Fredas, 22^nd Last Seed, 4E 201

& Loredas, 23^rd Last Seed, 4E 201

I entered the barracks and soon found Vayu, one of our shamans and husband of Celestine, the best Restoration Mage I know. Vayu, like all our shamans, is a skilled swordsman and Destruction Mage. Celestine and Vayu have their own home within Aetheron’s precinct, but often visit the palace.

Vayu halted, for he could see my concern.

“You seem disturbed, Wulf.”

“Silah visited. Alduin has arrived and is now in Sovngarde.”

“Then we still have time, as he must regain his strength and strategise.”

“Sorry if I cannot find relief in the fact that he is now consuming souls while we ponder our next step.”

“We have planned for this and have a good idea what Alduin’s movements will be. The chaos begins when he restarts the war. Until then, we must stick to our strategy.”

“Life as usual…almost.”

“The Dragonguard, all of them, must be armoured and ready to fight at a moment’s notice. That means short baths and showers and sleeping in their armour. All leave from Aetheron is cancelled.”

“We will leave the Dragonguard at the larger estates unless Alduin’s allies start attacking such places. But I doubt he will. Whatever forces he can muster will attack Hold capitals.”

“You are our Grandmaster, Wulf. You have our confidence, and there is abundant advice available if needed.”

“Tough decisions will need to be made, and sharing the decision-making will make them easier.”

“Alduin has no idea a Dragonborn is here to oppose him. That will be his undoing.”

“It will be a relief to end most of this subterfuge. We shall still carry secrets, but I will be free to use The Voice.”

“I will tell the others of Alduin. CORBs will allow us to inform the remote outposts. You will pick a squad and go do some archaeology.”

“Yes, Shaman Vayu. It is not like the Grandmaster has any say in such things. And please, use the name I gave them.”

“Welkorith might mean ‘Speaking Light Orb’, but that is too abstract. Communication Orb, CORB, is much easier for us non-Ayleidoon fanatics.”

“I know the four Minotaur would vote for Welkorith.”

“We could end up with a dozen names if we take into account the native languages of the Dragonguard.”

“Stop using logic, Vayu! I might beg for its application sometimes, but not when it is used on me!”

“Maintain your good humour, Wulf. I know that worry, caused by uncertainty, will eat away at you otherwise. As soon as Alduin makes his move, our planning and logic will win us the war. Of that I am certain.”

“What’s your shackle size in case we do not win?”

“Very droll.”

“Alright, I shall gather a squad and go relic hunting.”

People overheard my discussion with Vayu, for we did not attempt to be discreet. Therefore, the news of Alduin’s return spread across the barracks quickly, and soon everybody present knew.

Matti walked past happily announcing, “I look forward to whacking a few lizards on the nose!”

Celestine worries about me too much. The look of concern on her face was touching.

“Wulf, be confident for others, even if you start to doubt our readiness.”

“I do not doubt our readiness, Celestine. But we will need allies, and Ulfric’s Civil War is not only providing Alduin with many new souls, but it might deny us allies. I do not have time to play politics.”

“You could have been Thane of every Hold if you had played politics. That would generate hate on both sides. Currently, you are a neutral, wealthy, and respected citizen praised for your charitable endeavours. Once it is announced that you are the Dragonborn, political pressure will increase. But Alduin will not allow you time to play politician. All we can do is appear in whatever location his dragons attack and prove we are an ally of mortals, no matter who they are.”

“Can you imagine the temptation of a large battle? A third party suddenly attacks opposing forces. The chaos alone would make a dragon victory inevitable.”

“After one or two instances, even the most bloodthirsty leader would realise the folly of continuing to provide such ripe pickings. A forced ceasefire would result.”

“I might take the time to end the civil war. Many who support Ulfric would abandon him if, during a renewed Dragon War, I side with The Empire.”

“That is a possibility we have discussed, and it is plausible. But we would still have to counter Alduin’s attacks on towns and cities, even if they are loyal to Ulfric.”

“Nobody is going to refuse our aid when dragons are burning their buildings and slaughtering their people.”

“Alduin will want the war to continue. I doubt Elisif, Ulfric, or Tullius will be targeted.”

“We do not know his mindset after banishment through time. He might not think like the strategist he once was.”

“Speculation?”

“Why not? Now is the time to consider flaws in our plans.”

“No, Wulf. The time for that is when flaws are discovered.”

“I am not thinking straight, am I?”

“No, so your planned dig through ancient ruins is the best solution to that.”

“I will take Flint with me.”

“Isn’t that rewarding him for bad behaviour?”

“He said he was bored, and that is why he broke our rules. Can you imagine how excited he will be digging through rubble in a dusty old tomb?”

“Oh, he will hate it!”

“Precisely.”

“You might find him changed somewhat. He has just left his talk with Shiva and Granite and is shrinking from the disapproval he sees from others.”

“The Dragonguard will be relying on each other in the battles to come. Flint must prove he is worthy of trust, or others will not want him in their squad.”

“The Minotaurs and Wood Elves did not participate in our battles on Akavir. They all must prove themselves.”

“You know the distinction, Celestine. I cannot think of any other Dragonguard who would ignore our rules so openly and selfishly. Many Minotaurs who have left their hidden cities in the passages of the Jerall Mountains are aligning themselves with bandits and Forsworn. Their Shamans cannot explain why Saint Alessia has abandoned them, and so they have lost their faith. We need visible proof that law-abiding Minotaurs also exist. Flint, Granite, Hazra, and Matti will be proof of that. Flint has been told this, yet he risked all to go hunting.”

“Take Flint with you and a couple of senior Dragonguard. Also take Inigo, for he has had a lifetime of racial abuse and being labelled a freak. Flint needs to see how the Dragonguard support each other, and how a person’s attitude combats ignorance. Keep teaching him, Wulf.”

“I do not expect much danger in the Akaviri ruins. It was a small outpost. More of a waystation for weary scouts and platoons on patrol.”

“It is a start. You have not taken Flint on any other expedition. The trust will be unexpected, and hopefully, appreciated.”

“Thank you for your words of wisdom, Master Mage Celestine.”

“It has been a long time since I was called that.”

“My life is at risk if I call you Aunty Celestine.”

Mizu, my apprentice, stopped me on the stairs.

“Master, I will finally test my Thu’um in battle!”

“Mizu, as your ‘Master’, I order you to call me Wulf.”

“Yes, Master.”

“You are a superb swordsperson, and your marksmanship is excellent. Katana and bow should be your weapons when facing a dragon. Hone your Thu’um when we fight mortals. There is always ample opportunity for that as we slowly take back Skyrim from bandits and other scum.”

“At least one Unrelenting Force into the face of a Dov would tell me all I need to know.”

“Any Dov would admire your ability to Shout. Do not expect compliments on the strength of your Thu’um.”

“They might hesitate before turning me into a crispy corpse.”

“Please, Mizu, maintain that rosy outlook you have. It always fills me with hope.”

“As you wish, Master.”

Flint was sitting alone, hoofs dangling in the water. He is usually one of the loudest, regaling others with tales they have heard a hundred times before. The Minotaur experienced disapproval from others through shunning.

“Dragonguard Flint, you will be accompanying me as I do some archaeology at an Akaviri outpost.”

“That sounds, ahh, exciting! Thank you, Grandmaster Wulf.”

“We will leave in five minutes. Meet us near Meeko.”

As Hazra passed me, he said, “I am looking forward to seeing how my bow fares against dragons.”

I replied, “A twelve-foot-long bow that shoots harpoons should do quite well. I saw it skewer three bandits in steel armour standing in a row, so it might even tickle the bigger dragons!”

“Your drollness is at an all-time high.”

“It takes effort, Hazra.”

I approached Raikou, the only surviving Dragonguard of the Kamal race. He has a third eye, which many shamans of various races develop through the study of ancient magics. He is our most senior shaman and therefore has the last say on who will be accepted into our ranks.

“Shaman Raikou, I would like you to accompany me, Inigo, Shiva, and Flint. We are to help with the excavation of the Akaviri waypoint in Whiterun’s tundra.”

“I doubt there will be much of interest. Those waypoints were dotted all over Tamriel.”

“I had a sense when I was there yesterday that there is something more to it. The Explorers Guild should have cleared the rubble by now, so we should have access to at least one of the main entrances.”

“We have learned not to dismiss your hunches and senses, Wulf. It will be good to go somewhere with you and not get into a fight of some description.”

“We are leaving in five. I have placed a Mark at the dig site, so we shall Recall to that.”

Nexendia was not a Dragonguard, but one of my Psijic teachers and someone I trusted. If there is one group of people who can challenge The Thalmor for Champions of Arrogance, it is the Psijic Order.

“So, our little experiment comes to its conclusion. Was our effort to teach an outsider worth it, or will he perish horribly?”

“If I succeed, you will claim the glory for the Psijic Order.”

“Of course I would!”

“Let me think. Perish horribly or contribute to Psijic happiness? It is a hard choice.”

“Well, you still have time to make your will. Do not dilly dally!”

Taku, an Akaviri native whose father was a Redguard Blade and the sole surviving Tang Mo Dragonguard, Ki-Ro, intercepted me.

