Skyrim. An entire region laid out beneath me, well most of it. As I awaken from my deep slumber outside of a primitive Nordic Temple I say an unspoken prayer to the Webspinner. Feeling rejuvinated and reinvigorated for another long day I take one more look up at the towering structure of the "barrow" before starting out. I look down at myself to ensure I am suitably attired for another 'refugee' into the fatherland.
Dressed in a simple homespun black robe i feel like a refugee compared to my usual rich garb, however those in my position are used to changing our appearance when neccesary. As I set off down the mountain I recall the last time I visited Skyrim, with my father:
The sky was an electric blue and eerie green colour. I was a young Dunmer boy on a trip with my father to the great Ysmir Collective in Winterhold. We were stood on a long bridge over a sheer drop from the City into the College that housed the great library. Little did I know the true reason we were travelling...
As the snowy regions of the mountain began to dissipate for the lush Tundra I took a moment to quickly sharpen my hidden blade on a whetstone, I suspected the guards would be less than happy to allow me entry, besides which you can never have too much practice. As I pass through a small farm I get the first judgemental looks from the townsfolk. A guard watches warily as I pass through the stables and towards the gate. Two guards flank it and one advances towards me slowly, with a quick feel I check that I still have my dagger, assured I too advance. The guard leans close and I deposit a bag of coins in his pocket, with renewed inteest he allows me past. As the other guard nods knowingly I thrust the blade deep into his chest and spin, firing off a quick spell as I do so. Rapidly I retrieve my bag of coins and enter the city.
Now I am here I can feel a strong pull to the palace. Something there is calling me, something I haven't felt since I left Morrowind: my Lady Mephala. Her influence is clear to me from the way a group of people appear to be arguing as I slip in through the gate. As I survey my surroundings I feel uncomfortably weak...a result of my treatment under the Shadowscales and Dupre. It comes and goes but I never feel as strong as I used to that and the....
My father was speaking to a bearded man in the Collective while I stood reading one of the many books around me. Suddenly my father called and we departed the College. He had what he had come for, little did I know it was a writ....
...flashbacks made me struggle with tasks that were once simple for me. As I edged past yet another guard I looked towards the palace with a newfound vigour. Minutes later I was at the door and two more guards were between me and my Lady. I was sure, now, that she was here. This time I realised that I could not just kill them, I needed time. Summoning up my confidence I demanded to see the Jarl regarding the attack on the townstead where I was to be executed like a peasant. The guards allowed me entrance and I passed intoa large hallway, the darkness outside was not reflected in here as torches kept the place in a flickering light...
The sconces flickered as my father and I passed by another Dunmer as he sat outside in the cold city of Windhelm, his home adorned with the flickering torches. My father paused to speak to him and explains to me that he is actually an old friend from the town of Gnisis. As we enter into his house my father pulls me aside and tells me that I am about to meet "the lady"....
....the room is completely deserted save for a servant sleeping in the corner and a young boy walking on a table. Something draws me to this boy and I sense in him something I remember seeing in myself, a strangely paternal feeling flows over me and I approach the boy silently and whisper to him. Startled he turns and hits me with a plate. laughing, I grab him roughly and explain what it is I feel in this place, the boy looks at me and a dawning understanding is evident. He says "follow me" and darts into a cupboard in the kitchen, curiously I follow and then we approach a door....
....my father took my hand and led me down a hidden flight of stairs and suddenly I beheld a statue of a four armed lady, beautiful but terrifying. My father led me forward and showed me a secret door concealed inside of the statue. I looked up at my father as he said proudly to me "welcome to the Morag Tong"....
As the door opened the boy looked at me and I smiled at him. "Come boy, meet your Lady". He looked at me puzzled as I strode forward and picked an item off of the table. Here it was, mine: The Ebony Blade.
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