started to make his way back to the bar.Freyanna was actually impressed with the restraint shown by the big Nord. “Where are you going? I thought you wanted to see if I was worthy.” His cool and even demeanor actually boded well for a warrior of his obvious power. It meant that he probably did know how to handle himself and those scars were earned in some pretty good contests.He turned around to face her as she pulled off her cloak to reveal her face and elven armor. He smiled the smile of one who knew he was about to be challenged by a competent opponent. Lydia didn’t look happy, but she knew that her Thane needed to recruit more people for this war. Jenassa and Delphine went back to the bar and continued to wait with a nervous looking Brelas for the food they ordered.“No weapons, no magic, no crying.” Benor mentioned to her as he started to loosen up. Freyanna nodded and this time she didn’t make the same mistake she made with Uthgerd. He barely finished mentioning the rules when her fist struck his nose with a sickening crunch and splatter of red. The stinging strike caused him reel back as she rushed forward and leg swept him. As he regained his composure, he felt himself falling on his back with her leaping onto his chest and mounting him. She rained blow after blow in a flurry of fists and elbows. Every successful strike hit with a sharp crack and droplets of red flying everywhere. He deflected some, but many more got through and their cumulative effect began to take a toll as he tried to buck her off. It was no use as the long legs of this elven war goddess wrapped themselves around his waist. He tried to spin underneath her and pull her off to the side. This only resulted in him giving up his back to her. The blows continued to fall and strike the back of his head and neck until, like lightning, he felt her quickly her wrap her arms around his neck like vice and begin to choke the air from his lungs. He tried to wrench her arms off, but she had cinched the choke deeply and the more he struggled the tighter the hold became. It also didn’t help that her legs were wrapped around his waist like two golden cords bounding him in place like a prisoner. He could feel her body pressed against him when she began to arch her spine and lean back to make the choke even tighter. He would’ve bit her, but her grip was so incredibly tight underneath his jaw and chin that he couldn’t move his head. His vision started to blur as his labored and panicked attempts to take a breath only resulted in him silently and slowly losing consciousness. Freyanna felt him go limp, but kept the choke cinched for a few more seconds as she knew these Nords were terribly devious. It was no wonder they were reputed to be such great warriors. The Nords, like the Redguards just seemed to relish combat. She let go and leaned her ear closer to his mouth when she heard him take in a big gulp of air. She let out a relieved sigh, stood up and went into her small pouch on the table. She retrieved a small vial and went back to the big Nord sprawled on the floor in the middle of the inn. “Is he going to be okay?” Brelas asked with some concern as she set a tray of food on the table.“He’ll be fine.” Freyanna’s gentle smile put Brelas more at ease. “He’s going to have a bit of a headache though.”He woke up face down with the metallic taste of his own blood. He looked at the blood stains all around him on the wooden floor. It was his blood and he started to think if he dreamed the ass whooping he just took. He knew it wasn’t a dream when he felt the sharp stabbing pain at his temples. It was no dream and that elf left him not only battered, but with a splitting head ache. He slowly turned over and was pleasantly surprised to find her standing over him. He couldn’t help the absolutely biggest grin that formed on his bloody mouth. She offered him the vial which he took graciously as he stood. “No crying right?” She mentioned to him and he started to laugh heartily. His deep and rich laugh actually caused her to chuckle a little.He took the cork from the vial and took a whiff of the contents. He then replaced the cork and offered the vial back to her. “Thank you, but I want to remember this beating.” He mentioned graciously.“Oh you’ll remember it.” Jenassa put a tray of food on their table. “I think the loss of two hundred sovereigns will jog your memory.”Lydia huffed in disgust at the revelation. She didn’t like Jenassa’s careless manner. What if Freyanna had to kill because of her foolishness? “You do that again and we’re going to have a problem.” She glared at Jenassa who basically dismissed her as she put another bottle of wine on the table. Jenassa’s eyes once again settled on Lydia’s. “I promise you.” Her glare hadn’t softened or shifted.Jenassa sat and smiled back at Lydia. “I’ll count on it.” Benor pulled out a small coin pouch and put it on the table. “I’m sorry my lady if I’m the cause of this strife.” He apologized to Freyanna and began to walk back towards the bar.“Where are you going?” Freyanna asked him to his obvious surprise as he looked back at this formidable group of females. “Aren’t you going to join us?” Jenassa actually stood up, grabbed a chair and slid it to the head of the table while motioning for him to sit.He smiled a bloody smile as he sat down. The swelling around his eyes and mouth were starting to become more pronounced. “So, what did I just get myself into?”“I can’t look at your face like that.” Freyanna put her hand on his face and he could feel a warm and soothing sensation as her fingers softly caressed his skin and lit up with a soft glowing light. “That’s better.” “He deserved the beating.” Lydia was still a little angry, but the humbled way he apologized actually made him quite a bit more palatable to her and it didn’t hurt that he was a brutally handsome ruffian.“I think you and Jenassa should get a room and burn off some energy.” Delphine addressed her jokingly.Jenassa batted her eyes at Delphine. “Oooh, I think that would be soooo much fun.” She actually continued with Delphine’s joke and it caused Lydia to turn her head as she couldn’t keep from smiling at the ribbing she was receiving.Benor felt that his face had actually been healed with the exception of his nose which he still had trouble breathing through. They all watched as he took a hold of his nose with his hand and forcefully yanked his nose back into place with an audible pop. He wiped the blood off with a rag and saw that they were all eating without any issues, with the lone exception of Brelas who had to look away from the disgusting display he just performed. “Should I be worried?”“Let’s just say that if you don’t have the stomach for real combat, you should probably get up and leave.” Freyanna’s stunning eyes were on him as he listened. “If you do, then you will most certainly get your fill of it and any of the spoils are split amongst us all.”“That’s all?” Benor felt like this was quite a straight forward group.“You’re just going to gloss over going after Alduin, Dragons, The Thalmor, The Empire, assassins… and that dragon cult you told me about that’s trying to kill you from Solstheim?” Brelas pointed out to her.“Well… I didn’t want to scare him away.” Freyanna coyly countered causing Brelas to actually smile just before taking a bite of an apple.Benor’s smile became even wider at hearing what he would be up against. “You’ll have my arm for as long as you want it.” “I hope you wield that axe better than you do your fists.” Lydia joked rather uncomfortably as everyone turned to look at her. “What?”“I agree.” Jenassa added with a smile towards Lydia.“I could split both of your spritely asses in two with one swing.” Delphine actually spit out some of her bread as she started to laugh.Freyanna looked over her little squad of misfits and couldn’t help but be impressed. “We’re going to have to get you a horse, but for now you ride with Jenassa.”“We’re we going?” Benor asked as they were now fully committed to eating their food.“First we stop at Whiterun for resupply and a couple of more horses.” Freyanna took a bite of her roasted horker steak. “Then, we go to Riften to find this Esbern.” ************************************* Labyrinthian – Four days later The view of the ancient Nordic ruins was spectacular. The deep and white snow only added to the effect of outlining every structure with a pristinely pure color. “There’s a reason caravans avoid this route.” Jenassa felt very uncomfortable as they entered the Ancient Nordic Ruins. Freyanna felt Brelas squeeze her tighter as the howl of a wolf pack could be heard in the distance.“It’ll save us a week of going around the mountains.” Freyanna countered. “We need to get to Riften as quickly as possible.” She looked at the structures and couldn’t help but be extremely curious as to what they could contain. She also knew better than to just rush in and get assaulted by a bunch of those walking corpses called Draugers. It was then when they all stopped in their tracks at the sound of a horrifyingly loud roar. It wasn’t a dragon that was for sure… it was something not quite as deadly. Unless… “Fuck.” She caught sight of the four hulking frost Trolls moving at an impossibly fast rate on all fours in a galloping motion. “TROLLS!”“About time!” Benor yelled in euphoria as he leaped off his shared mount with Jenassa who quickly engaged from her mount with her bow, as did Delphine. Lydia also dismounted and quickly joined Benor to form a buffer between themselves and the rest of the group.“Make sure your first swing counts.” Lydia mentioned as she braced herself for the impact of those impossibly large and vicious creatures. “Don’t worry my lady, it’ll count.” He countered with a smile and it actually caused her lips to twitch upward in the semblance of a smile. Freyanna watched as Lydia’s and Benor’s line attracted the charge of the creatures. She felt quite a bit of pride at having these two courageous people helping her. She knew they would hold that line or die trying. Delphine and Jenassa seemed to be concentrating on one of the creatures as arrow after arrow struck it, with a particularly accurate shot hitting one of its four eyes effectively stopping it in its tracks for a bit. Long enough for Freyanna to launch a fireball that exploded with Troll body parts flying everywhere. When the Trolls finally hit the Benor/Lydia line, Benor had timed his massive swing perfectly as his enormous axe came down on the head of the first Troll, effectively splitting its cranium in two. The momentum of the troll hitting him though knocked him back as the unconscious troll landed on top of him. Lydia’s shield took the full brunt of the troll’s power as she repeatedly stabbed its neck and chest with her sword. The free troll charged Freyanna’s horse only to… FUS RO DAH! The wave of energy threw the troll back fifty feet in the opposite direction landing in the most awkward way possible. It was completely disoriented as now Jenassa and Delphine honed in on the beast and poured their deadly rain of arrows into the creature.“Ahhh!” Lydia screamed as the beast she was in a life or death fight with, snatched her shield with such force that she felt her elbow pop. She knew the beast had just dislocated her elbow. Her furious counter flurry of sword strokes painted the troll in sickening slashes of red as it screamed in pain and swung its enormously powerful claw bearing arms at the cagey human warrior. Lydia rolled to the side and struck the back of the knee on the creature with a tendon severing slash that put the creature in its knee. Delphine and Jenassa ended the creature’s struggling with a barrage of arrow to its head and eyes.Benor finally squirmed his way from underneath the monster he stopped and quickly joined Lydia in charging the one remaining troll whose body was the resting place for numerous arrows. The troll roared at the two warriors running towards it. It actually started to back pedal and then finally turned to run. Lydia and Benor stopped with their labored breaths clearly visible in the cold air. Benor turned to look at Lydia and noticed that she was holding her shield arm close to her body. Their eyes met and the glare that she gave him was as cold as the Skyrim air. “WHAT?!” She yelled at him.“You’re a magnificent warrior my lady.” She was completely taken aback by his compliment and couldn’t help but smile at it.“Th… Thank you.” She graciously accepted his compliment. “You’re not so bad yourself.” She complimented him as they slowly walked back to the rest of the group and the two incapacitated trolls.“They’ll heal in a few hours and probably track us through the path.” Delphine mentioned as she and Jenassa pulled their arrows out of the creatures.“No they won’t.” Freyanna countered as she dismounted. “Stand back.” They pulled the last of their arrows and moved away from the creatures which were actually starting to move again. In an instant, a fountain of flames erupted from her hands and covered the two unconscious trolls in a blanket of flames. “If that other troll decides to try her luck with us again, she’ll have to do it alone.”“Her?” Jenassa asked with a ton of curiosity. “How can you tell?”Lydia and Benor rejoined the rest of the party and Freyanna ignored Jenassa’s question as she didn’t hesitate one second in approaching her Housecarl. “It’s not so bad my Thane… I don’t…”“Shut it, Lydia. I’m surprised you still have an arm.” She took a hold of Lydia’s left arm and watched as she grimaced in pain. “Not so bad huh.” With one swift motion Freyanna yanked Lydia’s arm and it popped back into place. Lydia grimaced, but didn’t make a sound. She then moved her arm around to see if it was pain free. It wasn’t, but she’d regained full motion of it.Lydia’s eyes met Freyanna’s. “No fancy healing magic for me then?” Benor turned around so as not to be caught with the huge grin on his face. Jenassa didn’t even to bother to hide her laughter as this was the first time Lydia had actually directed a little ribbing at her Thane. The look of shock on Freyanna’s face slowly turned into a huge grin as she lightly punched Lydia’s rock hard arm.Brelas watched the interaction of this pretty close knit group of people. This group of elves and humans seemed to get along quite well. It was a refreshing change from the embassy which was a constant reminder of how the Altmeri Dominion was the true power in Tamriel and that all others should just bow to them. She liked this a lot more regardless of the terrifying moments brought on by their martial encounters. Freyanna had insisted that she tag along, but she felt quite useless in the field as she just wasn’t trained as a warrior, mage or archer. The one thing she knew she did better than anyone was cook and as she got accustomed to starting fires and watching them all take turns cooking with very rudimentary items, she decided to cook for them. Her cabbage and venison stew floored everyone in the group. She was made the cook of the group and Freyanna offered to make it a paying position in which she would share in any of the spoils of battle. Brelas actually giggled at the prospect, but told Freyanna that she wouldn’t feel comfortable with them giving her a share of their hard earned victories. It was then that Freyanna asked her a question that made her think again. Why do you think all really successful armies have cooks? Do you think these cooks do it for free? She remembered Freyanna explaining that the morale of the troops was actually much more important than their physical condition. Many a battle has turned on the full or empty bellies of the combatants. A good meal does wonders, believe me, I know. Freyanna had actually convinced her to stay on and from that point on, whenever they rested, she spent an hour or two with Delphine or Jenassa who taught her the ways of the bow. She wasn’t quite ready to use it in anger, but Jenassa had said that she was a natural with it. Typical fucking Bosmer, you’ll be shooting birds on the wing in no time flat. Jenassa was crude, but she seemed very intent on teaching her the right way to use the weapon. Delphine recognized that Jenassa was a much better archer and deferred to her when Brelas had questions.Freyanna walked over to the burnt carcasses and one by one, she decapitated the three creatures. She gathered up the three troll skulls and put them in a small pile in the snow. She then began to burn the flesh and soft tissue from them. Once done she had to throw one away because Benor’s magnificent axe blow had basically shattered one of the skulls in two. “Take the skulls, they’ll fetch quite a bit on the market.” She tossed the two steaming skulls at Benor, who tied them with twine and hung them off the side of his mount.They mounted their horses and began to make their way south again. As they continued she couldn’t help but feel the familiar itch in her mind that she hadn’t felt since being in that Nordic tomb near Riverwood. Delphine could see that something wasn’t quite right with her and she rode up next to her and Brelas. “What is it?”“I can feel the words… the Thu’um is… it feels like it’s calling me.” Freyanna looked around the impossibly large area of the Labyrinthian Ruins. She closed her eyes and they all watched her as she lost herself in concentration. She dismounted again and began to walk up a wide set of stairs towards an enormous metal gate. “Through here.” She pointed at it.“That’s some gate lass.” Benor walked up to what looked like the opening mechanism and began to prod and pull it to try and get the gate open. It was like an insect trying to move a mammoth. “It’s locked pretty tight.”“I can feel the magic surrounding it. Someone doesn’t want anyone to get in.” Freyanna mentioned.“Or something getting out.” Jenassa countered.Freyanna studied the gate and came to the conclusion that there would be no way of opening it. “Maybe there is another way in?”“You’re kidding right?” Jenassa and Brelas spoke at the same time.“No, I’m not.” I’ve felt the words before. If there is a way for me to better understand my power, I have to learn. There is no choice in the matter.” Freyanna followed the mental itch in her head and started toward one of the large arches in front of the gate. “Our way in.” She pointed to the side of the mountain. “I can feel it.”They all watched Freyanna as she climbed through the snow and ended up on a small flat section of ruin protruding from the mountain. “There’s a trap door here… no magic.” She turned to address them all. “Jenassa, Benor, Brelas… guard the horses. Delphine, Lydia… get up here. We’ll see what we can find in there.”The three of them wiped the foot or so of snow off the trap door and to all their surprise, it was unlocked. They entered the darkness and disappeared from sight of the three rear guard. “Good luck lass…” Benor mentioned softly and turned towards Jenassa. “I hope she knows what she’s doing.”“You and me both.” Jenassa answered. “In the meantime, come on Brelas, grab your bow.” *********************** The small room they’d entered was completely dark. “Let me light a tor…” Delphine started to say, but Freyanna had cast a mage light spell with a ball of brilliant white light illuminating the entire room. A large wooden door was the only other exit besides the trap door above. Delphine tried open it, but it wouldn’t budge. “Figures.” “Stand back, let me try.” Freyanna motioned for both of them to move. “FUS RO DAH!” The effect was as apparent as it was devastating. The door completely disintegrated in an explosion of splinters, metal bands, and bolts. “Wo meyz wah dii vul junaar?” They were all surprised by the menacing voice which seemed to permeate from the walls themselves. Freyanna looked somewhat concerned as the exited the room and began their dungeon quest towards what she felt had to be a wall of words similar to the one in Bleak Falls Barrow.“Did you understand that?” Delphine asked and she nodded. After a few seconds it became apparent that Delphine and Lydia were actually expecting a translation. “It’s dragon speech.” She told them. “Who comes to my dark kingdom?” Lydia’s face became stern and she nodded. Delphine also became quite more serious now that this little trek might turn out to be another dragon slaying. They both watched Freyanna and it almost seemed that she was excited at the prospect of killing another one of Alduin’s brethren. Delphine smiled at the thought. When it came to Freyanna Elsonire, dragons were no longer the predators… they were the prey.They made their way through the dungeon/tomb while fighting visages of ghost-like guardians who only seemed vulnerable to Freyanna’s magic and Thu’um. “Nivahriin muz fent siiv nid aaz het.” The voice once again spoke in a somewhat arrogant tone, but there was an inkling of fear. The voice didn’t sound as confident as the first time they heard it.“What did it say?” Delphine asked again. Freyanna continued onwards toward the strange image of a word starting to form in her mind. “Cowardly men will find no mercy here.” She answered as Lydia and Delphine followed her close behind.“You do not answer… Must I use this guttural language of yours?” This time they all understood the voice. It sounded somewhat frustrated in that it didn’t know who they were. Delphine was about to talk back when Freyanna quickly put her hand on her mouth.“No. I want it to keep guessing.” Lydia smiled at the complete tactical thought process that Freyanna was in at the moment.“Have you returned, Aren? My old friend?” They entered an enormous chamber within the tomb and could see that there was some sort of magical light emanating from somewhere in the center, just out of sight. “Do you seek to finish that which you could not?”Whoever this Aren was, the voice seemed to be somewhat afraid of him or her. “You only face failure once more…” The sight that all three beheld stopped them in their tracks. “You… You are not Aren, are you? Has he sent you in his place?”A floating vision of death in what looked like golden dragon armor and tattered robes wielding a powerful looking staff was surrounded by an immensely strong magical energy meant to contain it. It continued to speak from behind a strange looking silver mask. “Did he warn you that your power would be your undoing? That it would only serve to strengthen me?” Freyanna studied the magic tendrils leading to the magical prison. It was a very powerful binding spell, the creature within the magical prison would never be able to get out unless something happened to the two souls powering the spell. “Aren didn’t send us. Who are you?” Freyanna made sure to clear things with what she knew was a Lich. “Please… free us.” One of the spirits spoke up.“So you aren’t one of Aren’s lackeys?” The creature spoke with much more relief than before. Freyanna looked at the two spirits, completely ignoring the creature’s stupid question. She could see their suffering. It would be eternal if she left them as is. “You haven’t answered my question creature.” Freyanna once again put all her attention toward the Lich. “You dare to speak to me in that tone! Morokei, the Glorious One.” Morokei seemed indignant, but there was still uncertainty in his tone. “Release me and Alduin will look favorably upon you, grant you any wish.”Freyanna looked at the creature and all she heard was that it worked for Alduin. “I am Freyanna Elsonire, Dovahkiin! I will free you.” Delphine grabbed her arm a little rougher than she expected.“Are you crazy?!” She looked into Freyanna’s eyes with a serious and almost panicked expression. “Someone went through a lot of trouble to seal off this monster. Maybe we shouldn’t.”“This…” Freyanna looked over to Morokei. “Thing. It’s a servant of Alduin and I will not allow it to even have the smallest chance to serve his master. It dies here or we do.”Morokei had not spoken since Freyanna announced to him that she was the Dragonborn. “Come. Face your end.” It came out much less intimidating than he wanted. He remembered Miraak’s power and what he could do, but he also thought of the glory it would bring him to kill the Dragonborn. Alduin would probably make him his First Priest.In an instant Freyanna launched two fireballs in the direction of the two suffering spirits. The explosions immediately destroyed the two tendrils of magic that once powered Morokei’s prison, releasing the creature who was instantly hit with an arrow to its mask. It barely affected the dragon priest as it raised its staff and a stream of brilliant and blinding white light shot out from its tip towards Freyanna. Freyanna had put up her most powerful ward which was almost immediately depleted. She rolled to the left and quickly got behind a pillar, but not before had hit her with a glancing blow. She could feel her magicka drain completely. “Shit!” “Come Dragonborn! Face me!” Morokei sounded much more confident. That staff had taken her magicka, but what the creature didn’t understand was that Freyanna was not only a mage. She was a Reave of immense ability. Her warrior skills had yet to be tested and this dragon priest would discover why she was the most deadly Altmer in Lady Arannelya’s Legion. She also had her Thu’um which only made her even deadlier. Lydia had watched in horror as the stream of light hit the column in a brilliant display of sparks and flashes. She immediately charged the creature while feeling the whizzing sound of Delphine’s arrows flying over her shoulders and striking Morokei once again in the head. Morokei turned his attention to Lydia and quickly raised his free hand. A large lightning bolt shot out his hand and struck Lydia’s shield as she continued to move forward in obvious discomfort. Another arrow struck Morokei’s mask and disrupted his lightning spell. At the last second he recovered and hit Lydia with a full blown lightning spell that put her on the ground in a heap. He was about to unleash the finishing blow… “Feim Zii Gron”“MOROKEI!” He turned to see Freyanna out in the open and calmly walking toward him. His lightning exploded from his free hand and traveled through Freyanna and struck the column behind her. She continued to move forward and he saw her confident grin as she got closer. Another arrow hit his mask, this time striking him in the eye and causing him to actually reel back. By the time he recovered, she was only a few feet in front of him. He raised his staff and let loose with its brilliant Magicka draining power. Like the lightning, it went through her harmlessly striking the column behind her.“What are…?” Morokei’s confidence was gone.“YOL TOOR SHUL!” The enormously powerful plume of flame struck Morokei with its full force launching him into the stone wall behind him. He was consumed in flames as he dropped the powerful staff that had helped keep her magic in check. She then drew her blades and with the help of Delphine’s arrows she slashed and stabbed Morokei until he was nothing but several severed pieces of burning body parts. She stood above him and began to plunge her swords into Morokei’s chest, over and over again until it was clear that this creature was dead. She could feel her magicka return quickly as she took the staff and ran towards Lydia’s still form laying on the floor. She turned Lydia over and listened closely near her mouth. She was breathing deeply and the sound of it made Freyanna release a breath of relief. She had a few burns on her fingers and probably her toes from the lightning. “This time you do get a little magic healing.” She whispered with a smile as she ran her healing hands over the injured areas. “Ugh…” Lydia moaned as she sat up and rubbed her temples. “I take it that Morokei is no more?”“Yes.” Delphine answered as she approached the creature’s corpse. “He must’ve been a Dragon Priest.” She pulled off the mask to reveal the skeletal face. “Their masks were gifts from the dragons.”Lydia stood up on her own. “They were the overseers of the Dragons’ tyranny in ancient times.”“Anyone serving Alduin is our enemy. If these creatures are his thralls, then their destruction is as necessary as the World Eater himself.” He was powerful, but not like some of the mages she knew in Alinor. It was the staff that made him formidable, without it Morokei was no match for her. The staff was now hers and its immensely powerful magicka draining stream of light would be used against her enemies. Akatosh help those who crossed her now.As they all came down from their adrenaline high, Freyanna could feel that word wall call to her. She guided her group through the tomb and finally found the wall. It was exactly the same as the one in Bleak Falls Barrow. An unknown Dragon Priest was standing in front of the wall and challenging them to a fight. Freyanna’s new staff made short work of this other Lich. Its inability to wield magic made Lydia’s work almost too easy as she destroyed the creature with her sword in very short order. “QETHSEGOL VAHRUKIV KENDOV SE VED RONAX WEN SIL NU YORIIK RINDAAR SE SOVNGARD PAH UL” Freyanna read it with an ease that made both Lydia and Delphine watch in awe. She felt the power of the word. The slight shift in pronunciation of the last word felt right. She could feel its power increasing. More importantly, the mental calling from the wall was gone. “Let’s get out of here.”“What does it say, my Thane?” Lydia asked her. “If I may ask.”“Of course.” Freyanna answered and went to the wall. Her hands followed the words as she translated. “This stone commemorates the warriors of the black regiment whose souls no march the plains of Sovngarde for all ETERNITY.” Lydia listened with complete fascination while Delphine just seemed to be completely in awe of Freyanna’s ability. ********************* “I think we should go after them.” Benor sounded worried as Jenassa adjusted Brelas stance while aiming her bow at an improvised leather target. “They’ve been in there too…”It was then that Jenassa pointed to the mountain and they saw all three exit from where they entered, Freyanna sporting a beautifully ornate staff. They quickly made their way down to them. They looked a little haggard and it was obvious that they were in a pretty good fight. “That’s a nice looking staff.” She mentioned to her.Freyanna smiled. “It’s a lot nicer than it looks.” Again she felt the whisper of a word coming from within the ruins. Not inside the place they just exited, but somewhere else. “Another one.” She mentioned softly while looking in the direction of the slight feeling of the word.“Another one?” Delphine asked her.“Another word.” She pointed towards an area of the ruins that appeared to contain some sort of maze. “Shalidor’s Maze.” Benor mentioned. “A test for mages who aspired to become Arch-Mages.” They started to head towards the entrance.“This time we’re going with you.” Jenassa mentioned. “You two can wait outside.” She pointed at Lydia and Delphine.The absence of protest from Lydia actually caught Jenassa’s attention. She actually looked the worse of the three and it was pretty obvious that she took the biggest beating in that ruin. Delphine nodded and they set up to wait outside the entrance. Lydia sat down with her sword and shield with her back leaning on the wall next to the entrance. Delphine nodded and took Brelas with her bow and leather target for some practicing.After several nail biting hours, Freyanna, Benor and Jenassa exited the maze looking none the worse for wear. Brelas had cooked a fabulous meal of roasted venison steaks. “Well?” Delphine asked in anticipation. Freyanna’s face looked somewhat disturbed. “The word… Mirmulnir was never slain during the war.”“What are you talking about?” Delphine had the look of puzzlement as well concern when she asked the question.“Mirmulnir should’ve killed me.” Freyanna started to explain. “He’s visited these walls… at least those where he could fit his enormous body. There are seven other sites where the words were used as burial markers for some of the dragon’s greatest foes.” “What do you mean he should’ve killed you?” Delphine wanted that question answered.“I surprised him and he didn’t get the chance to use his full power on me. I took his soul and now I know everything. Every word he stole from the walls he visited… every location of Alduin’s most trusted Dragon Priests.” Delphine looked into Freyanna’s eyes as she explained and could see she was recounting from memory… Mirmulnir’s memory. “He hid after the dragons lost the war… bided his time until his master returned.” She walked out of the small courtyard in front of the entrance to the maze and pointed to a small dome-like structure. “That was once a shrine dedicated to Alduin’s greatest human servants and slave masters… the Dragon Priests.” She turned around and looked at them all. “They’re also waiting for Alduin to come back. We’re going to have to deal with them as well.”“We will, but first we should make camp. The sun is setting and we don’t need to be out there fumbling in the dark.” Delphine suggested.“Agreed, we can stay just inside the entrance to the maze.” Freyanna countered. “There’s room for the horses and all.”“I think Brelas is ready to cut her teeth on some real targets.” Jenassa mentioned.“I agree, she’s a natural with that bow and I don’t believe her that she’s never used one before.” Delphine added.“Are you?” Freyanna directed the question towards the pretty Bosmer as she guided two of the horses into the maze’s entrance. “I don’t know…” She tentatively answered, completely unsure of herself. Jenassa put her arm around her shoulder with a non-chalant grin.“She’s absolutely ready… she’s already better than Delphine.” Jenassa asserted and Delphine didn’t deny or protest the assertion.“There’s a big difference between shooting a leather target and shooting a living being trying to kill you.” Lydia chimed in. “Are you willing and able to take a life in order to save your own… save your friends?”Brelas nodded with as stern an expression as she could muster. “I can… I will.”“That’s good enough for me.” Freyanna went to her horse and pulled out her beautiful Altmeri Bow and Quiver filled with arrows. She walked over to Brelas and offered them to her. Brelas was quite taken aback by the offer and at first she wanted to refuse. “I’m lending them to you until you get your own.” Brelas nodded, took the weapon and slung the quiver onto her back.“Thank you, I will take good care of them in the mean-time.” Brelas answered.“I know you will.” Freyanna nodded with a smile. “Tomorrow we have to make up some time for the delay here.”With that they all settled into their camp routines with Benor taking first watch.That morning Freyanna walked the perimeter of their camp as everyone was waking. The horses were a little antsy and she decided to use her Aura Whisper shout. “Damn it!” She let out in frustrations.“What is it?” Benor and Lydia asked as they walked toward her.“There are four people just outside. By the look of their actions… they’re tracking us.” Brelas’ face turned white while both Delphine and Jenassa drew their bows.“Thalmor?” Brelas asked as she also drew her bow. “No, they’re not elven scouts… I don’t think they’re Imperial either… Stormcloaks?” She slammed open the entrance doors seeing that the four were close together and could be dealt with quite quickly should she have to kill them. They all turned in unison and three of them immediately went for their weapons. The forth one put his hands up in a sign of non-aggression. “WAIT! WAIT!” He yelled as he motioned for his three companions to put away their weapons. One of them still drew his bow and started to pull an arrow from his quiver only to see Jenassa, Delphine and Brelas aiming down on him, not to mention two heavily armored swordsman and woman taking positions next to the impossibly tall Altmer. “Please we only wish to talk.” The obvious leader of the group took a hold of the insubordinate youngster’s bow and lowered it.“You’ve my attention.” Freyanna crossed her arms in front of her.“You’re actually going to talk to that Thalmor bitch and her traitorous dogs?!” The young one was completely hostile.“KNOW YOUR PLACE WHELP!” The leader turned and it was more than apparent that he was in charge by the cowed look on the youngster’s face. He turned around to look at Freyanna again. “I’m sorry my lady, our people are sometimes a little…”“Prejudiced against elves? I know.” She finished his sentence and he could see that she was waiting for him to speak his piece. “Who are you and why are you tracking me?” She asked.He was taken aback by her actually knowing that they were tracking her and her group. “Rest assured my lady that we mean no harm… we only wish to speak about the destruction of the Thalmor Embassy.” Her eyes were on him like a predatory sabre cat who was waiting for a moment to pounce. “We only wish to know what your intentions are.”“You’re Stormcloaks aren’t you?” She smiled softly as she thought of her Nordic savior, Ralof. They all nodded. She then motioned for Jenassa, Brelas and Delphine to lower their bows. “Do you know Ralof of Riverwood?”“How do you know that name?” The youngster once again opened his mouth with a somewhat indignant tone.“I saved his and Ulfric’s life during the dragon attack at Helgen.” She watched as the boy seemed to contemplate her words. “In return Ralof and his family saved me in my time of dire need.” She continued and the confusion in the youngsters face was priceless. “I would gladly give my life for him and his.”“He saved your life?” The boy couldn’t believe it. She smiled as she pulled the lucky coin Frodnar had given her. She flipped it to him and he caught it. He examined it for a second and then realized what it was. “He gave this to you?” The hostility had left the boy’s voice as he flipped the coin back to her. “Frodnar is a sweet youngling… Ralof’s entire family is worthy of all my efforts to rid Tamriel of the Dragon menace… the Thalmor.” Her proclamation caused all four men to open their eyes in wide wonder.“You’re her! The Dragonborn!” She nodded. “Freyanna Elsonire.” She introduced herself.“I’m Thorim.” The leader of the group stated and began to introduce the rest of his team. “This is Ragnor, Knut, and this brash and disrespectful youngster is Lokir.”“Ralof is my friend. Any friend of his is a friend of mine… even if you look like the most frightening Thalmor warrior I’ve ever seen.” Jenassa actually chuckled at the boy’s very accurate description of Freyanna in her full armor. Benor laughed a bit more heartily.Lydia just continued to glare at the group of stormcloak scouts. “Now that we’ve found you, I’ll extend an invitation for you to join Lokir and me on our way to Windhelm. We need to inform Jarl Ulfric of your great deed.” Thorim told her. “You’d be welcomed like a hero if you accompanied us there.”“Thank you Thorim, but we’re on our own mission and we cannot veer from it.” Freyanna countered and he nodded in affirmation. “Lokir?” She removed her helmet as she walked up to the wiry built Nordic boy. He looked up at the incredibly beautiful Altmer and gulped at the stunning brilliance of those silver eyes staring at him. “If you see Ralof, can you tell him… tell him that I… forget it.” Lokir started to chuckle at the seemingly awkward discomfort shown by this intimidating Altmer in full armor.“I’ll tell him that you’re in good health and that… you’re thinking of him?” Her cheeks were actually a little pink as he spoke. She nodded innocently and Jenassa couldn’t help herself as she burst out laughing.“Awwww.” Jenassa joked at her expense. “Ralof and Freyanna sitting in a tree K.I.S.S.I.N.Gee.” Jenassa laughed pretty loudly at her expense and so did Benor, while Lydia just rolled her eyes at the absolute relentless ribbing by Jenassa. Brelas just smiled softly at the obvious affection all of them had for their Altmer leader. Freyanna’s hand let out a small electrical discharge that struck both Jenassa and Benor with quite the effect on Jenassa. “OW! HEY!” It stopped her laughing instantly, but not Benor who actually laughed harder.Thorim offered his hand to her and she took it firmly. “I’ll make sure you and yours are always welcomed in Stormcloak Territory.”“Thank you Thorim. I’ll make sure to stop in Windhelm as soon as I’m done with our current task.” Thorim nodded and turned with all of his squad mates towards their horses. They watched them leave as they mounted their own horses. Lokir and Thorim as expected, headed south towards Whiterun while the other two headed back north to who knows where. Freyanna took a deep breath of the crisp cold air. The skies were clear and the sun was shining bright. “Having the stormcloaks on our side could be a deciding factor in our fight against the Thalmor and even Alduin.” She mentioned to Delphine.“It also puts us in direct confrontation with the Imperial forces in Skyrim and the Nords loyal to them.” She countered.“I’ve been at odds with the Empire ever since they tried to kill me, so I don’t really care.” Freyanna answered back. “Let’s go see about this Esbern.”As they rode south Lokir spoke to Freyanna about how Ralof had mentored him when he was younger, taught him sword play and hunting. She listened to the young scout to the exclusion of everyone else. He explained that Ralof wasn’t typical for a Stormcloak in that he didn’t judge whole races of people like many of his brothers and sisters. Ralof let individuals speak for themselves. Lokir then apologized profusely for almost putting an arrow through her skull. She smiled at the young human and accepted his sincere apology. She learned quite a bit about Ralof of Riverwood. He always stood for those who couldn’t stand for themselves. He was generous to a fault and he wielded a two handed Warhammer like no body’s business. Lokir could tell that she was paying attention to every syllable he spoke. It actually made him smile. “What did he do… really…? I mean to get this kind of attention from you.” He asked her and she lost herself in thoughts of the man. “He and his wonderful family took me in… fed me… clothed me…” Her eyes started to become visibly filled with tears. “The Thalmor and Empire wanted me dead… I… am thousands of miles from home… I had no one… He took me, a complete stranger in every way and offered me everything.” The tears were starting to flow from her eyes as she thought of the things she did as a Justiciar. “He didn’t hesitate to save me, neither did his family.”Benor was listening as he rode next to her and put his giant arm around her shoulders. “You’re not as tough as everyone says you are.” She let out a laugh through her tears, but didn’t break away. She leaned her head on the big Nord’s shoulder. “Yeah, I think you’re right.” She countered.They rode with Thorim and Lokir of the stormcloak scouts until they hit the intersection just south of Whiterun. After which, they went their separate ways with Freyanna and her group stopping in Whiterun for resupply and two horses. Freyanna also commissioned Eorlund Gray-Mane to make her an armor fashioned from the dragon scales and bones. She brought a piece of Morokei’s armor to show him how the material was integrated together and sketched the particular style she wanted. He said it would take him awhile to do what she wanted and that he would try to have it ready whenever she returned from Riften.She had enough sovereigns to upgrade all of their equipment with Brelas benefitting the most with a new set of elven armor and an Ebony bow that was as black as night and just as menacing. Lydia and Benor were now equipped skyforge steel armor and weapons, while Delphine and Jenassa were able to procure elven style bows and armor. They left Whiterun looking every bit the most formidable group of independent warriors and mages in all of Skyrim.
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The Rift – The Treva River Crossing The patrol along the scenic and densely forested Treva River was mostly quiet. There were a few men fishing the waters probably trying to get away from their wives and children, while still putting food on the table. They received friendly waves mostly, as they should. The Rift was solidly under the control of the Stormcloaks and most of the people welcomed them. There were the occasional malcontents and empire loyalists, but they knew to keep quiet for their own sakes. His platoon of thirty soldiers was tasked with showing these people that Ulfric Stormcloak’s army was in full control of the Rift. It was a pretty impressive group of twenty swordsmen arranged in two outside columns with the ten archers lined up in between. Their armor and weapons were cleaned and shined to an almost mirror finish. The blue fabric of their armor was beautifully clean and pressed, the symbol of the bear was emblazoned brightly in white on the blue shields. They looked magnificent and every bit as impressive as any Imperial unit. Ralof knew that this was more of a show for the populace, but he made sure that he chose the best people he could for this task. The Treva River provided a natural barrier that funneled any force trying to skirt it between the river and the mountains to the south. It also was deep enough that fording it would be impossible for any large armored force. It was very conducive to setting up defenses with smaller units that could hold off and defeat much larger forces. His eyes kept a constant vigil on his surroundings and he thanked Talos that he did. Just after crossing the Treva River Bridge, he saw the glint of steel coming from the tree line just south of the bridge.“FALL BACK!” This time Ralof saw them coming. There would be no repeat of Darkwater Crossing. “FALL BACK DAMN YOU!” Ralof grabbed the back of the collar of the point man leading their patrol. Ralof got a strong grip on the younger Stormcloak swordsman and pulled him back violently. As he pulled the boy along, he felt an arrow hit his right shoulder. He heard the whizzing of another just miss his head. “FALL BACK ALL OF YOU!” He yelled at the top of his lungs. He knew they were out in the open and their position would be untenable if they had to fight there. He needed to get back to the bridge as soon as possible. The Imperials were nothing if not brutally efficient and disciplined. His men and women started to run, but as disorganized as they looked, their movement was coordinated and as disciplined as any Imperial Legion. The arrows kept flying from behind the Imperial lines and he could hear their horns sound the signal for an all-out charge.They continued to run north for the bridge. The arrows kept falling all around them and were starting to take some effect as some of his people were hit. He and his people paused to grab the wounded and pull them along to the relative safety of the bridge. It took a supreme effort, but they reached the bridge and he angrily turned around to face the imperial onslaught. “THEY GO NO FURTHER!” He yelled as he raised his shield just in time to take a direct strike from two arrows. “FORM UP ON ME!” He looked to his left and to his right and saw that his platoon of about twenty warriors formed up in a line with him. He noticed that his own archers had formed a line behind them and started to rain some death of their own on the Imperials as they got within range. They stopped just before the bridge and sounded their signal to form up. They formed their tight square quickly and began to cross in an attempt to take this crucial bridge. Ralof’s expression was defiant as he could see the legion square formation bearing down on their position. He didn’t care. They’d at least slow them down enough so the runner he sent off could warn the Jarl and make preparations for the next fight. Another arrow struck his shield, and another, and another, the archers on both sides seemed to have an infinite supply of those deadly projectiles. He watched as his own archers started to take effect on the Imperial formation which now had dozens of arrows sticking to their shields as well.“We’re with you sir.” He looked over to his right and left and noticed that he had a line of men and women standing strong with him. All of them, had their shields up and protecting their mates to the right of them. They formed a line of wood, steel and flesh that was two persons deep. The Imperials outnumbered them two to one with their four deep phalanx. Ralof nodded at the boy and prepared to face the powerful Imperial formation.The imperial phalanx collided with Ralof’s line in a violent impact and the sounds of battle began in earnest. Shields were striking shields, swords were striking both shield and armor searching for the soft flesh so vulnerable to its sharpened edges. It was all the Stormcloak formation could do to give way slowly as the weight of the imperial formation pushed them back. He felt and heard the striking of metal and wood as both lines used their weapons and shields to attempt to create a gap in the other’s line. It didn’t take him long to feel that his sword thrust hit home as it bit deep into the space between the armor and the armpit area of the chest piece. The imperial soldier to his left grimaced as he tried to stay in the fight, but it was to no avail for it was a mortal wound. The resulting fall of the gravely wounded imperial soldier was sudden and it opened a gap in the Imperial formation. Ralof’s comrade to his left struck out quickly and pierced deeply the side of the man the fallen imperial had been protecting. Ralof and the rest of his warriors felt the pause in the imperial’s surge and watched as they attempted to quickly fill the large gap left in the formation by the two fallen soldiers with another two from the rear lines. It was an almost seamless maneuver, almost.“FORWARD!” Ralof yelled and his people surged into the imperial line, actually catching them by surprise, being that most of the time the Stormcloak formations didn’t have the stomach for such an organized blood-letting, the Imperials must’ve been expecting a quick victory on the bridge. This group of Stormcloaks did have the stomach though and they forced the front line of the imperials to fall back into the second line and caused the whole phalanx to become unbalanced. Ralof’s stormcloaks began to stab and slash their way through the first line until it had been cut down completely. They continued to move forward as the Imperials began to slowly give way. Ralof had to admit that the discipline of those imperial soldiers was impressive as they held their formation together. He believed that if their situations were reversed, his people would probably make a run for it. He had to make sure that didn’t happen, a break in their line would mean death to them all. They continued to battle on the bridge for another hour with neither side gaining any ground. It was then that Ralof heard the welcomed sound of the Stormcloak cavalry as it approached their position from one of the Rift’s Watchtowers. The imperials immediately disengaged and began to run for their lives towards the wooded area where they had come from. Ralof would’ve given chase, but he and his people were exhausted and in no shape to mount a pursuit. His people cheered loudly at the fleeing imperials, they’d won this skirmish and not only held this crucial crossing, they’d defeated the imperial ambush conducted by a much larger force than their own. The bridge itself was littered with the dead and dying. Blood seemed to paint the Treva River a slightly pinkish hue as it dripped from the bridge’s drainage holes.It was as bloody a day as he’d ever experienced. He’d lost seven of his own with another three badly wounded. It was a good thing the cavalry showed up when it did as they wouldn’t have been able to hold for much longer. The imperials had actually lost only six, but they had abandoned their wounded when they turned and ran. He heard the thundering sound of the horses in full gallop as they approached. He finally told his people to stand down and take care of their wounds when the cavalry commander stopped in front of him. It was a full blown company element of what had to be about one hundred horsemen. It had to be at least half of the entire cavalry force of the Rift. “If you head southwest from the bridge, you should catch them in no time at all.” Ralof leaned back on the bridge’s stone railing and sheathed his weapon as he addressed the commander. “Just beware; they have a sizeable element of archers.”“How many?” The fully armored commander asked him with some curiosity.“Probably around forty or fifty of them give or take a few, with at least ten archers.” Ralof answered honestly, but he could tell the cavalry commander had a few doubts about the numbers he just gave him. “Fifty? You held the bridge against fifty?” The cavalry commander took off his helmet as he asked in disbelief as he looked around at Ralof’s decimated platoon.“That’s what he said didn’t he?!” The young warrior Ralof had pulled along sounded angry and indignant at this officer’s obvious doubts.“Calm down lad.” Ralof chuckled. “The commander only wishes to be sure of what he’s chasing.” He clapped the young man’s shoulder. “If you hadn’t come when you did… let’s just say you would’ve had a much different reception here.”The cavalry commander nodded, donned his helmet and spurred his unit in the direction Ralof had given him. They all continued to tend to their wounded and Ralof began to help one of the injured imperials. There were three of them with wounds ranging from an arrow to the leg and shoulder to ugly lacerations of the leg, arm and face. As he began to tie a tourniquet around the leg of the most seriously wounded imperial, the man asked him why they were helping them. “We’re all sloggers lad, we might be on different sides, but I’ll be damned if I treat you any differently than a captured officer or nobility.” Ralof could see that the man appreciated the thought.“Our commanders wouldn’t be so merciful.” The legionnaire mentioned to him with some guilt.“I know lad, I know.” Ralof’s mind went back to Darkwater Crossing and the Imperial Ambush that killed quite a few of his mates. The execution of one of his brothers at Helgen. “Most on our side also, but not me.”As he dressed the Imperial’s wounds, his adrenaline level had gone down far enough that he started to feel the warmth of his own blood flowing down his arm. Ralof looked at his uniform and the once blue fabric was now a disturbingly shade of dark red. He felt the pain in his right shoulder and examined the arrow still sticking out of his armor. It had been pierced by an Imperial arrow. He could feel his vision begin to blur. He didn’t hear the imperial prisoner yelling for somebody to help. He smiled at his enemy. “It looks like I’ll be joining some of our brothers in Sovengarde.” He mentioned to the Imperial prisoner he’d been tending to just before he became unconscious. *********************** Riften – Northern Gate Benor and Lydia tended to the horses and spoke to the stable master about lodging, feeding and grooming. Benor was at a loss as to why she’d pay for grooming their warhorses, to which Freyanna replied. “Any living being that has to put up with your gigantic ass on its back for so long, deserves to be groomed and pampered. Don’t you think?” He shook his head in obvious amusement and guided his three horses towards the stable master. Freyanna, Jenassa, Brelas, and Delphine approached the gate with Freyanna out in front. “Hold there.” The guards halted her and she got an uneasy feeling that they would try and arrest her. “Before I let you into Riften, you need to pay the visitor’s tax.”Freyanna let out a breath of relief, but Jenassa wasn’t amused. “You’re kidding right?” Jenassa exclaimed with an obvious frustration. “How much is this tax?”Freyanna watched the guards as he looked them over. She could tell that he was sizing them up. “Fifty sovereigns.” The guard answered.“I’ve never heard of such a thing!” Delphine was now angry as well. “This is obviously a shakedown!” She exclaimed in a quite animate way as she removed her helmet.“Alright!... Alright, keep it down!” The guard replied in a slightly panicked and hushed tone. “You want everyone to hear?” He quickly walked over to the large gate and unlocked it.Freyanna chuckled lightly at the ridiculous attempt to extort them. “You should be careful who you try to swindle. You’ve no idea who you’re dealing with.” Jenassa addressed the guard who looked about as clueless as anyone could. Freyanna gently took ahold of Jenassa’s shoulder causing her to turn and look at her. The Dragonborn smiled and shook her head indicating she didn’t want to advertise who she was to anyone. Jenassa turned back to the guard. “You really don’t know.” She emphasized.As they were about to enter through the gate, they heard a huge commotion coming from the stables. “Knock him on his ass Hofgrir!” Some excited local woman exclaimed as a crowd started to gather around her to watch… to watch… Benor and the stable owner, Hofgrir, square up in what looked like the beginnings of a fist fight.Jenassa couldn’t help herself as she smiled at the sight. “He just can’t help himself.” She chuckled. Lydia was watching with baited breath as both Benor and Hofgrir started to slug it out in front of the crowd. Freyanna pondered stopping them, but she now knew that these Nords just loved to test their mettle with everyone. Hopefully Benor was getting something out of this other than bragging rights. “Are we really just going to let this go on?” Delphine asked her.Both Brelas and Jenassa were already mixed into the large crowd. “Look at Lydia. She doesn’t look worried at all.” Freyanna countered. “You Nords are as bad as the Redguards.”“The Blades of old would never allow this kind of behavior.” Delphine didn’t like the lack of discipline being shown by their small yet powerful group.“We’re not the Blades of old, we never will be the Blades of old.” Freyanna’s response actually surprised her. “Last I saw, the Blades didn’t fare too well in the end. Maybe, just maybe, this is exactly what is needed... oh damn.” Freyanna grimaced at the sight of Benor taking a solid strike to the eye that staggered him back. Hofgrir was a pretty talented brawler in his own right, but Benor recovered just in time to avoid a massive haymaker. Hofgrir had completely overplayed his advantage by throwing such a powerful blow and it resulted in his chin meeting with a crushing counter from Benor’s straight right fist. The snapping of tendons and bone could be heard by all as Hofgrir fell onto his face, completely unconscious, while Benor held his hand in what looked like some broken knuckles. It was over and the silence from the crowd was confirmation of their complete surprise that someone had taken Hofgrir down. Freyanna handed her helmet to Delphine and immediately made her way through the crowd which was now standing around the unconscious Hofgrir. “Give me some space, I’m a healer.” She addressed everyone and to her surprise they all started to move back.She kneeled next to yet another gigantic Nord and couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight. Benor had definitely broken the man’s jaw and she was sure some teeth were missing as well. Her suspicions were confirmed when she turned him over and saw two of the top incisors laying in a small pool of blood. She pulled back his lips to make sure those were the only ones missing so she could rule out any going down his windpipe. Hofgrir was breathing deeply if not normally, but his face was torn up. Benor did quite a number on him. She pulled slightly on his jaw and once she felt it set she poured her healing magic into it. She felt the bones solidify, the swelling and bruising go down, and the connecting tissues slowly pop into their proper place. Once done, she opened and closed his mouth to make sure it was opening and closing properly. Once done with his jaw, she healed all of the bruises and cuts on his face and hands. When Freyanna finished with Hofgrir, no one would’ve imagined that he was ever in a fight. She examined his face and saw his eyes open and stare at her in wonderment. “Are you a Shield Maiden? Am I in Sovergarde?” She smiled and shook her head in amusement. She stood up and approached Benor who was leaning back on a post holding up the roof of the stable. He was shaking his hand, which had swollen up like a balloon. “I can’t take you anywhere.” She took a hold of his hand and examined it. She looked into his eyes and saw the concern in his face. Setting the bones back was going to hurt like a daedra.“I’m sorry my lady, I had no choice.” She started to manipulate his hand and the stabbing pain of his small bones being healed was excruciating. He stopped talking and held his mouth shut tight while he could hear and feel the popping and crackling of the bones popping back into place and healing at the same time. There were tears actually trickling from his eyes as the pain was at a level he’d never experienced before. In an instant the pain was gone.“All done.” Freyanna mentioned as she started to walk away.“What about his eye?” Lydia asked her with some concern.“He can handle the shiner. I seem to remember he likes to be reminded of his beatings.” Freyanna turned and addressed Lydia. “Plus…” She turned her eyes to Benor. “Was that really necessary?”“The choice was fight and maybe add one hundred Sovereigns to the bill if I lost.” Benor countered with a smile that revealed he’d also lost a tooth in the engagement.“Well you obviously won, so what’s your prize?” She asked.“A free night’s boarding and feeding for the horses.” Benor sounded so proud and when Freyanna looked over to Lydia, she could tell that she approved.“A free night?” Freyanna liked the sound of that and immediately walked back to Benor. “You’re a pain in the ass, but I can’t argue with the results.” She put her hand gently over his swollen eye and the soft white light flowed from her hand as it completely healed the black eye.“Two free nights and after that you just pay for the food.” Hofgrir yelled out to their complete surprise. “Thank you lass, you didn’t have to heal me, but it’s greatly appreciated.”Freyanna’s face revealed how surprised she was by the offer, but she couldn’t take such a generous gift. The man had to make money in order to keep the stable running and her six horses would take up a lot of valuable space. “Thank you for the two free nights, but we’ll pay like everyone else afterward. We don’t want you going out of business do we?” Hofgrir looked happy with the results of his encounter with this group as he nodded his head in agreement.“I gotta stop opening my big mouth.” Hofgrir admitted. “It gets expensive.”Benor laughed. “I know the feeling. This one is even better than I am.” He pointed to Freyanna. Hofgrir looked at her in disbelief and almost opened his mouth again to challenge her, almost.“No.” Freyanna nipped in the bud. “Not unless you’re willing to give the stable over to me and work for me.”Hofgrir looked like he was actually thinking about it, but in the end thought better of it. “I think I’ve given enough for today… maybe tomorrow.”Freyanna shook her head in amusement, but immediately became serious when she heard the tell-tale thunder of hooves coming from the road. She turned to see four armed horsemen in Stormcloak armor flanking a large carriage drawn by a team of four horses bearing down on them.“PLEASE WE NEED A HEALER!” The sounds of desperation from the driver of the horse drawn carriage meant that they must’ve been in a battle. She just knew that the carriage had to be filled with wounded men and women as it came to a halt in front of them. “PLEASE, SOMEONE HELP US!”“LAAS YAH NIR!” She shouted through the commotion and no one was the wiser. She could see the wounded in the carriage. Two of them were already dead, while the other four were barely alive. She looked around at the crowd and it was pretty obvious that they expected her to do something. “I’m a healer.” She approached, but was blocked by two of the horsemen. It was apparent that they didn’t want her to get near their men. “For Talos sake, I’m not Thalmor or Dominion!” She stepped in between the two Stormcloak soldiers to get to the carriage. They all immediately started to draw their weapons. “Okay, let them die!” She turned around and started for the gate. “Two of them are already dead.” She mentioned as she continued to the gate with her party joining her.The carriage driver immediately dismounted and ordered his men to sheath their weapons. “Please, if you can help them… please.” The desperate plea of the driver caused her to pause and turn around. She nodded and made her way to the back of the carriage. She could still see the life forces of the four that were still alive and by the blood all over the carriage it was apparent that the two dead had bled out. “Help me take them off.” She began to bark orders and felt herself searching her memories of Hammerfell. “I’ll need blankets, clean water, and the strongest drink anyone can bring.” She knew that she’d have to conserve her magicka and a lot of the treating was going to be the old fashioned way. Only the most serious wounds would get her healing magic. She had two magicka potions that she kept for emergencies, she’d probably have to replace them after this. They weren’t cheap and she wasn’t sure where she’d be able to procure them. She watched as the Stormcloak soldiers gently moved the wounded off the carriage and put them on blankets set up next to the stables. Jenassa to her surprise, actually started to help her.“I’m not quite the healer you are, but I’ve seen my fair share of wounded. I can tend to some of their wounds while you handle the more seriously injured.” Jenassa explained while Delphine also made herself useful. Most of the wounds were serious, but not life threatening with the exception of the last soldier. The arrow was still protruding from the man’s shoulder and she could tell that an infection had spread from the wound and had gotten into his blood. He’d be dead in a few hours even if she tried to heal him. She kneeled down and finally looked at the face of the man.“Ralof?” Her heart started to pound in her chest at the sight of her favorite person in all of Tamriel. “RALOF!” Panic started to set in her mind. She knew that he had a very slim chance at survival even if she tried her best to save him. The tears started to pour from her eyes as she tried to wake him to no avail. “Please… not you… not you…” She tore the arrow from his shoulder and placed her hands on the wound. “You’re not dying today!” The magic began to flow from her hands into the wound. The light was brilliant and brighter than any of them had ever seen. She could feel it fight and start to kill the infection as it spread from the wound out to the rest of his body. She took one hand off the wound and drank one of her magicka potions in one gulp. She finished the second bottle and knew it wasn’t going to be enough. She’d have to rely on a trick her mentor Lord Naarifin had taught her. She’d have to draw magic from her own body’s life force. She’d been required to do it once before in Hammerfell as a result of battle casualties. It almost cost her life.They all watched as the brilliant white light turned to an almost blood red color. “What’s she doing?” Delphine looked concerned as she watched Freyanna’s skin color begin to lighten slightly with every passing second that sickening red magic poured from her hands. Jenassa shrugged her shoulders, but she looked just as concerned. “Pull her off!” Delphine yelled at Benor and Lydia who approached her and were about to yank her off the soldier.Freyanna turned to see that they were going to stop her. “FUS RO!” Both Lydia and Benor were knocked back on their behinds as she continued to pour her life into Ralof. Her skin was pale white and she began to lose her vision as she felt the infection leave Ralof’s body. She did it. She’d saved him. She smiled as her blurry vision faded to black. Delphine watched in horror as Freyanna fell in a heap next to the soldier she was trying to save. “FREYANNA!” She screamed as she and the rest of their group rushed to her. She wasn’t moving and was deathly cold to the touch. Delphine listened for breathing and it sounded like she was struggling to breathe. “NONONONONO…. This can’t be happening…” She felt her neck for a pulse and it was very weak to almost nonexistent. She turned to the Stormcloak soldiers just staring at them and lashed out. “YOU FOOLS JUST SEALED ALL OF OUR FATES!”The two cavalry men chuckled. “Good riddance, that’s one less pointy eared scum we have to deal with.” One of them mentioned with an evil grin.“You’re a bloody coward.” Benor and Lydia stepped towards the two horsemen only to be stopped by Delphine and Jenassa. The two horsemen had their hands on their swords and seemed to be ready for a confrontation. “COWARDS!” Lydia yelled at them both.Benor scooped up Freyanna in his arms and Hofgrir directed him into his home where he laid her down on the bed. Hofgrir went back outside and watched as the Stormcloak soldiers started to tie up their horses in his stable. “Take them out! Your business is not welcome here!” He was fuming at the two as he pulled his giant Warhammer from its place next to the entrance of his home. The Stormcloak soldiers looked surprised, but they drew their own weapons in response. “Those two elves save your people and you repay them with insults?” He heard both Lydia and Benor draw their weapons and join him at his sides.“Whoa! Whoa! What’s happening here?!” A groggy and alarmed Ralof had awoken and was joined by the carriage driver as they stepped in between the two groups of would be combatants. They didn’t look happy at Hofgrir’s refusal to board their mounts. “You’ve a problem with our money or are you an Imperial sympathizer?”“So it lives.” Lydia mentioned with much disdain. “You’d think someone would be more thankful of the ones who saved your life.”Ralof looked over himself and noticed that he was completely healed. The last thing he remembered was trying to help an Imperial soldier with his wounds. The only evidence he was ever in a battle was the hole in the pauldron where the arrow had hit him. “Saved my life? Who?” He asked.“A High Elf who should’ve let you die instead of sacrificing herself for such racist pigs!” Lydia was on the verge of charging them. “Makes me wish we’d joined the Empire!”Ralof couldn’t believe it. “A high elf? Freyanna Elsonire?” He asked and the surprise on their faces was evident. “She’s here?”“How do you know her name?” Lydia was now unsure of this one Stormcloak soldier. She could see the concern come over his face as he turned and ordered his people to put away their weapons.“She’s hurt?” Ralof asked her and she didn’t hesitate to answer.“She’s dying because of you!” The venom was plain to hear.“THIS BETTER BE AN EMERGENCY!” Wylnadriah, Riften’s court wizard stormed into the scene and paused at the sight of the three Stormcloak soldiers laying wounded on a blanket. She kneeled next to one of the soldiers and noticed that his breathing was stable and that his wounds were well dressed. She examined the other two and came to same conclusion. “Where is the fourth, I was told there were four wounded.” She asked.She’s dying? Because of me? Ralof’s thoughts were all encompassing. She’d saved his life again and this time it might’ve cost her own? “She’s inside.” He mentioned to the wizard as he motioned towards Hofgrir’s house. Wylandriah quickly made her way towards the house followed by Ralof. Lydia and Benor blocked his path, both sporting some pretty angry glares. “Please… she’s my friend and… this is the second time she’s saved my life.”“A friend, really?” Lydia was extremely sarcastic. “Your comrades think she’s nothing more than pointy eared scum. What’s to say you don’t feel the same way?” Benor gently squeezed her shoulder.“He’s the one lass.” Lydia looked over to Benor who was smiling softly. She turned and thought about the conversation Freyanna had with the young Stormcloak soldier on their route from Labyrinthian. She still didn’t like this man as his group was an extremely ungrateful and racist bunch. She got out of his way, but still sported a fiery glare for the man.Hofgrir accompanied him to the bedroom where Freyanna was. Ralof entered the room and saw Wylandriah examining her. His breath hitched at the sight of her laying there, completely pale and still. “Freyanna…” He whispered in desperation. Wylandriah started to pour her own healing magic into the Altmer. “I’m not much of a healer, but I think she will survive.” Every second the Bosmer wizard’s magic was absorbed by Freyanna, resulted in color starting to come back to her skin. Her breathing started to get deeper and more relaxed. She was going to make it. Wylandriah’s magic ceased with a visible exhale of relief from the Bosmer. “She should rest for a few days. I don’t know what she did to be in this state, but she should avoid doing it again.” She stood up and addressed Delphine with a very serious tone. “If I wasn’t here, she’d be dead.” She then gathered her empty potion vials and left the room.Delphine let out a sigh of relief and turned to address Ralof. “You and your men owe her and Jenassa your lives.” Ralof acknowledged her with a nod. “What did they say to you?” He knew it was going to make him angry even as he asked it.“Do I really need to repeat their words?” Ralof shook his head knowing that she was right.“Ralof?” The barely audible whisper coming from the bed caused all of them to turn. He rushed to her side as she opened those beautiful eyes of hers and gazed at him with a soft smile on her face. “You’re alive.” She ran her hand along the side of his face. He took a hold of her hand and held it tight.“You really need to stop saving me.” Ralof joked as he smiled down at her.“No…” She was weak, but completely serious. “You’re the reason… your family… I’d die for…” She was obviously exhausted and just the effort to speak caused her to fall into unconsciousness. She was breathing deeply and probably just needed rest. She’d… die for me? It was a startling revelation and he’d all but forgotten his intent to confront her with his concerns of her relationship to Talania Elsonire and Naarifin’s Elite. He stood up and looked at the three glaring comrades who were concerned for nothing other than Freyanna. “I swear… you’ll have my men at your service.”“I’d rather have a giant frostbite spider suck me dry than have your people anywhere near her.” Delphine was angry and he really couldn’t blame her. There were quite a few Stormcloaks who were racist pricks, but the movement didn’t have enough people to be picky and so they were allowed in. “I’ll make it right, I swear.” He stormed out of the room and out of Hofgrir’s house. He made a beeline for the carriage driver. “Who called the Dragonborn pointy eared scum?”“Why?” He asked and it was the wrong thing to say Ralof who instantly grabbed him by the neck and pinned him to the carriage. He looked into the frightened man’s eyes. “That pointy eared scum singlehandedly saved Jarl Ulfric and me from the Imperial headsman’s axe!” Ralof could see the man contemplating what he was saying.“She’s the Dragonborn?” There was shock, but understanding in his tone. “The one who destroyed the Thalmor embassy?” Ralof nodded. “And saved your life, again.” There was absolute shame in his voice now for letting those two speak of the Dragonborn in such insulting terms. He also knew that she almost didn’t help because of their ignorance and stupidity.The ones who’d insulted Freyanna had heard the commotion and knew that they were in for it. It also seemed that they didn’t care. They were sitting on the back of the carriage and chuckled at Ralof’s anger. They couldn’t help themselves when one of them opened their mouth to speak. “What are you, a knife ear lover?” Ralof attempted to charge the two when one of the others grabbed a hold of him to stop him.They probably thought that they were in the majority, but that wasn’t the case when one of the other men stepped up in front of the racist prick smacked him full force in the face with a fully gauntleted hand. “I’ve had enough of your venom, you piece of shit!” The struck man fell off the carriage with his friend actually drawing his weapon. “Those two elves save our comrades and you treat them like filth?” He drew his own two handed sword as he squared off with the one still standing while the fallen one got back to his feet. Ralof drew the carriage driver’s weapon and turned to confront them as well, with the rest of the Stormcloaks also joining him. It took the two completely by surprise to be confronted and outnumbered by persons they used to consider comrades.“You’re no longer welcomed in our movement. Take off your sashes and hand over your shields.” Ralof ordered them. “Or don’t.” Ralof smiled at the proposition of eliminating these two assholes.“We were only joking.” One of them nervously commented. “Come on, it was only a joke.”“I don’t think so. Turn over your sashes and shields… now!” Ralof ordered. The two men slowly removed their blue sashes and turned them over along with their shields. “I don’t want to see you ever again. If I do, I swear you’ll both regret it.” Ralof took possession of the shields and sashes. He watched as the two cowed men took their horses and followed the road north.“I think we just made two enemies.” The carriage driver commented as Ralof gave him his sword back. “I hope they return. I don’t think they’ll be that stupid though.” Ralof continued to watch the two men ride northward until they were out of sight.“I would’ve killed them.” I distinctly female voice commented behind the group of Stormcloaks. They all turned to see Jenassa and Brelas standing side by side. Ralof approached them along with the carriage driver.“I was hoping they would fight but...” Ralof addressed her. “They’re cowards.”Jenassa couldn’t help but like this particular Stormcloak. He was charming, handsome and seemed a legitimately good person. It was completely out of character from most of the Stormcloak soldiers. She smiled at him. “I just call it like I see it.”“I’m sorry lass, I should’ve stepped up and confronted those two from the start.” One of the other cavalrymen stated with some remorse in his tone. “Here, it’s not much, but it’s all I have.” He handed over a small pouch of coin. She looked puzzled at the offer. “It’s for saving our comrades.”“That’s not necessary.” She smiled graciously. “She’ll just be happy we didn’t kill anyone.” Jenassa mentioned as she refused his coin.“You and yours are welcomed at our camp if you’ve nowhere else to stay tonight.” Ralof offered.“Thank you Ralof of Riverwood, we might have to take you up on the offer.” Jenassa answered and could see him look at her with much curiosity. “Yeah, she speaks of you often.” *************************** The Ratway The Ratway was aptly named. It was dark, dank, smelly, and just outright unpleasant. Probably no worse than any other sewer except for the fact that people actually lived down here. The two dead sewer dwellers at the entrance to this slime pit were killed by fire which could only mean that a powerful mage had probably done the murderous deed. Delphine and Jenassa thanked the stars they hired Marcurio. Without Freyanna they were at a huge disadvantage if they ever encountered a full-fledged battlemage. Brelas and Hofgrir stayed with Freyanna as she recovered in Hofgrir’s house. Benor and Lydia flanked Marcurio as they advanced through the sewer tunnels while Jenassa and Delphine took up the rear guard. “I can’t see how anyone could live in this horrid place.” Lydia commented.“All my time here, it never even occurred to me to make a trek through this miserable place.” Marcurio added. “This is going to cost you double.”“Will you two shut it!” Delphine countered with some anger. “We’re trying to get through here without being noticed.” “Stop.” Jenassa ordered them and they all froze in place. “Let me scout out the tunnel, I can move quicker and quieter without you bumbling buffoons clanging all over the place.” Delphine nodded as Jenassa shouldered her bow and drew two exquisite Elven daggers. “If I’m not back in ten minutes, I’m probably dead.” With that last comment, Jenassa disappeared like a silent shadow in the distance.“Keep your eyes open people.” Delphine mentioned. “Weapons at the ready.”Jenassa felt completely at home in the shadows. This was her element and she felt that there was no one who could do what she did as well as she did. She stuck to the walls and shadows as she silently advanced through the tunnels of the Ratway. She stopped and listened intermittently and was finally rewarded with the sounds of muffled speech. She made her way towards the sound and finally made visual contact with the source. She watched from a small alcove above them while they conversed in an open area below her. It looked like a small scouting party of Thalmor with one intimidating looking wizard in their midst. There was no doubt that the wizard was running the show in their own search for this Esbern that Delphine talked about.She counted five armored Altmer warriors, one human scout and the formidable looking wizard. It was definitely a force to be reckoned with and she didn’t like the odds. Even if they won a pitch battle with them, they’d lose quite a bit of people themselves. Jenassa watched their movements from the shadows and thought about how much Freyanna’s shouts could decimate that group in a single fiery breathe. They seemed to be lost as well and she just knew they were probably searching for the same person. “We need to find this Esbern before Freyanna gets here.” Rulindil sounded as frustrated as he looked. “This slime forsaken pit is going to be the death of us if we don’t.” He motioned for the human male to approach him. “Gissur, I want you to scout the area and see if you can find something we missed. We’ll consolidate our position here. Come back in fifteen minutes unless you do find something.”The human nodded and disappeared into one of the tunnels running from what looked like a hub of tunnels. It was a great place to conduct a search from, but it was a terrible place to try and defend. She pulled her beautifully ornate elven bow and drew one of her arrows. She then coated the tip with poison from one the vials on her belt. She silently cocked the arrow and drew back her bow. She sighted down on the wizard’s head and it felt almost too easy. She then realized that one of the armored warriors had moved deftly to stand next to the wizard. Something was not right as she broke off her assassination attempt and moved further back into the alcove and back the way she came. She stopped just before she had to turn a corner to head back to Delphine and the others. She turned around and saw the human was searching the alcove she’d just been on. “THERE’S NOTH…” An arrow pierced his skull at the ear, silencing him forever in his careless and inaccurate observation.She didn’t even wait for his body to drop as she silently made her way back towards Delphine and the others. The wizard now knew someone was there too, not only that, he also knew that whoever it was, they were dangerous. She could hear that they were after her. She knew that the Thalmor wizards were notoriously good at tracking with their detection spells. She was also sure they wouldn’t make the same mistake again when trying to capture her.Still, they weren’t very stealthy and she could hear them at quite the distance. “To the left!” She heard the wizard bark as they followed her trail. She moved so quickly and silently that she was sure the poor warriors had to stop to listen for directions from their wizard. “Straight!” Damn that wizard! I should’ve at least tried to end him. She thought as she continued to move down the tunnels as quickly as she could. “I see her!” One of the warriors yelled as she felt she was fighting a losing battle to get rid of this tail. She quickly turned down another corner and was quickly approaching her comrades. She stopped just short of their position and drew back her bow and let loose an arrow that struck the shield of one of the warriors. She drew back another as the one warrior was joined by three more to form a shield wall as she struck one of their feet causing him to curse out loud and stop the small line of warriors in their tracks. She saw the Wizard behind them as he raised his hands and a fireball shot out from it. She made peace with herself as she knew she was going to die. The fireball seemed to move in slow motion as she accepted her fate. It was at this moment that she watched the fireball dissipate harmlessly on the ward Marcurio was generating in front of both of them. He’d rolled out from a nook to her side and as soon as he blocked that fireball, he let loose with his own spell of destruction. A powerful lightning spell that struck the three warriors square while causing the Thalmor wizard to raise his own ward to protect himself and the other two warriors who were with him. Jenassa and Delphine didn’t waste any time firing arrow after arrow into the ward, while Lydia and Benor charged the three disoriented warriors in the line. Lydia’s Nordic sword pierced the neck of one of the elves while Benor’s axe almost split the one next to him in two. The third elf got up quickly and raised his shield in time to deflect Lydia swift thrust. He countered quickly but his sword only found Lydia’s shield.“FALL BACK!” Marcurio yelled like such a seasoned warrior that they both quickly back stepped away from the elven swordsman who also backed away towards the line being formed by his two remaining comrades in front of Rulindil. Rulindil unleashed another fireball which struck Marcurio’s ward, this time though his ward didn’t absorb all of it and he was knocked back with the sleeves of his robes now on fire. Lydia moved in front of him and readied her shield for the next one. Benor made Marcurio roll around behind her to tamp out the flames while Jenassa and Delphine once again started to use their bows which forced the line of elven warriors to use their shields to defend their wizard. “He’s more powerful than me but I bet he’s almost as drained as I am, we need to charge them now.” He pulled an imperial short sword and shield, looked over to his comrades and nodded to Lydia and Benor.Jenassa used this opportunity to move to a new position where she finally got a clean shot at one of the unsuspecting swordsmen. The arrow struck him in the eye and dropped him instantly. “I could kiss you.” Benor yelled as he, Marcurio and Lydia charged the remaining two. Delphine had also put away her bow and charged the remaining elves.Jenassa watched in horror as Rulindil let loose with what had to be his last fireball. There was no ward to stop this one which hit Marcurio’s shield square and exploded with devastating effect. His own men were affected as well as the force of the explosion knocked them off their feet. Jenassa watched as all three of her comrades were engulfed in flames and rolling around the ground in a desperate attempt to put the flames. She took advantage of the two elves being down as she took two extremely quick shots that struck Rulindil in the head and mouth. He dropped instantly and she quickly drew her two imperial swords.Delphine reached the two elves before they could get their bearings and plunged her Nordic blade into both before they had a chance to respond. She then turned around to help the three now smoldering comrades who were very badly burned. This was not a good place to be for their ominous state of health. Jenassa soon joined her and started to administer the three bottles of healing elixirs she’d bought for this trek. Lydia seemed to be the least injured of the three, her full set of armor had absorbed much of the power of that fireball. Marcurio’s robes and Benor’s armor left much exposed flesh which was now a sickening charred color. Marcurio’s robes had basically disintegrated and if not for his shield he would’ve died instantly, Benor’s arms and face were also burned very badly. The healing potion actually helped Lydia the most as she immediately stood up and started to assist both of her comrades as they tried to help Benor and Marcurio. Jenassa then caught the slight sliver of movement coming from the downed Thalmor Wizard. She moved like a powerful cat as she pounced on top of the wizard’s back. “Wait! Wait!” Her two swords pierced the wizard’s spine, ending his begging and struggling at the same time. She actually wasn’t surprised that he was still alive. Many wizards used some kind of skin hardening spells and this one was an exceptionally powerful wizard. She turned his now lifeless face and saw that there were no arrows protruding from his skull. They were deflected by his hardened skin, but they must’ve hit him with enough force to knock him out for a moment. She began to pilfer everything he and his comrades had on their persons. She was thankful to see that this wizard had quite a supply of magicka potions. These could help Marcurio along with the healing potions she took from the five dead eleven warriors. With these supplies, Marcurio might be able to fully recover and use his healing magic to help Lydia fully and get Benor to the point that he could be moved. Marcurio’s robes were in tatters and his shield was completely destroyed. Lydia’s armor faired quite well with only scorch marks as evidence of the devastating attack. “Maybe now you’ll listen and get a full set!” Lydia angrily addressed Benor as she and Marcurio put his arms over their shoulders and helped him walk back towards the underground Inn called the Ragged Flagon. His laugh was weak, but it actually made her smile a bit. There were still some pretty nasty burns on his arms and neck, but he seemed to be in good spirits.Jenassa couldn’t take her eyes off Marcurio’s beautifully sculpted body underneath his completely tattered robes. She started to take the Thalmor Robes off the elven wizard who almost killed them. “Jenassa…” Delphine called her and got her attention. “You were incredible… I think you saved our lives.”She finally got the robes off the dead Altmer wizard and started to walk towards the three line mates. “I didn’t think we would come out of this unscathed.” She took Benor’s arm from Marcurio and put it around her shoulder while simultaneously giving him the robes. “Besides, I think Marcurio here had a pretty big hand in winning this fight... actually we all did our part in this victory.”“Yes… yes we did.” She smiled. “If not for you and Marcurio, we would’ve been killed.” Lydia didn’t hesitate to add her opinion. “I’ve never seen a mage fight like you… with the exception of my Thane.”“That Thalmor wizard was as powerful a mage as I’ve ever seen.” Marcurio mentioned. “I couldn’t match his power, but I knew that if we could get close enough, any powerful spell he cast would affect his own warriors as well.”“That was brilliant.” Jenassa sounded like a love struck puppy and they all caught her expression.Marcurio smiled at the attractive and dangerous Dunmer. “Thank you my lady, I thought so as well until I felt the fire consume me and my comrades.” He added jokingly as he followed the three back to the Flagon.“We need to find Esbern.” Delphine announced with some seriousness. “Before the Thalmor send more agents.”“Go. I can wait here.” Benor stopped as he struggled to stay standing even with his comrade’s support.“I’ll stay with him.” Lydia immediately volunteered. “Good hunting.”Delphine, Jenassa and Marcurio continued down the tunnels in search of the ever illusive Esbern. It took a couple of hours, but they returned with the old Blade. Esbern administered a healing vial to Benor and that finally put him in a state that allowed him to walk somewhat on his own.They slowly made their way through the Ratway looking quite haggard, dirty, smelly, and completely beat-up. They finally exited the more dangerous part of the sewers and ended up in the dark and seedy Ragged Flagon. Most of the riffraff denizens gave them a wide berth because as bad as they looked, they also looked extremely dangerous. “I hope you were worth the effort, old man.” Jenassa mentioned as she finally put away her swords.“Watch your mouth Jenassa!” Delphine didn’t take kindly to Jenassa’s harsh insinuation. “Esbern is the foremost expert on the history of the Blades and the dragon wars of old.”“We almost lost Freyanna, Lydia, Benor, and Marcurio in this little trek to find him!” Jenassa didn’t back down. “He better be worth it!”“I’m standing right here lass.” Esbern stepped in front of her with a defiant eye. “Don’t speak of me like I’m not here.” Her glare didn’t waver. “If you’ve an issue with me, then let’s settle it now.” Jenassa maintained her glare for a moment more and then smiled at the old Blade.“No issues…” She broke her glare and walked around him. “Yet.” Delphine was a little torn as she really couldn’t argue Jenassa’s reasoning. Jenassa had performed nothing short of spectacular against a formidable Thalmor unit, Marcurio as well. “A round of drinks! On me!” Jenassa announced to everyone in the dark and musty bar. “Did I ever tell you that I love you?” Benor managed to say softly, but not softly enough as everyone heard it.“Me too.” Lydia took a seat next to her big and still not all there comrade. Jenassa smiled at the two Nords whom she’d come to adore. Marcurio accompanied Jenassa to help her retrieve their share of the round. “Did anyone ever tell you that you’re an amazing woman?”“Once or twice.” She answered with a coquettish grin. She caught the gleam in his eye as he smiled back at her. “You’re not so bad yourself.”“So you found the crazy old coot, huh?” A tall, solidly built Blonde Nord in well-worn leather armor commented as he took one of the large mugs of ale from the bar. “What happened to the Elven soldiers that came through here?”“Let’s just say, they won’t be coming back through here anymore.” She took a long pull of her glass of wine. Her eyes locked on Marcurio for a second and she motioned for him to look over to Benor and Lydia. Lydia was softly tending the burns on the giant Nord’s arm with some soaked towels. They also noticed a dark robed Bosmer sit with them and start to speak. Lydia immediately reached for her coin purse and handed it to the Bosmer. The Bosmer put away the coins in her robe and began to cast healing magic onto Benor’s burned arms and face until he was finally fully healed. Lydia thanked the mysteriously robed Bosmer who took her leave of them. Marcurio turned back to Jenassa with a smile. “They’d have some pretty gigantic children if they ever decided to follow through on their feelings.”“That they would.” Jenassa downed her wine and motioned to the bartender to refill her glass.“That was a pretty formidable looking group.” The tall Nord was still there. “It explains your little group’s haggard appearance.”She could almost feel that he was probing. She made sure he knew that they weren’t to be trifled with. “If they looked formidable, what’s that say about us?” Jenassa gave him an evil looking grin.“Point taken lass.” He chuckled. “Thanks for the drink.” He made his way to a table that was obviously filled with his own comrades. “We should go check on your friend.” Marcurio mentioned to her and she nodded.“Let’s go.” Jenassa downed her second glass in a very un-lady like manner. They all finished their drinks and made their way out of the Flagon and then out of the Ratway. ********************** Riften Stables Brelas stood outside Hofgrir’s home with the three formerly injured Stormcloak soldiers and their other comrades. Ralof had bought several healing potions in town and made sure they’d fully recovered. The men insisted standing guard with Brelas and Hofgrir saying they would not allow anyone to harm the Dragonborn. Brelas never imagined that her life would’ve ever involved any of these types of people. “Having your lives saved by the very people you were taught to loathe must really be confusing eh lads?” Hofgrir mentioned as he cleaned out one the horses hooves that he boarded at his stable. “None of us believe that.” One of them countered. “But, we can’t speak for everyone else.”“It’s good to be wrong sometimes.” Brelas added with some confidence. They all turned to her. “I was taught that all the Stormcloaks were racists, it’s good to know that’s not true.”“We owe her and the Dunmer our lives.” He mentioned. “They are what all true sons and daughters of Skyrim should aspire to be like.”“You do owe me.” Came a distinctly female voice from the direction of the town gate. They all turned to see who it was.“JENASSA!” Brelas shouted with joy. As she eagerly made her way to her she saw that they had all made it back out. They all looked like they’d been in one hell of a fight, but they seemed to be healthy. She embraced her Dunmer sister and noticed that they had a couple of extra persons with them. “I thought the person we were looking for was an old human?” She mentioned as she looked right at Marcurio.“Marcurio, pleasure to make your acquaintance my lady.” The handsome Imperial gently took her hand and kissed it.“Likewise.” Brelas’ shy response made Marcurio smile.“We did find him, Esbern, this is Brelas, she’s a savant with the bow and will no doubt surpass my skill in the near future.” Jenassa introduced him. “Freyanna is inside with Ralof. We should probably tell her that your mission was a success.” Brelas looked quite happy which actually put a smile on Jenassa’s face. “Really?” Jenassa sounded quite surprised. “You left her alone with him?” Brelas smiled back at her Dunmer sister. “Afraid we’ll have a couple of little Altmer/Nordic hybrids?” Jenassa let out quite the chuckle at the incredibly crass comment. She never imagined that Brelas would fare so well in this life, but she was wrong. Brelas’ skill with the bow was improving at an incredible pace and she seemed to actually accept the shitty hand that life had dealt her. Jenassa eyes proudly scanned over their little private army and she grinned. Their little group was starting to become more formidable by the day. They now had two powerful mages, three excellent archers, two of which were also experienced scouts and swordsmen and not to mention their two shock troops Benor and Lydia. Ralof watched her sleep as he sat in a chair next to the bed Hofgrir had given up for her. She’d almost died trying to save him and if not for that court wizard, she wouldn’t be alive. The color had returned to her skin and even in her unkempt state, she was still more beautiful than any woman he’d ever seen, elf or human. Freyanna Elsonire, why would you do such a stupid thing? He couldn’t wrap his head around the thought that she was ready to die so that he could live. She couldn’t be the one Hjornskar talked about. Naarifin’s elite… His train of thought was disturbed by a luxurious moan leaving her lips as she turned to lay on her side facing him while still sleeping. He noticed that the sheet covering her had slipped a few inches down and revealed a slight bit of her champagne cup sized breast to him. He could feel his cheeks start to burn as he stood up and gently pulled the sheet back over her shoulder. When he sat back down he was almost shocked to see those beautiful silver pearls open and gazing at him. “Ralof?” She quietly mentioned as she reached out to touch his face. “Losei Lahney.” She whispered softly as she gently caressed his face almost as if she didn’t believe he could be real. The words were strange but he found himself leaning into and basking in the feel of her flesh on his. Her hand was so warm, so welcoming, so not what he saw at Helgen. These were the same hands that were as deadly as he’d ever seen. The words felt completely natural as she spoke them and they seemed to puzzle her Nordic friend. He didn’t understand what she said, but it still didn’t change the fact that he was still somewhat upset with her. “You gave all of us quite the scare, why would you do something so reckless?!” His eyes told her that he really cared for her. He huffed as he reluctantly pulled away from her touch. “Reckless?” She looked at him with nothing but affection. “Maybe if you weren’t so reckless yourself, I wouldn’t have to be.” Her eyes never left his and her genuine happiness did not go unnoticed. He couldn’t understand why she’d risk so much for him. He couldn’t understand that she felt so appreciative of him and would never be able to repay him for his spontaneous act. In one moment of kindness, he and his family had completely changed her feelings on not only the Nordic people, but all people. She spent her entire life in the service of a government that oppressed others, looked down on others, and wouldn’t hesitate to destroy anyone who didn’t fit in their plan. She started to think about her past and what if Elenwen and the Dominion had just accepted her rather than reject her. The thoughts of what she could’ve done to Ralof and his family suddenly ate at her conscience. She would’ve destroyed him and his family without a second thought.He saw the change in her demeanor immediately as she sat up and turned to look away from him. “What is it?” There it was again, his concern for her. She could hear it in his worried tone.“Zu’u Lo Wah Hi.” Her thoughts were starting to come in the dragon tongue, it felt natural, but all it did was perplex him. “I lied to you.” She repeated.“About what?” His demeanor was pretty relaxed as she sat there holding the bed sheet over her chest.“When you asked me, ‘what brought me to Skyrim.’” Her stomach started to twist into knots as she knew there was no turning back now.“You said you wanted to be as far away from the isles as possible because you destroyed one of your counselor’s homes.” All these months later and he remembered what she’d said to him.He noticed that she wasn’t looking at him as she spoke. There was shame in her posture, like she’d done something wrong? “I was sent here…” She turned once again to look at him and was overcome with emotion as she spoke. “I… I… used to be…”He pondered all of the things that she could possibly reveal and could only come to the conclusion of one single thing. “Thalmor.” The word coming from his mouth was like a blade slowly being inserted into her heart. It left her breathless and unable to speak. All she could do was nod as tears started to trickle down her cheeks. He smiled gently at her. As much as he wanted to be angry, he couldn’t be. Both the Empire and Thalmor wanted her dead. Helgen proved that. Her attack on the Thalmor Embassy solidified his feelings that she would fight them to the death. He gently took a hold of her shoulders and looked into her tear filled eyes. “So what?”She turned her face away from him. “You should hate me.” His rough and calloused hand gently cupped her chin and turned her face back towards him.“No Freyanna, I shouldn’t.” His eyes were so gentle and understanding. “You’ve saved my life twice. You saved Jarl Ulfric’s life. You fought your own people and crippled their operations in my homeland. Tell me again, why I should hate you?”“I’ve done terrible things that I need to atone for.” She answered almost immediately. “I’ve been responsible for separating children from their families, for destroying individuals and their families just because of their beliefs.” Again she looked away. “Before Helgen, I would’ve done the same to you and yours.” The thought of Frodnar losing his mother, uncle and father to that ridiculous White Gold Concordant was unbearable. “You and Hod would’ve fought me…” The thought of killing him was too much as the tears were flowing in a steady stream. “I… I would’ve killed you.”Again he gently turned her head to him. “And now?” His gentle smile made her feel better than she deserved.The tears were still trickling, but a sense of angry determination flowed through her glare at him. “Zu’u Fen Kriist Wah Pah Do Taazokaan Fa Hi Ahrk Hin.” The words were strange and he couldn’t understand them, but he saw her expression and sensed her tone. She caught his puzzled look and she herself wondered why she was not only speaking in the dragon tongue, but thinking as well. “I’d stand against all of Tamriel for you and yours.”As he looked into those mesmerizing silver pools he felt himself imagine what it would be like to kiss those beautifully plump lips. “See, now tell me again why I should hate you?” He casted an eye over the features of her face and noticed the slight freckles that dotted the nose and cheeks of this golden skinned goddess. They made her look much younger than she was, she was so stunningly beautiful.In this land filled with so many enemies, this man made her feel better than she should. “I…” His eyes had a familiar look to them. The hunger was evident, but unlike most, she welcomed it. “Thank you.” She felt herself leaning slowly forward towards him and he in turn began to almost imperceptibly lean towards her as well. Her lips opened slightly as her eyes closed at the expected and welcomed collision of flesh.“It’s about damn time!” Jenassa’s voice was unmistakable as it ripped both of them from the blissful thoughts they were sharing. Freyanna looked over to the door and saw Jenassa, Brelas, Lydia, and Benor storm into the room. They all stood around her as Ralof got up to take his leave. Ralof felt her hand grab a hold of his and the loving gaze she had for him took his breath away. “Don’t leave.” She pleaded and he could do nothing but smile. “I have to get back to Windhelm.” He explained gently. “I have to tell Ulfric what happened here.”Jenassa smiled at the fearsome Altmer. She looked more like a love struck school girl than the deadly and powerful Dragonborn. “Does it have to be you?” Jenassa asked him and it caught him completely by surprise. His good natured chuckle didn’t affect their expectant look. “I’m the highest ranking Stormcloak here. I can’t abandon my brothers and sisters on the road back.” He could see that Freyanna was disappointed, but she had to understand that he couldn’t shirk his duties. Too many depended on him and he wouldn’t let them down.“Ralof…” She muttered as she stood, wrapping the sheets around her body. He stopped to turn and pay attention as she walked to within an inch of him. Those eyes could see into his soul, he just felt it. “If you die, I’m going to be very angry.” He nodded meekly and was rewarded with a passionate collision of lips. They were better than anything he could’ve imagined, so warm and soft to the touch. He doubted that even Sovengarde would ever be as rewarding as this. She pulled back and adjusted the sheets back up so they wouldn’t fall off of her naked body.“I swear I won’t.” Ralof’s determined promise was as breathy as it was unrealistic, but he would do his damnedest to keep it. He pulled her into a powerful embrace which she reciprocated. She didn’t want to let him go.They both looked around the room and there were nothing but smiles on everyone’s faces. Even Lydia was watching her with a much less protective gaze. It struck her quite hard that not one of them was judging her or Ralof. Her mother would’ve been livid that she’d even consider a union with one that she should consider beneath her station. Altmer society was notoriously arrogant and opinionated about who coupled with whom. No one in the Dominion would ever tell her she couldn’t be with who she wanted. “Everybody out!” She yelled suddenly to everyone’s surprise. “Did I stutter? I said out!”Ralof was about to leave with the rest, but Freyanna wouldn’t let him. Jenassa was the last to leave and she had the biggest grin on her face as she looked back at them and closed the door. “Freyanna, what are you doing?” The sheets that once wrapped around her body dropped to the floor leaving her glorious body naked for him to almost lose his mind to. His mind just watched this Elven Goddess as she started to put on her gear.She looked up at him as she clasped her bra. “All my life I’ve been told what to do, no longer.” His heart started to slow and he calmed down as she donned her cuirass and armored skirt. “We’re going to Windhelm with you.” His eyes lit up at the surprise announcement. “Are you sure? Your friends might have other plans.” Ralof countered as he watched her clasp her elven gauntlets. “I’m the leader of this band and besides I know that a dragon wiped out Kynesgrove. I’ll not allow that creature free reign of that area.” She responded. “I’ll not leave until it is dead.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Ratway Freyanna had wanted to see the elves that had tried to get to Esbern, there were six Thalmor and one human sympathizer. Gods! What a horrible place to die. She thought to herself as the smell and atrocious humidity of the sewers almost overwhelmed her senses. Jenassa had led the way and scouted ahead of the main group while Freyanna’s Aura Whisper shout made sure there were no surprises. The bodies of her former brethren were still exactly where they were killed. Skeevers scurried away at their approach, already starting to make a meal of the fallen Elves and Human. The numerous signs of battle on both the bodies and stonework painted the picture of one hell of a fight. Her heart stopped when she saw one of the Elves’ face. He was instantly recognizable to her. He was a very powerful mage and she knew him as the third Emissary of the Dominion’s delegation in Skyrim. She sent Rulindil… She turned to look at her group and couldn’t believe they’d survived. Elenwen must’ve really wanted this Esbern. She wouldn’t have sent such a high ranking member of her delegation if she didn’t. Freyanna was now absolutely sure the entire command staff of the Embassy was completely in cahoots with those trying to kill her in Alinor. I should’ve killed them all. Her thoughts raced back to the Embassy as she let out a slightly frustrated huff.She remembered Rulindil when she was growing up on the Isles. Mom didn’t like him much. She examined the two vicious wounds on his back and spine. Jenassa. She smiled at the thought of her deadly Dunmer sister. She always said that he was too political for her taste.She closely examined the so called Elven warriors and couldn’t help but start to get angry. They were all so fresh faced and young. It seemed that her annihilation of the Embassy’s defensive forces was pretty thorough. They would’ve never sent such a green looking bunch on such an important mission unless they were desperate. She examined one of the dead youngster’s hands and noticed that they weren’t calloused at all. They’re not even warriors. Rulindil was Elenwen’s last hope to make sure that at least they had a chance in successfully finding and capturing Esbern. “He was as powerful an adversary as I’ve ever faced.” Marcurio, now in his own freshly bought golden and black robes, admitted to her. “Who is he?”“This would’ve been one of my bosses if they didn’t betray me.” She responded to him. “This is the third Emissary of the Thalmor Delegation to Skyrim.” “Third Emissary?” Jenassa asked.“Ambassador Elenwen is First Emissary, Ondolemar is the Second and Rulindil here was the Third highest ranking Thalmor in Skyrim.” Freyanna could see their looks of surprise as she explained the significance of their victory. “You did well to survive let alone defeat him.” She responded as she lifted him and put him over her shoulder. “He must’ve thought he could get in and out of Riften without battle.” She turned to look at the rest of the group. “Pick a body and follow me.” Benor was strong enough to shoulder two of the warriors while everyone else took one. “I’ll not let them rot here.”“They would’ve let us rot.” Jenassa let out a frustrated response as she shouldered one of the female warriors.“I agree.” Delphine added her opinion as she and Esbern took a hold of the one human body amongst the mostly Elven unit.“If it was just Rulindil I’d agree, but these youngsters aren’t even warriors and they had the courage to face a unit of finely trained killers. Their bodies deserve an honorable burial.” She countered with a feeling of obligation.“You’re way too forgiving of their part in trying to kill us.” Delphine mentioned with some venom.“I WAS ONE OF THEM!” Freyanna yelled right back with such anger that it shut Delphine up immediately. “If they had sent real warriors with Rulindil, I probably would’ve lost quite a few of you if not all of you.”“Which means they were desperate to capture Esbern.” Jenassa ascertained. “They sent these recruits…”“They’re not even recruits, they were fodder!” Freyanna’s anger was boiling over. “Elenwen sent them so that Rulindil could use them as living shields in case things got bad.”“Hey lass…” Benor slowed his step to walk beside her. “They fought well and died a good death.” He admitted to her. “It would be my heartfelt honor to learn how we should treat their bodies.”Benor always seemed to know what to say to her. “Such a waste.” Freyanna calmed down as she nodded at his magnanimous offer. “We’re going to need a cart to put their bodies.” Benor seemed to have the most soothing effect on her. His empathy was something that she’d never expected from someone so keen on fighting all the time.They made their way through the dark and dank tunnels until they finally entered the large hall-like cistern called the Ragged Flagon. “Yeah, you can keep on walking.” They all heard a distinctly female voice order them with a threatening tone as they were walking by. Freyanna and Jenassa stopped and turned to see a blonde human woman in beautiful black leather armor standing at the side of one of the tables while caressing the handle of her dagger. “I said keep moving.” She repeated.Freyanna unceremoniously dropped Rulindil’s body and motioned for the rest of the group to keep moving towards the exit. “Go, I’ll be with you in a second.” Jenassa, Benor and Lydia looked at her with some defiance. “I’ll be fine, go.” They all reluctantly continued their trek out of the Ragged Flagon. “Don’t do anything stupid.” Jenassa mentioned as she reluctantly walked toward the exit and the comment actually made Freyanna smile mischievously.“I promise.” She countered with much affection for her Dark Elven sister.She walked away from Rulindil’s corpse, never breaking eye contact with the threatening blonde and stepped up to the bar. “Did I stutter?” The young blonde mentioned as she moved in a menacing fashion towards her with a tight grip on her dagger. Freyanna could feel her anxiousness as she probably wasn’t used to someone not doing what she said while on her home ground.“I heard you.” She completely ignored the woman as she motioned for the bartender to approach her. “I’ll have a glass of wine, please.” She gave the bartender her most brilliantly exaggerated smile.“You must be daft. You’re not welcome here.” Now the bartender was hostile as well as he leaned towards her without the drink she ordered. She smiled as she quickly snatched a bottle from the bar to his immediate surprise. She turned her back to him and faced out towards the rest of this shady group. She took a long pull from the bottle and set it down on the bar.“I’ll leave, when you tell me why any of you would cooperate with the Thalmor.” That statement seemed to have gotten their attention as they all paused in silence. She motioned to the dead body of Rulindil. “You let him enter to find the old man.” She noticed that there was now a slight tension amongst this group of obvious criminals. Her fully armored presence was having the desired effect on them. Rulindil was smart in bringing his formidable looking group through here. They couldn’t have known how green his companions were and he was banking on it. Now they were looking at another intimidating looking Altmer in full Elven Armor. “Someone pointed him in the direction of where to search.”“What are you talking about lass?” Brynjolf came to the fore followed by an intimidating brown haired human in full leather armor. “We don’t want any troub…”Brynjolf’s statement was cut short. “What’s it to you if we did help them?” The intimidating brown haired Breton stepped in front of Brynjolf and Freyanna could feel the rest of the group get up from their seats and begin to position themselves for a fight. It actually put a small smirk on her lips.“They are my sworn enemies, the friend of my enemy is also my enemy.” She responded with genuine malice as she stepped away from the bar and looked the brown haired man in the eye. “How’s that for, what’s it to me?” Out of the corner of her eye she could see the young blonde lining up a sneak attack, as well as the bartender. “TIID KLO UI!” Time slowed to almost a standstill for her as she quickly jumped into action and made her way around the substantial room taking their weapons from them. They had absolutely no chance to stop her. To this group of thieves she moved at a speed that could only be described as a blur and to them it seemed that she didn’t move at all because once the shout’s effect ended she was still standing in the same spot. All of them noticed that their weapons had been taken from them and only then did they realize what had just happened. Their eyes all drifted to Freyanna’s feet who was still standing in the exact same spot only now there were numerous recognizable weapons, coin purses and jewelry pieces laying there. They could also see the small flames emanating from her hands in a threatening show of her power.“What the?” It seemed that this extremely formidable Altmer had somehow disarmed them all. The effect was the same on all of them as they searched themselves in complete frustration. Her amused expression made her infinitely more frightening than the Thalmor and even her own formidable group of friends who had killed them.“If I wanted you all dead, you’d be dead.” Freyanna’s claim did not sound like an idle boast nor was it taken that way by anyone in the room. “Take this as your only warning…” She walked back over to Rulindil’s body, hoisted him over her shoulder with surprisingly little effort and turned to face the stunned group of criminals. “You help the Thalmor…” She paused for effect and glared directly at Mercer. “I will find you… you will beg me to kill you.” “Your companions were a lot friendlier and grateful than you.” Brynjolf mentioned to her and it actually caused her smile somewhat.“They and your healer are the only reason you’re still alive.” She turned and walked calmly past a very confused Dirge and finally out of the cistern. They could all see that she had a confidence born not from some false bravado, but from a tangible and bloody experience in mortal combat.Brynjolf smiled at their good fortune as he watched the tall and supremely deadly Altmer leave their hideout. Mercer Frey wasn’t nearly as amused as he sorted through the assortment of weapons and other possessions on the floor until he found what he was looking for. He picked up his beautiful dwarven dagger and sheathed back in its scabbard on his hip. “We’re lucky to be alive.” Vex mentioned with some immediate misgivings about how she treated such a deadly person. “I’ve never felt so helpless… not since I was a child.”“Hopefully that’s the last we’ll see of her and her companions.” Mercer mentioned as he went to the bar, grabbed a glass full of wine and downed it in one fell swoop.“I hope not.” Brynjolf whispered to himself while replaying everything that had happened in the last couple of days. “What’s that?” Mercer looked over to him with some curiosity.“If she could teach us that trick, who’d ever be able to stop us from taking anything we wanted?” Mercer listened and actually nodded in affirmation. “That’s… if she didn’t kill us first.”“The latter is probably more likely.” Vex mentioned as she gathered her things from the pile with the rest of her comrades. ********************** Thalmor Mission, Solitude Elenwen paced back and forth in her office. He should’ve returned by now. She exuded an uncertain and worried air, her usual confidence and bravado was completely absent. With the exception of Ondolemar, Rulindil was the most powerful battlemage that she knew, surely he could succeed where everyone else failed. The queen and council will have my head for this, I should’ve never listened to those fools. She’s going to be the death of our movement here. “Ambassador?” She heard from outside her door and waited. “Ambassador, are you here?” The youthful face of one of her Bosmer servants peered through the door.“Yes Lanea, what is it?” She answered as she sat down at her desk and Lanea entered her office.“Two missives, one from… oh my… Queen Ayrenn. The other from the Jarl of Riften has come for you.” She handed Elenwen both of the sealed parchments and walked back out.She wasn’t very anxious to open the Queen’s correspondence. The Queen… maybe she recognizes the tenuous situation here. It almost always meant that the person in charge was being sacked or worse.