• Taku: Is it true that all passes are cancelled?
• Wulf: Yes, Taku. You knew that would be the procedure once Alduin arrived.
• Ki-Ro: Taku had a weekend planned with one of Bee and Barb’s serving girls.
• Wulf: Well, she can thank Alduin for preventing that disaster.
• Taku: Do you know how popular Riverfall Cottage is? I had to book it months ago!
• Wulf: For the activities you intend to pursue, Riverside Lodge, Riverside Shack, Tundra Homestead, Aonghus House or any of the other dozen properties I have purchased would be suitable. A bedroll on a cave floor would suffice. Anyway, after the ban ends, we shall start the getaway list from its current position.
• Taku: So, I would be the first on the list for Riverfall Cottage!
• Wulf: If it has not been turned into a pile of smouldering timbers.
• Ki-Ro: You would be one of the heroes who saved everybody from the dragons.
• Taku: Perhaps those twin serving girls from Winterhold might finally succumb to my charms?
• Wulf: Well, perhaps they might be psychologically damaged from the terror caused by dragons?
• Ki-Ro: Or maybe their eyesight gets damaged?
• Wulf: And their sense of smell!
• Ki-Ro: Then Taku might stand a chance.
• Taku: Hey, why the hostility? Are you both jealous?
• Wulf: Every other Dragonguard is trying to come to terms with Alduin’s arrival. They know the terror and devastation that is to follow. And you, my dear Taku, are upset about missing a few minutes of boot knocking.
• Ki-Ro: A few minutes is probably overgenerous, Wulf.
• Taku: Oh, it does sound a bit shallow, doesn’t it?
• Wulf: We have made many sacrifices to prepare for this. And many of you are still grieving for our losses in Akavir. Therefore, I understand the need for recreation and time away from here. All I ask is that you keep things in perspective.
• Taku: I apologise. I cannot begin to fathom the worries you have.
• Wulf: They are eased by the company I keep. I trust you all and fear I may lose some of you. So, take this time to walk our wonderful gardens. Sit outside and enjoy a cup of coffee with friends. Create memories that might last beyond the death and destruction about to be visited on us.
• Taku: That is grim.
• Ki-Ro: No, Taku, this is the reality. Now, let’s try the new coffee varieties that came on the last shipment from Roscrea.
• Taku: Okay, Ki-Ro.

The two friends gathered another couple of Dragonguard on the way out. The Tang Mo are the easiest-going people on Nirn. However, when things become serious, they are invaluable allies who dispense with their natural frivolity.

Flint was waiting near Meeko. Cian was as well.

• Cian: Do you realise that none of your newest recruits, us Wood Elves and our tiny Minotaur allies, have never seen a dragon up close?
• Wulf: Of course, I am aware of that. But we have taught you their vital spots and how to avoid the biting, clawing, fire-breathing, electric, and acid attacks.
• Flint: Have you ever fought a Dragon, Wulf?
• Wulf: I have fought training battles with my Dov friends and been injured doing so. They did not hold back. But each Dov we fight will be different in terms of tactics, skills, strength of Thu’um, spells and Shouts.
• Cian: Can we defeat them?
• Wulf: You have a chance to fight them effectively, especially with the dweomer we have placed on your equipment. Imagine a poor city guard, or Legionnaire, whose duty it is to face this enemy. They have far less chance and no training, yet they will fight for friends, family, and freedom. All I ask is that the Dragonguard show the same commitment.
• Flint: Will the war end with Alduin’s defeat?
• Wulf: Yes, but I will be challenged by some Dov to individual battle. If we defeat Alduin, I will be regarded as having the strongest Thu’um. Until all challengers are culled, I will be fighting Dov long after Alduin is beaten.
• Cian: I know Alduin will concentrate on Skyrim first, but he will conquer all Nirn if we fail. So, I, too, will be fighting for friends, family, and freedom.
• Flint: Perhaps our efforts will earn some respect. Khajiiti, Minotaurs, various types of Elves, and species from across the oceans will defend Skyrim.
• Wulf: To a normal citizen, your efforts will be appreciated, and the species will become irrelevant. However, you are never going to earn respect from Ulfric Stormcloak or his racist, bigoted followers.
• Flint: Skyrim is for the Nords!
• Cian: What a load of…
• Wulf: Bollocks!
• Cian: Have fun digging through ancient rubble and bones!
• Wulf: We will. Flint can hardly contain his excitement.

Cian chuckled as he headed for the bar. He is quite keen on Antrel, our half-Dunmer barkeep.

I gathered Inigo and Shiva.

Everybody was ready to leave when Meeko barked.

“Woof?”

“You cannot come this time, and do not whine. You have been on many trips lately.”

“Woof!”

“Sure, go ahead and leave via the portal. But I hope you do not think I would rescue you from prison.”

“Woof?”

“Why? Well, I like Flint. That is the difference.”

“Woof!”

“Okay, stay with Hashire and Surilana. You and that nag always complain about not being taken on trips, and I am sure Surilana would love to hear more of your complaints.”

Meeko looked dejected, and I knew what he needed.

I told him, “Shiva’s niece is helping decorate one of the houses, which is her passion, and will be here in a few days. Then I shall look for other children who can rotate between here and my orphanages. They can learn skills in Atheron that the orphanages are not equipped to teach.”

“Woof?”

“Yes, they will have time to play each day.”

I gave Meeko a scratch behind the ear, then Recalled the squad to the Mark I left yesterday.

Karl was startled, not because we appeared out of the ether, for he was used to that. He was startled because a blue Khajiiti, a twelve-foot-tall Minotaur and a three-eyed Kamal appeared out of the ether. Shiva was the only one of my friends who was familiar with.

• Wulf: Relax, Karl, they are mostly harmless. Except for Flint’s farts, they are deadly.
• Flint: It is an art.
• Inigo: Maybe Karl was not prepared for the pure handsomeness of this blue wonder.
• Raikou: Perhaps I should have worn my mask?
• Shiva: That thing makes you look like a demon.
• Raikou: The terrified Nords called us demons when we invaded. They never did call us Kamal.
• Wulf: Your mouth is moving, Karl, but nothing legible is coming out of it.

Karl shook his head, took a deep breath and to his credit, sounded almost calm.

• Karl: Ahh… glad to meet you all.
• Wulf: Is the rubble cleared?
• Karl: Yes, and there are four doors. The one opposite the entry leads to a balcony of sorts. The view across the tundra is impressive. The doors to the left and right of the entrance are sealed. Arginal has not been able to find and disarm the locking mechanism.
• Raikou: The Akaviri have always been excellent locksmiths.
• Karl: Even if we could have opened them, Guildmaster, we would not have.
• Wulf: And why is that?
• Karl: Something is moving around on the other side of the doors.
• Shiva: Probably skeevers.
• Karl: Skeevers do not sound like bone scraping on bone.
• Wulf: They would not be skeletal warriors like those we encounter in Nord ruins.
• Raikou: They are likely to be undead guards. The Tsaesci name for them is Vehkon, which means ‘silent, oath-bound guardians.’
• Karl: You mean they volunteer to become undead to guard something?
• Shiva: Yes, like Draugr were volunteers for The Dragon Cult. Ayleid Wrights were volunteers for the Ayleids.
• Karl: You said they are silent. Are they sentient?
• Raikou: Yes, and they usually have a commander, what the Tsaesci call a Raehon. The Vehkon were nearly always soldiers of lower ranks. The Raehon was usually of high military rank. The title means judge, to put it simply.
• Shiva: The Vehkon do not rattle, for they are in spirit form. They are ghostly apparitions.
• Karl: What do they judge?
• Shiva: What is being guarded is never treasure. It may be an important artifact, piece of information, warning, or prediction. It is whatever a Tseihon says needs to be protected.
• Raikou: Tseihon are Shamans, like me, but with uncannily accurate foresight. They instruct the Raehon on what needs guarding and to whom, if anyone, information or an artifact is to be delivered.
• Shiva: There are usually tests to weed out the unworthy before reaching the Vehkon. This place, being a military outpost, might require martial prowess to be proven.
• Wulf: This is good and interesting speculation, but we shall have to discover the truth by finding a way inside. Arginal is a master thief, and if he cannot figure out the locking mechanism, then it is likely magical in nature.
• Inigo: Lucky for us, we have two smartarse mages in the squad.
• Karl: Why is he blue?
• Raikou: That is from a lack of oxygen. You see, he drowned. Unfortunately, I could not reanimate him before his brain rotted.

Like a badly written drama, Inigo suddenly groaned and staggered, as if Raikou’s jest had some truth to it.

