Loredas, 23^rd Last Seed, 4E 201

The sun was rising when we appeared out of the ether. I was surprised to see members of the excavation team already at work.

Karl looked relieved to see us.

• Karl: Inigo is with you, so I assume the problem was resolved.
• Wulf: Yes, Karl. I am sorry we took so long. It was a lengthy walk.
• Raikou: And, as per usual, we had to fight bandits. Lots of bandits.
• Shiva: That is always a feature on a nature walk with Wulf.
• Inigo: You get to see flowers, trees, animals, and the insides of smelly bandits!
• Karl: Well, nothing exciting here. We have put together some jars and jugs from pieces recovered, but nothing extraordinary.
• Wulf: We get good prices for the things we do not put on display, so it is worth the effort. I want to think the museum will not be a permanent drain on my coffers.
• Karl: When will it open to the public?
• Wulf: We did plan it for next month, but things might get complicated before then.
• Karl: How?
• Wulf: That will soon be obvious.
• Karl: Oh, so one of those secrets.
• Wulf: Yes, a big one, and not a pleasant reveal.
• Karl: Should I be worried?
• Wulf: Not when we have Inigo the Brave, prophesied saviour of Nirn, on our side.
• Inigo: But it will not be The Doom Strider we face.
• Wulf: Regard our opponent as practice. We will sit back and marvel at your skills.
• Karl: Now I am confused.
• Inigo: The next time I visit The Explorer’s Guild, I will tell you my fascinating prophecy over a few mead.
• Shiva: I doubt that will unconfuse Karl.
• Inigo: After a few mead, it will all make sense.
• Wulf: Okay, time to solve the mystery of the locked doors.
• Flint: Oh, goody. I cannot wait.
• Karl: That sounds disturbing in a deep baritone.

 We stopped at the bottom of the steps.

• Wulf: Flint, who is depicted on the reliefs on the columns?
• Flint: I think that may be Lady Kynareth.
• Wulf: And why would the Akaviri and Tsaesci celebrate her?
• Flint: Her association with the Thu’um would make her venerated.
• Wulf: Correct. It is only after arriving in Tamriel that the Tsaesci and Akaviri learned of the god behind the Thu’um. She then became an important deity to them.
• Inigo: I have tried to learn some of this history, and nothing sticks. Therefore, I am envious that you could answer that.
• Flint: I have a good memory, so history comes easily to me. Maths is my weakness.
• Inigo: Which is strange, because maths is easy for me.
• Shiva: Probably due to the profit and loss senses that Khajiiti have.
• Inigo: That is slightly racist, Shiva.
• Shiva: Damn, I was trying to be a full-blown Nord racist. I will have to keep practising.

We stopped at the front entrance.

• Wulf: Inigo, what is that symbol on the door?
• Inigo: That is the Tsaesci glyph for Dovahkiin.
• Shiva: I cannot remember that being in ‘Kolb and the Dragon.’
• Inigo: I do read other books and took an interest in Dragonborn stuff.
• Wulf: Yes, Inigo, it is the glyph for Dovahkiin and was often used by The Cult of the Dragon.
• Inigo: But at the time of this invasion from Akavir, it designated a place related to the Dragonborn.
• Raikou: You impress me again, Inigo. Your knowledge of Dragonborn history seems extensive.
• Inigo: I wanted to learn all I could about My Friend.
• Raikou: If you ever figure Wulf out, tell us, because we are still confused.
• Inigo: That is why it is fun to travel with him!

We entered the relatively small structure. The top room of the Akaviri waypoints was usually used for mustering. Lower floors, which are easier to heat or cool, depending on the season, are where barracks and officer quarters are located.

Arginal was instructing some workers when he noticed us and approached. He looked at my companions with interest, not alarm. Some of the workers were nervous. No doubt Karl told them about us.

