Tirdas, 2^nd Hearthfire, 4E 201

After waking Rigmor yesterday afternoon, she convinced me to relax with her and the children. Therefore, my plan for Morndas was delayed till Tirdas. It was a wise choice, as I had been pushing myself hard and risked fatigue at a crucial moment.

So, we had dinner with the children, which was noisy, full of questions, and surprising. Children can reason and use logic with a skill that seems to fade with age.

Despite her long sleep earlier in the day, Rigmor was exhausted, and I woke to her still fast asleep, wrapped around me. It was difficult being so close, yet hesitant to risk even a kiss, but we are not ready. I am sure others think we are intimate. They would fail to understand why we are not.

After a quiet breakfast together, I summoned Silah.

• Wulf: Good morning, my favourite Jill.
• Silah: I am the only Jill you know.
• Wulf: Well, until I meet another one, you are my favourite!
• Silah: I was about to return from Solstheim, so your summons is well timed.
• Rigmor: So, Miraak is nothing to worry about, and we can forget he exists.
• Silah: I am afraid not, Rigmor.
• Wulf: What is happening?
• Silah: Miraak is using the All-Maker Stones to ensorcel the people of Solstheim. When flying over the All-Maker Stones, I felt a strong compulsion to touch them. I think when you do, you become ensorceled.
• Wulf: What are the ensorceled people doing?
• Silah: They are building structures around the All-Maker Stones while chanting a Mantra about Miraak.

• Here in his shrine
• That they have forgotten
• Here do we toil
• That we might remember
• By night, we reclaim
• What by day was stolen
• Far from ourselves
• He grows ever near to us
• Our eyes once were blinded
• Now through him do we see
• Our hands once were idle
• Now through them does he speak
• And when the world shall listen
• And when the world shall see
• And when the world remembers
• That world shall cease to be

• Rigmor: Does Miraak plan to destroy Nirn?
• Wulf: I do not think so, Rigmor. There will be another meaning to that line. It is likely metaphorical.
• Rigmor: Okay.
• Wulf: Could you detect the Thu’um, Silah?
• Silah: Yes, but in a way I have never experienced. It was woven into the power emanating from the All-Maker Stones.
• Wulf: The power beneath such stones is older than any tribe or kingdom. But people do not leave power untouched. They teach it their symbols, and in time it answers back in those forms. So, the All-Maker Stones, Skyrim’s Standing Stones and Cyrodiil’s Rune Stones are loci that mediate power between Nirn and people.
• Silah: The monoliths are not separate inventions, but local tongues spoken by Nirn.
• Wulf: Yes, like the Tower Stones, which change the climate, flora, and fauna to suit the dominant species of the surrounding area. Therefore, the All-Maker Stones reflect the beliefs of the Skaal, as they are the ones who tend them and have included them in their religion.
• Rigmor: Ah… I am kinda lost.
• Wulf: I will simplify the explanation later. At the moment, I am verbalising what I think Miraak is doing and formulating a hypothesis.
• Rigmor: Yeah, that sounds weird enough for you.
• Wulf: If Miraak has found a way to usurp the Skaal’s influence over the All-Maker Stones and replace it with his own, then he can utilise them to create the compulsion dweomer.
• Rigmor: Is everybody busy building these structures?
• Silah: No. They work in shifts, and nobody seems to remember doing it. Others do not notice they are absent, or if they do, they do not seem to act on it.
• Wulf: If I study the All-Maker Stones closely, even touching them, I will better understand the dweomer.
• Rigmor: Would your mind block thingy protect you against the compulsion and ensorcellment?
• Wulf: My Cethera?
• Rigmor: Yeah, that mind block thingy.
• Wulf: Logically, yes. But I cannot be certain.
• Rigmor: Have you finished formulating your hypo-what-sit?
• Wulf: Yes. I think what Miraak is doing is similar to Mind Magic practiced by Sea Sload. I think the ensorceled are building something to increase the range of the dweomer. It is major gobbledegook, Rigmor.
• Silah: Miraak would have access to all forms of obscure knowledge in Apocrypha.
• Rigmor: Does the ‘world ceasing to be’ fit in with the gobbledegook?
• Wulf: Yes, because reality, the real world, is replaced by a mindscape. The ensorceled are seeing a world different from ours. Our shamans are experienced mindscape explorers, but they do it with hallucinatory drugs.
• Rigmor: Would I be susceptible to the compulsion?
• Silah: Almost certainly, Rigmor, for I had to fight it.
• Wulf: Mages would be more resistant as they are more logical. They would question why they should touch an All-Maker Stone. I think you would be safe near me, Rigmor, because Tirlineth makes you think logically. Plus, I could tell if you were ensorceled.
• Silah: Even Rieklings were ensorceled.
• Wulf: Are the people of Solstheim in immediate danger?
• Silah: I do not think so. However, if somebody is living a normal life for half a day and then working at an All-Maker Stone for the other half, they are not getting enough sleep. That must prove detrimental eventually.
• Wulf: I might send one of the mages there to keep an eye on the situation. Until there is harm to the citizens, I will not consider Miraak a priority.
• Silah: As always, the choice is yours, Valdr.