• Inigo: My Friend. I feel… strange.
• Wulf: Describe what you mean by strange. I can see you are not acting, Inigo.
• Inigo: My mind is vibrating in my skull. It feels like it is at the end of a rope.
• Wulf: Many mages have experienced the same when I am teaching them.
• Inigo: But I am not a mage!
• Raikou: And neither is the person trying to summon you.
• Wulf: Or he is a very bad one.
• Inigo: The sensation is receding. That was horrible! Please, explain what is happening.
• Raikou: To ensure we are not jumping to conclusions, describe the sensation.
• Inigo: There was a bright flash, and it felt like my mind was being pulled out of my ears.
• Raikou: That is what I experienced when Wulf taught a group of us how to teleport and summon people.
• Wulf: For the first few times I teleported you, Inigo, what did you have to do?
• Inigo: I had to place my hand on your shoulder.
• Wulf: That allowed me to teleport the two of us as a single entity. Only after I got to know you better could I summon you or teleport you without physical contact.
• Raikou: You cannot just summon anybody. You must know them well enough to create a mental picture of them. Not just their looks but also their personality.
• Wulf: You summon or teleport the unique being they are. It makes it a bit easier if you start with unusual looks, but that is not enough.
• Raikou: How many you can summon or teleport at once depends on mental capacity. If you can rub your belly and pat your head at the same time, that is a good start.
• Wulf: The summoner knows something about you, Inigo. However, it is not enough.
• Raikou: When a competent mage summons you, you know who they are, where they are and can accept or deny the summons. This summoner is not completing that part of the spell and is trying to force your teleport without enough knowledge of who Inigo the Brave is.
• Wulf: The original creators of the summoning spells left these safeguards in them, but the metaphysics of the Aurbis force this safeguard anyway. Can you think why that is?
• Inigo: If you could easily summon somebody against their will, even if you had never met them, assassins would have a much easier life.
• Raikou: Many less reputable mages over several millennia have tried to change the summoning and teleportation spells to allow such actions. Still, they fail because magic is subject to the laws of Aurbis, the universe. It is as if nature itself refuses to allow arbitrary summoning or teleportation.
• Wulf: Portals are different, as you physically enter a portal, you permit the teleport.
• Inigo: Is it dangerous?
• Wulf: Yes! Mages in training are warned and volunteer to undergo the sensation. That allows a greater understanding of the spells and requirements. However, they only need to experience it once.
• Raikou: A bad summoning can cause irreparable damage and even kill the summoned.
• Inigo: Oh! What can we do about it?
• Wulf: I could shield you, but that would not let us locate and stop the summoner. They might be ignorant of magic, but they need to speak to you.
• Raikou: Or they might be trying to hurt you. They might have been trying for some time, but you would be shielded from a summons from strangers in Wulf’s palace and grounds. We only allow a small number of mages to penetrate its barrier.
• Wulf: It is your choice, Inigo. To find the summoner, you will have to take a risk and not be shielded.
• Raikou: If they attempt to summon you again, try to concentrate through the pain. With willpower, you can trace the summons to its source. You might not get an exact location, but if the area is familiar, that may narrow it down.
• Inigo: They might keep trying, especially if they mean me harm. I cannot be free to travel unless they are stopped. So, I will risk it.
• Wulf: Okay, if another summons happens, Inigo must be allowed to concentrate without further distractions, and I will guide him on what he must attempt.
• Karl: A quick observation. How come you two finish each other’s sentences so well?
• Raikou: Familiarity. We have known each other for decades. I was Wulf’s tutor on many subjects.
• Karl: Oh, so you have known the Guildmaster since he was an infant?
• Raikou: I first met Wulf when he was 18.
• Karl: But you said you have known him for decades.
• Wulf: Karl, you were told when you joined The Explorers Guild that I have secrets. Unfortunately, some of my colleagues like to bait people with obscure clues about those secrets.
• Shiva: My advice when it comes to Wulf is to accept his strangeness and not pursue what he is reluctant to discuss.
• Flint: We have accepted a strange blue Khajiiti, so dealing with Wulf’s weirdness was easy.
• Inigo: So says the twelve-foot-tall moocow.
• Flint: You know some other Minotaurs as tall as me. How many blue Khajiiti are there?
• Inigo: That is a fair point.

Inigo’s jocularity vanished in an instant as he doubled over in pain. I had to grab hold of him to keep him from face-planting.

He groaned, “My Friend, it is happening again!”

“Concentrate, Inigo. Follow your instincts. Try to locate the source of the summoning.”

Inigo growled. His muscles were rigid, like he had lockjaw. I was about to cast a shield when he became limp. Then he sighed and said, “It is over.”

“Can you stand?”

“Yes.”

“This will help.”

I cast Grand Healing on Inigo, and he felt better, but there was no telling what damage was done to his brain.

• Inigo: I did as you asked, My Friend. It was like following a barely visible path through a dense forest.
• Raikou: I am impressed, Inigo. Your will must be strong to sense what many mages struggle to find.
• Shiva: While he was in terrible pain as well.
• Wulf: Yes, it was impressive, but compliments will not find the idiot hurting Inigo.
• Shiva: What did you see?
• Inigo: I saw brief flashes of a cabin in the snow surrounded by trees.
• Wulf: Did you recognise the cabin?
• Inigo: No, but I had an odd thought.
• Shiva: It seems his brain has not changed.
• Wulf: And what was this odd thought, Inigo the Very Brave?
• Inigo: My brain told me, ‘It is under the rug.’
• Wulf: Any idea what was under the rug? A trapdoor perhaps?
• Inigo: No, it was something small and shiny. A coin or a ring, perhaps?
• Shiva: Or a key. For some reason, people think it is safe to hide house keys there.
• Inigo: I cannot recall what it was. Perhaps my brain is broken?
• Shiva: That would be hard for us to differentiate from your normal self.
• Inigo: I am glad my misfortune entertains somebody.
• Shiva: I am as worried as everybody else, Inigo. Humour helps my nerves.
• Wulf: The cabin was not familiar. What about its grounds and the surrounding area?
• Inigo: I think it was high up on a cliff in or near the icefields. That entire area looks much the same. Sorry, I cannot be more precise.
• Wulf: You have narrowed it down to half of Skyrim. That is a start.
• Raikou: I cannot adequately express how impressed I am. You have done remarkably well, Inigo. You thought clearly when in pain.
• Inigo: I also saw brief flashes of a bearded person. He was a Man or Mer, but that is all I can say for certain. The flashes were swift and confusing.
• Wulf: That will be the summoner. He has tried twice in quick succession, so expect another…

Inigo let out a pitiful groan and, like last time, staggered forward. I caught him in my arms and kept him upright. After a few seconds, he recovered enough to stand by himself.

• Inigo: The pain was shorter but sharper. It is gone.
• Raikou: The summoner likely put more effort into the spell. That would explain the intensity.
• Inigo: My Friend, I tried again to find where the idiot doing the summoning is. I saw wooden posts upright in the snow and a tower I recognised. I camped there once, a long time ago.
• Wulf: In your bandit days?
• Inigo: Yes, and it is probably still full of smelly bandits.
• Wulf: Does the tower have a name?
• Inigo: Yes, it is called Snowpoint Beacon.
• Wulf: That was an Empire watchtower and beacon during The Great War. I know where it is.
• Karl: There are dozens of old watchtowers. Why do you remember that one, Guildmaster?
• Flint: Wulf has memorised the entire map of Skyrim. He barely ever consults the very expensive and highly detailed one he carries.
• Wulf: Sorry, Karl, but our friend’s health takes priority. We shall return after we have stopped the summoner.
• Karl: Of course, the mysteries of this site can wait.
• Wulf: We have enough information, so there is no need to risk you further, Inigo.

I cast a shield against summoning around my blue friend.

• Wulf: The shield I just cast may not be foolproof. Without knowing the specifics of the incantation used, I can only hope I have chosen correctly.
• Inigo: I trust your judgement, My Friend. It has yet to fail us.
• Wulf: Snowpoint Beacon may be on the way to the summoner’s abode, but cliffside cabins are common between Dawnstar and Snowpoint Beacon. Therefore, we shall walk the snow and ice fields and hope Inigo can lead us to the bearded twerp’s home.
• Flint: Is that a long walk?
• Wulf: Yes, it will take us most of the day. Even longer if we encounter unfriendlies.
• Flint: Can’t we use Moraeth?
• Karl: What is a Moraeth?
• Flint: Moraeth is the name of a Dwemer airship gifted to Wulf by some Khajiiti rebels. He has given it an Ayleidoon name, because he is fond of that language. Which is wise, for it is the tongue of Saint Alessia and her wonderful Celestial Children.
• Wulf: The airship’s original name in Dwemeri meant Eclipse. Moraeth in Ayleidoon means The Shadowed Light.
• Karl: I know Dwemer machinery and automatons still work, but I would think an airship would be more fragile.
• Wulf: They were fragile, and none survived. The Khajiiti found some Dwemer blueprints and built Moraeth as practice. They have built far larger ones since. The Dwemer abandoned airships and started using metal globes that teleported from place to place. The docking stations are still operational and can be seen at many Dwemer sites.
• Karl: Those big dish things?
• Wulf: Yes. They are large portals.
• Karl: You must be proud of your people, Shiva and Inigo.
• Inigo: I did not grow up in a traditional Khajiiti family.
• Shiva: And I am not a Khajiit. I am from Kapotun. I am of the Ka’Po’Tun race.
• Karl: I never thought I would ever meet two of Akavir’s native races.
• Wulf: All four Akavir races are amongst my friends, Karl. Anyway, do not be startled. We are about to vanish.

I teleported us to the entrance arch of Dawnstar. Most of the guards are used to us popping in and out of the ether. Since I repaired the ancient portals, known as Wayshrines, dotted around Skyrim, teleportation is no longer a myth to its citizens.

Ri’saad’s caravans had started using spot guards. Other merchants were stealing their traditional trading sites, so well-equipped and skilled Khajiiti warriors were sent ahead to clear out the miscreants. If there were too many of them, the city guards would help, for the Jarl’s benefit from taxes on the sales made.

I told the squad, “Chat amongst yourselves while I have a talk with Rehtnap.”

I walked to the spot guard and remarked, “Not exactly the desert of home, Rehtnap.”

“No, Lord Welkynd, it is a bit different from home, but still more pleasant than the jungles some Khajiiti live in.”

“Have you visited the new town I had built?”

“It is for the Moonpath and Bandari traders, but Ri’saad was curious, so we diverted our path to have a look. Shadow Mane S’in is a legend amongst my people, and it was a privilege to meet him.”

“He has become a close friend and ally since I have been in Skyrim. He was the natural choice to be mayor of Warm Sands.”

“S’in said he picked that name. The forest surrounding the village is not like Elsweyr’s jungles, so I found the name acceptable.”

“He joked, well, I hope he was joking, that he might have many tons of sand delivered to cover the roads of the village.”

“Ri’saad said you were planning to visit Elsweyr to organise new sources of income to replace Moon Sugar.”

“I have a couple of ships and a port I use for trade with Roscrea. They could also visit Elsweyr and pick up some of the country’s unique spices and cocoa. Less trade in Moon Sugar will result in less sticky nosing by The Thalmor.”

“Would there be much call for cocoa in Skyrim?”

