31st of Last Seed 4E201
I awoke early to a quick meal of Legion rations before breaking camp with the other men, and bidding Matthias and Hadvar farewell. They had orders to return to Solitude while I planned to head south past Whiterun to Riverwood, and whoever, or whatever, awaited me there. It was around 9am when I began my journey through the valley between the two mountain ranges, spreading to the east and west on either side of Whiterun. As I rode out of the snowy forest and onto the tundra, I heard voices on the wind to my left. A male voice spoke, “Lady Irinwe, that’s him there. Your orders?” A curt female voice replied to them. “Wait for my order before attacking.” The male spoke again. “Yes, milady.” Were they talking about me? Who were they, and what did they want? Not wanting to take any chances, I dismounted my horse, and readied my bow. Three Altmer made themselves known on the rocks above me – two males in shining gold armor with swords, and the female in the ebony gold-trimmed robes of the Aldmeri Dominion. “Well, ‘Aedric’, I’m glad we’ve finally met. You have actively disrupted the business of the Aldmeri Dominion, killing 6 Justiciars. For that, you must die.” She nodded to the two men. “Destroy him.” I replied with a sharp cry. “I’m not going down without a fight, Thalmor scum! Have at you!” Lady Irinwe merely stood with her arms crossed, watching over her two subordinates as they charged. Three arrows sent one to the ground just before he reached me, and I staggered the other with a uppercut to the chin, just the spot where his helmet wasn’t protecting. Although all Altmer had some skill with magic, it seemed these foot soldiers didn’t have the skill to stop arrows. I drew my blade, ducking under the second soldier’s strike, only to take a gout of flame from his other hand, setting my clothing alight. The magical flames weren’t very intense, and allowed me a strike at his unprotected shoulder. He recoiled, offering me another opportunity. The next blow was fatal, and he collapsed dead. “Well it seems you’re as good as they say, Aedric. But you’ll find me a much stronger foe,” Irinwe said, toying with me. I fired an arrow which would’ve hit right between her eyes, but a magical ward deflected the arrow as she cast another shielding spell over herself. I fired a follow-up shot, this one striking her thigh. She returned fire, and two searing bolts of lightning lanced from her fingertips right into my chest, staggering me a little. A smile grew across the Justiciar’s face as I let out a small cry of pain. A second volley of magic sent me staggering back again, and I dived behind a rock as third pair of bolts missed me by inches. Shuffling through my pack I found a poison I’d crafted days ago from blue mountain flowers and butterfly wings. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but it halted magician’s ability to regain their control over magic energies for some time, while increasing their aptitude for Conjuration spells. Dipping my arrow in it, I fired another shot, this time to her arm. While I cowered behind the rock she must’ve already pulled out the first arrow and healed the wound. I broke cover and dodged around for a few seconds, as her remaining magickal reserves were depleted and she advanced on me with a dagger. Dipping my arrow in a second poison, this one a pure paralysis poison, I fired another shot striking her in the chest. Her limbs locked mid-stride, and she tumbled to the ground. I drew my sword and closed to melee distance just as she got back up. Her steel dagger was no match for a greatsword, and I drove her to her knees. She spat at my feet. “This is not over, Nord. More will come – your life and land is forfeit!” I sliced her head clean off before she could 
continue, leaving the bodies in a violent display in the tundra grass. As I was about to leave I noticed a scroll in the mage’s robe. It read, “The Nord called Aedric killed two groups of Justiciars on the 25th. Our spies report he has been sent on a mission for the Legion at Korvanjund, a ruin north of Whiterun. Irinwe, Erundil and Yarnar – you are to watch the exits from the area – he is to be killed on sight.” The letter was signed by one ‘Lady Elenwen’ – a figure unknown to me. I tucked the letter into my pack before continuing on my journey. I had no fear of the Dominion; it was time they began to fear me.