Silah vanished, and I summoned Vayu.

I summarised what Silah reported and my theory.

• Vayu: That does sound like Sea Sload Mind Magic and mindscapes.
• Rigmor: Wulf said that Dragonguard shamans use mindscapes.
• Vayu: But we inflict them on ourselves. Forcing a mindscape onto another person is intrusive and frowned upon.
• Wulf: It is different from when I share an Idiopathic Link. With that technique, I am sharing memories.
• Vayu: Mindscapes can be anything the creator desires.
• Wulf: Did you visit the Northern Maiden?
• Vayu: Yes, and the captain and crew are very disturbed and disoriented.
• Wulf: They are not Miraak’s people?
• Vayu: No, they aren’t. Captain Gjalund Salt-Sage is the captain of Northern Maiden. He and his crew make a living by ferrying cargo for various businesses, including The East Empire Company.
• Rigmor: Was he hired to bring Miraak’s Morons to Skyrim?
• Vayu: No. He remembers people wearing strange masks coming aboard at Raven Rock. The next thing he remembers is being aboard his ship, docked at Windhelm. It is only a four-hour trip from Solstheim, but it was two days after they boarded that his memory returned, and they were gone.
• Wulf: Does he know how many he gave passage to?
• Vayu: No, and he said there has been something strange happening on Solstheim for a while.
• Rigmor: Something stranger, well, weirder will happen if Wulf visits.
• Wulf: Did he describe what was strange?
• Vayu: He could not pinpoint it. He knows something is not right. He has been travelling to and from Raven Rock for almost twenty years.
• Wulf: Did you ask him about Miraak?
• Vayu: Yes, and he thought the name was familiar but could not say where he might have heard it.
• Wulf: Was his crew the same?
• Vayu: The ones I talked to all experienced the same thing. They remembered Miraak’s Goons boarding the ship and then coming to in Windhelm.
• Wulf: If I travel to Solstheim, it must be aboard Northern Maiden. That will alleviate suspicion.
• Vayu: Yes, taking either of your ships might alert Miraak and his Goons.
• Wulf: Find a couple of female volunteers amongst the Dragonguard to replace Celestine for a day or two. Spend some time with your wife.
• Vayu: That is a wonderful idea!
• Rigmor: If Celestine introduces them to Angi, she will be okay with strangers.
• Vayu: I think that small cottage near Winterhold will do nicely for a getaway.
• Wulf: Remember, you may be called upon at any time.
• Vayu: Yes, that puts a dampener on some plans.
• Wulf: It takes five minutes to don your kimono, Vayu.
• Vayu: Okay, I shall ask for volunteers.
• Wulf: Ask for volunteers, but tell Lydia that I think she and Angi would get along quite well.
• Rigmor: Yeah, Lydia has this air of calmness and authority about her.
• Vayu: Lydia is already popular amongst the Dragonguard and Aetheron’s staff.
• Wulf: P’sua was fairly beaten up in Solitude, so I shall take Khao’s squad with Raikou to Sky Haven Temple.
• Vayu: Many of us would like to visit that place when we can.
• Wulf: I am curious. It has to be more exciting than Ustengrav.
• Rigmor: Listening to your jokes is more exciting than Ustengrav but not as amusing.
• Wulf: Ouch!
• Vayu: You two are starting to sound like an old married couple.
• Wulf: What did you say, Vayu? I am a bit deaf from all the nagging.
• Vayu: Keep up the training, Rigmor. You might make a gentleman out of him eventually.
• Wulf: Let us hope for a nice, quiet day of exploring an old temple where nothing tries to kill us.
• Rigmor: Yeah, right. Pfft! As if that will ever happen.