“Not in its raw form. But processed for drinking and the manufacture of chocolate, it will be in great demand once I introduce the products to influential nobles. However, I want to price cocoa products for the average citizen, so we will have to create an ‘exclusive’ higher-end range for the well off. There will be no difference in taste or quality, but the price will be steep, and that will attract those with more money than sense.”

“Ri’saad is convinced you have Khajiiti blood, for you haggle like one and have a knack for earning coins.”

“I was very rich when I arrived in Skyrim. Once you have sufficient funds, it is not difficult to grow your coffers. But charitable work is my passion, and a lot of my income is for causes such as the orphanages I own.”

“Not to mention the outfitting of your Dragonguard!”

“You have done well, Rehtnap, and not asked about Flint.”

“You often have unique people with you, Lord Welkynd. I have heard rumours that Minotaur have left their hidden homes.”

“Not all of them will be friendly. Remember that if you see them on the road. But always show respect unless they are hostile. They, in turn, will return that respect.”

“We know prejudice, Lord Welkynd. I suspect Minotaurs would suffer the same xenophobia.”

“So far, it seems that Nord males are the most biased. Others accept different people, even if twelve-foot tall and depicted as beasts in common literature.”

“It helps that they are accompanying you, Lord Welkynd. If they are your friends, they must be okay.”

“That does not stop the Nord males who have been raised on a diet of bigotry. Many might murmur it under their breath, but enough of them risk my scorn and say their vitriol out loud. City Guards are a disappointment in some Holds. They think it is their right to hurl abuse.”

“Yes, we experience the same.”

“Inigo’s colour ensures he gets more than his fair share.”

“But his skin is thick, no? He knows his worth.”

“As do most Khajiiti. Argonians do not have such self-esteem, and I have not been able to aid them as much as I would like.”

“Removing Ulfric Stormcloak would be a good start.”

“Now, now, Rehtnap. You know I have avoided taking a side in this senseless war. But I will when the time is right, and Ulfric will rue the day he dared kill the High King.”

“All Khajiiti know that, but we shall remain neutral, in case the wrong side wins.”

“An unlikely scenario, but a wise choice nonetheless. I will visit Ri’saad soon. I have many gems waiting for fair prices.”

I rejoined the squad, and Flint remarked, “You could talk the ears off a Khajiiti. Oh, have you checked that one still has his?”

“It pays to be friendly, Flint. You never know when you might need a friend. Like when you are locked in a cell in Falkreath, for instance.”

The others chuckled. Flint growled. We headed for the snowfields.

We had not gone far when we encountered a horse taking its last breaths and screams from our right.

A woman stood horrified as a wild boar killed a merchant and a Vigilant of Stendarr. The corpses of two other victims lay twitching.

I Blinked to the boar and killed it with a single thrust of my katana.

When Shiva caught up to me, I said, ‘Please ask that lady to tell a Dawnstar Guard of this. They will inform the Priest of Arkay, and the bodies will be dealt with. Give her this ruby to cover any costs. It is worth at least 200 septims.”

As Shiva talked to the witness, I knelt and performed Arkay’s Rights. Sometimes those who die in such violent circumstances leave behind lost souls. Arkay will guide them to their afterlife, be it in Aetherius or elsewhere.

Shiva told me the woman was travelling with the merchant. The Vigilant of Stendarr came to their aid. She would make sure her friends were taken care of. We left the road and continued in silence for some time.

Eventually, Flint’s curiosity got the better of him.

• Flint: Wulf, can I ask how you moved so fast?
• Wulf: You can always ask me questions, Flint. I used one of the blessings given to me by The Nine.
• Flint: Those things that make you Ningheim, whatever that means.
• Wulf: The blessings make me a unique race. It was already hard to categorise me, being the son of an Atmoran and an enslaved woman of an unknown Nedic tribe. Mother had no idea of her parentage, even though the Ayleid enslaved records were meticulous. After all, the enslaved were a commodity whose worth was based on pedigree, like a horse or prized bull, pardon the analogy, Flint.
• Flint: Were the records destroyed during her rebellion?
• Wulf: Yes, and although Mother could pursue her lineage after apotheoses, she never did.
• Flint: What does that blessing allow you to do?
• Wulf: Its name in Tamrielic is Ethereal Shift. The Ayleidoon name is much fancier. However, I call it Blinking.
• Flint: The Tamrielic name suggests you travelled via the ethereal plane.
• Wulf: That is exactly what I did. I picked where I wanted to be and, with willpower, triggered the blessing.
• Inigo: My Friend is full of surprises. I had never seen him do that before. Blinking is a good name for it.
• Flint: How far can you Blink?
• Wulf: As far as I can see, which is quite a distance since I have the eyesight of a Dov.
• Raikou: Wulf knows not to try Blinking too far, for a miscalculation could find him embedded in rock, or the walls of a building, or a tree, or the insides of some unfortunate animal or person.
• Wulf: It seemed instantaneous to the naked eye, but there is a span of time entering and leaving the ethereal plane. Things can move in that span of time. That is why I tend not to use it in large battles or crowded melees.
• Flint: And that prayer. What was that about?
• Wulf: There are situations where a person cannot reach their preferred afterlife. They can become lost souls and haunt their place of death. It was not a prayer as such, but a ritual that Lord Arkay acts upon. He ensures the souls of the departed reach their preferred afterlife, even if it is not in Aetherius.
• Shiva: Wulf is a consecrated priest of all nine Divines.
• Flint: I see that only a small part of Wulf is divulged at home.
• Wulf: I only use my blessings when necessary. Unless the barrier Mother placed over Aetheron is breached, it is the safest place on Nirn. The chances of such a breach are very remote.

I did not mention that if Mother loses to Molag Bal, Aetheron will disintegrate, for part of her willpower is invested in its maintenance. At that stage, we would have far more to worry about than where to live.

Lady Azura’s statue came into view.

• Flint: Wow! That is huge!
• Inigo: I hear that from the ladies all the time.
• Shiva: I will have to ask Ko’rassa if that is true. She might be interested in when and who said that to you last.
• Inigo: Please do not! It has only been a few days since she finally forgave me for abandoning her all those years ago.
• Shiva: The way she described it, it is a conditional pardon reliant on future behaviour.
• Wulf: Also, how much attention do you pay to Ko’rassa, and to what degree you spoil her.
• Flint: Is there gossip I am ignorant of?
• Raikou: Do yourself a favour and do not indulge in that pastime. It rots the brain.
• Shiva: I have never seen Silah lose her temper. I cannot imagine it would be pleasant. Perhaps it is unwise to insinuate that she has brain damage due to excessive gossip.
• Wulf: I like to see Inigo squirm, so here is the sad, but true, story.
• Inigo: I was young!
• Shiva: So was Ko’rassa, the woman you promised to marry and have litters of cubs with.
• Wulf: But then you and your brother slinked out of town to start your adventures, leaving Ko’rassa heartbroken.
• Shiva: Too cowardly to even say goodbye! Inigo the Brave was more like Inigo the Knave.
• Wulf: And then you had the cheek to fall in love with a bandit whore.
• Inigo: I did lots of regretful things when addicted to Skooma.
• Shiva: Ko’rassa became an assassin for The Empire. She was very good at her craft because she probably imagined each target was you, Inigo.
• Raikou: I recognised her qualities, and that is why I agreed to make her a Dragonguard when Wulf asked me to assess her. Little did I know the villain who broke her heart would be presented to me shortly after.
• Shiva: The look on Ko’rassa’s face when she first saw Inigo pierced my heart. Then I thought she was going to pierce his heart as she stormed across the room to confront him with her hands on her swords.
• Inigo: I would have preferred a blade to the heart rather than see the hurt in her eyes.
• Wulf: Ko’rassa stopped inches from Inigo and said one word.
• Shiva: The word was ‘why’, and the sorrow it conveyed made us witnesses cry.
• Flint: Did you have an answer, Inigo?
• Inigo: I told the truth. I was young and thought Fergus and I could make a fortune quickly, then return home and give Ko’rassa the life she deserved. We could have afforded those litters of cubs without worrying about the next meal or rent. That was my thinking, but circumstances prevented that ideal scenario.
• Flint: But why did you sneak away instead of explaining this to Ko’rassa? If you thought she might try to stop you, a letter outlining your plan would have been better than total silence.
• Inigo: I have no excuse, Flint.
• Shiva: Ko’rassa accepted that answer, for it fitted the impulsive, act now, think later Khajiit she had fallen in love with.
• Inigo: When I saw Ko’rassa again, I thought I might have lost the most precious thing in my life. However, neither of us wanted to waste the chance to rekindle what we had.
• Flint: This would make a good plot for those romance stories you are always reading, Shiva.
• Shiva: The ones I lend to Raikou?
• Flint: I see. Gossip rots the brain, but romance stories do it no harm.
• Raikou: Yes, Lady Azura’s statue is rather large. Can we move on to other topics now?

The lights and flame of Frostflow Lighthouse told us its keepers were in attendance. Those who shipwreck on that part of the coast die of the cold before they drown. The shoreline is littered with debris and bones.

We were travelling up and down undulations in the landscape. At the top of a hill, we saw two mages and a dead giant nearby. One of the mages had summoned a Flame Atronach. The other had summoned a scamp.

I told the squad, “They may have had a legitimate reason to kill the giant. We shall approach with weapons sheathed and let them decide their fate.”

All four entities cast spells in our direction.

Seconds later, the mages were dead. The summoned entities returned to their respective planes.

I was furious, for it looked like the giant died at the whim of the mages. He was not in his camp. He was not protecting cattle or mammoths. He was likely heading to meet friends or even a mate. Our punishment fit the crime. However, I would prefer to have seen the giant still walking the snow and ice fields of Skyrim.