• Wulf: Good morning, Arginal. Did you figure out the locking mechanism?
• Arginal: No, Guildmaster. Perhaps it is best since there seems to be somebody or something on the other side.
• Wulf: Grab your shield in case they are hostile.
• Arginal: Karl said something about undead guards.
• Wulf: What do we think they might be, Flint?
• Flint: Come on, Wulf. That was yesterday! Or at least a few hours ago!
• Wulf: Which should make it easy to remember.
• Flint: But their names are in the weird Tsaesci language, not beautiful Ayleidoon.
• Raikou: Weird Tsaesci language?
• Shiva: Ayleidoon makes everything sound like a poem. Bland things get grand names.
• Wulf: Arginal, we think the beings moving around are Vehkon, volunteers who become undead.
• Arginal: Like Draugr.
• Wulf: Similar, but with some cultural differences.
• Arginal: Karl did try explaining this to me. So, this is no ordinary waypoint?
• Wulf: It would have been, but may have been repurposed.
• Arginal: Does that suggest an important artifact might be here?
• Wulf: Yes, or something else worth guarding, like knowledge.
• Arginal: If only we could unlock those damn doors!
• Wulf: They may be magically sealed. Let us take a look.

Arginal retrieved his shield, and we made our way to the left-hand door.

• Wulf: Okay, everybody needs to be quiet for a second. Inigo, use that large hooter of yours.
• Inigo: My beautiful nose is average-sized for a Khajiiti!
• Wulf: Quiet. Sniff. Then object. Use those ears as well.
• Shiva: It is way bigger than my nose.
• Raikou: But you are Ka’Po’Tun, and they are the better-looking feline race.
• Flint: Too bad large breasts aren’t useful for investigating old ruins.
• Wulf: Ahem!
• Flint: Okay, we are being very quiet. See!

As Inigo’s nose wiggled and his ears swivelled, I inspected the door. As I expected, it was locked with a Blood Seal. Heat-Vision revealed nothing living on the other side. I could not use the Detect Aura Shout. That would have revealed any undead but also told the Greybeards I was nearby.

• Inigo: The squeaky bone sounds are accompanied by clanking armour, leather and sheathed sword sounds.
• Shiva: My hearing is pretty good, but it seems Inigo has refined his.
• Inigo: Fergus and I were excellent dungeon crawlers. We honed many skills during those adventures.
• Wulf: Heat Vision detected no living beings.
• Arginal: Heat-Vision?
• Wulf: I am a mage, Arginal. I can see body heat through walls and doors.
• Arginal: That is useful!
• Wulf: Hey, what is that on the roof?

I pointed, and they all turned and looked up to where I was pointing.

I quickly nicked my thumb on my katana, then pressed it against the doors. Locks could be heard disengaging. Everybody turned back at the sound.

• Inigo: My Friend, you tricked us!
• Arginal: I understand. Trade secrets. Wulf did not want others to know the trick to tripping those mechanisms.
• Wulf: You might be right, Arginal.
• Inigo: Hang on. My nose smells…
• Wulf: Nothing of importance, Inigo.
• Inigo: Okay. Perhaps you can explain later.
• Wulf: You can follow me into the chamber, but all weapons are to be sheathed.
• Arginal: What about the Vehkon?
• Wulf: Let me approach them. They are there to test intruders. I am the one to be tested.
• Raikou: Now I know how you unlocked the door. Wulf is correct, the Vehkon will test his skills.
• Flint: You look as puzzled as I, Arginal.
• Inigo: I think we should have a few mead together and try to forget the weirdness we suffer.
• Arginal: That sounds like an excellent idea!
• Shiva: It is best that you nod your head sagely, like you understand what is happening.
• Raikou: That is more dignified than drooling and staring like a village idiot.
• Arginal: One of my uncles was a professional village idiot. He made quite a good living.

We entered the barracks. There were tables, beds, training facilities, racks of weapons and a commander’s chair.

A Vehkon sat in the commander’s chair. Three other Vehkon shuffled about, making the noises we heard.

I whispered, “Stay here till I signal otherwise.”

As I approached the Vehkon, I said, in Tsaesci, “Sei-mi athithar tera. I Dovahkiin esh.” (My blood opened the doors. I am Dovahkiin.)

I did not think that would prevent the trial by arms. Even if I used the Thu’um, I would have to prove myself. I said it for the Raehon I expected to be nearby. I hoped that Arginal did not understand the word ‘Dovahkiin.’

The four Vehkon attacked. They wielded their katana with the same skills they had in life. Still, I defeated them in seconds.

