Last Seed 22nd: Whiterun
My head hurts.
As I regain consciousness there's chaos all around: guards are jumping, shouting, running in excitement.
"You did it! You killed the dragon!"
"It wasn't just me; I just..." I start to say, then immediately think better of it. If they want to give me all the credit that's fine by me.
What I actually say is "Hrr jzzh krt lijf cshf", or something similar.
Faendal is shaking me.
"Stop that, Bosmer!" I shout.
"Ah, so you're back: good!" he responds.
Stupid Elf...
Another guard runs up to me and seems even more excited than the last one.
"I can't believe it! You're...you're... Ā Dragonborn!"
That last word is said as if it's the secret and forbidden name of Almsivi theirself.
" āDragonbornā? What in gods' names are you talking about, man?"
"In the very oldest tales..."
Azura's Eyes! I'm exhausted, drained, burnt, wounded and still churning inside, and this NordĀ s'witĀ wants to deliver me a history lecture? AĀ NordĀ history lecture! If it was an untold tale of some deep mystery from Morrowind I still wouldn't listen. But a Nord legend?
His voice drones on, and shows no sign of stopping any time soon. I interrupt.
"Look, this is all terribly interesting, but why don't you tell me your story another time, maybe over an ale in the Bannered Mare?"
No chance: I'm keeping away from this loony!
"Guard of ā what is your name?ā I continue, trying to humour him.Ā
āDelvak, sir.ā he replies.
āDelvak,ā I continue, āI - we - just killed a dragon: we should celebrate. I am going to Whiterun for rest, food, and drink; although maybe not in that order." Ā Ā
I try to get up and don't do very well. "Faendal!". With his assistance IĀ struggle awkwardly to my feetĀ and turn to go.
Ā āYou can Shoutā, Delvak says suddenly, to my back.
āYes." I turn around slowly, trying to be patient.
āI am Dunmer,ā I explain, āIn times of great stress the power of my ancestors rises from within me to aid me in battle. Their rage fills me & I have to set it free with a great cry. Together we defeat our enemies. If you need to understand more you should ask Irileth.ā
With that I turn again and walk towards Whiterun. Iād stay and give myself time to recover but I want to get away from Delvak the Deranged. Faendal and I walk slowly and painfully, leaning on each other as we stumble gingerly over the charred and trampled grassy plains.Ā
I hear the guards arguing amongst themselves. āDragonborn?... .canāt be!... dragons were extinct before todayā¦saw what he did!... filthy grayskin! Dragonborn?... old wives taleā¦My Grandmother saidā¦ more mead!...he can shout I know it!.. shut up you old foolā¦ā
My Dunmer sister is trying to talk some sense into them. āSome of you would be better off keeping quiet rather than flapping your gums about things of which you know nothing.ā I give her an approving smile as we pass. āHereās a dead dragon,ā she continues, āand thatās something I definitely understand. Now we know we can kill them! But I donāt need some mythical dragonborne; someone who can put down a dragon is more than enough for me!ā
āYou wouldnāt understand, Housecarl: you aināt a Nord.ā
āIāve been all across Tamriel, guard; Iāve seen plenty of things just as outlandish as this! Iād advise you all to trust in the strength of your arm over tales & legends. Now you, you and you: we need to get the wounded back to the city; see to it. The rest of you: return to your duties.ā
If I had the use of my arms Iād applaud.
The guards scamper off, some to the Tower, others to assist the wounded, limping and groaning as they join us on the road back to Whiterun. We stop and let them go on.
Once weāre clear of the Nords and their mad stories, we take a chance to drink healing potions and eat from the food in our packs. It isnāt long before we feel our strength starting to return.
Just as we slowly rise to our feet we hear a familiar voice.
āNo: you can Shout! I saw you: you took the dragonās power! Just Shout!ā
Delvak again!
āLook, you crazy Nord: why donātā¦ā
āSHOUT!ā
Whatās this? I feel something welling up from within. My ancestors again? But why? This malshok Nord is no great threat. Itās too soon anyway! No, this is differentā¦ this ā itās that esoteric energy from the wall in the barrow!
Turning around in surprise, my mouth opens, almost unbidden.
āForce. Force? Force!ā The word that was implanted in my mind by the wall. āFORCE! FORCE! FURCE! FUS!ā
With that I feel a power leave my mouth, and crazy old Delvak is sent flying backwards through the air at great speed!
āI think you Shouted, brother.ā says Faendal. āAnd how in the name of all the gods did you do that?!ā
A small group of guards who were going about their business are now standing stock-still, in a state of shock, staring at me open-mouthed. āSo itās true: you are Dragonborn!ā one says. He looks like heās about to fall to the ground and worship me.
What the Dagon is happening to me?! Iām now some sort of mythical hero? A hero of the very people I despise, the vile Nords?!
I look desperately to the heavens and cry āPanthihn, Panthihn, juāit adun ohuhn ferghakam lo?!ā
The Nords continue to look on, reverently.
Faendal breaks the tension. āAre you finished, Shinbira?ā
I look at him, confused.
āYou know, Shinbira, you may not like it; in fact I can see that you donāt. And you may not understand it; I certainly donāt. But one thing is clear: you have power. A new and great power.ā
Gods, heās right!
I donāt understand what has been happening to me: I need to think.
āFaendal?ā
Ā āYes, brother?ā, he replies, apprehensive.
āFancy an ale?ā
āYes, brother!ā
Don't forget: 'If you like it then you oughtta put a 'click' on it'...
And if you don't please tell me why, or how else will I get better? Also if you do!
ThanksĀ
Comments
Thanks for the ... more
"godhead, godhead why are you punishing me?!"
@Lissette this site has some stuff on all the languages:
http://www.imperial-library.info/content/hrafnirs-languages-nordic#Aldmeris
Second: I'm so stupid, obviously that was Ancestor's Wrath. DX I just wasn't thinking properly when I wrote that comment. Sorry!! It wasn't your fault at all.