• Inigo: Might they have attacked us because they saw Flint?
• Flint: That is a legitimate question.
• Wulf: Raikou will tell you why that is not likely.
• Raikou: They were mages. That means they have studied many things, including the species of sentient beings on Nirn. They would not assume Flint is like the Minotaurs depicted in folk tales and children’s stories. That is the province of the ignorant. Most of whom have never met an actual Minotaur or heard the real history of Flint’s people.
• Shiva: And their attack was not directed entirely at Flint.
• Inigo: Fair enough. Question answered.

To get to Snowpoint Beacon, we had to pass close to Driftshade Refuge. It is another Great War Imperial fort abandoned after The White-Gold Concordat was signed. It was currently occupied by the Silver Hand, a group of people with an unhealthy hatred of lycanthropes. Since none of us looked like a werebear or werewolf or ‘were anything’, I gave them little thought. However, half a dozen of them on sentry duty attacked without provocation.

We quickly dispatched them.

• Flint: What now?
• Wulf: What if we had been normal travellers and not highly efficient killers?
• Flint: They would have slaughtered us for no reason I can think of.
• Wulf: That makes them a menace to ordinary people, and I cannot allow them to exist.
• Shiva: They decided their fate, Flint.
• Wulf: I have heard of their depravity. Let us see if the accusations are true.
• Inigo: You are an impressive marksman, Flint. Those monstrous things you call arrows knock them flying or pin them against brick walls.
• Flint: Armour makes little difference to their penetration. Wulf explained the science to me.
• Inigo: How many pounds of pull in your bow?
• Flint: I have no idea, but Wulf is the only non-Minotaur I have seen pull it.
• Shiva: Wulf has never had a boyfriend or girlfriend. That explains the strength in his arm.
• Raikou: And his expertise at pulling.
• Wulf: If you can put away the childish banter for now, we have a lesson to teach.

Our lesson was swift and fatal.

We soon found evidence of the rumoured depravity of the Silver Hand.

• Flint: Killing werewolves in combat displays some courage and skill. Caging them and torturing them is unacceptable!
• Inigo: That would be your fate if certain Nords got hold of you.
• Shiva: Granite and I made that point when we gave young Flint a talking-to.
• Wulf: The Jarl of Falkreath might be a blithering idiot, but Falkreath’s Guardsmen are a decent lot. They imprisoned Flint for his own protection, not out of hatred for Minotaurs.
• Flint: If Wulf were not with me after we left the prison, I would have had to outrun the pitchfork and torch mob assembled outside.
• Wulf: Flint did well not to growl, stare or react to the insults thrown his way.
• Flint: Some of them needed their head shoved up their backsides.
• Shiva: Did they, Flint?
• Flint: No, I am sorry. Father, you, and Wulf all made a good point. Some people are brought up in ignorance. If your parents, peers, teachers, and popular stories tell lies about Minotaurs, you will believe them. I have a chance to prove them wrong by defending the people who would lynch me.
• Inigo: You will never convince everybody, Flint.
• Flint: I will have to learn to ignore the taunts and not react.
• Inigo: That is easier said than done. You know my brother Fergus was killed by a mob of Khajiiti haters. We had done much good in that area, but that accounts for nothing in a determined bigot’s mind.
• Wulf: What Skyrim needs is a High Queen known for her compassion and tolerance. Not a bigoted kingslayer. Elisif’s influence will eventually seep into the darkest corners of xenophobia and eradicate it.
• Flint: It must be hard for you to pretend neutrality, Wulf.
• Wulf: My actions are neutral. I have avoided being a Thane of any Hold. But when I side with The Empire, I will make Ulfric pay for his crimes.

We continued our lesson. Dozens of Silver Hands fell to blade, hammer, arrow, and magic.

More evidence of depravity spurred us on. The lesson turned into righteous slaughter.

I studied one of Raikou’s animated corpses. He likes to make them look emancipated, almost Draugr in appearance.

• Wulf: That was once a Redguard.
• Flint: I like his scimitar!
• Shiva: Have you noticed every weapon is silver?
• Flint: Were they? I was too busy turning the people who wielded them into pulp to notice.
• Shiva: Lycanthropes, some forms of undead, and certain vampire species are sensitive to silver. Damage can be considerably higher than equivalent blows from weapons of other substances.
• Raikou: Luckily, no enemy has discovered Inigo’s weakness. If they did, their weapons would be smeared with soap!
• Inigo: Hey, I bathe regularly!
• Raikou: Do you mean annually?
• Shiva: Perhaps he cannot stand the screams of all the drowning fleas?
• Inigo: My Friend, come to my defence!
• Wulf: Since Ko’rassa has said dirt off or hands off, Inigo has been bathing frequently.
• Flint: So, it was not concern for our noses that brought about this change?
• Inigo: I hate this place. There are no spiders to crunch, and the company is mean!

Ten minutes later, we exited the rear of Driftshade Refuge. We killed at least three dozen Silver Hand. I left a note pinned on the front door that told them who did the killing and why. I invited them to speak to me about it if they want clarification.

I do not know their numbers or what other places the Silver Hand occupy, but the lesson was unmistakable. Do not attack innocents, because they might fight back, or the Dragonguard will hear about it. While the civil war rages, we are the only ones who deal with bandits and other scum.

Shortly after, I told the squad, “Snowpoint Beacon is at the top of this hill. As per usual, we shall approach with weapons sheathed. No talking till any occupants display their intention.”

A group of bandits made their intention clear when they streamed out of Snowpoint Beacon and attacked.

As Flint and Inigo were busy skewering them with arrows, Raikou and I used a variety of Destruction spells to make their shortened lives miserable.

Shiva asked, “Why did they leave a defensible tower and attack on open ground?”

Inigo answered, “Because bandits are stupid. I should know, I used to be one.”

Shiva laughed and asked, “Does that mean you are no longer stupid?”

An above-average mage challenged me to Fireballs at thirty paces. He lost.

A bandit tried to carve Shiva in two with his greatsword.

She gutted him, and then we swarmed into Snowpoint Beacon.

As the others disposed of a dozen smarter bandits who remained inside, I ran up the stairs to tackle the bandit chief.

Nord xenophobia has no place in the ranks of bandits. Their leader was an Argonian dressed in Bosmer armour.

He was a Spellsword but relied too much on his magic. He should have prepared to defend with his sword.

I quickly disposed of him and then joined the others downstairs.

I asked, “Any more clues, Inigo?”

“My Friend, we need to find the wooden posts I saw in my vision.”

“Was there anything special about them?”

“In my vision, the posts were worn with weather-beaten flags on top. The flags were red.”

Inigo sniffed while turning his head from side to side.

Then he said, “According to my nose, the wood in this fort seems to have been cut relatively recently. I can smell stone, ice, you lot, and…old timber! Come, my friend. The posts are this way!”

“Do not get too far ahead. We do not know what else lurks around here.”

We followed Inigo up one flight of stairs and then outside.

Inigo was keen to find out who the summoner was and set a brisk pace.

We soon found his poles, but they had green flags. The mistake was understandable considering the pain he was in when he had his vision.

Inigo exclaimed, “These are the posts from my vision! The cabin must be nearby. Come, let us follow them.”

“We shall cautiously follow them, Inigo.”

“Okay. I am glad you are all by my side. I would not have the courage to do this alone.”

We followed the posts, which led to a set of ice and snow covered stairs.

On the ice fields below, I could see the Dwemer ruins of Alftand.

I pointed and said, “See the dome for the Dwemer orb ships? I would love to find one of those!”

We climbed the stairs, which badly needed repair. A large statue of Father looked out over the ice fields. I had noticed it on my travels but never bothered to investigate it.

A small cabin was at the top.

Inigo sighed and then said, “Thank the gods! I am not crazy. There it is, the cabin I saw, My Friend. I bet you a hundred septims the door is locked tight.”

“I am sure it is. Do you want me to knock on it or knock it down?”

“No! We do not know who is inside, so let us enter discreetly. During one of my painful episodes, I said something was under the rug.”

“A shiny thing. We think it is a key.”

“Yes, my mother used to leave a spare in the same place.”

“Because burglars would never think of looking there.”

“Precisely!”

“I was being sarcastic.”

“Well, My Friend, your delivery needs practice. Anyway, let us see if there is a key.”

Inigo looked under the rug, then triumphantly handed me a key and said, “Let’s see who is inside!”

I told the squad, “Wait out here. It is a small cabin, and if there is fighting to be done, we would get in each other’s way.”

Flint replied, “Plus, it prevents us all from getting covered in blood and gore, which would happen if an angry Wulf lets loose.”

I unlocked the door, which would have taken me a few seconds to pick. We entered, and I pointed to a snoring, skinny, unwashed, bearded man on the only bed.

Opposite the entrance was a painting of Inigo’s head, minus the jaw.

“Is that supposed to be me?” exclaimed Inigo.

“Minus your ever-moving jaw. The painter knows you well!”

“Not funny, My Friend.”

Inigo pointed to some items on a bookshelf and gasped in surprise.

“What’s the problem, my flea-riddled friend?”

“Those items. The club, the helmet, the skulls. They are from the adventures Fergus and I shared. Why does he have them? Who is he?”

“Well, let us find out. It seems he has just gone to sleep after a busy day trying to pull your brain through your nose.”

As I approached the odorous man, I wondered whether his stench served as a deterrent to predators.

I shook him gently on the shoulder.

He looked around as he sat on his bed, then exclaimed, “Oh my, you are here. I was beginning to lose hope.”

When he was fully standing, I said, “There is always hope. Now, how can we help you?”

“No…not you, you barbarian! Him!”

He pointed at Inigo and tried to barge past me. He found me to be an immovable object.

I growled, “I am as far removed from a barbarian as anybody you will ever meet. Speak to me like that again, and you will find your teeth scattered on the floor.”