I said, “You can come closer now. That trial is over.”

As my companions approached, I looked around the commander’s seat.

On its back was a twist handle.

I pulled and twisted it, and we heard locking mechanisms below us operate.

We made our way down a set of stairs to what would have been the officer’s quarters. There was an inert Vehkon at the bottom.

• Wulf: I expect there will be a Raehon beyond this door.
• Shiva: Arginal, a Raehon is also a voluntary undead, like the Vehkon. Raehon means judge in simple terms.
• Arginal: The Vehkon test visitors. If they pass the test, they get to meet the Raehon.
• Wulf: Karl did well in his explanation.
• Inigo: My Friend, you very quickly dispatched the four Vehkon. Who chopped up this one?
• Raikou: Sometimes, if a person passes a particular test, other Vehkon are redundant and are released from their task.
• Wulf: The extra Vehkon are for intruders who have no intention of participating in the test.
• Arginal: Will there be further fighting?
• Wulf: No. I defeated four very good warriors. This Vehkon was released, indicating that it was sufficient.
• Arginal: Karl said the Raehon will be a ghost.
• Wulf: Many types of undead resemble the common idea of a ghost. So yes, the Raehon will be a transparent spirit, but not the type that haunts houses and graveyards.
• Raikou: Nobody is to touch anything, even if shiny and desirable.
• Wulf: Nobody is to approach or speak to the Raehon except me.
• Arginal: You did not search the trunks above. I assume that would upset the Raehon.
• Wulf: It could, as it may label me a fortune seeker, not what I claim to be.
• Inigo: All this is too complicated. I prefer nice crunchy spiders.
• Flint: Do you like the sound they make when you whack them?
• Inigo: Indeed, it is music to my ears and makes me smile.
• Flint: Other people do not understand the attraction. Perhaps we can go spider crunching together one day?
• Raikou: Should I make spider-crunching addiction a reason to reject applicants?
• Wulf: It might signify other troubling mental-health issues.
• Shiva: What if The Doom Strider is a spider?
• Inigo: Then its fate is sealed. An ear-shattering crunch would save the world!
• Raikou: I think Arginal might reconsider having a few mead with Inigo.
• Arginal: On the contrary, a day of spider crunching sounds fantastic.
• Inigo: I have written a song about spider crunching.
• Arginal: I would love to hear it!
• Wulf: Okay, decorum now. If a Raehon is to deliver an Ith-rek, it is a sacred thing.
• Inigo: Spider crunching is sacred.
• Wulf: Inigo!
• Inigo: Sorry, My Friend. I am all serious now.
• Arginal: Is an Ith-rek a message?
• Wulf: It could be a message or the transfer of a relic or both.

Breaking the Fourth Wall for a moment. Here is a song I wrote for Inigo…

We entered a small room. A bust of Reman Cyrodiil lowered, trapping us inside.

There were another three inert Vehkon on the floor. Three other busts of Reman Cyrodiil suggested there might be four exits. Illuminated reliefs of Lady Kynareth decorated each corner.

A Seivak sat upon a central pedestal.

• Inigo: There are four busts of a rather ugly man. Who is he?
• Wulf: Reman Cyrodiil.
• Inigo: Oh, then please forgive me, whoever is listening. He was a great man.
• Flint: A great, ugly man!
• Raikou: I suspect if you remove the Seivak from its pedestal, we shall get to meet the Raehon.
• Wulf: Or all four busts rise, and a stream of unhappy Vehkon attack.
• Arginal: What is a Seivak used for?
• Wulf: Seivak means blood-fang. In every army, there is inevitably bad blood between some soldiers.
• Raikou: In some societies, a fight between comrades would end up in executions.
• Wulf: In other societies, the offenders are allowed to duel to the death.
• Raikou: The Empire tends to flog the offenders within an inch of their lives, putting them out of action for weeks.
• Wulf: The Tsaesci, and therefore their Akaviri troops, thought those forms of punishment would be a waste of good warriors.
• Raikou: Instead, a ritual called Seivaketh, the right of the blood-fang, was undertaken. It was a first-blood duel.
• Wulf: The opponents wore loincloths regardless of gender. The only weapons provided were Seivak.
• Raikou: There was no need for a judge to watch for first blood.
• Wulf: There was honour in participating in accordance with its rules. So, if an opponent received even the smallest of nicks, they would concede.
• Raikou: Seivaketh did not decide who was right and wrong. Its purpose was to declare the disagreement over.
• Wulf: Trying to wound somebody willing to fight and die beside you makes the opponents reassess what is important.
• Raikou: Seivaketh did not work every time, but it did in most cases. It was a far better solution than killing or maiming skilled soldiers.
• Wulf: This Seivak is a symbol of honour and service. I accept the gift with humility.