My Dearest Elenwen,
I owe you some answers don’t I? First of all, under the punishment of death for disobedience, I am ordering you not to share this information with anyone as it is extremely dangerous to us all. The fact that an Elsonire is Dragonborn is of no surprise to many of us here in Alinor. The Elsonire family line is as ancient and mysterious as any of the old lines. They have claimed it stretches back to the time when the Aldmeri were exploring Tamriel. This fact has, for a very long time, made their line extremely attractive for arranged pairings of noble stature. That was until Talania Elsonire was found to have both Orcish and Nordic characteristics that could not be explained. Needless to say, her body was brought back to Alinor soon after the war and was examined in great detail. Her dense musculature is more akin to the Orsimer and her large and dense bone structure was strikingly similar to the Nordic peoples. Her defenders have said that the examination of Talania yielded nothing of significance and that this was only a plot to keep the young Freyanna from rising in the Thalmor order. Freyanna was on a meteoric rise within our order and this discovery did derail her aspirations somewhat. Not to mention her outright betrayal once she reached Skyrim.
More research by our court scholars have yielded more, but most of it, thanks to the Elsonire propensity for destroying their research, is not conclusive. Our scholars have theorized that the ancient Elsonires had much practice in interbreeding with the lesser races during the Merethic Era and had become masters in taking the best from each race and incorporating it into their own line. Because of this, their line has produced some of the finest warriors and mages we’ve ever seen and somehow, impossibly so, still maintained their Aldmeri purity. As I said before, it is not known for sure, nor how they did it as they kept their research very secretive and when most of them spread out across Tamriel, they either destroyed or took their secrets with them. Those that stayed behind are what remains of the “pure” Elsonire line with Freyanna being the last. Their line seems to be almost pure, but one distinct characteristic of their line is never seen in any other Altmer or Mer period. Some may possess silver colored eyes, but the Elsonire’s pure metallic silver color has never been seen in any of the other races, mer, man, or beast.
While all this information in and of itself is not reason enough to be rid of her, this next bit of information is. It was recently discovered that during the Septim ascendancy and conquest of our Islands and the continent, Queen Barenziah’s aborted fetus was somehow obtained by none other than Sarulas Elsonire. It’s not known for certain how nor why he took possession of the dead child, but being a supreme researcher and practitioner of ancient conjuration and restoration magics we’ve theorized that he incorporated the blood of not only a Septim, but of Talos himself into his family’s line. It is only a theory and we cannot prove it nor can we disprove it, but I don’t need to tell you what the possibility of Freyanna Elsonire carrying the Talos blood line within her means to us all. The Talania problem took care of itself, it is now our turn to take care of the Freyanna problem. I’m confident you’ll perform your duty and to help you with that, I have ordered my personal Battlereaves Cyreron Khraemor and Lilandron Granihle to assist you. With their help you, Rulinidil, and Ondolemar should have little trouble taking care of this problem. They should be arriving shortly after this missive reaches you. Failure is no longer an option.
High Queen Ayrenn Amara Aldmeri II
This was an astounding discovery and if true it would put an Elsonire in direct line for the throne of not only the Empire, but of Morrowind as well. At least she answered the question as to why she and the counselors want her dead.“Lanea, could you come in here please.” Elenwen felt a bit more at ease knowing that the Queen was taking this situation seriously.“Yes, ambassador?” Lanea asked dutifully.“We’ll be receiving two guests in the next day or so. They are Battlereaves Khraemor and Granihle. No expense is to be spared for their reception. Make sure everything is set up for their arrival.” “Yes Ambassador, anything else?”Elenwen shook her head as she picked up the next piece of correspondence. “No, that is all. Thank you Lanea.” She looked at the missive and to her puzzlement, it was from Laila Law Giver, the Jarl of Riften. What would that Stormcloak loving sod want from me? Could she have discovered Rulindil’s little recon band? She gently pulled the sealed parchment apart and was immediately surprised. This wasn’t from Laila at all. First Emissary Elenwen,
It should come as no surprise that you failed once more in your efforts to make me disappear. Mother told me you weren’t much of a tactician when it comes to field work. I am and always will be one step ahead of you. Rulindil and his cohorts fought bravely, but my soldiers were more than up to the task of retrieving what I needed. Your people’s bodies should arrive soon after this missive so that you can provide them with a proper burial. But, I digress. The real reason I’m even bothering to write you is to advise you that it would be in yours and the Dominion’s best interests to abandon your efforts to divide the people of Skyrim. It belongs to all the people who make it their home which now includes me. Know that I will do everything in my power to make it so you and your Imperial dogs are ousted from MY land. I will only give you this solitary warning after which I will just have every Thalmor representative that my people and I encounter executed on the spot. This also includes all Imperial forces assisting them as well.
I know my words will probably ring hollow and fall on deaf ears. I am quite certain that you and your handlers will most likely receive reinforcements from the Isles to combat my growing little movement here. I’m sure they’ll be just as capable if not more so than Rulindil and the rest of those poor whelps you sent against my seasoned unit. Rest assured that it will not matter one bit to me and my people. I only ask you leave for the sake of those poor souls you will send against us because you, the Queen, and the rest of the skeevers in Alinor are too cowardly to come for me yourselves. As I stated before, if you do not heed this warning, I will unleash my fury on you and all representatives of the Dominion and Empire.
I don’t know what my future holds, but I do know one thing, you and the rest of that traitorous lot will never be able to pretend that you don’t know who I am ever again.
Freyanna Elsonire
Ps. I have sent this exact letter to General Tulius in case you two wish to collude on how to best handle me.
Elenwen didn’t realize how inappropriately amused she was as she read the missive. She should be terrified that Freyanna seemed to have acquired allies… capable and deadly allies. She’d destroyed their embassy, killed all of her most capable agents save Ondolemar and his core group of Justiciars. She buried her face into her hands and rubbed her temples as she chuckled to herself. This was a mistake… I should’ve listened to Rulindil. She was saddened somewhat at the loss of her most capable operative and dare she say, friend. None of them have witnessed her power. He’d been quite the proponent of not following through with the orders from those counselors who wanted Freyanna dead. Did the Queen even know that it was the Thalmor who betrayed Freyanna and not the other way around? How could she say no? How could she defy those who had the Queen’s ear? She had to know. It was time to call Ondolemar and his Justiciars back from Markarth. She’d need him here to plan their next actions. With the Battlereaves and the promised transfer of a platoon of Battlemages and a company of warriors, she felt much better about her chances of success. She quickly put quill to parchment and wrote out her new orders to Ondolemar. “Lanea.” She called out calmly as the wood elf entered the office. “Get our fastest courier and get this to Ondolemar in Markarth.” Lanea took the sealed missive and quickly made her way out closing the door behind her. Tulius is going to shit when he gets that letter. The thought actually made her smile.She sat back in her chair contemplating her future actions concerning this matter. Freyanna was more formidable than she could’ve ever imagined. Her training and power put her on par with some of the greatest figures in history. She was gathering an army. She didn’t even try to keep that a secret. She was angry with the Dominion and Empire for their role in trying to kill her. The feeling of dread she felt coursing through her entire body actually began to build, almost as if she felt her days on this world were now numbered. If the Embassy is anything to go by, she’s more than capable of taking the battle to us and if... She started to rub her temples again. Word gets out that she’s leading an army against the Dominion… she’ll have a steady stream of dissident recruits fighting and dying to try and join her.“Ambassador?” Lanea called out from her desk outside her office.“What is it Lanea?” She responded with an obviously tired voice.“General Tullius is here to see you.” She could tell that Lanea was nervous in the presence of the old Imperial General.“Send him in.” She responded.He entered and closed the door behind him as he tossed a parchment on her desk. “Will you tell me everything now?” He asked her and she nodded.“She’s the deadliest of my people. A Battlemage of such power and skill the likes of which none in the Dominion has ever seen.” Elenwen started to explain. “She’s an Elsonire, whose family line can be traced back thousands of years to the Aldmeri that explored Tamriel.” “What?” This wasn’t a relevant revelation, but he entertained the path of the conversation. “So her family line can be traced that far back? So what, I hear you High Elves are pretty meticulous with the records you keep on your family lines.” Tullius commented knowingly.“They’re a very proud family but there is a rumor that has passed around the nobility on the Isles for centuries.” She started to explain. “It’s said that the Elsonire line is contaminated with both Human and Orsimer blood.” She watched as he took it all in. “That in and of itself should make her family line impure and not eligible for noble status.” She huffed as Tullius continued to watch her sternly. “So why kill her? How is she a threat?” He asked her.“I’m getting to that part.” She chided him. “My people wished it had only been Orcish and Nordic blood in the Elsonire line because the other more disturbing rumor has their family line as the secret love child descendants of High Queen Ayrenn Amara Aldmeri, the founder of the First Aldmeri Dominion.” Tullius actually took a seat at that revelation. The lie was perfect and it explained why she was a target of elimination. Elenwen felt that she had Tullius’ understanding, but she could also see his anger seething underneath. “Now do you understand why she’s dangerous?”Tullius seemed to be dumbfounded. If true, this revelation made her a contender for the throne of the Aldmeri Dominion. “It certainly explains her anger towards you and the ones she believed were her allies.” He sat back in the chair.“I know she wasn’t on the list to be executed.” Elenwen looked him in the eye. “You didn’t even know who she was and yet you were going to kill her anyway… Why?”“I deferred to my Captain…” Tullius actually shook his head with some regret. “A mistake I will never make again.” He looked over to her and his glare was purposeful and intense. “I made the empire an enemy that day and I didn’t need to.” He looked somewhat frustrated. “Why did you pretend not to know her?”“She’d already killed several assassins on the Isles and to see her bounded and headed to the headsman’s block was priceless. Why waste such a wonderful opportunity to rid Tamriel of her by announcing that she was with me and risk you not getting rid of her for me.” She tried to make light of her attempt on Freyanna’s life and by the look of obvious disdain in Tullius’ glare, it wasn’t working. He obviously didn’t know that she and his now dead Captain had an agreement to have Freyanna executed. That damn dragon! She thought to herself. “She’s become quite the threat to more than a few nobles on the Isles, not the least of which is the Queen… and now the Empire’s presence here as well it seems.”Tullius continued to stare sternly at her until he finally stood from his chair. “We’ll need to coordinate our efforts as she now seems to have the Stormcloaks guarding her back.” He had such disgust for how politicians worked their assets and then discarded them when it was expedient to do so. He’d learn more about this Freyanna Elsonire… maybe he’d find a way to make her see that his people really had no axe to grind with her.“I think that if Ulfric knew her background…” She was the one with the stern glare now. “He might be a bit more amiable to handing her over as well.”“If his people know about the Embassy and the carnage she caused the Thalmor there, he’d be committing political suicide.” Tullius countered. “But, I think you’re right. Ulfric’s ego won’t tolerate such a possible rival to his power. I’ll send some feelers out to Windhelm.” ************************** Kynesgrove Freyanna, Lydia, and Benor traveled together with their Stormcloak escort towards Windhelm while Delphine, Esbern, Jenassa, Brelas and Marcurio headed to the Reach and a mythical Akaviri Fortress called Sky Haven Temple. Esbern seemed to believe that something called Alduin’s Wall existed inside the legendary place and that it could provide some valuable insight on how to defeat the Black Monster.Freyanna rode out front of the pretty formidable looking column with Ralof and they seemed to talk nonstop. The affection in the Dragonborn’s eyes for the Stormcloak was obvious to all who had eyes. Lydia thought of how strange it looked to see a fully Elven armored Altmer and a Stormcloak making googly eyes at one another. Benor seemed to always have a smile when he looked in their direction. “He might be different than the others…” She could see that he would give his life for her as easily as she herself would. She looked around at the other Stormcloak soldiers and a few of them didn’t look quite as content as the rest at the sight of their commander being so friendly with a High Elf. “I will never trust these others around my Thane.” Benor turned to her and nodded.“Agreed, any one of them could turn out to be a snake.” He countered with a very comforting seriousness that she really hadn’t seen for a while. With that last comment they spurred their mounts to join the two unlikely lovebirds. When they reached the outskirts of Kynesgrove, Freyanna immediately dismounted. The small mining village had been completely razed to the ground. She walked through the eerily silent remnants with care and a keen eye. They all just watched her as she crouched down in the middle of some rubble that could’ve been someone’s home. She started to move the debris around haphazardly until a flash of red caught her eye. She started to dig through the rubble and pulled out a tiny red shoe, a toddler’s shoe. She held it tightly in her hand and then finally put it in one of her small pouches on her belt. She continued to go through the destroyed village and once again crouched down to examine something. Ralof as well as a couple of the other Stormcloaks joined her. “Dragon?” Ralof asked her and she nodded. Benor and Lydia then dismounted and joined her as well. Benor moved closer and looked at what Freyanna was examining. It was a giant three clawed footprint. “It landed here and probably destroyed that house. They didn’t stand a chance.” She mentioned as she stood. “It’s not Alduin though.” “How do you know?” Lydia asked her with a small audience of Stormcloaks behind her intently waiting for her to answer.“The main difference is size.” She answered. “This one is no bigger than the other two we’ve fought.” She had quite the captive audience as they all listened to her. “The other is the power of its Thu’um. This one is nowhere near as powerful as Alduin. It had to make several passes to cause the destruction that Alduin can do in one.” She turned to Ralof. “This monster deliberately made multiple passes on an undefended village to make sure it destroyed everything… everyone.” Ralof watched as a sadness mixed with rage started to fill her eyes. “Were there any survivors? Anyone who could’ve seen which direction it went?”“There were two survivors that we found…” Ralof seemed a little hesitant to tell her. “Two children who just happened to be playing outside the village during the attack. They were escorted back to Windhelm… we should be able to speak to them there.”“I saw where it went!” An elderly human man yelled out as he slowly walked with a crutch towards them. “I was in the mine when that devil attacked. He flew off to the east, towards the Orcish Stronghold of Narzulbur.”They all turned their heads in the direction the old man had mentioned. Most of them expecting to see smoke or any other sign of a dragon attacking the orcs up on that mountain. “They wouldn’t fall so easily.” Ralof mentioned to her. “They’re a fierce race of warriors. Even if the dragon destroyed their stronghold, it would’ve had many scars to remind it of its arrogance.”“That’s the best lead.” Freyanna turned to Benor and Lydia. “Let’s go.”They all mounted their horses when Ralof grabbed the reins of Freyanna’s horse to stop her. “You’re not going up there with such a small force are you?” His frightened expression actually made her smile somewhat. “I don’t see what’s so amusing, we’re going with you.”“I didn’t think you weren’t.” Her smile completely floored him. “Plus, I’ll probably have to save your life again, better to keep you close.” She knew that there wasn’t any way in Oblivion that she could convince him not to come. “You should still send a few of your men to Windhelm and inform Jarl Ulfric of what we’re up to here.”The look on the various Stormcloak soldiers’ faces was priceless. Not one of them wanted to continue on to Windhelm. Every single one of them wanted to go hunt this dragon which seemed to bode well in Freyanna’s mind as to the courage of these people. “I know lads, I know you all want to show this beast what Skyrim’s warriors can do, but someone has to inform the Jarl.”“I will go sir.” The frustrated expression on his youngest warrior made Ralof chuckle. He could tell the youngster wanted to go with them, but knew that being the most junior of the soldiers there actually gave him no choice. “You and Inga will head to Windhelm and tell the Jarl where we are.” He clapped them on their back and could tell they were both disappointed, but they would do what they were ordered. They immediately mounted their horses and galloped away in the direction of Windhelm.“If this smaller monster could do this…” Ralof walked over to Freyanna. “It could do massive damage, even to our strongest holds.”“It won’t get that chance.” Freyanna’s adamantly stern statement seemed to actually calm most of the soldiers there. “It will be dead before the week is out.”“Let’s go, we don’t have time to waste.” Benor was as excited as the rest of the soldiers there. Lydia looked quite a bit more hesitant to show any enthusiasm as she witnessed the power of these beasts first hand. She knew from experience that some of them would probably not survive the encounter with the beast. They all mounted their horses and made for the Orcish stronghold of Narzulbur at a gallop.It took three days of hard riding to reach the Orcish settlement. It was hard to miss as smoke bellowed from the massive fire of its longhouse. It could be seen for miles and none of them doubted what had happened. As they got closer they did notice that there was a lot of activity in the stronghold with the Orcs attempting to put out the fires. The ramparts had been razed to the ground and were still smoldering. There were orc bodies lying everywhere in various stages of burned and charred, but there was no sign of the dragon.As they got closer, an intimidating female Orsimer in heavy fur met them with her bow drawn and leveled at Freyanna. “Hold there! You’re no Orc or Blood Kin. State your business.” She was stern and there was no mistaking her fear at the sight of Freyanna’s force.Freyanna didn’t want to further the tragedy in front of her as she put her hands up in a show of non-aggression. “We wish only to assist you.” She offered as she turned to look at her pretty sizeable force of Stormcloaks, many of which had already drawn their weapons… Ralof included. This caused Freyanna to frown as she motioned for them to put their weapons away. Ralof sheathed his sword immediately which resulted in all the rest of the Stormcloaks to do the same. She turned back around and noticed that the Orc woman had lowered her bow.“We don’t need your help, but…” She pulled off her fur cap. “Thank you for the offer.”Freyanna nodded at the Orc and understood that they wanted to be free from outside influences. It was much the same for her own people. “We’re hunting the dragon. Can you tell us where it went?”The Orc’s surprise was evident, but it gave way to disbelief. “It will kill all of you.” She warned her. “It almost killed us all.”“I’ve already killed three of its brethren.” Freyanna almost arrogantly announced. “I will kill this one too.”Again the Orc seemed at a loss for words. “I don’t believe you.” She didn’t seem very confident in her statement.“She’s the Dragonborn.” Ralof spoke out. “She’s the only one that can kill them.”The Orc actually let out a laugh at Ralof’s assertion. “Her? Not likely.” “I’ll prove it.” Freyanna looked the Orc woman in the eye and did not falter. “Let me put out the fire.”The Orc was now joined by four hulking Orc warriors whom could all give Benor a run for his money in size and strength. “You’ll leave now!” One of the warriors yelled with much aggression.“No, wait!” The female Orc stopped her brothers from escalating the situation. She then looked at Freyanna. “Go ahead.”They all dismounted. “Only her!” One of the warriors yelled.Lydia and Ralof immediately protested. “If she goes we go!” Ralof demanded which resulted in the Orcs drawing their weapons.“STOP!” Freyanna ordered. “I’ll be fine.” Ralof and Lydia didn’t look happy, but they stopped their protest immediately.“You have my word. No harm will come to her.” The female Orc tried to ease their obvious distrust of her and her people.“If anything happens to her, I will finish what that dragon started.” Ralof’s threat wasn’t hollow and the
Orcs knew it. They most certainly didn’t need to make the Stormcloaks their enemy. “Stop it! All of you!” Freyanna yelled at them in her own obvious frustration. She didn’t want this situation to escalate into bloodshed. “Nothing is going to happen to me.” Her eyes were locked on Ralof who grudgingly acknowledged her with a nod. She quickly made her way past the five Orcs and up to the still burning longhouse. She stopped in front of it and began directing the Orcs fighting the fire to move away. They looked at each other and then to a hulking Orc that had to be the chief. He nodded and waved for all of them to get clear. Freyanna took in a lung full of air. “FO KRAH DIIN!” The enormous plume of freezing air coming from her immensely powerful shout blanketed the longhouse and immediately put out the fire. There were still a couple of spots that were smoldering slightly, but she directed the Orcs to continue to pour water onto the various hot spots. The chieftain looked at her in utter shock and immediately walked up to her. He was as powerful looking a warrior as she had seen. She hadn’t much experience with Orsimer, but they seemed more akin to the Nords and Redguards in their love of fighting.“I am Mauhulakh, Cheiftain of the Narzulbur Stronghold.” There were battle scars all over the mighty orc’s body. “Thank you for helping us. That cowardly beast didn’t have the stomach to continue its fight and face our swords and arrows.” Mauhulakh looked exhausted, but far from beaten. He looked like he was ready to fight.“That beast will die soon enough, you have my word.” Freyanna looked the Chief in the eye with a stern and determined expression. “Allow us to assist you. I can send some of my warriors with you.” Mauhulakh offered. Freyanna nodded to him in affirmation. They both walked back out to the Orcs and the Stormcloaks at the entrance of the stronghold. They all stared in disbelief at what they just saw. “So, where did the monster go?” The female Orc couldn’t believe it, but this Altmer was telling the truth.“I want to go with them!” One of the Orc warriors who had been hostile was now completely convinced that Freyanna was actually going to kill the monster that had killed many of his kin. “Me too!” Another one yelled and the statement was followed by numerous others volunteering to go with her.“THERE!” One of the Stormcloak soldiers yelled out and pointed to the sky. They all turned to look in the direction he was pointing and saw the familiar silhouette of a dragon circling above them.And so it shows up to finish its work. “NIKRIIN!” (Coward) Freyanna yelled towards the beast. “GRIND ZU’U RUL HI LOS NI FUL!” (Face me if you are not so) The ground shook as she spoke to the beast. She turned to them. “Take cover, I will bet it doesn’t like to be insulted.”“What did you say?” Benor asked her. She smiled as she watched the creature fold its wings and go into a dive towards her. “AIM FOR ITS WINGS!” She yelled as she stood like a statue with her arms folded in front of her. Everyone else except for Ralof scattered at its approach. “RALOF, GO!” He was hesitant to leave her, but Benor and Lydia gave him no choice as they dragged him away from her.She turned back to the creature which was almost on top of her. She could see a multitude of arrows hitting hits wings. These Orsimer are excellent marksmen! She thought to herself as it looked like it was about to snatch her up in its monstrous claw. “ALDUIN LOST UTH HIN DINOK!” (Alduin has ordered your death) It addressed her as it spread its claws to pick her up.“TIID KLO UL!” Time basically stopped for her as she moved out of the slowly moving claw and climbed on top of the leg that was reaching for her. She noticed a plethora of injuries on the beast’s body and wings. Its wings were on the verge of failing with the amount of arrows protruding from them. She could feel the creature’s fear as she jumped on its back and quickly made her way to its neck. It could do nothing as she unsheathed her two swords and plunged them deeply into the base of its neck. She stabbed the creature numerous times until her shout’s effect ended. They buried deep into its neck as she felt the creature begin to take flight. She hung on to her swords to keep from falling off the back of the creature. Blood was spurting from its wounds and she had no doubt that it was only a matter of time before it lost consciousness and crashed into the ground.“DOVAHKIIN!” The monster yelled as it climbed ever higher into the sky and above the clouds. “RUL US FIN HI FEN DIR WOTH ZU’U!” (If I am to die, you will die with me) The blood loss finally took its toll on the creature as the powerful beat of its wings just stopped. They started to fall as the creature’s body went limp. She desperately pulled her swords out, leaped clear off the dragon and began to free fall alongside the dying dragon. She could feel its power and memories starting to transfer over to her as she fell. She looked around and all she could see were mountain tops and clouds as she fell. She had no idea where this beast had gone in its attempt to kill her. She lost sight of everything as she fell through the clouds.Sahloknir. She thought to herself as its name became clear to her and now a part of her. Her mind started to pick up on several similar memories from the other Dragons. Miraak… She thought as she cast Ebonyflesh and waited for just the right moment. As she came out of the clouds she noticed that she was falling very close to a mountain and ascertained that she was about to hit its angled slope. Just before she hit the ground with a speed that would’ve meant certain death, she cast Featherfall which slowed her fall dramatically, not dramatically enough though. She hit with a loud thud and was knocked unconscious as she tumbled down the side of the mountain. Pieces of her armor and her weapons just flew off of her as she continued down the mountainside and slid to an unceremonious stop at its base. ******************** They all watched in horror as the beast flew into the clouds with her on its back. They were completely out of sight with only the sounds of the roaring dragon to give an inkling of their location. She was gone and they had no way to help her. “Mount up!” Ralof ordered and his soldiers did so immediately. Benor and Lydia were already on their mounts getting ready to move.“Wait!” The female Orc yelled to them. “I can help you find her.” They all looked at her. “I’ve hunted this area all of my life.”“Take her horse and we’ll follow you.” Ralof responded with an urgent tone. She quickly mounted Freyanna’s horse and galloped south down a mostly unused path with a platoon of Stormcloaks, Benor and Lydia close behind her.They were on the path for less than an hour when they came upon the broken skeletal remains of what was once a mighty dragon. “I’ve traveled through here many times.” The Orcish female who finally gave them her name of Yatul mentioned with some puzzlement. “I’ve never seen this before.”“That’s the dragon… she killed it.” Lydia commented with certainty. “That’s what happens when a dragon truly dies.”“How do you know this?” Ralof asked her in a disbelieving tone. “These bones look quite old and there isn’t a stitch of flesh on them.”“She helped the Dragonborn kill one near the town of Rorikstead, that’s how she knows.” Benor jumped in before Lydia could say anything insulting. She gave him a somewhat peeved glare that told him she didn’t need defending. That mood ended quite quickly when a couple of the Stormcloak soldiers rode up to her.“You battled one of these monsters with her?” The younger looking boy of the pair asked in amazement. She nodded nonchalantly.“She could’ve killed it without us, but yes I along with Jenassa, Delphine, and Uthgerd battled one of these beasts and helped slay it.” She thought about the crunching sound made when the beast took Uthgerd in its jaws and bit down just before it died. “We lost a good friend that day.” That memory was still as disturbing now as it was when it happened.“The bones are worth quite a sum.” Lydia mentioned as she dismounted to search the area for signs of her Thane. “We should take as many as we can carry.”Yatul, still on her horse surveyed the entire snow ridden base of the mountain for any clues as to what might have happened to that incredible elf. Just when she was about to stop looking she spotted a gleam of golden color in the far distance. She spurred her horse into a gallop towards the metallic reflection and came upon a gauntlet of Altmer armor with the symbol of the God Akatosh emblazoned on it in pure silver. “That’s hers.” Ralof, who wasn’t too far behind her stated as he dismounted and picked up the piece of armor. Yatul surveyed the whole area again and noticed a few other armor pieces, two exquisite elven swords, a beautiful golden staff and an Elven bow that could only belong to the Dragonborn. She even saw the trail of broken branches, turned up soil and snow she left as she fell down the side of the mountain. She followed the trail to the spot where Freyanna landed, but there was no Freyanna there and the signs were not encouraging. “Someone picked her up… a very large man or orc in plate armor.” Yatul followed the trail of footprints until she found where the trail ended and a hooved trail began. “It’s an enormous war horse.” She mentioned as she examined the hoof prints. “They’ve only an hour head start at the most. We should follow before the next snow fall erases the trail.”They all spurred their horses into a gallop hoping they would catch the larger and presumably slower and heavier horse they were chasing. They continued to follow the tracks for several hours and the consensus was that they should’ve caught up to the large war horse and warrior by now. Nightfall was fast approaching and they had no way to follow these tracks at night… and it was starting to snow heavily. Yatul seemed to be at her wits end, the tracks were clear enough, the broken twigs and brush were obvious, but there was nothing. “We should be coming up on the road to Shor’s Stone soon.” She mentioned with an obvious air of frustration.They made it to the road and as Yatul looked south she spotted an enormous ebony armored figure on a massively powerful looking golden horse. Ralof and the rest of the group saw him as well. Lydia immediately spurred her horse into a gallop towards the giant figure of a man. Benor, Ralof, Yatul and the rest of their cadre immediately followed and as Lydia got closer she yelled out. “HEY! STOP!”The ebony armored warrior turned to face them and they all noticed that Freyanna was not with him. Ralof drew his sword which caused all of his comrades to do the same. “Where is she?!” He demanded.“She is gone.” He answered in an incredibly deep voice. “I wanted to take her to the Imperial Camp south east of here, but she awoke and well...” Ralof could see that there was some dried blood on his gauntlets. “I could not stop her from escaping me. Unlike all of you, she’s worthy of my attention.”“You’re a bounty hunter?” Benor asked angrily as he drew his giant sword of a weapon as did the rest of their rather large group. “You’ll not have her!”The giant warrior almost seemed to chuckle at them as he drew his own wicked looking ebony sword. “I don’t wish to harm her. She’s the only one besides Miraak who can give me what I want, an honorable death so I can go to Sovengarde.”“You wish to die? I’m sure I can oblige you with that!” Benor charged the impossibly large and imposing warrior. The warrior stood like a statue with the tip of his sword just touching the ground. Just before Benor came within striking distance, the Ebony Warrior did something Ralof thought only the Greybeards, Ulfric and the Dragonborn could do. “FUS RO DAH!” Benor came flying back towards them and slammed into Lydia and Yatul as they tried to soften his landing. The trio ended up sprawled on the ground in a tangled mess of bodies as they struggled to stand back up. “As I said, none of you are worthy enough to face me…” He paused as if thinking of what to say next. “Maybe your deaths will bring her to me.” Ralof and his cohort of Stormcloaks drew their weapons and charged him on horseback. “ZUN HAAL VIIK!” The Ebony Warrior seemed to be versed in the ways of the voice as all of them felt the sting of that shout on their hands resulting in their weapons flying out of their grips. Ralof quickly called off the charge and they all stopped about twenty feet from what they now knew was a warrior that would probably kill them all. He dismounted and drew his small back up dagger. “GO! ALL OF YOU!” He yelled as he squared off with the Ebony Warrior. “FIND HER!” His desperation to find his Elven goddess was palpable and felt by all. Ralof knew he was committing absolute and certain suicide, but his men followed his orders, turned their mounts around and rode away to the north. Lydia, Benor and Yatul though, did not listen with Lydia holding her shield up to cover Yatul who had drawn her powerful looking bow. Benor drew picked up a sword from one of the many now on the ground and joined Ralof.“Too bad your courage does not match your skill.” He moved on Ralof with a speed no man that size had any right to possess and struck Ralof in the head with the flat of his sword knocking him unconscious. Benor charged him again in an attempt to grab a hold of his sword arm so that Yatul could get a couple of shots in before he attacked them. He blacked out immediately as an ebony gauntlet struck him in the temple also knocking him unconscious. “Put your weapon away.” He calmly stated to Yatul and Lydia. “It wouldn’t be honorable for me to slaughter such brave and selfless people.”Yatul looked to Lydia who nodded as they both lowered their respective shield and bow. They both knew this person could kill them all in the blink of an eye. The Ebony Warrior nodded and sheathed his sword even as he kneeled down and used healing magic on both Ralof and Benor. They remained unconscious, but they were both completely healed. “Who is Miraak?” Lydia had not forgotten that he mentioned someone other than her Thane who could send him to Sovengarde.The Ebony Warrior found a large stone on the side of the road and sat down. “A being of incredible power.” He took his helmet off to reveal an incredibly handsome red haired Redguard with a long red beard. “A Dragonborn, like your friend.” Yatul and Lydia stepped closer and began to administer to Benor and Ralof. “At first I thought your friend as unworthy, but after seeing her kill Sahloknir and surviving a fall that would’ve killed even me, I changed my mind.”Lydia bristled somewhat at the mention of her Thane, but remained calm. “What did you do to her?”“She was unconscious when I found her.” Ralof and Benor both grumbled as they awoke. “She awoke while I had made camp near the road.” He pointed to an area just north of where they were and Yatul nodded. “She healed herself and immediately summoned two bound swords.” He smiled at the thought of this powerful Elven Battlemage squaring off to do battle with him. “I explained to her that I could not do battle with her in such a decrepit condition.” He chuckled to himself. “The puzzlement on her face was priceless.” His face then got serious as he looked at them all. “I know she used a Thu’um I’m not familiar with and was gone in an instant… I don’t even know what direction she went.”Yatul had gone back to the makeshift camp the Ebony Warrior pointed to and examined everything. Lydia, Benor and Ralof continued to speak to the Ebony skinned giant. “Why do you wish to go to Sovengarde?” Lydia asked him.“I’ve battled everything and everyone there is and now there is nothing left. I am ready to go to Sovengarde.” He explained as he took out a bottle of wine from his saddlebag and took a long pull of it. “I was about to try my hand at Dragon slaying, but it seems that your friend got to Sahloknir before I did.” He offered the bottle to Lydia who took it graciously and took a light sip before passing it back. He waved her off and pointed to Benor and Ralof in an offer of drink. “How do you know the dragon’s name?” Benor asked him. “The Dragonborn only learns their names after she destroys them.”“There was another… a great black beast whose name is Alduin.” He explained. “That one called him Sahloknir after it raised him from the dead.”“You saw Alduin… the World Eater!” Lydia was completely floored.“I challenged them both.” They could all see that he was disappointed. “The black one ignored me and ordered Sahloknir to kill the Dragonborn. After it flew off, it almost looked like Sahloknir would take up the challenge but it seemed to know I’m not Dragonborn and it also flew off… towards Kynesgrove.” There was a visible sadness as he spoke now. “I’ve never been beaten in battle… never even remotely close to being beaten, but I could do nothing to stop Sahloknir from killing all those people.” Ralof took a sip of the wine and passed it to Benor. The Ebony Warrior looked like he wanted to change the subject. “I’ve heard the stories of Freyanna Elsonire when she fought my people in Hammerfell. I’d never imagined I would get a chance to do battle with her…” He paused as he thought of how easily she escaped him. “She’s the most impressive combatant I’ve ever seen.”“So you’re looking for an honorable death.” Ralof stated and the Ebony Warrior nodded. “If you travel with us, you’ll most likely find it.”“No, my desire to fight the most gifted combatants and dangerous creatures in all of Tamriel has led me all over the continent.” He shook his head. “When you find her, tell her.” He handed Ralof a map of the Rift with an X highlighting a small flat area on a mountainside just north of Riften. “I will meet her there, when she is ready to face me.”“You’ll never get to Sovengarde like that.” Lydia stated with some confidence. “The heroes of Sovengarde died for much more than the silly and selfish curiosity of revealing which warrior is best. They died for great causes… even terrible causes, but there are none who have entered for the reason you think is honorable.” She could tell that the mighty warrior was listening. “Fighting and killing the World Eater would get you into Sovnegarde… even if you didn’t die in the battle, you’d be worthy once you finally did pass.”“She’s right lad. Dying in battle for battle’s sake might not get you what you want.” Ralof added as he picked up his sword and Benor’s. “And besides, she will never fight you for that reason… let alone kill you for it.”The ebon giant ran his eyes over this group of courageous people and could see that they felt their words were the truth. Datul, by the looks of her posture, had found what direction the Dragonborn had gone and was only waiting for them to give her the okay to reveal the direction. If he agreed to join them, they would most certainly take him to his objective. He turned to all of them once again. “I’ll not kill anyone for your war.” He was looking directly at Ralof. “I will only fight and kill to destroy the World Eater, his followers, and all those who stand in the way of that end.”Benor and Lydia smiled together. “Welcome aboard lad, I believe we’re going to avoid a lot of battle just by your presence among us.” Benor put out his hand which the ebon giant took in a crushingly firm grip. “Ebonarm, Reymon Ebonarm.” The powerful Redguard introduced himself.Datul joined them and sat. “My chief would relish battling you.” Lydia handed her the wine bottle and she took a good long pull. She then looked over to Ralof. “She seems to be headed west from here. She might be going back to Kynesgrove.”“She shouldn’t be able to outrun our horses, so let’s go.” Benor ascertained.Ralof and Lydia nodded as they immediately mounted their horses, followed closely behind by Datul, Benor, and their new gigantic ally. ****************************** Kynesgrove The town was so eerily silent now that she was there by herself. She walked through the destroyed mining village and sat on the remnants of a destroyed and burned out forge. Freyanna searched her memories and started to piece together the many new locations and entities now etched into her mind. They were afraid of Miraak. The Dragons and their priests destroyed his temple on Solstheim in a titanic battle. They obviously didn’t succeed in killing him. Why, instead of seeking an ally against his blood enemies he tries to kill me? She was deep in thought as her mind took her to a location she’d never been. Images of a ruined temple on top of a mountain, memories started to pour into her mind. Dragons and their human allies attacked and razed the mighty temple to the ground. Miraak rebelled against them, controlled them! She couldn’t understand one of Miraak’s shouts, but it had the effect of turning the dragons against one another. If not for the Dragon priest Vahlok’s skill in battle, Miraak would’ve succeeded in destroying much of the dragons warring against him. Why didn’t they kill him? Why was Vahlok tasked with guarding against his return? She took a deep breath and let it out in a huff. He escaped somehow… is in hiding? Where?He’s acquired enough influence from where ever he is to have followers do his bidding. Why does he want to kill me? The question continued to run through her mind. Does he wish to be the only one? He must perceive me as a threat, no one would go through the trouble of sending assassins if they didn’t deem the threat worthwhile. “LAS YAH NIR!” She shouted and took comfort that only squirrels and other small animals were within immediate area. That and they seemed to be calmly going about their business. She kneeled down and began to meditate on that unknown word she heard from Sahloknir’s memory. GOL HAH DOV… Earth, Mind, Dragon… What is your secret? She thought of the words and though she did understand their literal meaning, she did not understand their meaning as Miraak obviously did, she did not understand the shout’s true meaning. She had to find out how to acquire this powerful shout, it was the perfect weapon against which the Dragons would have absolutely no defense. It meant that she could finally find out why they waged this war with mortals and either compel them to parlay, surrender, or be destroyed. Her mind quickly adjusted back to her current situation as she felt the rumble of riders getting closer. Quickly getting to her feet, she ran into the ruins of a destroyed house and hid behind the pile of rubble. She instinctively reached for her swords only to find her scabbards empty. Damn it! That fall cost her a lot in weapons, armor and supplies. She then realized that her shouts could wipe out an entire company of soldiers if she really wanted to be destructive. Hopefully it wouldn’t come to that. She waited for a few seconds more and watched as a troop of stormcloaks entered the destroyed village. She recognized them immediately as Ralof’s men, but noticed that Ralof wasn’t with them, neither were her own friends. She stepped out of the rubble to stop them from galloping past her. “DRAGONBORN! You’re safe!” The lead rider stopped immediately as he yelled quite excitedly. The rest of the platoon halted just as quickly. “Are you up for battle?”It was a strange question considering how disheveled and unprepared she must look to them. “I am, why?” She knew that she could fight as well without weapons as she could with them.“Ralof and your friends are battling a giant ebony armored man, please we need to ride quickly.” Her stomach began to sink as she thought of Ralof, Benor, and Lydia fighting that formidable warrior. “Here, take my horse. I’ll ride with one of the others.” She didn’t hesitate for a second as she leaped on top of his steed and spurred it into a swift gallop from the way they had come.It didn’t take long for them to reach the group of warriors calmly riding towards them. The scene in front of her was dominated by that hugely powerful looking monster of a warrior on his enormous golden steed. She rode at a trot directly for the Ebony Warrior with a look of complete puzzlement. “FREYANNA!” Lydia, Benor and Ralof all yelled at the same time. It actually made her smile, but her eyes were intently on the giant among them who was now dismounting his steed. He drew his ebony sword and stood with the tip of the sword touching the cobblestone path.“I could’ve killed all of them.” The giant stated in a very deep baritone voice. “What are you doing?” Datul could feel the betrayal. He’d used them to track her down knowing that they would eventually find her.“Step away from him… all of you!” She was completely in battlereave mode.“So all the talk of fighting the World Eater was for nothing.” Benor looked quite disappointed. “Just know, traitors do not go to Sovengarde.” Lydia was already next to her Thane and handing over much of her lost gear.“I’ll give you some time to get ready.” She watched as Freyanna took possession of an ornate golden staff and an Elven sword. She left the rest of her armor on the ground.“He knows some shouts and I think his armor is infused with magic.” Lydia explained with a whisper in her ear. “He’s deceptively fast and extremely powerful… be careful.”Ralof wasn’t having any of it as he again drew his own sword and signaled his men to dismount and draw their own weapons, half of them being bows. “I’ll not let you lay one finger on her.”“I don’t need you defending me!” Freyanna yelled at him a little more angrily than she meant. “Please, Ralof… Have faith that I can win this contest, I’ve been fighting for more than 40 years.” Her anger turned into an almost pitiful plea. Ralof could see that she was set on fighting him and a part of him loved to see her work her artistry.They all started to back away from the duo as they faced each other. No cover, no hiding, it was all out in the open. “Ready?” The Ebony Warrior asked.She didn’t even answer as she, without warning let loose with a brilliant ray of light from her Staff of Magnus. It struck the ebony giant dead center on his chest plate and effectively sucked him dry of all his magicka. “YES!” The giant screamed out enthusiastically. “ZUN HAAL VIIK!” His disarm shout immediately sent her staff and sword flying. She quickly cast a pair of frozen ice spears which shattered on the now charging man’s armor. He was as fast as they had said and was on top of her almost instantly which forced her to quickly leap to the side in order to avoid a killing blow from that wicked looking blade. She summoned a pair of bound swords just in time to parry another surprisingly swift back stroke from the giant. The giant hit with such power that his blade managed to strike her left shoulder and caused a blood to start pouring out of the wound. She instantly rolled back, but the warrior didn’t let up as he was in the middle of a down stroke thinking that he could finish her. This time she used his aggressiveness against him and stepped to the side and behind him. She swung her bound blade and struck deeply into the back of his unprotected knee. He completely lost his balance and fell forward with blood coming from his now injured joint. “You’re magnificent!” He exclaimed as he slowly stood up expecting her to finish him. She didn’t and he healed himself with the small amount of recovered magicka.“You’re no match for me.” She healed herself as well and picked up her twin Elven Blades. “I don’t want to kill you.” She was almost pleading with him.“I’m sorry, but this is what I do.” Again, his speed was astounding, but this time she was more than ready for him. She caught his sword in a cross parry with both of her swords catching his one above her head. They were face to face as the giant’s sword creeped ever closer to its mark with now both of his hands pushing down. For such a great warrior, you’re a fool. You should’ve pushed me away with that free hand, or even tried to strike me. “YOL TOOR SHUL!” The fire poured from her shout in a white hot and blinding stream. At such a close distance, it was completely absorbed by the giant’s ebony armor which caused the entirety of it to glow a red hot color. The smell burning flesh started to permeate the air around the Ebony Warrior as he staggered backwards in surprised anguish. She calmly approached him as he had dropped his sword and was trying desperately to take off his burning helmut. She flared her swords and then struck instantly into the still white hot glowing chest plate. The swords pierced all the way through and deep into the chest of the mighty warrior. He immediately fell to his knees and stopped trying to remove his helmut.“Finally…” He whispered weakly as he slowly started to lose consciousness. Freyanna’s mind was clouded by her battle fury as she pulled the swords from the giant’s chest and buried them again, killing him instantly. The giant fell in a sizzling and smoking heap at her feet.Ralof couldn’t believe his eyes and by the look on the faces of his comrades, neither could they. She made such short work of that monstrous warrior… he didn’t stand a chance. He thought to himself.Datul had never seen such an incredible display of martial and magical skill in her entire life. “Take the horse.” Freyanna ordered with obvious frustration. She looked over to Ralof who still could not speak after what he just saw. “Damn Redguards, Nords, Orcs are all the fucking same!”Benor and Lydia looked sadly on the corpse of the fallen giant. “He never agreed to join us.” Lydia mentioned. “He used us to get to you…” A feeling of shame started to creep up Lydia’s spine. “I’m sorry my Thane…”“It’s alright Lydia.” Freyanna patted her shoulder as she looked at the corpse herself. “He could’ve been a great and important ally, but his personal goal was all consuming for him…” She shook her head. “Such a fool, Miraak would’ve destroyed him just as easily if not more so.”“Miraak?” Benor asked.“I saw him through Sahloknir’s memories... it was there.” She answered. “He’s another dragonborn, well not like me… he was a dragon priest that did battle with the dragons and was defeated…” She looked at Ralof who was now standing amongst her closest friends. “I saw him controlling dragons… making them kill each other.” She tried to think, but couldn’t understand how he still lived. “He’s alive somehow, trapped somewhere… I think Solstheim, and somehow he’s ordered his followers to kill me.” She started to don the rest of her pretty beat up armor. “They were deathly afraid of him.” She picked up the Staff of Magnus and looked at it lovingly and then looked over to her friends. “The four… they feared me in the end. If Miraak wishes to make me an enemy, then he will join them in Oblivion.” She shouldered her staff and approached the giant golden horse. She rubbed its head and it seemed to understand that she would be its new companion, accepting that she was a worthy successor to his former master. She jumped up onto it like she was born to ride him. “He suits you lass.” Benor mentioned as he looked at her.“He does.” Ralof added. He walked over to the Ebony Warrior and examined the armor which was still smoking, but no longer glowing. “You cooked him in his armor.”“I wish it could’ve been different.” She sounded somewhat sad. “We should probably bury him in accordance to his wishes.”“I think not!” Lydia was still stinging at the Ebony Warrior’s immediate betrayal. “He deceived us to get to you.”Freyanna gently smiled at her friend and housecarl. “Deception is just a tool of war. He succeeded in his quest to find a good death.”In the end, they buried the giant Redguard with all of his gear with Ralof making sure the grave was a proper depth and marked. Here lies the Ebony Warrior, Reymon Ebonarm. He searched for a good death. On this spot, he found it.