I stepped away and said, “Do not approach Inigo. I do not trust you!”

• Langley: Inigo? Is it really you? Or am I dreaming?
• Inigo: That is my name, and let me tell you this, if you insult My Friend again, I will also be forced to harm you. Do we have an understanding?
• Langley: My apologies. I am often too terse for my own good. I mean nothing by it, I assure you.
• Inigo: Okay. My friend here is Lord Wulf Welkynd, respected philanthropist and Grandmaster of the legendary Dragonguard. He deserves your respect.
• Wulf: I have earned respect by merely being another person. Civility costs nothing.
• Inigo: What is your name?
• Langley: Langley. Langley Longseer to some.
• Wulf: Control your terseness, Langley, or this will be a very short meeting.
• Langley: Yes, yes, I have already apologised.
• Wulf: I did not hear an apology, just a piss poor excuse.
• Inigo: Lord Wulf has made me a Dragonguard. My Friend and I have already had some exciting adventures together.
• Langley: Well, I am sure you make quite a team, Inigo, but it is you whom I have been seeking all these years. I am so glad you are still alive.
• Inigo: Who are you? Why have you been seeking me?
• Langley: I already said I am Langley. Langley Longseer to some. Dear boy, I have much to tell you. How did you find me?
• Inigo: I started to get brief, painful visions a while ago. They showed me flashes of this place and you. I also felt a nasty, tugging sensation.
• Langley: At least the spell works. Not entirely as intended, but it got you here in the end. I was about ready to string that Conjuration Mage up by his toes.
• Inigo: Why did you summon me? And I must tell you that your spell needs work!
• Wulf: As discussed, Inigo, there is nothing wrong with the spell. Langley attempted something he does not understand and likely lacks the required skills.
• Langley: How dare you! Let me tell you…
• Wulf: You will tell us why you tried to summon Inigo. I am not interested in denials.
• Inigo: I advise you to get to the point, Langley. We are very busy people.
• Langley: I have been trying to locate you for quite some time. I even travelled to Riverhold. I found your parents shortly after they died; gods rest their souls. Oh dear, you do know about that, don’t you?
• Inigo: They were killed protecting a trading caravan. I heard. Were you there?
• Langley: Yes. I am so sorry for your loss. I am sorry for all your losses. In a way, I have been travelling with you. Just a step behind.
• Inigo: Did my mother and father die well?
• Langley: They met their end with dignity. They died holding hands. I was the one who found them, and I made sure they had a fine burial.
• Inigo: Why were you there? Were you looking for me even then?
• Langley: I had hoped they could lead me to you. I continued to track you for years, and then the trail went cold… after I found your brother.
• Inigo: You found Fergus? How? Have you always been hiding in my past, haunting every step I take? Why? I do not know you! What do you want from me?
• Langley: I have come to know you very well. I am your friend, Inigo, perhaps the greatest friend you have. We are destined to work together!
• Inigo: I already have the only friends I need.
• Wulf: It seems Langley knows nothing about your sordid past, my blue friend.
• Langley: You do not understand. There is a great evil coming. I do not know when exactly, but it is close. I have seen it in my dreams. You are there too. You are the champion destined to destroy The Doom Strider.
• Inigo: What are you talking about? What is a Doom Strider?
• Langley: It is the very avatar of destruction and death. It is a demon that has plagued my dreams for decades.
• Inigo: I… I need to sit down.
• Wulf: I understand, Inigo. Undiluted bullshit makes me queasy as well.
• Langley: Take a seat. Rest, and I will tell you all I know. I have been keeping a note of everything.

Inigo turned to me and said, “I am sorry, My Friend. I need a moment. My legs are a little wobbly all of a sudden.

Langley said, “Go and sit down. It is a lot to take in, I know. Make no mistake, Inigo, you are safe here. Both of you are.”

Inigo walked to the table and sat.

I stepped up to Langley and deliberately loomed over him. His arrogance, not his disrespect, triggered my anger. And he hurt Inigo, which is unforgivable.

He said, “Inigo and I have much to discuss. I do not wish to be rude, but perhaps it is best if you leave us to it for a bit.”

I asked, “Inigo, are you comfortable being left alone with Langley?”

“Yes, my friend. If you wait outside, I will come and get you when we have finished talking.”

“No, Inigo, I do not like being exposed for too long. So, I will wait outside for twenty minutes. After that, I will enter, if your discussion is finished or not. Do not accept sweets from Langley and run away if he touches you inappropriately.”

Inigo chuckled, then said, “Please, my friend, my head is still tender.”

I told Langley, “I do not expect you will tell him anything that he will not share with me. But I shall l do as you ask. Inigo can carve you into tiny chunks, so I feel safe leaving him with you.”

I exited the hut. The sun was quickly sinking. Raikou’s eyes and his katana’s handle glowed.

• Wulf: The summoner is an obnoxious little mage and seer who has been stalking Inigo for years. His name is Langley.
• Raikou: Is Langley College trained?
• Wulf:  I doubt it. His Magicka reserves are very low. His foresight might be good, and that is what this is all about.
• Shiva: Did he see something concerning Inigo?
• Wulf: He has been trying to contact Inigo for years. He seems to have put considerable effort into it, so he must believe in what his foresight showed him.
• Shiva: Which is?
• Wulf: Langley believes some evil entity called The Doom Strider will cause death and mayhem. Inigo is crucial in stopping it. That is all I know so far. I have left them to have a private chat.
• Flint: You seem a bit upset with Langley.
• Wulf: He could have seriously injured or even killed Inigo. He may think his actions of stalking and trying to summon Inigo are justified, but he will have to try harder to convince me.
• Shiva: Inigo might be hesitant to tell him what he needs to hear.
• Wulf: He did threaten to harm Langley if he continued to show me disrespect.
• Shiva: How much of Inigo’s past does Langley know?
• Wulf: I think he knows a lot up until Fergus’ death. Then he seems to have lost Inigo’s trail. I doubt he knows our friend spent time as a bandit and Skooma addict.
• Raikou: What kind of seer is he?
• Wulf: A dreamer. His foresight comes in the form of dreams. He paints some of his visions to clarify them.
• Raikou: Dreamers benefit from interpreters. Is he a devotee of Lady Azura?
• Wulf: No, and I doubt he has ever used a shaman or other interpreter.
• Raikou: Mortals inflicted with foresight and no spiritual or other guidance tend to live introverted, lonely lives.
• Wulf: I am trying to have some sympathy for his plight. However, he had better show remorse for what he has done to Inigo.
• Raikou: How did he learn the summoning spell?
• Wulf: He purchased it from a Conjuration Mage. It is likely to be my spell with instructions on how to summon Inigo.
• Flint: What happens now?
• Wulf: I have given them twenty minutes to have a private discussion. In the meantime, I will inspect Father’s statue.

Flint walked with me to the base of the hill on which the statue stood.

He said, “This hill is not natural. Somebody went to a lot of effort to place Lord Talos’ statue in a prominent spot.”

“Langley is probably not the original owner of that cottage. Those who erected this statue are likely to have been targeted by The Thalmor.”

“Is the statue active? Does it act as a shrine?”

“I cannot tell from here. I will get closer and check.”

I climbed the hill but did not stand in front of Father’s statue, for the edge looked dodgy. I had no fear of falling, but I might have sent rocks tumbling down to the roadway below. I used Night-Vision to get a clearer look.

I looked up into Father’s face. There were two popular depictions of him used in Skyrim. There is one where he stands upon a serpent. He dislikes that depiction because it shows him with crow’s feet. He did live to one hundred and twenty-four, so he did get wrinkly. This statue was of him in scaled armour, with an impressive greatsword and shoulder-length curly hair. It made him look like a Nord. Tiber Septim was a board-and-sword warrior, not a two-handed proponent.

Mentally, I said, “This is a fitting tribute, Father.”

There are only a few beings I let speak to me telepathically. Father was one of them.

He replied, “They paid for their worship. The cottage belonged to a retired Legionnaire and his wife. They maintained this shrine and collected anything left as tribute. The Thalmor killed them and lay in wait for those who visited. They arrested about a dozen people before getting tired of the game. Now they do the same at other shrines. Perhaps they will spy on this one again one day.”

“We need to talk.”

“Silah confirmed our suspicion of an event weeks ago. Meet us in Aethsela, and we shall discuss that, and Alduin.”

“Yes, Father.”

“And Son, I will be your father, not Lord Talos. I have not been that for too long.”

“Not since we lost contact with Mother.”

“I know. Forgive me.”

“Always. I am finding it harder to maintain teen angst.”

I told Flint the statue acted as a shrine. Then we rejoined the others and discussed trivial things till the twenty minutes were up.

When I re-entered the cabin, Inigo and Langley were also discussing trivial things, so it seemed the serious discussion was over.

I asked Langley, “Have you finished your discussion with Inigo?”

“Yes, and Inigo persuaded me that you can be trusted. It seems we are in this together. I have given him my notes, and he will let you read through everything. If you have any questions, I will do my best to answer them.”

“You trust me! Does that mean The Divines were not wrong to name me their champion?”

“What?”

“Now, Inigo and I have much to discuss. I do not wish to be rude, but perhaps it is best if you leave us to it for a bit.”

Inigo chuckled as Langley strode off in a huff.

He stopped at a cooking pot and angrily stirred the stew. I do not know whether the steam was from the food or from Langley’s ears.

I sat down and said, “Please, tell me the gossip.”

“This Langley fellow may be rude and gruff, but he is on our side. He gave me some books. Can you believe that he found my father’s journal? He also gave me two books he wrote about his search for me. They contain a lot of information about my importance and are excellent books, but they are also sad. I have my very own prophecy! I will tell you what I know if you want to hear more. Langley says we are going to save the world. That is, unless you think we have something better to do.”