When I removed the Seivak from its pedestal, the bust in front of us pivoted.

The Raehon was a general.

I said, “Remain here. Do not say another word, any of you.”

I approached the Raehon. He was Akaviri. I gave a Tsaesci salute.

To my surprise, he spoke a combination of Tamrielic and Tsaesci.

“I am General Xi. You opened, tara, the athithar, sealed gates, locked by a sei-ath vek, a blood seal. You defeated the Vehkon, thereby displaying extraordinary skill. You did not use the Thu’um, but that was not required. Therefore, I recognise you as Dragonborn and may deliver the Ith-rek. Listen carefully.

Alduin will return in the two hundred and first year of the fourth era, as seen by the Tseira who tasked me with this duty. It is not my duty to answer questions. I do not understand most of the Ith-rek. I am now free to join my family and comrades. Farewell, Dragonborn.”

General Xi’s spirit form dissolved into ectoplasm. His soul travelled to his chosen afterlife. The bust of Reman Cyrodiil pivoted, allowing us to exit.

A sense of urgency hit me. I needed to hide, but where?

Shiva asked, “Is something wrong, Wulf? Your eyes are darting all over the place.”

“I want to leave this chamber. Questions can wait. Arginal, we must talk.”

We made our way to the top floor.

I said, “Arginal, you now know a secret that must be kept. I am a Dragonborn, and Alduin has returned. The World Eater does not know I exist. If you want us to defeat him, you will not tell anybody else. My identity will soon be known, so I am not asking for a lifetime of secrecy.”

“When you spoke Tsaesci, you said Dovahkiin, so I had some inkling. If you are our only hope of defeating Alduin, I would be worse than a fool to betray your trust. Also, you gave me, a career criminal, a chance at a better life. The months I have spent with The Explorer’s Guild have allowed me peace of mind, and I can finally sleep at night. Therefore, I give my word, Lord Wulf Welkynd, that your secret is safe with me.”

“Tell Karl what we found. I will write an explanation of the Tsaesci rituals and what the Raehon said.”

I said, “Squad, it is time to go home. We have been at this for almost a day.”

We teleported into Aetheron and headed for the barracks.

I dismissed Flint, Inigo, and Shiva after thanking them for their help. I asked Raikou to meet me in my chambers after he had eaten.

I then summoned Celestine.

She asked, “What is wrong, Wulf?”

“I need to talk to some of you about Rigmor. I feel an urgency that I cannot explain.”

“Do you want me to gather others?”

“I have asked Raikou to attend. Vayu, Cian, and you should be sufficient.”

“Three shamans tell me you need guidance about metaphysical gobbledygook.”

“I will spill the beans when we are in my chambers in thirty minutes.”

“Okay, Wulf. Have some breakfast. I shall get my husband and Cian.”

“Thank you.”

I ate a plate of bacon and eggs while trying to decipher the feeling of urgency that came and went. I concluded that it was not me but Rigmor who needed to hide. I have no proof, and that has been part of the problem. I sound obsessed and illogical when I discuss my theories about her.

My friends arrived. Three of them sat. Raikou remained standing, which is his habit.