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Windhelm It seems that fate has forced another Elsonire upon me. Ulfric pondered the thought in silence as he waited for Galmar to finish reviewing his plan to attack the Imperial position at Fort Neugrad southeast of Helgen. The images of the powerful Elven maiden killing the Imperial Headsman and Captain ran through his mind. Dragonborn? The Gods most certainly have a sense of humor. He chuckled to himself, but Galmar caught it. “What’s so funny?” Galmar stood up and turned towards his Jarl. “Alduin has returned and an Elsonire is the Dragonborn…” Galmar’s ears actually perked at the name. “Elsonire? As in the Elsonire?” Galmar knew Naarifin’s Elite was one of if not the best fighting unit in the Dominion and its commander was a quiet legend amongst both Imperial and Nordic units. Ulfric nodded. “Commander Talania Elsonire is the Dragonborn?!” Galmar’s horror was Ulfric’s entertainment as he chuckled at his close friend’s reaction.“No, it’s her daughter… Freyanna Elsonire.” Ulfric could see that even though Galmar calmed at the news, he still couldn’t believe that a High Elf was the Dragonborn. “Like her mother, she’s a formidable and deadly spell sword.” Galmar was now listening intently to his Jarl. “She saved my life in Helgen… granted I don’t think she did it on purpose, but that dog Tullius would’ve killed me if not for the World Eater, and that monster would’ve also killed me and Ralof if not for her.” He looked into Galmar’s steel blue eyes.“A High Elf... Dragonborn…” Galmar stayed serious as he spoke. “By the accounts our men have told, she’s no friend of the Thalmor… or the Imperials for that matter.” “She’s made quite the impression on a lot of the men… me included.” Ulfric’s voice betrayed his obvious admiration for the Dragonborn. Galmar had a somewhat puzzled expression. “I know… it’s strange that a pointy eared devil…” He tried to explain why he would speak of her in such a favorable manner. His usual suspicious nature in regards to the Altmer was not present when he spoke of this younger Elsonire. “I can’t believe she destroyed the Thalmor mission.”“She could still be a diabolical ruse by the Thalmor or maybe the Empire to undermine our own movement.” Galmar stated. “Being Dragonborn lends more credibility to her own cause.”“Yes… It’s quite puzzling that Elenwen wasn’t among the dead and is even now rebuilding the Thalmor mission in Solitude.” Why didn’t she kill that bitch? That was a question that he couldn’t answer. It was pretty obvious at Helgen that the Dragonborn knew her even as the ambassador pretended not to. Betrayal is a great motivator. “She’s here.” Jorleif announced as he entered the hall. “Ralof and his platoon are escorting her small band outside the gates as we speak.” Galmar nodded in acknowledgement.“Have my personal guards escort her and only her into the palace.” Ulfric ordered.“They’re already waiting for her at the City gates.” Jorleif informed him. “What about the rest of her band?”“They can enter the city, but only she can have an audience with me.” Ulfric responded as Jorleif nodded and took his leave. Galmar watched Jorleif as he left.“What are you thinking?” He asked Ulfric.“I’m just going to have a conversation with the Dragonborn.” Ulfric was being a little evasive, Galmar wondered why.“Just a conversation?” Ulfric could tell his housecarl was a little concerned.“Don’t worry, If she’s like her mother, there shouldn’t be an issue.” Galmar’s surprised look was obvious. “Her mother?” Ulfric could see Galmar’s expression change from its usual stoicism to one of genuine surprise. “You knew Commander Elsonire?” Galmar asked with barely veiled curiosity.“I met her… she was… an honorable lass.” Ulfric was not about to elaborate much on this particular subject in his past, especially because of what transpired during the days of his capture. Galmar knew he’d been captured was a prisoner of the Thalmor, but he never knew what transpired during his time as a captive. “She had no taste for politics… she was a true warrior and I actually respected her.”“How do you…” Galmar began to ask him.“She’s the one who captured me, during the war.” He answered and now Galmar understood. “I would’ve rather died, but she stopped me… she wasn’t like the other Thalmor.” He started to think on those difficult days. “She tried to warn me about that bitch, Elenwen.”“How did she…” Galmar wanted to know more.“For another time, it’s quite the story.” Ulfric had no intention of retelling that painful memory as Jorleif entered the Palace and waited for him to give the go ahead to let the Dragonborn enter.Ulfric nodded and Jorleif gave the signal for the guards to open both gates. Ralof led the procession into the throne room with the intimidating looking Altmer close behind him. Freyanna entered confidently and her appearance didn’t disappoint. With his two most powerful warriors flanking the tall and formidable looking Altmer between them, they made their way towards the throne. Her elven armor shined like golden glass… she was magnificent. Even Galmar, who seemed to always keep things grounded, couldn’t hide his awed expression at the sight of such an impressive looking figure. She stopped just short, in obvious deference to Ralof who greeted his Jarl with much affection. “My Jarl.” He nodded towards Ulfric who smiled at his strong and capable warrior.“It’s good to see you lad!” Ulfric stood up, walked down to Ralof, and took a hold of both his arms in a show of affection he didn’t display often. “I thought we lost you at Helgen and then there were reports out of Riften.”“We beat those filthy Imperials back at the Treva Bridge.” Ralof addressed his Jarl and then turned to look at Freyanna. “An Imperial arrow would’ve taken me if it wasn’t for our friend here.”Freyanna waited in silence as both Ulfric and Ralof locked eyes with her. She’d learned much in her life about courtroom etiquette. She knew that everyone there was watching her every move and that anything she did now would reflect not only on her, but Ralof as well. A smile slowly creeped onto her face as she pulled off her helmet. “It’s good to see you again, Jarl Ulfric.” She greeted him with a slight bow to show respect for his title.“You’ve been busy.” He smiled at her. “I hear the Dragon in Kynesgrove is no more.”“Sahloknir was a coward… just like the others.” Her expression was serious and reflective as her eyes never left his. “Alduin will feel my wrath when all is said and done… none of his brothers and sisters will stop me.” He was quite taken aback by her incredibly determined demeanor.As he looked at her, he could see the resemblance to her mother. She was actually a bit taller and her body was more akin to an Orcish warrior maiden than the usually waif-like Altmer. “I can see why my men are in awe of you.” He motioned for her to walk with him. “Come, we have much to discuss… you too Ralof.”She joined Ralof, Ulfric, and Galmar as they all walked back to the war room. Normally, she would’ve been somewhat uncomfortable at meeting these people of power without her own backup, but ever since she felt the power of the Dragonborn, she felt that she could handle anything. She had to convince Lydia and Benor that she would be okay meeting Ulfric without them. Neither Lydia or Benor trusted Ulfric and most of his men with the sole exception of Ralof. It took a lot of convincing on her part and it was only when Ralof promised them that no harm would come to her did they relent.Freyanna followed both Galmar and Ulfric into the war room with Ralof bringing up the rear. They made their way into the room and once inside Ulfric turned to face her. “So you’re the Dragonborn.” He stated. “I can’t say that I’m glad an Elsonire carries the gift, but if you’re anything like your mother…” Her surprised expression to the comment was priceless.“What do you know about my mother?” Her question sounded almost angry yet fearful.“I met her.” The shock on her face was clearly evident now for all to see. “Unlike most of your brethren, she carried herself with honor.” “You knew Commander Elsonire?” Even Ralof sounded shocked at the revelation.“It was her forces that captured my scout unit during the war… but enough about that.” He wasn’t about to elaborate any more than he had to. “I need to know about your intentions in Skyrim.” Freyanna seemed to still be in a state of disbelief. To think that the Jarl of Windhelm actually had met her mother during the last days of her life was too incredible to just push aside in her mind. “I…” She stuttered a little as she tried to formulate an answer until she finally shook the surprise out of her head. “I’m going to destroy the ‘World Eater’ and all those that follow him.” Both Galmar and Ulfric were completely in awe of the statement. It was so matter of fact that it bordered on arrogance. This formidable High Elven spellsword left no doubt about her determination. “I am also going to make the Thalmor and Empire pay for betraying me.” That last statement brought both a smile and caution to both Galmar and Ulfric. The fact that she had been on the side of the Empire and Dominion was troubling and even though they tried to kill her, would she listen to them if they tried to reconcile?“So, you were a Justiciar with the Thalmor before the events in Helgen?” Galmar asked with some disgust. She nodded silently in what amounted to an almost shame filled posture. “What’s to say you don’t return to their fold if they offered you rank and power?”Ralof didn’t like Galmar’s tone, but he had a legitimate concern and couldn’t fault him for asking. When Ralof looked over to Freyanna he could see the sadness building in her expression. “I’ll never go back…” She mentioned somewhat mouse-like. “I’ve too much to lose.” Her eyes were squarely on Ralof as she stated her intentions. “Besides, Helgen was not the first time the Dominion has tried to kill me.” She then turned her attention to both Galmar and Ulfric. “I didn’t come here to join your movement, but the enemy of my enemy is my friend, don’t you agree?”Galmar actually smirked and Ulfric nodded in affirmation. Ulfric couldn’t help but wonder just how powerful she was. Her Thu’um had to be quite formidable to destroy the Thalmor Embassy and slay what had to be at least two dragons that he knew of. “I do and with that in mind I propose that we set up an alliance between us.” Ulfric sounded quite confident, but Galmar did not look convinced.“Are you sure about this?” Galmar didn’t like it and was very obvious. “She probably had a hand in killing many of our brothers and sisters enforcing that treacherous White-Gold Concordat!”“I don’t deny that I’ve done terrible things in the Dominion’s name, but I’m through following.” She spoke directly to Galmar. “I don’t care if you agree to assist me or not, I’m here to tell you that I will destroy the Thalmor and Empire in Skyrim regardless. It’s my home now too.” Galmar couldn’t help being impressed with this Elven female. There wasn’t a stitch of the usual platitudes and word games that he associated with their kind. She was direct and didn’t mince her intentions.Ulfric understood her passion as he’d seen that attitude on both sides during the war. “Fair enough and I’m not complaining about what you’re doing, but…” “You don’t want a rival movement sprouting up and stealing your thunder.” She finished his sentence and thought quite seamlessly. “Well, if you consider the rebirth of the Blades a movement, then it’s already too late.”“Then you should understand my dilemma.” Ulfric wasn’t about to lose his position as the champion of Talos and Skyrim to anyone… even if it meant making her his enemy. “If you swear fealty to me, I’ll not only allow you to operate freely, I’ll support your every move.”“You’d trust the word of a pointy eared bitch?” Galmar didn’t hold back his feelings on the subject. He and Ulfric shared too much history for him to show a false front. “She’s from the same stock that killed more of our brethren than even the Talos forsaken Empire.”“YOU’LL NOT TALK ABOUT HER LIKE SHE’S SOME COMMON TAVERN WHORE!” Ralof not only spoke up, he was seething with anger at the second in command of the Stormcloak movement. “SHE SAVED JARL ULFRIC AND ME FROM CERTAIN DEATH!” His passion in her defense was completely genuine and Freyanna couldn’t help but feel the most curious sensation. “HELGEN, THE THALMOR EMBASSY, THE KYNESGROVE DRAGON…” He continued to lambast Galmar who seemed to be in complete shock at Ralof’s outburst. To Freyanna, Ralof was now the absolutely most attractive person alive. “WITH THE EXCEPTION OF JARL ULFRIC, SHE’S DONE MORE FOR OUR MOVEMENT THAN ALL OF US COMBINED!” “YOU DARE SPEAK TO ME IN SUCH…” Galmar started to draw his sword when Ulfric put a stop to all of it. “STOP! DAMN IT!” Ulfric switched his glare between both Ralof and Galmar. He also didn’t fail to notice that Freyanna was also ready to fight with her hand already waiting to draw her own blade. “He’s right my friend. She’s done nothing to merit your skepticism and she’s also killed more of her own kind than we have, even during the war.”“The more reason to be suspicious of her… how can we count on her loyalty if she betrays her own so easily?” Galmar didn’t back down and his glare at Ralof was as angry as Ulfric had ever seen of his friend. Be it as it may, he knew that Galmar was just watching out for boy. “She’s probably killed just as many of our brothers and sisters as her own…”She didn’t let him continue. “Easy? You think it was easy for me to forsake my native home?” Freyanna’s glare at Galmar was as cold as it could be. “My own tried to kill me, the Empire tried to kill me… you’ll have nothing to worry about from me...” She paused to make sure Galmar was paying attention. “if you don’t repeat their mistake.” She continued to glare at Galmar. “How’s that for some fucking clarity?” The rhetorical question was obviously directed at Galmar and he was left quite speechless. He didn’t know her, but putting himself in her place, how would he react to Ulfric trying to kill him? The sickening feeling he got just at the thought of it actually calmed him down quite a bit and he let out a slight huff.Galmar nodded silently in acknowledgement of her difficult situation, but he was still angry at Ralof’s outburst. He’d address the lad’s insubordination and straighten him out. “So it’s settled?” He looked over to her as she listened. “You’ll swear fealty and we will assist you with your mission as much as we can.” Ulfric nodded towards his friend who quietly listened. “You though, must also declare yourself our ally to all… everyone will know that the Dragonborn is a friend of the Stormcloaks.”Freyanna was now in a difficult place. Should she accept the Stormcloaks as allies and alienate a good sized portion of Skryrim’s people? Should she refuse and possibly add the Stormcloaks to the list of enemies she’d have to deal with? “Fealty is a very dangerous thing Jarl Ulfric… my homeland had it and they betrayed me…” Her eyes were locked squarely on Ulfric’s. “I will swear fealty to the people of Skyrim against the Dragons, Thalmor, and Empire. I just may join you and the Stormcloak movement after I take care of Alduin, not before.”“Without you owing allegiance to me, I cannot help you.” Ulfric was quite adamant on the issue. “So saving your life, the lives of your people, killing Sahloknir, killing my own… means nothing?” She wanted to make sure that they understood what they were going to just let go of. “I will continue to do so… even without your assistance.” She turned and started for the door.He couldn’t let her leave like this. She was too powerful to be left on her own. “Then a promise…” Ulfric asserted and Freyanna turned to listen. “You and your Blades must assist my people when encountered and we will do the same.” He read from her speech and body language that her word meant much and that she would keep it. “We will claim you and your movement as our own and you will not do anything that puts our claim to question.” He could see her becoming uncomfortable with the terms of his agreement to assist, but he could also see that she was seriously thinking about it. “I will also personally bestow on you the title of Thane of Windhelm as your reward for killing that beast and saving my men. You and yours will always be welcomed in any area we control.”It was an extremely powerful offer. Her eyes conveyed the conflict within her to not become a pawn in this war, but she couldn’t deny that being a Thane for two of the most powerful leaders in Skyrim made her much more legitimate and a little more protected from your run of the mill bounty hunter. It would make recruiting people that much easier, but it would also open her up to the politics and all of the shit that went along with it. She looked into Ulfric’s eyes knowing that he had been an agent for the Thalmor in the past. Elenwen’s dossier had said so and it was a piece of information that she could hold onto as insurance should Ulfric decide she was more trouble than she was worth. “I accept those terms. I’ll help your people whenever I can, but you need to understand that the ‘World Eater’ and his kin are my top priority.”“To that end, I offer a squad of my men and Calder as your personal Housecarl.” Ulfric continued with the generosity. “They will all be sworn to obey and protect you and all that is yours.”“If you have the coin, I can make sure Hjerim is available for you to purchase as a place where you can come home to.” She was about to protest as it seemed a bit much, but Ulfric continued. “Before you refuse, listen to me.” She quietly nodded for him to continue. “I want you to know that we will not turn on you the way the Thalmor and Empire did. If you are with us, then we are with you and your enemies are now ours as well. We will fight them with the same ferocity and determination as we do ours.” She pondered the generous offer and decided that it was good to belong. She didn’t know how Lydia and Delphine would take it, but she wasn’t about to pass up having the Stormcloaks siding with her as their objectives lined up quite well with her own. “How about I trade you the skull of Sahloknir to hang over the main gate and you trade me the house?” She could see that Galmar liked the idea.“With all of its teeth intact?” He asked her.“Horns and teeth.” She responded. “All of it.”“Deal.” Ulfric put out his hand and she took it. “You’ll have me at your back when you need me.”“You’ll have me at yours as well.” She responded thinking that she now had a formidable ally in her multiple fights. She’d still have to look out for those in the movement whose beliefs told them she was a pointy eared interloper, but that was something she could handle. She put her hand out to Galmar who reluctantly took it. Ralof patted her shoulder in a congratulatory manner. She smiled softly at her favorite person and wished she could show him how much he meant to her right there, but sadly she’d have to wait for the right opportunity.“So let’s gather in my hall tomorrow for a celebratory meal, your friends included.” Ulfric motioned to the door. “You are welcomed to anything Windhelm can provide.” Freyanna led the procession out of the war room. “Thank you Jarl Ulfric.” Freyanna sounded genuinely gracious as she turned to Galmar. “And you as well, General Galmar.” Galmar nodded, but she could tell that he was still skeptical. It was obvious that Galmar wore his emotions on his sleeve and would be difficult to convince, but she also knew that as friendly as Ulfric was, he also had an agenda in recruiting her. She’d be a fool if she thought otherwise.“Ralof, I wish to speak to you in private.” Galmar addressed him in a way that made Freyanna’s hair stand on end. He motioned for him to join him in the Steward’s chamber. “Yes, General Galmar.” Ralof’s dutiful response only further deepened her concern for him which she desperately tried to hide. She watched them as they disappeared into the Steward’s chamber and closed the door behind them. I’ll destroy this entire city if he hurts him. The thought crept into her mind quite unexpectedly and disturbingly so.She deftly cast a detect life spell and could see Galmar laying into Ralof. A verbal whooping is okay. She felt a little guilty for him having to take the verbal lashing by his superior, but she also understood it. She’d done the lashing in the past and it was never pleasant. Watching Galmar finally put his hand on Ralof’s shoulder told her that he respected him and only wished for him to be more disciplined when it came to the chain of command. It was obvious that Ralof was going to be okay and that was all she wanted. He’d probably make a joke about it to her and make her feel even worse. He really was someone special, especially to her.Feeling that Ralof would be fine, she made her way outside and met with Benor and Lydia. She explained the terms of her new alliance with the Stormcloacks and even though they both protested, they stated that they would follow her regardless. She knew they were looking out for her and they didn’t trust the Stormcloak movement. “You shouldn’t trust them.” Lydia stated with quite a bit of determined grit.“I don’t.” Freyanna smiled at her two big Nordic friends. “I trust very few and you two are among them… that’s it.” She turned back towards the main hall gates and watched as Ralof exited… sporting a beautiful smile meant only for her. Damn him… he’s so charming. “And him.”“You could’ve pinched me or smacked my head at least.” Ralof was in a good mood despite the display of faux protest. “Did you enjoy my little show?”Freyanna couldn’t help it. She sported a huge grin as well. “Immensely!” Going off on one’s superior was always brave and Ralof had shown his courage once again.“You don’t think I over did it? Do you?” He continued to joke and she caught a giggle inside her throat and tried in vain to disguise it as a cough. They all smiled as they loitered in front of the main hall. “I’ve been promoted to Captain.” Ralof announced with quite a bit of pride. “I’ve you to thank for that.”“I don’t think I had anything to do with that.” She retorted.“Maybe not, but I’d be feed for the vermin if it wasn’t for you.” He was so jovial and nonchalant with his speech, but those words weren’t funny to her. He was extremely important to her and that wasn’t something for him to joke about.Lydia and Benor could see her mood change immediately. “You really should quit while you’re ahead.” Lydia actually smiled as she mentioned to him. Ralof noticed the mood change as well and all of sudden felt quite a bit uncomfortable.She’s really upset at me? Ralof thought to himself as Freyanna started to walk down the steps towards Candlehearth Hall. Benor clapped his shoulder and smiled.“If her almost dying for you doesn’t make you understand, I’ll put it to you so simple that even a troll could understand it.” Lydia continued to berate him as they followed her down at some distance. “You’re way too important to her to make light about that.” Ralof quickly trotted to her side and reached for her hand. He pulled and turned her towards him. “I’m sorry.” They locked eyes. “It was a stupid thing for me to say.” She gave him a soft smile to convey that she forgave him. “Come on, let’s have a couple of Ales to celebrate our good fortune.” “Our good fortune?” She asked with a slightly raised brow.“Yes, our…” He continued to hold her hand as they walked towards the Inn. “I’ve been given a company of men to command and you’re now one of us… shit Ulfric even sold you one of the nicest properties in the whole city.” That actually got her attention.“We’ll go look at the house afterwards?” She actually sounded excited at the prospect of having a house. “I’ve never owned any property before… not something that was totally mine anyway.” He nodded.“You know… I wasn’t sure you’d join us.” Ralof’s mentioned. “I wouldn’t have blamed you if you didn’t.”She stopped and pulled his hand so he’d turn to face her. She looked deeply into his beautiful blues. “You’re the ONLY reason I joined Ulfric. After what the Empire and Dominion pulled at Helgen, I’ll be damned if you have to fight them without me.” Her eyes didn’t leave his and the longing in their expressions was extremely evident to Benor and Lydia who kept silent in anticipation.The silence didn’t last long though as it was broken by the anger and frustration near the entrance to the inn. “You come here where you’re not wanted, you eat our food, you pollute our city with your stink, and you refuse to help the Stormcloaks.”They all walked around the corner of the building and witnessed two Nords in rags harassing a very well dressed Dunmer woman. “But we haven’t taken a side because it’s not our fight.” The dark elf responded with a very curious retort. Ralof started to make his way towards the threesome when Freyanna stopped him by holding his shoulder.“Hey, maybe the reason these gray skins don’t help in the war is because they’re Imperial spies!” There was no question that these two were racists, but the Dunmer’s non-committal answer bothered Freyanna even more than the two mangy looking Nords.“Imperial spies? You can’t be serious!” The Dunmer seemed angry at being harassed, but still straddled the fence.“Maybe we’ll pay you a visit tonight little spy. We got ways of finding out what you really are.” The threat was obvious and by his body language she could tell that he was the type that would follow through.“Alright, that’s enough.” Ralof stepped in front of the two Racists. “Leave her alone. Focus your anger on the Thalmor and Empire.”The effect was immediate as the angry Nordic man shoved Ralof quite roughly. It caught Ralof by surprise as he actually had to catch himself from falling backwards. “Our boys and girls bleed against the Empire and Thalmor while they hide behind our walls claiming it’s not their fight!” Ralof squared up against the obviously destitute man, expecting either a shove or a fist. Neither would come, but he continued his tirade. “They’ve turned the snow quarter into a squalor filled ruin and complain that our Jarl does nothing for them! They should be thrown out to live with the Argonians!” He then pointed at Freyanna. “That includes you pointed ear devils as well!”“That’s enough Rolff!” Ralof yelled as he closed the distance with the angry man. “You gonna make me?” Her voice was unmistakable as everyone turned to her to see that she was slowly removing her helmet.“What?” Ralof, Benor and Lydia all asked at the same time, each of them completely surprised by her challenge of the ragged looking man.“If I had the right equipment, I’d do it myself.” Rolff didn’t back down one bit as he faced off with her.“That’s not going to happen.” Ralof said angrily as he again got between them. He got in Rolff’s face. “She saved the Jarl’s life and quite a few of our lads including me. Show some fucking respect!” Rolff actually tried to shove Ralof again only this time he was ready. Ralof’s hand shot out like a coiled snake and wrapped around Rolff’s throat, forcefully pinning him against the Inn’s wall. “Don’t.” Ralof’s warning was stern and filled with menace as he saw Rolff reach into his waist band for a dagger.Benor and Lydia had already pacified Rolff’s partner with just their presence. “Let him go.” Again, her voice broke through all of the commotion. Ralof released his grip and backed away. Rolff looked at her, she was as imposing a person as he’d ever encountered. The High Elves tended to be tall, but most were thin and wiry. This one was tall even for an Altmer, but even the armor she wore couldn’t hide the surprisingly large and powerful physique. She drew one of her Elven blades and tossed it over to Rolff. “Here you go, now kick me out.” The blade clanged as it hit the stone floor at Rolff’s feet.“NO!” Ralof exclaimed furiously as he immediately picked up her blade and forced it back into her hand. “Rolff! Go! Sleep it off you drunkard!” He then turned to her. “And you! Is that how you’re going to be? You’re just going to embarrass an old, homeless man by beating him half to death?” Lydia and Benor smiled at the outburst, both of them agreeing in their minds that Ralof truly was a good man. Rolff started walking away with his friend as Ralof tore into Freyanna. “But he…” She tried to explain.“No! Rolff is a destitute racist and a drunk, and he’s already disgraced!” Ralof continued to yell at her. “What could you possibly gain from beating on an already beaten and tired old man?”“He threatened that Dunmer and then he said I should be forced out of Windhelm as well. I just wanted to see how he’d do it.” She shrugged her shoulders in innocence. “I was just curious.”“You were baiting him!” Ralof continued with his angry tirade and it actually made her feel quite small. No one other than her mother had ever given her this type of verbal lashing. “Would you have killed him?” Ralof asked, suddenly becoming quite seriously.There was an element of fear in the way he asked the question. “No… but I would’ve beaten him to within an inch of his life.” The question actually surprised her as she watched Ralof visibly exhale in relief. “You actually thought…” Now it was her turn to get upset. “You… I can’t believe you’d think of me like that.”“No… I…” Ralof could see the disappointment in her face and he knew in his heart that she wouldn’t kill Rolff, just embarrass him. “It’s just that…” She looked into his eyes as she donned her helmet again. “You… you’re the Dragonborn… you’re a Thane of the city… he’s so beneath you that I thought you’d… it would just look so bad.” Damn it he’s right! Beating on an old homeless Nord would’ve looked pretty bad. She thought. “Do you hate the Dunmer?” It seemed that the Dark Elf woman watched the entire scene with Rolff and felt it was safe enough to speak. “No, I don’t hate your people.” Freyanna answered her while thinking of Jenassa. “You’re caught in the middle of a war for the soul of Skyrim… your home.” “You’d think we were Imperial collaborators with the way we’re treated here.” The Dunmer woman continued. “We just wish to live our lives without being harassed by these racist Nords.”“None of us are innocent of prejudice, including your people.” Ralof retorted gently. “We may not be perfect, but at least you have homes and businesses to call your own here.”“What about the Argonians?” She asked him with smugness.“Oh, you mean the Argonians you call ‘lazy’ and ‘good for nothing’ often on your walks?” Ralof knew that Suvaris Atheron was rather well off and was just as nasty to the Argonians as Rolff was. “If we have no room for them, what would you suggest we do?”“Maybe you should open up your homes to them.” Lydia commented to Ralof.“Don’t be ridiculous. Not one city in all of Tamriel would survive if they took in more people than they could sustain.” Freyanna countered. “If you feel your people are being wronged, then do something about it.”“How can we? We don’t have the people or resources.” Suvaris played the helpless card.“Like the Argonians that destroyed the southern part of Morrowind? The ones whom you treated like animals?” Freyanna did know of the Argonian invasion of Morrowind and that one of the causes was the brutal treatment they received at the hands of the Dunmer. “They seemed to have been able to do something about it.” Freyanna continued. “Also, didn’t the High King of Skyrim gift your people the Island of Solstheim? What other people were so generous with your kind after the eruption of Red Mountain? The Imperials? The Bretons? Redguards? The Dominion?”Suvaris just looked at Freyanna and had no answer. She was right. Even if there were some who hated them, the Nords had actually stepped up and helped her people much more than her people had helped them. She nodded towards Freyanna knowing that she couldn’t argue and began to leave. “Good riddance.” Freyanna whispered under her breath as she entered the inn.She once again pulled off her helmet and sat with her group at a table close the hearth. Ralof ordered four mugs of ale for them. “I think you’re going to change a lot of minds.” Ralof mentioned to her as he leaned back into his chair.“Galmar will still hate me. I could wipe out the Thalmor, Empire, Alduin, and he’d still want put his boot in my ass to kick me back to Alinor.” Ralof chuckled as the pretty barmaid put their Ales on the table. “If only to make sure that Ulfric becomes High King.” Lydia added with none of the softness Freyanna spoke with.Ralof didn’t like the insinuation. “Jarl Ulfric has been fighting the Thalmor and Empire since the end of the Great War. If anyone deserves to be High King, it is he.” He answered with some venom of his own.“Alright that’s enough.” Benor stepped in. “This is supposed to be a celebration, not a political argument.”They all nodded as they lifted the mugs. “A TOAST THEN!” Ralof exclaimed and turned to Freyanna. “A FREE SKYRIM!”“HERE, HERE!” The entire bar bellowed along with the foursome as they all took a deep swig of their Ales.“Yeah, that wasn’t political at all.” Freyanna joked as she downed the rest of the Ale in a very un-lady like fashion.They drank and ate their fill with Lydia and Benor renting rooms in the inn and retiring for the night. Ralof and Freyanna headed for Hjerim to check out her new home.They entered her new home and it was immediately apparent that she’d have to furnish it herself. There were a few wooden chairs and tables, but for the most part the place looked abandoned. The unexpected sound of a metallic tool hitting the floor somewhere near the back of the house put them both on alert.Ralof deftly unsheathed a dagger while Freyanna’s hands both glowed with some unknown and probably very deadly magic. He started to move towards the sound only to be gently stopped by her hand on his chest. “Wait.” She whispered to him. “LAAS YAH NIR” The shout was barely audible, but he could tell that there was incredible power in those words. She scanned in all directions and then pointed towards the back. She walked in the direction of the noise with little care of her well-being. It was as if she knew whatever the noise was, it posed little danger to her.“You sense something?” He whispered in her ear and she nodded as she pointed to a large cabinet in front of the room’s eastern wall. She quietly opened the cabinet and noticed that it was stuffed with clothing on hangers. Ralof found that very strange as the rest of the house was completely barren of any signs of life. Stranger still, he noticed that the clothing was designed for a man and not the woman who was supposedly murdered by “The Butcher.” He was surprised as he whispered his thought out loud. She turned to look over to him and pointed to the back wall of the cabinet. She positioned herself to the next to the false backing and looked back at him. “He’s off to the left with his back turned to us.” She mentioned to him. “It’s a false backing. We go on three.” Her shout had allowed her to watch the man in the room without giving them away. He was most definitely doing something he didn’t want anyone to see. “One.” He had his back to the door and was sawing something on a table. “Two.” Something large and the sound of the sawing was actually penetrating through the false door. He seemed to be concentrating completely on his task. “Three.” She forcibly slid the false door back and Ralof charged through the opening like a wild sabretooth.The man had barely turned around when Ralof struck him in the head with the pommel of his dagger. The loud and resounding thwack was followed by a thud with the man’s body going limp in a heap on the floor, completely unconscious from the skillful blow. Ralof’s attention was completely on the unconscious man as he immediately crouched next to him and searched for weapons on his person. That was until he heard her voice.“By the Nine!” The sound of concern in the declaration immediately caught his attention as he turned to look at her. She was staring at the table with a look of horror. There were bones and blood everywhere. They’d caught the man in the middle of sawing through what looked like the femur of a person. Ralof quickly got back on task and retrieved a pair of steel daggers from the man’s waistband and boot. “I know this man.” He mentioned as he examined the unconscious man’s face. “He runs some museum in town… Calixto is his name.” “He’s an incredibly crude and dangerous necromancer…” Freyanna examined the entire scene before her. “He’s collecting body parts.” There were bones, buckets filled with blood, human or elven skin all strewn about the room in the most horrific way imaginable. She recognized much thanks to her mother’s teachings regarding her long lost and dispersed relatives’ propensity for the magical art.“For what?” Ralof asked as he started to bind Calixto’s hands and feet.“Don’t know, but let’s secure him to the chair outside and ask him when he wakes.” She helped him lift the still limp man and dragged him to a lone chair in the middle of the entrance room. They bound him securely to the chair and Ralof watched him as Freyanna searched the house for any other clues that would point to what Calixto was doing there.He kept his eyes closed and listened. The last thing he remembered was trying to extract the marrow from Frigga’s amazing femur when someone rushed him and knocked him out. “These are the same notices I’ve seen hanging all over town.” That was a distinctly female voice. “This one must’ve been busy pulling them down to try and keep from attracting too much attention. And this…” He was shocked awake by a heavy handed smack to the back of his head. He stared into the eyes of Silver Eyed Altmer as she looked directly at him and started showing him several of his items. “This is a Necromancer’s Amulet…” She dangled the very valuable trinket in front of him. “A journal of the needed materials to perform a very simple resurrection…” She flaunted the much needed list in front of his face. “And last but not least, Susanna, a target for your next set of materials.” He let out a defeated huff at the complete and disastrous turn of events. She looked away from him toward a foursome of powerfully built and fully armored Nords, three men and one woman who just stood behind her and watched him. “Isn’t that the pretty barmaid at the Candlehearth?”“I don’t need to explain myself to you!” Calixto continued to struggle as he exclaimed with an almost primal rage.“Calder, what do you think?” She seemed almost amused as she looked over to the ruggedly handsome red haired Nord. “Do you think I warrant an explanation?”“We don’t need one. He’s obviously the ‘Butcher’ and it shouldn’t be too long before he’s hanging by the neck on the end of a rope.” Ralof had had enough. “I’m going to get the guards.” He turned and left the house. Lydia, Benor, and Calder just watched him leave.“You’re so willing to kill all those people? Why?” She turned back to Calixto who did not utter a word in defiance of her. “You’re obviously trying to bring someone back.” She crouched in front of him and looked into his eyes. “A loved one?” Seeing Calixto’s face contort into pure anguish meant that she was spot on. “You think they would approve of your dark deeds?”“She’d understand.” Calixto answered. “She’d have to.”“What about the family members, lovers, and friends of those you killed? Do you think they understand?” Calder’s anger was barely contained as he asked Calixto the question.“They’re inconsequential. Bringing back Lucilla is all that matters.” There was no doubt about it now. Calixto was a selfish and egotistical murderer. He was a savage who didn’t care about anyone other than himself and his own.“You’re such a fool.” She leaned closer to him. “You know, that particular ritual has never worked.” She whispered. “My family has a deep history on this subject and you’re actually following the oldest and most flawed of the instructions.” She whispered into his other ear. “She would’ve risen as nothing more than a mindless husk hungry for the flesh of the living.” She stood up and continued to look at him.It was obvious he was affected by her words. “I did all this for nothing?”“That’s right.” She sounded cold and unfeeling as Calixto went into a deep depressive mood. “You ended and ruined the lives of innocent people for absolutely nothing other than what’s probably going to be a very public beheading.” In an instant, her hand shot out and grabbed Calixto by the collar. “You deserve a lot more than a quick death for what you’ve done.” Her intense glare matched the fury in her voice. “I’d let Frigga’s parents filet you slowly.” Her hand was a blur of action as she grabbed one of his steel daggers and sliced his throat from ear to ear. “FREYANNA!” Benor screamed as Calixto started to gurgle on his own blood. As quickly as she struck, her free hand lit up with the familiar white light of restoration magic. She closed the enormous laceration and the only evidence that she’d almost butchered him was the enormous scar on his neck and the large amount of blood splattered all over her and Calixto. She turned to look at her friends who looked at her in shocked silence.“I’m sorry.” Calixto’s voice was raspy from his not completely healed throat. There were tears starting to flow from his eyes as the events he set in motion began to enter his thoughts. His head slowly lowered and he began to cry in earnest.It only took a few minutes for Ralof to enter with another four large and armored guards. They took the now fully defeated and compliant Calixto out of Freyanna’s house and headed to the dungeons where he would await his turn with headsman’s axe. ************************************ Karthspire Camp “We should’ve never separated from the Dragonborn.” Esbern looked completely dejected as he stared at the enormous Foresworn camp situated down in the river valley. “They’ll never let us through and there are way too many to tackle without her.”“Damn it.” Delphine tried to see if there was a way around the camp, but it looked impossible. She surmised that they even had a presence in the cave Esbern said contained the legendary ‘Sky Haven Temple.’ Brelas looked at the formidable looking camp filled with Foresworn. “It’s not a very defensible position.” As she continued to scan over the camp she noticed that it was not only a military position occupied with warriors, mages, archers and the like, it was also chock full of children and non-military personnel. “They feel extremely secure here.” She mentioned and they all turned to the pretty Bosmer. Jenassa and Marcurio both smiled. “No one raises their children in anything but the strongest and most secure area.” Jenassa recognized that Brelas had wasted a part of her life in servitude. She had a keen tactical mind that needed to be nurtured. “Do you think they’d be willing to parlay?” Marcurio didn’t have much experience with the Foresworn, but Jenassa had. She immediately shook her head.“I think that if we threaten to wipe out their camp, they’ll talk.” Brelas commented. “We just need to make them believe we can destroy them.”“Just how do we do that?” Jenassa asked with quite a bit of fascination. “We don’t have to.” Delphine’s voice broke all of their trains of thought and it was followed by a thunderous roar coming from the sky.The effect was immediate as they all looked skyward and saw the enormous snow white dragon swooping down and raking the camp with its frost breath, leaving dozens of frozen corpses in its wake. Brelas watched in fascinated horror as the enormous creature looped with the grace of a raptor and dove towards the camp again. This time though, it was met by a murderous hail of arrows and fireballs. Most of the arrows bounced harmlessly off of its carapace, but more than a few did hit its wings. The fireballs couldn’t seem to find their mark as the monster banked and rolled back for another pass. “Come on, before it notices us.” Delphine ordered them to move.Brelas watched as one of the women of the camp desperately tried to herd the children towards the safety of the cave. Brelas then looked up towards the beast and noticed that it was lining up its next pass exactly in the direction of those said kids. She immediately pulled her ebony bow. “BRELAS!” Jenassa yelled. “What in the eight are you doing?”She cocked an arrow and released a shot with a speed that surprised everyone. “The right thing.” She countered as she just kept putting arrows into the creature’s wings, until she saw it wasn’t going to stop it. It was an almost imperceptible pause as she aimed her next shot carefully and fired. Jenassa immediately grabbed her arm and started to pull her along only to see what had to be the most incredible shot ever taken. The arrow had struck the beast’s eye and it screamed in deafening agony as it crashed into and through the network of wooden walkways of the camp, just barely missing the children it wanted to slaughter. It ended up in the water underneath the maze of walkways and huts thrashing in the agony of its wound. The Foresworn warriors and mages now pounced on it in numbers akin to a horde of insects. This monster would not rule the day thanks to Brelas’ impossible shot.Jenassa smiled as she pulled Brelas along. “It’s official, you are by far the most naturally talented archer I’ve ever seen.”“I agree, that was the most incredible shot in the history of the bow.” Marcurio commented with some awe in his voice.“Well, you just made it a lot harder for us to get into the Temple.” Esbern said with some frustration and Brelas knew the two Blades weren’t happy. It actually made her angry enough to respond. “So you’d rather it massacre everyone there? The children too?” The disgust in her voice was clear to all of them. “Freyanna would’ve never allowed that!”“That temple may hold the key to defeating the World Eater!” Delphine yelled back. “And now we can’t even go near it without getting killed by those YOU saved!” She emphasized as she pointed at Brelas.“With the exception of Freyanna, I think Brelas here is a better Blade than all of us and especially you two.” Jenassa didn’t like the two ganging up on her girl. “She was instrumental in probably killing that monster. What the fuck have either of you done other than talk?”“Stop the nonsense.” Marcurio calmly ordered as they all ran from the camp towards their horses. “That’s one less beast we have to deal with. The Akavir would’ve been proud of you my lady.” Brelas smiled shyly at the handsome Imperial, but that quickly evaporated when she looked at Delphine and Esbern. She didn’t like that they would do anything if it meant getting what they wanted.They quickly mounted their horses and made for Markarth, it was only a few days ride from there. It would be a good place to resupply and rest before heading back to meet up with Freyanna, Benor and Lydia a few days later.The ride to Markarth was uneventful and the mood of the two senior Blades was as foul as could be. Marcurio, Brelas and Jenassa put up the horses and decided to go into the city on their own with Esbern and Delphine waiting outside. Jenassa and Brelas were obviously fed up with the two of them. “You two need to lighten up.” Marcurio mentioned to his two exotic comrades. “What about them?” Brelas countered. “They would’ve let those people die just to get into that place and then had the nerve to berate me for helping those people.”“They’re used to working in a disciplined unit and not the rabble that we most definitely are.” Marcurio chuckled as he semi defended the pair of senior Blades. “Rabble?” Jenassa also chuckled as she spoke. “A pretty effective rabble, but a rabble nonetheless.” Marcurio smiled quite smugly as he defined the group.“I mean, weren’t the Blades renowned dragon hunters?” Brelas was not in a good mood either. “They could look at those children and just let them be slaughtered by that beast.”“There’s a bigger picture.” Jenassa countered. “Alduin needs to be destroyed or our world will cease to exist.”“They believe the key to defeating him is in that temple.” Marcurio added. “Sacrifices must be made.”“You two agree with them?” Brelas almost sounded defeated.“No, but we understand their reasoning.” Marcurio answered her.“You’re right about Freyanna though. She would’ve never allowed that creature to slaughter that camp.” Jenassa mentioned as they entered the market square of the city. “Did you know she carries the charred remains of a child’s doll in her bag?” Now Jenassa had both of their attentions. “To remind her of what happens when she doesn’t do the right thing. She would’ve been extremely proud of you Brelas.”“THE REACH BELONGS TO THE FORESWORN!” They all turned their attention to a man dressed in rags plunging a dagger into the back of an unsuspecting woman. The force of the blow was so strong that it knocked her face first into the ground. Her scream was terrifying as the man mounted her back and raised the dagger for another blow. It wouldn’t come as both Jenassa and Brelas had drawn, cocked and shot their bows almost in unison. Their arrows struck the back of the-would be murderer’s head, stopping his attack immediately causing his now lifeless cadaver to fall limply on the victim’s back.Marcurio pulled the lifeless corpse off of the victim and examined the wound. If he wasn’t there it would’ve most certainly be fatal. He began to cast his healing magic and the wound closed quite neatly. It took a lot out of him as Restoration was not a school that he excelled in, but it was always satisfying when he could save a life. She tried to get up quickly, but it was obvious that the wound wasn’t totally healed as she grimaced at the pain her movement caused. “Easy my lady, that wound could tear back open if you’re not careful.” The look on her face when she got a gander of the dashingly handsome Marcurio was priceless and it made Jenassa chuckle.“I think she’s in love.” Jenassa joked. It seemed like an eternity, but the guards showed up in less than a minute. “Alright, nothing to see here.” They started to order the crowd around the corpse to disperse. “We’ll handle this.”“By the Gods that man nearly killed me… you saved my life.” She struggled as she slowly got to her feet. “I was going to bring this to my sister, but I think you should have it.”Marcurio refused the gift graciously. “Why would that man want to kill you?” Jenassa asked knowing there had to be a reason.“I don’t have any idea. I was just trying to buy a pendant for my sister back in Imperial City.” It was painfully obvious that she wasn’t telling them everything.Brelas didn’t believe her either. “So you’ve no idea why the Foresworn are trying to kill you?”“The people of the hills who attack caravans? No, I don’t.” She continued to deny. “I’m sorry, but I don’t really know anymore. I’m just visiting here from Cyrodill.”“You merited an attempt on your life.” Marcurio calmly stated. “You think this will be the last time they try to end your life?”“I’m not staying around to find out.” She answered. “I’m heading back to Cyrodill as soon as I can arrange passage.”“Well, good luck with that.” Jenassa mentioned as she guided her group towards the local tavern. *********************** Markarth Stables, Midnight, Four days later Esbern was out of patience. The three hired mercenaries had been entrusted with purchasing supplies for the group and horses. They’d been in the city far longer than they should’ve been and a search of the city revealed that they were nowhere to be found. “Do you think they just left?” Delphine asked the senior Blade.“Four days without any word does point to that possibility.” Esbern surmised. “It is curious how no one we talked to seems to remember them even being here.”“The guards know something.” Delphine commented with a certainty she’d acquired in her extensive experience as a Blade. “Damn this place! Freyanna should’ve been here by now.”“Did you miss us?” They both almost jumped through the sky as Jenassa surprised Delphine with a tap on her shoulder. She and Esbern turned and saw the most peculiar scene. Jenassa, Marcurio, and Brelas were all dressed in Foresworn armor and garb. They were accompanied by several other similarly dress people and one gigantic orc. “I suggest we get away from Markarth quickly, the guards will be looking for us.” An old Foresworn man suggested. “What happened?” Delphine’s patience was gone, but it was good to see her companions again. It looked like they’d stepped into a bit of trouble. “And who are these people?’ She asked.“This is Madanach, King of the Foresworn.” Jenassa introduced him as she mounted her horse with Madanach mounting the horse with Jenassa. “It’s a long story, I’ll tell you on the way back to Karthspire.”“We need to wait for Freyanna.” Esbern hadn’t gotten on his horse yet. “She should be here anytime now.”“We can’t wait here. It’s too dangerous for us now.” Marcurio mentioned. “We’ll wait for you there.”“King Madanach has graciously agreed to let us operate in the Reach without interference from the Foresworn thanks to Brelas.” Jenassa smiled broadly at the two senior blades. Delphine and Esbern both turned to Brelas.Brelas still looked quite a bit upset at the two and stayed silent as the giant Orsimer mounted the horse with her. “We’ll wait for you at Druadach.” A woman in the group of five Foresworn mentioned quietly. Madanach nodded in affirmation as the woman and that group began a quick trot east away from the city.Delphine couldn’t help but be pretty impressed. The Foresworn were extremely dangerous and to have them pacified was a really good thing.“What about supplies?” Delphine asked.“I’ll make sure you’re well taken care of.” Madanach answered. “Let’s go.”They galloped away from the city and back towards the Karthspire Camp. The horses were well fed and they had plenty of water for the trip, but not much more if Madanach reneged on his promise.Jenassa led the way with Madanach sitting behind her on the horse. Delphine rode abreast them with Brelas, Marcurio and Esbern lining up behind them. “So what happened?” Delphine asked with an expectant tone.“We got caught in the middle of the Foresworn rebellion without knowing it, got framed for a murder and ended up in Cidhna Mine.” Jenassa explained somewhat coarsely. “We found out that the Silver-Bloods are as corrupt as they come so we decided to help Madanach and ourselves escape in return for their cooperation in getting into Skyhaven Temple.” Jenassa then smiled. “And… he heard about Brelas’ amazing assistance during that dragon attack at Karthspire.” Delphine looked surprised. “Yes, word got back to him and Brelas’ incredible shot was the reason his people were able to kill that dragon.”“That dragon is not truly dead.” Esbern retorted. “Only the Dragonborn can truly kill a dragon.”“And that’s the other reason they want to help.” Marcurio commented. “They’re camp was almost destroyed by one and they want the threat of dragons gone.”Delphine nodded. “Then it’s good to have you with us.” As they continued down the road towards the Karthspire Camp, they could see a very formidable and fully armored Calvary patrol of over a dozen individuals trotting mightily towards them. There was no way to turn and run with both Madanach and Borkul the Beast on their mounts. To that end, Borkul and Marcurio dismounted and stepped in front of the column. As the patrol got closer, two powerful looking warriors in Nordic Armor led the cohort of what looked like ten to fifteen people. Without the Dragonborn, this group of warriors would be impossible to defeat. “That’s a pretty good look for you Jenassa.”Jenassa watched in surprise as one of the lead warriors removed her helmet to reveal Lydia sporting a huge grin. She quickly dismounted her horse as did Jenassa and they met each other halfway to embrace. “It’s so good to see you Lydia…” She looked up at the other warrior and smiled. “Benor.” She then turned back to Lydia. “Where’s Freyanna and…” She leaned closer to whisper. “Who are these people?”“I could ask the same of you.” Lydia retorted lightly. “These are Stormcloak volunteers who agreed to forego all other missions and assist my Thane in her war against Alduin.”“And Freyanna?” Delphine continued to push.“I’m here.” They all turned and the sight was breathtaking. She came forward sitting atop of her massive golden war horse, Freyanna sported a bleach white armor of fine scales overlapping each other. An open face helmet made of what had to be the bones and teeth of a dragon sat upon her head. The scale leggings, boots and black fabric completed the impressive looking armor set. The symbol of Akatosh was emblazoned in black at the center of the chest piece. They all stared in awed silence. Esbern moved closer to examine the armor and was shocked to know exactly what it was. “Dragon.”She nodded to him. “It’s temporary. Its replacement is waiting until I collect Alduin’s head.” The confidence exuding from the Dragonborn was so contagious that it actually made him smile. “So, who are you?” Her eyes were firmly locked on Madanach and Borkul as she dismounted.Borkul was rarely impressed, but this Altmer female was on a completely different level than anyone he’d ever dealt with. He could tell just by her movements that she was a warrior of unimaginable skill. “I am Madanach, King of the Foresworn.” Those silver eyes locked onto him now, expecting Borkul to introduce himself.The words wouldn’t come as he looked at her. “This is Borkul the Beast, my enforcer, bodyguard and friend.” Madanach could see that Borkul was clearly affected by the supremely intimidating Altmer.“Are your people going to help me, stop me, or are you just going to try and collect the bounty on my head?” She asked them both.“Bounty?” Borkul asked as he snapped out of his awe induced haze. “How much?”“That’s not the right question to ask.” Madanach answered somewhat nervously as he could see the entire group was ready to fight. “We’ll not turn you in to the Imperials, Stormcloaks or Dominion… no matter the amount.”“What about the rest of your people? Is your movement so unified that none of them would make an attempt?” She was looking right at Borkul as she asked the question.Borkul could feel her eyes bore into his soul, but he wasn’t about to back down in a glaring contest. “How much?” He smiled as he asked again.She drew one of her exquisite blades and tossed it to Borkul who caught it with quite a bit of grace. “Ten thousand Septims.” She answered as she crossed her arms in front of her.Borkul had taken his eyes off of her and started to closely examine Freyanna’s beautiful elven sword. “I’ve never seen its equal.” He looked up and took a couple of practice swings as everyone seemed to back away to give them room. He looked at her again and noticed that she didn’t seem worried at all. There was a real menace in her glare and he could feel the chill go down his spine as her stare down continued.This is what Jenassa loved about her. She was so damn brutal in her assessment of character when she had to be. This was as much a test of Madanach’s authority as it was Borkul’s loyalty. If he attacked her it would show that Madanach did not have full control of his so called people. Borkul didn’t stand a chance, the obvious clue was that no one was drawing their weapons to challenge him, not even the Dragonborn. Delphine would usually pipe up and complain about this type of action, but she had to know that Freyanna was testing these two.Madanach watched Borkul and smiled as if knowing something everyone else didn’t. “Will you get it over with already.” He ordered.Borkul chuckled as he tossed the sword back to Freyanna. “They’re a little uptight for my taste.”“That was really stupid!” Brelas shocked everyone with her outburst, but Jenassa started to chuckle as well, as did Benor. “It’s not funny! She would’ve ended up having to kill them both and then what?” She was furious with them all. “That camp, those people… what do you think you’d have to do to get into that fucking temp…”“BRELAS!” Freyanna usually didn’t yell with authority, but she wasn’t about to let her continue. “Four of their warriors already tried to kill us on the way here.”“What?” Madanach’s concern was very evident. “Velka… damn her!” He whispered under his breath. “I’ll take care to that, the must’ve not gotten word that you are not hostile.”“I hope your influence over them is as certain as you claim.” Freyanna had already mounted her giant warhorse. “What do you think of all this Delphine?”“I think it’s a shit show, but I trust Jenassa’s, Marcurio’s and Brelas’ judgements on this.” She looked over to Esbern who nodded in affirmation. “I can’t see how they could be hostile after what Brelas did for them.”“I promise you that you’ll have no further trouble from the Foresworn.” Madanach stated.“Good, let’s go.” Freyanna motioned for the column of soldiers to turn around. “You two lead the way.” She motioned for Madanach and Borkul to get on two of the extra horses she brought with her and lead the column towards the Karspire camp.The column proceeded to Karthspire without further incident and with Madanach in front, the Foresworn provided a much less violent reception for them. “Where’s the beast?” Madanach demanded from the Foresworn guards. The two large warriors pointed to the shattered remains of one of the wooden walkways. Freyanna stepped up next to Madanach. Madanach had to actually raise his hand to stop the two warriors from drawing their weapons.She could see the tail of the beast and even from the distance, feel its soul. She could also tell that the beast knew she was there. She felt a familiar sensation which their kind knew well thanks to the other Dragonborn. The dragons had learned this sensation from Miraak. The helplessness and fear she felt was oddly satisfying.Madanach led the way down to the beast with Freyanna following close behind him. As she got closer the air began to crackle with energy and she could feel the dragon’s soul begin to transfer to her. It was euphoric as she experienced its memories, deeds, and finally its death as the swirling lights enveloped her entire body. Faasnusotaar was now a part of her. She could see his mind as clearly as her own and saw the moment Alduin had resurrected him. She once again saw Miraak in Faasnurotaar’s memories as he tore apart one of his own brethren in battle… that word… that shout again. Miraak’s shout was controlling several of the creatures and although she could hear it clearly, she couldn’t contemplate its power. It was supremely frustrating.Madanach watched in complete fascination the incredible event in front of him. The dragon had all but disintegrated with only the skeleton of the creature left as the only sign it ever existed. It was something he’d never expected to see. This elf was already a force to be reckoned with and her followers seemed to be ferociously loyal. He wasn’t impressed frequently, but just her presence projected absolute power. She turned to look at him once more. “We need to get inside the temple.”“Come.” Madanach motioned for her to follow him deeper into the camp. “Velka needs to explain her actions.”“Velka?” She asked as she started to follow him. Delphine, Esbern, and Lydia tagged along. Freyanna had stopped the rest of her people from following and motioned for them to assist with the wounded of the camp.“She’s our Hagraven and the commander of this camp.” Madanach answered quite matter of factly.“A Hagraven?” She’d heard of the creatures, but she’d never expected to see one. “Half avian and half human?”“Yes, she’s actually quite the healer and battlemage.” A Foresworn woman interjected, she seemed quite offended at the Dragonborn’s attitude. “She’s not some savage, if that’s what you’re concerned about.”“Easy girl. The Dragonborn isn’t used to our ways and understanding begins with sincere questions.” Madanach’s words had the desired effect of calming the woman as she reluctantly bowed her head to her king. Madanach then led the way to Velka’s hut where they met the powerful and intimidating creature. Velka explained that she received the Madanach’s missive too late and that her people did not get the order not to attack the Dragonborn. She looked every bit the dangerous Hagraven. “I’m sorry my king… Dragonborn, but we can’t be too careful when it comes to defending this camp.” Freyanna looked at those clawed hands and could imagine quite graphically what those hands were capable of. She also found herself quite impressed with the well-spoken and seemingly intelligent creature.“I understand, no apology is necessary. I just wish your people would’ve talked before trying to kill me.” Freyanna understood that defending their home and families made these Foresworn desperate enough to attack such a heavily armed and armored patrol.“Come with me.” Velka mentioned as she began to walk towards the cave where it was said the temple existed. “We’ve not been able to enter the temple, but that maybe because we’re not equipped to do so.” She locked eyes with Freyanna who didn’t flinch. “I hope you’ve better luck. We lost three of our people trying to open the bridge.”
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The Wall “Wonderful, and remarkably well preserved.” Esbern’s knowledge of the Akavir ended up being the reason they were able to lower the bridge and skirt the traps guarding the entrance to the legendary yet very real Sky Haven Temple. She stared at the large stone face that served as the proper entrance to the innards of the mighty structure. “Ah… here’s the ‘blood seal.’ Another of the lost Akaviri arts.” He mentioned to her as he examined the area in front of the enormous stone entrance. “No doubt triggered by… well blood.” He turned to look at Freyanna with a knowing glance. “Your blood Dragonborn.”Freyanna examined the seal and the entrance as she ran her hand along the enormous stone face. She then turned her eyes to the seal once more.“Look here! You see how the ancient Blades revered Reman Cyrodil. This whole place appears to be a shrine to Reman.” He looked around with an almost child-like wonder. “He ended the Akaviri invasion under mysterious circumstances, you recall.”Freyanna stood over the seal and pulled off one of her gauntlets. “If I recall correctly, Reman didn’t have much love for us elves.” Then, in one swift motion, she unsheathed one of her daggers and sliced open her palm. The blood poured out quite profusely, but the effect was immediate as the seal lit up with a blinding white light. “That’s done it!” Delphine exclaimed as the sounds of chains and gears working behind the entrance seemed to confirm that she indeed was the key the seal was waiting for. “Look! There’s the entrance!”Madanach and Velka had accompanied them to the entrance. The Hagraven had seemed to be a bit troubled at the sight in front of her. This was the former home of the Dragon Guard, the Blades, the Akavir invaders. The warriors who once manned this fortress had literally wiped out many of her brethren during the times of the Empire’s zenith. Now, they both stood there as the entrance opened to the immensely powerful High Elven Battlemage. They all followed her into the dark and imposing fortress.“This is amazing.” Brelas mentioned out loud as she walked behind Benor and Jenassa.“That it is…” Jenassa responded as she examined the wall reliefs. “And it’s very defendable.”“That won’t matter one bit if we can’t secure trade and defense agreement with these Forsworn.” Marcurio retorted with his usual tactical assessment. Madanach and Velkas were in awe of the place. It would make an incredibly secure base of operations against both the Stormcloaks and Empire. “We should keep this fortress for ourselves.” Velkas whispered to him. Madanach acknowledged that he’d heard what she said. “Having this dangerous group so close to our camp is not something I’d recommend.”“So the fact that one of their own helped save our people means nothing to you?” Madanach turned to look at her with damning eyes. “You saw how she sucked that giant lizard’s life force.” Velkas nodded. “If she’s as powerful as the stories…”“We wouldn’t stand a chance.” Velkas finished his thought. “Also, if she’s the only one that can truly kill Dragons, maybe we should help her. It’s in our best interest.” Madanach continued as they came into what seemed to the main common area of the structure. The Dragonborn’s soldiers were all busy lighting the sconces which allowed them to see much more of the inside.“There it is.” Velkas whispered as she pointed.Madanach’s eyes followed Velkas finger to the massive structure that dominated the common area. “Alduin’s Wall.” He announced under his breath with awe struck wonder.Freyanna and Esbern were already at the base of the wall studying it. “They’ll discover its secrets and not need us anymore.” Velkas mentioned to him once more. “Her wrath is more fearsome and devastating than any of the stories of the other Dragonborns.” Jenassa surprised them both as she snuck up behind them. She’d obviously heard their conversation and made it clear that they were walking on thin ice. “Betrayal is something that she’d wipe out your entire movement for, just ask the Thalmor.” The Dunmer continued. “You’ve been warned.” Jenassa gave them both a stern glare before she walked by the two Forsworn and joined her comrades by the wall.Madanach smiled as he watched the supremely skilled Dunmer walk away from them. “I could really use talent like that.” He chuckled as he commented to Velkas. “I believe we should keep our word.” He continued to address her. “I’m pretty sure that having the Dragonborn on our side will reap enormous benefits for our cause.”“Or it could result in the wiping out of our cause.” Velkas countered.“And what do you think will happen if we betray her?” He angrily retorted. “Do you think the Empire, Thalmor or Stormcloaks or whomever you wish to betray her to will keep their word?” They glared at each other. “We ally ourselves with her and I believe we’ll have a chance to succeed. We betray her and it’s a guaranteed way of killing ourselves.”Velkas hissed at the assertion, but in the end she nodded in supplication. “You’re probably right… Gods, I hope you’re right.” She knew that Madanach was a master at reading people and if he believed in this Altmer then she should as well. She followed Madanach towards the magnificent wall that was the object of the old Blade’s and Dragonborn’s undivided attention.Esbern marveled at the relief with unabashed enthusiasm. “Shor’s Bones! It’s Alduin’s Wall… so preserved… I’ve never seen a finer example of early second era Akaviri sculptural relief!”“Was finding this place worth it?” Freyanna looked at the relief more like a piece of intelligence that she hadn’t figured out yet. The Akaviri studies she focused on were mostly of their brilliant military tactics and strategy, not their language or art.Esbern paid her no mind as he fixated on the left most part of the wall. “Look, here is Alduin! This panel goes back to the beginning of time, when Alduin and the Dragon Cult ruled over Skyrim.” He slowly ran his hand over the relief as he moved to the right. “Here, the Humans rebel against their Dragon Overlords… the Legendary Dragon War… Alduin’s defeat is the centerpiece of the Wall.”Her eyes followed him with complete attention. Freyanna was absorbing everything the Old Blade Seer was telling and showing her. “You see, here he is falling from the sky. The Nord Tongues… masters of the Voice… are arrayed against him.” He continued as he pointed to the part of the relief with Alduin looking seemingly in anguish at his own defeat.Delphine, as impatient as ever, interrupted his lesson. “So, does it show how they defeated him? Isn’t that why we’re here?”“Patience, my dear. The Akaviri were not a straightforward people. Everything is couched in allegory and mythic symbolism.” Esbern’s calm and knowing nature actually made her smile. He would’ve made a great instructor at any school he chose. “Yes, yes… This here, coming from the mouths of the Nord Heroes… this is the Akaviri symbol for ‘Shout.’” He continued to examine the symbol and his once calm and knowing expression changed to one of frustration. “But… there’s no way to know what Shout is meant.”Delphine’s heart dropped at the news. “They used a Shout to defeat him? Are you sure?”There was no doubt in Esbern’s expression. “Hmm? Oh yes. Presumably something rather specific to dragons, or even Alduin himself.”“A shout?” Freyanna interjected and Esbern nodded knowingly. “Have you never heard of a shout that could knock dragons out of the sky?” Delphine added.“I’ve never learned anything like that…” The frustration started to show on her face. “The Greybeards might know… though they’ve never even hinted at its existence.”Delphine’s own expression seemed to be as frustrated as Freyanna’s. “You’re probably right. I was hoping to avoid having to involve them, but it seems we have no other choice.”The difference between Delphine’s frustration and Freyanna’s was apparent to all that stood there. Freyanna knew that they liked to keep their secrets, but if one of those secrets was the shout that could help defeat Alduin, well it was akin to a betrayal in her mind. Arngeir would pay dearly if he purposely kept the one thing that could defeat the World Eater from her. All of the death that monster was dealing right now, would be on their shoulders. She took a deep breath and exhaled in a long deliberate huff. She calmed her mind and decided to reserve any kind of judgement until she spoke with them. “Looks like I’m off to High Hrothgar… again.”“Dragonborn…” Delphine called to her and motioned for her to follow her and Esbern away from the group. “It’s important.” She mentioned when Freyanna hesitated. She didn’t like these sidebar conversations as they always held some sort of subterfuge.“What is it?” They must’ve noticed her disapproving manner as she approached them.“We need to settle in here, before you leave.” Delphine mentioned. “This is a better hideout than I could’ve ever imagined.” She continued though Esbern motioned for her to get to the point of this semi-clandestine meeting. “We also need to replenish our numbers.” She whispered to her. “Numbers? You actually mean to rebuild the Blades?” Freyanna was already bothered by the idea. “For what reason…” Her eyes lit up at the thought that crept into her mind. “Do it, but do not alienate the Forsworn… ask them as well. The Blades of old are dead, the new Blades will be far deadlier with agents of all backgrounds counted among their ranks.” Delphine nodded as Esbern watched. “Set up a trade and defense agreement with Madanach... we’re going to need food, raw materials, and people to help us get this place up and running.”“We’ll look around while you’re gone and see what other secrets this place has.” Delphine added.“I’m taking Jenassa, Marcurio and Brelas with me. Lydia, Benor and the Stormcloak platoon will stay with you to assist in the day to day.” Delphine watched as she turned and walked towards Velkas and Madanach who were staring at Alduin’s Wall. “I’m leaving for High Hrothgar, if you need anything speak with Delphine.”“Borkul will accompany you as well.” Madanach offered.“That’s not necessary I…” She was about to refuse, but he wasn’t going to have it.“Yes it is. He’s the best warrior and bodyguard I know. I’ll be damned if you get killed out there, you’re the reason all of this is going to work.” He motioned to the motley crew of people within the temple. It actually made her chuckle.“Ok, you win.” She smiled. “I’ll try to return as soon as I can. If not I’ll send word of where I’ll be.” She took her leave of Madanach and Velkas. She then commenced to gather up Brelas, Borkul, Jenassa and Marcurio to brief them on their mission to High Hrothgar. The Forsworn in the camp made sure that they were well supplied for the journey and they all headed out on horseback east towards Whiterun Hold.Delphine and Esbern watched from a distance as the formidable group disappeared down the road. “My guess is she’ll meet Paarthurnax this time.” Delphine mentioned.“I don’t see her killing him.” Esbern commented.“She’ll do the right thing.” Delphine seemed confident.“So sure are you?” Esbern turned to her. “The little fact we kept from her that the Greybeard’s Grandmaster is Alduin’s former second in command… I’m sure she’ll be very understanding.”Esbern’s assertion sent a chill down Delphine’s spine. The Thalmor betrayal made Freyanna very susceptible to even an inkling of being turned on. “We should’ve told her.” She whispered to herself.“She needs to find out for herself.” Esbern countered. “Again, like Tiber Septim, Reman, and all of the Tongues, I don’t think she will kill him.”“He will teach her… like he did Talos and all of the other Dragonborn Emperors.” Delphine’s frustration started to surface. “She’ll protect him like all the others before her… damn it.” ***********************Six months later, College of Winterhold Arngeir and the rest of the Greybeards had gotten an earful from her, but she forgave their lack of trust in her. Paarthurnax was not only the Grandmaster of the Greybeards, he was a child of Akatosh, a Dragon, he was the younger brother to the World Eater himself. Her trip to High Hrothgar explained the Greybeard’s caution and reluctance to let her meet their Grandmaster the first time around. They would’ve kept her away again if not for Paarthurnax himself forcing the issue.They’d spoken in the Dragon tongue which astounded Paarthurnax as none of the other Dragonborns he mentored had completely mastered it to the extent of actually being able to carry a conversation. The conversation was quite exhausting as both she and Paarthurnax actually used their Thu’ums on one another. She was surprised that she was able to hold her own with the ancient dragon, but she felt that her entire body was sore and bruised from their conversation. It was pretty obvious that Paarthurnax enjoyed his time with her and she had to admit that she enjoyed it immensely as well. Conversing in the Dragon Tongue had actually felt more natural than even the Altmer tongue. As an added bonus, Paarthurnax taught her how to further meditate on the meaning of shouts. It actually made her understand them more fully and consequently made them much more powerful. He did not however, know the shout used to bring down dragons. He explained that it was not possible for a dragon to understand such a shout. The shout, which had been forgotten over time was created by the Nordic Tongues and lost to the ages. It was a mighty blow to her morale, but he did suggest that the tongues had used an Elder Scroll to send Alduin adrift through time. If anyone knew about the Elder Scrolls, it was the mages in Winterhold. So now, here she was with Jenassa at the top of the steps to the College of Winterhold with a High Elf female named Faralda guarding the entrance. “I’m not looking to become a member, but I do need information.”“We don’t usually allow non-students or non-faculty inside.” Faralda was completely enthralled at the sight of Freyanna in her Dragon Armor and the incredibly formidable looking Dunmer with her. “But, I think you two are more of the exception to the rule. Follow me.” She turned and led them to the courtyard where Freyanna immediately went into combat mode at the sight of a Thalmor Battlemage speaking to what she assumed was another mage. She quickly drew her Staff of Magnus while Jenassa started to move to a flanking position among the columns. Faralda’s hands immediately lit up with flames. “I suggest you stand down.” Faralda’s quick and spectacular response was enough to garner her attention. It was obvious that Faralda was a highly skilled mage who might not deserve to die… just yet.Ancano turned around as Mirabelle’s hands lit up with flames. He locked eyes with the Elsonire demon and he froze in place. He watched as she secured her staff and motioned for her partner to stand down at the moment, her eyes never leaving his. “What would a cowardly Thalmor wretch be doing in the middle of a Stormcloak held city?” She asked wickedly as she moved toward him in a very confident gate. “Protected by the College mages?” She looked at Mirabelle who defiantly met her glare with her own. “What business do you have here?” Mirabelle asked her with some serious animosity. Faralda took up a flanking position and it wasn’t long before Archmage Savos and the other mages who were at the college came outside and readied themselves for combat. He didn’t dare raise his hands to attack. She, like her mother, was a supreme battlemage of the highest order and by the look of the Dunmer she was with, she looked quite deadly in her own right. Alone he wouldn’t stand a chance against her… but maybe if he started the fight, he could get lost in the confusion.“I don’t wish to harm any of you… with one sole exception.” She folded her arms in front of her with absolutely no concern for the magic that was arrayed against her at the moment. “You wish to associate with worthless traitors that is your business, I only wish to obtain information.” “What kind of information?” Ancano, seeing all of the mages ready to defend him actually drummed up the courage to speak as arrogantly as he always did.“So the filthy wretch has the courage to speak now?” She still hadn’t budged from her stance. “Please, what is it you want?” Savos actually sounded concerned for his people and that made her feel like he would be the one to talk to.“I’ll speak to you and you alone.” Ancano was already looking for an exit. “That thing…” She motioned nonchalantly towards him. “Is not invited.”“Ancano is the Thalmor representative to the College.” Savos mentioned. “He need not attend, but I do wish for Mirabelle and Faralda to accompany me.”“She’s a traitor and a wanted criminal. I demand she be put in chains and turned over to me for transport.” Ancano had once again found his courage. “She’s responsible for the destruction of our Embassy in Skyrim and the death of many of my comrades.”“Is what he said true?” Savos asked her.“You do understand that there is a war out there right?” She retorted to Savos. “I am fighting for a free Skyrim alongside Jarl Ulfric and his Stormcloaks, which I may add control this very hold. The only criminal here is this Thalmor scum whom you and your comrades are protecting.” She smiled wickedly again as she glared at Ancano. “Why don’t we call the town guards and see who they arrest?”Ancano visibly gulped at the assertion and quickly began to take his leave. “I do not wish to be caught between warring parties.” Savos was visibly worried.“Too late now.” She looked at him softly. “You should’ve thought about that before letting an agent of the Aldmeri Dominion into your school.” She asserted. “Where are the representatives of the Stormcloaks? Imperials? The Thalmor are no friends of either and yet you allow one to hold a place here regardless.”“I… I…” Savos couldn’t argue with her.They stopped at the doors to the Hall of Elements. “Listen, I’m not here to disrupt your school.” She explained. “I’m here because I need your help to kill Alduin.”“The World Eater?” Mirabelle asked.Freyanna nodded. “You must know by now that he has returned and is raising an army of dragons to destroy us all.” They all looked at her with some serious expressions.“That must mean you are…” Savos assertion was interrupted.“Dragonborn.” She completed his thought which resulted in three dumbfounded faces. “I need to know everything about the Elder Scrolls.”“That would be Urag’s field of expertise. You need to speak to him as he is our chief librarian.” Faralda mentioned. “If anyone knows anything about them, it is he.”She looked back to the courtyard and noticed that Ancano had changed into different robes and was on his way out of the College. She motioned with her head for Jenassa to discretely follow him. “You see, I knew he wouldn’t stay.” She smiled knowing he would never make it very far with the tail following him. Jenassa would make sure that she, Borkul, Brelas and Marcurio would be waiting to ambush him as soon as he cleared the town border.No one seemed to notice that Jenassa had quietly disappeared as Freyanna followed Savos to the library. Once inside, the ancient looking Orsimer Urag stood up immediately. “It can’t be!” He exclaimed as he rushed from behind his desk and approached Freyanna. “Is that what I think it is?” He looked closer, not at her, but her staff. “By the Gods it is! The Staff of Magnus!”“What!?” Savos and Mirabelle both exclaimed at the same time.“That’s impossible! I imprisoned that…” Savos’ look of shock wasn’t missed by anyone there.“So it was you that Morokei spoke about.” Freyanna now knew that this was Aren Savos, the mage that had imprisoned the Dragon Priest Morokei. “He’s dead now and your comrades are now resting in peace.” Savos fell to his knees finding out that his greatest shame had been righted by this obviously powerful being.“Thank you.” There was a sense of relief in his voice. “What is she talking about and why are you thanking her?” Mirabelle asked.“A tale for another time.” Savos answered her as he was back on his feet. “But that Staff is something our people have been trying to find for a very long time.”She watched them for any sign of aggression, but did not see it. Freyanna remained quite defensive, but relaxed slightly at their show of peaceful curiosity. “This is all well and good, but I need to know about any and all information you have on the Elder Scrolls.”Urag couldn’t contain himself. “You’re free to research all you like here. I know we have a few tomes on the subject.” He turned and started to peruse the archives. “Ah yes, here…” Urag continued to search the library’s catalogue. “And here.” He pulled out the two small reference cards and started to search the book shelves for the tomes they alluded to in the catalogue. While Urag searched the bookshelves, Savos took his chance to address her. “So, why would a magic wielding Altmer side with Ulfric Stormcloak?”“That’s a pretty dangerous question.” Their eyes met and she could feel his discomfort. “Suffice to say, they’re the only ones who haven’t tried to kill me.” She answered. “What’s your excuse for allowing a Thalmor representative have free reign of the College?” She could tell that he didn’t expect the question, by his surprised expression.“Ancano is an excellent advisor and his input has been very valuable in both college business and research.” Savos seemed to have quite a bit of respect for the Thalmor Wizard.“It’s a pretty risky game you’re playing as your college is surrounded by Stormcloaks at every turn.” Savos nodded in agreement as Urag returned with two tomes in his arms.She was about to take a hold of them only to have Urag pull away from her suddenly. “I don’t know who you are or where you’re from and I don’t really care.” The intensity in his glare actually made her gulp visibly. “You’ll treat these books with utmost care or me and you will have a problem.” His glare didn’t soften at all. “Understood?”Freyanna nodded meekly at the ancient Orsimer and Urag handed over the books to her.“I’ll leave you to your research.” Savos mentioned. “Please don’t hesitate to ask for help… you’ve done a great service to the world by ridding it of that monster in Labyrinthian.”“Thank you.” She sat down at a table and began to examine the tomes. One of the tomes, Ruminations on the Elder Scrolls, was completely incomprehensible. The other, Effects of the Elder Scrolls, warned about the consequences of reading the scrolls with an unready mind. Neither gave any hint on where to find an Elder Scroll or how to obtain one. She closed the books and brought them both back up to the main desk where Urag sat. “Is this all you have?”“Didn’t find what you’re looking for?” Urag asked and she shook her head.“One of them just details the consequences of reading an Elder Scroll without being ready to and the other is filled with incomprehensible madness.” She pointed Septimus Signus’ book.Urag chuckled. “Believe it or not, he’s a foremost expert on the Elder Scrolls. He actually has an outpost on the ice just north of the College in the Sea of Ghosts.” It wasn’t the best lead, but if she could make sense of Septimus’ writings then maybe she could find what she needed. “What’s he doing out there?”“He used to be a member of the College, until he read one and went completely mad.” Urag explained. “Now he studies the Ancient Dwemer artifacts out on the ice.”“He actually read one?” Freyanna’s hopes were starting to rise as Urag nodded in affirmation. “That would mean that he might actually know where one is.” This was very good news indeed. “Thank you Urag. You’ve been a great help.” She turned and made her way out of the library and into the Hall of Elements where a class was being taught. She quietly made her way out of the hall and picked up the pace to exit the College grounds.She entered the Frozen Hearth Inn to see Brelas sitting at the bar facing out. She was obviously waiting for her and immediately stood up and approached her. “We have him.” She announced. “Just outside town, Borkul, Marcurio and Jenassa are watching him.”“Did you eat?” Freyanna asked her. Brelas shook her head, but did motion to the large bag of rations that she just purchased. “Okay, let’s go.”They traveled together to the outskirts of town and found their comrades on the side of the road sitting by a well maintained fire. A bruised, bloodied and unconscious Ancano lay in chains under the watchful eyes of the giant Orc, Borkul the Beast. Her eyes immediately locked onto Ancano’s unconscious form which looked like it had taken a terrible beating. “He put up quite the struggle.” Borkul chuckled as he rubbed an obvious burn mark on his shoulder.“Looks like you handled him well.” Freyanna was impressed. Ancano had to be a capable battlemage. The Thalmor wouldn’t have sent an amateur to represent them at the College. She kneeled down next him and cast her healing magic on him. The soft white light flowing from her hands slowly made his bruises and injuries disappear. Once done she stood up and looked down at the still unconscious Ancano. Without warning Freyanna kicked the helpless Altmer awake. “Get Up!”Ancano woke up and immediately began to struggle against his binds. Freyanna could sense that he was about to attempt to magically undo his binds and immediately drew her Staff of Magnus. She directed a stream of its blinding white light into the struggling mage. The effect was as instant as it was noticeable. She could feel his magicka drain from him and fill the powerful staff. “We’ll have none of that.” She smiled wickedly at the truly helpless and confused Thalmor mage. Ancano’s expression of helpless fury was priceless.“Whatever you’re going to do to me, just get it over with.” He stated in a defeated yet still defiant tone.“So tell me Ancano, what did you do to get stationed in the ass end of Tamriel?” The question she asked was quite legitimate. His ambition had gotten on the wrong side of the wrong people and he was basically banished to this primitive excuse for a school. “Then again, a spy in the middle of an enemy’s school of magic, in plain sight is a stroke of genius.”Ancano displayed nothing other than defiant silence as he looked up at her. That giant Orc standing at her side looked every bit the deadly warrior. There was no doubt in his mind that something unpleasant was coming soon. “He’s waiting for someone.” The Orc mentioned to her. “Probably another wizard…” She answered. “It doesn’t matter, he’s the one in charge.” Freyanna’s expression was quite confident with her assertion. “Aren’t you…” It was a rhetorical question that she already knew the answer to.Ancano stayed silent and stood there with a pride and arrogance typical of the Thalmor. Estormo was nowhere to be found. The last he knew of his subordinate was that he was assisting Tolfdir, a frustratingly confrontational human mage who questioned his every move. They were exploring the ruins of an ancient Nordic City just outside of Winterhold. If it was Saarthal like he thought, then the possibility of possessing the Eye of Magnus was not far off. His train of thought was interrupted by the violent collision of a large green open hand with the side of his head. “Focus!” Borkul yelled at the glaring Ancano.“Why are you here?” Freyanna’s voice broke through his anger as he switched his eyes to her. He’d made the decision not to speak and he once again straightened up in silence. “No answer? No problem.” She looked over to Borkul and nodded. “Don’t kill him, I want him alive and conscious for the Stormcloaks.”“Do your…” This time Borkul didn’t hold back as his fist hit Ancano’s cheek with such viciousness that it opened an enormous cut on his face in an explosion of blood. His vision was hazy as he felt himself start slipping into unconsciousness, but before he went completely black he felt the familiar sensation of healing magic permeate his body. As quickly as the tingling sensation of healing had been felt, just as quickly it disappeared.“She said conscious my friend.” The distinctly Imperial accent coming from the human could not be missed. He then felt a kick to his backside.“Move it!” Freyanna yelled as she motioned for the group to head back into Winterhold. It wasn’t long before they encountered a pair of the town guards.“Guards!” Jenassa yelled out to get their attention. “We have a Thalmor prisoner who’s been operating in this sector to undermine the rightful High King of Skyrim, Ulfric Stormcloak.” Freyanna almost chuckled at Jenassa’s incredibly political announcement.The guards looked completely confused as they approached them. “They’re lying!” Ancano was now in a panic. He knew that if the Stormcloaks got a hold of him, they would find a way to break him eventually. “She’s a Thalmor agent trying…” Once again Borkul smacked Ancano so viciously in the back of the head that he fell down in the snow.“Jarl Korir knows who I am.” Freyanna calmly stated as Borkul dragged Ancano back to his feet. “He’ll confirm we work for Jarl Ulfric.”Jarl Korir did indeed confirm her status as a Thane of Windhelm and ally of the Stormcloaks. After warning them that Ancano was a powerful mage, the guards force fed him a magicka draining potion just before shackling him with their own chains. Freyanna also informed Jarl Korir that Ancano had tried to infiltrate the College and that he probably had a partner that he was working with. “The College didn’t suspect that he was Thalmor and I don’t know what he learned from them.” She didn’t want the College to be associated with the Thalmor as she most definitely had further intentions aimed at the school of magic. After speaking to Jarl Korir, Ancano was taken away to what she knew would be a world of pain for him. She gathered her people and informed them that they would be traveling to the Sea of Ghosts to find this Septimus Signus. Marcurio couldn’t contain his excitement at the prospect of finding an Elder Scroll. ****************** The Sea of Ghosts It was an awe and terror inspiring sight to behold. The vast frozen ocean before them was as beautiful as it was frightening. At any moment they could fall through the ice they were actually traveling on top of. Every so often the horse’s steps would produce a crack on the ice and unsettle everyone. “This is really stupid.” Jenassa complained with an uneasiness everyone could sense. “Who in their right mind would set up shop in this Auriel forsaken place?!”“If his writings are anything to go by, he’s not in his right mind.” Freyanna smiled at the uncomfortable expression shown by her dark elf sister. “Urag was quite certain that he was up here… somewhere.”“That’s just great.” Jenassa was quite annoyed at the obvious amusement of her Altmer friend. “It’s a good thing the weather is cooperating or this could get quite difficult.” Marcurio added.“There.” Borkul pointed to what looked like a small rock formation jutting out of the ice. The two lit torches flanking a closed wooden door on the said formation gave them hope that they’d found their destination. It was only a couple of hours travel north of the college.“It’s so isolated.” Brelas commented. “Someone who may not want to be disturbed.”“I don’t care.” Freyanna retorted. “This is non-negotiable, he must help us.” She dismounted, approached the door and knocked. The rest of her team dismounted as well.“We’ll stay with the horses.” Jenassa announced as she motioned to Borkul and Brelas. “I know Marcurio is dying to meet this madman.” “You’re right about that.” Marcurio commented enthusiastically.There was no answer to multiple attempts to get the attention of whoever was inside. Freyanna began to work the door only to find that it was not locked. “It makes sense. Who in Oblivion would be stupid enough to come up here?” Freyanna stated with quite a bit of playful sarcasm.“It says quite a bit about the immense level of stupidity displayed by our little group here today.” Jenassa shot back with an evil smile just as she watched Freyanna and Marcurio enter the unassuming abode. The smooth ice walls of the tunnel they were in were surprisingly well lit as she led the way down to the main chamber. Reaching the top of the chamber, she noticed a square bronze-like object dominating the whole room, a robed figure pacing in front of it mumbling incoherently to himself. “Dig, Dwemer in the beyond. I’ll know your lost unknown and rise to your depths…” Freyanna and Marcurio looked at each other and they both shrugged at the same time. “When the top level was built, no more could be placed. It was and is the maximal apex.” They finally reached the man who looked up at them with an unmistakable sense of curiosity. Marcurio looked at the large metallic box with a strange set of ring-like mechanisms keeping its content locked away inside. “It’s definitely a Dwemer device.” He whispered with excited breath into Freyanna’s ear. She couldn’t help but smile at her comrade’s wonder, but she was there to get down to business after all.“Septimus Signus?” She asked the elderly human who seemed to be somewhere else in his own mind. “The ice entombs the heart. The bane of Kagrenac and Dagoth Ur.” He addressed her. “To harness it is to know the fundaments. The Dwemer lockbox hides it from me.” She understood that this old mage wanted to open the square container. “The Elder Scroll gives insight deeper than the deep ones, though. To bring about the opening.” Now he had her attention.“You have an Elder Scroll? Here?” Her hopes were starting to rise at the mention of the much needed tome.“I’ve seen enough to know their fabric. The warp of air, the weft of time.” He continued to speak in his strange manner. “But no, it is not in my possession.”“Fuck…” She knew it was too good to be true as she let out the expletive. “Where?”“Well, here on this plane, Mundus, Tamriel. Nearby, relatively speaking. On the cosmological scale, it’s all nearby.” Now she was starting to get upset.“Do you know where it is or not?” She asked with some venom.“One block lifts the other. Septimus will give you what you want, but you must bring him something in return.” Freyanna rolled her eyes at the obvious request.“Ugh, what is it you want?”“You see this masterwork of the Dwemer. Deep inside their greatest knowings. Septimus is clever among men, but he is an idiot child compared to the dullest of the Dwemer.” Septimus started to dig through a chest of his belongings as he continued to speak. “Lucky then they left behind their own way of reading the Elder Scrolls. In the depths of Blackreach one yet lies… Have you heard of Blackreach? Cast upon where Dwemer cities slept, the yearning spire hidden learnings kept.” He pulled a golden metallic box inscribed with numerous runes. “How do we get there?” Marcurio asked quite excitedly.“Under deep. Below the dark. The hidden keep. Tower Mzark. Alftand, The point of the puncture, of the first entry, of the tapping. Delve to its limits and Blackreach lies just beyond. But not all may enter there. Only Septimus knows the hidden key to loose the lock to jump beneath the deathly rock.” Freyanna looked over to Marcurio and noticed that he was hanging on every word as the madman continued to ramble.“How do we get in?” It was as if Marcurio was having his own personally fulfilling conversation with Septimus.Septimus for his own part did not disappoint as he continued to speak in almost comprehensible rhymes. “Two things I have for you. Two shapes. One edged, one round. The round one, for tuning. Dwemer music is soft and subtle, and needed to open their cleverest gates.” He started to describe the two objects. “The Edged Lexicon, for inscribing. To us a hunk of metal. To the Dwemer, a full library of knowings. But… empty. Find Mzark and its sky-dome. The machinations there will read the scroll and lay the lore upon the cube.” Marcurio took possession of the objects as if they were delicate newborn babes. “Trust Septimus. He knows you can know.” “This is incredible.” Marcurio whispered and looked over to his totally unimpressed companion. “This is a good thing, I swear.” He reassured her as he pulled out his map. “Alftand is here.” He pointed to a spot south west of Winterhold. “It’s about a day’s journey on horseback.”“You understood him?” Freyanna was quite puzzled. “What do those two things do?”“Perfectly, didn’t you?” Marcurio answered with his usual confidence. “Nevermind, let’s go.” Freyanna actually smiled at her good fortune in having someone like Marcurio around.They made their way back outside where Jenassa, Borkul and Brelas were waiting for them. “So did you get it?” Jenassa asked.“As usual, we have to get it.” Freyanna was extremely frustrated. “It’s in some sort of Dwemer ruin.”“That’s just great.” Jenassa sounded about as frustrated as Freyanna. “We can look forward to a bunch machines and Falmer trying to kill us then.”“What?” Freyanna asked. “What do you mean machines?”“Why don’t you ask our resident Dwemer expert?” Jenassa motioned toward Marcurio.“It’s nothing we can’t handle.” Marcurio answered. “Especially with Freyanna in our party.” He looked over to Freyanna who looked like she wanted an explanation. He let out a huff and began to describe what they would probably see in the Dwemer ruins. “The Dwemer were very defensive about maintaining the secrets. They will have traps, defenses, and not to mention automatons trying to keep us from their knowledge.” He continued. “They would be a very formidable obstacle for even the most seasoned warriors and thieves, but your Thu’um is something I don’t think the Dwemer have an answer for.”“Is that all?” Brelas asked, seemingly knowing that he’d purposely left out the Falmer.“The Falmer… ugh.” Marcurio responded. “They are the denizens of the deep and we will most likely do battle with many of them in our trek to recover the Elder Scroll. They can be extremely formidable.”“Damn it.” Freyanna mumbled. “I hate it when everyone and everything is trying to kill me.”“Look on the bright side.” Marcurio addressed her with some lightness. “At least you’ll have the best company.” ****************************** Five Days later – Alftand Tower Exit Borkul couldn’t stop watching her as they made camp for the night. He would’ve never believed how deadly one individual could be. He’d seen powerful wizards, warriors of immense skill and power, but he’d never seen anything like this incredible Altmer woman. Their trek through the Alftand, Blackreach and Mzark tower was committed to his memory and he would make sure to tell the tale to all when he got back to Skyhaven. They’d retrieved the Elder Scroll from the tower with Marcurio using his extremely substantial knowledge of the Dwemer to not only open up and gain access to the incredible cavern of Blackreach, but he also was able to inscribe the Dwemer cube he was given by the crazed Septimus. They’d battled hordes of Dwemer constructs and Falmer, not to mention navigating through the myriad of traps placed throughout. The skill of his new comrades was awe inspiring. Brelas and Jenassa were deadly with their bows. Marcurio’s knowledge of the Dwemer and his skill as a battlemage made him invaluable. He was a decent swordsman to boot. Freyanna was by far the deadliest being he’d ever been around. Her skill in battle, he’d never seen her equal and her Thu’um made her virtually invincible. She’d single-handedly destroyed two gigantic mechanical golem-like monstrosities Marcurio named Centurions with just her Thu’um alone. She, with their help, also wiped out an entire colony of those barbaric and beast-like Falmer. Borkul could still smell their burnt flesh in his mind, he’d never felt such power.She sat on the edge of the cliff facing north and they could all feel that she was meditating. She just emanated power. “FUS RO DAH!” Borkul flinched at the powerful shout as he watched an enormous shockwave spread out in front of her. “She’s amazing isn’t she?” He turned and looked to see the young Bosmer, Brelas, standing next to him.“She’s beyond that even.” Borkul didn’t even bother to hide his admiration. “If this is what Tiber Septim was like, I can see how he could be worshipped as the god Talos.”“The empire and Thalmor are in some serious trouble.” Jenassa commented.“Talos would be horrified at what the Empire has become.” Marcurio joined them. “It almost feels like she’s the answer to everything.” He looked over to all of them. “Do any of you know the stories of the battles during Tiber Septim’s rise.” They all gave him a quizzical look.“What does that have to do with anything?” Jenassa asked him.“I always thought they were embellished to make him look more god-like.” He answered. “But after seeing what she did in there, they might not have been off the mark.” He turned back to watch Freyanna as she meditated. “We should be thanking the Thalmor for betraying her. Those in Alinor that feared her rise will now face her wrath.”Freyanna stood up and turned to all of them. “We should split up here.” “What?” Jenassa didn’t like the idea at all, but Freyanna wasn’t going to put up with any argument as she put up her hand in a motion for her to stop talking.“I need to get the Elder Scroll up to High Hrothgar. The longer we wait, the more time Alduin has to build up his forces.” She explained.“Then we go with you.” Borkul stated with quite a bit of determination.“We can give the Lexicon back to Septimus afterwards.” Marcurio added. “I don’t think he’s going anywhere anytime soon.”“Or, Borkul and I can go to High Hrothgar while You, Jenassa and Brelas can take the Lexicon back to Septimus. We can then meet back up in Whiterun once I’m done with the Greybeards.” Freyanna countered. “I don’t like it.” Brelas chimed in. “What if that Elder Scroll forces you to confront Alduin? I’d rather be there to help you than on a courier run to satisfy some madman living in a cave of ice.”Freyanna smiled at the loyalty of her people. They’d all follow her through the gates of Oblivion if she needed them to. “Okay, we stay together.” She said as she mounted her horse.They all mounted their horses and began their trek back to the Greybeards’ home. *****************************The Time Wound Standing on the Time Wound at the top of the Throat of the World, she looked skyward. The Elder Scroll had revealed to her a shout that all dragons feared. She’d seen and heard the tongues of old use it to slay many dragons and banish Alduin into the future. The shout had also opened her mind in a further understanding of her Thu’um. The memories of those she’d slain flowed through her, but mostly from the one who hadn’t slept. The one who hid and bided his time till his master returned… Mirmulnir! He attempted to understand the Nordic shouts unlike many of his brethren. He could not grasp the meaning of two of them. Joor Zah Frul was as clear as day to her. She felt its power as she pondered its meaning. It would tear at the soul of its target. It would force them to experience mortality, something that was inconceivable to the immortal dragons. The other… she now knew she had to go to the island of Solstheim. Mirmulnir had gone there in his time of hiding and came upon a word wall he didn’t understand. She could read it through his memories, but as she was viewing through his eyes, she couldn’t understand it either. “Bahloki nahkip sillesejoor. My belly is full of the souls of your fellow mortals, Dovakhin!” She calmly stared at the hovering ebon monster known as the “World Eater.” “Die now and await your fate in Sovengarde!” He started to take flight as she watched him turn to line up a pass on her.“Lost Funt. You are too late, Alduin!” Parthurnax took off from his perch on the Word Wall at the top of the Throat of the World. “Dovakhin! Use Dragonrend, if you know it now!”It didn’t take long for Freyanna to use her new found power. She waited for Alduin to loop towards her and begin his dive. He, like all of his brethren thought that he could finish her quickly. It would be a mistake. “JOOR ZAH FRUL!” The shout exploded from her Thu’um and struck Alduin in mid-dive. Freyanna leaped to the side as Alduin crashed onto the top of the mountain as the dragonrend shout tore at his soul.She pulled her Elven blades and quickly leaped onto Alduin’s back. She plunged her swords in between the spike scales of armor that covered the whole of Alduin’s back. Alduin roared thunderously at the searing pain caused by every plunging stroke of Freyanna’s blades. “Meyz mul, Dovahkin! You’ve become strong Dovahkin!” He yelled as he bucked her off of his back and watched as she landed with the grace and agility of an acrobat. He turned his body quickly to try and face her, as he did so she just stood there at the ready. He took in a deep breath of air only to have it sucked out him.“FO KRAH DIIN!” The extremely powerful stream of ice breath struck him mid breath, freezing his tongue and throat. He tried to shout, but his mouth was completely frozen over. Shaking his head to regain his wits he caught a glimpse of movement as she leaped towards him with an ungodly burst of speed. He barely had time to raise his head, avoiding her masterful sword stroke, as he simultaneously leaped into the air with his powerful wings and took flight in a desperate attempt to get as far away from her as he could. He felt something he hadn’t felt since his battle with the Nordic Tongues… fear. She launched two enormous fireballs at him that struck him dead center on his chest causing some of his scales to fall off. This Elven Dragonborn was more powerful than any of the Tongues he remembered. Only Miraak rivaled this one’s power. Still, Miraak was defeated and so would this upstart. “JOOR ZAH FRUL!” She shouted again.This time Alduin dodged the powerful shout and continued to distance himself from the powerful Dragonborn. He could see her anger and frustration. It made him snicker as he addressed her again with the pomp and arrogance only one so powerful could have. “But I am Al-du-in, firstborn of Akatosh! Mulaagi zok lot! I cannot be slain her by you or anyone else!” He’d been hurt, but he was immortal and the souls of Sovengarde would replenish his power. “You cannot prevail against me. I will outlast you… mortal!”“Vokrii Hi Nikriin!” (Come back you coward!)She yelled in a vain attempt to pull him back into the fight. She watched in frustrated rage as the Black one flew off, beaten, but not defeated. “YOL TOOR SHUL!” She shouted with her full power in a rage at the sky. The enormous plume of flames dissipating harmlessly in air. She kneeled down in the snow, defeated in the thought that she could not kill the monster.“Lot krongrah. You truly have the voice of a dovah. Alduin’s allies will think twice after this victory.” Parthurnax landed on the top of the Word Wall and sounded like he was in complete awe of her. “This is not a victory. Alduin escaped!” Her frustration came through in her speech. “Ni liivrah hin moro. True, this is not the final krongrah – victory. But not even the heroes of old were able to defeat Alduin in open battle.” That actually caught her attention. “Alduin always was pahlok – arrogant in his power. Uznagar paar. He took domination as his birthright.” As she listened she kept thinking that she had to find out how to get to where Alduin was. “This should shake the loyalty of the dov who serve him.”Maybe one of his followers knows how to find him. She thought. “Is there any way to convince one of them to tell me where Alduin went?”Parthurnax looked quite pleased at her question. “Yes… one of his allies could tell us. Motmahus… But it will not be so easy to… convince one of them to betray him. Perhaps the hofkahsejun – the palace in Whiterun… Dragonsreach. It was originally built to house a captive dovah.” She was fully invested in the words he was speaking. “A fine place to trap one of Alduin’s allies, hmm?”It was an excellent idea except for a few things. “The Jarl of Whiterun might not think so.” She didn’t think he’d be happy to bait a dragon into attacking his home. The other problem was how do you get a dragon to come to you?“Hmmm, Yes, but your Thu’um is strong. I do not doubt you can convince him of the need.” The confidence in Parthurnax’s voice actually made her chuckle.“So Dragonsreach was designed to hold a dragon?” She needed to know how this was possible. Was the castle as ancient as Parthurnax said?“Yes, this was ages ago you understand. There were more of us then. Before the Bruniikke – The Akaviri – came and killed all of my zeymah. I used to visit him from time to time, nearly crazed by loneliness and captivity. Tiiraz Siivaas, He did not even remember his own name.” There was some sadness that she felt as he explained. “I do not know how he came to be caught. But the bronjun… the Jarl… was very proud of his pet. Paak! The hokasejun has been known as Dragonsreach ever since.”“I’ll have to inspect this possible trap before we can try and call…” She paused and locked eyes with the ancient dragon. “What’s his name?” He nodded his intimidating head.Parthurnax’s whisper trembled as the words appeared red hot against the white snow. “Od-Ah-Viing” Freyanna could feel the power emanating from the words as she absorbed their meaning. Snow, Hunter, Wing… She thought as she comprehended the creature’s name. “He is Alduin’s right hand and his power is almost the equal of Alduin and my own.”“He could do terrible damage if I don’t capture him quickly.” She understood. Whiterun’s people would not fall easily, but the amount of death and destruction a dragon could do actually made her pause and think about the feasibility of the plan to capture Odahviing in Dragonsreach. “I will find another way.”“I do not doubt you will, but in the case you cannot, the bronjun should…” She raised her hand to stop him. “I already have a much better location in mind to trap him.” She looked at him. “Are there any other words you can teach to help me live through this?”Parthurnax watched her… with the exception of Miraak, she was the most powerful Dragonborn he’d ever spoken too and Miraak was not nearly as pleasant as this Elf. “Where, if you don’t mind the question.”“Sky Haven Temple… I have a veritable army of Forsworn ready to fight the Dovah.” Freyanna explained. “They’ll help me prepare and no innocent will die when I call him.”“I will teach you what I know.” Her concern for the innocent was something that he’d never seen in the others. They all relished battle, destruction and death. This one did not. This one fought to end the killing, to end the destruction. This could be the student he’d been searching for all his time as the Greybeards’ mentor. She was more than worthy of his gifts and he would share his power with her… not that she really needed it with the awesome display of skill she displayed against his older brother.She sent Klimmek back to the village of Ivarstead in order to inform her comrades that she’d be staying with Parthurnax for as long as it took to master his gifts. She wanted him to explain to them that she would be much better prepared to take on Odahviing. She instructed them to take back the Dwemer artifacts back to Septimus in the meantime and that she would meet them back at Sky Haven.Three months later she’d learned every shout he could teach her. Parthurnax was incredibly impressed with her ability to learn and master his own Thu’um. They would converse for hours in the Dragon Tongue, something that none of his former students could accomplish. Could it be that there was something about this High Elf that made her a Dovah in all but appearance? “You are ready Dovahkiin. There is nothing more I can teach you. If they do not fear you yet, they all will.”“Thank you my friend. I cannot thank you enough for what you have given me. I swear I will try to end this quickly so that we can all live without the fear of your brother destroying the world.” She’d become extremely close and protective of him. He’d bared his soul about the past and the Dragon Wars. How he and a few others betrayed Alduin to help the so called lesser races of Tamriel. If it wasn’t for those brave Dovah, they would still be under the yoke of Alduin’s tyranny. She’d also told him how she betrayed her own people as well. Granted, they had betrayed her first, but the similarities in their stories just made her feel closer to him. “Also, I will not allow the Blades to become a force of indiscriminate dragon hunters. I would like to be able to live in peace with the Dovah, if that’s possible.” Parthurnax watched and listened to her words. None of the other Dovahkiin ever spoke in such a way. “Our father Akatosh must have sent you.” Parthurnax felt as if this being was more than just a Dovahkiin. She spoke in terms of peace and unity, freedom from war and destruction. “When this is over, I will gather as many of my zeymah that are open to your way and join you.” “I would most certainly enjoy conversing with some of your brothers and sisters the way we do, instead of fighting and killing them.” Freyanna smiled at the ancient Dragon as she then turned to go back down towards the Temple. “Zu’u Vaat Zu’u Fen Wahl Nii Ful.” (I swear I will make it so) The trembling of the ground as she spoke the words said volumes about her power.I have no doubt… Parthurnax thought to himself. ******************************************** IvarsteadThe walk down the path from the monastery was uneventful as she periodically used Aura Whisper to see if anyone would be foolish enough to challenge her. To her relief, there were no challengers… yet. Before walking across the bridge and into the village, she stopped and studied the people. She’d been taught to observe for any slight change in behavior. Her mother had told her that sometimes, the body language of a person or persons could tell you more than any reveal spell. She immediately noticed that there were no field hands working the Felstar Farm. It was midday and there were always field hands tending to the crops at this time. Temba’s mill was also quiet. This was not normal and it sent a chill up her spine.“Laas Yah Niir.” She quietly shouted. She gasped in horror as the scene revealed to her was beyond terrible. The faint aura of two people, whose life forces were practically gone, lay haphazardly on a pile inside the Felstar Home. Two dozen other figures seemed to be moving about in a tactical fashion behind the farmhouse. “And so it begins in earnest.” She whispered to herself. She recognized the tactics being used. She hadn’t any doubt as to who was behind this massacre and caught the glimpse of the two battlemages as they made their way from the Inn with another dozen or so warriors. An entire platoon of warriors with battlemages… they killed everyone and were probably going to attempt to take the monastery. She thought to herself as she contemplated her plan of attack. They hadn’t seen her yet, but that wouldn’t remain the case for long and she would not let them get away with the murder of all these people. They’d attacked her home and now the war was really on.“Zul Mey Gut!” Her shout was focused on the street between the mill and the Felstar home. “YOU ARE ALL GOING TO DIE SLOWLY!” She watched as a squad of Altmer soldiers charged the area she threw her voice. Their puzzled and frightened expressions at the empty road only caused her fury to rise. They had come for her. They’d wiped out the entire village to get to her. Had they killed any of her comrades?“There’s nothing here sir!” One of the Altmer warriors yelled out. One of the battlemages walked confidently to the soldier. “She’s a sly one.” She was watching him as he cast a detect life spell. Little did the fool know that it did not have the range to detect her. Her Aura Whisper continued to show their deployment through out the once sleepy village. She now knew the entire layout of their deployment. She detected five archers deployed in single positions at the mill, the roof of the Felstar farm, and several trees surrounding the village. The foot soldiers were deployed in squads of twelve in three difference positions, one in the middle of the street where they were lured by her throw voice shout, one behind the Felstar house and the other protecting the two battlemages who were still near the inn. She even detected their horses, all secured on the outskirts of the village with her giant charger amongst them. As she observed them, she made the determination that the archers and mages were the bigger threats and would have to be eliminated first. She took out one of her extremely valuable and rare magicka regeneration potions and downed in one swallow. Once she formulated her plan of action, she calmed herself and took a deep breath. “TIID KLO UL!” As the familiar sensation of slowing time to almost a crawl affected everything in view, she set out in motion towards the mill at a dead sprint. Her fist fireball left her hand at the archer who was still just trying to raise his bow. She didn’t bother to see if it would hit as she let out another of her mighty fireballs at the one on the Felstar roof, he was also still trying to raise his bow.As the buildings now shielded her from the other three archers, she joined her hands and concentrated a second and released an enormous fireball in the direction of the squad and the two battlemages the protected. Again, not waiting for the impact, she began to run towards the tree line. She reached the cover of the trees as her slow time shout ended with the thunderous explosions of the fireballs hitting their intended targets.The wails of the wounded and dying soldiers echoed through the town. The squad behind the Felstar home had formed up and now faced her direction. Not totally confident in their assessment of the situation at hand. She continued to watch from behind a large tree as the squad that was once in the street, came around the house and joined the other behind the house. They’d formed a shield wall and were now facing her. The three other archers, all Bosmers, had come down from their tree perches and set up behind the shield wall.“Laas Yah Niir.” She shouted once more and saw the devastating effect of her attack. The two archers she’d engaged were now lifeless with both the mill and farmhouse already catching fire. The two battlemages though, were busily healing the remnants of the squad she had so thoroughly decimated near the inn. While they were busy attempting to save their men, she launched into her next attack. She cast Ebony Flesh and charged out from behind the trees. “FUS RO DAH!” The unrelenting force shout hit the line and archers with devastating effect. They were all thrown back into the farmhouse with a sickening thud, some even going through the wall and into the house. All were disoriented as they attempted to get to their feet and engage her. She wouldn’t let them, as she got close enough, she cast her most deadly spell. The spell that once saved her against the Redguards.The firestorm exploded from her position out to all points in a circle around her at least for a hundred feet. She was close enough to see them all get thrown back down again as they also caught fire. As they struggled to put themselves out, she methodically put them to the sword. The Felstar house was now fully engulfed in flames, her magicka completely used up in the effort. She quickly ran towards the bridge leading back up to the monastery wondering if the two mages and the remnant of the platoon would follow. “THERE SHE IS!” She wasn’t disappointed as turned to face them. The infantrymen were charging her while the two battlemages engaged her from a distance. There were only six soldiers and the battlemages looked a little spent, probably as a result of their healing efforts for themselves and the squad. She had no magicka left and she knew that these soldiers, unlike those in the Riften sewers, were first rate warriors. She dodged a fireball and then rolled out of the way of an ice spear as those soldiers got closer. Her magicka spent and her voice almost gone, she braced for the hand to hand combat she so relished. She continually backed up towards the bridge as the battlemages continued their magical assault on her. She felt an ice spear strike her mid-section, but it shattered on her dragon armor, the concussive force though actually knocked her back and forced her to roll backwards in order to stand back up. She quickly closed the distance with the six soldiers and put them between her and the mages. She had to bide her time as her voice recovered. They charged her together as she rolled to the side and engaged the leftmost soldier with her blades. He was talented, as he parried her stokes while his comrades attacked her flanks. She felt one their blades cut her abdomen, but before it could do too much damage she again rolled back away from the phalanx. It was a mistake as a fireball struck her with its full force and flung her thirty feet from the phalanx. Her helmet flew off of her head as she landed with a fiery thud on the bridge.“SURRENDER NOW TRAITOR!” One of the battlemages yelled towards her as the squad of soldiers surged towards her. She got up slowly, surprised that they hadn’t finished her with another spell. She theorized that healing their soldiers must have taken up quite a bit of their magicka or she’d be dead right there. The soldiers were almost on top of her when she finally felt her voice had returned. She had to make a decision as to who was the biggest threat to her life.It wasn’t even a thought, but she could not see using any other word other than… “YOL TOOR SHUL!” It was absolutely devastating. Her fire breath’s power had increased exponentially since she’d first acquired it. It disintegrated the entire remnants of the Altmer squad and set the two Battlemages ablaze, as well as the mill behind them. The two mages managed to jump in the river and douse the flames, but they didn’t have time to cast another spell, as she too had regained some of her magicka. Her lightening spell struck them while in the water and stopped their struggle as they fell limp. The river carried their bodies away as she finally was able to take account of the situation and the consequences of the Thalmor’s and her actions here. She ran towards the Felstar Farmhouse and shouted her Frost Breath at it as soon as she was able. The house immediately ceased burning as a result. She waited for a minute and did the same for the mill. She then made her way inside of the farmhouse to see if any of her comrades were in the pile of bodies. To her relief, none of her friends were present, but to see so many innocent people killed by the Thalmor once again made her blood boil.After speaking and learning with Parthurnax, she was almost willing to parlay with them and the empire, but after this show of brutality, she’d show them absolutely no mercy. Her platoons had never massacred innocents like this. They’d wiped out an entire village, farmers, inn keepers, mill workers, men, women, and… children. The Thalmor were a pestilence that needed her form of inoculation. The Thalmor were going to pay dearly for this.