I rode through the crisp tundra morning, around the towering walls of Whiterun and entered the city. I sold off some of my loot and traded some potions for new alchemy supplies. I learned from Arcadia, the alchemist, how to make a more pure Marksman’s potion. I’d previously been using Spider Eggs and Canis Roots – apparently substituting either of them for an Elves Ear leaf would prevent the mixture from damaging my stamina in the process. It was only a brief stop, and I soon rode back out of the city south to Riverwood. As I passed by the outlying farms, I was approached by a courier. “I’ve been looking for you,” he said, panting. “Got something I’m supposed to deliver. Let’s see here...” I waited impatiently as he rummaged through his satchel. “A letter from Falk Firebeard, at the Blue Palace.” He handed the letter over. It was sealed with the Solitude crest. “You must have friends in high places. That’s it – got to go.” He dashed off towards Whiterun and I continued south. I continued over to the foothills and read the letter. Apparently the situation with Potema’s summoning wasn’t completely resolved – he wanted to see me, but hadn’t disclosed the details in the letter. I’d have to be back in Solitude for the Legion soon enough anyway. Stowing the letter away, I rose up the winding road to Riverwood past the splashing waterfall, but it seemed the world – or maybe even whoever stole the Horn, for that matter, was determined for me not to reach Riverwood. A female Redguard mercernary in fine Steel Plate armor emerged onto the road, Dwarven axe in hand, and threw a fireball at me from the other. Yanking the reins to the side, my steed managed to avoid the searing bolt with a whinny. I rode into cover, dismounted and drew my bow. The standoff lasted some time – she couldn’t hit me wile I was dodging from side to see, while at the same time moving so much was throwing off my aim.
Many of my arrows were lost into the raging torrent of water – I’d have to stock up again once I reached Riverwood. I managed to land a few hits on her, but she just kept healing the wounds with magic. I shouted; “FUS RO!” sent her reeling back onto her knees, a volley of several arrows striking her unprotected head and neck. It was clear she wouldn’t be getting back up, and I approached the fallen mercenary. I pulled her around to face me. “Who hired you! How much were they paying!” I demanded, angrily. All she managed to do was cough up blood and spit at my feet. I pulled a potion out of my pack,hoping it would change her mind. She managed a laugh at the potion before her wounds took hold. I led my horse by the reins along the remaining stretch of road, keeping my bow ready in my other hand. I reached Riverwood’s fortifications without further incedent, and I crept forward slowly, expecting an ambush. The streets were empty, even around noon, which was odd for the small town. Still cautious, I tied my horse to the railing outside the inn and made my way inside. “Whoa, Dragonborn!” Orgnar said. “Put the weapon down!” I shouldered by bow and Sven approached me. “Something wrong?” I brushed him off. “No, it’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.” Sven backed off but still appeared concerned. “Well, welcome back anyway.” I approached Delphine, the innkeeper. “You’re that stranger been poking around. Welcome back. What can I do for you?” “I’d like to book the attic room,” I replied. “We don’t have an attic room. But you can have the one on the left.” It was a different room to the one I’d stayed in all the other times, and I let Delphine show me in. I was half expecting a trap to trigger the instant the door opened, killing both Delphine and I, but nothing ended up happening. I moved to the back of the room the instant the door closed, nocked an arrow and aimed at the door. It wasn’t long before I heard footsteps approaching the door,and I tensed when it opened a crack. Much to my 
surprise, Delphine entered the room again, the Horn in hand. “I think you’re looking for this, she said, passing the Horn over. I loosened by draw and lowered the bow. “What do you want? Why did you bring me here?” “We can’t talk here. Follow me.” She lead me through the door on the opposite side of the inn as I shrugged to Sven. She closed the door behind us and opened a wardrobe on the other side of the room, and slid aside the back panel. Much to my surprise, it revealed a staircase down into another room, and I followed her down. “It seems I’m getting good at the harmless innkeeper act.” The elven dagger was hardly subtle, I thought to myself. “So you’re the dragonborn I’ve been hearing so much about.” I folded my arms and leant against a wall. “Who are you and what do you want?” I asked. “I’m part of a group that’s been looking for you – or someone like you – for a very long time.” “How do I know I can trust you?” “If you didn’t trust me, you were stupid to walk in here in the first place. If I didn’t like the look of you, you’d have been dead in a second.” “I’d like to see you try.” “It doesn’t matter now. I gave you the Horn – I’m trying to help you here!” “How did you get the Horn anyway? How did you know I would go there?” “The Greybeards are nothing if not predictable. I had to make sure you weren’t a Thalmor plant. Anyway, I’m sure you’re concerned with the dragon attacks just as much as I am. You see – dragons aren’t just returning – they’re coming back to life!” “How do you know that?” She showed me a map of dragon burial sites. “I’ve been to all these burial mounds and found them empty. And I’ve discovered where the next one is going to return. Kynesgrove, near Windhelm. You’re coming with me to slay it, and prove you are truly Dragonborn.” “And if I refuse?” “Would you let an entire village burn from your inaction?” “Hmph, fine. When do we leave?” “Immediately. Just let me get on my travelling gear. I’ll meet you outside.”