• Wulf: I am to meet Father and Silah in Aethsela to discuss Rigmor. There is something about her I have not told them or you.
• Raikou: You were in a rush to leave the Akaviri outpost and dismissed the squad immediately. You usually give them a chance to ask questions.
• Wulf: I want to discuss what happened in Roscrea, as if you do not know the story. I want to talk about it in detail. Ask questions. Point out things of interest. If I do this chronologically, I might find the answers I seek.
• Celestine: Cian, what Wulf has not put in his journals is our dismissal of what occurred. We think it was an interesting phenomenon, but unimportant, as he prepared for Alduin and whatever else he may have to deal with.
• Vayu: Wulf has always insisted that Rigmor must play a role. That it was not a random encounter caused by untrained Ethereal Dreaming.
• Cian: Wulf’s instincts have always been trusted. Why the push-back concerning Rigmor?
• Wulf: I love Rigmor. That is why I have never been romantically involved with anybody. I am constantly told that it is ridiculous, unhealthy, or a myriad of other bad things. Never an understanding that it is true. So, for my sake, they tell me it was just a random event without importance.
• Celestine: Has something happened to prove what you have claimed?
• Wulf: I do not know if it is proof, but it lends weight to my claims.
• Celestine: Is that why Lord Talos wants to speak to you?
• Wulf: Yes.
• Raikou: Okay, tell us the events from the beginning. When you were eighteen.

“I knew I would leave Roscrea, and my life would never be the same. Although I put on a brave face for my parents, I was terrified. I had always felt safe and certain, and that was about to be lost. For my eighteenth birthday, my parents gave me a simple gold ring. I was to wear it as a reminder of our life in Roscrea. I wore it till I arrived in Skyrim. It is now in a lock-box in my bedroom because it became uncomfortably tight.

A few nights before Father and Mother were to leave for Aetherius, my Consciousness was in a cell with a young girl. I had travelled to her via the ethereal plane. I had no training in Ethereal Dreaming or Ethereal Travel. I had never done it before and did not do it consciously. I had not done it again until six weeks ago, when I visited Rigmor once more. I will describe that event soon.”

Celestine asked, “Why didn’t you tell us about the recent event?”

“I told nobody. It took Silah this long to figure it out. Why do you think I kept it quiet? Could it be I thought my instincts, my gut feelings, my certainty, would be summarily dismissed?”

“We have hurt you, Wulf. So much so, you could no longer trust us. I am so sorry.”

“The girl was sobbing. It was hard to tell her age because of her emancipation. I estimated she was twelve to fourteen years of age, but she could have been ten or eighteen for all I knew.

The girl was Rigmor, but I did not know her name till later.

Rigmor’s back was covered in scars from being whipped with various instruments. She was alone, in the dark, and my instinct was to reach out, touch, and comfort her. But I was not there and had no hands. Yet she seemed to react to my phantom touch, and her sobbing turned to sniffles.

To survive the injuries I saw, I knew her will to live must be strong. I wondered what motivated her to keep going and not surrender to death’s embrace.

I talked to Rigmor via telepathy. I did not know if that would work. I knew the basic theory of ethereal travel but had not studied it, for it seemed of no importance.

Rigmor did hear me, but talked back with her voice, not her mind.

I told Rigmor, ‘Hush, little one, for you are not alone. I am your witness and will share your pain. I cannot rescue you, but I will not leave your side. Sleep and let your body rest. I will watch over you. Let me be your guardian.”

She asked, “Will you always be my guardian?”

I then made a pledge that I have always known I would keep. I said, ‘I cannot promise, but I will try. I will not stop out of choice. I hope that is good enough.’

Rigmor’s voice was strong and determined when she replied, ‘Yes, we can only try our hardest. My dad used to say that. The worries of tomorrow are gone, and I feel peace. I can sleep now. Goodnight, My Guardian.’

Cian said, “Reading this in your journals did not prepare me for the raw emotions these memories bring out in you, Wulf. You are reliving this, as if it just occurred.”

“The events have played out in my mind repeatedly. I can recall minute details of the surroundings and Rigmor. I have drawn her from memory several times. Even if drawn years apart, the scars match perfectly, picture to picture.”

“You formed an empathetic link with Rigmor. That was something you had yet to be taught, and when the Psijic Order tried to teach you a few years later, you had mastered it without a single lesson.”

“I did not know I could do it. But when I told Rigmor I would share her pain, it was not metaphoric. As I watched her sleep, my back felt like it was crisscrossed with bands of fire. But I was content, for my worries about leaving Roscrea for a new life were somewhat lessened. The worries of tomorrow were gone. I spent hours sitting next to Rigmor. But nobody came and got her before my location changed.”