Vayu vanished, and I gathered the squad for our trip to Sky Haven Temple. It consisted of Khao, Dhali, Shiva and Raikou in place of P’sua. It was unusual to include two mages, but Raikou is our chief shaman and might provide valuable insights on what we find.

Before leaving for Markarth’s outskirts, I discussed Miraak with Raikou. He thought my hypothesis was likely, but only by examining the All-Maker Stones up close could I judge its accuracy.

I warned the group, “We might encounter Miraak’s Goons or New Order scum as soon as we come out of the ether.”

No Goons or New Order greeted us, but steady rain did.

• Rigmor: Markarth looks as grey as High Hrothgar.
• Wulf: I hate Dwemer architecture.
• Dhali: If you ever accompany Wulf into a Dwemer ruin, you will hear his whining above the mechanical clunks and hissing steam.
• Wulf: I only know two people genuinely fascinated by Dwemer ruins. But they are entertaining as they bicker and squabble over differences of interpretation.
• Khao: Wulf is referring to Professor Calcelmo, who is currently excavating some ruins in Markarth, and Madras, a Dwemer-obsessed member of the Explorer’s Society.
• Wulf: I would not be surprised to find one of them has permanently shut the other one up with a large piece of Dwemer metal to the head.
• Shiva: You like to stir things up by throwing in a third opinion. Then you smile as both of them combine to attack your amateurish and ill-informed bullshit.
• Wulf: Come on, let’s get going.

As we passed a new store, Rigmor asked, “What is Sweet Spot?”

“That is one of five stores with that name. They are independently owned but share recipes. Therefore, if you buy a Pink Cupcake from the Markarth Sweet Spot, it will look and taste the same as if you purchased one from the Whiterun Sweet Spot. I have invested in the stores to provide them with start-up capital, and they will serve as outlets for chocolate treats made from Elsweyr cacao. I placed an orphan Khajiiti girl cub with the Riften store, who the store owner has now adopted.”

“We shall visit, peasant!”

“Yes, Lady Ramsbottom. There are many unique food places we shall visit when things stop trying to kill us.”

“What are the other ones?”

“They shall remain secret for now, as well as the mode of transport we shall use when visiting some of them.”

“I have ways of making you talk!”

“Not in public and not with our armour on.”

Rigmor turned bright red as the others laughed.

A raccoon stood in the middle of the road and refused to budge. So, six well-armed and armoured people stepped cautiously around the stubborn animal.

A group of travellers turned left and was heading into Forsworn territory. Without regular patrols, the Forsworn have become a danger on main roads and in remote areas.

Raugaj was guarding the Khajiiti caravan grounds.

“Good morning, Raugaj. I take it that Ri’saad will arrive soon.”

“Yes, Lord Welkynd. He would have arrived by now except they are being extra cautious with death circling above.”

“I have had no reports of dragons attacking travellers, but some of them would not hesitate if just for the sport.”

“The Khajiiti remember what it was like when Elsweyr was in danger from dragon invaders. Like all useful knowledge, Clan Mothers pass on the learned wisdom from those ages.”

“There is not much you can do if caught in the open.”

“You can leave longer spaces between carriages, donkeys and people. Thereby reducing the risk of total annihilation by a single strafing pass.”

“Say hello to Ri’saad for me. I will try to visit him next time the caravan is in Whiterun. I have many gems to sell for fair prices.”

“Fair prices? You are robbing him blind!”

“He makes good coin from the transactions, Raugaj. You will have to practice your bargaining skills.”

“I gave up on that long ago. That is why I am content to stand in the rain protecting an empty campsite.”

We turned left instead of right. We would still be travelling through Forsworn territory.

A few miles out of Markarth, Sky Haven Temple came into view.