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Ivarstead – two days after the Battle of Ivarstead The small squad of Stormcloak soldiers watched the Dragonborn in absolute awe. They’d only just arrived that day to witness a scene of absolute devastation. There were bodies of Thalmor warriors littering every part of the streets of Ivarstead. They found her in the act of dragging one of the Atlmer corpses behind the Felstar home. She’d told them that the Thalmor had attacked the town in order to kill her. It was quite obvious that she’d come out victorious. They quickly stripped out of their armor and helped her strip all of the Thalmor of their weapons, armor and potions. They also assisted her in carrying the dead elves behind the Felstar farmhouse. She instructed them to send out riders to Riften and Windhelm to inform Ulfric and Laila Law Giver of the situation. She’d cried and cried at the loss of life, her eyes held no more tears for the sight before her. To see what her people had become destroyed her from the inside. She looked into the face of a fellow Altmer, she could tell this was once a hardened warrior by the calloused hands and the enormous scar that ran along the side of her otherwise beautiful face. She was badly burned and the painful expression on her face told of the violence of her death. Freyanna was usually hardened to these scenes of carnage, but to see this bloody set of massacres done solely to get to her, almost broke her. She so wanted to honor the Altmer dead, she wanted so bad to tell their families they died with honor, but these Thalmor had made it impossible for her to do so. These hardened soldiers of the Dominion had no qualms in the killing of innocent people. Before the Stormcloak soldiers arrived, she had moved all of the villagers out of the Felstar house and lined them up as respectfully as she could in the middle of the street between what was left of the Felstar house and the mill. She gently arranged them by who they were so that they could hopefully be identified by relatives who did not live there. She’d come to know a few of them as a result of having to deal with the Greybeards and Parthurnax. They weren’t overly friendly to her, but they did not hesitate to help her by housing her horse and friends. They’d done nothing to earn the wrath of anyone, let alone the Thalmor.Once she was finished with the remains of the town folk, she then went to the spot behind the Felstar Home where, with the help of the Stormcloaks, she unceremoniously piled up the Thalmor bodies. She stared sadly at the very large pile of naked Altmer in various stages of death, some blackened and unrecognizable, others with terrible lacerations, and one particular Battlemage, barely alive. She’d gone down the river to make sure the two Battlereaves were no longer a threat. She recognized one of them as a personal guard of the queen herself. The Thalmor had actually sent one of their best Battlereaves against her. Despite her ebony skin spell, the fireball that hit her not only almost knocked her out, it had actually damaged her dragon armor. They almost succeeded in taking her out, but she persevered and now would not sit back and wait for the next strike. She would take the fight to them and specifically kill every Thalmor representative she found in Skyrim.Cyreron Khraemor was a legend in his own right. His deeds during the war with the Empire were as impressive as anything she’d done. His battalion held off an entire Imperial Legion long enough to allow the Dominion’s main forces to retreat from their positions near the Imperial City. If not for his efforts, the Dominion would’ve been in dire straits and not in the advantageous position they found themselves at the end of the war. He was rumored to be personally responsible for the death of over one hundred legionnaires that day. As the images of the dead continually invaded her mind, she couldn’t help herself. “I can’t believe someone I admired so much is nothing more than a mass murderer.”She stared at the badly burned Altmer as his eyes opened slowly. The contempt in his eyes was immediately apparent. “… ai… o.” His contempt turned into a painfully shocked expression as he completely failed in his attempt to insult her. She let out a slight huff of amusement as she offered him a healing potion which he refused to take. He turned his face away from her, he didn’t want to look at his conqueror. He’d never been so thoroughly trounced, she cast another heal spell until she was sure he wouldn’t die. “You’re going to suffer for your crimes.” She calmly uttered. He tried to move, but he was horrified at the lack of sensation in his limbs. “Don’t bother, you’ll never walk or move again.”“Wha… wha…?” Struggle as he did, he could not form the words he wanted to say, he couldn’t feel his tongue! No matter how hard he tried, his charred limbs would not move a millimeter. “Don’t try to talk, your tongue is no longer with you. I made sure to heal you just enough to keep you alive. You won’t be casting any spells, swinging any swords, conversing with anyone, or doing anything at all. You will be an invalid for the rest of your time on Tamriel.” She propped him up by tying him to a thick wooden stake behind the Felstar house so he could see what she’d done to his platoon of warriors and mages. The scene actually forced a tear to trickle down his cheek. They were all completely naked, burned, and in various stages of mangled. He turned his eyes towards her. His eyes asked the question his mouth could not. The Stormcloak soldiers there just watched her in wide eyed reverence.“Why?” She responded quite angrily to his eyes. “Are you sure that’s what you want to know?” He nodded his head. She then turned to face the pile of dead Altmer. “YOL TOOR SHUL!” The enormous stream of fire struck the pile of bodies with a sickening hiss as flesh melted and turned to ash, as did the bones, leaving nothing but a pile of blackened ash to be dispersed by the winds. She then walked up to within an inch of his face. “Not one of you have any honor so I will not allow any of you to be honored.” He was completely beaten and knew that his time on this world would be filled with ridicule and pain. He watched as the Stormcloak soldiers seemed to be paralyzed with awe at the sight of her power. “Before coming here, I did everything the Dominion asked me! I FOUGHT… BLED… KILLED… AND WATCHED MY COMRADES DIE! In all that time, neither my men nor I ever massacred an entire village of innocent people!” She turned again towards the pile of ash that was once forty two of the most hardened warriors of the dominion. “VEN GAAR NOS!” An enormous cyclone of air erupted in the midst of the ash, spreading and dispersing them until there was nothing. She then turned to him again, he was completely demoralized. “I am going to accompany you to Whiterun where I will make my displeasure felt… I am a Thane after all.”He stayed silent as she ordered the Stormcloak soldiers to mount him on the back of a large wooden cart. They harnessed one of the captured horses to the cart as she mounted her charger. “Sven and Galruf will accompany you my lady.” The young sergeant who was in charge of the Stormcloak squad ordered them. “The rest of us will make sure the townsfolk get a proper burial and hopefully if there are any survivors, they will return.” They would all go on horseback. “Put the equipment on the cart. I’ll make sure it’s put to good use.” She mentioned and two of the Stormcloak soldiers placed the four large sacs onto the cart. Freyanna huffed as she then led the small team out of the now dead village of Invarstead. ******************** The trip to Whiterun took five days. She’d wiped out a nest of bandits on the way and taken all of their gear as well. The fools actually threatened to kill her if she didn’t pay the so-called toll to pass, on the road they thought they controlled. The Valtheim towers and bridge across the White River were now nothing more than smoldering rubble, whose smoke could be seen even from this distance away. The bandits that did survive now had to climb down a cliff face because the collapse of the bridge and tower had stranded them on the other side of the river. They really didn’t know how lucky they were because their comrades were nothing but ash now.They were on the outskirts of Whiterun when she spotted a column of Imperial soldiers heading her way. She raised her hand to stop her people. It was a platoon sized element with what had to amount to about forty legionnaires. They marched in a very disciplined fashion towards her and stopped some distance from her small group. A large man in heavy imperial armor came to the front of the column. “Freyanna Elsonire, you are hereby commanded to lay down your arms and come with us.” The Captain of this imperial platoon ordered her. It actually made her smile softly at the utter audacity of the command.She looked back at Cyreron and saw that he was completely beaten. His head was low and it looked like he’d given up on life. She then turned back to the Captain and saw the platoon form up in a phalanx. “Does General Tullius know what his Dominion friends are doing in the Rift?” She asked the Captain.“I’ll not say it again, stand down!” The Captain barked with the confidence of the ignorant.“ZUN HAAL VIIK!” A wave of energy traveled toward the imperials in an instant and resulted in their weapons and shields flying from their hands. The Imperials all looked at each other in confusion and then looked to their Captain who was also disarmed. The look of shock in his face was priceless, the confidence was completely gone. “I have a war criminal here that I will turn over to you, but make no mistake, neither I nor my two associates will be going with you.” Freyanna’s eyes locked on to the powerfully built captain. “You’re lucky there were no imperial forces involved in the massacre at the Village of Ivarstead.”The Captain was in the process of picking up his weapon when the words struck him. “Massacre?” The frightened expression on his face was something she knew quite well. “Yes, the Thalmor sent a force there and wiped out the entire village to try and get to me.” She answered, still keeping an eye on the Captain and his troops who had recovered most of their swords and shields. “This thing…” She pointed to Cyreron. “Led the attack and spared no one present.”“WHAT?! Everyone?” The Captain seemed desperate. “Bassianus?” His eyes were filled with fear.It actually did affect her a bit as she sadly shook her head. “I’m sorry.” She watched as the Captain dropped his sword and fell to his knees. He pulled his helmet off and slammed it on the ground.There was a rage in the Captain that exploded. “She could be lying.” A younger legionnaire kneeled next to him. It had to be his lieutenant. “She’s killed many of our brothers and sisters.”“I could kill all of you now if you wish.” They both looked at her and noticed that her two escorts hadn’t even drawn their swords. Her eyes met the Captain’s once more. “Know that the village has been avenged and the dead are being handled with honor.”“She has to be lying…” The young Imperial Lieutenant attempted to repeat.“CALL HER A LIAR AGAIN AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS!” Sven had held his tongue long enough. He wasn’t about to let this imperial dog insult the Dragonborn without consequences.She turned to calm the large Nord. “It’s alright Sven, they’re only trying to do the impossible.”The lieutenant looked a little bit puzzled. “What’s impossible?” “As the Stormcloaks and you Imperials kill each other, the Thalmor do what they want, biding their time until they are ready to destroy us all.” She explained to the young Imperial. He had the expression of one who understood. “So Ivarstead… sleepy little Ivarstead is no more?” The Captain stood up without picking up his sword and helmet. “You have proof besides the crippled High Elf that it was the Thalmor.” He nodded towards Cyreron.Freyanna pulled out a small pouch from her belt and tossed it to the Captain. “Cyreron must have been pretty confident his force could defeat me or they wouldn’t have brought these.”The Captain opened the pouch to see that it contained numerous small and golden identification tags. It also contained two very ornate ring, which he pulled out of the pouch. He examined them and noticed that they had identical markings.“That is the Royal Seal of High Queen Ayrenn, those rings belonged to two of her once formidable and quite deadly Battlereaves, one of which is still alive… Cyreron Khraemor.” She motioned to her captive. She then turned back to the Captain. “Make no mistake, this was an act of war against me and the people of Skyrim.”“They attacked a Stormcloak town, not a…” The Lieutenant began to justify the Thalmor action as if he truly believed the Dominion was an ally of the Empire.Sven didn’t let him finish. “You Imperial Bastard! Those Stormcloak guards and the townsfolk died trying to defend that town and their lives! They died defending a SKYRIM town from the THALMOR!” Sven was getting angry. “All the while you and yours lay with the Dominion which will, in the end, destroy the lot of you!”“Those aren’t just any tags either.” She mentioned to the Captain. “They’re all from the same unit. You Imperials should know them well, ‘Khraemor’s Devils.’”This time the young Lieutenant’s expression betrayed his feelings on the matter. “The ones that held our forces so that their main force could retreat?” She nodded and now she noticed that they had all sheathed their weapons. “I will make you a deal Captain.” Freyanna started to address him and he put his hand up to stop her.“I’m done. I will not fight for an Empire that allies itself with those devils against my people.” He looked at her as he pulled off his cuirass dropped it unceremoniously on the road.“Me too!” Another man stepped from the formation discarded his leather cuirass. “And me!” In the end, five legionnaires put down their arms and armor.She could see the Lieutenant’s discomfort at was happening. “Lieutenant?” She called to him and his shaken appearance actually made her feel for the poor young lad. “I will make you a deal.”“I want you to take this evidence to General Tullius, I want you to show him that the Dominion is not the Empire’s friend.” She gently explained to him. “Take this thing with you.” She motioned to Cyreron. “Have the General take him to Ambassador Elenwen and then…” Her tone changed completely to a much more menacing one. “Tell him what happened at Ivarstead, tell him what these animals have done.” She turned to Cyreron. “I have a feeling she won’t recognize you either.” Cyreron just hung there with his head bowed. She huffed and turned to the young Lieutenant once more. “Tell the good General that unlike him, I decided to spare you so that you could deliver this evidence and that I would like an audience with him at the Greybeards’ Temple at High Hrothgar, so that he can see with his own eyes what his allies did.” She could tell that he was listening intently. “I will make sure all of the pertinent parties are there, including Ulfric.”“For what reason would you want that kind of conference?” Sven asked her.“I want a temporary truce between everyone… at least until I take care of the World-Eater and his followers.” She answered. “It would be nice to deal with the World-Eater without everyone else trying to kill me.”“Why do you fight for those racists?” Came a young female voice from the phalanx. She looked into the formation and saw a young and powerfully built orc woman step out from the formation. Their eyes met and Freyanna immediately understood why she asked the loaded question.“Just because a few Stormcloaks are less than feces, doesn’t make the movement wrong.” She continued to address her. “Everyone has a right to worship the Gods they see fit. Who are the Thalmor to say that Talos is not a God? Why would the Empire not only agree to that, but help the Thalmor enforce such draconian laws against its strongest ally as well?”The Orc woman nodded in understanding as she rejoined her comrades inside the formation. “Why shouldn’t I just take the lot of you back to the General.” The Lieutenant asked quite confidently. Freyanna smiled at the young man. “If you allow me to demonstrate.” She dismounted as Sven and Galruf unsheathed their swords and positioned themselves between her and the Legionnaires. She turned towards a rock formation along the side of the road and took a deep breath. “YOL TOOR SHUL!” She let out the full power of her fire breath. The white stream of flames cast a wide swath and set a large cluster of trees around the rock face ablaze while turning the stone formation into a glowing lava-like orange. The Lieutenant’s expression of utter shock was what Freyanna had expected from someone who did not know her power. “I could kill you all without much effort, but I choose not to.” She remounted her horse as the Lieutenant rejoined his people in the formation. “I will do as you ask for now.” He looked at her and turned to the mutineers. “Just know that the rest of you are now deserters and when we next meet, it will be as enemies.” He motioned for one his legionnaires to untie the bindings holding Cyreron and put him on the back of one of the supply donkeys where he carefully adjusted the once formidable Battlereave.“I’m letting you live so that you deliver my message, so it goes both ways.” Freyanna’s eyes bore into the Lieutenant. “Your people have already tried to kill me with no cause once. If there is no truce, the next time we meet, I will not hesitate, there will be no warning or courtesy. There will only be death.” The Lieutenant nodded in acknowledgement as he ordered the column of Legionnaires to turn around and begin their march back towards Whiterun and eventually Solitude.“We’re with you Dragonborn.” The former Captain announced.“Aye, we’re all with you.” The rest of the former Imperial soldiers made it known as well.She looked at the impressive collection of Nordic men and women. They most certainly didn’t look like they wanted to help the Thalmor destroy their homeland. She chuckled as she looked at the impressive physical specimens, wearing only boots and their under garments. “You could’ve at least kept your swords.” They all looked to her for guidance. “Follow the road back to Ivarstead, the Valtheim Towers are no longer there… uhm… neither are the bandits that used to control them.” She motioned for them to reach into the cart and take the former bandits’ weapons and armors. “Those should hold you over until you get to Ivarstead.” “No…” The Captain retorted. “WE…” He motioned to the men and women who had defected from Imperial service. “Are with you… we are not joining the Stormcloaks.” He walked up to her and he could tell that she was watching his every move. He then kneeled in front of her and bowed his head. “Dragonborn, I swear by Talos that you’ll have my arm for as long as I have breath in my body.”“Aye!” The rest of the men and women yelled out in unison as they all kneeled and bowed to her.“I never said you were joining the Stormcloaks, I don’t have the authority to make you a part of the movement.” She motioned toward Galruf and Sven to hand the Captain a sword and shield she’d taken from one of the Thalmor soldiers. “Those would’ve fetched an excellent price on the open market, make sure you earn them.” “We will, I swear… my name Ragnuk Bearclaw.” He mentioned to her as he handed out the rest of the swords, axes and maces to his comrades.“You better.” Galruf didn’t even try to hide his contempt for this squad of Imperial deserters. “Easy Galruf.” Sven patted his comrade on the shoulder. “There was a time when we would’ve bled for the Empire as well.”“Yes, but now we bleed against them and their Thalmor masters.” Galruf countered. “I think this is a mistake, Dragonborn. How do we know they won’t try to kill you when you let down your guard?”She didn’t disagree with his assertion. As much as she wanted to believe Ragnuk and these new recruits, she had to be careful. The bounty on her head was substantial and that could make anyone of these people into an assassin of opportunity. She paused to look at the new group of hopeful allies and let out a huff. She still needed soldiers, and these were already well trained and disciplined. She deemed the risk acceptable and addressed the group. “Now, you will follow the road back to Ivarstead and you will help the people there to clean up and hopefully rebuild.” Her eyes locked with Ragnuk. “I am making you personally responsible for getting the needed supplies up to the Greybeards who will need a new courier since Klimmek died defending the town.”“What do we tell the Stormcloaks there?” Ragnuk asked.“You will tell them I sent you to help them.” Freyanna responded and was immediately challenged.“What?!” Galruf barked with some vitriol. “I’m not allowing a bunch of milk drink…”“You’ll do exactly as I say and make your way to Sky Haven Temple!” She wasn’t going to tolerate any back talk at this point. “You’ll inform Madanach, Esbern and Delphine that they are needed at Ivarstead immediately.” “But…” Sven started to protest but was cut off as well.“I need to speak to Jarl Ulfric to get this truce conference started.” She watched him sternly. “I need you to get a message to my people in Winterhold to meet me in Ivarstead as soon as they are able.”“We sell this equipment and resupply, before making the trek back.” Sven mentioned. She nodded in agreement and they began to make their way towards Whiterun. ********************************* Two Weeks Later - Main Road along the White River, Just north of Ivarstead Borkul led the unlikely party of humans, elves and orc. “Did you really need to bring that thing with us?” Jenassa didn’t like the looks of the ominous skin bound book being carried by Marcurio. “You can’t even open it, so why bring it with you?”“There has to be a way.” Marcurio looked completely absorbed by the book. “Freyanna may know something.”“Why can’t you open it?” Sven asked.“That’s quite the question, if I had the answer it would be open already.” Marcurio responded with much frustration.“You should’ve asked the mages at the college.” Brelas added.“He doesn’t trust them.” Borkul chimed in with his deep baritone voice. “I don’t trust them either… ” Borkul put his clenched fist up and they all immediately stopped in their tracks. He then pointed to the road ahead.“Damn it.” Marcurio pulled the Staff of Magnus from its holder on his back. Freyanna insisted he take it in case he came across multiple hostile and exceedingly powerful mages. “That’s quite the Imperial column… and it’s headed in the same direction as we are.”Brelas and Jenassa both had their bows out and were ready to let loose arrows in a moment’s notice. “Do you think Tullius is with them?”Marcurio took the large imperial shield from the side saddle and cinched it onto his left forearm. “Borkul, Sven, and I will lead, you two follow.” Both Sven and Borkul nodded while taking out their respective weapons, a beautiful Nordic longsword for Sven while Borkul pulled out a massive war axe, which actually looked quite appropriate in his massive right arm. They acknowledged each other and spurred their horses into a trot, slowly closing the distance with the Imperial troops.It didn’t take long for the Imperials to notice them. In a flawlessly perfected union of movement, the last third of the formation turned around and formed the formidable phalanx the Empire troops were known for. Marcurio recognized a dozen or so archers, a pair of battlemages and a heavily armored female Legate at the back of the formation, Legate Rikke if he wasn’t mistaken. “One more step and we end you.”Borkul chuckled, but he could see no way of winning this fight. It would be a glorious death. “We’re with the Dragonborn, Freyanna Elsonire, leader of the Blades of Skyrim.” Marcurio was always quick with his tongue and very effective. “We’ve received orders to meet her at High Hrothgar.”As he spoke Marcurio noticed that the entire column had halted and a man in extremely impressive Royal Imperial armor approached them and stopped next to his Legate, none other than General Tullius himself. “So you are with the Dragonborn?”“We are.” Jenassa announced with a defiant pride.Tullius looked impressed as he turned to Rikke. “An orc, two elves and two humans?” He whispered to Rikke. “Last I saw, the Stormcloaks don’t look kindly on you Mers.” He made an obvious observation.“We don’t follow them, they, like we, follow her.” Borkul’s voice was filled with an almost violent anticipation as he asserted his feelings, but the statement caused both Rikke and Tullius to raise their eyebrows in surprise. Tullius looked over to Rikke.“Really, hmm?” Tullius’ expression of amusement puzzled Borkul and the rest of the group, who looked at each other with questioning sentiments. Tullius then calmly turned around and spurred his horse back towards the front of the enormous formation formation. “Keep your distance, not one inch closer.” She then turned to one of the Imperial Battlemages. “Keep an eye on them.” She then leaned closer and whispered something indiscernible to the Imperial Mage. She quickly spurred her horse to probably join the General at the front. The Battlemage barked her orders and the formation once again, turned in unison and began to march in its original direction.“I can see why they’re so formidable.” Borkul mentioned with some admiration. “Aye, too bad we can’t unite and fight against those devils from the Summerset Isles.” Sven’s tone was also quite admiring. “We’d destroy them if stayed together.”“I’d rather we’d sided with them, but you can’t pick those that the Dragonborn loves.” Jenassa mentioned, obviously referencing Freyanna’s feelings for Stormcloak Captain, Ralof of Riverwood. Brelas tapped Jenassa’s shoulder and pointed towards the front of the Imperial formation. “Oh shit.”“What is…?” Marcurio followed Brelas’ index finger to the front where they were all looking now.They saw two figures in gold and black robes, flanked by another two in full Thalmor armor. “That has to be ambassador Elenwen.” Brelas mentieoned. “I’d notice her robes anywhere.”“Who’s the other mage?” Borkul asked. “Not certain, bit it’s probably the Second Emissary, Ondolemar, the leader of Skyrim’s Justiciars.” Brelas answered.“Freyanna is going to lose it when she sees them here.” Jenassa mentioned.As they approached the remnants of Ivarstead, they noticed quite a few people working in and around several destroyed and burned out structures. They watched as the column quickly set up a perimeter and began to put up camp next to the road. They had to wait until the camp was almost completed and the guards stationed at one of the corners waved them through.Brelas pulled up her hood so that it completely hid her face in shadow. She wanted to get past the camp without Elenwen or any of the other Thalmor recognizing her. As they got closer, they noticed a horde of Stormcloak soldiers and some civilians assisting in the rebuilding cleanup of the once sleepy village. Jenassa, finally got a glimpse of someone she recognized. Ralof was busily carrying a wooden piling, with the help of another soldier, and positioning it carefully as a builder guided their movements so the piling was placed perfectly into the ground. It appeared that they were rebuilding the once destroyed mill.“Ralof!” Jenassa yelled as she spurred her horse forward.Ralof looked over to the group and smiled. “FRIENDS!” He started to wipe his hands of the dirt they had accumulated. “Freyanna will be so happy to see you all.”Jenassa and Brelas looked at the amazingly fit, handsome, and shirtless Nord with much affection. Borkul didn’t take long to dismount and begin assisting the laborers. “Where is she?” Marcurio asked, still on his horse.“She’s already at the temple, waiting for the…” Ralof motioned with a nod at someone behind them. They all turned in unison and watched as General Tullius, Legate Rikke, Jarl Elisif , Jarl Balgruf of Whiterun, and Ambassador Elenwen made their way up the steps towards the temple.“I can’t see how Freyanna and Ulfric don’t destroy the place with Elenwen present.” Jenassa sounded almost entertained at the prospect of the top of the mountain exploding in violence.“So the traitor shows his face.” An Imperial soldier, accompanied with three of his comrades, approached a shirtless Nord, the one helping Ralof. Ralof immediately stepped in between Ragnuk and the three Imperial Soldiers, it also didn’t hurt that Borkul quickly moved to stand next to Ragnuk as well. “Stand down lad; this isn’t the time or place.”“Go back to your camp, Lieutenant. You’re part of the problem that caused this, you’re not welcomed here.” Ragnuk’s expression was one of pure contempt. “Especially, since you’re with those murderous scums.” He nodded over to an approaching Thalmor mage and his warriors.“Is there a problem here?” The tall and imposing elf mage asked with the arrogance that seemed only reserved for the Thalmor, all the while he stared at Ralof’s Amulet of Talos. “Come to admire your handiwork eh, you Thalmor rat?” Ragnuk didn’t even bother to try and be diplomatic as he drew his longsword.“Handiwork?” Jenassa asked as she dismounted and joined her friends facing off with Skyrim’s boogiemen. “Put your flimsy weapon away before I have to show you my own handiwork.” The incredibly pompous elf replied, as his own guards drew their swords. This didn’t go unnoticed as Marcurio joined his group with both Jenassa and Brelas also drawing down on the mage with their bows.“FOOLS!!” Ralof lashed out as he reached and started to force Ragnuk to lower his sword and motioning for the rest of them to stow their weapons. “THIS IS A TRUCE SUMMIT!” He locked eyes with the intimidating Thalmor with nothing but contempt. “You’ll back off or…”“Or you’ll what?” The Thalmor mage finished his sentence and Ralof could see that this mage was ready to start a fight. “That’s enough of that!” A stream of blinding white light struck the mage with a brilliant explosion. He fell to his knees as his two soldiers moved to defend him. The three Imperials were shocked as they formed a line next to the Thalmor soldiers. Ralof, Ragnuk and Borkul formed a line in front of Brelas and Jenassa as they were sighting down on the Thalmor soldiers. The Thalmor mage stood slowly and tried to cast a spell only to find he couldn’t. “Don’t bother, the next one will end you.” Ondolemar looked up and saw an Imperial male in golden robes, holding a staff and shield. “Go back to your camp, and take your Imperial dogs with you before I decide to end you anyway.” He’d never felt such power! He could feel his magicka start to return and contemplated trying again, until he saw that line of warriors, backed by archers start to advance on him and his guards. “Get back to your posts!” An Imperial Captain barked angrily as he violently grabbed the Lieutenant and his men and shoved them back towards the camp, leaving Ondolemar alone with his guards. “If those Thalmor wish to die, let them do it without us!”“Come on you Thalmor slug, I dare you!” Borkul’s enormous axe actually looked so much bigger this close up. The two large Nords with their longswords looked quite capable as well.“Come my brothers, no need to soil our hands with these filthy vermin.” The two Justiciars sheathed their swords and all three turned to walk away.“You smell that?” Borkul looked over to Ralof, who looked quite relieved. “I think they just soiled themselves, Hahahahaha!” Borkul’s deep and powerful laugh was quite contagious as they all began to laugh knowing that the three Thalmor were probably fuming under that veil of pompousness. ********************************* High Hrothgar Temple – The Gathering Hall It took every fiber of her patience to convince Arngeir that this conference was needed and that this was the only place where it could occur. He wasn’t happy about it, but he agreed and now she sat in her full dragon armor as she watched all of the participants make their way into the large gathering hall. All of the true power players of Skyrim were present. On the Empire’s side of the large table you had, General Tullius, leading the delegation of Jarl Elisif of Haafingar, Jarl Balgruf of Whiterun, Legate Rikke, and the detestable First Emissary of the Thalmor, Elenwen. Their eyes had been locked on one another since the moment Elenwen entered the chamber. The Stormcloaks had just Ulfric and his most trusted friend, General Galmar.Her contingent was quite large as well and it was a complete surprise to both Ulfric and Tullius. The Forsworn were allied with her. Madanach and the Hagraven, Velkas, stood behind her. Delphine and Esbern sat opposite the Empire delegation and next to both Ulfric and Galmar. Freyanna and Elenwen continued their stare down all the while Arngeir tried to settle everyone down so that the meeting could begin. It didn’t take long for things to start getting out of hand as Ulfric exploded in anger at Elenwen’s presence there.“You expect me to speak of a truce when you bring that black hearted thing to this summit? You’re chief Talos hunter?!” He hadn’t sat down yet. Freyanna looked at Ulfric and could see the pure hatred for Elenwen in his eyes.Elenwen smiled that same condescending grin she had in Helgen, when she pretended not to know her. “I have every right to be in this negotiation. I need to insure that nothing is agreed to here that violates the terms of the White Gold Concordant.” It was actually making Freyanna angry just looking at her.Tullius defended her immediately and that actually made Freyanna angrier. “She’s a part of the Imperial delegation; you can’t dictate who I bring to this council.” “Please, please, if we have to negotiate the terms of the negotiation, we’ll never get anywhere.” Arngeir tried to keep the meeting in a positive direction. “Perhaps, it is time to get the Dragonborn’s input on the matter.”Freyanna’s grin was as wicked as it must’ve looked to all of them. Ulfric was about to say something, but she raised her hand and stopped him in his track. She stood up and leaned onto her hands, now placed firmly on the table. “How’re Rulinidil and Khraemor doing?” Elenwen glared right back, but there was an air of uncertainty in her glare. “Last I saw them, they and their charges were quite the mess.” She then looked over to Tullius. “Do you deny Royal Battle Reave, Khraemor Cyreron’s crimes?”“So, the boy told the truth.” Tullius could be seen contemplating his decision to bring Elenwen. “You fooled me again… for the last time.” There was quite a bit of anger in his tone.“You’re going to take the word of traitor? A murderer? Over the word of an ally?” Elenwen seemed quite indignant. “She’s also omitting that she also murdered Lilandron Granihle.”“What?!” Freyanna’s face had completely lost all color. “Oh?” Elenwen’s smile was arrogant and supremely entertained. “You didn’t know?” The room had become deathly quiet. She was about to start gloating, but Freyanna had snapped out of her shock. “You are certainly the most evil bitch I’ve ever had the displeasure to deal with.” Her eyes locked on Elenwen once more. “So, Lady Aranneyla’s husband is a mass murderer, just like Cyreron.” Elenwen loved the emotional turmoil she’d just caused her, but she didn’t count on what came next. She looked over to General Tullius. “If what you saw down at the base of the mountain did not convince you of the callous and murderous disregard for innocent life of that bitch, then nothing will.” Tullius seemed to understand her anger. “I’m with Ulfric, the Thalmor have no place in these negotiations and it is only because of the Grey Beard’s trust in me that I don’t incinerate her on the spot.”“Ah, but that’s the Elsonire way, isn’t it?” Elenwen retorted. “You’ve shown yourself to be…”“Shut up.” Freyanna calmly stated and once more looked at Tullius. “So, what do you have to say, General?”Ulfric smiled as he sat down and glared at Tullius, curious as to what the General was going to do. Tullius looked over to Elenwen and then back over to Freyanna. “She’s lied to me too many times to count now.” He continued to keep his eyes on her. “As distasteful as it is, I cannot allow you, or Ulfric to dictate who I pick as my delegates.”Freyanna looked over to Ulfric whose amused expression turned angry once more. She then looked over to Tullius who didn’t seem to budge from his determined stance. “It is quite distasteful, but not surprising, considering yours and the Thalmor’s record.”Tullius actually looked surprised by the comment. “You tread lightly or I swear…” Rikke started to stand.Freyanna looked over to the Legate and smirked in amusement. “In Helgen you had your list of people to execute and I wasn’t on it. You and your Legionnaires murdered Lokir of Rorikstead without a trial and would’ve done the same to me if not for the World Eater.” She continued as she turned her stare to Balgruf. “Mirmulnir would’ve destroyed half of Whiterun if it wasn’t for me.” She turned her eyes to Ulfric. “Sahloknir would’ve lay waste to much of Winterhold… then there were the dragons at Rorikstead, the Great Henge and Karthspire.” She slammed her fists on the table. “I’ve defended all of your holdings!” She again stared angrily at the Empire delegation, specifically Tullius and Elenwen. “You! Have done nothing but harass and hinder my efforts to destroy the World Eater! The Thalmor send assassins to kill me and those who assist me!” She was absolutely losing it as Legate Rikke could see her hand were starting to flare with magic. “DRAGONBORN!” Arngeir yelled and that broke her out of the rage that was beginning to blind her.She looked around the room and noticed everyone standing and ready to draw their weapons. “I’m sorry Arngeir.” She stood up tall and proud and felt a clawed hand on her shoulder. She turned and saw Velkas with a Hagraven smile on her face. Madanach also had quite the grin on his face.“Who are these filthy creatures?” Elenwen asked and it caused Velkas to hiss in anger.Freyanna ignored the question. “You all have no idea of the storm that is coming. Alduin has returned to reclaim his kingdom and none of you will be able to stop him.”“And you can?” Tullius’ skepticism was plain to see and hear.“I’ve already beaten him once.” She answered back. “With not only any help from the Empire, but also with the treacherous Thalmor trying to kill me.” Tullius and Elenwen smirked in disbelief. “You’ve defeated Alduin? So why are we here?” Tullius asked quite smugly.“Alduin cannot be killed here.” Esbern spoke. “He is now in Sovengarde, feasting on the souls of the dead.”“Ridiculous.” Elenwen got up. “You expect us to believe that superstitious garbage spouted by these two has been Blades?”Freyanna watched as Delphine’s anger actually bubbled to the surface of her facial expression, but to her credit, she did not respond. “It doesn’t matter if you believe it or not, what they say is true and I am the only one who can stop him and his army of dragons.”“Let’s get back on topic here.” Ulfric chimed in. “I’ll make this request as simple as I can. If you don’t stop fighting, there is no chance in defeating the dragon menace.” Freyanna stated simply. “So let’s negotiate to that end.” Tullius looked over to Elenwen and motioned for her to sit back down.“What’s to negotiate?” Freyanna asked. “You both have the power to call a temporary stop to this conflict.”“The only reason I agreed to attend this council is to deal with the dragon menace. There’s nothing else to talk about, unless the empire is finally ready to renounce its unjust claim to rule of the free people of Skyrim.” Ulfric started with the proclamation. “We’re here to arrange a temporary truce to allow the Dragonborn to deal with the dragons, nothing more. I consider even talking to the Empire a generous gesture.”“That’s a nice speech, now let’s talk terms.” Tullius countered.“Yes, let’s begin.” Arngeir stated with some hope. “Let’s honor the spirit of High Hrothgar and do your best to begin to achieve a lasting peace for the people of Skyrim. “Who would like to begin the negotiations?”“Again, what’s there to negotiate?” Freyanna hated where the meeting was going. “We all agree to stop fighting each other so I can get rid of the World Eater, what else is there?”“The Forsworn will cease all attacks on both Empire and Stormcloak forces and property within the Reach, so long as it is reciprocated.” Madanach stepped up and announced.“That is out of the question!” Both Ulfric and Tullius announced almost in unison to Freyanna’s shock.“Why?” Freyanna asked.“The Reach is not theirs to…” Again, both Tullius and Ulfric found themselves parroting each other.“THE GOAL HERE IS FOR ALL OF US TO STOP FIGHTING EACH OTHER!” Freyanna’s anger once again was starting to build. “The Forsworn have just pledged to stop fighting and killing both of your peoples and you refuse?! They helped me immensely in the killing of Faasnusotaar.” She looked at both Ulfric and Tullius. “Can you not see that we are in what could be the end of times? Can you not see that we must all stop fighting?”“The Reach is not theirs to negotiate over.” Tullius stated. “They’re nothing more than savages who need to be tamed, not too unlike Ulfric and his band.”“So we have no rights to live our lives the way we see fit?” Madanach, in his full Forsworn regalia asked the legitimate question. “Last I looked, the Reach is a part of Skyrim and therefore under our jurisdiction.” Tullius answered. “Your people thumb their nose at the Empire and attack us on sight.”“And you do the same!” Madanach countered. “As I said, we will agree to stop attacking and fighting, but not unless both the Stormcloaks and Empire agree to do the same.”“Which, we will not!” Ulfric stated quite adamantly. “We already have one too many vying for the soul of Skyrim, I will not be party to adding a third.”“Aye.” Galmar added his voice to the noticeable disappointment of the Dragonborn.“Then this was useless.” Freyanna whispered sadly, just loud enough for all to hear. “I ask you all to talk of a truce and the only ones willing to stop the carnage are the…” She looked over her shoulder to Velkas and Madanach. “The so called ‘savages.’” They both smiled at her. Freyanna turned to look at the Empire and Stormcloak delegations. “I think this meeting is ov…”“No, wait!” Arngeir intervened. “Maybe a recess is needed to calm down and start over… please.” He motioned for them to get up. Tullius and Ulfric were about to protest when Arngeir looked at them with a pleading expression. “Please… follow me.”Arngeir led them to the courtyard outside. The cold crisp air immediately had an effect on all of them. Tullius, Elisif, Balgruuf, Rikke and Elenwen all stayed together as they studied the courtyard of one of the most secluded and mysterious structures in all of Skyrim. Ulfric and Galmar approached Freyanna immediately upon her exiting the Temple, followed closely by Madanach and Velkas.“You’d betray me to those heathens?!” Ulfric was livid as he stopped in front of her. “After all I’ve…”“You’ve done for me?” She finished his sentence. “What about my contribution to you and the Stormcloak movement’s well-being?” She asked him. “I think we’re pretty square on what we’ve done for each other.” She took a deep breath and let out a white cloud of air as she exhaled. “They’ve helped me without any preconditions, they’ve supplied me, fed me, helped my friends, and helped me slay one of those beasts… I owe them a debt that I probably cannot repay.” She walked slowly through the closing gates she had used to practice her whirlwind sprint, and stopped at the edge of the cliff facing the northwestern part of Whiterun Hold. “I will not betray my friends, so don’t ask me to.” Velkas and Madanach watched from a distance as she spoke to the leader of the Stormcloak movement. Little did she know that Ulfric was instrumental in violently crushing their rebellion in the past.Ulfric looked quite angry at her. “You said you would have my back and now you turn away.” “This is not about me having your back, this is about you having mine!” She countered just as angrily. “Saving your life from Tullius and Alduin was having your back, the Kynesgrove dragon was having your back, the forty one dead Thalmor at Ivarstead was having your back, you didn’t really know it, but the destruction of the Thalmor Embassy was having your back! Fuck, uncovering Ancano in Winterhold was having your back! I’ve done more to further your cause than anyone and you can’t give me this?” Their argument caught the attention of all on the courtyard, especially Tullius and Elenwen. They chuckled together at the sight. “This might’ve been the best thing for us. Without Ulfric, she’ll be much weaker and vice versa.” Elenwen mentioned.“You’re a snake.” Tullius didn’t hold back. “I will no longer take you at your word… and I will find out the real reason you and the rest of your nest of vipers want her dead.”“YOL TOOR SHUL!” Everyone there turned their heads toward the mighty shout. The expressions of barely veiled shock appeared on all of their faces as the Dragonborn let loose with the full power of her Thu’um. The roar was deafening as the enormous stream of white-hot flames poured out of Freyanna’s mouth and dissipated into the empty air over the cliff face. She was as angry as could be as she began to walk back towards the temple, escorted by her Blades and Forsworn allies.Elenwen was beyond shocked. She’d never, ever seen that kind of power. She was rethinking every step she made from Helgen to her present position. She actually started to become angry at how she was used to treat such an immensely powerful sister. She was one of us! She could’ve been the instrument in which we conquered the whole continent… like only one other has ever done… Talos!Galmar stood there dumbfounded at the display as Ulfric backed away from the immensely powerful Dragonborn. “She cannot be allowed to live.” Galmar whispered into Ulfric’s ear. Ulfric nodded to his closest friend, but put his hand up to stop him from saying anymore. “We’ll deal with her later, not now.” Ulfric stated quietly and Galmar nodded in acknowledgement.Tullius and Rikke were as shocked as everyone else. “The legends are true.” Rikke mentioned in absolute awe of what she just saw. “In an open field, she could wipe out half of a legion with that power.” Tullius, ever the General, analyzed her power through his tactical mind. “And the Thalmor made her an enemy?”“She saved my men, and probably Whiterun itself. I’ll not honor any decrees against her.” Balgruf made his feeling known. “She’s done nothing other than kill dragons and in the process save many of my warriors.”“I say we honor her request to leave the Forsworn be.” Elisif whispered to him. “Aye.” Balgruf agreed. “It’ll enrage Ulfric to no end and it will free up our soldiers to fight the Stormcloaks.”Tullius chuckled at the proposal. “It is only temporary after all.” Rikke added.“She wasn’t on the list… damn it!” Tullius muttered in frustration as he angrily looked over to Elenwen. “Okay, we’ll agree to a truce with the Forsworn as well.” Tullius acquiesced as he watched Freyanna walk with that frightening Hagraven whispering in her ear.They all reentered the Council Chamber and sat back down.“We agree to cease our combat operations against both the Forsworn and the Stormcloaks with the express demand that it be reciprocal.” Tullius didn’t even hesitate and it actually made Freyanna think that maybe there was a chance that this truce would come to be. That is until Ulfric opened his mouth.“We demand that Markath be turned over to the Stormcloaks. That is the price for our agreement to any truce.” Ulfric demanded with what seemed a sincere hope that this council would fail. Freyanna now looked at the Jarl of Windhelm with an expression of complete disappointment. Her feelings had to have been clear enough for everyone to see.“You’re joking.” Tullius actually chuckled. “You think you’re going to get something from this council you couldn’t take through battle?”“That is my price.” Ulfric again reiterated.“You… you…” Freyanna was deeply troubled by this turn of events. “Why would you do this?” She asked, but she knew the answer. Ulfric was as afraid of her as the leaders of the Dominion were. He had no interest in any peace, his only interest was to be put on the High Throne of Skyrim.“The Reach is ours by birthright!” Galmar added. “It belongs to the sons and daughters of Skyrim, not some feathered savages!”“You’d just continue to fight for an area you don’t even control?” Freyanna was furious. “You’d bleed our forces while the dragons build up their forces to destroy all of us?”“I wouldn’t expect you to understand.” Ulfric’s statement was rife with arrogance. “What’s to understand?” Freyanna continued to argue. “We need all the forces we can get to fight the World Eater!”It was as if Ulfric had completely tuned her out. “Regardless, do we have an agreement?” He looked over to Tullius.“Pfft! You must be completely out of your mind.” Tullius answered. “A lot of good men and women died defending it, I won’t dishonor their deaths by handing it over to you.”“Then this council is over.” Both Ulfric and Galmar stood up and turned to leave.“Hey, General Galmar.” Galmar turned around and faced Freyanna. “You shouldn’t talk so loud when a Hagraven is close by.” The smile she gave him made it abundantly clear that she knew they discussed eliminating her. “Remember what I said about betrayal?” Galmar was clearly affected by her question as he turned around and followed Ulfric out of the Chamber, and eventually left the temple together.“I know that we’ve had our troubles in the past, but I wish to make amends.” General Tullius addressed her. “We will honor our truce with you and the Forsworn, regardless of what Ulfric does.”“We will also.” Madanach added. “It will take about a week to get riders out to all of our people, after which, we will honor our word here.” He and Velkas took their leave and left the chamber.Freyanna’s troubled expression was still present. She’d accomplished much at the council, but it seemed that she was in deep thought. So deep that she didn’t notice Elenwen approach her.“Freyanna.” Elenwen whispered her name with none of the arrogance and pomp that she’d had before. It was a frightened and unsure Elenwen, something completely out of character for her.Freyanna’s movements were calm and measured as she turned towards her Thalmor nemesis. “Why are you still here?” This was the Altmer who had forced her eyes open to the vicious betrayal at the upper levels of Summerset politics. Freyanna chuckled. “You know you can thank your continued existence to a Blade?” Elenwen just listened to her. There was sincere curiosity in her expression. “Delphine was worried that I would kill too many innocents at the Embassy and talked me out of killing everyone there, what a mistake.”“Maybe not.” Elenwen responded. “If you promise to spare me, I’ll tell you everything that I know.”“What’s to know?” Freyanna calmly iterated. “The Queen and a large number of Kinlords want me dead.” She then took a breath. “Now… my friend… Kinlady Aranneyla, probably will want me dead as well.”“Not so.” Elenwen stated quite confidently. “Lady Aranneyla has publicly denounced her Battlereave husband for his suspected role in the rape and murder of a Bosmer servant girl.” Elenwen continued. “She’s made it very clear to everyone that she no longer views Lilandron Granihle as her mate.”“The Queen would allow one such as him to serve under her?” Freyanna’s expression was still cold, but there was some curiosity under all of that anger.“He was acquitted in a trial in Alinor and won his place at her side through combat.” Elenwen countered. Freyanna’s eyes seemed to turn deathly serious. “Enough with the small talk. What is it you’re offering?” Delphine and Esbern had joined them, Delphine was about to draw her sword. Freyanna forcefully grabbed a hold of her wrist to stop her. Delphine’s and Freyanna’s eyes locked with frightful seriousness. “I want to hear what she has to say!” Freyanna growled as she forcefully took Delphine’s sword hand and shoved it off of her sword.“You’d listen to this viper?!” Delphine shot back.“That is my prerogative!” Freyanna was adamant. “Now, you’ll either politely listen or leave!” Delphine reluctantly acquiesced and stood back.“Believe me, you’ll want to listen.” Elenwen mentioned as the remaining delegates gathered around to listen.“Dragonborn.” Tullius interrupted. “Elenwen has continuously lied to me and my people, I would take her word with a grain of salt.”“I’m aware, but you’re not considered an ally by the Dominion no matter how much you might think so.” Freyanna responded. “Go ahead Elenwen.”“Queen Ayrenn is afraid of your rise and if he isn’t yet, Emperor Mede should be as well.” Elenwen started to explain and it seemed that everyone there, now, listened intently. “As you know, the Elsonires were masters in the art of restoration magic.” Elenwen continued. “According to researchers in Alinor, you are possibly a direct descendent of both Tiber Septim and Queen Barenziah.” “You’re saying that the Dragonborn could be a legitimate heir to the Tamrielic throne? Morrowind?” Tullius was shocked at the revelation, but he was also extremely skeptical. “What is your proof?” “There is nothing concrete, but High Queen Ayrenn obviously feels the research is legitimate enough to order her death.” Elenwen theorized. “And before you ask, the reason she wants to keep it quiet is because the vast majority of the Altmer on the Isles believe that the Elsonires are heroes of the Dominion and would never accept her being executed by those whom the Elsonires defended so bravely… least of all Lady Aranneyla.” Elenwen pulled out a parchment from her belt and handed it to Freyanna. “This is the letter the queen had sent me. By me showing you, I’ve forfeited my life in the Dominion’s eyes.”“Why would you show me this?” Freyanna looked up after reading the damning missive. The hate she had for Elenwen was now only a simmering distaste.“With that letter, you have a legitimate claim to not only Empire Royalty, but also Morrowind Royalty.” Elenwen answered. “Will you also admit that Ulfric is one of your assets?” Elenwen swallowed hard at Freyanna’s damning question.“Yes.” She nodded.“What?!” Legate Rikke now reached for her own blade, but Tullius stepped in front of her. “It was obvious that you wanted him to live when I captured him.” Tullius was as astute as he was ruthless. “If that monster hadn’t attacked, the Stormcloaks would’ve already been crushed.”“I would’ve killed all of you, if the World Eater hadn’t attacked.” Freyanna stated coldly. “I might’ve died, but you, and you, would’ve been dead.” She looked at both Tullius and Elenwen. “Ulfric would’ve probably survived to take back the province without either of you to stop him.”Both Tullius and Elenwen nodded in agreement at the very true statement.“As much as I want to trust you…” Freyanna looked at Elenwen. “I can’t. You’ll have to prove yourself to me and I won’t hold my breath.”“That’s smart… much like your mother.” Elenwen stated. “She never trusted me either, but I never betrayed her.” She stated with more of the arrogance that everyone associated with her. “This…” She pulled out another parchment from the pouch on her waist. “…is a list of all the Kinlords and Kinladies that want you dead.”Freyanna looked at the list and let out a huff of amusement at the collection of names. Most, were suitors that she’d spurned. The others, she could only theorize that she was in the way of someone they wanted to climb over her status. She then looked back at Elenwen.“I believe the Queen has gone too far.” Elenwen continued. “I may be a self-centered and selfish prude, and in that vein I am betting that you’re going to be the future.”“You and I are going to talk.” Tullius sounded somewhat frustrated, but it seemed that he expected Elenwen to do things out of self-preservation.“So what are your plans once you leave here?” Freyanna asked Elenwen.“I will return to the Solitude mission and continue to work as if this meeting didn’t occur.” Elenwen answered. “Ondolemar need not know what occurred here.” She kneeled in front of Freyanna in supplication. “I will work to facilitate your mission, whatever you chose it to be.”“Even if it means betraying those who sent you against me?” Freyanna didn’t even try to hide the almost primal savagery in her voice.“I’ve lost my one and only friend because they want a hero of the Dominion dead.” Elenwen answered. “Betrayal is just a part of business as usual on the Isles.” Freyanna nodded.“I can’t believe that you’re even contemplating her offer.” Delphine barked in anger. “She’s been trying to kill you since you got here!”“You’ve made your opinion quite clear.” Freyanna answered her. “I’m not a complete fool, Delphine.”“Then why would you risk everything to work with this snake?” Delphine’s contempt for Elenwen was plainly obvious.“Risk? I’m not risking anything, she on the other hand, if what she says is true, has just signed her own death warrant if I decide to let her statements here slip to the Kinlords on the Isles.” Freyanna countered. “Elenwen, I will probably never trust you, but your admissions here do shed light on a lot of questions I had.” She started to address the Thalmor Emissary. “If you want me to begin to even consider working with you, you will provide me with the names and locations of all the Thalmor operatives present in Skyrim.”“It’s quite an extensive list, but I will get it to you as soon as I can get it out of Solitude.” Elenwen answered.“You’d truly betray your own for the Dragonborn?” General Tullius asked with much disdain. “I’m righting a wrong!” Elenwen barked angrily as she stood back up. “If they can betray such a legendary hero of the Isles so easily, can you imagine how much of a chance I stand if they decide I’m no longer needed?” She let out a huff and looked at the Dragonborn who was facing her with her arms folded in front of her. “You’ve destroyed everyone and everything the Queen and I sent against you. The best of the best Battlereaves, mages, and soldiers are nothing compared to you. I’m certain that any continued attempts on my part to kill you will only end in my own death.”“Okay, it’s settled.” Freyanna stated. “This truce…” She looked at Tullius. “…and understanding…” She turned to Elenwen. “…will allow me to concentrate in destroying the World Eater.” They all nodded. “Whatever comes afterwards, is up to all of you.”With those words, they all nodded and began to leave the chamber. Freyanna let the Imperial delegation leave and hung back to speak to Delphine and Esbern. “I need you two to head back to Sky Haven and ready the stronghold to capture a dragon.”“What?” Delphine’s surprise was quite genuine. “Trap a dragon? How in Oblivion do you plan to do that?”“I will call him.” She answered matter of factly. ************************************************ Sometime later at the village of Ivarstead Freyanna, Delphine, and Esbern finally made it down the steps from High Hrothgar to the remnants of Ivarstead just in time to see the Imperial Column marching back towards their home in Solitude. Try as she might, Freyanna couldn’t locate Ulfric nor Galmar. She scanned the town for the remaining soldiers and found the five she’d picked up as deserters from the Imperial platoon still working diligently to repair the town and its structures. The rest of the Stormcloak soldiers were nowhere to be found. “I don’t know what you did in that meeting, but the blue shirts just up and left with Ulfric as soon as they came down.” The voice put a soft smile on Freyanna’s face as her eyes rested on her Dunmer sister Jenassa. “Ralof is waiting for you inside the inn, he’s definitely not happy with whatever went on up there.”“I’m sure Ulfric and Galmar told him how I turned my back on them when I agreed to the Empire’s and Forsworn’s terms for a truce.” Freyanna answered. “Doesn’t matter, Ulfric deliberately tried to sabotage the talks with his ridiculous demands.” Even though she knew she did the right thing, her heart felt somewhat uneasy in talking to her beautiful Stormcloak savior.“I know that face.” Marcurio approached, along with Borkul and Brelas. He pulled the Staff of Magnus from the holder on his back and handed it back to Freyanna. It made her happy to see all of her friends healthy as she took the immensely powerful staff from him. “Didn’t get everything you wanted up there?”She shook her head in obvious frustration. “Ulfric demanded Markarth as the Stormcloak price for the truce.”“I take it that Tullius told him to go stuff it.” Marcurio stated. “Not only that, Velkas overheard Galmar and Ulfric talking about eliminating me.” Freyanna let out a sad sigh. “I knew that he was a stubborn and ambitious ass, I just don’t get why he would do this, damn him.” She looked around the town. “Are all the Stormcloak soldiers gone?”“No, Ralof and a squad of twelve guardsmen are at the inn.” Jenassa mentioned. “Ralof’s already made it clear that we’re not welcome here any longer.”“That’s not going to work for me.” Freyanna stated flatly and turned towards Delphine. “You have five minutes to make a copy of this.” Freyanna handed a scroll to her.Delphine opened it carefully. “This is the Thalmor Dossier on Ulfric, Esbern, and me.”“It’s not that long, so get on it.” Freyanna ordered. “Are you sure it’s a good idea to show Ralof that piece of intelligence?” Esbern asked her.“Ralof is an extraordinary person and I’ll be damned if he doesn’t know everything there is to know about his Jarl!” She exclaimed. “I owe him and his family a debt that I will never be able to repay.”Delphine and Brelas began to busily transcribe the dossier on one of the carpenter tables. “His family is quite well off as the mill is incredibly productive.” Delphine mentioned as she continued to write.“Done.” Brelas announced as she finished her writing and handed over the original paper to Freyanna.Delphine finished a short time afterward and handed her original back to Freyanna as well. Freyanna took the dossier and began to walk toward the inn. Borkul and Marcurio started to follow, but she stopped them. “I need to do this on my own.” They both nodded.As she approached the entrance to the inn, she could hear the bantering and laughing common to all soldiers when they socialized together. She could feel the butterflies start to flutter in her stomach as a nervousness started to creep into her mind. Will he listen? Will he hate me? She thought to herself. There was a definite fear climbing up her spine as she reached for the door handle. She took a deep breath and entered.The effect of her entering was an immediate silence as all of the eyes in the inn were now on her. “You’re not welcome here!” Ralof barked from the bar as he approached her. “You and your people need to leave Ivarstead immediately!”“Ralof please…” She tried to speak as thoughts of losing him started to flood her mind.“No, you’ve made your decision!” He didn’t let her finish as he was now close enough to touch. “Get out!”“No.” Freyanna sadly answered. “I’m not leaving until you listen to me.”Ralof’s frustrated expression was clear. “I’m not going to ask again.” He drew his sword.“No.” She answered again, only this time there was a tear trickling down her cheek. “Not until you listen to me.” Now, she watched as every guardsman in that inn drew their weapon. “Kill me then.”Ralof was in complete shock that she didn’t draw her weapon, or ready a spell, or even shout to escape. She was ready to die again and he found himself torn by the orders of his Jarl and this beautiful, yet maddeningly frustrating Altmer female. “Damn you.” His body language told Freyanna that she did truly know him. He’d never hurt her, no matter what Ulfric told him. He raised his hand as he sheathed his sword. The rest of his guards did the same. “You have one minute.”The brilliant smile on her face actually made him smile as well. “I won’t need it, read this.” She handed him the Thalmor Dossier. “Make sure they all know as well.” She pointed to all of the guardsmen.Ralof read the damning document. He’d always believed that Ulfric had his bad points, but that he was generally right about the war he was waging. This was an alarming thing to learn of his Jarl. He’d been playing the part of a Thalmor pawn? “This can’t be true.” Ralof’s voice was uncertain and fearful. “He’d rather continue fighting the Empire and Forsworn while the dragons destroy us all!” She exclaimed quite vociferously. “The Empire and Forsworn agreed to stop fighting, while Ulfric demanded Markarth in return for their honoring the truce.”“Why didn’t Tullius give up the Reach?” Ralof put down the dossier and it was obvious that he felt betrayed.“Would you have? If you already agreed to stop fighting for nothing?” She answered his question and he looked so despondent that she wanted to hold him close to her. “Ulfric doesn’t care about anything other than himself.”“If this is true…” Ralof looked so lost. “Fighting and dying for that… traitorous bastard.” He ripped off his blue sash and threw it on the ground. He passed the document to another of his people as his anger filled eyes were now on her. “How long have you known this?”The question felt like a sledgehammer and the ill feeling spreading from the pit of her stomach caused the tears to start to flow more freely from her eyes. “I…” She lowered her head in a torrent of tears. “Since the…” “You let us fight and bleed for that traitorous bastard from the time you destroyed the Thalmor Embassy?!” He was so angry. It wasn’t only Ulfric who betrayed him, she did as well by not telling him and his comrades who they were fighting for. The guardsmen who had read the dossier were all disgusted with Ulfric, but they now held quite a bit of distaste for the Dragonborn as well. “You’re no better than he is.” He started to make his way around her when she reached out to him and tried to hold his hand“Ralof, I’m sorr…” He pulled his hand away quite violently. “Please, Ralof…” She reached out again.“DON’T TOUCH ME!” Again, he pulled away. “What did I do to you? Why would you keep this from me? Let me believe I was fighting the good fight?” Her eyes were pools of silver filled to the brim with tears as they spilled onto her cheeks. “All those dead lads and lasses, for nothing but a self-serving traitor?” He gently ran his finger along her cheek as it collected one of her tears. His eyes were also welling up with unshed tears. “And you knew.” Their eyes met and the anguish on both of their faces was apparent to all.“Ralof…” She again tried to take a hold of his hand, this time he let her. “Please forgive me…”“I’m not the one you should be asking.” He gently pulled his hands away. “All of those men and women on both sides who died for nothing, they are the ones you should be asking for forgiveness.” Ralof looked at her as tears started to fall down his own cheeks. “You’ve felt the sting of betrayal, why would you do this to me, to us?” “The Empire and Thalmor were out to kill me, I didn’t have a choice.” She started to explain, but it sure started as a pretty weak argument. “You were there, Ulfric had promised to use his vast resources to help me kill Alduin. I needed you and your soldiers to help me fight the World Eater and protect me from the Empire and Thalmor. I couldn’t risk making him weaker by revealing his true intentions and thereby making us all more vulnerable to the dragons.” As she spoke she watched his eyes for the adoration she used to see in them. It was no longer there. “I should’ve told you.” She again lower her eyes. “I’m sorry.” He watched her expression as he wiped the tears from his own face. Was she truly sorry? She couldn’t look at him, there was a palpable shame in her posture. It was strange to see this formidable Altmer female in such a sad state. He loved her, and it was because he did so that this bit of news was so painful to hear from her. He had no doubt that she loved him as well. He took a deep breath and let out a huff. She slowly raised her eyes to him.“Will you kiss her already?!” One of his men yelled out from the bar. They both looked over and saw one of his men holding a tankard of ale with a very amused expression. “Shit, I forgive her.”“Aye!” A whole chorus of the guardsmen repeated. “If you saw what she did here, you’d forgive her too!” Another guardsman yelled out.“Never again.” Ralof stated sternly as he again lifted her chin and stared into those pools of silver. She searched his eyes and saw the adoration again as she nodded like a child. She had no chance to react as he viciously crashed his lips onto hers to the cheers of everyone who saw them.Her own eyes revealed her absolute love for him. “I’ll never keep anything from you again.” She held his hands like they were the most important objects in Tamriel. She looked into his eyes and continued. “During a recess in the negotiations, he and Galmar, discussed eliminating me.”“What?!” Ralof’s surprised shock was echoed by all those in the inn who heard her. “He’d kill the Dragonborn?!” His shock turned to anger. “Ulfric would doom the whole world to destruction?!” The fury in his voice only intensified. “He uses Talos to further his selfish desire to be High King!”“He needs to be stopped!” Another man yelled out.“The Empire needs to be punished as well.” Freyanna stopped them with a hand gesture. “The fool of an Emperor is the one who played into the hands of the Dominion when he betrayed Skyrim and Talos to the Thalmor… I’ll not submit to either.” She looked at them all. “But, for now, we need to honor the truce or the dragons will destroy us all.”“We’ll find a way to take back Skyrim and kick the Thalmor back to the Summerset Isles.” Ralof iterated as they walked out of the inn together, followed by every single one of his people.