Raikou said, “The time hopping you did next is unique. I have found nothing equivalent after years of searching. I believe it has to do with your dragon soul.”

“That is as good a theory as any. But the how is not as important as the why. I am connected to Rigmor, and I believe it to be at the soul level. But until we can stand in Aetherius, side by side, The Divines cannot confirm my theory.”

“You can read souls. You could likely confirm it yourself.”

“Perhaps, but validation by The Divines would end much of the skepticism I have endured. Claiming I have proven it myself would invite more.”   

“Unfortunately, that is true.”

“I had not woken in Roscrea, yet I was with Rigmor sometime after I watched her sleep. As I move to her front, I briefly saw her back and she had new scars, so I assume it was at least a day or two later. We were in a small dungeon. Three jail cells lined the walls. Rigmor was kneeling with a wooden stock around her neck. Her arms were bound to either end.

Now I could see her in better light, and from her front, I confirmed Rigmor was not a child but a young teen. Her hair had been shorn, but its current length suggested it had been over a week since. I wondered if she endured what was about to happen every day.

The stock would be very heavy. Rigmor should have collapsed. However, she knelt with minimal swaying and a determined look on her face. Her back was as straight as possible. A chain connected to the floor forced some stooping. It was the first act of defiance I witnessed in that room.

The others in the room included an elderly Khajiiti, who looked at the girl with pity and her captors with contempt. Standing next to the Khajiiti was a Justiciar, who was proud of the show he was putting on. Another Altmer sat close to the girl. His job was to listen for confessions or pleas for mercy. Behind her was a torturer. I concentrated on Rigmor, and the background conversations did not register.

They were about to whip Rigmor, so I knelt before and said, ‘I am your guardian, and we shall share the pain, you and I.’

Rigmor looked where I knelt and nodded. She could not see me, but sensed my presence. As I mentioned, I have no idea how long it was between the night in the cell and this display of barbarity. What could Rigmor have done to earn such treatment? Was she a Talos worshipper?

The torturer looked through his implements and selected a horse crop.

The crop came down, and Rigmor flinched, but no sound issued from her lips. I thought I remained silent, but my parents told me I was screaming in pain.

Her existing scars amplified the severity of the pain. The thrashing continued, and I had never, and have never since, experienced such agony.

Rigmor’s eyes stared into mine, and I was overwhelmed by the love I felt.

Stroke after stroke, Rigmor’s flesh was torn from her back and thrown across the room. Tears rolled down my face as anger, pain, and hate seared my very being. I would gladly have taken Rigmor’s place, for she did not deserve such brutality. Nobody did!”

My friends were concerned, for as I relived the experience, I was flinching with each stroke. I was growling, crying, and clenching my fists in anger. I had repeated this experience countless times, but without an audience.

Celestine cried, “Wulf, please, it breaks my heart to see you like this. Do you have to continue?”

“Yes, Celestine. It is about time you did more than read or hear my words without the emotions that batter me. Perhaps I should have done this earlier, but it would probably still have led to the dismissal of what I know to be true!”

Celestine was alarmed by my anger, but she understood. This display was a culmination of carrying this burden alone.

I continued, “The torturer was getting more vicious due to frustration. Rigmor was making The Thalmor look weak with her resolve. The Khajiiti was witnessing a young woman defy them through willpower alone.

The Altmer sitting close to her was covered in gore. He was listening for a sign, any sign, that Rigmor was defeated. But she refused to cry out or beg for mercy.

I knew Rigmor could not last much longer. If the whipping did not kill her, an errant stroke could snap her back like a twig.

I pleaded with her, ‘Please, give them what they want. Scream out, beg for mercy. It will be a hollow victory for them. Surely you have something to live for?’

Rigmor nodded, then smiled. She screamed, ‘No more! Please! No more!’

Rigmor fell forward as Thalmor laughed. The Khajiiti growled, and I wept.”

I used my training to bring my emotions under control. Celestine was weeping. I felt sorry for her, but I needed to continue.

“Next, I was back in the dungeon. It was night, and the elderly Khajiiti was carrying Rigmor. He was dressed in black and headed towards a trapdoor. I could hear running water below.