• Rigmor: That does not seem too far.
• Wulf: The bridge crossing the river is many miles away.
• Dhali: And look how high it is, Rigmor. You told me how much you enjoyed the 7000 Steps.
• Rigmor: I said I enjoyed the views and company, not the climb.
• Wulf: The views will be just as spectacular.
• Raikou: Sky Haven Temple is guaranteed to be more interesting than High Hrothgar.
• Rigmor: It is very pretty, if you like grey.
• Wulf: Surprisingly, Jurgen Windcaller did not make it belly-button fluff blue.
• Rigmor: And another attempt at humour dies a miserable, lonely death.

Raikou asked, “Did you see that spell being cast in the distance, Wulf?”

“Yes, it looked like ice magic. Probably goblins, the tribes are at war over most of Skyrim.”

A bit further on, the inevitable question came from my beloved.

“How much further is the bridge?”

I pointed and said, “See that bridge way over there. So, only another couple of miles.”

“How come the walk along the river near Riverwood is so pretty, and this place is barren?”

“Much of The Reach is like this. Lots of stone and stunted trees.”

“Blah!”

Rigmor then clapped and said, “Goody, some idiotic bounty hunters to break the monotony.”

The attackers did not survive long and screamed as Dragonfire consumed them.

Shiva commented, “You even roasted that one at the bottom of the hill. Your Thu’um is much stronger than a week ago!”

We came across an Imperial patrol battling goblins and a Durzog. Some travellers, a bit further along, had not survived.

I quipped, “Look, Rigmor, a Durzog. Do not forget to duck this time!”

“Get fornicated, Dragonbum!”

We quickly eliminated the enemy and were thanked by the Imperial Captain.

We reached the bridge and crossed the river.

A large Forsworn tribe occupied Karthspire, an abandoned settlement next to Sky Haven Temple.

I told the group, “Keep your weapons sheathed. It does not matter what they say; this is not their land! They cannot legally prevent us from entering the caves leading to the temple. If they attack, they die.”

We had to cross a small part of Karthspire to reach some stairs. A Forsworn warned, “Leave, strangers. This land is ours!”

I replied, “We are heading for the caves, not crossing your territory. But even if we were to do so, this land is not yours. We are citizens of The Empire and have the legal right to be here.”

“Then die!”

I told the group, “Deal with the ones on our left. I will find their matron and talk with her.”

I had to kill several Forsworn before reaching their matron, a Hagraven.

She was more interested in casting Reach Magic spells at me than talking. She died as Dragonfire consumed her. The sickening smell of scorched feathers permeated the air.

The Hagraven had killed a giant and was using his corpse in a ritual. For that alone, her death was earned.

The fighting had died down, but aggressive Forsworn remained higher up.

We soon eliminated them.

The last Forsworn was waiting for us to approach.

We did not have to.

After searching the Forsworn camp, we made our way to the cave entrance.