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Oghma Infinium Freyanna sat at a makeshift desk in one of the empty rooms inside the well-lit and cavernous halls of Sky Haven Temple. She stared curiously at the intimidating skin bound book laying closed before her. This was the book that Marcurio could not open and Septimus gave his life to get access to. What could you possibly be? She thought to herself as she examined its deeply disturbing looking cover. The covering was stitched together tightly with the seams unnervingly visible as deep sutured scars.“Did you get it open?” Marcurio’s voice broke the silence and made her look to the entrance. The handsome Imperial stood there with wide eyed wonder. She shook her head in amusement.“If I do, you’ll be the…” Freyanna reached for the book and slowly began to pull the cover open. “…fir…”Marcurio’s wonder turned to horror as several pitch black and unholy tentacles reached out from within the book and instantly wrapped themselves around Freyanna’s head, paralyzing her in a flash of sickening greenish haze. He instinctively reached for one of the tentacles to try and pull it off only to be shocked unconscious and fall limp at her feet.In an instant, Freyanna felt herself transported into a completely alien world. She was no longer inside Sky Haven Temple. She was now standing on an ornately built platform of stone and bronze-like metal surrounded by a sea of black sludge. An eerie green light illuminated everything she could see, giving the entire scene a sickly green taint. Her keen mind alerted her to a presence and she instinctively stared into what she could only describe as a green sky. “Come closer, bask in my presence.” A mass of floating slimy black tentacles and eyes appeared before her. “I am Hermaeus Mora, guardian of the unseen and knower of the unknown. I’ve been watching you mortal… most impressive.” The deep and reverberating voice seemed to pierce her soul.The Daedric Prince of Knowledge? What could he, possible want with me? She thought to herself and the disturbing mass of tentacles and eyes answered her. “You’ve proven yourself to be infinitely useful, like all of your Elsonire brethren before you.”“What?” It was a shock to hear her surname come from of all things, a daedric prince. “What do you mean by Elsonire brethren before me?”“All in due time… just know that some of my most prized knowledge has come from your incredible family line.” His answer only served to peak her curiosity even more. Could he have knowledge to destroy the World Eater? She thought to herself. “I’ve watched you as your power has grown, you will need more to destroy the first born of Akatosh.” She felt herself chuckle as the Daedric prince of knowledge seemed to be able to read her mind. “You are well on your way to defeating him permanently, you already possess the shout the tongues used to find victory the first time he was banished, and now, you have my Oghma Infinium. It contains the knowledge of the ages as revealed to Xarses, my loyal servant. For hundreds of years it’s been shut away from the world. Septimus was a useful tool for unleashing it. Now, it is in your hands…” It sounded like there was anticipation in his voice. “Let us work wonders together.”Before she could begin to ask questions, there was a flash of blinding green light and she found herself back in Sky Haven temple sitting at the same table with the open book in front of her. It glowed, the same sickening green as a ball of light of the same color hovered over the pages. She sensed that it seemed to be waiting for her to make a decision. She didn’t have time to ponder what the decision was. Almost as if the ball itself sensed her unconscienced decision, it shot itself toward her and disappeared into her head. She immediately felt as if her mind had opened up and absorbed the entirety of the knowledge of the ages. Incantations, runes, and other spells she’d never practiced filled her mind as if she spent her whole life learning them. It was amazingly enlightening as she remembered the spell books she knew she never read, yet now were inscribed meticulously in her mind. As incredible as that felt, it didn’t compare to the one other thing she’d learned from that damned Book.As the knowledge of the Oghma Infinium flowed into her consciousness, she was also made privy to the entirety of the Elsonire line of descendants, ancestors, and still living relatives. Every single member of her family was brought to her mind, almost as if she knew them like they were close relatives whom she interacted with on a regular basis. She could see not only her Altmer relatives, but there were also Ayleids, Orsimer, Nords, Dunmer, and Dovah! The image of a mighty golden dragon filled her mind! Akatosh… She thought to herself. Elenwen’s assertions and the Queen’s suspicions were correct. Queen Barenziah and Tiber Septim, among other royalty, were displayed in her mind as an enormous and elaborate family tree. She watched as the ghostly image of an ancient relative in some sort of laboratory drained the blood of what appeared to be a dead Dunmer infant into some sort of container. He then used a long lost incantation to infuse the blood’s properties into an Altmer baby. It confirmed Queen Ayrenn’s fears about her. Freyanna’s entire family line was the product of so much magic and blood… how would anyone ever believe such incredible magic was possible? And now, she understood why her comprehension of the Thu’um was so easy for her. The image of a black scale and a tiny drop of blood had suddenly appeared in her mind. Nirende Elsonire… the “World Eater” is a part of me? The thought coursed through her mind as she continued to ponder on her ancient relative. There was no doubt that her family had performed some unspeakable horrors in their attempts to produce a… divine being. Was she this being they had tried so hard to bring into this world? Her unnatural strength and agility, her immense magicka reserves, and her natural understanding of the Thu’um all pointed to her family’s thousands of years of experiments, which she now understood completely. So much knowledge… so much blood… The images and thoughts continued to parade through her mind and she felt herself gorging on them. It was almost too much as she felt her head was about to burst with more thoughts than maybe one mind was meant to contain. Her knowledge had expanded immensely in an instant, painfully so. It was all so overwhelming that she screamed in agony, but made not so much as a whisper, much like if she were screaming in her dreams. She felt as if her head was about to explode. Again, she tried in vain to scream, producing not even a whimper until, finally, as quickly as it began, she found herself once again sitting at the table where she first opened the accursed book, dripping with sweat. Where the book once was, there was now only a pile of ash. She scanned the room and stopped immediately to look into something she didn’t expect to see, something that caused her some trepidation, she stared into an enormous hole in the ceiling of the fortress. The thickness of it should’ve made it nearly impenetrable, it had to be over ten feet of chiseled stone and another forty feet of solid mountain rock. It seemed that somehow she’d carved a smooth, almost glass-like, tunnel large enough for a man to crawl through. She continued to sweat quite profusely as she continuously scanned around the room in a frightened anticipation of what she’d find. Besides the enormous hole in the roof, there seemed to be no other damage to the fortress. She almost let out a sigh of relief until she looked down and cast eyes on a very unconscious Marcurio laying in an extremely awkward position at her feet, she immediately started to panic again. “MARCURIO!” She yelled as she kneeled next to him and gently pulled his arm from behind his back while at the same time trying to shake him awake.Her desperation turned to absolute relief. “Hmmm…” He groaned as his eyes opened to see the Dragonborn’s own eyes on him with nothing but concern. He chuckled at her worried expression. “I thought reading was supposed to be a relaxing pastime.” He felt her pull him into a crushing embrace.“What the… By the Gods!” Esbern exclaimed as he and Delphine burst into the room followed by Velkas. The intimidating Hagraven calmly stood next to Freyanna and stared into the new ventilation shaft and actually let out the semblance of a laugh. Both Esbern and Delphine didn’t fail to notice the new stream of sunlight brightening the room either. “What happened here?” Delphine asked as she stood next to Velkas and stared into the new tunnel in the ceiling.Marcurio stood up slowly, but there seemed to be a bit of exaggeration to his pain. It actually made Freyanna chuckle. “An accident.” She answered as she looked over to Marcurio to make sure that he understood she didn’t want them to know. “She sneezed while attempting to control the output of her fire Thu’um.” Marcurio was a master of deflecting. Gods she loved him. “Thank the Gods she managed to direct the effects up…” He slowly stared up into the massive hole in the roof. “… and now we can have a little more fresh air in here.” His attempt at levity was betrayed somewhat by his expression which told everyone there that he wasn’t revealing everything.“You’ll bring down the entire mountain upon us!” Esbern sounded quite alarmed. “We’ll be no good to you are anyone if we’re all dead!” He was pretty angry as well.“I promise, I’ll not do it again, not inside at least.” Freyanna tried to sound sincere, but she couldn’t help smirking a bit. Esbern reminded her of many of the professors who taught her in Alinor. The arrogant, know it all attitude seemed to be a prerequisite for almost all of them.“You will need to have total control to defeat Alduin.” Esbern stated. “He’ll not hesitate to…”She wasn’t about to let him continue to lecture. “I’ve already faced him once and if it weren’t for his wings, he’d be dead right now!” She shot back. “I will test my abilities to their fullest so that next time I meet him, he will die!”“Dragonborn! There’s no need for such vitriol!” Delphine came to the defense of Esbern. “He’s only trying to advise you in a more proper way to practice your skills.”“I will not be lectured to!” Freyanna shot back. “While you two might be the foremost experts on dragons and their lore, neither of you have ever dealt with a live dragon until now.”“The Akavir and the Blades had intimate knowledge of dragons!” Esbern once again found his voice. “It is because of them that Alduin needs to revive his brothers.”“It is because of Parthurnax!” She again countered his assertion. “You forget that I have their memories.” Freyanna’s glare was much softer now as she directed it towards the elder blade. “The Blades did not kill as many as you might think.” She continued. “Tiber Septim actually made a pact to protect them before they all disappeared.” The look of surprise on Esbern’s and Delphine’s faces was priceless. “The Blades secretly continued to hunt and kill them, a complete show of betrayal to the emperor!”“How do you know this?” Marcurio and Velkas were absolutely shocked at what was coming out of Freyanna’s mouth. Freyanna pointed to her head as she answered them. “Mirmulnir was there.” She then turned to Esbern and Delphine. “I know the Blades have always desired the death of Parthurnax and every other dragon in existence. Let me be clear, I will not allow any harm to come to any Dovah that wishes to live in peace alongside all of us, which includes Parthurnax.” She continued. “We all have blood on our hands. We’ve all done things we regret. I’ll not be a hypocrite and judge them all as you two seem to have.”“We cannot take the chance that he’ll betray you.” Delphine iterated quite forcefully. “He’s had thousands upon thousands of years to betray mortals, to restart the war against all.” Freyanna again countered. “Yet, all he’s done is teach Tamriel’s Emperors, the Tongues, the Greybeards and others the ‘Way of the Voice.’” She continued. “If not for Parthurnax, mortals would still be slaves to the dragons. My decision on this matter is final.” “We are the senior Blades! We will not tolerate that monster having sway over another Dragonborn!” Delphine was actually angry, but there was no way this kind of posturing was going to fly. “I AM THE DRAGONBORN AND THESE ARE NOT YOUR BLADES!” Freyanna angrily retorted. “You may express your opinion and give me advice, but make no mistake, I will make my own decisions.” Delphine and Freyanna were caught in a pretty heated stare-down. “I will fight and kill the World Eater with or without you. If you don’t like how I do things, you’re welcome to leave.” She calmly, yet menacingly mentioned to Delphine. Delphine didn’t look happy with the outcome of the verbal dispute as she turned and stormed away in an angry huff. Freyanna looked over to Esbern. “Is that understood?”Esbern nodded with a stern and almost palpable defiance. He then turned and started after Delphine.Velkas watched this supreme example of Altmer blood with a smile. There was no doubt who was in charge here as the cowed look on both Esbern’s and Delphine’s faces communicated it quite clearly. “Maybe you could test your abilities out on those two?” Velkas mentioned quite calmly to the surprise of everyone except Freyanna, who grinned at her formidable friend. “Don’t think I’m not tempted.” She chuckled as she answered. “I do actually like that they are not in complete agreement with me.”“Esbern is quite learn-ed.” Velkas mentioned. “His explanation of the wall was quite enlightening.”“Yes, but they seem to think I work for them instead of with them.” She sat back down at the desk and looked up at the new and enormous sky-light. “They’ve much in common with my old Thalmor comrades.”“They do seem to have that superiority air about them.” Marcurio mentioned. “I don’t really see them like the Thalmor though.”“They look at dragons as nothing but giant and dangerous vermin to be destroyed.” Velkas answered him. “Much like the Thalmor see everyone else as only worthy of servitude or destruction. Actually, I believe the Thalmor are more merciful as the Blades do not give dragons a choice.”“I tangled with two of their agents just before the war.” She mentioned to both Velkas and Marcurio. “We captured and turned them over to the Justiciar interrogators while I was in the port of Firsthold.”“You what?” Marcurio was a little shocked. “Have you told them?”“For what? What good would it do?” Freyanna countered. “They’ve made it quite clear that they probably had a hand in killing and torturing many of my former comrades during the war.”“They place their mission above all others.” Velkas mentioned. “As long as their mission is completed, they do not care for the rest.”“That can be as admirable a trait as it could be an awful one.” Marcurio looked at Madanach’s second with quite the attentive expression. “You’re quite observant Velkas. Are all of your kind like you?”“We are much the same as all other thinking beings.” Velkas responded. “We have our good, bad, and indifferent, just like everyone else.” She then looked at Freyanna as she continued to look through her new modification to the fort. “You really should practice outside, I’ve yet to see anyone set the entirety of the sky on fire.”Freyanna smiled as she nodded towards Velkas. “I know, you’re right. Again, I’m sorry for my carelessness. It won’t happen again.” It actually surprised her how much she actually liked Velkas. Freyanna felt like she was starting to trust this Hagraven more than she did Esbern and Delphine. She knew that the pair of old Blades would never stop wanting Parthurnax dead, and it bothered her to no end. The prior Dragonborns had always protected him, but it seemed that the Blades would never forgive or forget that Parthurnax was once Alduin’s most trusted Lieutenant. Parthurnax may have taken part in some of the most horrific events in the history of Tamriel, but he was repentant, and he was absolutely vital in the training of the tongues and defeating Alduin the first time. His teachings had helped Talos and Reman in their conquests of Empire. The most important fact was that Parthurnax had become her friend and she wouldn’t let any harm come to him as long as she could help it. She started to think about what she’d learned from that incredible book and looked over to Marcurio. “What is it?” He asked curiously.Her fingers effortlessly traced a pattern through the air that they’d never done before as if they’d performed it thousands of times. “Practice.” She mentioned as she finished the spell, which resulted in Marcurio’s face relaxing with an expectant expression. He had become her thrall in an instant. “I want you to go to the garden outside and cast a fireball spell into the sky.” Marcurio nodded and began to walk quite normally towards the exit, she followed him along with Velkas.“I didn’t know you could dominate minds as well?!” Velkas was a bit shocked at the display of power she was wielding.“I don’t use it often, but I needed to see if I still remembered.” Freyanna mentioned as they both followed Marcurio and ended up outside in the garden with a platoon of new Blades practicing their martial skills. Marcurio effortlessly cast a fireball spell that launched harmlessly towards the sky. “Some are more resistant to it than others, but it should still prove useful against Ulfric and some of his more loyal followers.”Marcurio woke from his trance with a very confused expression. “What happened? How did I get out here?”“You don’t remember what happened?” Velkas asked and watched as Marcurio shook his head. She turned to Freyanna and whispered. “You must teach me this spell when you have the time.” Freyanna chuckled. “Fine, but you have to tell me how you and Madanach came to work together.” Velkas turned around and began her trek back to the Karthspire Camp. Marcurio looked at Freyanna who smiled at her handsome friend. “Did you just use a controlling spell on me?” Freyanna nodded. “It actually worked?” Again Freyanna nodded. “That’s remarkable! No one’s ever been able to do that to me.” His own bright smile made him look even more handsome. “The book?” He asked knowing she knew what he meant. She nodded her answer. “There are other things I discovered.” Again, her hands started to weave a pattern through the air that he’d never seen. In an instant, Freyanna’s skin changed from that beautifully flawless complexion to what seemed like golden colored scales. “YOU THERE!” She barked at one of the Blades practicing with his bow as she walked to be clear of everyone. “Take aim and let loose your arrow at me.” She ordered to the horror of everyone there. “But…” The young male orc started to protest.“That’s an order! Now shoot!” She didn’t let him finish and in the end he let loose his arrow at her leg. The shot was swift and true as the arrow just shattered on her thigh. She smiled at the precaution taken by the young orc. He only aimed to wound and not to kill her which made her smile. “Good shot, carry on.” She started to walk back only to instantly feel hands holding and prodding on her thigh. Freyanna looked down to see Marcurio as he kneeled to examine her not wounded leg. “This is remarkable!”“You need a new adjective.” She joked as he continued to look at her skin.“It’s the same consistency as your dragon armor…” She watched him with amusement. “Do you feel this?” She looked at his hands and they were glowing red.“Not a thing.” She responded.Marcurio stood up. “What other tricks do you have?” He asked her.“A lot more than I used to.” She looked at her hands and started tracing a spell she’d never been able to master, but now felt like it was as easy as a simple light spell. In an instant, a crackling explosion of energy erupted in front of her and there appeared a towering construct that seemed to be made solely of electricity, a Storm Atronach!The entire contingent in the garden froze in place and stared at the sparking and arcing creature. “Rema…” Marcurio caught himself. “Astounding!” He was smiling from ear to ear. “Can you get it to do what you want?” Freyanna nodded as she directed the creature to float over to the edge of the cliff at the end of the garden. She motioned for everyone to stand clear. As the men and women cleared the area, Freyanna looked around to make sure and then turned to the construct. It immediately lashed out with an immensely powerful bolt of energy that struck Freyanna dead center. The Blades and Marcurio were about to begin to attack the construct only to be stopped by Freyanna’s raised hand. The Atronach’s attack had done no harm to her. She was smoking somewhat, but she did not look any worse for wear. She quickly dispelled the Atronach and it disappeared into thin air with a sizzling pop. “My uncle tried to teach me that.” Freyanna stated to Marcurio as she watched her people look at her with some downright fear. It actually made her feel self-conscious. “As you were.” She ordered and they all immediately got back to practicing with their arms, except for one exceptionally large looking man who approached her and stood in front of her in his full Blade armor. “Did I stutter?”The man took his helmet off and she saw that it was one of Madanach’s Briarheart Warriors. “After I help you destroy the ‘World Eater’ I will test myself against you.” He put his helmet back on and started to walk to rejoin in the practice swordplay.She drew her blades with such speed and precision that even Marcurio whistled in admiration. “Why not now?” She mentioned with quite the bit of confidence as she flared her blades with incredible skill. The Briarheart turned to face her and didn’t even wait for a proper start to the contest as he drew his sword and lunged at her. She parried the attack quite easily and the two began to circle each other. The rest of Blades once again stopped what they were doing and began to watch the two spar. He launched a fireball at her which she absorbed with a quickly cast ward. She couldn’t stop smiling as her blades became a whirlwind of golden metal.The Briarheart was faster, stronger and more skilled than ninety percent of the people she’d ever faced in such a contest, but compared to the Ebony Warrior, this one didn’t stand a chance. Marcurio could tell that she was toying with him and actually baiting him into attacking. The result of all the exchanges always ended with her blade or blades an inch away from his throat or flipping off his helmed or disarming him. She was a force of magic and Elven steel that the Briarheart could not match and in the end, he surrendered graciously. “You are worthy of following to the gates of Oblivion. Thank you for honoring me with this contest.”She looked over to the platoon which was in unmistakable awe once again at the show of her schooling the mighty Briarheart Spellsword in the art of combat. “Practice as hard or harder than you fight and you will win more often than not.” They all listened intently. “I will need all of you to be at your best in the coming week.”“What’s happening in the coming week?” The young orc who shot her asked.“Alduin’s right hand will be here and I intend to take the beast prisoner!” She answered with steely determination. ************************ Sky Haven Temple – Alduin’s Wall Esbern sat at his makeshift desk as he looked up at the imposing relief. Reman, Tiber Septim, the Tongues, Greybeards, and all the others who protected Parthurnax would be proud of this Altmer Dragonborn. “She is more than even you expected.” A familiar voice stated behind him. He turned to see who uttered such words.Walking towards the center of the wall was the ‘King in Rags,’ Madanach. “She’s the most formidable being I’ve ever come across.” He looked over to him and their eyes met. “Is it not the duty of the Blades to protect their Dragonborn?” Madanach asked.“It is, but it is also the duty of the Dragonborn to lead the fight against the dragons.” Esbern answered. “We’ve protected the dragonborns since Reman Cyrodiil.”“Yes, Reman Cyrodiil, he did much to try and destroy my people.” Madanach mentioned. “His army of Akaviri warriors decimated the peoples of the Reach because we would not bow to him, much like Talos, and many others including the current decrepit Mede.”“Your people are exceedingly hostile to everyone.” Esbern countered. “It speaks volumes when both the Empire and the Stormcloaks agree on something.”“We were not always so.” Madanach gently touched the relief of Alduin. “We just want live as our ancestors did and worship our own gods without the interference of outsiders. The Reach rightfully belongs to us.”“There will always be interference from outsiders.” Esbern sat back and watched him. “She’s an outsider is she not?”“She’s different.” Madanach answered immediately. “She’s a born leader with an open mind. Even after my people tried to kill her, she gave us a chance at redemption. She doesn’t speak down to my people and she does not judge our ways.” Esbern continued to watch and listen intently. “Unlike Reman and even Tiber Septim who were closed, merciless, and unforgiving to my people, she treats us as equals, and that is why we will protect and serve her to the end.”Esbern was shocked by the revelation. The Forsworn were never known to be peaceful and yet at this moment they were the Dragonborn’s most important ally. “She’s very calculating, so do not think your relationship with her will continue.” Esbern warned.“Yes she is, and I believe you and your friend are in more danger of a change in relationship.” Madanach didn’t hesitate as he calmly began to walk away from him. “We will never betray her.” He asserted as he left the cavernous room.Esbern looked at the makeup of the new recruits and Blades and came to the conclusion that almost half of them were drawn from Forsworn stock. Borkul and the Briarheart Squad was by far one of the most formidable units he’d ever seen. They were passionate and ferocious warriors and mages who not only learned quickly, they were also doing an excellent job in helping train the new Blade recruits up to the exacting standards demanded by Freyanna. “The world is going to look very different after she’s done.” Delphine stated as she leaned on the table.“I never knew our people continued to hunt even after the Emperor agreed to protect them.” Esbern stated with some trepidation. “Protect the Dragonborns at all cost… even from themselves”“That is our way.” Delphine agreed. “Except that now we don’t have our organization to back us. These are not the Blades, no matter how much the Dragonborn says they are.” “Maybe it’s for the best.” Esbern didn’t feel good about what was happening between them and the Dragonborn. “We and our former comrades failed and paid the price. We cannot continue thinking that our ways are best when it is obvious that whatever she is doing now, is working much more than anything we could’ve done in such a short time.” Esbern started to justify the Dragonborn. “We need her much more than she needs us.” He looked over to Delphine. “We need to have her back.”“You two need to understand that I will always listen to advice, but I will not always use it.” Freyanna surprised them both. “I will do things that I consider right and just. I will never be a pawn in anyone’s plan ever again.” She continued. “I will not allow the Blades of old to be rebuilt. They were intolerant dragon hunters who would kill even those who only wished to live in peace.”“How do you know all that is true?” Delphine asked her.“I saw it through Mirmulnir’s eyes as he watched Tiber Septim promise Parthurnax he would protect those dragons who wanted to live in peace.” She continued. “I watched as the Blades hunted down Vuljotnaak’s friend, Dremsilkun.” A tear started to trickle down her cheek as she saw the scene in her mind. “A dragon, who joined Parthurnax to help mankind defeat the World Eater. A Dragon whose wounds from the war were so severe that he could no longer fly.” She glared at them both. “He didn’t even put up a fight as they executed him just before they slayed Vuljotnaak who had come to try and rescue his friend. I’m betting Alduin won’t be resurrecting Dremsilkun any time soon.” The effect on Delphine was quite profound as she lowered her head in shame. “Vuljotnaak could’ve been swayed to be an ally if not for the Blades unquenchable thirst for dragon blood. I will not allow any organization associated with me to do that ever again.” It was almost as if Vuljotnaak’s anger at the Blades was flowing through her.Delphine couldn’t fault her for thinking that way. Her own people had sent her away and tried to kill her. She was the most hunted person in all of Tamriel. She had every right to send the whole of Tamriel to Oblivion and let the World Eater destroy it. Yet, she didn’t. Despite all of the hardships she was being put through, she determined that the world was worth saving and that she would do her damnedest to do so. She was as remarkable a person as she had ever met and more than worthy of following. “I promised you that I would be with you to the end, I intend to keep my promise.” Delphine told her.“I am with you as well…” Esbern was also affected by Freyanna’s tale. “...to the end.” He stated with much certainty.“Good.” Freyanna’s spirits were actually lifted. “I’d hate to see two of my most valued advisors leave.” It also seemed that both Esbern and Delphine felt the same. “I may not always take your advice, but I will always consider it and more often than not, probably do as you ask.”“We know.” Delphine answered with a smile that she’d not shown very often. ***************************** Summit of Apocrypha I can feel her Thu’um… so distinct… so natural. Miraak thought to himself as he also felt the power of his temple slowly being restored to its former glory. Tamriel would soon witness his return as its rightful ruler. It felt strange that he could actually feel the reverberations of her Thu’um. How many has she devoured? I’ve never felt any of the others before. “She forced Alduin to retreat back to Sovengarde.” Relonikiv mentioned to him with a semblance of awe in his statement. “He’s never been defeated in battle… until now.”Miraak looked up at the enormous dragon perched on one of the stone arches which dotted his prison in all but name. “She’s an elf… like Mankar Camoran, but unlike him, her power is immense.” He stated as he started to feel some uncertainty. “She must be dealt with as soon as possible.”Relonikiv watched his master with curiosity. “Your thralls are working endlessly to return you to Nirn.”“I cannot have her continue her rise!” Miraak exclaimed. “I will not allow it!”“Our servants have attempted several times to neutralize her.” Relonikiv added. “They’ve been eliminated by her.”“She’s already your equal.” Miraak looked towards the familiar voice. “Her magical and martial prowess is far above anything you’ve ever seen.” Kruziikrel was perched opposite his brother as his voice actually sounded amused. “If you almost died at the hands of Vahlok, you won’t stand a chance against this daughter of the Elsonire line.”“Elsonire line?” Miraak asked as he stood up. “Ha!” Kruziikrel’s laugh reverberated through the air. “Maybe you should ask our master.”“GOLHAHDOV!” Miraak’s Thu’um thundered toward Kruziikrel’s form on the arch and the effect was immediately apparent. “I am your master!”“The Elsonires are Hermaeus Mora’s most prolific seekers.” Kruziikrel felt the compelling power of Miraak’s Thu’um even as he struggled in vain to keep from revealing his thoughts. “His most powerful guardians are counted amongst them.”“You mean?” Miraak was horrified at the prospect of Mora’s creatures once being sentients thirsting for his knowledge and power.“Yes, the Seekers and Lurkers you see could be an Elsonire who was once a servant of Hermaeus Mora.” The dragon’s amusement actually irritated Miraak as he let out a lightning bolt which struck the creature with a thunderous clap. To his credit, Kruziikrel flinched, but did not fall from his perch.“You’d do well to know your place, beast!” Miraak exclaimed as he turned from the great creature. Kruziikrel let out a threatening growl, but did not act on his intense desire to incinerate the first Dragonborn. Miraak should’ve been killed by Vahlok. It was only because of Hermaeus Mora that he still had a chance of returning back to Nirn. “You will serve me, one way or another.”Kruziikrel’s glare at the first Dragonborn contained nothing less than a desire to murder, but as much as he hated Miraak, he would not go against his master’s wishes. Hermaeus Mora wanted Miraak to meet his mighty Elsonire Dragonborn. The Daedric Prince of Knowledge and Fate had shared some of his visions of this mighty Altmer with him. She was supremely deadly and the manner of which she defeated Alduin in battle was extraordinary. Kruziikrel was certain that should Miraak and this Elsonire meet, Miraak would not survive the encounter. The thought of Miraak dying actually put a rapacious grin on Kruziikrel’s gigantic maw. “Pron rul ni rahgron rok zeymah.” (You shouldn’t antagonize him brother.) Relonikiv mentioned to his fiery sibling. Kruziikrel turned to his brother. “Rok los ni bahlaan se un ahmik.” (He is not worthy of our service.) He responded with quite the bit of disdain. “Rek fen viik rok.” (She will defeat him.) Relonikiv was concerned for his brother and did not wish for him to be killed in a fit of anger by their master. “Wo fun daar wah hi?” (Who told this to you?)“Un vahzah in.” (Our true master.) Kruziikrel answered his concerned brother. Relonikiv nodded in acknowledgement of the statement. The true master there was none other than Hermaeus Mora.Kruziikrel spread his mighty wings and took to the green and alien skies in order to try and shake off the effects of that incredibly powerful Thu’um given to Miraak. He’d continue to serve for as long as Hermaeus Mora needed him to, but it bothered him to no end that his master would give such a gift to someone so unworthy. Oh how he longed to return to Nirn and join his siblings in the war against mortals. His master would never allow it and he’d seen his fate. It would be tied to Miraak and his battle with the Elsonire Dragonborn. Much like Miraak, Kruziikrel could feel her Thu’um. It didn’t feel like Miraak’s or any other Dragonborn that ever existed. It was so natural, so powerful… much like Akatosh’s First, Alduin. If she could defeat the Black One, she was more than worthy of serving. If not for Hermaeus Mora’s interference, Miraak would be a long dead and forgotten footnote in history, not worthy of the title Dovahkiin.Hermaeus Mora’s gift to Miraak was an affront to Akatosh himself. That unholy Thu’um had forced Kruziikrel to turn on his siblings, as did Relonikiv and others. As those they’d defeated were sucked dry by the coward that was Miraak, he couldn’t help but think that Alduin had abandoned him and his siblings. Surely, Miraak’s Thu’um wasn’t strong enough to challenge the World Eater, Akatosh’s first born. Even the lord of fate and knowledge did not have that power, and yet Alduin would not come to Solstheim. The World Eater steered clear of the first Dragonborn.It also didn’t escape his mind that Miraak had refused to assist the Tongues when they confronted Alduin. The Tongues, now those were worthy human warriors! They’d slayed many of his siblings and banished Alduin to the future using the power of an Elder Scroll. Again, he could not fathom why Hermaeus Mora would want Miraak as a servant. Miraak may be the first Dragonborn, but he was not a particularly talented warrior or mage as Vahlok proved by almost killing him. Vahlok was as capable and courageous a human as Kruziikrel had ever encountered. Even with all of the dragon souls to power his Thu’um, Miraak could not defeat the mighty Vahlok and it took an act of divine intervention to save that wretched being from Vahlok’s blade. Kruziikrel landed on one of the many islands dotting the black sea of Apocrypha. The Lurkers and Seekers on the island paid him no mind and went about their mindless ways. He curled up into himself and closed his eyes knowing that soon, it would all be over. She will destroy him… He thought to himself as he slowly went into a slumber with a toothy grin on his maw. ***************************************** Riverwood Ralof’s return to his hometown was solemn. He felt completely betrayed by Ulfric Stormcloak. He wondered if General Galmar knew about Ulfric’s dealings with the Thalmor. He’d promised Freyanna that he’d follow her to Sky Haven Temple after seeing his family. He would only be a couple of days behind her. Most of his platoon had followed her and he was sure that they would fight with all their might for her. The ones that didn’t had gone home, completely dejected at the news that Ulfric was once and could still be nothing but a pawn in the Thalmor’s plans.Gerdur and Hod were very happy to see him, but the happiness was tempered when he told them of Ulfric’s Thalmor connection. They’d asked him if he had seen that beautiful Altmer goddess who’d saved his life and revealed that they knew she was the Dragonborn. His blushing reaction actually caught them off guard. Gerdur’s immediate reaction was a mischievous smile. “NO!?” She exclaimed with an unbelieving expression. “You?”“She’s the most incredible woman I’ve ever met.” Ralof answered with his own uncomfortable smile. “She’s going to save us all.”“She’s quite the talk of the town here.” Hod added. “It’s like the town’s adopted her as their own.”“Uncle Ralof!” The unmistakable voice of Frodnar echoed through the mill. Ralof turned to see the youngster run at him in a sprint and crash into him with a supremely firm hug. “You’re back!” Frodnar let go and started to look around. “Where’s Freyanna?” He asked.The question put a smile on his face. “She’s out there trying to save us all.”Frodnar crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Why aren’t you with her?” He asked with a frown.The seriousness of the little one actually took Ralof aback slightly. “I’m heading to meet her. I just needed to stop here and see you all before I did.” “Well, you can tell her she’s missed here.” Gerdur mentioned. “She gifted the town four horses, armor and weapons for the guards. She even commissioned Alvor to make new weapons for her.”“Too bad Alvor’s such an Imperial milk drinker.” Ralof mentioned. “Hadvar would’ve sent me to the headsman’s block had it not been for Freyanna.”“Easy brother, Alvor is not Hadvar.” Gerdur retorted. “He’s an important person in Riverwood and his smith skills are good enough quality to help maintain the weapons of this town.”“Doesn’t matter.” Ralof looked towards Alvor’s smithy. “Hadvar would’ve let Freyanna die even though she wasn’t with us, and wasn’t on the Imperial Execution Order either.”“He always was wishy washy.” Hod mentioned. “Alvor though, is solidly behind the Dragonborn now. I’m sure he’d convince Hadvar to support her as well.”“Especially now that there is an actual truce between her and the Empire.” Gerdur added.Ralof smiled at the thought of her. “You should see her now…” His vision of Freyanna in that dragon armor appeared in his mind. “She’s the leader we’ve been needing to save Skyrim.”“Who would’ve ever thought that a High Elf would hold such a lofty spot in your heart?” Gerdur was smiling from ear to ear. “Should Frodnar expect a beautiful silver eyed cousin soon?” She joked, seeing Ralof’s face turn completely red.“You’re an evil woman.” Hod mentioned through his deep baritone laugh.“She is.” Ralof agreed as he also started to laugh.“I have a cousin?!” Frodnar’s excitement took them all by surprise.This time it was Gerdur’s turn to feel slightly uncomfortable as both Hod and Ralof turned away together laughing. “No Frodnar…” She looked over to Ralof as she explained. “Not yet.” She told the young boy who seemed quite despondent at the news that he did not yet have a cousin. “Hopefully, soon though.” With that last statement, Frodnar’s spirits were lifted somewhat and he went off to play.“You shouldn’t promise him anything like that.” Ralof was slightly upset. “I don’t even know if we will work.”“Nonsense, if you both love each other, it will work.” Gerdur answered adamantly. “I’m quite certain of your feelings for her, are you as certain of her feeling for you?”He nodded his head, but there was an air of uncertainty. “But, she is the Dragonborn.”“So what?” Gerdur retorted. “If she’s given you her heart, what’s the problem?”“She takes too many risks for me.” He turned to his sister. “She almost died saving my life… she doesn’t think of the consequences…” His worry was very evident to Gerdur and Hod. “…if she dies… the world as we know it, will die with her.”“She’s only doing the same as you would do for her.” Hod added.“I can’t kill the ‘World Eater.’ She’s the only one who can.” Ralof retorted. “She’s told others that we’re…” He looked at his sister, brother in law, and over to Frodnar to make sure they understood. “…the only reason the world is worth saving.”The effect of the words were quite dramatic as Gerdur actually covered her mouth in shock. “She’s unlike any person I’ve ever met, elf or otherwise.” “It’s hard to believe that she was once a Thalmor Justiciar.” Ralof was still quite taken aback at that fact. “She confessed to me that before the events at Helgen, she wouldn’t have hesitated in taking all of us prisoner… killing us if we resisted.”“And still, after that confession, you love her.” Gerdur smiled. “I’m sure she was taught to have nothing other than contempt for our people, and yet, she loves you.”“It is meant to be.” Hod added. “It doesn’t hurt that she’s a stunningly beautiful creature.” He felt a sting on his arm as Gerdur had struck him. “What? It’s true, she is.”As they chuckled together, Frodnar could be seen running from the main street towards them at a sprint. “UNCLE RALOF!” He exclaimed quite loudly and with some desperation. He stopped in front of them. “Imperial soldiers are approaching! You have to hide!”“Shit!” Gerdur exclaimed as well. “Come on, we have to get to the house.”She started to make her way towards her house, but it was too late. Hadvar had returned to Riverwood with a squad of Imperial Soldiers. He was talking to Alvor when his eyes met hers. The look of dread in her eyes was enough to peak his interest as he turned towards her and began to approach as two of the soldiers joined him. “Gerdur, I know he’s here.” The other soldiers put down their packs in an orderly fashion along the road.She looked back and saw that Hod had joined her with Ralof running for the river. “I don’t know…” She tried to respond, but was unceremoniously shoved out of the way as Hadvar and the other two Imperials saw and began to pursue Ralof.“THERE HE IS!” Hadvar and the two imperial soldiers sprinted after Ralof. One of the soldiers began to ready his bow as he ran. “STOP!” Hadvar yelled forcefully.Ralof did not stop and he knew that Hadvar would not stop either. Of all Imperials to give chase, it had to be the one who knew the area as well as he did. He had to cross the river if he was going to have any chance of losing them. He went into the fast moving water and immediately knew it was a mistake. The wet weather had swollen the river and increased its current to a torrent. The armor he was wearing was starting to sink him. He took a lung-full of air and began to discard his armor and weapon. It took everything he had to shed them and finally surfaced again to take another gulp of air. He made it to the other side in pure exhaustion as he crawled out of the water on all fours. He laid down on his back and took tried to catch his breath.“Not this time traitor.” He turned and saw Hadvar on horseback with two other Imperial Soldiers. All of them had their weapons drawn, one of them with a bow and arrow leveled at him. “You’re time on Nirn is going to be over as soon as we get you back to Solitude.”Ralof’s breathing was labored as he defiantly responded. “You’re going to have to kill me.” He slowly stood and took a fighting stance as another three Imperials joined Hadvar. “Take him, I want him alive.” Hadvar ordered and the Imperials complied as they swarmed over Ralof, raining blow after blow unto the exhausted ex-Stormcloak. He was pummeled into unconsciousness. “Bind him. You…” He pointed to one of the other imperial soldiers. “Go back and inform the others that we have him.” Ralof was bound and draped stomach-side down onto the back of one of the horses.They slowly made their way back to Riverwood and were met at the eastern gate by Gerdur and Hod. “Let him go.” Gerdur demanded coldly. “Freyanna will have your head if you harm him.”“He’s a wanted criminal and traitor to the Empire, I will not let him go!” Hadvar wasn’t about to let Ralof get away again. He would face the executioner’s axe again, for the last time.“Ralof’s no longer with the Stormcloaks. He serves the Dragonborn.” Hod added. “Her people currently have a truce with the Empire, or didn’t you hear?”“Ralof is a Stormcloak traitor!” Hadvar retorted with quite the bit of anger. “He’s going to face justice whether you like it or not!”“You’ve always been a milk drinking fool.” Gerdur chuckled in angered frustration. “Freyanna will make you, your family, and the empire pay for any harm that comes to him.”Hadvar couldn’t stop thinking that maybe they were telling the truth. He hadn’t heard anything about a truce, but news traveled slowly in Skyrim and they both seemed so sure of their remarks.“If you don’t believe us that he’s no longer a Stormcloak…” Hod reached into his belt pouch and produced a rolled document. “Read this…” Before Gerdur could stop him, he handed it over to Hadvar. “It’s the reason he and quite a few others have left Ulfric’s service.”Hadvar took the damning dossier and perused it. His eyes went wide as he read what amounted to the Thalmor’s plans to keep Skyrim divided and fighting. “Where did you get this?” He asked while not quite believing what he just read. “That was really stupid, Hod.” Gerdur scolded. “We promised him we wouldn’t reveal this to anyone.”“Nonsense, Hadvar is a Nord and should know that he’s taking part in the destruction of his homeland.” Hod countered. “Now, we’ll really see who the traitor are.” Hadvar looked at them both expecting an answer to where they got the dossier.“Freyanna took it from the smoldering ruins of the Thalmor Embassy.” Gerdur answered. “You can choose to believe it or not, it doesn’t matter because it’s the truth.”“You’re just trying to save your brother’s life.” Hadvar retorted, but he wasn’t quite as sure as before. “I’m taking him to Solitude, if what you say is true, I’m sure he’ll be released.”“You’re not taking him anywhere.” Hod wasn’t happy as he stood in the middle of the road. “You’re not going to do to him in Solitude what you tried in Helgen… what you almost allowed to be done to Freyanna!” He pulled out his battleaxe.“Hod! Stop!” Gerdur’s horrified scream grabbed the attention of many of the townsfolk. The imperial soldiers had already drawn their own weapons and were ready to run Hod through. Gerdur stepped in front of him with pleading eyes. “Don’t… I can’t lose you too.”“HADVAR!” A new voice joined the tirade as Hadvar’s uncle stood next to Hod. “You need to let him go.”“What?!” Hadvar couldn’t believe his ears. “You too uncle?”“They’re telling you the truth, lad.” Alvor responded. “Ralof’s with the Dragonborn now.”“Does that erase his past?” Hadvar was angry as he retorted. “Does that erase his part in the rebellion against the empire?”“THE EMPIRE BETRAYED SKYRIM!” Hod couldn’t contain himself. “The White Gold Concordant is a slap in the face to every Talos loving Nord!” Hod’s glare was steely cold. “Anyone who backs it, is a traitor to Skyrim.”“I can’t believe she spared you.” Ralof groggily mentioned from his compromised position. “She fights against the Thalmor and Alduin, and you do nothing but lick the boots of General Tullius.” “Hadvar, please.” Gerdur tried to be strong, but the desperation in her voice came through. “It’s okay sister.” Ralof answered her. “Whether he kills me here or takes me to Solitude, Hadvar will have to answer to her when she finds out.”“SHUT YOUR MOUTH!” One of the Imperial soldiers kicked Ralof so hard that he fell from the horse he was draped over. Hod immediately raised his axe as he charged the offending Imperial. It only resulted in him receiving an arrow to his chest and dropping him to his knees. Hadvar raised his hand to stop his men from running Hod through.“HOD!” Gerdur quickly ran to and kneeled next to her gravely wounded husband. His eyes were on her as his breathing was coming in short bursts. “I’m here my love.” She examined the wound and felt for a pulse on his neck. The pulse was strong. The arrow had missed his heart, but she couldn’t know if he was bleeding internally.Alvor couldn’t believe what he was seeing. “What is wrong with you lad?!” Hadvar dismounted the horse he was on and reached into his belt pouch. He produced a small vial and offered it to Gerdur. “You’ll destroy everything we built here?” Alvor approached him only to stop short at the sight of two of the Imperials leveling their bows at him. “You’d kill me too?”Hadvar turned to the two archers and motioned for them to lower their weapons. “Send a runner to Whiterun, Jarl Balgruuf was at the talks with the Dragonborn.” Ralof mentioned while sitting on the ground. Hod took the vial and began to drink. The effect was immediate as Hod’s breathing became stronger. “This is going to hurt.” She pulled the arrow from his chest in one swift motion. Hod didn’t make a peep and his anger had not subsided. Gerdur could see the rage in Hod’s expression. “This is not the time.” She mentioned to him. “Please.”In all of the time that Hadvar had been in the Imperial forces, he’d only questioned himself once. His decision to let Freyanna face the executioner still haunted him. If what Hod, Gerdur, and now his uncle Alvor were saying was true, he’d be committing a great injustice here. Ralof may be a disillusioned prick, but he was principled and believed wholeheartedly in the Stormcloak movement. Could the parchment they showed him be true? Were the Thalmor just using the Stormcloaks to keep Skyrim weak? He looked at Hod who was already standing once again with his battle axe at the ready. This man would die for his brother in law. “Damn you Hod…”“You have to let him go, lad. He’s trying to do the right thing.” Alvor spoke up, only this time he had both Frodnar and Dorthe watching from behind him. “If he was still with Ulfric, he wouldn’t be here.” Both of the children looked extremely frightened. As he looked at both kids he could see their turmoil. Frodnar looked angry and frightened while Dorthe expressed both anxiety and fear.“I’ll do as Ralof asks and send a rider to Whiterun.” He turned to Gerdur and Hod, Hod was putting away his axe. “He’ll be my prisoner until the rider gets back. What happens afterward will be…”“A JUSTICIAR PATROL IS HEADED THIS WAY!” One of the town guards yelled to them. “They’re at the southern entrance.” Hod and Gerdur drew their weapons at once. “Frodnar! Go to your spot!” Frodnar looked like he was about to protest. “I SAID NOW!” Gerdur’s ferocious order left no doubt in Frodnar’s mind as he ran back across the river and hid behind a large stone.“Dorthe, go with Frodnar.” Alvor ordered his daughter who did as he said and followed Frodnar. Alvor drew his own large battle axe.“Uncle? What are you doing?” Hadvar asked. “You’ve nothing to worry from the…”“I’ll not let those Thalmor scum touch one of my neighbors while I still draw breath.” Alvor answered back as he, Hod, and Gerdur made their way back towards the southern entrance.“We should help them sir.” One of his men commented, an Imperial archer named Julius. “HA! An Imperial who is more of a Nord than you are!” Ralof exclaimed to Hadvar. Hadvar took out a dagger from his waistband and approached Ralof. There was palpable anger in Hadvar’s eyes as he sliced open Ralof’s hand and foot binds. Ralof again looked into Hadvar’s eyes and smiled. “I knew there was a limit to what they could make you do.”“Go, you’re too weak to help on this one.” Hadvar ordered him. Ralof was having none of it. “Give me a weapon and we can send those Thalmor bastards back to their wailing mothers, together.”Hadvar couldn’t help himself when the smile appeared on his face. He went to his satchel, took out an extra imperial sword and tossed it over to Ralof. “Let’s go.”The fight was short and brutal. At the end of the fight, all six of the Thalmor were dead, but the cost was extremely high. Hod and Alvor, all four of the town guard, along with six of Hadvar’s Imperial squad were dead. Gerdur was badly injured and would’ve died if not for Faendal’s skills in first aid and Hadvar’s supply of healing potions.Hadvar and Ralof were bloodied and exhausted as they looked upon the carnage in the middle of the town. There were bodies and blood everywhere. They’d both just lost two loved ones, not to mention that they’d probably just rekindled the war between the Dominion and the Empire. Sigrid tried to shield the children, but Frodnar saw his badly burnt father laying in the middle of the street in front of the Sleeping Giant Inn. Gerdur was still too weak to console him as she tried to stand, only to sit right back down from the stabbing pain in her abdomen. “PAPA!” Frodnar screamed as he tried to pull away from Sigrid. “PAPA!” Sigrid herself, was crying at the loss of her husband as Dorthe was also screaming for her pa as he lay lifeless next to Hod in an enormous pool of blood.Ralof quickly closed the distance with little Frodnar and pulled him into a ferocious embrace. Sigrid picked up Dorthe and held her tight as she cried at the loss of her own father.Hadvar looked at the remains of his squad and saw that every last one of them was injured in some way. That Thalmor Battlemage had decimated them, and if not for Orgnar planting a knife in her back, the Thalmor would’ve won the day. Her five elf shield wall was as disciplined and skilled as any he’d ever seen. They fought off most attempts to reach her while she picked off others in the distance. He lost all three of his archers along with their three man shield wall. Once she was down though, the rest of his men made short work of the Thalmor shield wall with the help of Faendal’s arrows. Hadvar finally saw what Ralof saw. These Thalmor had no right to be here and they’d just caused the death of the one person he loved more than anyone and another he respected deeply. He turned to Ralof whose wounds were quite numerous, but not life threatening. “I want to join you on your trek to the Dragonborn. I want to fight against the Thalmor and the World Eater.”“Let’s pay our respects for the dead first.” Ralof nodded in agreement. There was nothing but seriousness in his expression. “Could you send a runner to Jarl Balgruuf and tell him what happened here?”“Are you sure it’s wise to inform the Jarl that we just committed an act of war against the Thalmor?” Hadvar wasn’t so sure it was a good idea.“He’ll have to pick a side eventually.” Ralof countered. “The time for milk drinking and fence straddling is over.”“What side is that?” Hadvar just watched his men give their lives for Riverwood. If Ralof thought that siding with the Stormcloaks was a good idea, Hadvar wouldn’t have it. “He’ll either side with us and the Dragonborn, or he’ll side with those rotten Elves from Summerset.” Ralof’s expression of anger was hard to miss. “The Empire needs to rid itself of the Thalmor as well.” Hadvar couldn’t disagree. He nodded in agreement as they began the process of clearing the dead from the street. “Talos willing.” Hadvar responded with a wince as he sheathed his blade. He stared at the incredible carnage caused by just six Thalmor. Twelve heavily armed and well trained men and women were dead. “It’s frightening how skilled they are in battle.” He murmured.“Their combination of magic and arms is the reason they’re so formidable.” Ralof sat down in the middle of the road, thoroughly exhausted. “If the Empire and Skyrim do not work together, we’ll cease to exist.” The road next to the inn was drenched with blood, charred bodies, and severed body parts. It was a horrible scene and they all knew that this would be a common scene in the future if they didn’t expel the Thalmor. “We’ll head for Sky Haven Temple tomorrow.” Ralof said. “She’s going to want to hear about this.”“General Tullius needs to hear of this as well.” One of Hadvar’s men mentioned. Hadvar nodded.“You take half of the remaining squad back to Solitude and you take the other to Dragonreach, inform them what happened here.” Hadvar ordered. *********************** Four days after the Battle of Riverwood, a squad of soldiers from Dragonreach arrived to take on the duties of the fallen guard. They were greeted by Gerdur in front of the inn. “Is it true?” The squad leader asked, referring to the horrific fight that happened there. She nodded. “Follow me.” The small graveyard was located just northeast of the mill and it had now swollen with its new occupants as twelve freshly interred graves marked the location of the newly dead. It was decided to give the defenders of Riverwood a special wooden plaque on their section, it had their names inscribed on it and their deeds. The elves were all burned to ash, along with their clothes, while their armor and weapons were melted down at the forge. They would need a new smith if the village was to prosper. Sigrid was no smith, but she could make simple tools. Dorthe was too young to take her father’s reins and neither of them was in any condition to take the place of Sigrid’s late beloved. If only she could’ve convinced Hadvar to stay, but he was adamant in seeking vengeance on the Thalmor. She decided to put up a sign at the village entrance advertising for a smith to work the forge. The guards were sympathetic and explained that they would get the word out so the forge did not stay cold for too long. Not too long after, the townsfolk had repaired the physical damage done to the village, but it would take much longer, maybe never, for the psychological scars to heal from such a tremendous loss of life and skill. Gerdur and Sigrid had become closer and helped each other with the trauma of losing a husband. Dorthe and Frodnar were as traumatized as children could be. They were no longer the two rays of sunshine in the town. The loss of Alvor and Hod affected the whole town, but it was most evident in both of their children.Sigrid sat in front of her late husband’s cold forge with her hands in her face as fresh tears continued to flow down her cheeks. It had been two weeks since she’d lost him and still had no one of any skill to work her forge. Gerdur was watching Dorthe today while she worked the sharpening stone to hone Gerdur’s axes and saws in addition to the town guard’s weapons. It provided her with some very much needed income, but not enough for her to live on for long. She’d sold the last piece of steel armor two days before and she now had no big ticket items to sell to anyone. Gerdur had offered her a position at the mill, but that didn’t address the problem of not having a smith. Without the forge, all of the mill’s tools would eventually fail and replacing them would be inordinately expensive.One morning Sigrid woke up to a knock on the door. She opened the door to find a powerfully built Orc female waiting there in her furs. “How much to work your forge?” The Orc asked with some anticipation. “Fifty gold a month.” Sigrid answered.“Make it forty and you have a deal.” The Orc countered.“Forty-five.” Sigrid never expected to get more than thirty, but she was going to get the best deal she could.“Done.” The Orc accepted with a toothy smile as Sigrid motioned for her to enter. “My name is Ghorza gra-Bagol. I used to work the forge in Markath until I turned it over to my useless apprentice.”“Why would you leave? You must’ve had a lot of business there.” Sigrid asked.“The rent ate into much of my profits and I found myself just barely breaking even. It didn’t help that the competition was already rich and would undercut my prices.” She answered. “Also, a friend of mine told me that you were in need of a smith here. I would rather work where I’m needed than where I’m just one of many.” “These were my husband’s tools, you’re welcome to use them, although I imagine you have your own.” Sigrid mentioned and Ghorza nodded. “I would ask you for one favor though.”“Payment is not enough?” Ghorza started to feel that she might’ve made a mistake coming to Riverwood.“It’s not anything you’d have to pay for…” Sigrid was a little nervous. “My daughter was my late husband’s apprentice…” The words brought an immediate grin to Ghorza’s face. “If you could?”“Of course, how far along is she?” Ghorza asked as Dorthe made her appearance and grabbed a hold of her mother’s leg. “Ahhh, a proper apprentice.” Ghorza announced.“She can work the whetstone and tanner as well as fabricate nails, hinges and building materials” Sigrid answered her. “I’d pay you…” Ghorza put her hand up to stop Sigrid.“It would be my pleasure to teach you.” She squatted in front of Dorthe and reached out her hand. Dorthe looked a little frightened until she looked up to her mom who nodded. “Come, we have much to do.” Dorthe took Ghorza’s hand and they were both followed by Sigrid to the Forge where Ghorza began the process of igniting the forge all the while instructing Dorthe to gather the charcoal chips. It didn’t take long for the sounds of Ghorza’s hammer to reverberate throughout Riverwood.Gerdur was the first to show up and welcome Ghorza to the village. “It’s so good to hear that sound again.” She mentioned as Ghorza continued to hammer an iron ingot while Dorthe held it with thongs. The weeks hadn’t softened the loss of Alvor and Hod, but watching Dorthe concentrate on her task actually lightened her heart a little bit.One of the guards approached with a spring in his step. “GHORZA!” It sounded jovial and it was obvious that this guard knew her. He removed his helmet to reveal a handsome raven haired, blue eyed Nord. “Gods, it’s good to see you!”“Baldur?” Ghorza looked as happy to see the guard as the guard was to see her. “You’re stationed here?” Baldur was the leader of the guardsmen in Riverwood and it seemed that he had come through on his promise. Sigrid and Gerdur watched as they hugged like comrades. “It’s good to see you too.”“How do you know each other?” Sigrid asked.“We were in the Legion together.” Baldur answered. “I owe her my life.”“You don’t owe me anything.” Ghorza replied. “You would’ve done the same for me.”Sigrid and Gerdur watched the exchange and noticed that the two had the genuine affection for one another that could only be explained as a budding relationship. Gerdur huffed amusingly as she and Sigrid both turned and made their way to the mill. As they approached the mill, they saw that Faendal was already working the giant hydro powered saw. Frodnar was actually swinging an axe and splitting wood. His playfulness was gone. He’d become a much more serious child since his father’s death and felt that it was his job now to work and ready himself to help protect the village. It was a terrible thing to see that he was no longer a child. Innocence was always one of War’s first victims.
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Karthspire Forsworn Settlement Freyanna continued to scan the distance for the signal that would warn them of its approach. It had been over a day since she’d called out the creature’s name. Esbern assured her that Odahviing would show eventually. Freyanna stood at the cave opening to Sky Haven Temple in her full dragon armor and scanned the sky. “There!” Velkas uttered as she pointed to the southern sky.Freyanna looked in the direction as a fireball streaked into the air. One of her Forsworn in a distant observation post had signaled the beast’s approach. The sight actually gave her pause as she looked at the three flying monsters heading in her direction. “Three of them?” She turned to Velkas and Delphine. “The red one is mine…” She looked over the camp. “READY THE BALLISTAE!” She’d gotten the idea of a giant dragon-killing bow from some of the machinations the Dwemer developed to make her life miserable in their ruins. With the help of Marcurio and the Forsworn weapon-smiths, they made these gigantic crossbows a reality. They were much simpler in their construction than the steam powered monstrosities of the Dwemer and not mobile, but she was sure they were just as deadly. In a test, they’d put a giant bolt through a wooden piling thicker than the span of her arms. “Wait for my signal!” She watched as the three impressive dragons approached her.“DOVAHKIIN!” Odahviing bellowed as he and his two brothers stopped and hovered in front of her, oozing an arrogance that was palpable. “I’M HERE!” They seemed completely confident that three of them was all that was needed to kill her and destroy the settlement.Freyanna couldn’t believe how easy this foolish beast was going to make this for her. You should’ve attacked immediately and not wasted your breath talking… She thought to herself. “JOORZAHFRUL!” The dragons all hovering in place made for easy targets as the twelve ballistae let loose their massive iron bolts. Odahviing’s brothers were struck by the murderous hail of giant bolts and fell immediately, one was struck in the eye by the ballista utilized by Brelas and died instantly crashing into one of the wooden platforms below. The other’s wings were torn to ribbons by the hail of massive bolts, in addition to being struck on its two hind legs. It too fell in a thunderous crash below. She watched as her blades, a mix of Forsworn, former Stormcloaks, former Imperial Legionnaires, and others, swarmed the grievously injured beast. It lashed out with its fire breath and incinerated three of them instantly while the rest stabbed, slashed, hammered, and speared it into oblivion.Odahviing had never felt such power as his wings just stopped and he fell along with his two brothers. The pain was excruciating, but he still had enough control to breathe fire onto some of his brother’s attackers. He then snatched another armored attacker into his maw and crushed him like an egg. It was obvious to him that his brothers would not leave this place alive and as he thought why he hadn’t been struck down yet, he felt as if the effects of the Dovahkiin’s shout had passed. He spread his wings and took to flight. He never noticed her accomplices applying the giant steel shackles to his legs. As he slowly lifted off the ground he felt the massive chains shackled to his hind legs weigh him down and finally stopped him from rising. Try as he might, he could not gain any more altitude. He scanned the area and saw that those wicked ballistae had reloaded and were now all aimed at him. “Odahviing, gahvon!” (Odahviing, surrender!)He turned to see that the dragonborn had spoken and was commanding him to surrender. His eyes watched her calmly approach him as he struggled to maintain his altitude. This was the being that had so soundly defeated his master. The only being ever to vanquish Alduin in combat just stood there waiting for him to make his choice. It really wasn’t much of a choice as she could kill him easily enough already and yet she hadn’t. She had to want something from him or he wouldn’t have been given the opportunity to decide his own fate.He decided right then and there that his own life was worth listening to her as he watched in awe while she tore the souls out of his two brothers in a flash of blinding light and wind. He descended slowly and landed on one of the wooden platforms in the makeshift settlement and waited for her to address him. She didn’t take long as she came nearer, escorted by a woman in Blades armor and a man in Forsworn armor. “Zu’u bonaar. You went through a great deal of trouble to put me in this… humiliating position.” Freyanna stood in front of him. There was some fear in her posture, but it was a warrior’s fear. She was ready to strike him down in an instant. “Hind siiv Alduin, hmm? No doubt you want know where to find Alduin.”“I know he’s in Sovngarde… ” She responded. “He told me so himself as he fled.”She was as impressive as could be. Her Thu’um was the most powerful he’d ever experienced. “Rinik Vazah. An apt phrase. Alduin bovul. One reason I came to your call was to test your Thu’um for myself. Many of us have begun to question Alduin’s lordship, whether his Thu’um was truly the strongest. Among ourselves, of course. Mu ni mayye, none were yet ready to openly defy him.” If she could defeat him in open battle in the physical world. She could most assuredly destroy him as he tried to replenish his strength in Sovngarde. “Unslaad krosis, Innumerable pardons, I digress. As you know, he has traveled to Sovngarde to regain his strength devouring the sillesjoor… the souls of the mortal dead. A privilege he jealously guards…” She continued to listen intently as he spoke to her. “His door to Sovngarde is at Skuldafn, one of his ancient fanes high in the eastern mountains. Mindoran pah ok middovahhe labyraan tir. I surely do not need to warn you that all of his remaining strength is marshalled there.” His eyes were locked on hers as she listened to him. “Zu’u lost ofan hin loan… now that I have answered your questions, you will allow me to go free?”“Only if you swear fealty to me and serve me.” There was no room in her expression for any answer other than yes, but she would hear no coming from his maw.“No… not until Alduin is defeated. Afterwards, I may reconsider.” He responded and watched in horror as she raised her hand to signal those powerful weapons to kill him. “Wait!” He desperately pleaded. “There is a detail about Skuldafn I failed to mention. You may have the Thu’um of a Dovah, but without wings, you will never set foot in Skuldafn.”“So you’re offering to take me there?” She asked as she slowly lowered her arm. “I could, but only if you free me.” He responded.“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Delphine mustered the courage to speak. “Just an instant before, he and his brethren were trying to kill you.”“I agree.” Velkas added. “Why would he help you kill his lord? Sending you to your death would only make him more valuable to the World Eater and improve his position.”Freyanna listened to her advisors as Madanach approached. Her eyes never left the dragon’s eyes. “So, you do know how to get there.” She addressed the dragon. “What kind of forces should I expect to find there?”“Three Dovah less than before.” Odahviing answered. “Kahkendovnorok and Faasnudezqah will test your Thu’um, as will Nakriin and his thralls.” As Odahviing spoke she began to see the memories of the dragons she’d just killed. She could see the Nordic temple, she could see the hundreds of drauger, Nakriin, and the dragons guarding the portal. She also saw two other dragons that Odahviing did not mention.“Why do you lie?” Freyanna asked to the surprise of everyone there. “Kahkendovnorok and Faasnudezqah are not the only brothers you have there.”“No, but Faadgaaram and Paztoormey will not test your Thu’um.” Odahviing answered. “They, like me, will watch and wait for Alduin’s or your return.”She didn’t get a sense that he was lying and paused as she thought about the risks of taking the dragon’s word and flying off to destroy the World Eater. “You’re not seriously contemplating this are you?” Delphine was actually desperate to advise her not to go, not to trust this beast.“I am.” Freyanna answered almost immediately and turned to Odahviing. “It seems that your two brothers were also questioning Alduin’s lordship.”“After the time wound and his defeat at your hand, all of us question, but we know our Thu’um is not strong enough to question him openly.” Odahviing answered.“So you won’t question him directly, yet you do question my Thu’um.” She responded. “I’ve slain countless of your zeymah with my Thu’um, I could end your time on Nirn now with my Thu’um.” She continued. “You fear him more than me and yet he is not here. He fled from me like a coward and still…” She walked close to Odahviing’s maw as he actually took a couple of steps back. “You fear him more than me…” If there was a chance for him to end her, it was now, he thought about snapping her up in his maw… he thought about it, but he actually feared her. Her Thu’um was incredible. “You should fear me more.” She turned and walked away from him. Just before reaching her comrades she turned to address him once more. “You harm anyone here and I will end you.” With that, she disappeared into the crowd as everyone there just stared at him in wide eyed wonder.He let out a huge roar that thundered through the valley. Everyone there jumped in surprise and drew their weapons, some ran from the beast. Freyanna just turned around and saw Odahviing in what she could only describe as dragon laughter. She turned towards her people. “Three of us will go.” She asserted. They all looked at her in shock. “If at all possible, Velkas, Marcurio and I will go to Skuldafn.”“What?!” Delphine exclaimed quite loudly. “You’re going to need warriors to protect…”“I don’t need warriors as much as I need firepower and protection.” Freyanna countered. “Drauger don’t do well with fire, and Velkas is an excellent healer if we get in trouble.”“Besides you, I’m the only one here that’s taken down one of those beasts.” To everyone’s surprise, Brelas argued. “I should be going with you.”Freyanna smiled at her Bosmer friend. “If it was just the dragons, I would, but I need as much fire as I can get to kill the Drauger there and we do not have enchanted arrows.”“I still think this is a bad idea.” Delphine folded her arms in front of her. “The odds of you just surviving and getting to the portal are pretty low and you have no idea what you’ll find when you go through.”“I think you’re making a mistake not taking me.” Borkul stepped up. “There isn’t a problem I know of that can’t be solved with my axe.”She looked over to Odahviing and let out a huff. “I don’t even know if he’s capable of carrying us all.” They all wanted to go with her, but she knew she couldn’t take them all. Odahviing was as large as Paarthurnax, but carrying the extra weight of three people had to be taxing. With all of their equipment, she was pretty doubtful that he could. She would placate them, but she knew that this mission was probably best handled alone. The knowledge of the Oghma Infinium had given her some much needed weapons to use in this battle and she would face that beast alone, as she did at the throat of the world.“We can continue this argument inside.” Freyanna announced as they all started to make their way inside the cave entrance. She paused just outside and turned around just in time to see some commotion and arguing brewing at the entrance to the settlement. The Forsworn guards had drawn their weapons and were about to attack some unseen party.“You’re good to enter…” One of the Forsworn guard pointed. “You are not!” The guards shouted as they moved forward and out of sight. She could hear the sounds of weapons clanging against one another.“STOP! We’re with the Dragonborn!” The unseen source of that voice made her heart stop as she charged quickly down the steps towards the entrance of the settlement.“TIIDKLOUL!” She shouted and time slowed to a crawl. She ran towards the entrance and when she got there she saw Ralof parrying a blow from the Forsworn while a familiar looking Imperial was about to impale the other Forsworn guard with his imperial sword. She got there just as the imperial sword was starting breaking the skin of the Forsworn guard. She ripped the sword from the Imperial’s hand and kicked Ralof away from the Briarheart warrior attacking him. She then hooked her arm under the armpit of the Briarheart and hip threw him away from Ralof and the Imperial stranger. She took a hold of the guard engaged with the imperial and ripped his weapon from his hand as well. When her shout finally lost effect, Ralof was on his ass, the Briarheart guard was face down in the dirt, and the Imperial found the he was now face to face with the unarmed Forsworn. “That’s enough of that.” She mentioned as she removed her helmet. “They’re good.” She mentioned to the guards who both nodded in the affirmative and returned to their posts. She smiled at Ralof, but when her eyes looked over to Hadvar, it was a different story. “The list.” She remembered as she uttered the words out loud. In a flash of golden metal she drew her sword and put the tip to his throat. “Tell me why I shouldn’t kill you.”“WAIT! WAIT! WAIT!” Ralof desperately yelled as he quickly stood and actually put his hand on her blade and lowered it. “Hadvar is with us!” Ralof vouched for this Imperial who sent her to the headsman’s block, and also would’ve sent Ralof as well on that fateful day. The two guards once again approached them and readied their swords to assist the Dragonborn. At that moment, Freyanna raised her arm to stop them from attacking. “Something terrible has happened in Riverwood.”She finally took her eyes off of Hadvar and looked into Ralof’s eyes. There was a sadness and anger in them that she’d never truly seen before. She sheathed her blade and quickly closed the distance with her best friend and lover. “What happened?” She asked him with an obvious sense of dread, thinking the absolute worst thing. Please not Frodnar… She thought to herself.“Alvor and Hod are dead, along with all of the town guards and half of Hadvar’s Imperial platoon.” Ralof explained. “The Thalmor came to Riverwood to arrest Talos worshippers… it was terrible, we stopped the… at a dreadful cost.”Hadvar watched her take the news and could see the rage start to fill her and change her expression. She then turned her eyes to him once more. “I’m sorry Dragonborn, I… I wish I…” He fumbled his words as if he was a nervous recruit, but with the exception of sending her to the block, she could admit to herself that Hadvar was a good man. He saved a child in the attack on Helgen, he tried his best to defeat Alduin that day. All she did was run away in a display of selfish preservation.“No need.” She raised her hand to stop him. “If Ralof vouches for you, then you’re welcome here.”“There is a need… I need to.” Hadvar continued. “I would’ve allowed you to die… no trial… an innocent sent to the block.” “Tullius would’ve had you killed if you tried to stop them.” She countered as she put her hand on his shoulder. “You wouldn’t be here… that child you saved… the old man… you did the right thing.”He dropped his head so as to not look into those pools of striking silver. “If I did the right thing, I’d be dead.” He mentioned shamefully.“And you wouldn’t have been around to beat back those Thalmor dogs.” Ralof countered. “They would’ve killed me, Gerdur, Alvor, Hod and Sigrid… probably taken the children to be reeducated and enslaved.” He also put his hand on Hadvar’s shoulder. “You and your Imperial platoon saved Riverwood.”“So you’re the help that Tullius has sent?” Freyanna asked trying to bring a little bit of levity. “No offense to your martial skill, but the Empire’s definition of help is pretty lacking.”“I have six more Legionnaires from the Riverwood fight waiting just outside the camp.” Hadvar remarked as his eyes caught a glimpse of Odahviing chained in the center of the encampment. His eyes went wide as he turned to Ralof who was also left speechless at the sight of a dragon in chains. “By the Gods!”“How?” Ralof couldn’t believe his eyes. “I was expecting a smoldering ruin along with three piles of dragon bones.” The camp seemed to be mostly intact with the exception of shattered wooden platform one of the dragons probably crashed through. “Marcurio had the idea of fabricating these enormous crossbows.” She pointed to the Ballistae ringing the camp. “They’re deadly.” She then motioned to Odahviing. “He prepared will enough, just didn’t execute the attack. “We could’ve used some of these at Helgen.” Hadvar mentioned as he motioned for his men in the distance to join them. “They might’ve been able to turn the tide on that black devil.”“Oh shit!” Freyanna uttered as she saw that same observation post which warned her of Odahviing’s approach launch a fireball into the air. She scanned the skies and saw two of the flying beasts approaching. “DRAGONS! MAN YOUR STATIONS!” She yelled and immediately the camp went into action the warriors and mages took up their positions while a few caretakers and children who just managed to get outside, ran towards the steps leading to the cave entrance. She forcefully grabbed Ralof’s hand and dragged him toward the cave entrance with Hadvar following. She then turned back towards the camp. Freyanna watched in horror as the two beasts approached impossibly swift. These two didn’t make the same mistake that Odahviing made, by announcing their presence. She watched as they separated and looped towards the settlement from opposite directions. She watched as the ballistae fired their giant bolts only to see the two beasts easily avoid them. She was too far to attempt Dragonrend and could only watch as the two beasts dove and raked the settlement with their fire breath and set alight almost the entire camp. She continued to run towards the settlement center as she watched tens if not hundreds of people burning and in flames. Velkas, Marcurio and the rest of the Forsworn mages launched multiple fireballs, lightning bolts and ice spears at the two beasts to no avail as they were just too nimble and avoided all ground fire. Arrows were flying in what could only be described as a swarm. Most of them were bouncing harmlessly off the armored scales, but some did hit the wings and at least hurt the beasts.As she ran to get closer, Freyanna watched as they looped around again and this time they targeted her ballistae, destroying four of them and their crews in a smoldering ruin. If she were a dragon, this is how she would fight, the only difference would be that if she knew a dragonborn was present, she’d fly away in a hit and run style of attack. She finally stood in the center of the settlement as it burned with Ralof and Hadvar at her sides. The two dragons once again looped for another strike only this time Freyanna was ready for them. “JOORZAHFRUL!” She shouted at the diving creature and the effect was immediate. It crashed head first into one of the larger tents of the settlement and was immediately struck by the giant bolts of the remaining ballistae. That dragon was swarmed by the warriors on the ground and was killed rather quickly. Faadgaaram’s soul started to immediately transfer over to her in a blinding white light. She watched as Paztoormey actually took evasive actions as Marcurio’s and Velkas’ fireballs were coming a little too close to it. “FUSRODAH!” She shouted and struck him with enough force to knock him off his course. He barely stayed airborne and in correcting his course, he was struck by a ballista bolt in his wing.Paztoormey roared in pain as he crashed on the outskirts of the Forsworn camp. Velkas was launching fireball after fireball at the creature while Lydia, Benor and a dozen or so warriors charged the beast from two sides. Paztoormey flinched at the attack, but regained his composure and let loose with his own fire breath at Benor and the warriors charging him. It was devastating as he incinerated all of them in one fell swoop. The roar that left Lydia’s mouth at the sight of Benor’s death caused everyone to pause and turn to watch her. She was on the beast immediately with her sword sinking deeply into its neck. She pulled it out gracefully as she rolled out of the way of the beast’s giant snapping maw. The other warriors quickly swarmed the monster as their axes, spears and swords began to take it apart. It started to spread its wings to escape the angry swarm of warriors only to be struck in the hindquarters by one of those powerful ballistae bolts. Paztoormey roared in pain as he attempted to lift off, unfortunately for the monster, Freyanna was not going to let him escape.“TIIDKLOUL!” Freyanna became a blur movement to everyone and the only evidence that she was there was the violent scream let out by Paztoormey as his wings were completely amputated from his body. There was blood pouring from the terrible wounds as Ralof watched his beloved plunge her swords into the dragon’s back, over and over again, until it lay still. She, Lydia and all of the warriors in the vicinity continued to stab and stab and stab, even as the Dragonborn devoured the dead beast’s soul in a blinding light.Finally she just collapsed in a heap on the pile of bones that was once Paztoormey. The Forsworn were gathered around their fallen ally while Lydia ran to and kneeled desperately at the side of Benor’s charred remains, lightly touching them as she broke down in uncontrollable anguish. It was a devastating sight. Those two dragons destroyed almost half of the Forsworn settlement along with one of her truest friends and many Forsworn warriors and inhabitants. Freyanna just sat there on her ankles amidst the pile of dragon bones, her head lowered in demoralized sadness. There were charred remains everywhere, thankfully most of the children were still inside the cave. Unfortunately, a few of them did come out to play after the first attack and were now small blackened and lifeless figures on the smoldering central platform. There were four of them in all. Ralof, Hadvar and a couple of Briarhearts approached her with Ralof, who crouched down in front of her. “It’s my fault.” She whispered, but did not meet his gaze. She was oblivious to the fires as the Forsworn camp residents and defenders changed their objective from killing dragons, to putting out the fires.“We need you Freyanna!” Jenassa screamed as she, Marcurio, Borkul and Brelas helped gather buckets of water and ran towards the fires. She finally woke from her depression induced haze and used her frost breath to quickly put out the fires in the camp. It only made things worse for her as she could now clearly see the enormous amount of death and destruction caused by those two dragons. She walked over to where Benor’s charred corpse lay with an inconsolable Lydia hovering over him. She kneeled down next to her friend, put her arm around her, and began to sob as well. Benor had been a great friend and presence within the group. He just seemed to make everyone more at ease and had won Lydia over. The last few weeks, they’d been inseparable and it really made her heart ache to see Lydia in such a sad state. “He was too good for this cruel world.” Lydia whispered through her sobs as she stood up. “And now, that beast’s master is probably feasting on his soul.” She motioned to Odahviing who did not attempt to escape during the attack. “They expected that we would’ve been at least weakened by Odahviing’s attack.” Freyanna was reliving the memories of the two dragons. “They followed him out here to finish us…” She turned to look at the giant beast. “Ordered to join in the attack, in the case that Odahviing’s wave needed help.”Freyanna scanned the entirety of the camp and shuddered at the destruction. There were charred bodies, burned out huts and homes, and wails from many of the injured. She looked at the chained beast and could feel the rage starting to rise within her. Did she really need Odahviing to get to the World Eater? She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked to see that it was Ralof sporting an expression of deep concern. She turned once again to watch the Forsworn and her own people begin to help those who were injured or trapped under debris. “I have to stop him Ralof.” She spoke in a very determined tone. “Yes, you do.” Velkas repeated to her as she approached with Madanach and Esbern. “This battle was a tremendous victory, but it came at terrible price.” Freyanna started to walk towards the main platform where Odahviing was chained while Velkas went over to another platform where a Forsworn woman was weeping uncontrollably over four tiny blackened figures. Everyone watching Velkas could see her sadness and anger.“You did more than anyone could’ve ever expected.” Ralof walked with her as he tried to comfort her. He could tell though, this battle affected her deeply. “I believe the dragons would think twice about ever coming here again.”“They’ll be back stronger than before.” Freyanna watched as Velkas crouched down next to the weeping woman and put a gentle hand on her shoulder. “I need to kill that black beast… the sooner the better.” Ralof watched her and recognized an expression of determination. She was about to do something. “Once gone, the rest will not be so brazen about attacking any settlement.”She looked into his eyes and gently cupped his face. “What are you thinking?” He asked her. Ralof could feel the dread start to rise in his spine as she gently kissed his lips. Their eyes met as she smiled with genuine affection. She turned around and started to make her way towards Odahviing. “Freyanna!” He yelled and she turned her head to look at him, but didn’t stop walking towards the chained beast.“I’m going to end this.” She said with such determination that he knew he’d never be able to convince her otherwise.“I’m coming with you.” He retorted as he joined her lock step. “You’re not going without me!” His own eyes conveyed the same type of determination. She smiled sadly as she nodded to him and then looked up at the chained Odahviing. “How many more of your brothers will be there?” She asked, but it was rhetorical as she already knew the answer. “Narkiin and his drauger will be guarding the gate.” Odahviing replied, all the while Freyanna watched him for any sign of deception. There was none.She looked over to Ralof. “We go now, before anyone has a chance to stop us.” He nodded. “Help me, you release the pin on his right shackle, I’ll do the left.” Freyanna deftly released the left shackle and quickly mounted Odahviing. Ralof wasn’t quite as deft and as soon as he released the shackle, Odahviing took off in a powerful flap of his giant wings without him. “NOOOO!!” He yelled after her as he watched the love of his life fly off towards the east. “FREYANNA!!! Damn that woman!”It didn’t take long for the main players in the camp to come to him. “What in Oblivion is she doing?!” Delphine was the first to chime in, with nothing but anger in her voice. “Damn it…” Ralof felt completely helpless. “I should’ve known she wouldn’t take me with her…” He looked over to the whole slew of people now looking at him like he was an idiot. “Shit, I’m sorry.”Marcurio seemed to be the only one amused. He knew almost as much as Freyanna did that she was going to leave alone on that beast. “She would’ve convinced all of us…” He looked over to Delphine and Esbern. “Well, maybe not the two senior Blades.”“She’s so irresponsible!” Delphine yelled as she began to pace back and forth. “She can’t possibly win without at least some help!”“She doesn’t need it.” Velkas mentioned adamantly. “I’ve felt her grow since I first met her.” The fearsome Hagraven stated. “Her power dwarfs that of even the one she rides now to battle… the right hand of Alduin.” Velkas turned to Delphine. “We would only get in her way.”Esbern seemed pretty confident as well. “Hopefully she’ll return soon… the dragons aren’t the only threat facing Nirn.”“We need to honor our dead and shore up our defenses.” Lydia’s tears hadn’t even dried yet, but she was there with her keen tactical mind.“Agreed.” Madanach answered. “Our people’s sacrifices need to be recognized.” Velkas nodded as she took her leave and started to help gather the Forsworn dead. Lydia also nodded as she, Brelas, Marcurio, Borkul, and Jenassa took their leave and began to do the same for the Non-Forsworn that made the ultimate sacrifice. *************************************************** Skuldafn – Portal to Sovengarde The Horde of Drauger that had once challenged her entrance to the whole of the temple were now silent in their final deaths. All of the secrets of the temple were now hers, including a new and extremely powerful shout. It would unleash the power of the heavens upon her enemies and sounded quite similar to the one that was used by the World Eater to destroy Helgen with fire from the sky. Strun Bah Qo – And lo did mighty Heimverlund come from the brutal north, like a storm of unbridled vengeance from Sovengarde itself. The power surging through her was unfathomable. She felt every bit of the dragon’s memories within her. Strun Toor Shul… She pondered the shout and fully understood its power, understood it like the World Eater understood. Her ancestors had made sure she would be ready for this battle.She walked into the ruined temple looking to the walls flanking the portal to see that there would be no dragons to help defend this place. Her gate was confident and determined as her eyes came to rest on the mighty Nahkriin, guardian of the portal. “Oblaan!” (Die!) She immediately exclaimed as a stream of silver light exploded from her Staff of Magnus and struck the wraith with its full power. She could feel her mana refill as the wraith doubled over in obvious pain and distress. He raised his staff and launched an ice spear which she deftly dodged. “YOL TOOR SHUL!” The wraith didn’t stand a chance as the power of Thu’um was more immense than any he’d ever felt. The stream of white hot fire struck the creature dead center once more and left nothing but a pile of ash and one of those indestructible masks. As the creature died, its soul was quickly absorbed into one of three beautiful obsidian gems she’d brought with her. It was another trick she learned from one of her ancestors in the Oghma Infinium. The souls of the dead were used to power enchantments. Not unlike what Alduin was doing in Sovengarde. She’d already used two of the gems to recharge her staff, and now she used the third in a flash of blinding light to fully charge this magnificent weapon. She slung the mighty weapon onto her back as she scanned the area knowing that there would be no more challengers to her rule there. Nothing stood between her and the portal to Sovengarde and her destined meeting with the first born of Akatosh. She let out a breath, turned around and walked back towards the steps at the entrance. She looked around at the absolute destruction she was able to bring. There were smoldering Drauger everywhere, archways and structures built thousands of years ago could only be described as piles of smoking ruin. As she scanned the area, she couldn’t help but think of just how easy it was to do what she did. Is this how the Dovah feel? She asked herself. She’d waded through some of the most formidable defenses like they were blades of grass to a scythe. The feeling of absolute power coursed through her and it was intoxicating. As she looked at the remains of the temple grounds she couldn’t help but think of Helgen. An eye for an eye… “STRUN TOOR SHUUL!” The word sung to the very fiber of her being as she looked to the skies. She watched as the skies darkened to an unholy black and saw fireballs falling from the sky. They landed with tremendous destructive force as the remains of the temple grounds and all of the smoldering ruins were reignited in a firestorm. She’d leave his headquarters a smoldering ruin… just like he did to Helgen. No one would ever be able to use this place to hunt the dead any longer. She stepped up to the portal which could only be described as a streaming column made of blinding light starting from an enormous spiral pattern in the stonework on the ground and flowing straight up into the sky. This was a passage though the fabric of space and time, the passage from Nirn to Sovengarde. It was powered by the souls of the dead which were embedded into the very temple’s stone construction. She could almost feel their agony and their pleading for release, for the peace of a final end. The conjuration magic needed to create such a portal existed only in her mind now, but she would never pay the horrendous cost in life it would take to create such a monstrosity. As the mayhem and the sounds of explosions outside the temple died down, she looked directly above, to the skies directly overhead. “STRUN TOOR SHUUL!” Once again the skies began to darken and crackle with energy. She watched as the fireballs fell from the sky, only this time they were headed straight for the temple. She quickly took a step into the portal and in flash of blinding light was transported away to what she hoped would be Sovengarde and her ultimate prey. With the destruction of the temple she breathed a sigh of relief knowing Alduin would never be able to use it again.When the light subsided Freyanna stood at the top of an icy path leading into an almost impenetrable fog. She made her way down the path and into the mist. The mist was impossibly thick and she couldn’t see more than ten feet in front of her. She stopped and just listened. It was unnaturally quiet, with not a single sound to be heard. She almost jumped out of her armor at the roar which was way too close for comfort. It was followed by the short scream of a victim. World Eater!!“LOK VAH KOOR!” Her shout cleared the mist instantaneously for quite the distance around her. The sight in front of her chilled her to her core. Alduin was in the process of devouring a poor soul who’d been unlucky enough to be in the mist. No doubt, the mist must be a creation of that black demon. His arrogance had to be all consuming for him not to notice her and she almost smiled she drew her twin elven blades. Before she could even think about it, she went into a dead sprint towards the monster. Once she judged the distance right she shouted once more. “JOOR ZAH FRUL!” Alduin’s gluttony for the souls he was ravaging caused him to fail to hear or even notice the Elsonire demon coming right towards him. The Dragonrend shout struck him just as he finished devouring another Sovengarde victim. The pain was excruciating and he knew that she was here! As he turned his head to search for the Dragonborn, he felt the heat as a blade penetrated deep into his body, just below his right wing. “STRUN TOOR SHUL!” He roared fiercely and the skies of Sovengarde opened up with a powerful meteor storm. The area around him began to explode with giant fireballs striking the ground all around him. He couldn’t fly and every time he turned to face the Dragonborn, he felt the searing heat of a blade entering his body. “That will do you no good today.” The Elsonire demon spoke with a dark and ominous tone. He could feel his life force begin to fade as the effects of Dragonrend ended. He’d purposely raised his wings so that she couldn’t damage them with her wicked blades. “I will end you Dovahkiin!” As he took off, he felt three extremely powerful fireball blasts strike him so hard that he lost control and crashed back down to the ground on his back in a thunderous cloud of dust. “VEN MUL RIIK!” He roared and almost immediately was surrounded by that impenetrable mist.There’ll be no flying away today. She thought to herself as she was already running in the direction of where he fell which was not far off. “LAAS YAH NIIR!” This time she’d use the mist to her advantage as the outline of all the dead souls came into her sight as glowing auras of blue, with one giant exemption. Tsun watched from his post at the Bone Bridge as Alduin and the youngest Elsonire did battle. It was glorious to see that Elven maiden work her talents. The World Eater had no answers other than to try and take flight away from the stinging of that mighty Elf’s blades and magic. He’d never seen any mortal with that kind of power, although he’d been told that Miraak could’ve defeated Alduin if he chose to. Hakon One-Eye had told him of Miraak, but Tsun thought of Miraak as a coward who was always too afraid to face the first of Akatosh.Alduin was in the process of rolling back into an upright position so that he could spread his wings and take off. “YOL TOOR SHUL!” He struck out blindly with his immensely powerful fire. He didn’t see her, he didn’t hear her, and just as he was about to take off above his unnatural mist, he felt the searing heat under his jaw and everything went black. His body gave out as it dropped in a heap. Try as he might he couldn’t move or see. He felt that his body had given in and he finally let out his final roar. “DOVAHKIIN!!!!!!” She rolled away as she watched the Black one’s body start to convulse and fishers of molten light began to appear on its obsidian scaled body. She quickly cast Dragonskin and watched as Akatosh’s first exploded into many pieces and finally disintegrated and flash of blinding light. The mist and meteor storm dissipated immediately afterwards to reveal a beautiful and serene scene of lush vegetation and stone. She’d done it! Tsun marveled at the daughter of Talania Elsonire. She is magnificent. He actually had to stop himself as this elven lass had done what no one could do in the thousands of years he guarded Sovengarde. “What happened?” He turned to see the three tongues who’d banished the World Eater, but had never truly defeated him. Felldiir the Old just watched the scene and he seemed to know what had happened. The supremely impressive high elven female walking amongst the unjudged with her twin golden blades dripping the black blood of the beast told him everything he needed to know.Freyanna could see many of the souls of the unjudged walking towards the bridge which led to an enormous hall, but they looked around in an almost zombie-like confusion. “Could it be true?” She heard from behind her. “The World Eater is no more?” She turned around to see none other than the Ebony Warrior without his helmet, a striking Redguard, staring in utter awe at her. Freyanna didn’t answer as she turned back to the ash that was once the bane of all existence. Something inside her told her to collect the ash of the beast. It could be useful as she pulled out a small pouch and walked to where the pile of ash was. She filled her pouch and walked away from it. “VEN GAAR NOS!” The cyclone hit the remaining ash and spread to the four corners of Sovengarde. She had to find a way of getting home, but she was relieved that the monster would never return to Nirn. Even though she hadn’t devoured his soul, she knew that he was no more. She made her way towards the bridge that led to what looked like a giant Nordic hall in the distance. The Ebony Warrior accompanied her in preferred silence. Before they could both got to what seemed to be a giant bone bridge, they were met by quite a few Nords running towards them. She deftly drew her swords again and flared them with a skill that couldn’t be matched. One gigantic Nord led them and he didn’t hesitate to draw his gigantic ebony Axe as he stopped in front of her. The other three did not draw their weapons. They seemed more curious than hostile. “Who are you?” Freyanna immediately recognized them from the Elder Scroll vision at the Time Wound. They were the famous Tongues, the ones who banished Alduin into her time.“I am the one who finished what you could not.” She announced and the shocked expressions on their faces was priceless. “It’s true, I saw it with my own eyes.” The Ebony Warrior announced. “Alduin is no more!”Felldir the Old could not believe it. “How?” His shock was evident to all. “Alone?”As their eyes all focused on her, no one saw the individual approaching from behind them. “Freyanna?!” It was a distinctly female Altmer accent from the Summerset Isles.They all turned to look. This time it was Freyanna’s turn to be shocked. “Mother?”Freyanna dropped her swords in absolute shock. She ran to her mother and embraced her with a ferociously tight grip when she crashed into her. “You?” Talania asked as both of their Silver Eyes started to brim with tears. “Dragonborn?” She nodded meekly at the only person who could ever make her feel like a child. “I’ve seen what they’re doing to you, Ayrenn and her people need to be removed.”Freyanna pulled back and her tears kept flowing as she lowered her gaze. “I don’t know… so many would have to die for that to happen.”“We’ve always been the Dominion’s true defenders!” Talania was angry. “Your actions against the Redguards saved our armies there!” Freyanna could see her anger increasing until she was interrupted.“It seems that the Elsonires are well represented here.” The Ebony Warrior mentioned as he obviously began to size up the giant Nord known as Tsun.“She’s already put Ysgramor on his ass twice in the short time she’s been here.” The powerful looking female Nord stated with quite the jovial voice. “He’s never been humbled so badly.”“You forget that he’s beaten me twice as well.” Talania retorted. “He will not beat me again though.”“You both needed to be humbled.” Felldir the Old stated. “At least he’s a little more cautious with his elf insults now.” “Yeah, he looks around to make sure Talania isn’t close by.” Hakon One-Eye mentioned as he started to laugh. Freyanna watched her mother as she smiled at the statement as the rest of the group started to laugh. It actually blew her mind that her mother was actually happy and content in the company of these Nordic heroes. Could it be that there were Elven heroes there as well. It made no sense to her because her kind were supposed to return to the Dreamsleave to be reincarnated. “How is it possible that you’re here?” She asked.“Evidently I am a hero of war and battle, there are actually many of us here.” Talania answered. “I’ve no desire to ascend as an Aedra…” She looked into her mother’s eyes as she continued to answer. “Narafin was here, but he decided to try his hand at ascendancy and probably wanders the Dreamsleave now.”“Come now!” Hakon demanded as he put his arm over Talania’s shoulder. “I can’t wait to see Ysgramor’s face when he sees there are two of you! HA!”They all started to make their way towards the gigantic hall, but Tsun stopped the Ebony Warrior. “Freyanna Elsonire is worthy of entering, you must be judged.”The Ebony Warrior nodded. “I’ve been waiting for this moment all of my life.” He drew his Ebony sword and squared off with the giant Tsun.“What makes you worthy to enter these halls?” Tsun asked as he drew his own enormous Ebony axe.“I’ve faced the greatest warriors, mages, beasts, and monsters Nirn had to offer and until I met Freyanna Elsonire, I vanquished them all.” He confidently boasted.“Well then, I shall judge you and find out if you are worthy.” Tsun retorted and everyone stood back to watch these two gigantic warriors begin their dance of combat.They all started to cross the bridge to the great hall, but Freyanna and Talania paused to watch the judgement. Tsun and the Ebony Warrior were very evenly matched. “Tsun usually ups his game depending on the judged.” Talania whispered to her daughter. “I Imagine Talos was a handful.” Freyanna quietly stated.“Talos is not here.” Talania watched as the two giants continually swung and parried their enormous weapons. “He was never judged.”“So maybe the Nords are right?” Freyanna winced as Tsun’s axe was parried by the Ebony Warrior’s blade just short of lopping his head off. “I think so too.” Talania answered. “He’s the most conspicuous absence here.”Freyanna nodded as she watched the Ebony Warrior leg sweep the giant Tsun onto his back. “It might be that our people can’t accept that a Human could actually ascend like we believe our people can.”“Talos is a slap in the face to our people.” The Ebony Warrior was in the middle of a killing down stroke when Tsun kicked him in the chest from the ground. The result was the Ebony Warrior landing on his back in a booming cloud of dust. “That’s the problem with our people, they can’t accept that we’re not the only ones worthy of ascension.”“I’ve learned that as well.” Freyanna watched the battle between the two gigantic men as they traded blow for blow. “The most worthy people I’ve ever met aren’t even Altmer.” Talania smiled at her daughter. In life she would’ve scolded her, but here she learned the worthiness of all the races. This place had shown her the worthiness of all and that it wasn’t the sole property of the Altmer.“The young Nord Ralof of Riverwood is being watched very closely here.” Freyanna listened to her mother speak of her Ralof in an almost reverent tone. “You shouldn’t worry about what I think of him, or his family. You saved his life and he returned the favor.” “He more than saved my life.” She turned away from the fight to look at her mother. “He rescued my soul. His family embraced me and helped me recover while my own people tried to kill me.”“It’s strange that our own people can turn on their greatest defenders out of petty jealousy and hunger for power.” Talania sighed as she watched the Ebony Warrior and Tsun lock blades and try to force one another to retreat through sheer strength. “They are afraid of your greatness, everyone here can see it.”“I’m going to end it if I can find a way to return.” They both cringed at the enormous head butt the Ebony Warrior unleashed on Tsun as he fell back with blood streaming from his nose. Just as the Ebony Warrior was about to land a killing blow, Tsun put his hands up to stop him.“You are worthy of entrance friend.” Tsun stated with spent breath as the Ebony Warrior helped the Tsun to his feet. “That was the second hardest fight I’ve ever had.” He looked over to Talania and winked. The Ebony Warrior looked over to the two supremely intimidating Altmer females.“You haven’t tested the younger one yet.” The Ebony Warrior mentioned.“Ysgramor is going to be humbled again.” Talania smirked as she turned to walk towards the hall.Freyanna was about to follow, but she couldn’t help but notice that Tsun’s expression exuded his extreme wanton desire to test her. In a flash, she cast a healing spell on Tsun. “Are you ready to lose again?” She nonchalantly stated as she drew her elven blades with quickness that Tsun couldn’t follow.“Thank you my lady.” Tsun charged with a speed that only the Ebony Warrior had ever shown her. With her new found skills and knowledge, it was way too slow. At the last second, she ducked under his massive swing and landed two strikes to Tsun’s head with the flat of her blades. Tsun just dropped his weapon in absolute awe. “I knew I wasn’t worthy to challenge you… you are destined for much greater things than Sovengarde.”“She’s the most complete battlemage I’ve ever seen.” The Ebony Warrior mentioned.“She’s a lot more than that.” Tsun retorted as he placed his axe back in its holder on his back. “Please allow me to give you a gift my lady.”“Not necessary, I…” Freyanna tried to refuse, but Tsun would have none of it.“It will help you in your future endeavours, I promise you.” Tsun took a deep breath. “HUN KAAL ZOOR!” He whispered towards the ground and the words appeared in her mind clearly just like when the Grey Beards would teach her words. The valiant of Sovengarde hear your voice and journey beyond space and time to lend aid. The meaning was clear. “Thank you.” “Come, I’ll introduce you to the bane of all elves.” Talania joked.“I need to get back.” Freyanna walked with her, but there was no mistaking her seriousness in her desire to return.“I can send you back.” Uttered as Freyanna stopped and turned her attention to the gate keeper of Sovengarde. “The sooner the better. The living were never meant to roam the halls of Sovengarde.”“She can go back after everyone in there sees the next ascendant of the soon to be ten divines!” Talania wasn’t taking no for an answer and pulled her daughter along to the chuckling of both The Ebony Warrior and Tsun.“It would make my defeat at her hands that much more legendary.” The Ebony Warrior mentioned. “Imagine, the Gods had to send down one of their own to vanquish the mighty Ebony Warrior.”Tsun actually liked the story line. “It would make everyone in the hall envious of you.” He commented with actual admiration. “I’ll be here when you’re ready to leave.” He stated to the Dragonborn with an amused tone.“We’ll see just how good you think you are in there, Reymon Ebonarm.” Talania challenged him immediately.“I would be honored to test myself against you, my lady.” The Ebony Warrior responded graciously. ************************************************************************ Windhelm – Three months after the disappearance of the Dragonborn “Our scouts say that Tullius is on the move toward what has to be Riften.” Galmar leaned over the map and tried to see what Tullius was up to. “He’s trying to roll us up from the south now that he’s not worried about the Forsworn at his back.”“He’ll not try the pass near Ivarstead, that’s for certain.” Ulfric also scanned the map. “A small force could hold them there for an eternity.” He continued to scan the map. “He’s going for Fort Amol.”“If he takes the fort, he’ll have a commanding location to launch attacks and slice our position in two. He would also control the White and Darkwater rivers.” Galmar stated.“We’re going to let him try.” Ulfric mentioned. “We’ll defend the fort with just its garrison... He’ll have to lay siege, which will take some time.” He pointed to the map. “I want the garrison at Treva’s Watch to march through the Ivarstead pass and take Whiterun from the south. It should be sufficiently weakened by Tullius’ demands for men.”“That’s a bold plan.” Galmar looked at the map. “If it works, we’d control the key crossroad to all of Skyrim and trap his forces on our ground.” He noticed a problem. “Fort Neugrad will have to be neutralized.”“This needs to be completely clandestine. The fort is far enough from the main road that our forces should be able to use the cover of darkness to move past it.” Ulfric folded his arms as he looked at the map. “We should be able to roll through Helgen and Riverwood with minimal losses and attack Whiterun before they even know we’re approaching.” His eyes then turned to the reach, specifically Karthspire. “Any word of the Dragonborn?”“Evidently she rode off on a dragon and hasn’t been seen since.” Galmar’s spies within the Reach were few and far between, but he had enough to keep up with what the Forsworn and Blades were doing. “Also of note, we haven’t had a reported dragon attack or even sighting for the past three months in any of our holdings as well Imperial ones.”“Could it be?” Ulfric’s dread didn’t go unnoticed. “You think she’s defeated the World Eater?” Galmar was also feeling a bit uneasy at the prospect of facing the full might of the Dragonborn.“If she has, then it’s imperative we take the offensive against Balgruuf.” Ulfric sounded determined. “If we can take Whiterun, we’ll control the supply routes to Tullius’ forces. He’ll be forced to deal with us in Whiterun”“We should be able to harass any of Tullius’ movements.” Galmar had decided it was as a good a plan as any. “I’ll send out the word to the Gray-Manes to be ready.” He turned and exited the war room, leaving Ulfric alone with the map and his thoughts. If the Gray-Manes do their job, DragonReach will fall quite easily.His thoughts quickly shifted to the Dragonborn. If she survived and vanquished that beast, she’ll return with a vengeance. He started to think on his treatment of Freyanna Elsonire. She’d saved his life and had done nothing other than strengthen his position in Skyrim. All she asked was for a truce to kill that beast… and now… Damn it! Hopefully she died fighting that devil. His mind continued to replay that day at the Grey Beard’s temple. He walked out to the throne room and sat down on the throne that was his birthright. Jorleif entered the mostly empty throne room and noticed the concerned look on his Jarl’s face. “Is everything well, my Jarl?”Ulfric looked at his steward and let out a slight chuckle. “I might’ve just made the most brilliant stroke or biggest mistake in this war just now.” He mentioned.Jorleif nodded in acknowledgement as he poured red wine into a gem encrusted goblet of gold. “I’m sure the move will be brilliant my Jarl.” Jorleif answered as he handed the goblet to Ulfric.“Have you heard anything from Calder?” Ulfric asked knowing that Calder would do as he was told and watch the Dragonborn for him. Jorleif shook his head. “If she was dead or alive, he’d have sent someone to report it by now.”Jorleif nodded. “Is there anything else I can do to be of service my Jarl?” He asked and Ulfric just waved him off nonchalantly. Jorleif made his way back to the kitchen and poured himself an ale. There were things he didn’t like about his Jarl. He was a lot more deceptive and calculating than he would like, but Jorleif imagined that leaders of men would have to be to a certain extent. His own information network had informed him that the Dragonborn had disappeared and had not been heard from for at least a month. “He sounds worried.” Jorleif turned to the cook, who was himself having an ale just before turning in.“This war is not going the way we all thought it would.” Jorleif answered as he sat down at the table with the cook. “We expected the Imperials and Thalmor to be our prime enemies, but to have another force to reckon with…”“The Dragonborn?” The cook mentioned after taking a swig of his ale.Jorleif nodded. “We might all be fighting on the wrong side… even if it is for the right reasons.”“I’ll stand with our Jarl.” The cook stated with determined confidence.“Aye, as do I.” Jorleif answered back just as determined. “He’s the only chance Skyrim has to rid itself of the damn Thalmor and traitorous Empire.” At least I hope he is… Jorleif thought to himself. ********************************* Two weeks later – Bleakwind Basin, on the outskirts of Whiterun Galmar couldn’t be prouder of his troops. They’d marched along the tree lines and mountain paths undetected for fourteen days, at night so as not to be seen. It was a testament to his scouts, who really did know the lay of the land and made this day possible. The most difficult part of the plan had just been accomplished. Galmar had moved a small force of one thousand men, with their supplies and horses, through the dead of night and had arrived undetected at the Bleakwind Basin just west of the town. He’d already sent his liaisons to the Gray-Manes to make contact and begin the next phase. They would ensure the guards at the gate were taken care of so they could enter without spilling a drop of Stormcloak blood.Their timing couldn’t have been better as Galmar’s forces arrived at their current position in the dead of night. It was because of his confidence in the Gray-Manes, that he could use so few men to take such a formidable fortress. A lit torch waving from the top of the main gate during this otherwise calm night, alerted him and his men to move rapidly towards it. As was expected, the gate was open and this particular set of guards were sympathetic to the cause as they allowed them entry with little fuss. Galmar couldn’t believe how easy it had been to penetrate those formidable walls, as he watched his men surge into the city untouched. The sounds of battle began in earnest as his men began to attack the town guards and soldiers. Without the Imperials’ presence, Balgruuf would be hard pressed to field one thousand men. A full half were probably with Tulius attacking the Stormcloak fortress of Amol in Eastmarch. He hadn’t heard how that was going, but he knew that this operation was going much better than he expected. He’d caught Balgruuf’s forces completely by surprise with many of the guards and soldiers surrendering to his men without a fight. There was no reason for him to be cruel as these were Nord brothers and sisters who were just doing what they believed was their duty. They might be convinced to fight for the right side against the Empire and Thalmor. The twenty or so Imperials fought with the ferocity of a cornered animal and fought until they were slaughtered to the man/woman. There were also some Nords loyal to the Empire who also fought to the man and were cut down without mercy. Irileth and Balgruuf’s personal guards would’ve been slaughtered if not for Balgruuf’s insistence on his people surrendering. It was the most complete and clean victory Galmar had ever been a part of. It would’ve been impossible without the help of the Gray-Mane family. As a reward, Eorlund Gray-Mane was made the new Jarl to the approval of all the men there. Galmar took Balgruuf and his people prisoner and immediately set up transport back to Windhelm to sit out the rest of the war as hostages. The soldiers and guards that surrendered were gathered in the square where the decrepit Gildergreen Tree stood. They were disarmed and chained there while Galmar and the Gray-Manes consolidated their hold on their new fortress. Tullius’ position was now extremely vulnerable and he wouldn’t be surprised if he tried to march past Whiterun on his way back to lick his wounds in Solitude.“What do we do with them?” One of Galmar’s lieutenants asked him as they approached with all the members of the Battle-Born clan in chains, even the young Lars, who was in tears. “They were caught trying to leave town unnoticed.”“Throw them in the dungeon.” Eorlund walked over to Galmar’s side. “I know they have information about my son Thorald’s disappearance.” Eorlund approached Idolaf Battle-Born, tightly closed his fist and struck Idolaf’s mouth with a blood splattering punch. To his credit, Idolaf just looked at Eorlund and smiled a bloody smile. “You will talk, you traitorous scum.”“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Idolaf chuckled as he talked. “Oh, you will talk.” Eorlund rubbed his fist. “I guarantee it.” *************************************************** Fort Amol Well played Ulfric… but, two can play at this game. Tullius looked at his map and concentrated on the area around the town of Riften. After a hard fought battle, his large force had stormed and taken the fortress and now he had a launching point to attack and harass any Stormcloak movement within Eastmarch and the Rift.He knew that even though Ulfric’s forces had taken Whiterun, he didn’t possess enough people to exploit his new position of strength. Tullius continued to look at the map. He didn’t feel very comfortable in being trapped in hostile territory, but he knew he could overwhelm any forces that Ulfric could throw at him. He had to make a decision. He could do what Ulfric would expect, which was backtrack to Whiterun and lay siege or… He could load his forces onto the barges and take the river straight onto Windhelm while Ulfric’s forces were weakened. He had enough supplies for the trek, but he had no illusions of what could happen if he failed.Damn it! He thought to himself because he knew that attacking Windhelm was a fool’s errand. Windhelm was as heavily defended a fortress as any he’d encountered. It would require a massive investment in troops and siege engines, not to mention that all the grounds surrounding it had to be secured. He had the men, but not the grounds nor the equipment… it was an investment he did not currently possess. “What do you think?” He looked over to his Legate, the impossibly tall and formidable Fasendil.The imposing Altmer Legate looked over the positions of all the forces on the map. “He must’ve moved his troops through Riverwood in order to get to Whiterun.” He traced the path from the Rift towards Riverwood and stopped his finger on Fort Neugrad. “The only way he could make it past the fort is with a small force hidden away in the tree line.”“The Gray-Manes.” Tullius mentioned with much disdain. “Eorlund must’ve mustered the courage to help them in taking the city.” He folded his arms as he let out a huff. “They’re going to pay for that betrayal.”“He doesn’t have the numbers to defend for long if we decide to storm it.” Fasendil asserted. “And, with control of Forts Amol and Neugrad, we would be in a prime position to intercept any relief effort.”“We need to get word to Legate Cipius in Rorikstead to march immediately on Whiterun with his entire force.” Tullius ordered as he looked at the map. “Ulfric will be forced to react… and we’ll be ready.”“Sir, may speak freely?” Fasendil asked respectfully.“Of course.” Tullius responded as he nodded.“I think we should use most of our garrison at Fort Neugrad.” Fasendil started to propose his view as he pointed to the map. “And attack Whiterun from the south.” He pointed at the destroyed village of Helgen. “The remainder would fortify Helgen and act as a blocking force.”“And, if Ulfric decided to intervene with his forces from the Rift, we’d march down and destroy them with ease.” Tullius was impressed. “Either way, he’d be forced to watch us retake Whiterun or destroy himself trying to stop us.” Tullius had all the confidence in the world that he’d be able to pull this off.As he was about to order Fasendil to make the arrangements for the next Imperial moves, he was interrupted by a thunderous roar outside. “DRAGON!” He heard his men shout.He stepped outside of the tower and gasped in horror at the sight in the skies above. There had to be at least twenty of the beasts circling overhead. “By the Gods!” He whispered to himself in absolute trepidation.