She emerged from the inn in a fine set of leather armor, and a katana belted to her waist. Could she possibly be one of the Blades? Like many of the other children in Cyrodiil, I grew up with stories of the Blades and how they saved all of Tamriel from certain destruction at the hands of the Daedra. Their legacy only became greater when the Thalmor wanted them all dead – and Delphine had said she had to check I wasn’t a Thalmor plant. Odd. “Get going,” she said. “I’ll meet you there.” I passed safely out of Whiterun Hold into the southern part of Eastmarch under a sunny sky. I didn’t delay to gather ingredients – perhaps there would be time for that later. I’d almost reached the bridge over to Kynesgrove when a figure lunged out of the shadows at me. A female Khajiit wielding a sword and dagger, clad in black and crimson leathers, threw herself at me in a fury. I was knocked from the saddle onto the ground, and quickly rolled to the side of her sword thrust. I pulled my blade from its sheath and prepared to defend myself. I caught a scissor slash on my blade, throwing her arms aside, and cut a long slash across her entire torso. She writhed in pain as I followed up with another flurry of devastating strikes. Driven to the ground, she uttered a final cry of “Sithis take me...” before all life left her body. Searching for some evidence of her motives,I discovered a note. Apparently someone had performed a ‘Black Sacrement’ and wanted me dead. It was signed by a someone called Astrid – yet another in my list of assailants. With barely any knowledge of the Khajiit and their death rites, I merely pushed the assassin to the side of the road. I crossed the bridge to Kynesgrove and suddenly a blizzard kicked up as I saw the silhouette of a dragon on the hill above the town. Screaming townspeople fled toward Windhelm and the protection of its walls and soldiers. Delphine was already waiting for me. “Come on, I think we’re already too late. Let’s move!” We ran up the hill to where the dragon was hovering above one of the burial mounds. It began speaking in the dragon tongue. “What’s it saying?” Delphine asked. “I don’t know. But I think it’s the same one that attacked Helgen.” “Some master of the Voice you are. Let’s see what happens.” After about 30 seconds a thundercrack and wave of energy issued from the beasts mouth, striking the mound. Much to both of our amazement, a skeletal dragon emerged from the ground and the flying dragon turned to us. “Ful, losei Dovahkiin? Zu'u koraav nid nol dov do hi.” He must have sensed my puzzlement. “You do not even know our tongue, do you? Such arrogance, to dare take for yourself the name of Dovah.” He turned back to the other dragon – it’s flesh was being absorbed back onto its skeleton – as if it was re-absorbing its own soul. “Destroy them, Sahloknir.” “Yes, Alduin!” the other dragon replied. I fired an arrow at Alduin, but it merely glanced off the warped scales all over him, and he flew off. “I am Sahloknir! Hear my Voice and despair, mortals!” “Perhaps I should show you mine!” I replied. “FUS RO!” I shouted, and the beast recoiled. Delphine and I ran for cover and fired volley after volley of arrows at the newly reborn dragon. The mound was surrounded by trees and boulders, giving us easy protection from the dragon’s voice and teeth. Sahloknir’s hide was bristling with the arrows and he crashed to the ground. Delphine drew her katana in her right, elven dagger in her left, and charged. Her form a whirlwind of blows, she bloodied the dragon’s snout almost beyond recognition. Sahloknir recoiled again, and I charged in with my greatsword, making a deep cut down his whole underbelly, diving out of the way as his body collapsed. I stood beside Delphine as I absorbed the dragon’s soul. She stared on in amazement as all