Rigmor was limp and stared straight ahead. Her shallow breathing told me she lived, but barely. I was confident she would pull through because she needed to achieve something, and death would have to wait. I knew this and did not bother questioning how I knew it. I just did, and there was no mystery for me to solve.

The Khajiiti whispered, ‘The nightmare is over, Rigmor. I shall take you to my home, and you will be safe. Nobody will ever hurt you again.’”

I had finished what was written in my journals. It was time to divulge new information.

I said, “When I woke the next morning, my parents were sitting next to my bed. They had been weeping, something I had never seen before. I asked Father, ‘Where is Rigmor? I am her guardian. I need to protect her!’ He could not answer, and then I understood the limitations of The Nine and why they needed me. I was determined to train, learn, and do whatever I could to fulfil my pledge to be Rigmor’s guardian one day. Defeating Alduin would be a bonus.

A major junction in the Primary Timeline occurred that night. Six weeks ago, a similar junction occurred. Silah and the other Jill’s had been investigating the new junction. Yesterday, Silah asked if the cause was the same. I knew it was. Once again, I had ethereally travelled to Rigmor in her time of need.

Celestine looked shocked. Then she said, “I am anxious to hear about the new encounter with Rigmor, but the junctions are important, and my metaphysics knowledge is not as extensive as these gentlemen’s, oh, and my husband’s.”

I replied, “Okay, a brief explanation without getting too deep. At Convention, this kalpa started when Lord Akatosh turned on linear time. Our brains cannot process how to exist in non-linear time, but we must accept that it exists.”

“Gobbledygook!”

“Yep. The timeline we experience is the Primary Timeline. That is the one created at Convention. Certain events can cause Parallel Timelines to occur. The creation of Parallel Timelines occurs at a junction. Some call it a ripple. They mean the same thing.”

“Okay, and for some reason, your ethereal meetings with Rigmor created major junctions. That means many Parallel Timelines were created.”

“Yes, and the size of those junctions made Silah suspect they may be related. So, after trying to find the cause, she asked me if I knew what it was. They were related because they occurred when I met Rigmor ethereally.”

“Not all Parallel Timelines survive.”

“Very few of them do. We think that only slight variations between Parallel Timelines will lead to the culling of all but one. That is the function of Aurbis metaphysics, not the subset of Mundus. I doubt Lord Akatosh understands the natural laws of the culling.”

“Therefore, even a major junction might only result in a few Parallel Timelines.”

“Yes. But the Jills and The Nine regard major junctions as pivotal points in history. There must be an event with a ripple effect in the future. Event A, which caused the major junction, must have occurred for Events B, C and D to occur later. Cause and effect.”

“Thank you for clarifying this. I know this all ties in with the structure of souls and afterlives and so forth.”

“It does, but the complexity of that metaphysics cannot be easily summarised. However, there is some relevance that I will mention later. Now, onto my second encounter with Rigmor.

I was relaxing in my study, reading a dusty tome about the Tsaesci Creation Myth. It was an attempt by a scholar to interpret it. It was a valiant effort, but fell well short of the truth. Then, without warning, I was in front of a barely conscious Rigmor. I knew this was not in the past or future, but now. In other words, my Consciousness was with Rigmor, while my physical body was still in my study, book open on my lap, glass of wine in my right hand.”

Vayu said, “Wulf’s dragon soul makes him more attuned to time. It is a sense that we lack, so impossible to describe.”

I continued, “How do you describe colour to a blind person or music to a deaf person? Anyway, Rigmor’s hair was very short, and she was wearing a breastplate with Bruma’s coat of arms. Her midriff was not protected, and she was holding it. I could see blood seeping into the wool underlay she wore.

I said to her, ‘Rigmor, it is your guardian. What has happened?’

She did not answer, fell over and curled up in pain.

I shared her pain, like I had done years before. But even though she had a severe stomach wound, the ache from the scars on her back was almost as painful.

Rigmor relaxed. She was still in pain, but it was more bearable. She even managed a small smile.

Just then, a huntress came running over and knelt before her. The following is their conversation: 

‘Oh my, what has happened to you?’ the huntress asked Rigmor.