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The Return Fort AmolGeneral Tullius and High Legate Fasendil watched in helpless wonder as the multitude of dragons circled overhead. Their troops had already taken battle positions and it seemed that most of them would rather fight than die running away. Tullius watched as one of the beasts separated from the rest and made its way down to them in a slow and deliberate manner. As it got closer he had to contain another gasp as he spotted a rider on the back of the giant beast. “HOLD YOUR FIRE!” He commanded as he watched the beast slowly descend while hearing his command repeated down the line of mages and archers.The beast landed just outside of the front entrance in a whirlwind cloud of dust as the beast flapped its mighty wings. He and Fasendil made their way along the ramparts towards the front entrance where they could finally see the gigantic red beast on the ground. The figure was an imposing person in bleach white armor emblazoned with the symbol of Akatosh in black on the chest plate. Both Tullius and Fasendil watched in what could only be described as awe while the mighty looking figure dismounted the dragon. “She’s alive.” Fasendil whispered and Tullius nodded in complete agreement. The Dragonborn was alive and now seemed to have the dragons at her beckon call. She pulled off her helmet and stroked the side of the dragon’s head. She then spoke into what had to be the ear of the beast. “Aav hin zeymah, zu’u fen laan hi ahrk niin ahst tiid.” (Join your brothers; I will call on you soon.) “Dovahkiin.” The beast answered, with a powerful stroke of its wings, immediately took flight again as the Dragonborn began to walk and approach the entrance to the fort.“That’s close enough.” Fasendil warned her with some bit of anxiety.Freyanna smiled at the Legate and stopped right where she was. “General?” She addressed Tullius and he acknowledged her from the top of the ramparts.“Lady Elsonire, it’s been a long time. There were rumors of your passing.” Tullius was never to mince words and got right down to business. “What can I assist you with?”“Lady Elsonire?” Freyanna chuckled. “I haven’t been called that in quite the while.” She then focused her gaze onto the General. “The World Eater is no more.”“I gathered as much since you’re here and that beast hasn’t been heard from since your dramatic ride into the sunset.” He looked up at the dragons as they all started to scatter in different directions. “And now, you’re here with an army of dragons.”“Yes, some of them do follow me… the others have chosen a path of peace…” She stood there proud and tall. “There are others though who do not know of Alduin’s demise yet… and they will have to make a decision, they can both live and let live in peace or I will end them.” Tullius couldn’t help himself as he smiled. She was as magnificent a person as he’d ever met.“Everyone stand down.” He commanded with the immediate result of everyone lowering their weapons and spells. “It’s good to see you again my lady.” He motioned for her to approach as he and Fasendil quickly made their way down the ramparts to the main courtyard where they were met by the impossibly tall and imposing Altmer.“General.” She bowed slightly as a sign of respect for his title. She then turned to Fasendil who had a much more concerned look on his face. “Legate.” She said somewhat surprised. She’d heard of high ranking Mer in the Imperial Legion, but a full blown High Legate Altmer was a complete surprise to her. Fasendil nodded as he watched her like a hawk. He knew that she had served the Thalmor during the Great War. Freyanna Elsonire was an absolute legend during the Redguard campaign. She’d been responsible for the deaths of many Imperial Legionnaires and Redguard soldiers. Those that had fought against her and survived had nothing but complete admiration for her abilities. He caught her eyes on him as well and those silver orbs actually made him uneasy. “You must really hate the Thalmor.” She stated as she smiled at the ruggedly handsome High Elf. “More than you can imagine.” He answered almost reflexively and immediately caught the dirty glare from his commanding general. “I’m sorry my lady…” He started to apologize, but she wouldn’t have it.“No.” She waved off the General nonchalantly. “It’s nice to know that I share something with you besides our race.” The revelation completely floored him. She was one of the banes of Imperial and Redguard forces. Her unit was one of the most feared and respected in the province of Hammerfell.“Come, let’s talk about what comes next.” Tullius motioned for her to follow him to the main building on the opposite side of the courtyard.She followed him while Fasendil trailed behind her. Fasendil noticed that she seemed incredibly comfortable for one that was surrounded by what could be potential enemies. All three entered the building and Tullius immediately addressed her as he motioned for them to sit at a large wooden table in the center of the room. “So tell me, what does come next?”“You’re not much on formalities are you?” She chuckled and immediately got serious. “Fair enough.” She looked him in the eyes. “Do you believe Elenwen’s tales about me being related to Tiber Septim and Queen Barenziah?”“What?!” Fasendil was completely shocked and once again, Tullius glared at his Legate.“I don’t know, that’s not something that I spend my time trying to figure out.” Tullius answered. “I have a war to win and a traitorous bastard to hang. Plus, I wouldn’t trust a single word that comes out of that viper’s mouth.”“Well you better start believing it because I confirmed it right after I destroyed the World Eater.” She was deathly serious. “I have what most prim and proper royals would call a legitimate claim to both the Imperial and Morrowind thrones.”The look on Tullius’ face was nothing short of shocking. “How do I know that’s true?” He asked with quite the disturbed expression. “How do I know that you’re not making this up?”“You made the mistake of dismissing me once.” Freyanna stood up as did Tullius and Fasendil. “I’m giving you this information as a courtesy. What you do with it is up to you, just know that it is absolutely true.” Her gaze switched intermittently between the two of them. “I intend to end this war that is destroying Skyrim as well as rid the Thalmor from all of Nirn. I would very much like to have you on my side.”“You’re asking me to go against my Emperor. That’s out of the question!” Tullius was a lot of things, but a turncoat he was not. “I know you’ve been betrayed more times than I can count, but I would never!” He was angry and passionate. She knew that he was a man of his word.“Listen to me.” She demanded. “I’m asking you to do your duty for the Empire which includes coming to an ailing ally’s aid. Mede and the Thalmor are the reasons Skyrim is on fire right now.” She asserted angrily. “The Empire barely survived the last war against the Thalmor.” Her glare at the general had an unmistakable focus. “Tell me General, how does an empire stand against the full might of the Aldmeri Dominion with its strongest ally in shambles?”“Without that Thalmor bitch to help him, I will end Ulfric and bring the Nords back into the fold.” He reasserted.“What does that matter? Your Emperor has betrayed the Nords, put then in chains for nothing more than believing in their own Gods.” Freyanna continued to argue. “The Nords will never fight for the empire in the numbers needed until the White Gold Concordant is repealed.” Her glare continued to switch between them. “Face it, you’re fighting for a weak and traitorous bastard!”“I WAS THERE WHEN WE RETOOK THE IMPERIAL CITY!” Tullius yelled back. “HE WAS THE REASON WE WON!”“And just how did he repay his loyal Nordic troops? Those same troops that bled and died to retake the city, those same troops that steadfastly fought the Thalmor on every front, he repays them with betrayal.” Freyanna countered again. “Why do you care so much for the Nords?” Fasendil asked.She actually smiled at the question. “Of all things, would you believe that a young former Stormcloak and his family would be the only people to take me in when my own wanted me dead…” She turned and glared at Tullius. “The Empire wanted me dead too... guilt by association eh General?” Her threatening posture was unmistakable and made both Fasendil and Tullius uncomfortable. “Skyrim is my home now. I’ll not stand idly by while the Thalmor, Stormcloaks, and Empire tear it apart.” She answered him as she turned and started to leave. “So let me make sure I understand you clearly…” Tullius wasn’t going to let her leave without clarifying her intentions. She stopped and turned towards them as she donned her impressive dragon scale helmet. “Are you declaring yourself an enemy of the Emperor?”She exploded in anger as she took off her helmet again and slammed it on the floor. “YOUR EMPEROR, ULFRIC AND YOU ARE MAKING IT SO FUCKING EASY FOR THE THALMOR!” She screamed at them. “They lay in wait while the White Gold Concordant and a trio of idiots weaken the Empire’s strongest ally to the point of uselessness.” She walked over and picked up her helmet. “You’ve all declared yourselves enemies of Skyrim and I won’t allow the Thalmor or the Empire to gain any advantage as result of it.” She bent over and picked up her helmet. She re-donned it as she turned to leave.“My lady please.” Fasendil pleaded, seeing that Tullius was completely antagonistic towards what could probably become the Empire’s worst enemy in all of Nirn. “We are not the enemy here.” His heartfelt plea actually stopped her once again.“I know…” She sighed as her eyes met the handsome Legate’s. “Soldiers always suffer because of the foolishness of their leaders.” She then looked over to Tullius. “The common folk of Skyrim don’t deserve what is happening to them and I will stop it. What you and the rest of the Empire decide to do is up to you, but remember…” Her eyes held steady on Tullius. “I’m the only chance Tamriel has at defeating the Dominion.” She turned and started to walk out.“She has a point sir.” Legate Fasendil seemed to be quite comfortable giving his opinion.“She does not!” Freyanna had already exited the building as both Fasendil and Tullius followed her out. “Emperor Mede is the reason the Empire still exists.” Tullius was not happy with the results of this impromptu meeting. “Lady Elsonire!” He yelled out to her and again she stopped and turned back to him. “You know I’m right.” Freyanna asserted with a smile on her beautiful face. It caught both Fasendil and Tullius by surprise. “Do you doubt me?”“After seeing what you can do and how you bring such different factions together…” Tullius huffed in acquiescence. “No, I don’t doubt you’ll do as you say.”“Do I have your support?” The question sent shivers down Tullius’ spine. She could see his absolute anxiety at the decision before him. She saved him before he had to answer. “I won’t ask you to assist me again, but when all is done…” Their eyes were locked. “You’re going to have to make a choice, General.”“What choice?” Tullius asked her.“The Emperor or the Empire.” She answered him immediately. “Od Ah Viing!” The shout was unmistakable as the roar of a dragon could be heard overhead. “DRAGON!” All of the lookouts yelled almost simultaneously. “Stand down!” Tullius yelled reflexively as he couldn’t take his eyes off the giant beast gliding silently towards them and finally flaring its giant wings as it landed in the courtyard amidst a cloud of dust.“Duty above all else, eh General?” Freyanna started to climb onto the back of the immensely intimidating beast. “Your choice should be clear.” With that last statement the beast flapped its enormous wings and took to flight.Fasendil and Tullius watched as the Dragonborn faded from view as she rode that dragon westward. “Emperor Mede is in danger...” Tullius mentioned with an expression of sadness. “Damn it, she’s going to kill the emperor and we did nothing.”“I don’t think so sir.” Fasendil retorted. “I think she’s going to give him a chance to step down.”Tullius chuckled. “Would you step down?”“If it was for the good of the Empire, I would.” Tullius looked at his Altmer Legate. He was the best Legate he had in Skyrim. Fasendil was as disciplined and skilled in leading troops as any he’d seen. Tullius had already sent his recommendation to the Imperial war council to promote him to General. Fasendil’s answer actually mirrored his own and if Lady Freyanna Elsonire becoming Empress Freyanna Elsonire was best for the Empire, he would support her in the end.“Call your staff officers, we still need to take care of the Stormcloak problem.” Tullius ordered and Fasendil saluted as he left to get his officers.“You there!” He called a young looking legionnaire. “Take the fastest horse and head to the capital.” He watched the sky as the massive formation of dragons flew off to the west. “I need you to inform the Emperor that his life is in danger. Freyanna Elsonire, the Dragonborn, has declared war on the Empire.”“Yes sir!” The young soldier answered with much energy as he saluted and went to the stables. ********************************************** Skies over Riverwood It astonished her to see just how small the world looked from this height. “You’re right Od Ah Viing, I’m extremely jealous.” Freyanna felt an almost imperceptible rumble that she attributed to an amused chuckle from the giant beast. She watched the sleepy village where she had met one of the most extraordinary families. Riverwood was still smoldering in places, no doubt the result of the battles fought there recently. Her former comrades had taken the life of one of those extraordinary people, and now she knew that Ulfric’s men had swept through here on their way to attempt the storming of Whiterun. She couldn’t contain her anxiety at the thought of failing the village, especially Hod, Gerdur, and little Frodnar. “Please set down near those Nordic ruins.” She politely asked her gigantic winged comrade. “As you wish Dovahkiin.” Odahviing never expected mercy from this magnificent being. None of his Zeymah could believe that she would allow them to live in peaceful coexistence with the rest of the inhabitants of Tamriel. The demonstration of her power in killing Alduin was enough to persuade most of his brothers to accept the olive branch, but there were those that did not accept her terms. Four of Alduin’s most angry and arrogant servants attacked her at the time wound on top of High Hrothgar. Her mastery of the most powerful Thu’ums was put on full display as she absolutely savaged the four misguided fools and took their souls for herself. She could legitimately launch a war of extinction on his kind, but chose a gentler path for those that agreed to it. He landed near the ruins of Bleakfalls Barrow where she promptly dismounted. “Go, I will call on you soon.” She instructed and began to walk the mountain path down towards the village below.The dragon tongue came so easily to her, the mastery and control over the language was almost complete. She’d gone to Solstheim to see if Miraak would reconsider his attempts at killing her and his claim as the sole true ruler of Nirn. She wanted him to come back to the world as an ally and a brother. Instead, she was forced to fight a three month campaign there with his numerous followers. Finally, confronting him in Hermaeus Mora’s Apocrypha, she watched as he took the souls of his two dragon servants in order to continue his futile battle with her. His mastery of the Thu’um was almost equal to her own. Her Thu’um was countered by his, but her martial and magical skill had no answer from him. Every close melee encounter ended with Miraak trying to escape and recharge. Every magical attack from him was countered by a much more powerful counterattack. Miraak could see that there would be no return to Tamriel for him. Freyanna tried to convince him to surrender, but he wouldn’t. In the end she tired of the battle and let loose with everything she had. Miraak faced one of her powerful storm atronachs and a shout he’d never heard. She too had other allies whom she called with her own Thu’um. Her Call Champion shout hailed her mother from Sovengarde and it was at this point that the powerful Miraak could not deny her superiority. Faced with the power of this High Elven goddess, he kneeled in front of her in full supplication. She thought that she might’ve made an ally, if not an ally then at least stopped him from trying to kill her. She was content with leaving him alive on the condition he never attempt to conquer the lands of Nirn ever again. Miraak agreed, but Hermaeus Mora would not have it. Black and unholy tentacles shot out from the center pool of sludge and impaled Miraak through his chest. She instinctively attacked the tentacles to no avail as the life was sucked out of the now hapless Miraak. She could feel his soul, along with the souls of all the dragons he slayed, overwhelm her as she absorbed them into herself. She fell to her knees as the power flowing through her was beyond anything she’d ever felt. Miraak’s memories flooded her own as his life ended. She slowly stood up with a perceptible expression of confidence; she now felt that nothing and no one could stop her from fulfilling her desire to end the wars on Nirn, specifically Skyrim.She again put an end to a tyrant’s dream of conquest and saved the unknowing Nirn from another would be oppressor. The daedric prince of knowledge was ecstatic with her, Hermaeus Mora thought that he had the mightiest champion of all the Divines, but she refused to do his bidding like many of her descendants had done so. Hermaeus Mora hid his disappointment well; he showed that he didn’t seem to care, almost as if he knew that she wasn’t meant to be a pawn for his personal game with the other Aedra and Daedra. Her time on Nirn would be glorious to behold and he would sit back and watch what he helped create. Freyanna quickly snapped out of the thoughts going through her head and concentrated on her task at hand.“Laas Yah Nir!” She whispered as she walked down the all too familiar path down towards Riverwood. She could see the auras of a trio of Frost Trolls in the distance and thanked the gods that they were in the opposite direction of where she was going. It was cold, but not brutally so she thought to herself as she let out a visible huff of air. As she got closer, she could see the guards standing at the gates, the imperial armor and shields along with the damage to the walls and buildings told her everything she needed to know. A battle had recently taken place here and by the looks of the dead laying in the streets, it was a vicious one. She hadn’t paused and continued to approach the gate. The reaction from the guards was as expected. One told the other to fetch the rest of the detachment while this one brave soul would face her. “There is no need for violence.” She asserted to the nervous guard.“Stop right there!” The guard ordered with a shaken voice. “Don’t come any closer!”“I’m sorry, but Riverwood is my home.” She continued to approach. As she did so she could see at least seven other guards join this one in a line, with two archers, and what had to be a battlemage behind the line. “This isn…” Freyanna didn’t get a chance to finish when the mage launched a pretty impressive ice spear which she reflexively dodged easily enough while simultaneously drawing her blades and cutting the two arrows launched at her mid-flight. They were all astonished at the speed and precision of the Dragonborn. “I will give you…” “STOP! YOU FOOLS, IT”S HER!” The shout coming from the rear of the formation was familiar as she saw Gerdur appear behind them. “She’s the Dragonborn!”She watched the mage as he readied another spell. “FUS RO DAH!” The shockwave struck them all with such force that it launched the entire front line into the mage and archers, all of them landing in a heap well inside the gate. Unfortunately, Gerdur was caught in the avalanche of bodies flying her way and ended up in the same heap. There were shields and weapons lying everywhere.“YOU IDIOTS! She’s on our side!” Gerdur got up slowly and made sure to get in the battlemage’s face.The Imperial Battlemage, to his credit, stood up and faced Gerdur. “I’ll have words with you later.” He then turned to face the Dragonborn as the rest of his men picked up their weapons and shields. Freyanna had an understanding smile on her face knowing the poor Battlemage was just a victim of the fog of war. “Lay down your arms!” He ordered her and she didn’t hesitate to lay her twin elven blades on the ground in front of her.She raised her hands as a show of compliance and slowly stood back up. “I am Freyanna Elsonire, the one true Dragonborn.” Her eyes didn’t waver and there was a confidence in her gaze that told the Battlemage she was telling the truth. “Has the truce between Imperial forces and myself ended? If so, I should go back to Fort Amol and inform General Tullius.”He was questioning himself now. “Will you please stop before she kills all of you?” Gerdur and now Sigrid pleaded with him. “She is who she says she is.”“My apologies my lady.” The Battlemage bowed slightly. “I didn’t know who you were.”“What happened here?” She picked up and sheathed both of her swords in one swift and spectacular motion. The whole of the imperial detachment sheathed their weapons as well.“Ulfric’s forces rolled through here on their way to Whiterun.” He started to explain. “We ousted them from here, but they still control Whiterun.”“Ulfric has taken Whiterun?” There was genuine shock in her voice.“Yes my lady. We’ve moved our forces out of Fort Neugrad to unite with Legate Cipius’ forces.” He answered.She looked around and noticed, with the notable exceptions of Gerdur and Sigrid, that the town was eerily quiet. “Where is everyone?”“Most of us were treated reasonably by the Stormcloaks…” Gerdur started to explain. “Faendal was tortured and beaten pretty badly for being an elf.” Gerdur’s anger was starting to build. “They took the town guards prisoner after they surrendered and refused to take up arms against the Empire.”“They almost killed me.” An unfamiliar voice came from behind her. She turned to see a badly bruised, but powerfully built orc female approach her with a smithing hammer in her hand. “Luckily, they needed their weapons and armor serviced and let me work.” Ghorza smiled with evil intention. “If it wasn’t for Uriel here…” She motioned towards the Battlemage. “I’d probably be dead.”“Where were you?” The little voice caught her attention and forced her eyes on the child asking her the question. Frodnar stood there with a palpable anger she’d not seen in the normally playful child. Dorthe stood by his side looking down on the ground. “Where’s uncle Ralof, or did you leave him to die too?”“Frodnar!” Gerdur was about to reprimand her son, but Freyanna wasn’t having any of it. “No, Gerdur.” Freyanna stopped her. “He’s right.” Her shoulders suddenly slumped as her eyes started to tear. “I should’ve been here to protect you all… I…”“No, you’ll not add this burden on top of all the others you bear.” Gerdur wouldn’t let her take the blame. “Freyanna’s not at fault here. Blame Ulfric and his followers, the Thalmor if you must, but don’t you dare put this burden on her shoulders.”“But, mamma…” Frodnar wouldn’t let it go. “She could’ve stopped…”“ENOUGH!” Gerdur yelled with such force that Frodnar actually flinched and took a step back from his mother. “DO NOT…” Gerdur felt a hand gently grasp her shoulder. She turned to see that Freyanna had taken off her helmet and gently motioned for her to step aside.“Frodnar.” Freyanna gently called out to the angry and frightened little Nord as she crouched in front of him. “I never thought I’d ever see any of you again when I confronted the World Eater.” He wouldn’t look at her as she pleaded to him. “You and your family are the most important people I have left.”“Why weren’t you here?” Frodnar asked her innocently, but still with much anger.“I had to stop him or he would have killed you… everyone. He would’ve destroyed everything.” She answered him. “I would much rather have you angry at me, but at least alive.”The visions of her fighting a giant black dragon started to fill his mind. It must’ve been terrifying to know that if she lost, everyone she knew would probably be dead. “Did you stop him?” Dorthe asked just as innocently, but with none of the anger.“Alduin is no more.” Freyanna gently gripped her shoulders and answered her as she tried to get Frodnar to look her in the eyes. “I will never let you or anyone else here suffer again, I promise you.” She put her hand on his shoulder and he finally turned to look at her. “Riverwood is my home and no one will desecrate it ever again.”Frodnar finally set his eyes on her, the anger wasn’t there any longer, only fear. “Is uncle Ralof?”“No, he’s at Sky Haven with an army of Blades and Forsworn protecting him.” She answered gently. “I’m going there next to get him.”“You’re leaving us? But what if they come back?” Frodnar was afraid.“I have a couple of friends I’m going to leave here to protect you.” She answered with a smile. “There isn’t an army in all of Nirn that would dare challenge them.”“Really?” Dorthe sounded almost excited.“Yes.” Freyanna stood up and nodded. “Od Ah Viing!” She shocked them all as she shouted and the sound of a roar could be heard almost immediately. She looked at all of the guards whom had all drawn their weapons. “Stand down, he’s on our side.” They all did as she asked and watched in awe as the giant red dragon slowly descended and with a flare of its enormous wings finally landed on the main road in front of the inn.“Dovahkiin.” The shocked look on all of the people’s faces was priceless. “What is your wish, Dovahkiin?” The dragon asked in a language that only Freyanna understood, the dragon tongue.“I want you to task your two most trusted brothers to defend this village from any and all hostile forces which may attempt to take it from me.” She spoke to her dragon ally and then pointed to Uriel. “He will be my liaison to your brothers and direct them so they will need to speak Tamrielic.”“Krahstrunviing and Yolyuvondinok are two who allied with Parthurnax, they would be the most trustworthy of my zeymah.” Odahviing answered. “They will follow your orders Dovahkiin.”“KRAH STRUN VIING!” Freyanna’s shout boomed throughout the valley, but she wasn’t done. “YOL YUVON DINOK!” She shouted again as the booming shout echoed throughout the valley.“Did you just call more dragons?” Uriel stepped next to her as his eyes couldn’t leave the sight of Odahviing.She nodded. “You’ll have two of them to assist you in case the Stormcloaks decide to come through here again.” She turned to face him. “They should be here within a few days. I’ll wait here to make sure they understand that you’ll be their commander while I am gone.” Uriel looked quite taken aback by the Dragonborn’s trust in him.“They’ll not be happy to take orders from someone so unworthy.” Odahviing asserted his opinion to Freyanna. “Unworthy?” Freyanna’s expression was quite sour as she turned to look at the giant dragon. “Will there be an issue if I demand their obedience in the matter?” There was an unmistakable air of menace in her voice. “Will they follow my orders?”“They will do as you ask.” Odahviing understood her concern. “Dovah do not break their word.”“Good.” The change in her demeanor was evident as she seemed to calm, the menacing tone was completely absent.“Is that dragon-speak?” Uriel asked with quite the fascinated expression.“It is, but you needn’t worry, the two dragons coming to assist you speak common…” She looked over to Odahviing. “I believe most of them do, but consider it beneath them to speak the language of mortals.”“It’s true Dovahkiin, we were meant to dominate mortals, not understand them.” Odahviing mentioned with the certainty that comes with thousands of years of experience. “I know, Parthurnax mentioned that to me, and Alduin’s attitude towards mortals was cemented in that belief until I, a mortal, destroyed him.” Freyanna retorted with some satisfaction. “We Dragonborns seemed to have been meant to carry out the destruction of your kind, but I’ve chosen not to follow that path because I believe you and your kin are not all the same.” She retorted and noticed that Odahviing seemed to contemplate her argument. “Being immortal does not make you superior; it bequeaths a greater responsibility for the well-being of Nirn and all of its inhabitants.”“It is in our nature to dominate…” Odahviing sounded like he was almost pontificating again.“And, it is in my nature to destroy you.” She again stopped him. “But, I choose not to!”“As do I.” Odahviing sounded sincere. “Death was something alien to me until I watched you slay my brothers. I know now what it is like to feel the claws of mortality; I will never look down on another mortal for as long as you allow me to live.”“And that…” She stepped closer the giant beast. “Is why I admire you and your brothers that have chosen this path.” She continued to look into Odahviing’s eyes. “Why I’ll defend the lives of you and your zeymah with my own.”“I do not believe that you are mortal…” Odahviing stated quite seriously. “Your soul cannot possibly be of this world.”“I don’t believe any of our souls are.” She answered back. **************************************************** Solitude – Thalmor Mission – Midnight – 2 Days after the defeat of Alduin Freyanna stood over Elenwen’s sleeping form inside her new quarters in Solitude. She’d quietly taken care of the guards on the roof with her powerful dominate spells. They weren’t any worse for wear as Odahviing snatched them up and dropped them off miles outside the city. They’d wake from Freyanna’s spell near a lighthouse along the northern coast of Skyrim, completely baffled as to how they got there. Odahviing, now waited patiently for her to return as he circled silently above the dark midnight sky. “Time to earn your trust, Elenwen.” Freyanna stated quietly resulting in Elenwen’s eyes immediately opening with quite the terrorized expression. “You scream and I’ll run you through.” Freyanna maliciously whispered as she muffled Elenwen’s mouth with her hand. “Do you have that list I asked for?”Elenwen nodded her head in response as Freyanna removed her hand from her mouth. “I do.” She stood up and went to her vanity, opened the drawer and pulled out a small lockbox. She opened the magical lock and retrieved a thick set of parchments from within. She turned around and saw that she was right behind her. “They’re all there.” She handed the parchments over to her.“Good.” She looked Elenwen in the eyes and could see her fear. “Mother used to say you were a snake, but she always mentioned that your actions always benefited the Dominion and probably saved the lives of many of her people.” Elenwen listened quietly. “Tell me, do you think siding with me is good for the Dominion?”“I do.” She didn’t even hesitate. “Your family line has done nothing but further the Dominion’s aspirations. They’ve been stalwart guardians of Alinor and have never betrayed the Dominion.” Elenwen actually looked convinced. “May I be honest?” She asked.“I’d hoped you would be.” Freyanna answered.“I believe in greatness.” She stated as her eyes locked on Freyanna. “I believe you’ll be the one to unite all of Tamriel, like Talos. The Isles are afraid of you and they should be because you’re going to turn out to be the greatest Altmer that ever lived.”“So you were just following orders when the Imperials sent me to the block?” Freyanna hadn’t budged from her stance directly in front of her.Elenwen chuckled. “That seems like such a long time ago.” She leaned back on her vanity. “When I saw you in that cart I couldn’t stop thinking of how much of an embarrassment you were to your line… to your mother.” She spoke quite candidly and comfortably. “At that time, my opinion was that you weren’t worthy and people more worthy than you wanted you gone.” Elenwen walked over to a decanter filled with wine and poured herself a glass. “In the time I’ve tried to eliminate you, you’ve shown a tenacity, skill, and outright power that I’ve never seen.” She took a deep mouthful of the wine. “I’d still be your enemy if the queen hadn’t sent that letter saying that you had royalty in your bloodline.” She put down the glass and turned to face her once more, the fear had gone from her posture, almost as if she knew she was safe. “You are our future and I won’t allow those short sighted fools on the isles to take you away from the rest of us.”Freyanna wasn’t usually impressed with words, but Elenwen seemed to be honestly saying that she would support and assist her in claiming the throne of the entire continent. “You’d throw away all of your connections to the Isles just to help the one who killed so many of your comrades?” Freyanna asked. “The one who killed many of your friends?”“You defended yourself; I am saddened that I will no longer be able to converse with my friend Rulindil, but I don’t begrudge your actions as they were initiated by me and my associates.” Freyanna could see the actual pain in Elenwen’s expression when she mentioned Rulindil. “Also, don’t be ridiculous; I will try to maintain those said connections. They will most certainly come in quite handy when they realize they’re on the losing side.” Elenwen wasn’t lying. Those same snakes trying to kill her now, would sing a very different tune if they knew what she was going to do to them. “You just might end up with more allies than you know.” “So, this list is complete?” Freyanna cast a night vision spell and began to read the names. Elenwen nodded. “Those are all of the Thalmor operatives in Skyrim and…” She waited for Freyanna to flip through a couple of pages until she got to a map of the region. “These are the locations of all the Thalmor safe houses and garrisons.”Freyanna was quite taken aback by the detail of the list. It even included all operatives’ current residences and occupations. “If this list is what you say it is, you’ve given me the means to destroy the entire Thalmor operation in Skyrim.”“I don’t think you’ll kill them or out them.” Elenwen seemed pretty confident in her statement.“What makes you so certain I won’t?” Freyanna again was surprised by Elenwen’s demeanor.“You’ve your mother’s sense of mercy.” Elenwen responded. “She’d never allow me to execute them all just for doing their duty.” Their eyes met in the darkness of the room. “It’s the reason I’m still alive and not a smoldering corpse at what used to be the Thalmor Embassy.”Elenwen might be a conniving sneak, but she was dead on in her character assessment. “I did only what was necessary to complete the mission.” Freyanna felt quite sure she did the right thing at the embassy.“Exactly.” Elenwen exclaimed. “Talania would’ve said the same and I’m willing to bet you didn’t kill anyone to get in here.”Freyanna smiled as she began to walk back towards the entrance of Elenwen’s room. “Your roof guards are just north of the city near the Solitude lighthouse.” She looked over to her once more. “Scale back your Justiciar patrols as much as you can without arousing suspicion, otherwise continue normal operations. The next time I contact you might be with an army outside the city gates." Elenwen nodded as Freyanna stepped out of the room and into the dimly lit hallway.Elenwen smiled at the prospect of being directly associated with Freyanna. She was a remarkable Altmer and more than worthy of her service. Freyanna was about to rise to a level of power only Ayrenn of the first Dominion had achieved. It was going to be glorious. ****************************************************** Northern Solstheim – 4 days after Alduin’s defeat Ancarion had to admit that these Skaals were every bit as tough as any Redguard he’d fought. He was no closer to obtaining the secrets of Stahlrim forging than he was when he’d just arrived at this Daedra forsaken island. “No good sir, he’s in need of healing once more.” He watched as one of his fully armored comrades exited the small house where they were keeping the Skaal smith.“Let him sit there in his pain for a little longer.” Ancarion answered as he turned around to walk back down to his ship. “Just don’t let him die.”“Yes Sir!” The disciplined response from his soldier actually made him smirk slightly.He paused at the edge of a cliff and looked out onto the endless expanse that was the Sea of Ghosts. He took out a map he’d procured from another unfortunate Skaal soul with the location of many Stahlrim deposits. These were deeper inland and he didn’t want to send any of his mer too far from his ship. He took a deep breath and continued to make his way back to his ship on the coast. This is the worst assignment I’ve ever been given. He thought to himself. It wasn’t like their own weapons weren’t up to the task; the smiths in Alinor were as skilled as any with many having mastered creating weapons of unimaginable quality. Stahlrim couldn’t possibly be any better than a good Glass or Ebony weapon. What a waste of time. Ancarion couldn’t help but think that he’d upset someone of high rank in the Justiciar Corps. So much for all that “Hero of the Dominion” bullshit. As he made his way aboard his fast frigate, he noticed a trio of his soldiers gathered at the bow of the vessel. One of them was pointing to something in the distance. Ancarion moved up next to the young soldier and started to search the area he was pointing to. Try as he might, Ancarion couldn’t spot what the trio seemed to have. “What is it Nandle?” He asked the young lookout.“Keep watching sir.” Nandle repeated and Ancarion continued to concentrate his eyes on the area he had pointed to. His eyes went wide when he set his eyes on what the three soldiers had been looking at. “EVERYONE TO YOUR BATTLESTATIONS!” Ancarion yelled with his considerable authority. In an instant, the entire crew was ready at their assigned positions on the ship. All of his archers and mages were at the ready for his command to unleash hell on whatever he deemed as a threat. All of their eyes glued to the north as they watched two giant dragons closing fast at an impossibly low altitude. “Archers ready! Reaves ready!” He waited until the last second. “FIRE!”Ancarion, his three battlemages and ten archers let loose their volley of death at the creatures as they streaked over them, almost striking the mast of the ship. The creatures both roared their disapproval at being attacked and struck multiple times by spells and arrows, but they did not counter attack, nor did they turn around to engage with them again. They watched as the creatures perched themselves on a cliff out of range as the big red one let out another thunderous roar in their direction while the equally intimidating white one just watched. Their eyes were all glued on the creatures as they waited for what they thought would be an attack.“My friends could kill you all if I wanted them to.” All of their eyes turned back to see a tall figure in bleach white scale armor with the symbol of Akatosh on the chest plate walking calmly towards them. “Lay down your arms.”The voice coming from the imposing figure actually made Ancarion grin quite widely. He stood up proud and took his place at front of his mer making sure the familiar stranger saw him. “I don’t think so. Why don’t you try and make us.” He announced and could see the uncertainty it caused the stranger.“Ancarion?” He actually let out a breath of relief as she asked with a concern only a friend would have for him. “Is that really you?” She took off her helmet and he saw that it was non-other than Freyanna Elsonire. His best friend, his shield maiden, she was his worse mistake in life.“Stand down!” He ordered his mer and they obediently did so. “Is that the new uniform for the Justiciars or are you just as vain as always?” He walked down the gangway and met her on the frozen sand of the beach. “Well, well, if it isn’t the real hero of the Dominion.” She smiled so broadly that it made his heart skip a beat. It didn’t help that she immediately embraced him. As she pulled back he was struck by those silver eyes that had always cast a spell on him. He quickly shook off her enchanting effects on him. “So, what in Oblivion are you doing in the ass end of Nirn? And…” He looked back to where Odahviing and Ofandorah were perched. “With a couple of very impressive friends.”Freyanna’s eyes were on him and she couldn’t help her smile. “I had to find you.” “Lady Elsonire?” One of his battlemages asked as he slowly approached. She immediately recognized him as one of the old guard. He was in Hammerfell with them during the war and was badly injured by a Redguard sword to the abdomen.“Falarel, It’s good to see you doing so well.” She reached out and firmly took hold of his forearms.“Thanks to you my lady.” He answered back as the rest of the crew decided to approach her. There quite a few familiar faces with a sprinkling of new ones. “There are quite a few of us that wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.”“Alright that’s enough, back to your posts.” Ancarion’s authority was absolute, but there was a certain amount of worry in his voice instead of the usual harshness.She watched as they all returned to the ship and resumed their normal activities. “How are you faring in your search for Stahlrim?” She asked.“You know?” He wasn’t really surprised, why else would she be there except to make sure he was getting the job done right. She nodded as they both began to walk back to the gangway and ship. “Is that why you’re here?” He was a little worried that maybe this mission was much more important than the Kinlords had let on.She shook her head and stopped on top of the gangway just before boarding his ship. “No, I’ve much more important matters to discuss with you.” She reached into a pouch on her belt and produced a parchment.She handed it over to him. “What is this?” He began to read a missive from the Queen addressed to Ambassador Elenwen of Skyrim’s Thalmor Embassy. As he read it, the anger in him started to bubble to the surface.He looked up from the parchment and noticed that her expression had instantly turned serious. “I’ve been branded a traitor by the Queen and Kinlords.” “Is this true?” Freyanna nodded in affirmation, his shock and concern was extremely apparent. “But, how, why?”“It is, why else would they have been trying to kill me since even before they sent me to Skyrim.” Ancarion wasn’t made speechless easily, but she could see the torn expression on his face. “My lineage makes me the rightful heir to the thrones of Morrowind and Cyrodil.” He continued to listen in absolute angst for his friend. “They want me gone because of my royal bloodline.”His mind was raging at the thought of the Alinor elite trying to kill this comrade in arms who almost sacrificed her life to save him and many of his mer. His mind was also torn by his loyalty to the crown and the Dominion itself. In an instant, his hands flared up with the flames of a fire spell, ready to unleash on her if he decided to do so. He looked into those pools of silver and saw the complete distress she was experiencing at his actions. “Please don’t.” She started to tremble as the tears started to flow from her eyes. “I haven’t betrayed anyone…” The spell those eyes cast on him was nothing short of paralyzing. “Please, not you too.” The thunderous roar of her two gigantic friends actually yanked Ancarion from his anxiety fueled turmoil.His hands quickly snuffed out the flames. “Explain everything… please.” Ancarion’s usual coldness was gone as his pleading eyes settled on her in hopeful desperation. His feelings for her were strong and he decided that she deserved to be heard.She explained in great detail, all of her doings from the assassination attempts on Alinor to the ones in Skyrim. He listened intently to everything and kept his composure as she revealed to him that she was Dragonborn and that she’d killed the World Eater. She revealed her entire life to him during the Dominion’s war on her. It would be too fantastic to believe, but he’d never known Freyanna Elsonire to lie to him about anything. When he allowed her to demonstrate her power, she shocked his whole detachment with the most awesome display they’d ever seen. The red hot flames shooting from her mouth could destroy them all if she wanted to. He huffed in resignation knowing that at the end of it all this situation was nothing more than those in Alinor attempting to eliminate a rival of significant power. A rival who just happened to be his best friend, someone who’d saved his life and the lives of his mer, a mer whose efforts during the war were nothing short of titanic. He’d never betray her the way those in the capital did. “I’m with you Freyanna, but I don’t know if the rest of my people will be.” He’s made up his mind to back his friend and not some unknown kinlord sitting comfortably at home on the isles.“We’re with you as well my lady.” Falarel immediately answered as the rest of the crew nodded in affirmation. “You were there for us when we needed you most. It’s now our turn to return the favor.” Falarel turned around to address the rest of the Dominion crew. “I will not force any of you to go down this path. If any among you wish to leave, you are free to do so and we will arrange transport back to the Thalmor Embassy in Solitude.” There was dead silence as the crew looked at each other to see who would be the one to protest this new course of action.One young soldier stepped forward and Freyanna’s heart started to break. “A few others and myself haven’t been with you long, sir.” He looked over to Ancarion. “But, I’ve heard and witnessed the greatness of this platoon. I’ll not allow those pompous asses in Alinor to take down one of our own because her birth is a threat to them. She’s done more for the Dominion than any of them.” The youngster then stepped back into the formation.Ancarion smiled. “I will not allow them to besmirch your name.” He declared. “What do you need me to do?”“I need you to find Lady Aranneyla and explain to her what I explained to you. I’m also giving you this formal request for her help.” Ancarion nodded as he took the sealed envelope. “I have a feeling she doesn’t have the full story of what’s going on.”“She’s been sent to Elsweyr as a liaison for the Dominion. It’ll take us a few weeks to get there, but I’ll start preparations right away.” Ancarion answered quite enthusiastically.“There’s no need.” She looked back at her two giant dragon comrades. “Ofandorah will get you there in a few days.” The look on Ancarion’s face was priceless. “Of An Dorah!” She shouted with a booming sound. It resulted in the enormous white beast taking to the air once more. He approached quite quickly, flared his wings and landed right in front of them.“Dovahkiin.” Ancarion watched in curiosity as the beast addressed his friend. “I need you to carry my friend to where he needs to go.” Ancarion was fascinated as he watched and listened to Freyanna speak a completely alien language, the language of dragons! “The process of gathering allies begins today!”“As you wish Dovahkiin.” Ofandorah had refused to fight in the coming war, but was open to transporting her most vital people from place to place.She turned to Ancarion with a smile. “You ready to fly with the dragons?”Ancarion was never one to shy away from such an incredible challenge. “Will he try to eat me?” The growl that left the beast was akin to a chuckle.“Ofandorah is as gentle a creature as you’ll find.” She chuckled. “He’ll get you where you need to go.”Ancarion turned to his second, Falarel. “Let the Skaal go, you’re mission now will be to protect her.”“No.” Freyanna countered. “I’m going to need you to harass the ships coming out of Windhelm’s port. Ulfric’s ships and crews are shit in combat. You should be able to harass and sink his trade ships almost at will.” She looked over the crew of mer and was extremely impressed. She hadn’t seen this kind of skill and discipline since the Great War.“As you wish my lady.” Falarel answered and began to order his mer to begin preparations to leave.As she watched them, Ancarion approached her with some concern. “Are we doing the right thing?” He asked her.“We are. They’ve done some unspeakable horrors in their attempts to get to me.” She put her hand on his shoulder. “We need to remake all of Tamriel so that everyone can live together instead of trying to kill each other all the time.” He nodded in agreement.He walked over to Ofandorah who watched him curiously. “So beast, It’s you and I for a spell.”The dragon growled its disapproval and it caused Ancarion to step back as Freyanna started to chuckle behind him. “I’m pretty sure he’d like to be called by his name.” She stated with a smile. “You just insulted him.”Ancarion actually smiled as he again approached Ofandorah. “My apologies if I offended you, Ofandorah, it won’t happen again.”“Thank you Ancarion.” The deep and powerful voice of the dragon actually surprised Ancarion. “Shall we start our journey together?”“Ofandorah is one of the few who relishes in speaking our tongue.” Freyanna mentioned. “I’m sure you’ll both have much to speak about on your way to the Isles.”“Most of those few were killed by the Blades of old, only three remain.” Odahviing added. “I will be very upset if anything happens to my brother.”“His brother is actually worried for him.” Freyanna mentioned as Ancarion mounted Ofandorah. “I’ll defend him with my life if need be.” Ancarion answered with a seriousness she’d become accustomed to in their time together during the Hammerfell Campaign. Odahviing seemed content in the response from the Altmer Battlemage. “When you’ve given the messages, wait for her to give you a response, but don’t reveal Ofandorah. I don’t want anyone on the Isles to know exactly what I’m capable of just yet.” Freyanna stepped up next to Ofandorah and stroked his giant maw. “When she does, Ofandorah will return to where I will be.”“Where is that?” Ancarion asked.“It’s better you don’t know yet, but I will be there waiting for you.” She answered.He nodded in understanding. “Well, let’s be off.” With those words, Ofandorah spread his mighty wings and took off with a huge cloud of dust and snow. The crew of the frigate watched in awe as their captain headed south towards the province of Elsweyr where he would most certainly start a civil war with the information he bore. ************************** Karthspire Forsworn Encampment – Present day Lydia and Marcurio stood at the entrance to the cave leading up to Sky Haven Temple and watched as the Forsworn, Blades, former Stormcloaks, Imperials and others worked together to finish the new wooden ramparts surrounding most of the camp, with the rest being shielded by the mountains. A series of seven wooden towers, each equipped with one of those immensely powerful ballistae, lined the length of the wall. “They’ve done an incredible job on the wall.” Marcurio mentioned.“It’ll at least make anyone contemplating laying siege think twice.” Lydia was still hurting at the loss of her friend and almost lover, Benor. “Do you think Freyanna is alive?” Her question was uncertain and worrisome.“She’s alive.” A voice with absolute determination answered her from behind. The both turned to see both Ralof and Hadvar walk and stand next to them. “She’s not meant to die at the hands of that beast.”“And you know this how?” Lydia liked Ralof quite a bit now even though it was because of him that Freyanna was able to leave without any sort of back up.“I just know.” Ralof answered.“There haven’t been any dragon attacks since she left.” Marcurio added. “Hopefully, that’s a sign that she’s defeated the World Eater.”“Or, it could mean that the World Eater is consolidating his forces and just waiting for the right moment to destroy us all.” The unmistakable voice of Velkas struck out from the darkness of the cave. “No, if the World Eater were still alive the dragons would’ve begun their war already.” Hadvar countered. “I think the World Eater is no more, but I’m not as confident that she’s still alive.”“Damn her!” Lydia exclaimed quite angrily.Velkas walked out of the cave entrance and joined the diverse group. “You all should’ve stopped those who left here to rejoin the Stormcloaks.”“The lines have been drawn Velkas.” Jenassa again surprised the big Hagraven with her stealth.“Even with the evidence against Ulfric, many returned to him.” Ralof sounded quite upset as he turned to face the intimidating Hagraven. “It’s better to know those who stayed are loyal and will fight with us and not against us.”“True, but those that are gone could become an issue in the future.” Velkas answered. “I would’ve disposed of them.”“I agree.” Jenassa added. “That’s why Borkul, Brelas and I followed the group.”“What?!” Ralof didn’t sound very happy. “You killed them all?”“Nope.” Jenassa smiled. “They’re now in the custody of the Imperial Legion.”“The Imperials are not our friends.” Velkas stated. “Once their war with the Stormcloaks is over, they will turn their war machine on us.”“That is why we’re preparing.” Hadvar countered. “The improvements to the defenses are substantial and your troops are as formidable as I’ve seen.” He watched as the Forsworn continued to build up the already immense camp. “It would take more than a thousand troops to even have a chance to succeed.”“Anyone trying to take us will pay dearly.” Ralof added as he looked out at the formidable camp.“Us?” Velkas sounded quite puzzled by the Nord’s assertion. “Yes us, we all follow her.” Ralof answered. “We are all hers and she is ours.”“DRAGON!!” They all turned their heads to the east where they could see Odahviing approaching at a deliberate pace.“IT’S HER!!!” Velkas’ keen eyes could see the rider on the dragon’s back clear as day. “Hold your fire!!”They made their way to the main platform as Odahviing landed there. Freyanna dismounted and met them on the platform. “It’s done.” She mentioned as Ralof stepped in front of her causing an uncertain smile to appear on her face. “Are you mad at me?”He crashed his lips onto hers with a savagery that took her breath away. She didn’t want to part her lips from his, but he pulled away slowly as their eyes met. “That’s the last time you ever leave me like that.” She nodded with that soft grin still on her face.She looked over the group that had greeted her and smiled as she took a hold of Velkas claws with her own in a sign of affection. “Where are the others?”“Most of the Stormcloaks and Imperials have left.” Velkas answered. “The rest of your companions are in the temple.” Freyanna nodded. “So it’s true? The World Eater is no more?”“It’s true.” She answered as Brelas, Borkul and Madanach joined them outside. “Miraak is no more as well. Most of the dragons want to live in peace, while Odahviing and about a dozen others agreed to serve me.”“Serve you?” Madanach asked with quite the excitement. “As in fight for you?” Freyanna nodded. “Esbern and Delphine will be horrified.” He chuckled.“The days of dragons being hunted and killed indiscriminately are over.” Freyanna asserted with an almost palpable anger. “Dragons will be treated like all intelligent beings. Their criminals will be punished accordingly, but not at the expense of their innocent.”“Come, we have much to talk about.” She stepped into the cave entrance to the temple followed by the rest of her trusted comrades.They all made their way into the temple’s main hall where Esbern and Delphine were waiting for them. “The World Eater is no more.” She announced to them both.The excitement on their faces seemed to be tempered by some sort of uncertainty. “That is excellent news.” Esbern answered.“Then why do you look like you are about to cry?” Freyanna asked as she removed her helmet and set it down on the enormous conference table in the middle of the hall.“We’ve heard rumors of an alliance between you and the dragons.” Delphine began to show what was concerning them both. “Dragons are the en…”“Again with this?” She promptly cut Delphine off. “I have the word of their two most powerful representatives; they will police their own and punish those who do not wish to coexist peacefully.”“Two? Parthurnax and…” Delphine began to probe her for answers.“Odahviing.” Freyanna answered. “How do you know they’ll keep their word?” Esbern wasn’t as hostile, but he was still quite skeptical. “Dragons never go back on their word.” Freyanna calmly explained. “I had them all give their word at the time wound. Four of them decided they’d rather die than supplicate themselves to a life of peaceful coexistence… they are no more.”“All of them?” Velkas was also curious.“Not all, most.” Freyanna clarified. “Those dragons not present at the time wound will be given a choice. Their decision will determine their status.”“Status… whether they live or die?” Velkas continued and Freyanna nodded.“So you believe you pacified the dragons?” Esbern was astounded at the news as he sat at the table.“As much as they can be… yes.” She answered.“Those dragons committed mass murder on a scale never seen since.” Delphine wasn’t happy as she lashed out. “They all need to be exterminated!”“THE BLADES COMMITTED THE MASS MURDER OF DRAGONS ON A SCALE NEVER SEEN!” Freyanna lashed out angrily right back. “How many innocent dragons did they exterminate just because?” Delphine stepped away from the table. “THIS CYCLE OF DEATH ENDS NOW!” Freyanna demanded as she glared at Delphine who glared right back. “Tell me you understand.” Freyanna forcibly asked.Delphine didn’t answer as she shook her head. “If Alduin is no more, then you don’t need me anymore.” She turned away from Freyanna and began to walk towards the exit. “I will not be a part of this.”“You’d let your unwarranted prejudices dictate your actions?” Freyanna was livid with Delphine. “You’d kill indiscriminately… even those who will not fight back?”“I’m only going to do what the dragons have done for centuries.” Delphine replied back. “That little red boot in your pouch should tell you everything about how the beasts treat those who don’t fight back.”“Delphine.” Esbern called out with some concern. “This is an unprecedented chance to make peace and end the bloodshed.” He took his place next to Freyanna. “Don’t you see? We are needed here more than ever… if only to oversee and make sure the peace is kept and fairly enforced.”Delphine seemed to be taking the news quite hard, especially the fact that Esbern was going to go along with the idea of peaceful coexistence. “I’m going back to Riverwood. When you come to your senses, you’ll find me there.” She turned and began to walk towards the temple exit. “You’re making a huge mistake.” She muttered as she made her way out.“Delphine wait!” Freyanna yelled and Delphine turned around just as she reached to temple exit. “Riverwood is now guarded by two dragons and an Imperial Platoon; are you going to have a problem with that?”“Like I said, I’m going back to Riverwood.” She glared at Freyanna. “The rest is none of your business.”“So you’d exterminate them?” Freyanna closed the distance. “Even after I took care of the reason they fought, we fought?”“All I see is Kynesgrove, Helgen, Rorikstead, and even here.” Dephine explained. “Their power and willingness to use it against the helpless cannot be allowed to continue.”“Like I said, you’d punish the innocent of their kind for the sins of their brothers?” Freyanna reiterated the question.“None of them are innocent!” Delphine shot back. “Parthurnax slaughtered thousands before he decided to switch sides!”“You’re such a fool.” Freyanna couldn’t believe that Delphine was this hard headed. “By your code, we should wipe out all former Thalmor as well.” It was a shot at Delphine’s judgement. “I’ve killed scores of people during the Great War. I’ve killed fathers, mothers, and separated families just for practicing their beliefs. Maybe you should practice your form of prejudice and punish me for my crimes as well.”“That’s different…” Delphine was visibly shaken by the accusation.“No… no it’s not, it’s war.” Freyanna was not going to allow her finish as she pulled one of her elven blades and handed it to Delphine. “You want your war with the dragons?” Their eyes were locked and Delphine seemed to understand what Freyanna wanted. “You’re going to have to do it without me.”Delphine wasn’t pleased with how this confrontation was turning out, as she handed the blade back to Freyanna. “When the dragons inevitably betray you, I’ll be at home in Riverwood… and don’t worry about your two friends. I won’t do anything to them unless they force me to.” She turned and finally left.“Borkul, send a couple of people with her so she gets home safe.” Madanach knew that the Dragonborn considered Delphine a close confidant and wouldn’t want anything to happen to her while enroute to Riverwood.“I would’ve cut her down the instant she raised her arm.” Ralof wasn’t pleased at her actions. It was as if Freyanna had a death wish.“Yes, an arrow was ready for her.” Brelas spoke with quite the troubled expression.“She would’ve never!” Esbern was livid with the two. “She loves the Dragonborn more than herself! That was quite unnecessary!” “Stop… I knew she wouldn’t try to cut me down as well.” Freyanna answered back. “But, she needed to feel what she was asking me to do and I think she did.” She looked over to Esbern. “How she feels about me is how I feel about Parthurnax. If I am worthy of redemption, so is he.” “I understand Dragonborn.” Esbern nodded with a slight grin. “She will come around eventually.”“I hope so.” Freyanna gave the old seer a soft smile as well.