that was left of the dragon was a skeleton and a pile of scales. “So you really are the Dragonborn. I think I owe you some answers,” she said, still surprised. “Who are you? Who are these people looking for a Dragonborn?” “I’m one of the last surviving members of the Blades.” Amazing. “Most people in Cyrodiil knew us as protectors of the Emperor. But before that we were renowned dragonslayers – in the service of the greatest dragonslayer, the Dragonborn. Only the Dragonborn can permanently kill a dragon by devouring its soul.” “Well it’s obvious why you had to check if I was with the Thalmor,” I replied. “Yes, speaking of those evil elves, that’s the next part of my plan. We need to infiltrate the Thalmor Embassy – who else could benefit from the return of the dragons?” “What do you mean?” “The war was basically over. The Empire had captured Ulfric – as you know – then a dragon turns up, Ulfric escapes, and the war is back on. Skyrim is weakened – the Empire is weakened.” “Ah, I see. I’ve had a few run-ins with the Thalmor too. What’s your plan then?” I was half hoping I’d be sent in, since I wanted to see if they had anything on me as well. “I don’t know. Meet me back in Riverwood in a few days.” She handed me the key to the false wardrobe. “Safe travels, Dragonborn.”
I spent the rest of the afternoon roaming the Aalto, discovering several new reagents. I collected many samples of these strange reddy-orange creep clusters, and some Jazbay grapes. I had enough to do quite alot of experimenting tomorrow. However, along the way I was attacked by a Dunmer assassin in the same garb as the Khajiiti one from earlier. This one was much more skilled – deftly rolling out of the way of many of my sword swings. I consumed Sahloknir’s soul, gaining understanding of “Tiid” or “Time”. Shouting the word seemed to slow the worlds to a crawl. I can remember hoping at that moment it wasn’t permanent. I could still think normally, but my muscles, and the actions of those around me, were excruciatingly slow. It seemed I could move a little faster than them – and used this opportunity to destroy the assassin while he could barely react. I could predict his movements with ease, and he went down within seconds, and I returned to real time. He held an identical note to the one I found earlier. Interesting. I made my way towards Windhelm, finishing off a dragon that had been severely wounded by a single Giant, and entering the city after dusk. Hoping I wasn’t recognized, I threw my cowl on and made straight for the inn. I’d stayed there a few times before, and asked Elda about the word around town as I ate. Most of it wasn’t of any note but something caught my interest. One of the children was performing the Black Sacrament to call upon the Dark Brotherhood. They must’ve been the people sent to assassinate me – it said on both the notes that someone had performed the Black Sacrament and wanted me dead. Interesting. I went to my room and pondered the paths which lay before me. I could return to the Rift for Thieves Guild work – I don’t think Mercer would be too happy with me after not taking work for around a week! I could also return to Solitude along the Northern coast of Skyrim for more Legion work and meet with Falk again, or investigate this Dark Brotherhood business. But I’d have to decide in the morning.
Where to next?
1. Back to the Rift for Thieves Guild work
2. Explore the north of Skyrim on the way back to Solitude
3. Look into the Dark Brotherhood business
4. Other
Let me know in your comment!
Next chapter is up - read it here
Notes: While researching for this chapter I found something pretty interesting on the UESP - Taarie and Elenwen were both renegade mages hiding in caves in Morrowind! And sorry to everyone who's journals I haven't read yet - I'll catch up on those in the next few days. Also follow the contents page to recieve an email every time a new chapter is posted. Thanks guys (and gals)!
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