“We shall talk prophecy in a minute. More important right now is your health. How is your head?”

“It is still a little tender. Oh, that reminds me. It would help if you asked Langley about the summon spell causing my mind vibrations. He has a spare copy. Maybe you can figure out what he was doing wrong.”

“We already know what he was doing wrong, and I guarantee the spell is a transcribed copy of mine. But I shall look at it anyway. Now, tell me about the Inigo Prophecy.”

“I will tell you what I know.”

“There is no need to worry about it sounding unlikely.”

“Okay. The Inigo Prophecy. Somewhere in the world, a very nasty being is gathering its strength. If left unchecked, it will grow until its evil influence burns away all that is good in this world. It has often appeared in Langley’s dreams for many years as a gigantic figure striding through the land, leaving nothing but pain, anguish, and death in its wake. He calls it The Doom Strider. In the same dream, he sometimes sees a handsome blue Khajiiti defeat the menace with his help. He calls this fellow The Champion. That is me, my friend. Much of Langley’s prophecy is hazy, and he says that sometimes his dreams show more than one outcome, but now he and I have finally met, he believes we stand a good chance of preventing much suffering.”

“Standard prophecy stuff so far, except no mention of any other source except his dreams. Can I ask you for some details?”

“Of course. What details can I help you with?”

“What can you tell me about The Doom Strider?”

“Not much, unfortunately. Langley is the man to ask about that. I know I am destined to fight whoever and whatever it is. I hope you will be at my side when the time comes, my friend. Of course, I will do my best to keep this from interfering with my debt to you.”

“You are my friend and owe no debt. I will be with you all the way, Inigo.”

“It warms my heart to hear you say that. With your help, I can finally put some good back into this world.”

“Tell me about the books Langley gave you.”

“They are called ‘In Search of a Champion’ and ‘Da Vinci’s Journal.’ My father wrote the journal, and Langley wrote the other one. Langley’s book is in two volumes and contains the story of his search for me and a few tales about Fergus and me. The journal is my father’s account of our upbringing. In my opinion, these books are informative and quite moving.”

“It is a precious thing Langley has given you.”

“Yes, it is a precious thing, indeed.”

“Did you find out anything about your birth parents?”

“Like all Khajiiti, my physical characteristics were determined by the moons at my birth. I am the product of a rare celestial alignment that only occurs briefly every few hundred years. A blue child was seen as a bad omen in the backwards village where I was born. I would have been sacrificed if my birth mother had not smuggled Fergus and me away.”

“Was Fergus also in danger?”

“We were not identical, but we were twins. Perhaps his life was forfeit by association. Whatever the case, I think my birth mother could not bear the idea of separating us.”

“I assume he wasn’t blue due to a change in the celestial alignment.”

“Correct. I can only guess there was enough time between our births for the moons to shift. Langley thinks the alignment that produced me may only last for a few moments. I am incredibly unique, my friend.”

“Something cannot be more unique than another unique thing by definition.”

“The gods made an exception in my case.”

“Yeah, I do not think so. Anyway, tell me what you think of Langley.”

“He is interesting.”

“He is more irritating than sand in your underpants. How do Langley’s visions work?”

“Langley has dreams that often come true. He usually foresees the beginning, the middle, or the end of a future event, but never all three. So, he may know that a man at the market will get into a fight, but not know why. Or he will see a dead man at the market but not know how he died. To make matters worse, he sometimes sees two or more possible endings. Until we met, he could not be sure that we ever would. He is understandably relieved.”

“He sounds like a typical seer. There are many people with similar foresight. Tell me about his search for you.”

“All he knew, in the beginning, was that The Champion was Khajiiti, avoided death at an early age, and had blue fur. He finally heard of a remote village among the shifting sands of Elsweyr that ritualistically sacrifices any child born among them who has blue fur. He deduced that The Champion was likely a blue child from this village that somehow escaped their fate. While he searched for the village, he entered Riverhold and heard about me. That was a few years after Fergus, and I left to find our fortune, so he began tracking us. Along the way, he heard tales about my brother and me. He even collected mementoes from our endeavours. You can see a few over there on those shelves by the chest. After finding Fergus lying among the remains of our camp, he lost track of me. The years went by, and he grew weary. Langley eventually returned here and employed a group of adventurers to continue searching for me and look for any signs of The Doom Strider. He also paid a Conjuration Mage to concoct a Summon Inigo spell. As you and Raikou deduced, my mind vibrations resulted from him trying unsuccessfully to use the spell.”

“No wonder you are blue. You said all that without taking a breath! What happens next?”

“We wait for Langley to receive more information from his sources or his dreams. When he hears something new, he will let us know.”

“I hope he will not rely on giving you a headache to contact us!”

“That was his plan.”

“A terrible plan, but we have time to figure out something else. Did Langley know about your time as a bandit and Skooma addiction?”

“No. Langley had an idealistic vision of who I should be. He did not think I would become a bandit. He understands why Fergus’ death drove me to Skooma.”

“I will talk to Langley and figure out how to prepare for The Doom Strider.”

“I will stay here, my friend. I feel you’ll be speaking a lot of gobbledygook, and my brain is still recovering. I will listen in, though.”

I walked over to Langley, who had finished stirring his stew.

I queried, “May I ask you some questions?”

“You may, but I must warn you, I may record this conversation for posterity.”

“Not to worry, for I am not one for applying floccinaucinihilipilification to such records. You might have to forgive my sesquipedalianism, but it is a trait of my upbringing. Such records are not impedimenta to me but the opposite. So long as it is recorded without tergiversation, equivocation, circumlocution, or prevarication. Don’t you agree?”

“Huh?”

“What chance do you give of your prophecy coming to pass?”

“On average, the accuracy of my visions is about ninety per cent. That percentage increases when the event I predict is closer in time or when the event’s subjects are known to me. The fact that Inigo and I have now met and had a chat suggests that the chance that the rest of my vision will come to pass has increased substantially. Do you follow?”

“Absolutely. My very existence on Nirn, and Skyrim in particular, at this precise time was written in prophecy on an Elder Scroll. So yes, I understand prophecy, for I have lived and breathed it. Plus, Mother is regarded as one of the most accurate soothsayers in history.”

“Oh, um, good.”

“What can you tell me about The Doom Strider?”

“I am horrified by how little I know about the subject. I think it is humanoid, or at least walks in humanoid form. My dreams and visions are often metaphorical, so it is hard to discern exactly what it is or the nature of the destruction it will bring.”

“So, for instance, it could be a plague carrier that walks the land, causing death and devastation through disease rather than war or physical damage.”

“Yes, I suppose it could be. But Inigo’s skillset revolves around killing, so I think it is more likely that The Doom Strider has a corporeal form.”

“Describe what The Doom Strider looks like in your dreams.”

“There are two dreams. In both, I see a towering, dead-minded, red-eyed monstrosity walking the world, leaving sorrow, death, and despair in its wake. The very gods are powerless to intervene. In one vision, I see them watch in horror as Nirn decays and rots.”

“Both Aedra and Daedra rely on mortal champions. Aedric gods have fewer options to intervene in Nirn than Daedric gods, even though they created Mundus.”

“Umm…”

“So, Inigo saves the day in your other vision?”

“Yes. It starts similarly, but this time, The Champion is there to stop The Doom Strider. I see a baby blue Khajiiti elude death before his first birthday. I see him grow into a great warrior. I see him and me talking earnestly, and the gods rejoice as he defeats the demon.”

“The gods are always powerless to intervene! That is why they have mortal champions like The Vestige, The Nerevarine and others, including me. If this is a true prophecy, then Inigo may be a mortal champion, and the gods will rely on him to save Nirn.”

“What do you mean if this is a true prophecy?”

“The only place The Inigo Prophecy is mentioned is in your writing and is a product of your brain. Any additional evidence is yet to be presented to confirm it. Your forcing an eventual meeting with Inigo is not an indication that the prophecy is true. Tamriel suffered for nearly two thousand years because people believed the false prophecies of one mortal. So, forgive me if I remain sceptical until I encounter independent verification.”

“Do you think I am making this up?”

“I am saying you have no evidence. That is not the same as saying you are a liar or mistaken. So put your ego away and tell me how Inigo defeats the Doom Strider.”

“That is unclear to me. Perhaps now that Inigo and I are known to one another, my dreams will offer a clearer picture. I will be sure to keep him posted.”

“You are a learned man. Can you enlighten me as to where you were taught?”

“I am a native of Skyrim, but I moved to Cyrodiil in my teens. I never joined a guild or anything. I had a talent for magic and was packed off to the Imperial City on an apprenticeship. I received my training from an angry little man called Barton Barius. He was a bit of a pyromaniac but a decent sort. He never used his power against humans and would not hear of it, but he enjoyed burning everything else. He taught me a great deal about Destruction Magic, alchemy and even how to hone my visions. He imbued in me a thirst for knowledge, and I soon began researching various subjects outside the discipline of magic. When I returned to Skyrim, I travelled the Holds making gold by predicting the weather for farmers and such, but my focus soon became science.”

“The intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation and experimentation.”

“Oh, you know of the discipline.”

“It has its uses, but sometimes you must accept that the metaphysical is beyond our comprehension. Many have wasted their lives trying to figure out why rather than just accepting what is. But The Divines will not give you a better plough or more efficient irrigation. They gave mortals free will and the capacity to think. To apply science to better mortal life is what the gods want. The Dwemer bent it to try to compete with the gods that made them. They dabbled in the metaphysical when they should have concerned themselves only with the physical. As a result, they vanished up their own rectums.”

“I have been doing you a disservice, haven’t I?”