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Coast of Hammerfell , Fifty miles west of the City of Gilane 30th of Frostfall 4E 171 The sunlight gleamed off of Freyanna’s golden armor as she stood at the bow of the Dominion fast frigate while it approached the beautiful white sand beaches of southwestern Hammerfell. Her keen eyes could make out a small fishing village directly in the path of this formidable Dominion Force. It was dawn and many of the fishing vessels could be seen making preparations or actually putting out to sea to begin harvesting the Abecean Sea of its bountiful crop of marine life. A lazy smoke could be seen rising from several of the chimneys of the small mortar built houses. The village was calm as it went about its normal daily routine.The element of surprise seemed to be with them as it looked like the Redquards were not ready to put up an organized defense for this village. She turned around so she could begin to address her platoon. She caught herself staring at them for more than a moment and wondered how many of them would not make it home. Would she make it home? She knew it was a fruitless exercise to think about it. She’d try her best, but she knew not everyone would make it through this conflict. They were as ready as they would ever be for this moment and she knew they’d fight like Daedra possessed when the time came.“It looks like they don’t know we’re coming.” She began. “Needless to say, we have to secure that village so that our main force can make its way inland towards Gilane.”They all watched and listened intently to her. It didn’t matter that she was the youngest ever to be awarded the rank of Lieutenant and assigned as the lead battlemage in a platoon. She was the most capable battlemage many had ever seen, despite her age. “We are the starboard element of this assault and we’re to protect the flank of Captain Niryvanya’s and Lieutenant Ancarion’s platoon which will be the central assault element.”“Sergeant Umbiel, your squad will take point and form up in a battle wedge as soon as we land.” She explained. “Archers and Mages will form up behind them with me. Squads two and three will provide flank protection.” Her instructions were clear and concise. “We will parallel Captain Niryvanya’s advance and secure the western part of the village.”“Take prisoners if you can, but don’t take any unnecessary risks to do so.” She was an imposing figure for an Altmer. She was tall even for her own kind and powerfully built. She preferred armor over the robes that most Battlemages used and it was known that she was an exceedingly deadly blademaster.She was a prime example of the Elsonire line of Altmer. One of the most if not the most ancient lines in the Dominion. Everyone knew her mother as she had made a name for herself in many battles and was now commander of the most elite unit in the Dominion.“What kind of resistance will there be?” One of the younger privates asked with quite the angst.“Our people say these Redguards are not united and seem to be fractured in their own petty squabbles.” She started to answer. “They’ve been fighting each other for quite the time and are probably not going to be much of a problem.” She looked the young Altmer in the eye. “Make no mistake though, individually, they are reputed to be some of the finest warriors in all of Tamriel.” Freyanna started to pace back and forth as she addressed the whole platoon. “If we fight as a team, as we have trained, there is nothing that they can do to defeat us.”“Most of these humans have only trained for a decade or two at the most.” Her second, Battlemage Lirmanus, began to address the mer. “You’ve all trained for this moment for at least five decades. You’re all more than ready to show these quicklings how to bow to the true rulers of Tamriel.”Freyanna wasn’t very fond of her second, he was Thalmor through and through. He was a capable battlemage though and did follow orders, but he was quite adamant in his arrogant belief that the other races should bow down to the Dominion. He was exactly the type of Altmer her mother had warned her about. He’d be the type that would overestimate his own abilities and get the unit in trouble. She’d actually have to keep an eye on him during this excursion.She’d studied much of the Redguard combat techniques as well as their culture. Their conquest and carving out the province of Hammerfell was required study in the Dominion’s military academy. They were renowned swordsmen and it was that particular part of their history that always fascinated her. Her mastery of many of their techniques had made her the number one swordsman in the academy despite her deep specializations in restoration and battle magic. She preferred wielding two blades in tandem which had now become her trademark and she was unbeatable in the academy. Her instructors marveled at her ability to combine her blade-craft with her magical attacks. Many of the older instructors would say that she was even better than her mother.She looked back over the bow to the ever closer coastline and she could see a group of people gathering on the beach. They weren’t warriors; they looked more like a group of curious onlookers. “Ready the gangways!” She yelled out and immediately saw a half-dozen ship crew members connect the folding wooden walkways to the front of the ship. She turned to her mer. “Umbiel, have your mer form a shield wall as soon as you hit the ground.” She felt the ship slide onto the sand as it ran aground gently. “Lower the gangways!”As soon as the walkways hit the water, Umbiel’s mer surged in an organized flow onto the gangways and disembarked the ship to form a line in the sand. She followed the line with her battlemages and archers. She quickly formed a second line behind the shield wall as the other two squads formed mirroring shield walls to the left and right of the center shield wall. The Redguard villagers watched them curiously, they didn’t seem overly hostile, but there was a tension in their expressive stares. Freyanna looked over to her left and saw that Ancarion’s platoon had disembarked and was now in position, along with Sireon’s platoon to their left, to move forward. Captain Niryvanya stepped in front of the formidable formation and addressed all of the fishermen in a loud clear voice. “This land is now Dominion territory.” The response was dead silence as the fishermen continued to prepare their boats and nets for the day of fishing. It almost seemed like they didn’t care. She watched them all and was almost about to relax.An arrow flying straight and true struck Niryvanya’s chest only to shatter into pieces as she’d cast an ebony skin spell prior to addressing the villagers. The offending archer found himself the recipient of three amazingly accurate return shots from Ancarion’s own Bosmer archers. One shot pierced his left eye, the other, his windpipe, and the last, his heart. The fishermen had stopped what they were doing to watch one their guards slowly fall with a disturbing gurgling sound where he stood. All hell broke loose after that as the majority of the fishermen pulled their own daggers and swords and charged the Altmer lines. The archers and the battlemages made short work of the haphazard attack, these amazingly courageous yet foolish Redguards were cut down to the last person in a storm of arrows, lightning, and fire. “FORWARD!” Niryvanya ordered as the entire formation surged towards the village.Freyanna watched as the remaining villagers began to run back towards the village. “FORWARD!” She ordered as her mer moved forward. It was incredible to watch the precision and discipline of the Dominion formation as it surged forward towards the village. Arrows and stones were haphazardly striking the shield wall or the ground in front of them as they closed the distance with the first small clay huts that served as homes for these simple people. As they got closer, she watched as many of the humans poured out of the village and began to form up in a line to defend their homes. She could tell these were not fully trained soldiers and it amazed her to no end that they would fight and die against a decidedly superior foe. Once again, the arrows, fireballs, and lightning spells decimated the line with spectacular results. The survivors attempted to regroup, but it would not be their day. “WE HAVE THEM! CHARGE!” Niryvanya ordered and the formation surged forward at a runner’s pace. There were some Redguards that stood their ground and tried to slow the charge, they were cut down mercilessly by the highly skilled Altmer swordsmen. The remaining Redguards had broken and began to run away from the Altmer killing machine. The squads split into teams of four and started to enter the village and began the clearing and capturing operation of all the inhabitants. Her platoon was tasked with securing the eastern village perimeter. It took a few hours but in the end they herded all of the non-combatants and children and sat them all down on the beach away from the village. They were all put under guard in a hastily constructed pen near the shore.Freyanna watched in absolute sadness as the children, women, and men howled in grief at the death of many of their loved ones. She watched one tearfully enraged woman stand and attempt run a once hidden dagger into the neck of one of her mer who was attending to the wounds of another prisoner. Reflexively she cast and ice spear that struck the fierce Redguard woman in the neck stopping her in her tracks. Blood poured from her neck as she fell. She continued to watch as two very young children wailed as they desperately went to the bleeding woman in an attempt to stop her blood soaked journey to the afterlife. Freyanna couldn’t stomach watching the two children beg their mother to wake up so she quickly shoved them out of the way. She pulled the ice spear out of the woman’s neck and set her hand on the monstrous wound. The white light of healing magic quickly closed the gaping wound in the Redguard woman’s neck. She continued to heal the woman until she opened her eyes. Freyanna stepped back, the glare from Freyanna’s intense silver eyes was paralyzing. “There will not be a second time.” Freyanna addressed the woman as she snatched the once hidden dagger from the sand, the children swarmed her and put themselves between their mother and Freyanna as if they could defend her. “Attempt anything like that again and your children will be orphans.”Freyanna turned from the woman and made her way to water’s edge where all the officers were gathered. “The village is secure sir.” Freyanna addressed the Captain. “I had Parnyano and two of his best set up an observation post north of the village like you asked.”Niryvanya nodded in acknowledgment. “Why’d you heal that woman?”The tone of the question was quite hostile and Freyanna felt the disapproving glare of Niryvanya’s golden eyes. “I’ll not be responsible for orphaning two children if I can help it.” Freyanna’s answer was also rife with animosity. “We don’t need to make the entire population our enemies.”“Ha, they’re no better than dogs.” Lirmanus harped. “We should wipe out the lot of them.”“We don’t need to kill everyone!” Freyanna angrily countered to the shock of everyone there. “Your arrogance is going to get people killed when we start facing their real warriors and not these hapless fishermen.”“You’re the one saving these worthless mongrels.” He countered back. “If anyone is going to get us killed it’s you!” “If it was up to you, we’d rule over a patch of empty blackened dirt.” Freyanna shot back again. “Enough!” Niryvanya yelled. “Save your energy for the enemy!”Both Freyanna and Lirmanus glared at each other with barely veiled fury, but there was quite the chuckle they both heard. They both turned and saw that Ancarion was chuckling quite heartily. “Hey Captain, can you transfer me to Freyanna’s platoon? The comedy material she provides is bloody priceless.” His own officers began to chuckle as well.“I said enough!” Niryvanya wasn’t amused as she turned to Lirmanus. “There will be no indiscriminant killing under my command… understood?”“Yes Captain.” Lirmanus responded quietly as the Captain turned her attention to Freyanna.“And you, attempted murder will be punished accordingly.” Freyanna’s eyes didn’t show anything other than defiance. “Not rewarded with healing.”“Is almost decapitating a mother of two punishment enough?” She responded back. “What of the two children?”“Tell me you understand Lieutenant.” Niryvanya didn’t acknowledge her response and only wanted Freyanna to recognize her authority. “DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!”Freyanna finally capitulated. “Yes Captain.”“Good.” Niryvanya sounded content with her answer. “Now, I want our defensive positions manned at all times. I’ll leave the scheduling of the shifts up to you three.”The Captain took her leave of them and went to speak to the former mayor of the village. She was obviously going to give the villagers a chance to resume their lives so long as they agreed to behave and not take any hostile action against the Dominion personnel.Three days later, the village was now functioning more or less like a village should. Most of the civilians had agreed to cooperate and were now in the process of trying to rebuild their lives. A small group of them had attempted to leave the village by using their fishing vessel only to be sunk by the Dominion frigates patrolling off shore. That group of fools was put to work on the defensive ring surrounding the village. The rest of the week went by without much issue. The size of the Dominion forces in the village had doubled as preparations were being made to act as a blocking force in the case Hegathe decided to try and stop the Dominion assault against Gilane. Reconnaissance patrols were sent out every day to keep watch on them and to also see if they would send out their force to try and take back the village. The remaining villagers seemed to have settled into their old routines as they barely eked out a living by catching fish on a subsistence level. When she wasn’t out on patrol or in meetings, she found herself trying to ease the tension between the villagers and their occupiers. She’d barter with the fishermen as best she could and had actually procured enough fish to enjoy a feast with her platoon.Most of her peers frowned at the peaceful gesture she displayed towards the Redguard people. While they didn’t voice their displeasure, their expressions told her everything. The Thalmor were an angry bunch. They blamed the humans for the Oblivion crisis and many of the older leadership saw Tiber Septim’s merciless conquest of the isles first hand. They told stories of the destruction, rape, and merciless conquest. These ancient Altmer had a seething hatred for anything to do with the Empire and humans in general. They had pushed this war and saw no reason to show mercy or compassion to those they would eventually rule. They always failed to mention that the cruelty of war had visited the humans at the hands of the elves as well when the Ayleids ruled the continent. History always seemed to have a nasty habit of repeating itself.Freyanna sat at the observation post with three of her swordsmen as they looked out towards the endless desert for any movement whatsoever. Most of the other officers tended not to stand these posts, but she made it a point of contention. She wouldn’t order her battlemages to be a part of the rotation, but they joined her nonetheless with the notable exception of Lirmanus. She knew that Lirmanus felt like he was cheated out of command because of her and it didn’t help that she was fifty years younger than he was.It came as a complete shock when their relief showed up. Ancarion along with three of his own had come to relieve them. “What’s wrong?” He asked her as he looked out into the desert and saw an almost unnoticeable dust cloud at the edge of the horizon. He quickly put his ear to the ground and quietly listened.“Why would you…” She was about to answer, but he put his arm up to shush her and then motioned for her to listen with her. “You hear that?”Her eyes went wide in troubled anticipation as they both stood and she looked out over the desert and saw the cloud. It was now pretty noticeable. “That’s an enormous cavalry force.” She answered as they both instantaneously shot two small fireballs into the air. “Come on, let’s get back to the...”She heard the arrow strike one of her mer’s shields as he raised it to defend her. It would’ve killed her had he not acted so quickly. She quickly cast a detect life spell as the arrows were now coming more regularly. She looked out into the endless sand and saw what looked like a scouting party of ten or so Redguards. She pointed in the direction of the assailants and watched as Ancarion let loose with a powerful fireball that struck their dispersed position with a large explosion that probably killed only one of their men. The arrows continued to fly as they dispersed even more and finally struck one of her mer in the eye, killing him instantly. In a rage she cast an ebony skin spell, drew her swords and charged towards the offending archers as Ancarion continued to let loose with his fireballs. Her two swordsmen charged with her, followed by Ancarion’s mer. Arrow after arrow bounced off or pierced her armor, but not her skin. The first archer lost his head to her exquisite elven blades as her two mer also made short work of another one. She turned to find another target and noticed that the remaining six Redguards had drawn their beautiful curved swords and were charging her. “LINE UP!” She ordered as her mer along with Ancarion’s mer quickly formed a shield wall in front of her.Ancarion had to stop launching fireballs as the Redguards had closed the distance and he could no longer cast them without injuring his own people. He drew his dagger and ran towards the fray. “We’ve got to get out of here! That force is going to be here any second!” He yelled out.Freyanna seemed to not listen as she launched herself into the formation of dual wielding Redquards. An ice spear struck one then two of the lightly armored Redguards and dropped them instantly. It opened a huge hole in their once tight formation which was exploited by the line of Altmer swordsmen that followed closely behind her. Their shields and swords made short work of two more as the remaining Redguards turned and ran.“LET’S GO!” Ancarion yelled, this time they all listened and quickly began to run back to the village with the sound of that enormous cavalry force behind them.They barely made it to the first defensive ring when arrows and magic began to whiz above their heads and strike the lead formation of charging horsemen. It stopped some, but not all as Ancarion turned around and was almost decapitated by one of those curved swords being swung from horseback. He ducked just as the sword sliced through the top of his hood. Fireballs, lightning, ice spears, arrows were striking indiscriminately all around him as he was struck by a horse galloping over him. He fell forward and thanked the eight that he wasn’t trampled as he began to get up again. He found himself alone in the midst of a Redguard wave of horsemen. He quickly recast ebony skin with the little mana he had left and immediately dodged another of those wicked blades trying to separate his head from his neck.He made his way to what he thought was the front line and didn’t notice the horseman lining him up for another strike. He continued to quickly make his way as the horseman charged towards him from behind. Ancarion turned just in time to see the ice spear strike the charging Redguard in the neck, knocking him off the horse. “COME ON!” He felt a hand tightly grab his own and pull him toward the village. The first ring of defense had been overrun and now the wooden ramparts of the last ring were under assault from the Redguard. Their own well concealed mages struck out with fireballs that hit the ramparts and set them alight. There were Altmer and Redguards fighting and dying everywhere he looked. There was a haze that seemed to be coming over him as he felt himself start to lose consciousness. The sounds of metal striking metal seemed really close and he could make out the one who grabbed his hand running a Redguard through with her blades. He could see the arrows protruding her golden armor whose color was obscured with blood from those slain. She turned those silver eyes to him and could see the concern in her expression as she again grabbed a hold of his hand and pulled him along the ramparts until she finally got one of the fortified entrances to open for them. She pushed him through and ordered the mer to close it once more.He wanted to yell and pull her through with him, but his futile attempts only resulted in silence coming from his mouth as he watched them close the gate behind her. His body finally gave way to the loss of blood coming from the arrow to his thigh and he fell unconscious.Niryvanya continued to direct the defenses along the ramparts as best she could, but there seemed to be no end to the Redguards attacking them. She found herself fighting on the top of the ramparts with three of her best blade masters as they tried to hold the wall. She knew that if the walls were breached, they were doomed. As her bladesmer ran through a Redguard that had actually made it onto the ramparts, her eyes caught a glimpse of gold running through the hoard of Redguards. She looked closer to see that it was one of her lieutenants, Freyanna Eslonire. Her blades were a whirlwind of death as they cut through the Redguard formation. It was no use as she watched her get run through the stomach as she plunged her own sword through the heart of her attacker. Heal yourself damn it! She thought to herself as the Redguards seemed to revel in the fact that they were about to kill another elf. They crowded around her in a tight circle as she slowly stood, the gold of her armor completely covered by caked on blood and sand.The Redguards had not stopped their attack on the ramparts, but there were many who now just stood in that crowded circle around Freyanna. It was a welcome respite as she and the rest of her mer began to clear the ramparts. Niryvanya shifted her eyes to the ramparts and continued to direct her mer in clearing the ramparts when a sudden blinding light coupled with a booming explosion ripped her eyes back to the area where Freyanna once stood.Freyanna now lay alone and unconscious in the center of a mass consisting of burned and charred bodies. Niryvanya smiled at their change of fortune. “OPEN THE GATES!” She ordered as she actually jumped down from the ramparts and began to fight her way through the much diminished Redguard forces. “CHARGE!” She yelled out and was immediately joined by her three blade wielding mer as they made their way towards their fallen comrade. The doors opened and the Dominion forces surged from inside their fortified village. The Redguards could not get back on their horses fast enough as they were being cut down at an alarming rate. Only two dozen or so had actually escaped with the rest either captured or killed. As bad as the battle seemed to be going, they had held their position and routed the now decimated Battalion of Redguard cavalry, thanks to the youngest Elsonire. Niryvanya ordered one of her battlemages to immediately see to Lt. Elsonire as she continued to direct the rest of the company in the refortification of the village. The final tally was over one hundred and twenty Redguard dead, seventy five prisoners along with over two hundred horses. Niryvanya had lost over twenty of her mer, and there were numerous wounded in the battle, but her reinforced company had retained much of its fighting ability. Even without the heroics of her insane frontline lieutenant, she felt that she still would’ve held the village, but the cost would’ve been much… much higher. Ancarion woke with an enormous headache and immediately noticed that he was in a makeshift triage tent. He sat up and began to stand. “You really should lay down and rest a bit more.” He looked over to the sound of the voice and saw his Captain. “I need my mer at their best.”“My mer?” His question was filled with a dread that she wouldn’t be able to console as she shook her head. There were only two survivors from the observation post. They’d lost six extremely capable warriors in this attack.“They fought and died to make sure we won.” She explained. “They’re the reason we routed those Redguards.”The news hit him extremely hard and he decided he needed to be back with his mer. “I’m fine sir; I need to…” He began to protest only to be shut down by his commander.“Rest, that’s an order Lieutenant.” She commanded and he reluctantly acquiesced. “You and Lt. Elsonire saved a lot of lives today.” When Ancarion heard her name he couldn’t contain his expression of worry. Niryvanya noticed it immediately and put her hand on his shoulder. “She’s fine…” She pointed towards one of the cots and he noticed the youngest Elsonire sleeping peacefully. He actually caught himself smiling at the beautiful young mer. The way she launched herself into danger could be considered brash and reckless, but watching her work those blades along with her magic was a thing of beauty. He’d bet that she could take on one of the Royal Battlereaves and give them the fight of their lives.“If I’d known how capable she was, I would’ve never allowed her to man the observation post.” Niryvanya sounded almost as much in awe as he was. “She singlehandedly allowed us to rout and destroy that cavalry element at a much lighter price than I would’ve thought possible.”“She does her lineage proud.” Ancarion mentioned as he sat back on his cot. “She’s destined for greatness.”Niryvanya didn’t disagree as she took her leave of Ancarion. The wound she received at the hands of the Redguard was actually not as serious as she first thought. The sword pierced her abdomen just below her right rib and through a miracle, missed everything vital. The designated healer barely used any mana in closing the wound. She was in that cot mostly because she cast a spell that none of her mages, including herself had ever mastered. Firestorm was a spell of unbelievable power and for her to cast it when she cast it required a keen tactical sense. The thirty or so Redguards caught in the blast were either instantly incinerated or set alight. The sudden deaths of so many of their comrades stopped the Redguard assault in its tracks and gave her the opportunity to mount a counter attack which broke them. She gazed at the sleeping beauty and almost gasped when Freyanna opened those ridiculously silver eyes to gaze back at her. “I take it we won.” Niryvanya smiled softly and nodded at her incredibly capable subordinate. “Did… Lithnya… Sylvanus…” Freyanna began to ask with much anxiety only to be stopped by her commander.“I’m sorry Freyanna, your mer died bravely and were instrumental in this victory.” Niryvanya tried to console her somewhat, but the flow of tears coming from those eyes meant that she wasn’t successful. She gently took hold of Freyanna’s shoulder to get her attention. “They saved a lot of lives today… you saved a lot of lives today. They will be honored, I swear it.” Freyanna nodded, but still couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. “In the meantime you need to get back to one hundred percent. I’m going to need you in the coming weeks.”“Yes sir… I’m ready to get back to duty now.” She stood up and noticed that her armor was not there. A fresh shirt, pants, and shoes were neatly folded next to her cot. “It’s being repaired. Until then, your platoon has been asking about you.” Niryvanya mentioned as she watched the astonishingly fit and athletic looking Altmer dress. “Those not on duty are waiting for you near the village forge.” Freyanna nodded as Niryvanya took her leave and exited the tent.“Thank you.” She caught Ancarion’s faint voice behind her and turned to see her relief. Her eyes actually lit up with what he could almost consider joy at seeing him alive.She stopped dressing herself and sat down on the side of his cot facing him. “If you hadn’t come when you came… warned me…” She took a hold of his hand and kissed it. “I should be thanking you.”He could feel his cheeks redden as he quickly attempted to address her. “You saved me, I saved you… I think that’s what comrades do for one another.” He tried to be nonchalant, but failed miserably and could tell by the smile on her face. “You can thank me by just arguing with Lirmanus so I can get a good laugh?”“Maybe, I like the way you laugh.” Her smile was actually broader as she stood and turned to leave the tent. Just before leaving the tent she turned once again towards him and gave him an almost shy grin. She left the tent and he actually felt himself watching the tent opening longer than he normally would.“You’ll probably have to get in line sir.” He turned to see another of his comrades wrapped in bloody bandages smiling at him. “I think he just jumped to the front.” Another injured yet amused warrior mentioned from another cot.“She’s an Elsonire, I’m not of the proper lineage to court her.” He tried to deflect, but it was useless as his mind went exactly where one would expect. He could dream after all. ***************************** Skaven – Hammerfell Province – 4E 173 Lady Aranneyla watched her troops as they marched in perfectly synchronized columns through the newly taken city of Skaven. It was a brutal battle which incurred heavy losses on her forces, but it did reveal to her that Talania’s child was every bit as capable as her mother if not more so. Freyanna was a natural leader and the most talented battlereave she’d ever seen. Her mer fought like daedra possessed beasts and had garnered a reputation of excellence that mirrored its commander. If any other of her mer performed like she did, they’d be promoted.She’d given Freyanna a field promotion to Captain and sent the official promotion request to Alinor many months ago. The others whom she had recommended for promotion had already received their approval with the only notable exception being her most exceptional subordinate. It made her think that there was something sinister occurring with regards to Talania’s child. Official or not, Lady Aranneyla’s field promotion carried the weight of her name and no one in her army would question her decision to give Freyanna the reigns to her own company. Freyanna now had the means to make a larger impact in this war. It also didn’t hurt that she was, by far, the most talented spellsword in her entire army… possibly all of Alinor.“Decianus’ troops retreated in good order.” One of her advisors mentioned to her as they watched her victorious army march by from the partially destroyed balcony of the city’s former rulers. “We need to take care of him as soon as possible.” It was a hard earned victory that had devastated large parts of the city with many buildings being destroyed or irreparably damaged. The bodies of the defenders who didn’t escape littered the streets. There were also many civilians who did not survive her force’s storming of the city.“We’re in no condition to mount a pursuit.” She retorted. “Besides, they’re in worse shape than we are.”“Yes, but they have the ability to recruit from this daedra forsaken land and restore their numbers whereas we do not.” He continued to argue.“We will take care of Decianus soon enough.” She reassured him. “We’ll consolidate our position here and plan our next move.”“But, my lady…” She could sense the worry in his voice but as she had mentioned before. They needed to recuperate before attempting any kind of large scale engagement.“That’s enough my friend. You have my orders, now go and carry them out.” She had no choice. Going after Decianus in this desert would cost way too much in mer and material. She’d lose too many and be unable to control what she had already taken from the Redguards and Imperials. He turned around and began to leave when she called on him once more. “Send Captain Elsonire up, I need to speak with her.” He nodded and took his leave.It took just a few minutes for Freyanna to come up and appear before her. She had been down in the main hall to be debriefed on her and her company’s actions during the storming of the city. “You wanted to see me my lady?” Lady Aranneyla turned and took in the sight of the mighty Freyanna Elsonire. Her guards had stopped Freyanna at the entrance to the large room that once served as the mayor’s office. She waved off the guards and they allowed her to enter.She continued to be impressed just by Talania’s daughter’s appearance. “You are your mother’s daughter.” She addressed her with quite the amusement. “I can only say that you’ve been one of the main reasons we’ve succeeded so spectacularly in this campaign.” “Thank you my lady, but I think this campaign is far from over.” Freyanna responded with some seriousness. “Decianus is an impressive commander.” Freyanna continued. “Being able to withdraw with a good portion of his troops was nothing short of a miracle.”Lady Aranneyla could sense the admiration in Freyanna’s voice as she spoke of the Imperial General. “Yes, Decianus is a very worthy opponent, but I’m confident that we’ll defeat him eventually and bring the rest of Hammerfell in line.” Freyanna nodded in acknowledgement, but deep inside she felt that the Redguards would never quit fighting. “But now for the reason I called on you…” Freyanna stood at ease while she listened to her Commander. “I’m sure you’ve heard of the problems we’re having in pacifying the Redguard population.” “They’re a proud and fierce warrior culture.” Freyanna nodded from her studies. “Even their lowliest denizens are trained in sword craft.”“That’s part of the problem, but their fighting style is completely different from the Empire.” Lady Aranneyla started to explain as she spread out a map of their operational area. “The biggest problem is their incessantly decentralized smaller units make multiple pin prick attacks on our forces that slowly bleed us dry.” She pointed to several small villages surrounding the city. “Their hit and run attacks are taking a toll on the morale of the troops because once we start to react, they disappear.”“Small units can live off the land and have much more flexibility in their operations.” Freyanna mentioned. “The advantage we need to exploit is the rarest of recourses here… water.” Freyanna started to point out the few and far between sources for water on the map. “If we control those resources, they will be forces to either attack or retreat, either way they lose.”Lady Aranneyla smirked at the youngest Elsonire. She was as sharp as her mother and this show of strategic thinking actually impressed her. “We don’t necessarily know where all of the water wells are.” She leaned over the map. “These wells and oasis are only the ones we know of. There have to be many more.”Freyanna looked over the map and started to study the locations of the wells and the oasis. “There are traveling caravans of traders that could help us in locating those we don’t have on the map.”“I don’t think they’ll give us those locations willingly.” Lady Aranneyla mentioned as she also looked over the map. “They don’t need to.” Freyanna answered. “With a small elite group of mer, we could follow said caravans and map out those wells.”“Do you have any mer in mind for this group?” Lady Aranneyla asked with a smile. “I do my Lady.” Freyanna returned her smile. Skaven Area of Operations – 3 days after the storming of Skaven Ancarion had to admire Freyanna’s choice of personnel for this excursion into the Alik’r. The platoon consisted of two squads Bosmer and Khajit scouts, a mixed squad of the absolute best swordsmen, and four battlemages she considered the best of the army. The Khajit were masters of desert war which actually didn’t surprise him as their land was quite similar to Hammerfell. If they’d made up a more substantial part of the Dominion forces in Hammerfell, they’d have had much more success. In the two days of following a trading caravan, they found and destroyed three previously unmapped wells. They’d even caught a raiding party watering their animals and filling their sacs at a fourth unmapped oasis. The Khajit method of camouflage was so effective and perfect that the Redguards completely missed their presence. The ambush was a complete and total success as they wiped out the small squad of twelve Redguards in less than a minute of combat.They were now searching the dead for anything that could be used against these capable forces. “Maybe next time Altmer and Bosmer leave some swordsmen alive so Do’ari can see just how good they are.” Sergeant Do’ari mentioned as he dug through the pouches of a Redguard with an arrow protruding from her skull. “Do’ari seems to have found the ultimate prize!” The heavily muscled Kahjit mentioned as he pulled out a rolled up parchment and opened it up.“What is it sergeant?” Ancarion walked up to the big Khajit who stood up and handed him the parchment with a rapaciously toothy smile on his face. He looked over what he now recognized as a map and started to grin quite broadly himself. “Freyanna!” He’d become quite accustomed to using her first name during their time in this oblivion forsaken land known as the Alik’r. As he and Do’ari looked over the map, Freyanna quietly looked over his shoulder. “It looks like we’ve just made our job a lot easier.” She quietly whispered in his ear. The warmth of her breath and smell of her scent drove Ancarion insane. She toyed with his emotions knowing that he coveted her touch. “With this, we can begin to shut down their operations.” He wanted keep things professional, but she made it extremely difficult. Do’ari chuckled as Ancarion tried remain on task. “We should make a copy and send it back to Lady Aranneyla.”She huffed in disapproval at his continued indifference to her advances. “I agree, take everything useful.” She ordered as she looked over the map with both Do’ari and Ancarion. “This is the one we need to stake out.” She pointed out to a previously unmarked well just west of Skaven. “It’s perfectly situated to stage attacks from.”They filled their water sacs, retrieved and watered their horses which were kept quite the distance away from the ambush site. Freyanna and few others took this lull in the action as an opportunity to bathe themselves in the oasis.Ancarion stood watch on the outskirts of the oasis, but he could still see his comrades bathing in the pool at the center. It was very common in the Dominion military for all of its members to bathe communally. He scanned the horizon constantly to look for any kind of movement, but he also found himself taking quick glances into the pool. All he could see was her head above water as she washed her luxurious mane of blonde hair. Every time he looked though, he found that she was staring right back at him. Those eyes would quickly force his gaze back out into the desert.He continued to watch the horizon long enough for him to deem it safe to look back into the pool. Surely she’d be done and he wouldn’t have to look into those hypnotic eyes. He gasped in silence at the sight before him. Freyanna was done bathing and her eyes were clearly on the clothes on the water’s edge as she slowly walked over to where they were. Ever so slowly, she exposed more and more of the magnificence that was her body until she finally reached her clothes and bent over to pick up a towel to dry herself. Her golden skin glistened with small droplets that slid down her body and actually dried in the hot sun before ever making it to the ground. He told himself to look away, but couldn’t bring himself to actually do it. He found himself actually becoming aroused at the sight and it was that which forced him to turn away. She was his commander and what he was feeling showed extreme disrespect to her. He knew that she had feelings for him as he did for her, but he also knew that a coupling between an Elsonire and an Athaine would only raise his own family line and do nothing except bring down the Elsonire line. The Elsonires were one of if not the most ancient family lines in all of Alinor. Freyanna and her mother were the only representatives of that said line. Her mother’s exploits during the taking of Valenwood were legendary and now it was rumored that she was now not only coupling with Lord Naarifin, but she was leading his elite troops as well. Her father had left the isles hasn’t been seen since. It was rumored that Alandor had joined the Psijic order, but no one knew for sure. While this episode damaged the Elsonire line, Talania Elsonire’s pivotal role in destroying the “Beautiful” dissidents brought them back once again to being one of the foremost family lines.His family line had no such history. His rise in the Dominion ranks was the highest in his family as he received the honor of being named the first and only battlereave. He was fine with that and he had made a name for himself in this campaign as he was highly respected for his abilities as a soldier as well as a leader. Maybe in a thousand years they would remember his name as the first of the Athaines to attain glory and make it possible for his family to rise in the ranks. “Deep in thought?” He almost jumped out of his robes at her voice behind him. He turned to see her in a light white cotton shirt and smalls as she smiled uncomfortably. “I… I’m sorry I shouldn’t be distracting you from your duties.” She turned slowly away from him and began to walk back towards where the rest of her armor was.“Wait!” He reached out and took a hold of her arm. What am I doing? She turned back to him and saw the uncertainty in his eyes. I shouldn’t. She deserved much more than he could ever give her, but at this moment he seemed to lose all control of his physical functions as he pulled her towards him and slammed his lips to hers. YOU HAVE TO STOP! He thought to himself as he separated his lips from hers. “I’m sorr…” He was about to apologize in a panic, but she wouldn’t let him as she now pulled him into a ferocious kiss. “You don’t know how long I’ve waited for this.” She managed to mouth as she gorged herself on his lips, teeth, and tongue. He felt his arms wrap themselves around that powerful waist and pull her even tighter to him while her obviously inexperienced hands tried to desperately open his robes to touch his skin. He was losing himself to her ravenous appetite as he started to undo his own robes, but finally came to his senses and stopped. “What’s wrong?” She sounded almost frightened.“Please my lady.” He gazed into the beautiful silver eyes as they too seemed to ask the innocent question. “I… I want to… but we shouldn’t, not here, not under these circumstances.”She caressed his face gently as she smiled. “We could be killed any day in this hostile land.” She again pulled him close and wrapped her arms around his nape. “I’ve been trying to claim you for two years and even though I know you want me too, you resist, why?” She lightly kissed his lips and it felt almost electric as the tingles went down his spine.There was an unmistakable look of shame on his face as he looked into her eyes. “You… you come from one of the greatest family lines in all of Alinor.” Her understanding expression told him she understood, but that didn’t seem to matter as she actually tightened her grip on him. “I’m the only one to achieve Battlereave status in the history of my entire family of soldiers and mages.” He continued to explain to her. “My mother had eleven children that were deemed impure until they had me… we’re barely considered worthy of the warrior title.”“You think you’re not worthy of me?” She still had him in her arms and would not let go. “You heard and saw that calvary even before I did when we first got here.” She again kissed his lips. “You’re one of the best Battlereaves I’ve seen, your mer love you and would fight the gods themselves for you.” She continued to extol his virtues. “My mother might not approve, but I choose worthiness in a different way.” She again assaulted his lips with her own. “You are the only one worthy.” She mouthed hotly through the kiss. He suddenly ripped her arms from his waist and pushed away from her. “You’ve earned you worthiness you fool!” She stood there with a frustrated expression. “Unlike those pompous do nothing asses in Alinor whom continuously vie for my arm, you’ve shown your worthiness through deeds!” He couldn’t look her in the eye as she lambasted him. “Fine! Have it your way, but when this is all over and if we both survive, you will be mine!” She turned around and walked back to where her armor was.He actually smiled to himself as she walked away. She was the most amazing Altmer that he’d ever met. She was every bit what he imagined an Elsonire would be with the exception of her humility. “If Lieutenant Ancarion wishes to pass on the Captain Freyanna, Sergeant Do’ari would like to try.” The Khajit was so inappropriate that Ancarion thought she would incinerate him on the spot. Instead she broke out in a laughter that spread to the rest of the platoon. “So the answer is yes?”This is what made her so different from the majority of Altmer. She didn’t really see rank or station, she saw people, deeds, and merit. He couldn’t argue with her choice of people for this mission. This mix of Altmer, Bosmer, and Khajit was the best combined unit he’d ever served in. And she, was the best commander he’d ever served under. “Let’s get packed up and head for that well.” She ordered as everyone began equipping their armors and combat gear.He continued to stand watch as the rest of the platoon got ready to move and noticed a single silhouette approaching from the distance. “WE’VE GOT COMPANY!” He yelled out as he quickly made his way back to the pool. “GET THE HORSES!” Freyanna ordered as she started to set magical rune traps all around the oasis while some of her Bosmer scouts set spring traps filled with pyrotechnics. “WE GOTTA GO!” “Wait, it seems to be a lone horseman.” Ancarion yelled out as she mounted one of the horses. The rest of the platoon did the same and within seconds they were ready to be on their way north away from the oasis they had so carefully booby-trapped.Freyanna turned her horse towards the approaching horseman and waited while her people waited behind her. Ancarion took his place beside her along with Do’ari and the other three battlemages. Ancarion watched the lone Redguard as he approached, he was an enormous specimen of human. The muscles rippled from his exposed arms as he approached with not a care in the world. Ancarion raised his hand and the archers of the platoon all aimed down on the giant human.Freyanna then turned and motioned for all of them to stand down. “He hasn’t made any aggressive actions.” She then turned back towards the mighty looking Redguard. “Maybe he wants to talk.”The mighty looking warrior stopped about a hundred feet from them and dismounted. They all expected him to draw two of those wickedly curved swords, but were all surprised when he produced a large lute from his saddlebag and began to strum the strings. It had a very pleasant sound and was obvious that this giant was an artist as he began to sing and actually play a tune just for her.
“Hey Freyanna, is it coldIn your little corner of the world?You could roll around TamrielAnd never find a warmer soul to knowOh, I saw you by the wallTen of your Elven soldiers in a rowWith eyes that looked like ice on fireThe Redguard heart, a captive of your spell.”
His voice was almost magical as it smoothly belted out the notes and words of his song. She couldn’t stop staring at the large and powerful Redguard as he performed solely for her.
“Oh, Freyanna, you will never knowAnythin' about my homeI'll never know how good it feels to hold youFreyanna, I need you soOh, Freyanna, is the other side of any given line in timeTen of your Elven soldiers in a rowOh no, Freyanna, you'll never know”
Ancarion watched the large and imposing Redguard strum his lute with skill and sing his song with a pleasantly deep baritone voice. He too felt himself quite taken aback by the performance and when he looked over to Freyanna he could tell that she was completely enraptured by the performance.
“Do you ever dream of me?And do you ever see the letters that I write?When you look up from the wallFreyanna, do you count the stars at night?And if there comes a timeSwords and gates no longer hold you inAnd if you're free to make a choiceJust look towards my way and find a friend”
Oh, Freyanna, you will never knowAnythin' about my homeI'll never know how good it feels to hold youFreyanna, I need you soOh, Freyanna, is the other side of any given line in timeTen of your Elven soldiers in a rowOh no, Freyanna, you'll never know
As the mighty looking redguard performed for her, her entire platoon watched him in mesmerized amazement.
Oh, Freyanna, you will never knowAnythin' about my homeI'll never know how good it feels to hold youFreyanna, I need you soOh, Freyanna, is the other side of any given line in timeTen of your Elven soldiers in a rowOh no, Freyanna, you'll never know
She was dumbfounded as she looked at this powerful human. She expected him to challenge her or one of her people to a duel, but instead she got a performance that had stolen her breath away. Her cheeks actually reddened slightly as the Redguard put away his lute and then turned towards them. “I hope my song did not offend you my lady.”“It was beautiful.” She couldn’t breathe as she thought of this powerful looking human writing and performing this song just for her. “Why?” She’d been fighting and killing his kind for over two years and couldn’t understand how any of these people could ever see her as anything other than an enemy.“You are ferocious yet honorable, strong, and beautiful.” The Redguard answered. “Even though you see me as your enemy, I do not wish to be… you deserve to be celebrated in song.” Freyanna felt something she hadn’t felt for any of the Redguards since she first set foot in Hammerfell. This warrior poet had touched her soul in a way that she didn’t think possible. “We can’t let him live my lady.” Ancarion mentioned to her and it ripped her from her thoughts of this handsome Redguard wooing her. “If he gets word to his people, we could end up being overwhelmed.”“I will not sanction the killing of artists, especially one who is not hostile.” She immediately answered him and then turned back to the giant Redguard. “You will fill your water skins and be on your way.”“No, I will not.” The Redguard now drew his curved blades. “My name is Rhannvir and I am at your service my lady…” He stood there ready to fight. “If you’ll have me.”“You’d betray your people to join the Dominion?” Freyanna asked in complete surprise. “I would never join the Dominion, I would be yours and yours only.” Rhannvir answered.“That’s not possible Rhannvir. I cannot accept your offer.” Freyanna actually felt so confused by this show fealty from a complete stranger. “Please fill your skins and be on your way.”“No, and you will have to make me leave.” Rhannvir countered.“Do’ari would like to test this one in combat.” Do’ari whispered in her ear.She turned to the mighty Khajit. “I don’t want you to kill him.”“Do’ari understands…” He answered as he stepped up front and drew his own two imperial long swords. “Come Rhannvir, let Do’ari show you how the Khajit fight.”The fight lasted a good five minutes before Rhannvir actually slit the throat of Do’ari with a swift back stroke after Do’ari hesitated with his own killing stroke. Freyanna quickly jumped into the fray and stopped Rhannvir from killing Do’ari with a decapitating stroke by blocking it with her own blade. She then leg swept him and he fell on his back with a loud and dusty thud. She quickly cast a heal spell on Do’ari and turned to face the mighty Redguard. “It’s over. We’re going to leave. Do not follow.”“Please my lady…” Rhannvir begged her. “I only wish to serve you.”“Please turn around Rhannvir.” Ancarion could hear the desperation in her voice. “Please Rhannvir…”“I cannot.” He answered and was immediately set upon by her. He parried her first thrust, but she was extremely quick with her second thrust and found his exposed midsection. He felt the heat of his own blood begin to pour onto the ground. “Well played my lady…” He started to cough up blood. “I do not wish to live if I cannot serve you.” She looked into his black pearl colored eyes and Freyanna began to tear as the life began to leave them. She caught him as he fell and gently laid him down on the sand next to the pool of water. “I would rather gouge out my own eyes than kill such an interesting person as yourself, but I can’t have you following me either.” She whispered in the beautiful Redguard’s ear as her healing magic poured into his horrendous wound. “If these were different times…” She closed his wound and made sure his insides were healed as well. She heard him take a deep breath and smiled knowing that he would live. She stood and looked at her platoon who watched her in puzzled amazement. “Make sure we disarm our traps and runes. I can’t have him waking up and having one of them killing him.” Her Bosmer skillfully removed the traps as she and the other mages disenchanted the runes. “Let’s go.” She ordered as they all mounted their horses and quickly made their way north.“That was a mistake.” Ancarion rode up to her. “He’s going to mention us to his countrymen and we’re going to be running for our lives.”“He can’t possibly follow us in his condition.” She answered him as they galloped north. “Even if he did mention us, they have no idea where we’re going.” “They have the manpower to search all of the wells and oasis.” Ancarion was adamant that she had made a critical error in allowing that Redguard to live. “We should go back and…”“NO!” She angrily pulled her horse to a stop. “We’re not murderers and killing him would take away something beautiful from this world.”“What about us?!” He countered just as angrily. “When the next troop of Redguards come over the horizon and we run out tricks to defeat them, what then?” He continued to lambast her. “Will they make the same decision or will they run us through like they have thousands of our comrades?!”“You can head back to the lines if you don’t like how I’m leading lieutenant!” She yelled back and that seemed to grab his attention which actually resulted in her immediately regretting the harsh words to him.“That Redguard had no hesitation in trying to kill Do’ari, yet you spared his life.” The hurt in his eyes actually made her feel quite uncomfortable. “Do’ari almost died because you told him not to kill him.” “Do’ari does not need Lieutenant to speak for him.” Do’ari spoke up. “You’re right Ancarion…” She acquiesced as she remembered the duel between Do’ari and Rhannvir. The Khajit had multiple chances to end the fight with a killing stroke which he did not implement due to her order. “I’m sorry Do’ari, I put you in an unnecessarily bad position.”“Do’ari did not want to kill him either.” Do’ari obviously tried to comfort his troubled commander. “Do’ari is just as foolish as Captain.”“If that’s how you think Sergeant then yes, you are a fool too.” Ancarion didn’t pull any punches as it actually caused Do’ari to hiss in anger. “We’re compromised now, we should return to Skaven.”“How are we compromised now and not after we defeated and destroyed one of their raiding parties, destroyed several of their wells?” Rhannvir could put a sizeable force on their tail, but no more so than their actions had probably already done so. “If anything, they’ll wonder why we spared one of their own.”“When they’re dead, they can’t speak out and describe who killed them or where they went.” Ancarion wasn’t going to lose this argument. “You know, instead of maybe guessing that rivals among their own killed them, now they’ll have concrete proof that a small Dominion patrol is doing all the damage.” He continued angrily. “Nothing unites rivals like a common enemy!”She couldn’t deny that he was right. Did she really just spare Rhannvir because he performed a song written just for her? The big Redguard had also wanted to serve her, which also influenced her decision. Would he feel slighted and lead a Redguard strike force to take her and her people down? “Damn it… I’m sorry Ancarion… you’re right, we’ll head back to Lady Aranneyla and share the intel we’ve gathered.” She actually began to doubt herself as she mounted her charger and it was quite clear to Ancarion and the rest of the platoon that she was questioning her actions with Rhannvir. “Freyanna?” He called out as he mounted his own horse and trotted next to her. “You’re not perfect you know…” She looked over to him and he immediately saw the troubled expression on her face. “Admitting and adapting to mistakes is the sign of a good leader.”“Mistakes are what kill our people, I can’t afford to make these stupid mistakes.” She countered. “If he didn’t perform for me, I would’ve run him through myself…” She explained. “People can show such beauty and culture, no matter their origins. I just couldn’t take Rhannvir’s beauty from this world… that’s a weakness I need to remedy.”“It’s not weakness my lady.” Do’ari interjected. “We sacrifice our lives so that beauty may be cultivated and nurtured, Do’ari questioned whether the Redguards had artists at all, now, Do’ari questions no more.”“Rhannvir was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.” Ancarion iterated as they rode together in a well-disciplined column. “If remember my history lessons correctly, all Redguards are warriors first and everything else second.” “They are, but not all Redguards are true warriors.” Do’ari countered. “Rhannvir was not a true warrior, Do’ari could have slain him multiple times.” Do’ari explained. “Rhannvir was a true artist and that cannot be argued.”Freyanna watched them both as they argued back and forth. Do’ari wasn’t afraid to ruffle the feathers of Ancarion or vice-versa. Ancarion had recommended him for this assignment and she readily agreed as the success of the mixed unit was undeniable. She felt that she had the most capable platoon in the entire Dominion. “Come on, let’s get moving. I wouldn’t want to meet up with any of those true Redguard warriors.” She spurred her horse into a trot and they all followed suit. ******************************************************** 4E 175, Fifty miles north of Rihad The retreat from Skaven had been nothing short of a miracle. Lady Aranneyla’s forces had been chased, harassed, and bled considerably as they retreated across the desert. They had lost Taneth in the process as the Dominion forces failed in their attempt to mount a quick defense of the city. They were out of food, they were out of water and if they didn’t get to Rihad soon, they would suffer the same fate as Lord Narafin and his army in the Imperial City. Lady Aranneyla was going to make sure that the Redguards would never have that victory. On the contrary, she planned to go back on the offensive once she linked up with her forces in Rihad. She’d sent her fastest runners to Rihad in order to tell them of her plan. A full half of Rihad’s garrison was to situate itself along the woodlands just west of the northern road and allow the Redguards to pursue her forces without interference. They would only come out of hiding to encircle the pursuing Redguards in a trap they wouldn’t be ready for or able to escape from. She’d wipe them out if it was the last thing she did in this Oblivion forsaken land.Acting Captain Freyanna Elsonire was tasked with the almost certain suicide mission of holding the only bridge crossing the river north of the city. They were to hold it for as long as possible and delay their pursuers advance. Lady Aranneyla’s main force could then link up with Rihad’s forces and have time to coordinate their next phase of the plan. Lady Aranneyla didn’t want her to lead this mission as she’d heard that Talania had been captured or killed in the Imperial City along with the entire Dominion Army there. Freyanna was her mother’s child though and persisted in her demands to be put in command of the company delegated to perform the important action. Lady Aranneyla knew that Freyanna would exact a heavy price from the Redguard and create more than just the illusion of an organized fighting retreat.Freyanna stood at the front of the formation just north of the bridge as she watched the large Redguard cavalry formation approach. She crossed her arms and waited as the whole formation came to a halt with the exception of three Redguards who continued their approach. Her experience had taught her that the Redguards regarded everyone else as weak and when a chance came to prove their strength in a show of skill, they’d rarely pass it up.She stood there in her gleaming armor basically alone and drew her twin elven blades with a flair that could only be interpreted as a challenge. She wasn’t disappointed as the obvious leader of the three waved over to the main formation. “You must be the infamous Captain Elsonire.” He sounded almost in awe.She didn’t answer and watched as a lone figure rode out from the formation and dismounted next to the leader. He was large, but not overly so and his movements told of powerful and swift combatant. “You must be General Rahzmar.” She responded. “I am Lady Aranneyla’s champion and wish to issue a challenge of single combat.” “Your challenge is accepted.” The general recognized. “Before you face my champion K’avno, we will agree to terms.” She knew that they would make what amounted to a wager on the contest. “Your forces will be spared in the unlikely event that you defeat K’avno you will be given a chance to retreat.” The general explained his condition for the duel. “If you’re defeated, we will still allow your forces to retreat.”“That’s not much of a wager.” She responded. “How about if I win, I let you all live so that you can leave.” Her response elicited a hearty laughter from all the Redguards there. “That laughter sounds like uncertainty to me.” It was exactly what it sounded like, an insult.The silent anger in all of the Redguard’s eyes told her she’d struck a nerve. “If you lose we will kill all of your people.” The General responded with an expression of barely veiled anger. “Accept and be ready to die.”“I accept.” She chuckled and they watched her in disbelief.“No magic.” The general iterated as K’avno drew his scimitars and flared them with extreme skill. “Not going to need it.” She smiled wickedly as she raised her swords in a defensive stance. She had studied the Redguard fighting style and had incorporated much of it into her own swordsmanship. It was fast, fluid, and extremely effective, but like all styles it had some weaknesses. The scimitars were superior weapons in their dual wielding whirlwind style of slicing. The weakness of the scimitar was their thrust. Her elven blades were not quite as effective in the looping attack, but much more effective in the thrust after a parry.K’avno gave her no time to think as he immediately began their dance of death. His blades were a blurry whirlwind of whistling metal as she began her own lightning quick spinning of elven gold. K’avno smiled as he closed the distance and the contesting blades clashed multiple times with a collection of furious sparks. Ancarion watched as it looked like this might be the one time Freyanna had bit off more than she could handle. The Redguard was a magnificent warrior and answered every counter Freyanna would launch. Freyanna was constantly retreating from the Redguard’s blades and was almost decapitated a couple of times. The Redguard general and his aides were smiling like they knew it was only a matter of time before their man would kill her.Freyanna’s sudden parry and thrust was so quick that no one saw it coming. In a fraction of a second, she’d parried one scimitar on the down stroke while just barely sidestepping the killing stroke K’avno expected to land with his other blade. Her free blade thrust deep into his abdomen and the Redguard smiles all turned into expressions of disbelief as K’avno fell to his knees in front of her. K’avno smiled at her as his eyes locked onto hers. “You are magnificent.” He whispered as he waited for the killing blow which came in the form of a decapitating cross swing an instant after.She turned towards the sound of a guttural roar to see the General whose barely veiled anger exploded in the form of him raising his sword and charging her. The three fireballs left her hands in quick succession and were as accurate as they were devastating. The general and his aides were thrown from their horses by the explosions, their mounts fleeing while engulfed in flames. Freyanna quickly mounted her own horse and galloped away towards her own line warriors holding the bridge. The thunderous sounds of hooves told her that his army was now charging them.Once behind her shield wall, she turned to watch the charging mass of horses and men as they closed the distance frighteningly quick. She’d ascertained correctly that if she’d defeated their champion, they would charge. The love for a comrade almost always elicited an emotional response instead of a tactical one. Their enormous advantage in numbers also made it more certain that they would attack and try to overwhelm their position. It was a huge mistake on their part as the first wave of horsemen hit the fire and lightning runes set up in front of the Dominion line. The explosions of fire and lightning stopped the first wave in its tracks with massive losses as her archers and mages added to the mayhem when they let loose with their powerful attacks while retreating across the bridge. The second wave of Redguard horsemen quickly reached and began to cross the bridge.Freyanna waited until a good portion of the second wave got across when she set off the runes on the weakened supports of the bridge. The span collapsed into the water trapping the second wave of horsemen on her side of the river. Her phalanx charged the trapped company of horse and cut them down to the man while only losing a dozen or so people. “That should make them think twice.” Ancarion mentioned to her as they healed the injured and looked over to the other side of the river. “You had me worried there for a minute.” He added and was rewarded with a small grin from her.“He was as good as I’ve ever faced, but he too thought I would crumble.” She actually sounded angry. “These Redguards are as arrogant as some of our own are, they see an elf and think weakness.” Her healing magic poured into the laceration on the shoulder of one of her Bosmer archers. “I just played into his stupid assumptions and made him pay for it.” She finished healing her comrade and stood. “His comrades were quite surprised to see me slay their champion in the end.”To the Redguard’s credit, they pulled back quickly and reorganized out of range. General Rhazmar had survived, but both of his aides were dead along with what had to be at least one hundred or so men that had attempted to overwhelm them. That would be the last time they would act in haste and Freyanna knew that their next series of moves would be well planned and thought out. She knew that they would force a crossing of the river, but she didn’t know where. For all she knew, they had already crossed somewhere west of the former bridge. As she was about to move south she was advised from one of her reconnaissance patrols that a sizeable force of Redguards had crossed near the mouth of the river to the west. She ordered her people to mount up and they galloped south away from the Redguard forces until she knew her forces were out of their line of sight.It would take till nightfall for Rhazmar’s forces to organize on their side of the river, so Freyanna figured to double back under the cover of darkness and attack again. As they rode away from the now destroyed bridge, they were horrified to see yet another very sizeable Redguard force had actually gotten behind them. They were marching down a path not on the maps from the mountains east of the northern path. This was a critical moment which would decide whether the Dominion would survive in Hammerfell or be annihilated. Her own forces hadn’t been seen yet as the Redguard formation was still marching inside that constrained path. Their scouts had just set eyes on her and her forces and it was extremely obvious to her that they were shocked she was there. She made the instant decision to attack while most of the main Redguard force was still in marching along the mountain pass. The Redguard scouts saw the danger and charge to meet them in battle while the front of the Redguard formation began a quick trot to get out of that dangerously compromised and constraining situation. “ARCHERS!! FIRE AT WILL!!” She ordered with extreme prejudice. “MAGES!! PICK YOUR TARGETS!!” She added as she let loose with a powerful chain of lightning that struck a good portion of the lead Redguard scouts. It didn’t kill them, but it disoriented them just enough for her sword element to make short work of them as they made their way towards the entrance of the mountain pass. Fireballs and arrows streaked over her shoulder and struck the lead elements of the main Redguard formation in the pass. The devastation was multiplied by the forced close quarters the Redguards were in. The bodies immediately began to pile up as her mer formed a three deep phalanx in front of the pass. Arrows from the Redguards began to fall in and around them as her phalanx expertly blocked them with their shields. “Ancarion!” She called out and he immediately came to her side. “We need to hold them here as long as we can!” She exclaimed. “Get the other mages and our Bosmer. Start trapping and runeing the path from the river!” She ordered and Ancarion instantly began barking orders and gathering the people he needed to get the job done. “Do’ari, I need you to ride out to Lady Aranneyla and inform her of the situation here.” “Do’ari feels he is better suited to fighting here.” He started to protest.“Do as I say, she needs to know of the danger.” She reiterated and he quickly mounted his horse and rode off.She took a position to the rear of her phalanx with the archers that had not gone with Ancarion. “WE’VE GOT TO HOLD THEM HERE!” She demanded as an enemy arrow struck the top of her helmet, knocking it off her head. She cast ebony skin and was instantly hit with three more arrows all the while her own archers returned fire. She settled in for the fight and determined that she needed to conserve her mana for when the Redguards surged forward. Right now they were busily trying to move through the bodies of their dead comrades. Her archers were killing them by the dozen and the ten or so that made to the phalanx were quickly dispatched by the swords of her mer. She made sure to use her healing magic to tend to any of her people that were injured and put them back on the line.Three hours later, Ancarion returned with his people. “It’s done my lady, it should slow them down for a bit.” He saw her exhaustion and the desperate expression on her face. “We should retreat from here.”“We can’t, we have to hold until tomorrow morning…” She looked into his eyes with a sadness he recognized. “We have to give Lady Aranneyla time to set the trap.” It was like she knew they were all going to die. “We’ll show these Redguards what we’re made of and bleed them dry.”“They might not even bother with us here.” Ancarion mentioned. “General Rhazmar has to know we are only trying to slow him down.”“You think he’ll bypass us… while we have a good portion of his forces trapped in that pass?” She shook her head. “He won’t…” She spoke out loud, but started to think on the situation. “We’re as stuck here as they are.” She thought out loud. “Rhazmar knows that if he wastes time with us, he’ll lose his opportunity to catch our lady.” She started to draw in the dirt a map of their position. “We’re here fully engaged with his men in the pass.”“Lady Aranneyla should at least be arriving here.” Ancarion pointed to the wood line just west of them. “Rhazmar should be right here.” He pointed to the mouth of the river to the northwest of their position. The sounds of explosions caught their attention. “Shit, I guess some of them are already here.” He pointed to the heavily booby trapped path. “Lanus, form a perimeter here.” She ordered one of her battlemages. “Ancarion, you’re with me.” She took a hold of her horse and mounted it effortlessly. “Let’s go give the Redguards a welcome only trained Battlereaves can.”They galloped back towards the path and when they finally got there, the sight was what she expected. “Their scouts are already here?” She mentioned with awe as she looked at the four dead Redguards and their horses. “Let’s…” Ancarion began to speak only to be stopped by Freyanna putting her hand over his mouth shushing him.“Listen.” She asked him and he dismounted and put his ear to the ground.“Shit, they’re here.” He mentioned as they watched the path from a wooded area along the road south. They saw as the main force of Redguards sent out their sappers to disarm the numerous traps that were hindering their advance. “It will take them at least half a day to clear that path.” Ancarion seemed quite certain. They then heard the scream of a Redguard not to far from where they were standing inside the tree line. He smiled as he knew there were quite a few traps set by his Bosmer inside the tree line as well.“I’ve never seen someone move an army so quickly.” She mentioned. “I think he’ll be through in less than that.” She continued to watch the sappers as they successfully discharged one of the fire runes. “We’re going to have to split our company.”“Lanus and the phalanx will hold that pass for as long as they can, while the rest of us attack that formation from the tree line here.” She began to order as she pointed to the eastern forest. “If we can hold them for a couple of hours, hopefully Lady Aranneyla will have enough time to spring her trap once they finish with us.”She turned to Ancarion as he remounted his horse and approached him with a predatory expression. “My lady?” He asked her as she stopped right next to him, forcefully took a hold of his robes and pulled him into a ferocious kiss. He didn’t pull away this time and let his own mouth explore hers in a desperate passion.“You’re the only one worthy.” She breathed hotly into the kiss and then finally separated. “Let’s head back and make our plan into action.”Four hours later…Lanus and his phalanx held firm against every single attack the Redguards launched. He’d lost two of his mer, but the Phalanx seemed unbreakable. With him healing the injured and the prowess of his melee troops, Lanus felt like he could hold this position for days, if not weeks. “Lanus!” He heard a desperate exclamation come from behind him. He turned and saw a bloodied Freyanna and Ancarion along with what was left of their Bosmer archers running towards them. “Form a protective perimeter!” She ordered as the phalanx went into action and formed a protective circle around her and what essentially was now a reinforced platoon.The Redguards were too strong and too well trained. They’d broken through the traps in three hours and had handled their attacks with discipline and skill. There were only three Battlereaves, twelve archers, and thirty four melee troops left from what used to be a company of over one hundred and twenty of the finest Dominion troops. All of their horses were dead or in the hands of the enemy. This was now their last stand as they could see the approaching Redguard formations.They stopped just out of range and they watched as a single figure approached them. It was General Rhazmar himself and he seemed to have a genuinely impressed expression. “It’s over Captain, you and yours have fought with honor and skill, but it is time you surrender.” He started to demand.“Do any of you want…” She started to ask, but everyone there to the last gave her a look that said they had made peace with the gods. “Nevermind.” She stood tall amongst her people. “We would rather die fighting.” She announced to the Redguard General who nodded in acknowledgment and quickly trotted his horse back to his force. “Ancarion, Lanus, cast ebony skin, heal yourselves and others as needed and only use attack spells if the situation merits it.” She looked at her archers and melee troops. “Protect our Bosmer.” She ordered her melee troops and then looked over to her archers. “Empty your quivers.” They all nodded and faced outwards as her Bosmer immediately began letting loose with arrow volley after volley.It didn’t take long for the return volleys to start raining down on them with devastating results. Three of her melee went down immediately and everyone was struck. She healed one as the arrows bounced off her hardened skin and armor. She looked around as she started to heal another and saw both Ancarion and Lanus doing the same. Ancarion suddenly stood and quickly cast a chain lightning spell as arrow after arrow bounced off his hardened skin. The rain of arrows was nonstop and her mana was being drained much faster than it could recover. She couldn’t stop her people from falling. She couldn’t heal them fast enough. With her mana gone she resorted to a trick she’d learned of syphoning her life force instead of her mana to cast spells. She watched her infantry diligently hold their position as Lanus fell with an arrow finally penetrating his no longer hardened skin. Her vision began to blurr as she put her hands on Lanus and began to pour her life force into him. An arrow had penetrated her shoulder and she fell on her face. She turned her head to see Ancarion casting a fireball, just before he too fell, her eyes began to tear as she fell into the darkness of the deep sleep.Rhazmar raised his arms to cease fire. He stared in admiration at the last Dominion soldiers standing in a tight circle around their fallen. There had to be twenty left who were able to weather the swarm of arrows and they were all ready to die to protect their fallen. He again approached them. “I want the body of your Captain and the rest of you may leave with your fallen.” Their defiant stance told him that they wouldn’t even consider his offer. Their loyalty and discipline was as impressive as he’d seen. This small unit had fought his army to a standstill for almost half a day. They’d given the rest of the Dominion forces the time to reach Rihad and probably mount a very formidable defense. His army had its exceptional warriors and units, but this mixed unit of Elves and Beastmen was as good as or better than his best. If they had any more, he’d be in trouble. “Have it your way.” He turned his horse and signaled his infantry to approach and finish them.Just as his men began to approach the small and defiant unit of Dominion soldiers, massive explosions hit them in quick succession. General Rhazmar turned his eyes west and saw an enormous swarm of Dominion soldiers and mages surge from the woodlands.Well played my lady. He thought as he knew he’d been outmaneuvered and was about to lose an inordinate amount of men to this new force. Rihad – three days later Lady Aranneyla didn’t make it a habit of visiting the medical tent where the injured Dominion soldiers were sent to recover, but her best and most effective soldier lay in her cot breathing deeply as she slept. Even with all of the healers there to tend to her, she still looked quite worn and pale. What Freyanna and her people did was nothing short of a miracle. To hold and harass such an enormous force for the time that she did, with so little that she had, made her flanking movement possible. Freyanna went out to face the legion-sized force with one hundred and twenty two of the most highly trained Dominion warriors, scouts, archers and mages. A full two thirds of Freyanna’s company had fallen to the Redguards in their holding action and Lady Aranneyla’s forces took full advantage.In addition to losing a legion-sized element, General Rhazmar and most of his staff were now prisoners of the Dominion. The towns of Taneth and Roseguard were once again firmly in Dominion hands. It was now quite clear that Decianus and most of the Imperial forces were no longer in Hammerfell. Her forces had captured quite a few Imperial advisors celebrating their not so apparent victory in the town of Roseguard. Her interrogators discovered that Decianus and most of his army had gone to assist in the retaking of the Imperial City.“You are your mother’s daughter.” She whispered as she gazed at the most magnificent Altmer she’d ever laid eyes on in her five hundred and thirty two years of life. “They’ll be telling stories about you for years to come.” She gently put her palm to Freyanna’s forehead and quickly turned to leave the tent with her two best Battlereaves.
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Apocrypha Miraak felt the tremor in his soul like a powerful shockwave that almost put him to his knees. He started to look up to the green and sickly sky filled with black clouds of protruding tentacles, expecting to see the eyes of his master appear before him. It was not to be. He could picture the Daedric prince laughing at him in his own mind at the turn of events. Freyanna Elsonire had done what no one else in history could, Alduin was no more, but that was not the only thing. The Dragons now looked to her, saw her and Parthurnax as their rulers. His return to Nirn would now most certainly involve a bloody war with her and her Dragons.He walked over to the center pool of black sludge-like ink to see the world he had left in haste so that he wouldn’t be put down by one of Alduin’s priests, one of his brothers. Vahlok was as skilled as any warrior mage he’d ever faced. If not for his lord’s instantaneous reaction to bring him here, Vahlok would’ve ended his days on Nirn forever. “The Elsonire daughter is the most powerful foe you will ever face.” Kruziikrel’s voice came from behind him as he turned and watched the giant beast land and perch himself on one of the stone arches on the island. “She’s the mightiest being to ever walk the lands of Nirn.” It always seemed that Kruziikrel mocked him for his refusal to face Alduin when he had the chance to.“You’d do well to watch your tone, patience is not one of my virtues.” Miraak spoke calmly, but there was a simmering anger underneath his cool façade. As he thought of Kruziikrel’s words he felt something he hadn’t felt in centuries… fear. It was clear to him that Hermaeus Mora more than suspected his aspirations to make his own fate separate from Lord of Knowledge. He had found another to replace him, but unlike him, the powerful Elven maiden hadn’t given herself to the Daedric Lord. Even so, he felt in his bones that Hermaeus Mora would assist her in her journey to confront him. “He knows I will not serve him once I am on Nirn.” The connotation bothered him but it made him more determined to succeed. It was imperative that he ready himself for the meeting with the maiden from Alinor. As he watched his thralls rebuilding his temple on Solstheim, he wondered for a moment why he hadn’t taken the chance to face down Akatosh’s first. He honestly answered himself remembering how he was deathly afraid of the World Eater. Alduin was immune to any sort of control spells and shouts and was more powerful than any dragon he’d ever faced. He felt he just wasn’t ready for the task at the time and Vahlok along with this Elsonire bitch, had stolen any chance he had of ever facing the Black One.He continued to stare into the black pool and watched his servants working diligently to try restore his temples in order to prepare for his return. As he stared at the black pool, his thoughts started to form images of Hakon, Gormlaith, and Felldir. The famous Tongues who’d banished the Black one and ensured the fall of the dragons in Skyrim. What a fool I was. He thought to himself. I could’ve ruled without Mora’s interference. He continued to think of what could’ve been, but as he did so Vahlok suddenly appeared in his thoughts. I wouldn’t be able to defeat them on my own. His anger started to surface at the thought of the one Dragonpriest who’d ended his time on Nirn. “The Guardian is waiting for you as well.” Kruziikrel again mentioned with obvious amusement.The lightning bolt struck Kruziikrel with a thunderous sound, almost knocking the beast off its perch on one of the arches on the island they were on. Before he could recover, he felt another one strike him and this time he actually did fall awkwardly from his perch in a haze. “WULD NAH KEST!” He heard and then felt a stabbing pain on his rear right leg. As he tried to right himself he felt the tip of Miraak’s sword on his chest where his heart would be. “I should kill you now.” Miraak calmly asserted and quickly sheathed the wicked blade. He walked away from Kruziikrel knowing the dragon would do nothing. “But, you will be of some use in the coming battle when I kill this upstart and take my rightful place as ruler of Nirn.” Kruziikrel let out a roar that was deafening, but when Miraak turned to face him, he immediately quieted down and bowed his head in a cowed fashion. He knew that Miraak could kill him with an ease only the other Dragonborn could mimic and he was not foolish enough to truly challenge him. “Go, I tire of your presence.”Kruziikrel growled menacingly and quickly took to the air. He had to admit that Miraak’s power was impressive, but still, he was defeated by another mortal who did not possess his power. His mind went to this upstart Elf. “This Elsonire though, has to be goddess-like.” He did start to think that he and his brothers who served Hermaeus Mora, made the wrong decision. In learning the Daedric lord’s knowledge of their creation, he’d entrapped them in Apocrypha and forced them to serve him. They would never be able to tell their siblings about the “Mothers of All Dragons” which up until now, were the secret mates and prisoners solely of Alduin. They had lost their protector, and without the knowledge he and his brothers had obtained from the Daedric Lord of Knowledge, his kind’s time on Nirn was now in danger of ending. He landed on one of the numerous towers littering the ink black ocean and was thankful no other was present. He curled up and closed his eyes. Do not worry my faithful servant. You’re loyalty will be rewarded and your kind will rise again. His master always spoke to him in his times of deep depression, but he didn’t ever feel like the Daedric prince would keep his word. ********************************************** Temple of Miraak – Six Days after Alduin’s Defeat Od Ah Viing soared over the still battle-scarred land that was once the site of a titanic confrontation. He felt Freyanna gasp at the vision before them. A multitude of dragon skeletons littered the landscape surrounding the gigantic and not so ruined temple of the first Dragonborn. “They’re rebuilding it.” She thought out loud as she watched a large workforce of people laboring feverishly on a network of scaffolding adjacent to the formerly destroyed walls and columns in order to bring back the glory of Miraak’s temple. “Miraak has always been able to control those of weak minds… Dragons included.” Od Ah Viing mentioned. “Hermaeus Mora taught him a shout to control the minds of others.”“I know.” She answered as she motioned for him to land near the temple. “I’ve seen it first hand from the memories of some of your brothers.”If a dragon could be shocked, Od Ah Viing was now shocked at the revelation. “What?! You know the shout?”“I’ve heard and actually seen it written through the memories of your slain brothers.” She answered him as he landed near an enormous staircase leading to the temple. “Your zeymah did not comprehend it and seeing it through them, neither do I.” She dismounted and made her way up to the temple. “Don’t go too far. I may need you.”Od Ah Viing nodded and took to flight in a massive cloud of dust. She watched him as he settled into a circular pattern above the temple. She then began her climb up to the temple and soon approached the first person she saw. A large blonde Nord chiseling one of the impressive columns that made up part of the incomplete temple. She just observed and it became apparent to her that this man was a thrall. She drew her blades and approached to within striking distance. She put the point of one of her blades to the man’s neck, but did not draw a drop of blood. It didn’t matter as the man did not pay her any mind and continued to work on the column. “You’re a lot different than those fools who attacked me in the name of your master.” She whispered to herself as she watched him work.“Your head will make an appropriate gift for my master.” Freyanna watched the large group of about ten people approach her in brown robes and masks in the shape of a tentacle squid-like creature. She recognized their uniform as the exact same type the group that had tried to kill her near Helgen were wearing when they asked her if she was the Dragonborn. She didn’t wait for the fools to make any more statements as she unleashed three enormous fireballs in succession. They exploded on the group with devastating effect. Some had gotten their wards up and although they had actually survived they weren’t ready for the apocalyptic power that was coming next.“YOLTUURSHUL!!!” She shouted with her full power at the remaining group of cultist assassins and basically disintegrated them all into black dust. In blur of golden metal, she drew her blades and turned around quickly, fully expecting to be assaulted by the thralls. To her surprise, they just continued to silently work on rebuilding the temple. They must be controlled by Miraak himself! The revelation was enormous in its magnitude. Was Miraak close? If so, could she parley with him? If he wasn’t close then it revealed that he was incredibly powerful. She looked up and saw that Od Ah Viing was still circling the temple. Could Miraak take control of him? She thought to herself and came to the conclusion that he could. “ODAHVIING! GO! I WILL CALL YOU WHEN I’VE DEALT WITH MIRAAK! NOT BEFORE!” She shouted in the dragon tongue.“AS YOU WISH, DOVAHKIIN!” He responded as he did one last lazy loop above her and began to fly south. She watched him until he disappeared from view. Freyanna now felt quite isolated and began to contemplate continuing up those steps. “LaasYahNiir!” She started to walk up to the temple proper and noticed the hundreds of auras working on rebuilding the temple. It actually made her quite uneasy and she made a point in her mind to strike Miraak first and not let him ever get an advantage against her. As she got closer to the temple’s center, she actually heard the cries of someone’s name. It was starkly different to the mumblings and chantings of the persons working on the temple. Freyanna continued cautiously towards the aura that was producing those cries and finally observed a tall Nord female dressed in a very impressive set of runed Nordic Armor screaming at a one of the workers. “ISSRA! CAN YOU HEAR ME?!” The woman was completely oblivious of Freyanna as she approached her.Freyanna was almost on top of her when the woman turned and finally put eyes on the impossibly tall and intimidating Dragonborn in her bleach white dragon armor. The woman almost stumbled as she retreated backwards and drew her beautiful steel blade with obvious skill. “Who… are you?” She asked with some amount of uncertainty. “What brings you to this place?” She finally squared up to Freyanna, expecting a fight.Freyanna’s eyes locked onto the frightened nord woman and she could feel the uneasiness emanating from her. The woman had not threatened or attacked her like those cultists so Freyanna didn’t draw her weapons or ready a spell. She calmly removed her helmet. “I might ask you the same question.” She responded with a pleasant tone.“I am Frea of the Skaal. I am here to either save my people or avenge them.” Frea answered as she sheathed her sword being that Freyanna had not acted in a hostile manner.“Do you even know what you’re saving them from?” Freyanna asked, trying to ascertain whether Frea knew that it was probably Miraak controlling these thralls.“I am unsure. Something has taken control of most of the people of Solstheim.” She started to explain. “It makes them forget themselves, and work on these horrible creations that corrupt the Stones, the very land itself.” Frea’s expression was troubled and Freyanna could almost feel her pain. “My father Storn, our Shaman, says Miraak has returned to Solstheim, but that is impossible.”Freyanna’s ears perked at the name. “Miraak tried to have me killed.” She asserted as the cultists came into her mind.“Then you and I both have reason to see what lies beneath us.” Frea announced to her. “Let us go. There is nothing more I can do here. The Tree Stone and my friends are beyond my help for now. We need to find a way into the Temple below.”“You’re here by yourself?” Freyanna was somewhat impressed at the Nord’s courage, but quickly thought of all the Nords in her life and just smiled slightly. “There are few of us left that are unaffected by this curse.” Frea explained. “My father Storn, the Shaman, protects the village.” She delicately rubbed a curious runed amulet around her neck. “I fashioned this amulet to guard against whatever has taken hold of the Skaal, but it is the only one of its kind.” Her eyes never left Freyanna as she continued to explain. “If cannot find a way to save them, there is no hope for our people.” Her hand was still on the hilt of her blade, clearly as a warning to Freyanna. “What about you? Why are you here by yourself?”“Who says I’m alone?” Freyanna remained somewhat evasive as she didn’t quite trust this woman yet. “I have friends I can call if need be.”“Then we shouldn’t delay.” Frea announced as she started to walk down a path into the bowels of the incomplete temple. “Join me if you wish, I could use the help.” Frea seemed to have made her mind about Freyanna as her hands left the hilt of her weapon and she began to walk down the path.“Wait!” Freyanna exclaimed and Frea turned to face her. “Let me lead, I have a certain knack for sniffing out ambushes.” She walked past Frea and led the way down to the entrance of the temple innards. “LaasYahNiir.” She shouted and it revealed a throng of Drauger and Cultists on the other side of the door. Freyanna turned to the shocked Frea. “Be ready, there are three robed men and three undead Drauger we must deal with once we enter.” To Frea’s credit, the shock lasted only an instant as she nodded in acknowledgement. Waking Dreams Chapter I Freyanna and Frea had fought and advanced through the temple quite quickly. Freyanna observed that Frea was an excellent spellsword, easily as talented if not more so than her friend Ancarion. They had disarmed numerous traps and killed dozens of Drauger and Miraak followers. Their journey, so far, had led them to this one chamber in the temple. She had felt the call of the Word Wall as soon as they entered the temple and as she stood in front of it she felt its power, understood its meaning, and added it to her language as easily as reading a definition from a dictionary.“Pah WERID MOROKei MiraaK ZOK SULeyKaaR DO Pah SONaaK WEN MUL BOLaaV NaaL FahLUaaN DO JUL HET ONT KRiiST MiraaK WO ahTiiD OK SahVOT OL Qah SPaaN NaaLDeyRA Fah OK UNSLaaD MIDUN QETHSEGOL VahRUKIV LOT MiraaK SONaaK DO LOT ONIKaaN aaR DO FaaL DiiV ahRK HOKORON DO JUL”She started to remember the shout used by Miraak through the ears of those dragons she had slain. Her understanding grew even more as the knowledge of those Dovah added to its power.Frea listened to the impressively powerful elf as she recited the dragon tongue from the word wall with an ease that only those of the dragon blood could. This one was Dragonborn and it seemed that she was at odds with Miraak and his followers who, seemed almost suicidal in their attempts to kill her.“MULQAHDIIV!” Freyanna shouted with a thunderous boom as all of the sarcophaguses opened with several fearsome Drauger lords stepping forward to challenge the dragonborn. Frea watched as Freyanna’s skin had hardened and taken the consistency of golden scales. Spiral shaped horns had grown from her head which forced her helmet off of it as it fell unceremoniously to the ground. She looked even more intimidating than before as she immediately threw herself at the undead warriors with reckless abandon. The first one she struck with her blade was split in two at the waist. “FUSRODAH!” One of the more powerful looking drauger shouted at the Dragonborn, but it only had the effect of drawing her attention to it. She calmly turned towards it and began to walk steadily in its direction. By this time Frea had joined the elf in battling the undead drauger and she had taken the attention of at least one of those creatures. These particular Drauger seemed much more powerful than the ones they’d fought previously, meaning they must be guarding something important. Frea parried, sliced, thrusted, and finished off her opponent just in time to watch Freyanna cleave the last drauger through its helmet, again splitting it into two equal halves from the top down. Once they were done with their slaughter of the Drauger, they both started to search the room for anything that might explain Miraak’s plans. “You are Dragonborn.” Frea iterated with some certainty as she searched the newly dead undead creature Freyanna had so viciously cleaved in two. “Like Miraak.” “I am, but not like Miraak.” Freyanna answered as she stood in front of one of the sarcophaguses, specifically the one that contained the powerful drauger that had shouted at her. “I do not wish to lead a bunch of slaves.” She noticed that there was an ornate door where the backing of the coffin should’ve been.“So you intend to take your place as ruler?” Frea’s search of the dead drauger revealed that it had an ornate looking key hanging from its boney neck.“I intend on ending the petty wars that plague the poor common folk of Tamriel.” She explained as she struck the door with all of her might and actually putting a sizeable dent in it. “I will wage a war to end all wars.” Freyanna wasn’t going to let the door win as she forced her fingers into the seam in the middle and pulled with all of her might. The door finally gave out and opened as the metal folded like an accordion. She could feel that the shout had given her tremendous strength and power. She felt more like a dragon than an elf now. She turned to look at Frea who was showing her a key that probably opened the door she just destroyed. It actually made her laugh and smile at the Nordic woman.“Your way works just as well.” Frea mentioned with much amusement and it caused both of them to chuckle together. “Let’s go.” She exclaimed as they continued their journey deeper into Miraak’s temple.The journey through the rest of the temple was not quite as challenging as earlier. It seemed that Miraak thought his guards near the Word Wall would handle all intruders who managed to get that far. They now stood in a circular chamber with images and forms that were eerily similar to those in Hermaeus Mora’s realm of Apocrypha. The room was dominated by a large ornate pedestal with an ominous looking black book sitting in its holder in the middle of the room. Freyanna could feel its pull on her. “This book… it feels wrong somehow. Here, yet… not. It may be what we seek.” Frea’s fear of the Black Book was evident and Freyanna had to admit that the book emanated some serious magic. She’d felt this kind of magic before, it was Hermaeus Mora. She had no doubt about it. She examined the book and noticed that it had an image of a mass of tentacles in a circle on the black as night cover.“Hermaeus Mora.” Freyanna stated out loud as she picked up the book and opened it.Freyanna felt the familiar tendrils of Hermaeus Mora as she opened her eyes to a nightmarish scene of four floating masses of tentacled creatures. There was also an impressive looking robed person wearing a golden mask in the shape of a mass of tentacles that appeared to mimic those or the cultists trying to kill her. “The time comes soon when…” He seemed to be speaking to all of the creatures surrounding him. His aura… no, his soul felt familiar… this was Miraak! It was as if her soul and his were tearing to get at one another.“What?!” He looked over to her and the shock in his voice removed any lingering doubt she may have had about who he was. She could see that he was readying a lightning spell and she immediately put up her strongest ward as the lightning was actually absorbed and recharged her mana reserves. “I only came here to talk to you!” She yelled in anger as she watched him take a breath.“YOL TUUR SHUL!” Both Freyanna and Miraak shouted in unison. The result was a spectacular collision of pure unbridled power that disintegrated two of Miraak’s floating tentacle monstrosities and knocked his dragon back quite the distance, forcing it to take flight so that it wouldn’t fall into the inky black ocean surrounding the small platform they were all on. She quickly cast dragonhide and drew her twin blades.“You’re a fool if you think you’re getting out of here alive!” Miraak exclaimed. “GOL HAH DOV!” He shouted at her with all of his might.Her mind went into a haze as she felt the word’s power strike her. Freyanna started to feel the pull of Hermaeus Mora’s perverted shout on her soul. It was the Daedric Prince’s shout that Miraak had used and it almost froze her in place. Her mind raced with thoughts of Alduin, the black scales, the blood that flowed through her veins, the power of that blood. As suddenly as it came, the haze was gone and her eyes focused with nothing other than malice on Miraak. He walked towards her like he knew she was going to die. He had a confidence that was born of being able to control all, but it seemed that those of strong will were not so easily controlled. Vahlok had proved it and now she had proven to be able to resist.She could now see that it was too dangerous to try and talk to this ungodly powerful person. Miraak started to take his staff out and this actually made her sheath one sword and pull out the Staff of Magnus with an almost homicidal smile on her face. “That’s not possible?” His puzzled expression was quickly followed by a look of panic as he raised his staff and she immediately felt tentacles rise up from the ground and take a hold of her legs. “Who are you to think you can come to my domain?!” He sounded quite confident as she watched his dragon start to make an approach to rake her with his powerful breath. Her dragonhide prevented the tentacles from doing any damage as she could feel their poisonous stings unable to penetrate her skin. She looked over to him and could see he was smiling so she quickly let loose with a blast from her own mighty staff. The blinding stream of white light coming from her staff did exactly what she expected it to do. It struck Miraak fully and put him on his knees as his mana was sucked out of him, absorbed back into her staff and back into her. “FUS RO DAH!” She shouted with all her might as flames from his dragon surrounded her body, she could feel the blindingly intense heat but as she cooled down she noticed that the fire did not harm her thanks to her still active armor spell. Miraak was launched into the air by her sudden and unexpected shout. He landed in the inky black waters just off the platform and was quickly plucked out by his dragon. “JOOR ZAH FRUL!” The dragonrend shout struck Kruziikrel with the power of mortality and he immediately felt himself falling uncontrollably back to the ground. “I am FREYANNA ELSONIRE, rightful heir to the thrones of Morrowind and the Cyrodillic Empire!” She exclaimed with a certainty that shook both Miraak and Kruziikrel. It also had the effect of stopping his Seekers in their tracks, almost as if they were questioning their actions against her. “YOU WILL BOW OR YOU WILL DIE!” Her blackened armor was still smoldering as she stood tall and looked every bit the dangerous creature that she was.Akatosh! What power! Kruziikrel thought to himself as he felt what it was like to have his immortality ripped away from him. The pain was indescribable and it caused him to let out a roar that was more akin to a scream than anything else. She’s everything I knew she would be!