Rigmor whispered, ‘Thalmor. Ran away. Fell down cliff. Stomach.’

‘Those bastards are all over the place. My shack is not too far, but you will have to walk. Lean against me, and we can make it. Then we shall see about getting you better.’

‘Thalmor. Searching for me.’

‘If they come anywhere near us, I shall put arrows through their heads!’

‘Father’s sword. Dropped…’

‘I can see it. I will get it, and then we shall get you on your feet.’

‘Thank you, My Guardian.’

‘Beg your pardon?’

Rigmor started coughing, and specks of blood coloured the snow. Then I was in my study, spilled wine all over me, and not the dusty old tome, thank The Divines.”

Celestine, who had already soaked the handkerchief Vayu had passed to her, was sobbing once more.

• Cian: Do you think Rigmor survived?
• Wulf: I have no doubt. I would know if she died because we are connected. The nature of that connection I am yet to fathom. But as I always do, I apply the rule of gobbledygook. I know it exists. The reason why it exists and its exact nature are not important right now. I am certain it is at the soul level.
• Vayu: Do you know where this was?
• Wulf: This side of the border in the Jerall Mountains. That narrows it down to several hundred well-used smuggler and hunter pathways.
• Vayu: And there are hundreds of hunter cabins and huts dotted around.
• Wulf: I did not see the hunter’s face. I think she was a Nord, and likely from Skyrim. Though Cyrodiil’s Nords, especially those in Bruma, do not have markedly different accents.
• Raikou: Could you tell Rigmor’s accent?
• Wulf: No, she was whispering through pain.
• Raikou: Why did you ethereally travel to Rigmor on both occasions?
• Wulf: Before I came to Rigmor in that prison cell, I believe she cried for help, and my soul responded. I think she did the same six weeks ago.
• Celestine: I believe you, Wulf. And once again, I apologise for doubting you all these years.
• Wulf: You do not have my senses, such as my affinity for time and souls. We have often acted on my hunches, my gut feelings, even though I despise speculation presented as fact. It is only my claims about Rigmor and love that have produced derision and denial.
• Raikou: Okay, Wulf, we believe you now. Was that the purpose of this meeting? To finally get a consensus?
• Wulf: Alduin has arrived, and all our planning and activities should revolve around checking our preparations and ensuring we are ready to fight the renewed Dragon War. However, while in the Akaviri ruins, I felt the presence of Rigmor once more. But this time she was not crying for help. She was running from something and looking for somewhere to hide. I was picking up her raw emotions.
• Raikou: You want to find Rigmor.
• Wulf: I was going to continue functioning as normally as possible. That is why I still helped with the Akaviri dig. But yes, I want to find Rigmor. I pledged to keep her safe. That is as binding an oath as any you can name. I cannot function normally while I know Rigmor is in danger.
• Raikou: You are our Grandmaster, Wulf. You do not need our permission. I know you will do all you can to prevent death and destruction. Until that starts, we can continue our preparations without you.
• Wulf: I was not asking for permission, Raikou.
• Celestine: Wulf is asking for understanding and acceptance of his feelings on this matter.
• Wulf: I will be…

A plea, seemingly as loud as Rigmor yelling in my ear, made me pause mid-sentence. Then Rigmor jumped, or was pushed.

I explained, “Rigmor just pleaded, ‘My Guardian, help me!’”

Celestine asked, “Do you know where she is?”

“I cannot reach her ethereally, because she is unconscious. But I saw through her eyes via an empathetic link. She was on the cliffs near Riverwood. She jumped or was pushed. I must go to her.”

“I am going with you.”

“Yes, she may be injured again and…and…”

“Teleport us to one of your houses along the river. We shall start our search from there.”

“Okay.”

“Concentrate, Wulf. Rigmor needs you, so you must think clearly.”

Vayu added, “Do what is needed, Wulf. We can cater for this development. Celestine is ready to travel, as we all are, as per our plans when Alduin returned. Do not hesitate to ask for other assistance.”

I said, “We shall teleport to Riverwood and skirt the cliffs from there.

That is what my intuition says is best.”

Celestine stood beside me, and we teleported.