“You have been doing Inigo a disservice by belittling me. He is trying to atone for actions he committed whilst a Skooma addicted bandit. He is risking his life fighting beside me, and now my prophecy has come to pass, the danger will be extreme. If we lose, you will be enslaved. Inigo needs to believe in me as he seeks his redemption. Do you understand what I am saying? You are risking his morale!”

“Yes.”

“You also risked Inigo’s life by using a spell you were not prepared for. Show me what the Conjuration Mage gave you.”

“Why?”

“I am not trying to replace you. You have this vision of Inigo and yourself saving the world. The Divines will let me know what, if any, part I have in this. Now I request you let me see the spell. It is no reflection on you if I get it to work and you cannot. I am a Master in Conjuration, and you are not.”

Langley shuffled through some papers and handed me the handwritten spell.

I told him, “This is my spell. The Conjuration Mage copied it from the spell tomes I have provided to The College of Winterhold and Imperial Battlemages. I reintroduced teleportation and portals to Skyrim. It was lost knowledge until a few months ago. Your Magicka reserves are low, so you would not be much of a Destruction Mage. However, you can master this spell with a bit of guidance.”

“Why didn’t it work? How did I endanger Inigo?”

“If anybody could hire a mage and say something like, ‘I want to summon His Imperial Majesty, Titus Mede II’, and the spell worked, what would happen?”

“Chaos.”

“The Doom Strider would not be needed as rampant assassinations and kidnappings would ensure our doom. For a summons to work, you must know more about a person than what you have seen, physically or via foresight. You need to know more about them than what you have read or overheard. You think you know Inigo, but you do not. You did not even know of his troubles with Skooma.”

“Does that mean I would need to spend time with Inigo for the summons to work?”

“Yes. Then Inigo becomes more than the sum of his appearance or history. He becomes an individual with uniqueness only uncovered by familiarity. I can teleport and summon more than one person at a time because I recognise their uniqueness. They are not just names and faces.”

“How did my efforts hurt Inigo?”

“A bad summoning places a strain on the brain. It can cause hemorrhages, strokes, blindness, or paralysis. It can kill. Also, the body subconsciously resists a summons from a stranger. For a summons to work, the summoned must accept the summoning. Inigo had no idea what was happening. Therefore, he resisted the summons. He also has residual problems from Skooma addiction.”

“The Conjuration Mage did not explain this to me.”

“He made easy money from you, Langley. It was not in his interest to explain the spell’s limitations or dangers. I assume he is not a member of The College of Winterhold.”

“No, he is a Hedge Wizard of some repute. He took advantage of my eagerness and frustration.”

“I do not have time to chase down every unscrupulous mage. The College of Winterhold would quite happily dispatch some Masters to teach him a lesson. Most likely, they would ruin his reputation so his clients stop using him.”

“I will consider making a formal complaint.”

“I suggest Inigo spend time here when he is not accompanying me if that is agreeable to you.”

“Yes. I would suggest that anyway, so I am glad we agree.”

“That would help with your summoning, if it is needed in the future, and may encourage more detailed foresight.”

“May I ask about your prophecy?”

“It was written in the future and inscribed in Elder Scrolls, and I believe it is recorded somewhere else that I must investigate. Its final stage has been reached, but the outcome is to be determined. All mortals are in danger of enslavement. I am pivotal to obtaining a positive outcome. I can only achieve that with powerful allies and friends like Inigo. There is a chance that great suffering, destruction, and many deaths will result from the clash of forces. That is all I will say for now, but I am sure, since you have met me, that your foresight will give you adequate nightmares about what all of us will soon face.”

“You need more than Inigo’s prowess with sword and bow.”

“I have some of the greatest living warriors and mages assisting me. But it is their friendship and desire to aid all mortals without regard to race or religion that gives me hope. In the few months I have known Inigo, he has become a close friend and ally. Therefore, I was quite angry because you hurt him and then displayed arrogance that made me want to throttle you.”

“I see. Is there anything else you want to know?”

“Do you know the history of this cottage?”

“No, it was one of several buildings here. The others had been destroyed beyond repair, and I used what I could salvage to rebuild this cottage. I assume the previous occupants met a grisly fate.”

“The statue of Lord Talos attracted the ire of The Thalmor. There was sadness in his voice when he told me this. That is an example of the desire to help mortals requires mortal heroes, for The Divines and other gods cannot directly intervene.”

“You spoke to Lord Talos?”

“I am Champion of The Divines and the latest in a long list of mortal champions. Some are recorded in history. Most do their duty and die in relative obscurity. Not all of them worked for The Nine. Speaking to gods and other immortals is necessary for me to perform my duty. The prophecy is not the only danger to Nirn, or Mundus, that I shall have to deal with. What other crises I will face is unknown, but there are always schemes of Daedric Princes, mortal despots, and other dangers to Nirn’s mortals. If I fall, another mortal champion or champions will aid the people.”

“I would like to see the summoning spell work, just to confirm what you have said. It will also give me the motivation to teach the Conjuration Mage a lesson.”

“Okay, we shall go outside while Inigo stays inside. Then I shall summon him.”

“Did you hear that, Inigo?”

“Yes, Langley, and I sort of promise not to sample your stew.”

“Okay, let us get this over with.”

I let Langley exit alone.

Inigo chuckled and said, “You can be a bastard, My Friend.”

A loud shriek was followed by Langley flinging open the door, scrambling into the cabin, then slamming it closed.

• Inigo: What is wrong, Langley? Has The Doom Strider arrived?
• Langley: There are terrible monsters on my porch! Quick, Lord Wulf, do something.
• Wulf: Oh no! Can you describe these monsters so I can prepare the correct spells?
• Langley: One of them is at least ten feet tall with massive horns and hooves instead of feet and an evil grin.
• Inigo: That sounds terrifying!
• Wulf: What else was there?
• Langley: A three-eyed monster. His beady eyes glowed in the dark, and I could sense evil.
• Wulf: I might need your help, Inigo.
• Inigo: We should be able to defeat two monsters.
• Langley: Wait, there was a third. But…
• Wulf: Tell us, no matter how horrendous the beast’s description.
• Langley: Well, the jiggling caught my attention.
• Inigo: Oh no, we have faced gelatinous cubes before. They can dissolve weapons and people!
• Langley: No, it was her ample breasts that jiggled. And she had a beautiful smile. She must be a Khajiiti with tiger colouring.
• Wulf: Her name is Shiva. She is a Dragonguard and my dual-wielding and unarmed combat instructor. She is not Khajiiti but Ka’Po’Tun from Akavir.
• Inigo: The three-eyed beast is Raikou, the senior Dragonguard Shaman. His race is Kamal, also from Akavir.
• Wulf: If you were not soiling your britches, you might have recognised that Dragonguard Flint is a Minotaur. He is twelve feet tall, and his grin can be disconcerting.
• Langley: Why didn’t you warn me they were outside?
• Wulf: What would be the fun in that?
• Langley: Did you find this amusing, Inigo?
• Inigo: Of course I did. That was an impressive shriek!
• Wulf: Come on, Langley, I will demonstrate the summoning as promised.

We exited, and my friends gave us some space, as they could see Langley was still a bit nervous.

I asked, “Are you ready, Langley?”

“Yes.”

Inigo appeared out of the ether.

• Langley: You did not use the incantation or hand movements!
• Wulf: I have trained myself to use many spells by internally visualising those elements. The Psijic Order taught me the basics. It is easier when I spend many hours documenting a spell for others to use.
• Langley: Are you a member of The Psijic Order?
• Wulf: No. I am the only non-member they have ever taught.
• Inigo: My Friend has received training from many sources, including gods.
• Wulf: The Dragonguard and other powerful people will help me fight the upcoming battles. They would also lend their assistance to Inigo if The Doom Strider arrives.
• Inigo: Langley, you now have more than Inigo the Brave to assist you. So, despite the pain, I am glad to have met you, for you deserve praise for your efforts. Without your failed summoning, I would not have known of my prophecy or The Doom Strider.
• Langley: And you, Inigo, will be the hero I have always thought you would be.
• Inigo: That is, if I do not die a horrible death helping My Friend. Or we lose, and all end up shackled, busy making small rocks out of big ones.
• Shiva: Or I skewer you for breaking Ko’rassa’s heart again.
• Langley: I have found this exhausting and must retire. I have a lot to think about.
• Wulf: Inigo will not be able to visit until the current crisis is resolved. Hopefully, that will not be long.
• Raikou: Do you have enough food to last a few months?
• Langley: No, I was going to visit Winterhold and stock up.
• Wulf: I will have our airship visit. Tell the Dragonguard aboard what you need, and they will deliver it. You shouldn’t travel till we give the all clear.
• Langley: Can’t you tell me what the danger is?
• Wulf: I will trust you with this knowledge, Langley, for you have met me, and your foresight will give you a nightmarish rendition of the truth. I am a Dragonborn. The Nine asked me to come to Skyrim and deal with Alduin, who has returned and will restart the Dragon War. I am unsure how many dragons will be involved, but it is best not to travel while they roam the sky.
• Langley: The World Eater?
• Wulf: That is his function when a kalpa ends. But he has abandoned his purpose and succumbed to the base instincts of a Dov. He wants to enslave mortals and place them under the yoke of Dragon Priests. That is what he attempted before being banished into the time stream.
• Langley: And I called you a barbarian.
• Wulf: And I overreacted because you hurt Inigo. Get some rest if you can, but I predict you will be up and down as each vision shows potential death and destruction on a scale to match The Doom Strider’s.

I said, “Okay, Dragonguard, we have some archaeology to finish.”

I Recalled us to the excavation.

Langley stared. Wulf had teleported five people at once. He entered his cabin a wiser man.