“SEND HER BACK!” Miraak yelled with a recognizable panic in his voice as his dragon fell towards the platform. He looked over to her and couldn’t help but feel the tingle of fear he’d only felt once before start to crawl up his spine. The Altmer demon was ready to continue this fight, but he was not ready and he would not give her any sort of victory.His doubt in his seekers quickly dissipated as they unleashed their spells of banishment on this powerful being. To his eternal gratitude, it resulted in her disappearing from his domain just as Kruziikrel crashed onto the platform, throwing Miraak off unceremoniously onto the ground as well.“She has to die.” He picked himself up off the floor and arranged his armor and mask. His confidence was completely shaken. He looked over to Kruziikrel and watched as he struggled to get back to his feet.“She will kill us all.” Kruziikrel stated, but it was said more with dread rather than any of the amusement he’d had before. “She’s what you could’ve been had you confronted Alduin.”“She’s like Vahlok… the shout had no effect.” Miraak’s voice actually seemed to contain a bit of admiration.“No, she’s not.” Kruziikrel answered. “She had the same expression on her face as yours when you learned the shout.”“No…” The doubt and dread creeping up Miraak’s spine was noticeable to all there. “We must get back to the summit to prepare for my return and we must do it with haste.” If she’d learned the Bend Will shout, she was now on par with him in power. Freyanna felt like she’d been ripped apart as her eyes settled on the Black Book once more sitting on its pedestal in the center of the chamber. “Damn it!” She yelled to herself and swiftly snatched the book from its perch and was about to place it in her satchel. “What happened to you?” Frea’s voice grabbed her attention. “You read the book and it seemed as though you were not really here.” She had Freyanna’s undivided attention. “I could see you, also see through you!”“I was in the realm of Hermaeus Mora. I saw Miraak there, on a dragon.” Freyanna was actually breathing quite heavily.“Can we reach him?” Frea’s face seemed full of hope. “Can we kill him?”“I’m not sure, but…” Freyanna shrugged at the questions. “Somehow, reading the book sent me to where he is.”“This is a dangerous thing, then. We should return to my village and show this to my father.” Frea seemed to go from hope to despair quite quickly. “Perhaps he can make some sense of what is going on.”“Wait.” Freyanna iterated as she reopened the book and felt the familiar tendrils of the Daedric prince take ahold of her. Her vision blurred instantly and slowly started to clear as she was standing in the same place she had met Miraak. This time though, there was no one there to greet her.“MIRAAK! ZU’U LOAN HIN AHKRIN!!!” She shouted to the green colored skies. (Miraak I question your courage) “LUFT ZU’U VOLESSE HI KOS ZOFAAS!” (Face me unless you’re fearful.)It was unnaturally silent there as she scanned the skies for any sign of his return. Nothing responded or made an attempt to answer her challenge. The skies were still filled with masses of tentacles and eyes which all seemed to be focused on her. “This must be so amusing to you.” She uttered to the Daedric Prince hoping he would answer, but knowing he would not. GOL HAH DOV she thought to herself and smiled. Miraak had lost his one advantage in trying to use his shout on her. It would seem that Dragonborns are immune, but he must’ve not known. The meaning was clear to her now. “GOL HAH DOV!” The shout exploded from her lips and reverberated through the air of Apocrypha like an announcement of her arrival. She started to think about how Miraak escaped from Vahlok’s blade. He read the Black Book! She looked up to the unholy eyes and tentacles floating in the sky as she started to laugh softly to herself. Vahlok was stronger and he ran from him like he now runs from me. “MIRAAK!!! ZU’U FEN SIIV HI!!” (I will find you.) She shouted with a thunderous voice she was sure he would hear. “FOD TIL LOS KOS NUNON GEIN ZU’U FEN KOS FIN GEIN!!!!” (If there is to be only one, I will be the one!) She didn’t hear even the semblance of a response and sighed softly. She started to look around the platform she was on and tried to find a way to maybe get to another of the numerous platforms littering the black ocean. Giant tentacles swiped at her when she moved too close to the edge. She barely dodged it before hitting it with powerful lightning blast which seemed to do absolutely nothing. If only I knew the names of his beast… damn it! She continued to look around and came to the conclusion that there was no way to get off of this Daedra forsaken platform. She actually had no clue how to even get back to Nirn. Maybe the book will have something. She felt the book as it appeared in her hands, opened and ready for her to read. She stared into the pages and felt the familiar sensation of being pulled into it again. In a flash, she was standing back in the temple with Frea staring at her in quizzical wonder.“I cannot reach him with this book, but there has to be another way.” Freyanna stowed the book in her satchel. “You said your father might know?”Frea nodded. “He might… Let’s go.” SKAAL VILLAGE – Three hours later. Frea would’ve never believed it unless she actually was a part of it, and even then she wasn’t so sure she wasn’t dreaming. She quietly rode the giant dragon Freyanna had called and watched in amazement at how much of the island she could see. She tapped Freyanna on the shoulder and pointed to her village which resulted in Freyanna nodding her head. The mighty dragon banked hard to the right and dove for the ground at breath taking speed. The sensation of changing altitude so quickly sent the feeling of butterflies through her stomach which quickly ended with the almost sudden stop just before the ground as the creature flared its wings and gently set down about a half mile from the village. “Your friend is quite the sight.” She mentioned. “Miraak too can control dragons.”“I do not control Od Ah Viing.” Freyanna sounded almost offended. “He has chosen to help me.”“Zu’u Thaarn Fin Mul.” (I follow the strong.)Od Ah Viing uttered in absolute disgust of the human female. “Oi Dreh Hi.” (As do you all.)Frea could almost feel the anger from the beast. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend.”Freyanna chuckled lightly. “Miraak uses a word of power that controls his brothers, some of which he was forced to kill in battle.” She turned her intense silver stare to Frea. “You of all people should understand that mentioning Miraak is quite the sore subject for his kind.”Od Ah Viing didn’t respond to the apology and took off after the two had dismounted. He’d stay in the area just in case she needed him again. Miraak was a severe danger to his kind and he wouldn’t leave her even if ordered to do so until Miraak was no more. He’d head towards the coast in order to feast on a horker or two.Freyanna and Frea made it to the village quite quickly thanks to Frea’s knowledge of the land. “You see that green light in the distance?” Frea was pointing to green glow in the distance. “That comes from the Wind Stone… where my people work against their will.” She continued to walk towards the village. “The village is just ahead. Storn has used his magic to raise a barrier around it, protecting the few of us left… that the barrier is still there is a good sign.” Frea’s pace had quickened noticeably as she entered the village with her new comrade.Freyanna could feel the stares of all these Skaals as she walked behind Frea towards what had to be the center of the village. She scanned the village and could feel the effects of the barrier as her eyes settled trio of Skaal inside an intricately runed triangle. It was obvious that they were maintaining the barrier. The power it took to maintain the barrier on such a large area had to be monumental. These Skaals had to be exceptional mages in order to do so.“FATHER!” Frea yelled in an almost worried joy. “I have returned. There is yet hope!”“FREA!” A particularly old Skaal within that triangle of spell casters yelled out with much hope. “What news do you bring? Is there a way to free our people?” Freyanna watched the interaction intently to see if there was any kind of deception or hostility. Frea turned to Freyanna. “No, but I’ve brought someone who has seen things. She has confirmed that Miraak is the one that is behind the suffering of our people.”The old man’s shoulders visibly slouched at the news. “I feared that it would be so.”“But how is that possible after all this time?” Frea was still in disbelief that such an old figure from history could be coming back.“I fear that there is too much we do not yet know.” Storn looked afraid. Freyanna could see that the old seer feared for the future of his people.Frea again turned to Freyanna. “Please, tell Storn what has happened.”Freyanna explained to the old Skaal what happened in Apocrypha and could tell that Storn was quite troubled by the story. “The book takes me back, but it’s always to the same place on the island.”Storn looked into the eyes of Freyanna with quite the curiosity. “So you are Dragonborn, like Miraak?” Freyanna nodded.“I am, but I am nothing like Miraak.” She answered. “I would like to know his history with your people.”“I will tell you everything I know, but you must first use the shout Miraak uttered on the Wind Stone to control my people.” Storn almost demanded.She looked over towards the greenish aura coming from the northwest. Frea started to walk towards the Wind Stone with Freyanna right behind her. It took only a few minutes to reach it and they were greeted with a familiar scene of people working mindlessly in an around the stone.“The shout that Miraak used?” Freyanna mentioned as she watched the emotionless people work ceaselessly trying to complete the perversion of the Wind Stone. “Here goes…” She took in a deep breath… “GOL HAH DOV!!!!” The shout exploded from her mouth and struck the Wind Stone in a show of brilliant light. She could see the faces of those workers suddenly awaken. “It worked!” Frea said with quite the excitement and started to run down towards the Wind Stone. “STOP!!” Freyanna yelled out as she watched a monstrous creature slowly rise from the pool of blackened liquid surrounding the stone. The black tentacled creature was covered with slime and it towered over everyone, easily twice her height. It let out a horrifying scream as it stepped out of the pool and made it way towards the poor Skaals running from it. She was going to have to act fast if she was going to save these people from that thing. “TIID KLO UL!!!”Time almost stopped as she jumped into action. The creature’s mouth had started to lash out with its unholy tentacles at one particular Skaal. They had not yet reached the poor man, they would never reach him. Her sword severed the creature’s tentacles as she continued towards the monster. She stopped a few feet from the towering creature and watched as it slowly raised his arm to attack her. Her sword plunged deeply into the creature’s chest while her freehand had charged a powerful fireball to the point it hurt her. She pulled the sword from the chest and leaped back from the creature just as the Slow Time shout’s effects ended. The creature fell to its knees as black ichor streamed from the center of its chest. She noticed that all of the Skaals had gotten far enough for her to let loose with her fireball. The giant meteor-like ball of fire flew straight and true and struck the wounded monstrosity dead center with catastrophic effect. It exploded with a thunderous sound and knocked the creature back head over heels into the air. It landed in a lifeless heap of black goo some distance away and promptly started to disintegrate. Within a few seconds, the giant monster had been turned into a pile of blackened ash.She could feel the Wind Stone’s aura begin to change as the veil of control seemed to dissipate from the area. “You did it!” Frea had joined her along with many of the Skaals that she’d just freed. “You saved my people!” Frea sounded completely in awe of what she’d just seen.They made their way back to the village where the entirety of its population was waiting for them. “It’s done.” Freyanna announced as Storn, who had been fiercely embracing a woman, turned his attention to her. “It seems that you were right, the Stone was corrupted by Miraak’s shout. How, I don’t know, but the shout I learned from him broke his hold on the Wind Stone.” He actually smiled softly and nodded.The Skaal had gathered around her but they had kept their distance. She could feel that they were unsure of her. “We owe you a debt we cannot possibly repay.” A confident looking auburn haired woman came to the fore to address her. “I am Fanari Strong Voice, Chieftain of this village.” Freyanna removed her helmet and put it under her arm. “You’re welcome, but I cannot sit on this one success. I must find a way to stop Miraak, once and for all.”“Storn can tell you all he knows of Miraak, but for now, please join us in celebrating our freedom.” Fanari took a firm hold of Freyanna’s shoulders as she smiled in total gratitude. “As far as I’m concerned, you are now a friend of the Skaal and worthy of our total allegiance.”“I would love to, but as I said…” Freyanna wasn’t trying that hard to protest.“Nonsense girl, we are going to have a feast in your honor.” Storn interrupted her with much joy. “Plus, we need to put some meat on those bones of yours.” Storn patted her shoulder. “We can discuss Miraak and what I know over dinner.”“You should invite your friend.” Frea addressed her and it seemed that everyone was looking at Freyanna for a response.“Friend?” Freyanna asked, truly puzzled at the offer until she thought it through. “Od Ah Viing?” She whispered softly, but the ground still trembled at the words.“I’m sure he’d enjoy a horker on the spit, our ancestors once served Vahlok the Guardian.” Storn asserted. “If my recollections of the history are correct, the dragons were quite fond of Horker meat marinated in a mixture of horker blood and wine.”Freyanna seemed quite taken aback by the offer. “Most of the stories of Vahlok were of a fair and just ruler. He and his dragons protected Solstheim for centuries, Alduin never set foot here.” Frea mentioned as they walked toward the large hall.“Alduin was probably afraid of Miraak.” Freyanna mentioned. “That is why he sent so many of his minions here and why some that I know say they felt abandoned by him when he would not come to assist them.”“Vahlok may have been a dragon priest, but according to our people’s recollection, he was considered an equal to the dragons for defeating Miraak.” Storn continued. “Come, take your armor off, clean up, and enjoy our hospitality.” He led her inside of the great hall.Six hours later they had eaten their fill of stew and sat outside by the enormous communal fire in the center of the village. “Vahlok Los Vahzah Balaan Do Lovaas.” Od Ah Viing finished what had to be the best tasting meal he’d ever eaten. “Sorry, Vahlok was truly worthy of song.” He fumbled with the human words. “Up until now, Vahlok and Miraak were the only mortals worth following.”“Od Ah Viing, Hi Fen Ulse Lost Aan Golt Het Voth Mu.” Storn spoke the words with some trouble, but the offer wasn’t lost on either Od Ah Viing nor Freyanna.“Kogaan.” Od Ah Viing responded with quite the humility. “Thank you.” He then translated and actually thought of how incredible the offer was.“But enough of my bloviating.” Storn took a last swig of his mead. “Let’s discuss Miraak.”“He and his followers have been trying to kill me since I found out I was Dragonborn.” Freyanna started to explain. “The black book took me straight to him, but all that did is prove to me that he is focused solely on returning to rule over Nirn, alone.””You read a Black Book and saw him, and the book’s power comes from the same dark source as that which corrupted the Wind Stone.” Storn responded as he seemed to be pondering her words. “You should be wary as you are now walking the same path as Miraak.” “The same path? How?” Freyanna asked him.“He was Dragonborn and yet he served the dragons, a priest in their order, highly esteemed and very powerful.” Storn started to explain. “Then he turned against them, becoming something they feared. He was defeated long ago, but it seems that he was never really destroyed.” “But how am I following his path?” Freyanna still didn’t understand.“He has corrupted the Sacred Stones and you will have to free the other stones from his influence.” Storn didn’t seem so sure of himself. “You will have to undo what Miraak has done and possibly trace his actions back to him. I believe the Black Books will be involved somehow.”“You think there are other books?” She asked him and he nodded.“The Dark Elf wizard, Neloth, he came to us some time ago asking for Black Books. I believe he knows a great deal about them, perhaps too much. Seek him out to the south.” He explained to her as he pulled out a map of the island and pointed to the southeastern corner. “Be cautious Dragonborn, there is something else at work here.”“Did he say why he wanted them?” He shook his head in response.“Then, that is where I will go next.” She ascertained. “We’ll leave tomorrow. Thank you Storn…” She looked over to Frea. “Frea… you’ve both been a great help.” ***************************************************************** Vahlok’s Tomb – 3 months later Another damn Nordic Tomb, she thought to herself as she stood outside of what had to be the final chamber in the daedra forsaken place. Neloth had guided her to and actually accompanied her to acquire one of the seven accursed Black Books, but she was still no closer to Miraak than when she opened the first one. Each one had put her on some sort of island within Apocrypha with no apparent way to travel freely to where Miraak might be located. She also noticed that Hermaeus Mora had not spoken to her once during any of her incursions into his realm. Could it be that he no longer favored her and had come to a conclusion that Miraak might be his better choice? With all of the dead ends she’d come up against, maybe she could find a way to Miraak through the only person who ever defeated him in battle.She’d navigated the tomb’s network of tunnels, traps, Drauger, and deadly puzzles to finally be at the final resting place of the legendary Dragon Priest Vahlok. Freyanna intensely watched the sarcophagus located in the center of the massive chamber lined with upright sarcophaguses. The occupants must have sensed her presence there as their lids all popped open and revealed themselves to her.“And so it begins!” Vahlok rose from his sarcophagus to face her. “I’ve felt the tremors of the traitor Miraak trying to escape.”“I am not here to free the traitor.” Freyanna calmly iterated. “I’m here to put an end to him so that you may finally rest.”There had to be no less than twelve powerful looking Drauger in ebony armor along with the powerful Liche that was once Vahlok. Vahlok didn’t immediately attack and seemed to be quite troubled. “I do not sense him… but how… my lord is gone…”“Yes, by my hand.” Freyanna answered his troubled assertion. “You are no longer bound to the oath you made to him.”“I WILL NOT DISHONOR THE OATH I MADE TO MY LORD!” Vahlok responded with rage as his body flared and became surrounded by flames. “YOU WILL NOT PASS!” He didn’t attack despite his anger, neither did his Drauger.“ALDUIN IS NO MORE!” Freyanna exploded as well. “Miraak must be stopped and I am the only one who can…”“You’re Dragonborn… like Miraak!” Vahlok’s tone was still angry. “You wish to take his place?”“I already lead the Dovah by the power of my Thu’um, I defeated Akatosh’s first with the power of my Thu’um, and I will subdue or destroy Miraak in the same manner.” Her eyes glared at the emaciated face of the extremely powerful Liche. “I will do the same to you if you do not let me pass.” “So be it!” Vahlok let loose with a powerful fireball as his drauger started to charge her.She barely dodged the powerful spell and had to roll to the right so as not to get caught in the powerful explosion on the wall. She raised her Staff of Magnus and let off a blinding stream of white light that hit Vahlok square in the chest. “AAARRRRRGGGGG!!!!” He screamed in surprise. The flames around his body were immediately extinguished as he unsheathed a wicked looking Nordic sword. “So you’ve defeated Morokei and taken his toy.” He actually sounded amused.“YOL TOOR SHUL!!!!!” A white hot stream of flames shot out from her mouth in an ever expanding cone that enveloped all but two of his powerful Drauger, incinerating them into dust. “You’re not going to stop me!” She quickly cast an immensely powerful fireball that struck one of the charging Drauger and blew him to pieces. She raised her staff just in time to parry the last Drauger’s ebony axe. In a blinding motion, she drew one of her elven blades with her free hand and thrust it into the vulnerable neck of the Drauger.It stumbled backwards and actually fell on its behind, but it didn’t die. As it started to stand, Vahlok had closed the distance with her and immediately engaged her with his blade. At the start of the battle, she wondered how Vahlok could’ve given Miraak such a hard time in battle. She wondered no more. The liche was by far, the most skilled swordsman she’d ever encountered. He was blindingly fast and his strokes were deadly accurate. The sound of Nordic Steel striking Elven Alloy was constant and it took everything she had to parry his blows. During a lull in the action, she managed to roll backwards and get some distance from him as he finished off the stumbling Drauger by beheading it and then taking its ebony axe from it. Vahlok flared the weapons with tremendous skill and stood ready to continue the battle. “If you cannot defeat me in battle, what makes you think you can defeat Miraak?” He quickly cast a spell so rare and so difficult to master that she hadn’t seen it used in her entire life. No one she knew had the skill to cast it. Though now, as she thought it through, she could sense its presence in the expanded arsenal of spells gifted to her by the Oghma Infinium. It seemed that Vahlok had recovered just enough magicka to cast the bane of all spell casters, and it struck her dead center.She could feel her vocal cords freeze and her tongue numb as the infamous silence spell took effect on her. Freyanna felt almost panicked as she could no longer cast spells, shouting, was also not possible. “Your expression is just like Miraak’s before he used that cursed book to escape from me.” She quickly slung her staff and drew her second blade and flared them with as much skill as the liche. “PROVE YOUR WORTH!” Vahlok lunged forward like a whistling whirlwind of sharpened metallic fury.She parried everything Vahlok threw at her, barely. Several of his strokes were thankfully deflected by her dragonscale armor and two had actually cut her where there was exposed flesh. He was as good or better than she was, she could feel it in her bones. No one had ever tested her like this, not the Ebony Warrior, not even Alduin. “I must admit, you’re a much better warrior than Miraak is, but still, not good enough!” She just barely avoided being decapitated by that wicked ebony axe.The missed swing opened a chance for her to go on the offense and she didn’t hesitate. It was now Vahlok’s turn to parry her furious assault upon him. Vahlok was unnaturally fast and had god-like skill, but the axe he was wielding actually put him at a disadvantage. She knew that he could not thrust with that weapon because it would not inflict any damage and a counter thrust from her would end him. His parrying skill was second to none as he deftly moved and parried every attack she launched at him. As she struck out at the mighty liche she began to feel her voice start to return. She began to think that she could end the battle quite quickly as soon as her voice returned. She decided not to attempt it yet because a failed attempt might give this magnificent undead warrior an opening to finish her. She continued to attack his axe hand and continuously moved towards that side effectively limiting what his sword hand could do. Their dance of death was a blur of fluid strokes and counter strokes which didn’t stop until one of her blades finally bit deep into his axe arm, and severed it completely from his body.She paused slightly, which was a huge mistake which resulted in Vahlok’s Nordic blade striking her right arm, actually penetrating deeply through her armor and nearly severing it as well. The blood streamed like a fountain from her arm and if not treated quickly, was a deathblow. The only saving grace, though extremely painful, was that the blade had gotten stuck in the bone. As Vahlok attempted to wrench the blade from her arm, it gave her the opening to unleash the next and last stroke. She took it without hesitation, with her blade slicing cleanly through Vahlok’s neck resulting in his head being cleanly lopped off his shoulders and onto the musty wet ground of the chamber. Vahlok’s body disintegrated almost immediately, but his severed head still seemed to be cogent as it just lay there on its side watching her with those lifeless eyes. She quickly grabbed ahold and painfully winced as she pulled the sword from her severely injured arm. She quickly cast her healing spell on it, but still, the flow of blood from her arm did not completely cease, it had slowed to a trickle. She’d lost a lot of blood and actually fell to her knees as she tried to regain her wits. “Take the Thu’um from him and he is nothing.” Vahlok’s head whispered to her. “You are more worthy than even I…” She watched as the eerie light left the eyes of the once mighty Liche. She could feel her vision fade into a haze and had to fight with every ounce of her enormous will to stay conscious. She started to fumble for the pouch on her belt where she kept her potions. As she pulled one of the potions out, she dropped it and it rolled away from her. She was now on her hands and knees and struggled to crawl her way towards the bottle when her body completely failed. She collapsed just out of reach of the elixir that would save her life. We’re both fools, I should’ve finished you with my… Thu’um… Now we both die here and… Miraak wins. She thought to herself as she could feel her consciousness start to slip away.“Easy my friend.” She felt someone turn her over to her back, lift her head, and put the bottle to her lips. “Drink.” She could feel the liquid take effect as she started to slowly regain her strength. Her vision was still hazy, but she started to discern the features of her companion Tharstan.She sat up slowly and began to stand. She was still quite a bit groggy, but she was no longer in any danger of dying. “Thank you.” She felt the pull of the word wall as she removed the shattered piece of armor from her right arm. She winced in pain as the armor slipped off and landed on the floor with an echoing clap. She looked at her arm and saw the substantial scar that now circumvented half way around her bicep. She turned to the pile of ashes that used to be Vahlok and sighed at what could’ve been a devastating alliance against Miraak. “Amazing! A real Dragon Priest! In all my years as a historian, I never thought I’d see anything like that.”“Vahlok the Guardian was his name.” Freyanna was starting to feel better, but her arm was still in a bad state. It hurt to move it and she could feel the bone chips still not in their proper place. Her hand moved over the injured arm as she cast healing once more and started to manipulate the bone painfully back into place with an audible pop. “Agh!” She finally finished and began to test her arm by moving it and also quickly drawing one of her elven blades. The arm felt much better, but still quite sore. The scar had softened but had not disappeared. “He must’ve had this entire place built for him so that he could maintain his vigil, even beyond death.” Tharstan walked towards the word wall which was now basically screaming at Freyanna as she joined him. “Aha! Here’s another of those dragon language inscriptions! I wonder what it says… Just let me study these runes for a moment… ” Freyanna watched in veiled amusement as the scholar began to read the inscriptions. “Hmm, here’s another mention of the Guardian. I can only assume this is the Guardian’s tomb we are standing in now. It says that he was loyal, and his reward was an honorable death. Quite fascinating.”As fascinated as he was at the inscriptions etched into the word wall, his attention was soon totally consumed by the sounds coming from Freyanna’s mouth.“HET NOK FaaL VahLOK WO KRON POGaaS MORO Fah OK UNSLaaD MID ROK aaV DILON VOTH LOT ZIN QETHSEGOL VahRUKIV Vur DO FaaL VahLOK NONVUL aaR SE DOVah WEN DEZ LOST ah QahNaaR TahRODiiS MiraaK NONVUL BRON MahFAERaaK DahMaaN SahROT VahLOK WEN LOT ahKRIN SHaaN Ney MUZ ahRK DOVah”She read out loud as the chamber trembled at the obvious power of her voice. Freyanna felt the power of the shout as she took in its meaning. Her Thu’um had expanded immensely as she’d confronted and defeated every single one of the Dragon Priests that were assigned to Solstheim, with the notable exception of Miraak himself. “That was quite impressive.” Tharstan commented as he ran his fingers over the dragon runes etched into the word wall. “It’s brought me no closer to Miraak than I was when I started.” Freyanna was feeling supreme frustration at not being able to reach Miraak. “I’ve cleansed all of the stones save the Tree Stone at the ruins of Miraak’s temple which for some reason resists everything I throw at it.” Solstheim was almost free of Miraak’s influence with that sole exception. She was sure that even if he did return to Nirn, Miraak would be weakened. “These accursed books haven’t revealed anything about his whereabouts nor how to get to him!” She pulled out the book “Waking Dreams” from her satchel and threw it forcefully against the word wall where it fell to the ground and opened. She walked slowly towards it, picked it up, closed it with a snap, and put it back in her satchel.“I’m going to stay here to study the tomb.” Tharstan mentioned as he continued to be fascinated by the word wall. “You’ve been a great help, thank you.” He turned towards and reached for a pouch on his belt that was probably filled with coin. Freyanna lifted her hand in refusal. “No my friend, you saved my life, I protected you and got you here. I think we’re even.” Tharstan smiled as he watched her leave with unbridled admiration. “Extraordinary.” He whispered to himself. Saering’s Watch - a few days later. The place had been crawling with drauger, but using the Bend Will shout, she was able to recruit the guardian of the Word Wall. He made the battle much easier than it should’ve been and when Od Ah Viing joined in, the ending result became a foregone conclusion.Hrah Sos Kendov stood behind her with the familiar feeling of being dominated as she read the Word Wall in front of her. “So you say he is served by three of your brothers in Apocrypha?”“Geh Nust Los Fus Wah Aam.” (Yes, they are forced to serve.) The mighty dragon answered even as he tried to break the bonds of her Bend Will shout. He looked over to Od Ah Viing and noticed that she’d never used the shout on him. He served her of his own free will! “Zeymah!” He exclaimed. “Rul Drey Hi Kiin Wah Thaarn Joor?” (When did you begin to obey mortals?)Od Ah Viing turned to his brother and exclaimed quite forcefully. “Daar Joor Lost Kriaan Bormahu Kul Ahrk Fin Vahlok!” (This mortal has slain Alduin and the Guardian!)Hrah Sos Kendov’s shock was immediately apparent as he felt the power of the Bend Will shout dissipate. “Zu’u Fen Ni Kod Dii Zaan Nau Hi Fah Hin Mir.” (I will not use my shout on you for your allegiance.) She then turned to face him. “Wo kos nust callaan.” (Who are they?) It was strange to see the exact same confidence in another mortal. This one did not fear him and it was obvious that she was more powerful than even Miraak. Od Ah Viing was never under the influence of that accursed shout and yet there he was by her side.“Re lo nikiv, Kru ziik rel, fin Sah ro taar los fus aam Miraak nal ok deyra drog.” (Relonikiv, Kruziikel and Sahrotaar are forced to serve Miraak by his daedric lord.)“Hermaeus Mora.” She mentioned and he acknowledged her with a nod. “Kogaan.” (Thank you.)“Hi nu lost aan miraad wah lahney ahst drem voth joor uv dir aan dinok het.” (You now have a choice to live in peace with mortals or die a final death here.) Her tone was unmistakably serious. “Zu’u hind wah aam hi Dovahkin.” (I wish to serve you.)He answered her with an obvious tone of concern. “If you’ll have me?” He switched to the common tongue to show his willingness to serve.“You may find that many of your brothers will be against you.” Freyanna responded. “I understand Dovahkin.” Hrah Sos Kendov responded. “Zu’u vaat dii mir wah hi!” (I swear my allegiance to you.)“Ruz hi lost dii ol pruzah.” (Then you have mine as well.)Freyanna responded knowing that a dragon’s promise was as sure as it got.Od Ah Viing stepped up to his brother and began to explain what was expected of him. While Parthurnax might lead the freed dragons, their general in this coming war would be Od Ah Viing. He assigned Hrag Sos Kendov to patrol Solstheim and report anything he thought was important to the mission of ending Miraak. Hrag Sos Kendov explained that Miraak’s forces on the island were few and far between, most of them concentrated at the Temple. Freyanna added that he was now the defender of the island and that he was cleared to do what was necessary to end all threats to the citizens of Solstheim. If he needed assistance, he could contact the Skaals at the village. She’d inform them that he was now one of her allies. “Dovahkin.” He acknowledged with a nod and took off towards the sea.“So Dovahkin, now that you have my brothers’ names, what will you do?” Od Ah Viing asked her.“I will call one and force him to take me to Miraak.” She answered as she took out the Black Book from her satchel. “I will make him abandon his ambition.”.”“And if he does not?” Od Ah Viing asked.“He will or I will not return.” Freyanna’s tone was quite somber at the thought that she might have to kill him too. She opened the book and the black tendrils took hold of her once more, pulling her into the realm of Hermaeus Mora. *********************************************** Sahrotaar, Relonikiv, and Kruziikrel all heard their names shouted by the last Dragonborn. “We must answer.” Sahrotaar mentioned to his two brothers. They both looked at him and nodded.“The one who kills the last Dragonborn will be favored by our master.” Relonikiv asserted as he rose onto his hind legs and spread his wings.“Neither of you have any sort of chance to achieve that goal.” Kruziikrel countered. “She’s more powerful than you can imagine.” Relonikiv immediately folded his wings and settled back on his perch atop a stone arch.“Bah, she’s mortal, and mortals can die quite easily.” Sahrotaar’s arrogant retort would’ve usually ended in Kruziikrel attacking him, but this time it did not.“Neither of you saw what I saw.” Kruziikrel stated with quite the confidence as he stretched his wings and quickly took to the skies. “I will not tempt the fates again.” He flew towards the summit where Miraak was preparing to re-corrupt the All-Maker Stones so that he could make his return back to Nirn. He needed to be warned.“He’s right, we should go with him.” Relonikiv mentioned as he too took flight to follow his brother.“Cowards…” Sahrotaar whispered as he took off and began to fly in the direction of the call. I will end this fool and Miraak will be forced to recognize that I am the most loyal.It didn’t take long to reach her location on one of the accursed islands of Apocrypha. She stood in the center of the island with six piles of ashes that had once been four Seekers and two Lurkers. “At last!” He started his dive towards the insolent elven maiden. “YUL…”“GOL HAH DOV!!!!” The power of her Thu’um was every bit as controlling as Miraak’s. He felt his will break instantly as he landed near the imposing Dragonborn dressed in magnificent armor made from the remains of his slain brothers. His mind now only saw his new master and he would do as she asked.“Hail thuri. Your Thu’um has the mastery. Climb aboard and I will carry you to Miraak.” The expression on her face did not change. There was an intense glare coming from this mortal and it actually made him quite uncomfortable.“Which one are you.” She demanded.“I am Sahrotaar master.” He instantly answered as his stare met hers. She nodded as she climbed up to and mounted him. “Beware, Miraak is strong. He knew you would come here.”She didn’t respond as she looked out on the vast expanse of inky black ocean dotted with islands of stone and enormous arch structures that appeared to consist solely of millions of books. The ocean was dominated by one enormous tower-like island and it was there that Sahrotaar was headed.“Sahrotaar, are you so easily swayed?” Miraak mentioned with barely veiled contempt as the dragon landed on his island with the last Dragonborn on his back. There was no more point in delaying the inevitable and this had earned his audience. He watched as Freyanna had already drawn that damnable staff and literally leaped off Sahrotaar’s back. “No, not yet, we should greet our guest first.” He put his arm up to stop her. “So, does this mean you wish to parley?” He could tell she was ready for anything he was about throw at her. “No, you are here now at your full power and I am at mine.” Miraak responded. “Felling Alduin was a mighty deed and I thank you for it. He would’ve proved quite troublesome to me.”“You would’ve been devoured by Akatosh’s first.” Freyanna wasn’t going to listen to this arrogant mage. “Vahlok was waiting for your return and would’ve ended you this time.”“You are strong Freyanna Elsonire, much stronger than I ever believed possible.” Miraak sounded like he was actually awed by her. “But, I am done being Mora’s pawn.” He slammed his staff to the ground as she leaped backwards just barely avoiding the poisonous tentacles reaching for from the ground that was formerly beneath her. “Kruziikrel, Relonikiv, NOW!” His two dragons took to flight in opposite directions. They were obviously going split her attention.“SAH RO TAAR! Take one of your brothers!” Sahrotaar took off without hesitation towards Kruziikrel. She quickly cast the silence spell at Miraak who was about to shout. She then glanced over towards Relonikiv who was had turned around and was about to make a strafing run at her. “JOOR ZAH FRUL!” Relonikiv had wondered in his mind what his brother meant by powerful, he would wonder no more. The Dragonrend shout struck him with the full force of mortality as he crashed head first into the island and slid to a bone crushing stop when he hit one of the numerous arches on the island. Miraak was still in a panic at the elf’s power. Even he could never master that spell and Vahlok used it to almost kill him. There would be no saving him this time if he didn’t do something desperate. He looked over and could see that Relonikiv’s injuries were quite severe as the dragon tried in vain to take flight once again, but could not because of a mangled wing. Then he felt the power of that damn staff strike him as he regained his voice. He turned to see that she’d drawn one of her elven blades even as she took in a breath. They shouted at the same instant.She was on the down stroke of a killing blow that struck nothing. The wind sprint shout had gotten her within killing distance, but he’d become ethereal and as quickly wind sprinted away from her. “Relonikiv! Zii los dii du!” He felt his health and mana return to him as he took the soul of Relonikiv.Freyanna watched in horror as he murdered his servant like some sort of dragon vampire. “Mul Qah Diiv!” He shouted as she continued to watch him. His aspect changed to one of a dragon as the familiar horns grew through his mask. She immediately launched a fireball at him which struck him dead center. It had very little effect and it was now his turn to advance on her.She quickly summoned a frost atronach and sent him in between her and the mighty mage. The staff of Magnus seemed depleted and would need to be recharged with one of the soul gems she had bought at a very high price from Neloth. Miraak made extremely short work of the Atronach, but it gave her just enough time to formulate a plan of attack. “Mul Qah Diiv!” She shouted as well and felt the immense power flow throughout her body. “Come Miraak! Let’s end this!” She leaped at him in a whirlwind of steel and dragon scales. He was taken completely by surprise as her blades bit deep into his hide powered by her dragon strength. “Yol Toor Shul!” His fire breath struck her square in the face and if not for both her dragonhide spell and the dragon aspect shout, she would’ve been dead. Instead, it startled her for a second and allowed Miraak to move away from her as he cast a lightning spell at her. He looked over himself and noticed quite the blood spatter all over his robes. He knew that it was his as he started to feel the metallic taste in his mouth. Just as she was starting to approach him, Kruziikrel and Sahrotaar slammed into the ground in between them. Kruziikrel was on top and obviously the victor as he took a powerful killing bite of his brother’s neck. “Sahrotaar! Zii los dii du!” Again, she watched as the soul of Sahrotaar was viciously taken from him to replenish Miraak’s own dying body.Freyanna had had enough. “KRUZIIKREL! ZII LOS DII DU!” (Your spirit is mine to devour!) She watched as Kruziikrel’s body immediately collapsed in a heap as she claimed his soul for her own.“That’s not possible!” Miraak exclaimed as she’d just evened the odds once more and now he had no more souls to heal him. “HUN KAAL ZOOR!” Miraak heard the unfamiliar shout and watched as a formidable looking ethereal elven maiden appeared next to her. “You will kneel before me or die!” Freyanna demanded. Miraak knew that he was overmatched. She was going to kill him if he didn’t surrender. He walked slowly towards her, took a knee next to the center pool of black inky liquid, and bowed his head. “I…”She had no say as to what to do next as an enormous gray-black tentacle shot out from the center pool and impaled Miraak. “Did you think to escape me Miraak? You can hide nothing from me here!” Miraak hung there suspended in the air as his life began to leave him. “No matter, I have found a new dragonborn to serve me!”“May she be rewarded for her service as I am…” Miraak’s weakening voice was apparent as the life left him. Freyanna watched as Miraak’s body dissolved into ash while a familiar feeling began to come over her. Hermaeus Mora continued to speak but she did not hear as the souls of Miraak and over twenty five dragons whom he had slain. It was an incredible feeling as all the memories, fears, desires, dreams, and everything else became a part of her. When it was over, she discovered a secret that none but three had known. Hermaeus Mora, Alduin, and Kruziikrel.“…you’ll be richly rewarded.” Mora seemed to think he had another servant. She hadn’t agreed to anything and wouldn’t serve such an undeserving being.“I haven’t agreed to serve you… ever!” Freyanna responded defiantly. “I will never serve you!”“No matter, you will serve, knowingly or not.” She felt his amused tone as his presence dissipated and a small gazebo type structure rose from the inky black waters of the center pool. A large black book sat on a pedestal within the gazebo, unopened. The lure of what it contained was almost too much, but she wouldn’t take anymore from the Daedric prince. She opened her black book and felt the familiar sensation of being ripped from Apocrypha and reappearing near Saering’s Watch. “I can feel that Miraak is no more.” She looked up on one of the arches of the Nordic structure and saw Hrag Sos Kendov perched there watching her curiously. “Hi Los Vahzah Fin Gein.” (You are truly the one.) She actually felt sad that Miraak had to die, but he made a deal with a Daedric prince and tried to renege on it. The fool wanted ultimate power and paid the ultimate price for his treachery. “Vahlok can now rest in peace, Miraak will never threaten Nirn again.” She looked over to Hragsoskendov. “Take care of the Skaal and they will take good care of you.”“As you command Dovahkin.” He responded as she walked away from him and called Odahviing. Odahviing responded in minutes and landed right in front of her.“It is done my friend. Miraak is no more.” She climbed on. “To Miraak’s temple, there is one more thing I must do to rid Nirn of his influence.” Odahviing spread his wings and was airborne in an instant, flying in the direction of the Temple.
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Whiterun – Dragon Reach Galmar and Vignar both leaned over and studied the map of Skyrim, focused intently on the area known as the Reach. There was an uneasy silence as they both silently contemplated the possible actions to be taken in the coming days. The Reach was as strategically important as Whiterun, if not more so. The silver mines there produced much of the wealth that would be needed to fund the effort to free Skyrim from the yoke of the Empire.“She’s returned.” Galmar turned around in surprise as one of his scout/messenger entered the war room and addressed them both with a heavy breath. “And, with an army of dragons, deserters, and Forsworn.” The dread that Galmar felt going down his spine did not go unnoticed. Vignar made a mental note at the change of expression in his companion’s face.“How in the world did she manage to tame the reachmen?” Vignar was stunned at the revelation as he filled a tankard with ale.“Her people freed their king out of Cigna Mine.” The scout answered as Vignar handed him the tankard. “I heard that she also assisted the Karthspire Camp in slaying an attacking dragon.” “Even the Imperials can’t be happy with the current situation there.” Galmar imagined her movement growing and gaining momentum.“There’s the one thing we have in common with the Empire.” Vignar Gray-Mane chuckled. “Has she made any overt actions that we should know about?” He asked the youngster as he looked over the map of Skyrim. “Her forces have constructed an extremely formidable position in Karthspire and Sky Haven Temple.” The scout answered. “The Forsworn in all of the Reach are completely in her camp with Madanach publicly announcing his alliance and loyalty to the Dragonborn.”“I can’t believe she’s united the different bands of Reachmen…” Vignar was still amazed at this awful turn of events and his shocked expression was quite evident. “It’s like Red Eagle has returned.”“She intends to take the Reach.” Galmar stated. “That would cripple our efforts to unite Skyrim under the Stormcloak banner.”“Her forces already control all of the approaches to Markarth.” The scout pointed to the roads leading into the important city. “We’ve heard no word from our people in Karthwasten.” He took a long pull of the Ale. “I think Tullius might have lost Karthwasten to the Forsworn.”“This isn’t good.” Vignar added. “We have to do something about this.”“We don’t have the forces to confront both her and Tullius.” Galmar stated. “Damn it.” He whispered to himself and just couldn’t get over that his and Ulfric’s betrayal of her had cost them an incredibly formidable partner in their war against the Empire.“We need to talk to her.” Vignar asked. “Up until now, she’s done nothing other than assist our efforts to rid Skyrim of the Thalmor.”Galmar steadied his nerves as he thought of a response. “She won’t work with Ulfric or me, but I don’t think she’ll work with the Empire either.” Galmar had to be very careful about how to speak with Vignar. If anyone ever found out that Freyanna Elsonire had Talos blood running through her veins they might not be so eager to ally themselves with Ulfric and the Stormcloaks. “Based upon her actions against the Thalmor, why wouldn’t she be inclined to at least meet with us?” Vignar’s worry also broke through the façade of the stern and uncaring stubbornness he usually tried to portray. “She’s an elf and formerly one of the Thalmor’s greatest heroes…” Galmar iterated and tried to explain the situation, but Vignar was having none of it as he interrupted.“Yes, I know she’s Talania Elsonire’s daughter, but that still doesn’t explain why we can’t speak with her?” Vignar interrupted. “She’s Dragonborn, she’s killed more Imperials and Thalmor than most of our forces…” He leaned over the map and pointed to Markarth. “Damn it, she already controls most of the Reach, if she were to…”“Take Markarth.” Galmar answered. “She’d control the silver mines and most of the passes into High Rock and Hammerfell.” The realization hit Galmar pretty hard. “She’d cut off the only true ally of the Imperials and have a very sizeable resource to fund their forces.”“Are the Imperials doing anything to stave off this disaster?” Vignar asked rhetorically. “Losing the Reach would make the Imperials that much more vulnerable.”“The Forsworn would also be a lot more formidable. They are not our friends and they could become a much more serious threat than even the Empire.” Galmar leaned over the map as well. “Ulfric took it from them once…“ He continued to stare at the map and traced his finger along the Karth river. “They’re perfectly situated to withstand a substantial siege.”“Her dragons would destroy any force attempting to lay siege.” The scout interrupted to the shock of his two superiors. “And, I don’t think she’ll wait behind those Forsworn fortifications.”Just as the scout finished his sentence a thunderous roar came from the Great Porch and actually shook the entire room. “TO ARMS!!!” Galmar yelled as everyone in the room drew their weapons and faced the giant door that led to the legendary balcony/dragon trap of Whiterun’s Dragonreach. They were soon joined by a multitude of guards who also readied themselves for combat.Seconds later, the door opened and the two exterior guards entered the war room. “She wishes to speak to General Galmar and Jarl Gray-Mane.” Vignar and Galmar looked at each other with some uncertainty, but Vignar immediately took the challenge head on and began to walk towards the door.“WAIT!” Galmar exclaimed. “We can’t risk losing you.”“She says she only wishes to parlay.” Vignar exclaimed quite defiantly. “She has a reputation of keeping her word, even I know this and that’s good enough for me.” Vignar announced as he left the room with all of his guardsmen leaving only Galmar and his personal guard left in the chamber. “Damn it.” Galmar uttered quietly and followed the Jarl outside.The sight they were met with would steal all of their collective breaths. The giant red dragon stood tall and proud behind the equally imposing Dragonborn in her bleach white dragon armor. They all drew their swords which only resulted in the dragon directing a thunderous and terrifying roar at them. “Do you even know?” Her eyes were squarely on Galmar.“What’re you talking about?” Vignar sounded quite frustrated at the posturing of the Dragonborn. “Spill it out already before I decide to separate your head from your shoulders.” He started to advance on her, but was stopped by the hand of Galmar on his shoulder.“That ridiculous assertion that Ulfric is a Thalmor agent…” Galmar responded angrily as he stepped in front of Vignar. “I know that it’s pure fantasy used to try and weaken our righteous movement.”“Ulfric?” Vignar heard the words and paused at the unbelievable accusation. He turned to look at Galmar with some concern. “What’s she talking about Galmar?”“It’s all lies.” Galmar refuted. “It’s just a piece of paper meant to sow the seeds of doubt in our people.” Galmar continued angrily. “Congratulations on that part, you’ve deceived quite a few and have allied with those heathens of the Reach.”“Those heathens are greatly responsible for the defeat of the World Eater!” Freyanna’s temperature was starting to rise. “While you Stormcloaks, Thalmor, and Imperials meddled with the innocent lives you do not deserve to rule over.” She shot back with quite the vitriol as her voice crackled with power. “Despite Ulfric’s and your own traitorous actions towards me, I’m willing to forgive you on the condition you return Whiterun back to Balgruuf the Greater.” “What gives you the right to demand anything?!” Vignar interrupted, once again stepping in front of Galmar with his sword in his hand.“THE BLOOD OF TALOS AND QUEEN BARENZIAH FLOW THROUGH THESE VEINS!” Freyanna pointed to the veins in her arm as she shot back at Vignar who looked quite shocked and disbelieving. “Is that enough of a right for you?” The image of a premature Dunmer infant, still alive with blood everywhere, lying on a stone table appeared in her mind (The thought caused her to actually catch her breath.) It was followed by her great grandmother’s round and very pregnant figure with the same Altmer mage that she’d seen with the child. Grandmother was Barenziah’s daughter! Everything was so clear now as the thought continued to evolve in her mind. The image of the half Dunmer and half Nord infant changed as her great grandfather performed an unrecognizable magic ritual on his mate. Freyanna stared in pure awe as the Altmer mage manipulated the infant’s genetic code while still in the womb, as he finished Freyanna saw an Altmer infant where there was once a Nord/Dunmer hybrid. Her thoughts were violently interrupted by Galmar’s angry response.“LIES!” Galmar yelled out in an almost feral fashion. “There’s no way a Thalmor bitch is a descendent of Talos!” He’d drawn his axe as a reflex to what he considered the ultimate heresy. He started to slowly move forward toward her. Galmar’s uncomfortable response caught Vignar by surprise. “How’s that possible?” Vignar asked as he also had his weapon ready, but did not make any motion towards her.“Tiber Septim’s healer made sure that Barenziah’s love child with the Emperor did not die.” She hadn’t moved from her proud and imposing stance in front of them. “She is my Grandmother and that makes me a Septim by blood!” She barked angrily at the offended Galmar, but she really didn’t care if he believed or not. Talos blood flowed through her veins and the power of her Thu’um proved it. “It’s the very reason why Queen Ayrenn and the Thalmor want me dead!”Galmar couldn’t stand for the heresy she was speaking of. “Raaaaaahhhharr” He roared as he charged her with most of his guards as well. Olfina and Vignar’s guard were about to charge as well, but Vignar raised his hand and stopped them.“FUS RO DAH!!!!” The force wave that shot out from her voice struck all of the charging combatants and launched them all back into the stone walls of the fortress with a sickening crack. Most had been knocked unconscious, but Galmar withstood the tremendous shout and unsteadily got back to his feet. “By the blood of my ancestors Emperor Tiber Septim and Queen Barenziah, I claim my rightful place as Empress of the Empire and Queen of Morrowind!” She reiterated with a force of will that had Vignar almost shaking along with his housecarl and still standing guards. “You will comply or I will make you comply!”“WE WILL NOT…” Galmar started towards her again and picked up a sword from the floor. “PRETENDER!”“Please…” Freyanna almost chuckled at the display. “LIZ SLEN NUS!” In an instant, Galmar had become encased in a solid block of ice and fell to the floor with a deadened thud. She then turned to Vignar. “You have one week to return Balgruuf to his rightful throne and remove all of your forces from here.” She approached him as she produced a scroll from her knapsack. “This is the official Dossier I recovered from the Thalmor Embassy I destroyed.” She handed it over to Vignar to read.Vignar took it and began to read the damning words, all the while motioning for his housecarl to read it along with him.
Description: Jarl of Windhelm, leader of the Stormcloak rebellion, Imperial Legion veteran.
Background:
Ulfric first came to our attention during the First War against the Empire, when he was taken prisoner of war during the campaign for the White-Gold Tower. Under interrogation, we learned of his potential value (son of the Jarl of Windhelm) and he was assigned as an asset to the interrogator, who is now First Emissary Elenwen. He was made to believe information obtained during his interrogation was crucial in the capture of the Imperial City (the city had in fact fallen before he had broken), and then allowed to escape. After the war, contact was established and he has proven his worth as an asset. The so-called Markarth Incident was particularly valuable from the point of view of our strategic goals in Skyrim, although it resulted in Ulfric becoming generally uncooperative to direct contact.
Operational Notes:
Direct contact remains a possibility (under extreme circumstances), but in general the asset should be considered dormant. As long as the civil war proceeds in its current indecisive fashion, we should remain hands-off. The incident at Helgen is an example where an exception had to be made – obviously Ulfric’s death would have dramatically increased the chance of an Imperial victory and thus harmed our overall position in Skyrim. (NOTE: The coincidental intervention of the dragon at Helgen is still under scrutiny. The obvious conclusion is that whoever is behind the dragons also has an interest in the continuation of the war, but we should not assume therefore that their goals align with our own.) A Stormcloak victory is also to be avoided, however, so even indirect aid to the Stormcloaks must be carefully managed.
“This…” He looked at the official seal of the Thalmor on the bottom right corner. “This is damning…” Vignar let out a defeated breath. “We’re such fools. Is it really true?” Olfina seemed quite defeated as well as she asked her uncle while he returned the parchment to the Dragonborn.“It is, both Galmar and Ulfric are not to be trusted, they are no better than the Thalmor.” She responded quite angrily as she handed over another sealed parchment to Vignar. “That is your copy. Balgruuf better be back on his throne when this week has ended.” She turned around and started to mount Od Ah Viing.“Ulfric will never let him go.” Vignar mentioned.“You better hope he does.” Od Ah Viing let out a thunderous roar as he stepped back towards the balcony. Vignar stared at the frozen form that was Galmar and wondered about the verbal exchange. The doubt about Ulfric’s motives started to creep up his spine as he picked up the sealed parchment and examined it. The unbroken seal was that of a red dragon, much like the old Imperial seals used by the emperors. Can she truly be who she says she is? In that split second he made up his mind to believe her as he turned and watched the enormously powerful creature take flight from the balcony.The guards that were once lying about the room in various states of consciousness were now mostly on their feet and gathering their gear. “Bring him inside.” Vignar ordered as he motioned towards the frozen form of Galmar. A pair of his biggest men picked him up and followed the rest of the guards back into the war room. Galmar thawed out within minutes of being put next to the roaring fire inside the main hall. He started to sit up as his eyes frantically looked around in a confused and frightened manner. “Easy my friend.” Vignar patted his shoulder. “I see you and the Dragonborn are no fans of one another.”“The Dragonborn is the daughter of Narafin’s Elite’s Commander, Talania Elsonire.” Galmar’s shivering body could be heard through his words. “She’s as infamous in Hammerfell as her mother was in Cyrodill and Skyrim.” Vignar offered his friend a mug of hot broth which Galmar took quite eagerly.“Her claims of being a descendent of Talos and Queen Barenziah are not as far-fetched as you may think.” Vignar stated. “Everyone has heard the stories of Talos and the Dumner beauty known as Queen Barenziah.”“It can’t be true!” Galmar exclaimed as he put down the now empty mug. “Talos would not send us a damn Elf…”“And yet, it seems that he might have.” Vignar stated quite matter of factly. “She’s conquered the World Eater and now commands not only the dragons, but also the Forsworn.” Vignar calmly iterated. “How many of our own have gone over to serve her?”“Too many.” Galmar answered. “I hear many of the Nords in the Legion are also siding with her.”“Like it or not, she’s a force to be reckoned with.” Olfina stated as Vignar sat in what was formerly Jarl Balgruuf’s throne. “From our scouting reports she commands somewhere in the vicinity of one or two thousand warriors and mages, most of which are Forsworn.” She removed her helmet as she continued to think out loud. “Do we know how many dragons?”“Even one can take out an entire legion.” Galmar iterated. “It’s clear as day what we need to do.”“HA!” Vignar exclaimed quite heartily. “You think it would be that easy? I’ve heard the rumors of how many have tried, and that was without her having this enormously powerful force protecting her now.”“All it takes is the right person in the right place at the right time.” Galmar continued his thought. “Although, I can’t imagine her fury if this person failed.”“Maybe we can send out feelers to Tullius and see how he feels about this change in the strategic picture.” Vignar mentioned as he thought of Ulfric’s unlikely escape from execution revealed in the dossier. “He can’t possibly be happy with having the Forsworn in such a powerful position.”“Siding with Tullius would mean siding with those Thalmor scum.” Galmar seemed to be against it.“So, let me get this straight.” Olfina had had enough of the ridiculous banter. “You don’t believe a word the Dragonborn says about Ulfric?”“I’ve fought alongside my Jarl long enough to know he has bled for Skyrim.” Galmar exclaimed. “He barely escaped his captors during the war!”“Just like he barely escaped execution in Helgen, saved by this former Thalmor Hero.” Vignar sarcastically retorted. “I hear that Ambassador Elenwen was present at the execution as well.”Galmar could feel the tension in the air as Vignar seemed to be quite disappointed and angry. By the tone, Vignar seemed to actually believe the words written by that Thalmor ambassador bitch. “Elenwen is nothing, if not a deviously clever operative.” His own anger started to build at the lack of faith in the Jarl he had just put in power of the most strategic town in all of Skyrim. “What good could come from Ulfric siding with the Thalmor over Skyrim?”“I can think of quite a few good things that could happen for the Thalmor if we continue this war and weaken each other to the point of helplessness.” Olfina stated with quite the authority, not caring that both Vignar and Galmar outranked her. “If we don’t bring this destructive war to a conclusion soon, the only winner will be the Aldmeri Dominion.” Her stare down with Galmar was almost electric. “Tell me, why is the Dragonborn, the destroyer of the Thalmor embassy, slayer and tamer of dragons, allied with the madmen of the Reach and broken her alliance with the Stormcloaks?”“She betrayed us, just like she did her own.” Galmar started to think of that summit at High Hrothgar.“But why would she?” Vignar was not going to let him get away with such weak answer.“The witchmen made her their queen and now she claims the right to rule.” Galmar answered as he pulled up a chair from the long table and sat down. “We would not agree to her terms for ceasing hostilities with the Empire and the Forsworn.”“What terms?” Vignar asked as he leaned forward on his throne.“Tullius demanded Riften in return for agreeing to a halt of hostilities.” Galmar started to explain as he leaned back in the chair. “We demanded Markarth in return.” He continued hesitantly. “We argued and could not agree while the Forsworn representatives basically licked her boots and promised they would do whatever she wanted them to do.” “Why was she asking for a cease to hostilities?” Olfina had a pleasant run in with the Dragonborn and was extremely skeptical of all this. “She claimed she needed Skyrim united to fight the dragons and the World Eater…” Galmar was really trying to sell his story and it seemed that it was working. “Little did any of us know, she actually leads the dragons… as you just saw yourself.”“So why would she want Balgruuf back on the throne of Whiterun?” The question Vignar asked actually surprised Galmar.“Balgruuf?” Galmar was truly confused. “I don’t know.”“He made her a Thane here.” One of the guards walked over from his station near the stairs to the war room. “She saved quite a few of the guards and people from a dragon attack near the western tower.”“I was there, that dragon would’ve killed hundreds if not thousands if she hadn’t killed it.” Olfina added with quite the admiration.“A dragon she probably controlled into attacking, she probably had something to do with every attack that’s happened involving dragons.” Galmar was actually starting to believe his own words. It didn’t matter that many of his own people had seen her fight the dragon that had destroyed Kynesgrove. He could still envision the giant skull of that beast, Freyanna had gifted them, hanging over the front gate of Windhelm. Vignar’s expression exuded an aura of doubt that made Galmar uneasy inside.“You really believe she’s responsible for the Dragons?” Vignar didn’t know what to believe, but he knew that she did control that giant beast which brought her to his doorstep. “She could’ve killed every one of us… why didn’t she do so?” The question sounded rhetorical, but Galmar shrugged his shoulders in honest confusion. “I don’t know.” His mind was squarely on Ulfric and the absolute chaos this development was going to cause. “We need to prepare. We have a week to make Whiterun as dragon proof as possible.” Galmar had a chill travel down his spine at the thought of the Dragonborn waging war against them. He stood up, but his legs were still not under him as he almost collapsed, saved only by his strong arm holding the back of the chair. “We need to get word to Ulfric.”“I’ll send my fastest riders now.” Vignar motioned for one of his men to assist Galmar back to his quarters. “You need to rest up, we’re going to need every able arm to defend our hold.” Galmar nodded as he made his way towards the castle bed chambers.He motioned for his housecarl to approach him. “Olfina, I need you to do something for me.”Olfina looked every bit a dangerous warrior in her Nordic armor. It was specially fitted for her by Eorlund, her father and the greatest blacksmith in all of Skyrim. Her swords were both works of Nordic art. “What is it uncle?”“I saw you speak to this elf after the incident at the western tower.” Vignar’s uncertainty of the whole situation was quite pronounced on his weathered face. “I saw the Imperial bounties for her capture…”“She seemed quite taken aback by all of the attention when I first encountered her, nothing like what she showed just now.” Olfina remembered her walking up to Dragonreach with a throng of grateful followers. “She could’ve killed Farkas when he challenged her, but she showed admirable restraint, just as she did now with Galmar.” Olfina continued to ponder that day when this young looking elven maiden joined the ranks of ancient dragon slayers. “The Companions made several overtures for her to join them which she obviously refused.” As she continued to speak of the remarkable Altmer woman, she was actually convincing herself of the elf’s rightful claims. “That armor she wears was father’s greatest achievement at the Skyforge, it’s made of the hides and scales of the dragons she’s slain.”“Do you believe her?” Vignar was extremely torn between his loyalty to the Stormcloak cause and making an enemy of what might be Talos’ rightful heir to the throne of Tamriel.“I don’t know uncle, but her power is obvious as is her restraint.” Olfina answered as best she could. “If she is Dragonborn, then she is meant to do great things.” She set her helmet down on the long table and leaned back onto it with her hands for support. “There are rumors that she’s slain the World Eater… if true… she just might be the person to fix this Daedra forsaken world.”“She avenged the dead at Kynesgrove and defeated the mightiest warrior I’ve ever seen.” One of Galmar’s men was still in the room and felt he needed to add his own opinion to the mix. “I fought alongside her and watched that beast disappear with her into the sky. Later we found the bare bones of the beast, but couldn’t locate her.” Both Olfina and Vignar motioned the seasoned soldier towards them. “We later ran into an Ebony Armored warrior who could’ve killed us all. He said he was looking for a worthy opponent, someone who could send him to Sovengarde… he was also a master of the voice and quite literally could’ve killed us all, but Captain Ralof along with her own companions held him off while we rode out to find her.”Vignar and Olfina listened to the man intently. “You obviously found her.”“Yes.” The soldier answered with an awe struck tone. “She immediately set out to where her comrades were and confronted the giant warrior.” There was quite the lull in the story as the soldier’s mind went back to that day. “I’ve never seen anything like her…”“I can only imagine.” Olfina responded with quite the anxious expectation. “That warrior singlehandedly disarmed almost twenty of the Stormcloak’s finest and she just toyed with him.” He continued the story while mimicking the battle he remembered so vividly. “In the end, she shouted dragonfire on the warrior’s armor and plunged her elven blade into and through the softened chestplate.” He looked over to them. “She actually gave him a chance to quit honorably, but he didn’t.”“Again, that restraint.” Olfina looked over to her uncle and then back to the soldier. “So, do you believe her or not?”“I do.” The soldier responded. “The Gods have put her on this world for us… I know what I say is treason, but I will serve her when next I see her.” He started to remove his sash and helmet when Vignar put his hand on the grizzled veteran’s shoulder.“No need for that, I’m going to send word to her that Whiterun is hers.” It was at exactly that moment of admission that the arrow struck Vignar dead center in the chest. Vignar collapsed to his knees as he held on to the shaft of the arrow sticking out of his bloody chest. “UNCLE!!” Olfina drew her Nordic blades and quickly dodged another arrow as the soldier who’d been telling the story smiled and drew his own blade. She dodged another arrow and quickly engaged the soldier who baited her uncle into turning against the Stormcloaks. Her sword met his in a collision of metal as a swarm of guards surrounded her.“Traitorous bitch, lay down your sword!” The soldier ordered her as Galmar entered the room, nowhere near as incoherent as he made himself out to be after being thawed out. “I suggest you do as he says, the longer you fight, the quicker your uncle dies.” Galmar wasn’t happy, but he needed to know that Vignar was loyal to the cause and now he knew that he wasn’t. “You’ve my word he’ll be healed if you lay down your swords.” Olfina felt a disgusting turn in her stomach as she slowly laid her weapons on the floor and stepped back. Galmar motioned for Farengar to attend to Vignar whose weezing breath was now coming in short puffs.Farengar quickly kneeled next to Vignar and pulled the arrow out as a sickening squirt of blood shout out of the wound and splattered all over Farengar’s formerly immaculate robes. “Damn it.” He muttered as he applied healing spell to the deep wound of the former Jarl. “Done.” Farengar stated with obvious annoyance as he stood.“You’re making an enormous mistake Galmar.” Vignar wheezed as he labored to breathe. “If she is anything like Talos, you will all pay dearly.”“SHE’S NOTHING LIKE TALOS!” Galmar exploded. “TAKE THEM TO THE DUNGEON!” Olfina took her uncle’s arm and put it over her shoulder to help him walk. “You’re right, she’s not like Talos, that difference makes her more than Talos ever was.” Olfina countered defiantly as the soldiers motioned for them to head towards the dungeons.Galmar patted the soldier who’d baited the confessions from the Gray-Mane representatives. “Good job lad, we’re going to need all the good sons and daughters in the coming war.”“Yes sir, what’s next?” The soldier asked.“Come son, we need to plan the defense of this place.” Galmar led the soldier up the stairs to the war room. Silent Moon Camp – A few hours later Freyanna leaned over a map Lydia had hastily put together in the makeshift headquarters they had silently taken from a group of bandits the day before. She had her full contingent of Stormcloak and Empire deserters with her as she looked over the crude map of Whiterun. “He’s got over a thousand defenders within that fortress.” Ralof stated as he too perused the map.“Not to mention that the Companions are there as well.” Hadvar added. “We don’t have the forces to take Whiterun from the Stormcloaks.”“They don’t have the forces to stop us.” Freyanna countered. “They’re expecting something big to come their way…” She stood straight and looked at her people. “They’re expecting a full aerial assault by our dragons.”“You’re not suggesting we use those beasts are you?” Ralof seemed horrified at the thought. “They’d leave nothing but a pile of ash!”“Gods you’re dense.” She smiled at her handsome Nord. “Of course not, but I do have Odahviing and twenty of his brothers ready to transport three persons per dragon into here under the cover of night.” She pointed to the cemetery between the Hall of the Dead and the Temple of Kynareth. “Once we’re all situated, Odahviing will feign an attack with three of his brothers to provide a distraction.” She pointed to the two southern watch towers, the main gate and then again to where she and the ground force would be located. “From here, we swiftly make a bee line for Dragonsreach, overwhelm the guards, take the castle, and demand Vignar and Galmar surrender.”“If they don’t surrender?” Jenassa asked as she approached. She was soon joined by Marcurio, Brelas and Borkul. “They will have no choice.” Freyanna was adamant. “They will surrender or we will make them wish they did.”“What if we’re discovered before we can execute the plan.” Borkul asked. “If we’re discovered, then it will get quite bloody.” Freyanna answered as she let out a sigh. “But, make no mistake, we take Whiterun before this week ends.” She was completely focused on the task. “The darkness should protect us as well as the citizens from unnecessary risk.”“Will the Companions get involved?” Freyanna looked over to both Lydia and Jenassa.“If there’s a good fight to be had, you can bet that they will be there.” She answered with some concern. Lydia nodded in agreement. “They’re excellent warriors, we should do everything we can to avoid them.”“That’s the plan.” Freyanna poured herself a glass of wine and took a deep mouthful. “If they do happen to get involved, I will take care of them.” She gently put the glass down on the map. “Lydia, I want you along with Jenassa, Marcurio, and Hadvar to lead this excursion into the castle.” Ralof was about to protest, but she didn’t give him a chance. “You’re with me…, Borkul, Brelas you too”“How in Oblivion are you going to coordinate this insanely unorthodox operation?” Brelas could see the genius in Freyanna’s plan, but it would take a miracle for all of it to work as thought out. “This is going to take quite a bit of rehearsing and there is no way twenty dragons won’t be noticed.”“We practice like we fight, it will be under the cover of darkness.” Freyanna pointed to a section on the map just north of their current camp. “The aerial part will be practiced here, just south of this peak. It’s a small clearing which will simulate the small area Odahviing and his brothers will have to set us down in.” Freyanna looked up from the map and saw that everyone’s attention was glued on her. “Lydia, you’ll set up here at the camp, as best you can, a facsimile of the rout we’ll take into the palace.” Lydia nodded.“What about the inside of Dragonreach?” Jenassa asked. “I can do that too… to an extent.” Lydia responded as she was already looking around the camp to assess its use as a practice course. “I won’t be perfect, but it’ll work.”“Good.” Freyanna stepped back from the map. “Let’s get started.” Dragonreach Dungeons “Well, well, well, look what the fennec dragged in.” The amused tone of the voice was unmistakably that of the overbearing Battle-Born patriarch, Olfrid. “What happened? Did the Stormcloaks conclude you’d betray them as well?”“The Dragonborn has the blood of Talos running through her veins.” Vignar responded with a wheeze as he collapsed onto his backside against the opposite wall. “The elf is an actual member of the Septim line and Galmar doesn’t seem to like that very much.”Olfrid was rarely left speechless, but this was an unbelievable assertion. “…” He couldn’t respond at all as his mind went to the impressive looking Altmer that he remembered insulting once for not knowing his clan’s history.Vignar actually chuckled at the lack of response from his old nemesis. The pain in his chest was throbbing, but he was still breathing. “You’d think that damn mage would’ve healed me a bit better.” He wheezed again.“Farengar isn’t interested in healing anyone.” Olfrid shot back. “I don’t think he’s ever wanted to do anything other than read his damn books.”The loud sounds of someone struggling outside their cell caused them both to turn. “You’re all gonna pay for this!” The unmistakable voice of Eurlond caught both their attention. “QUIET!” A loud thud ended the struggling sounds quite instantly. The cell opened and they both watched as the two guards dragged Eurlond into the cell and unceremoniously dropped him in the middle. “Old fool.” One of the guards pulled his helmet off to reveal quite the bloody lip. He spat on the floor next Eurlond and then turned to see Vignar attempting to stand. The guard kicked Vignar in the chest, dropping him back on his behind. “Sit down old man.” His condescending tone sent bristles of anger down Vignar’s neck.The two guards walked out and locked the cell. “Figures they’d stick me in here with you two.” Olfrid wasn’t happy, but seeing his two rivals injured and squirming in the cell with him actually made him smile. “Bet, the empire’s rule looks a little better now.”“Ugh…” Eurlond moaned as he turned over and sat up. “Those damn Stormcloaks…” He started to rub the back of his head. “Where’s Olfina?”“She’s with the other women.” Vignar’s voice was still weak, but he needed to tell his brother what happened. “The Dragonborn elf is a Septim.”“You always were a gullible old fool.” Olfrid’s speechlessness ended as he slowly stood to stretch his weary old bones.“It’s true…” Vignar countered with a struggled breath. “She’s a master of the voice, commands dragons, commands a horde of Forsworn, wiped out the Thalmor Embassy, and has exposed Ulfric and Galmar for the frauds that they are!” Vignar’s anger flowed through his words. Eurlond watched his brother struggle for breath as he spoke. “I believe you brother.” His mind went to the image of that magnificent elven maiden. “The Companions basically begged her to join them.” He shuffled over next to his brother and sat down. “I saw her fly out of the great porch on a giant beast and head north.”“She could’ve taken the city by herself.” Vignar continued to talk. “Her and her beast could’ve easily taken out Galmar and myself.” He sighed with a slight weeze. “Maybe it’s better that we’ve been ousted from ruling Whiterun.”“Galmar is as stubborn as he is delusional.” Eurlond mentioned with a bit of sadness. “His blind faith in Ulfric will be his undoing.”“Galmar is just like all of you Gray-Manes.” Olfrid stated quietly as he leaned back against the stone wall.“Blind faith in Tullius and the Empire will be your downfall as well!” Vignar shot back.“Fair enough.” Olfrid quietly acknowledged the criticism as they all turned to the sudden and unexpected sounds of battle just outside of their cell. Hag’s End Velkas and Madanach had quite the work cut out for them in convincing the other factions to trust the Dragonborn. Hag’s End and the Deepwood Redoubt was the largest and most secure Forsworn position outside of Karthspire. Madanach might be the king in name, but it was a loose term among the Forsworn encampments. Velkas understood her sister’s reluctance to accept an outsider as an ally. Outsiders had always proven to be driven by some genocidal urge to rid the Reach of the Forsworn, Ulfric Stormcloak just being the latest example. “They’re not like the Empire or the Stormcloaks.” Velkas hissed at her sister in anger. “If not for her and those who follow her, Karthspire would exist no more!”“Perhaps they need us more than we need them?” Dona shot back as she came face to face with her powerful sister Hagraven. “They freed me and many of our comrades from Cigna Mine.” Madanach added as he chuckled at the display. “She and her allies have made Karthspire into a power rivaling that of even Markarth.” Dona’s eyes looked at her King with questioning eyes. “The skulls of six dragons decorate the walls of the most powerful city in the Reach.”“Truly?” Dona didn’t want to believe what Madanach saying, but her thoughts wavered and slowly drifted into what ifs.Madanach reached into his pouch and produced an enormous tooth. Dona’s eyes were puzzled, but expectant. He tossed the tooth over to her so she could examine it. “One of their own sacrificed themselves to save Karthspire and every one of them fought with courage and tenacity against the beast.”“That in and of itself makes them different from the rest.” Velkas added and it seemed that Dona was starting to be moved by the notions. “They will not interfere in our lives so long as we don’t interfere in theirs.” “What is their price for our loyalty?” Dona finally got down to business.“Her price.” Madanach corrected. “She will help us reclaim the Reach if we agree to peacefully coexist with the other inhabitants once it is ours.”“In addition, she has promised to help defend us from those who would attempt to retake it from us.” Velkas took her place next to her king. “She’s done more for us than even our own.”Dona couldn’t believe what she was hearing, but if one of her sisters and Madanach vouched for this person, she’d get the benefit of the doubt. “Alright, I pledge Deepwood and my people to you my King.”Madanach nodded as he quickly cast a fireball into the sky. A thunderous roar came from the sky to the north and all of their eyes quickly scanned in that direction. Both Velkas and Dona spotted the beast as it approached. Dona was about to sound the alarm when Velkas pulled her back by the shoulder. Dona turned around and could see the confidence in her sister’s eyes. “What is this?” Dona asked.“This is her offering made flesh.” Velkas stepped forward just as the enormous white dragon landed on one of the enormous arches above them. “This is Mulspaanos, he will be your liaison with the Dragonborn. He will also assist you in defending Deepwood.”“MULSPAANOS!” Dona actually shouted to the surprise of both Velkas and Madanach. “Zu’u los zin naal hin qalos.” (I am honored by your presence.)“You honor me by speaking my language.” Mulspaanos answered back in a low and rumbling voice. “You speak the dragon tongue?” Madanach asked Dona.“FUS!” Dona shouted toward her sister and caused Velkas to fall back onto her behind with an audible plop. She turned to Madanach with a smile only a Hagraven could pull off. “It’s a fascinating language… I only wish I could practice more.” Velkas quickly hopped back up and hissed at her sister in indignation. Madanach chuckled at the display between his two most powerful subjects. “Easy my friend, it’s obvious that Dona’s only teasing you.” Velkas was always the more serious of the two and Dona seemed to always be more of a smart ass. No one could deny how formidable they both were though, he couldn’t ask for two better Lieutenants. “One day you will go too far.” Velkas continued to hiss at her sister who always seemed to know how to push her buttons. “Please stop sister, I was only teasing you.” Dona got serious as she slowly approached her. “I would never wish to pit my abilities against yours in battle. We are too few and far between to start killing each other.”“We are even fewer.” Mulspaanos stated to them both. “Zeymah should never kill each other.”Dona nodded at the giant white dragon. “You’re right Mulspaanos.”“I assume Zeymah means sibling?” Velkas asked Dona who nodded in acknowledgment.“DONA!!! DONA!!!” They all turned to see one of her young witch/scouts run up the stairs towards them with a heavy breath. The young man looked up and almost fell backwards at the sight of Mulspaanos. “DRAA… DRAA…”“Easy lad.” Madanach addressed the scout with a comforting hand on his shoulder. “He’s with us.”The scout looked at Madanach in disbelief as he began to catch his breath. Velkas then tapped Madanach on the shoulder and motioned for him to turn his eyes on a substantial crowd that had started to gather at the bottom of the stairs leading to the large landing they were speaking on. Everyone within the crowd seemed to be staring in awe at Mulspaanos.“Why isn’t Vivian with you, Avvos?” Dona asked the scout with some concern while also taking a glance at the large crowd.“A force of Imperial scouts and troops discovered us near the Dragonbridge crossing…” Avvos sounded extremely ashamed that they were discovered. “We… we tried to leave, but they said we were violating the truce and ordered us to lay down our arms.” He paused for a moment and continued. “Vivian told them that we weren’t violating anything and gave me the nod to get ready to flee. The Imperial scout leader repeated for us to lay down our arms and Vivian gave me the signal.” The young Forsworn started to get somewhat anxious. “We split up with Vivian headed towards Bruca’s and me here.”“They didn’t give chase?” Madanach wasn’t convinced that the young man wasn’t followed.“They did, but this is our land…” Avvos was almost offended. “There is no way those soft imperials could track me, or Vivian for that matter.” “So technically the truce still holds.” Velkas stated as she thought about the reasons for initiating such an encounter. “Maybe they were trying to bait our people into a confrontation they could use to end the truce.” Her mind was in complete tactical and strategic mode of thought. “Did you notice anything besides the obvious about those imperial troops?”Avvos actually nodded. “I’ve seen those type of scouts. They’re a vanguard.”“Tullius is going to march through the Reach?” Dona’s thoughts were also going towards the motivation of the imperials. “He’s too busy with the Stormcloak sacking of Whiterun.” Madanach answered. “This could be Legate Rikke.”“Rikke is quite capable.” Velkas mentioned. “And, she does whatever Tullius wants.”“I would say that they’re going to reinforce Markarth.” Dona stated with quite the confidence. “They see the stars are aligning for the retaking of our Capital.”“Damn it.” Madanach thought through Dona’s assertion and came to the same conclusion. “Even with their current garrison, it would take almost everything we have to retake it. With those imperial reinforcements…” Madanach let out a long breath of visible air. “They could hold it forever.” Silent Moon Camp – 1 week later Ralof could not get over how much of a taskmaster Freyanna was. Seeing her bark out orders as they’d practiced the aerial assault over and over again was a real eye opener. They’d been practicing their landing and troop insertions over and over again. They’d gotten so good that the dragons didn’t even touch ground. They would swoop down flair their wings to a hovering stop just above the ground and instantly drop their two soldiers gently on the ground, ready to fight. There would be two soldiers or mages to each dragon and not the three she originally wanted because it slowed the operation considerably. Carrying three humans was okay as long as the dragons didn’t have to do any precision maneuvers. The first practice runs with three were a complete disaster and resulted with one of the dragons crashing into the ground, killing one of her warriors and severely injuring the other two. Two was the perfect number, so now all of the dragons would carry two with the exception of Odahviing who would carry her and only her into battle. The dragons had all become masters of dropping their two humans in the most gentle, quiet, and swift way possible. The twenty dragons could silently drop off their forty people into a small area in less than a minute. It was actually quite incredible to watch the amazing coordination of the maneuver. Ralof knew that he was looking at a new type of warfare. She had drilled them so hard and so often that even Odahviing grew tired of the repetition and finally showed his frustration by letting out a thunderous roar at her. She just stood there almost annoyed as if waiting for the roar to finish. “Are you done?” She looked him over and the exhaustion was very evident by his rapid deep breaths. “It’ll have to suffice.” She mentioned with an air of complete control. “Get your rest…” She turned to the soldiers and Odahviing’s brothers. “All of you. We retake Whiterun tomorrow after sunset.” Odahviing nodded and motioned for his brothers to follow him as he took off into the mountains. He couldn’t argue with the results she obtained as her insistence on perfection manifested in an incredibly trained mixed unit of people and dragons. The logistics of keeping such a powerful unit in operation were immense. Odahviing had sent out his own hunters who had kept his dragons well fed and supplied with mammoth and horker meat for the time being, but he explained that this could not be sustained for much longer. Dragons were not meant to congregate in such large groups and the strain on the local ecosystem could be catastrophic if they stayed together for too long. Her smaller force of humans and elves was much easier to feed and control than the twenty immensely powerful, intelligent and dominant dragons she and Odahviing had the honor of leading. It was a good thing they had all given her their word of obedience.“Vignar and Galmar will never know what hit them.” Ralof walked to stand beside her as they both watched the dragons disappear from sight. He turned to look at her and found that she seemed deep in thought and reflection. “Is everything okay?”“The path that I am following will be ripe with brutality and war… and death.” She looked out into the night towards where they both knew Whiterun stood. “I never wished to be in this position and yet all of the circumstances have conspired to put me on this path.” She turned her gaze to him. “Am I doing the right thing here?” She took her helmet off and locked those intense metallic colored eyes on him. The confidence was gone, replaced by uncertainty and doubt. He didn’t answer, but did close the distance to take a hold of her free hand. “Haven’t I done enough by stopping Alduin and Miraak?”Ralof actually chuckled at the almost nonchalant way she mentioned two of the most frightening things that ever existed. “You’ve done more for Skyrim and Tamriel than Ulfric, the Emperor, and Tullius combined.” He answered her as his eyes locked onto hers in a compassionate stare. “You don’t owe this world anything…” His intense stare did not falter as he spoke. “This world and everything in it, is in your debt… a debt that it can never possibly repay.”She let a soft smile appear on her face. “You’re not supposed to say that.” He felt her slowly lean her forehead onto his. “You’re supposed tell me that I still have work to do.” Her breath was as hot and intoxicating as any perfume. He raised his head slightly and their noses brushed each other in the most hesitant way. “I… don’t want to…” He didn’t let her finish as his lips slammed into hers with a deep and passionate kiss. He slowly pulled away and found her staring back at her with a smile from ear to ear.“You won’t.” He could feel the fear in her assertion. “Whatever you decide, I will always be with you.” He turned from her and began to pull her along towards the camp. “For what it’s worth, I think you were destined by the Gods themselves to lead us all.”“I think you were put here to remind me how wrong I used to be.” He turned around with a slight frown on his face. “If they hadn’t betrayed me…” He stood in front of her and actually started to shake his head. “You’d never be who they wanted you to be.” He caressed her face lightly as he looked into her eyes. “From the stories I’ve heard about you, this is who you are.”The emotional comfort she took from his touch was evident as she leaned into his touch. “Stories? About me?” She pulled back slightly with an amused and puzzled expression. “Who told you these stories?”“Someone who’s seen you in action.” Ralof again took a hold of her hand and led her back into the camp. “He joined us yesterday, said that he serenaded you during the war and you stabbed him for it.” She pulled hard in order to stop from going any further toward the main living quarters. Ralof turned to look at her and the shock on her face was quite pronounced. “Don’t worry, he’s being watched by two of our best.”“It’s not that…” Her eyes were starting to well up with tears as she again began to move towards the door of their overcrowded living arrangement. She opened the door and in the dimly lit room she could see several of her people surrounding an older looking Redguard man as he seemed to be telling a tale. “Rhannvir.” Her memories flooded back of that day in the Alik’r and the tears began to trace a path down her cheeks. She moved towards him hesitantly when he finally locked eyes with her.“MY LADY!” His deep and beautiful voice exclaimed as he stood up with an enormous smile on his face. Her hesitation ended as she purposely made her way towards him and finally embraced the older looking yet still powerful Redguard with everything she had.“I’m so glad you’re alive!” She pulled back and looked at the now older and grayer Rhannvir. “But, why would you come here?”“If you promise not to stab me again, I’d like to join your cause.” He chuckled uncomfortably. “I’d never do that again, not to you anyway.” She smiled and turned to Ralof who was smiling from ear to ear. “Are you sure?” She again faced Rhannvir, but her expression had changed to a much more serious one. “I think this path…” She sighed sadly as she stared into the eyes of this warrior-poet. “I fear it will be far bloodier than even the Great War.”“So you’re saying you have need of me.” He responded jovially. “YOU HAVE TO LET ME TALK TO HER!!!” Their heads all turned towards the sounds of a screaming voice outside. “SHE…” A loud thud stopped the sound immediately. “SHUT IT!” A distinctly frustrated and angry male voice responded. Freyanna quickly turned and left to go outside and was greeted by the sight of two her warriors holding a bloodied woman between them.They both looked up to see her watching them. “She needed to be silenced or the whole of Tamriel would know we were here.” One of them responded to what she was sure was her disapproving glare at them. His response was exactly what she needed to hear and the captured woman’s mumbling and clumsy attempts to stand told her they hadn’t killed or injured her too badly.“Leave her be.” She ordered as she approached and stood in front of this intruder.“They’ll all…” The injured woman began to regain her wits as a slow stream of blood dripped from her forehead. Freyanna looked closely at this woman and recognized her immediately. “be killed…”She put her hand on the woman’s forehead. “Stand still Olfina.” Freyanna’s healing magic flowed into Olfina’s injury and in an instant she was lucent again. “So, tell me why the housecarl and niece of a traitorous pretender is screaming outside of my encampment?”Olfina cringed at the outright contempt in Freyanna’s description of her. “I know you think Vignar is a traitor, but he no longer serves the Stormcloaks.”“So what.” Freyanna’s glare was intense and laser-like. “Why are you here and why shouldn’t I just end you right now?”“Please…” Olfina started to lose it. “Galmar is going to kill them all.”“What?” Lydia, awakened by the commotion approached in her smalls while holding her blade.“Vignar and the rest of us Graymanes believe that you are truly Talos’ heir and our rightful ruler.” She kneeled before her and lowered her head. “Galmar took us all prisoner and we would still be rotting there if not for the courage and skill of the Companions.”“Your guards are excellent.” Another female voice echoed through the darkness. They all turned their heads to see Borkul escorting a tough looking red headed woman in ancient Nordic armor. “Galmar isn’t attacking Jorrvaskr yet, but he has it surrounded and is demanding they surrender or he’ll burn it to the ground.” “If this is a trick…” Freyanna switched her glare between the two women. “I…”“Please, your Majesty, we need your help.” Olfina was still kneeling in supplication.“Borkul!” Freyanna bellowed. “Gather the strike force, we leave immediately.” Borkul acknowledged her and went to alert the rest of the warriors and mages. “OD AH VIING! LAHVRAAN!” (Gather)The thunderous shout caught all of them by surprise.Twenty minutes later, Olfina and Aela watched as a group of forty individuals formed up into a very loose box formation. Each pair of people was separated by about ten feet with each of the pairs separated by about one hundred feet. “What are they doing?” Aela asked herself as she and Olfina sat under the watchful eyes of four very formidable looking warriors.The next thing they saw would steal their breath away. In the far off distant north, Aela could make out the coming formation of giant flying creatures… it had to be twenty or so of them. Her eyes went wide at the recognition of she now knew she saw. She stood up quickly and pointed. “DRAGONS!”“Sit down!” One of her guards ordered, all of them had already drawn their blades. They didn’t seem too overly concerned about the coming beasts that quite literally arrived and began to circle overhead. One of the beasts separated from the group and made its way to the ground.“That’s the beast the Dragonborn was with when she entered Dragonreach.” They both watched as the enormous red dragon landed in front of the Dragonborn.“Dovahkiin.” The red dragon lowered his head and Freyanna leaped up onto its enormous neck.“KIIN!”(Begin) The dragonborn shouted as her giant mount took to the air. Aela and Olfina could only watch in awe as the dragons swooped down in perfect formation and picked up the persons lined up impeccably for just such a task. In less than thirty seconds, the dragons and a platoon of highly skilled warriors and mages was headed south towards Whiterun.“That was incredible!” Olfina exclaimed in wide eyed wonder.“I hope they get there in time.” Aela added.Whiterun – 1 hour later Freyanna could see the smoke from miles away. They had put Jorrvaskr to the torch with everyone inside. “There will be no mercy for any Stormcloak who doesn’t lay down their arms.” She said with a cold and hard voice. She searched the area with her eyes and Aura Whisper shout but could not make out anyone outside of the burning longhouse. There were many inside who seemed to be alive, but they wouldn’t be for long if she didn’t act. “Fly as close to the longhouse as you can, I am getting off.”Odahviing didn’t question her even though he didn’t think it was a good idea. He’d seen what she was capable of and knew that she could wipe out an entire army if she wanted to. He swooped down with a deafening roar and came to a sudden stop as he flared his wings and shifted his weight back to hover about thirty feet from the front of the burning longhouse. Freyanna leaped off his back and landed in front of the burning building with incredible grace. Odahviing then did something completely unexpected as he let out a monstrous breath of cold over the fire raging in front of him. “KIIN!!” He shouted to his brothers and they began their maneuver to drop off the assault team. It didn’t take long for the 40 shock troops to be on the ground and on their way to take the mighty fortress.Freyanna saw that a large steel sword had been used to seal Jorrvaskr’s doors so that no one inside could escape. The fire was now completely out as two of Odahviing’s brothers blasted the roof with their freezing breaths. She pulled the sword from the door handles and opened the large doors, the air rushed in behind her as she walked into a dreadful scene. There were many unconscious individuals strewn about the main hall with Vilkas and Farkas desperately tending to an older man whose life force was fading fast. As she scanned the room, she could see that there were no dead and only the older man seemed to be in mortal danger.She quickly made her way to the two Companions and kneeled next to the older Nord. She placed her hands on his chest and set them healing with that familiar and blinding white light. He wasn’t as seriously injured as she thought and Freyanna could hear him breathing deeply. “Thank you.” With color coming back to Kodlak’s face, Vilkas was eternally grateful to this High Elven Goddess. She stood up tall and tactically scanned the room again. “Where are the Stormcloaks?” “They’ve holed themselves up in Dragonreach.” Vilkas barely finished his sentence as she immediately made her way out the door. Farkas stood next to Vilkas and watched the formidable elf leave the building.“What are you waiting for lads?” Kodlak asked with some annoyance in his voice. “GO HELP HER!” His order was as forceful as it was desperate.