• Wulf: There will be Forsworn in the cave, but I doubt they ever got close to the temple entrance.
• Raikou: Not if Kalein’Sei Akamizu and the undead Dragonguard are still guarding it.
• Rigmor: Undead Dragonguard?
• Wulf: Well, sort of undead. More like vampire minions.
• Raikou: Akamizu is one of my predecessors. She was Va-Kalein’Sei of the Dragonguard a long time ago.
• Rigmor: How long ago?
• Wulf: Alduin’s Wall was finished early 1E 2818. The Blood Seal was consecrated a few months later. So, Kalein’Sei Akamizu and other volunteers have been guarding the temple for over one thousand, six hundred years.
• Rigmor: You said they were similar to vampire minions. And what does Va-Kalein’Sei mean?
• Raikou: Akamizu contracted vampirism from a Cyrodiilic Vampire. She was not a devotee of Molag Bal. It was understood that she would infect the volunteer Dragonguard, as the ancient Nords did when they had volunteers become Draugr. They are likely mindless.
• Wulf: No mention of these guards will be found in any scroll or dusty tome.
• Raikou: It is information passed on from Dragonguard shaman to Dragonguard shaman.
• Wulf: Va-Kalein’Sei is Tsaesci for high shaman. To be accurate, she is Kalein’Sei Akamizu since Raikou is our current Va-Kalein’Sei.
• Rigmor: Why was the temple abandoned?
• Wulf: The Dragonguard became Emperor Reman Cyrodiil’s guards.
• Raikou: Not all of the Dragonguard temples were abandoned. The Dominion destroyed some during The Great War.
• Rigmor: So, this temple should be intact?
• Wulf: That depends on how damaged it was when besieged by angry citizens between 2E 2805 and 2806.
• Raikou: Since Emperor Reman Cyrodiil invested a lot of money to have Alduin’s Wall made, we can assume all damage from that siege was repaired.
• Rigmor: Why would Skyrim citizens attack Sky Haven Temple?
• Wulf: Emperor Kastav ordered the Dragonguard to seize hostages from Markarth and Hroldan. He needed conscripts to fight various wars, and he believed that seizing hostages would force the Jarls to meet his conscription quotas.
• Raikou: The oath you took to join the Dragonguard is called ‘Oath of Allegiance’ in Tamrielic. The Tsaesci name is Kurosei’Han, which means ‘Oath of Rightful Service.’ The Dragonguard debated Emperor Kastav’s order and decided to protest the order.
• Wulf: Emperor Kastav warned the Dragonguard that a refusal to obey would be regarded as treason.
• Raikou: The Dragonguard accompanied Legionnaires to Hroldan and Markarth and took custody of the hostages.
• Wulf: The hostages were held by Dragonguard acolytes in various locations, including Sky Haven Temple.
• Rigmor: They were imprisoned, Wulf. No matter how comfortable the cells were!
• Wulf: I agree and would like to think that I would refuse to participate. But we are not aware of the entire political and military situation, so we cannot fairly judge the Dragonguard on this issue.
• Raikou: The hostage-taking occurred in 1E 2801 and made people less tolerant of the Dragonguard, particularly the Akaviri.
• Wulf: In 1E 2804, Emperor Kastav ordered the Dragonguard to suppress the Winterhold Rebellion. This time, after much debate, they rejected his order as it violated the Oath of Allegiance.
• Raikou: Emperor Kastav declared them outlaws and ordered the temple’s supply lines cut off. He hoped to starve the Dragonguard into obedience or surrender.
• Wulf: The local Reachmen respected the Dragonguard and continued to provide supplies. Therefore, Kastav’s action was meaningless.
• Raikou: Kalien, an Akaviri infantry officer, was denied entry into the Dragonguard on moral grounds. Kalien had been dabbling in the darker forms of Reach Magic. Kalien was a competent field commander, and Emperor Kastav ordered him to end the Winterhold Rebellion.
• Wulf: Kalien led an Akaviri army and sacked the City of Winterhold in 1E 2805. Most of the Dragonguard in Sky Haven Temple were Akaviri with a few Tsaesci. The people of Winterhold blamed the Dragonguard for the sacking, as they did not understand that Kalien and his army were not part of their order. They were Akaviri, so it must have been them.
• Raikou: The Dragonguard never sallied forth to take the battle to the citizens. All deaths were the result of the civilians attacking some of the best soldiers on Nirn.
• Wulf: The siege ended when Reman Cyrodiil claimed The Ruby Throne in 1E 2806. He was not coronated till 1E 2812.
• Rigmor: That sounds like Nord logic. Blame an entire people for the actions of a few.
• Wulf: Whenever I make that point, Nords get upset.
• Rigmor: But I am a Nord, so I can denigrate my people whenever I want.
• Raikou: You cannot argue with that logic, Wulf.
• Rigmor: He can, but would lose miserably.
• Wulf: Come, I am eager to see Alduin’s Wall

We entered the cave, and Six Forsworn, including a couple of Briar Hearts, attacked.

I watched with admiration when Dhali’s katana made a hum as she swung it with force and eliminated a Briarheart.

It did not take long to kill the six aggressors.

• Rigmor: What is that thing in his chest?
• Wulf: That is a type of Forlorn warrior known as a Briarheart.
• Rigmor: I will probably get dizzy from the explanation, but what exactly is a Briarheart?
• Raikou: Quote the definition I taught you, Wulf.
• Wulf: A Briarheart is a mortal whose natural Animus-anchor has been removed and replaced with a living ritual organ. The briar heart binds body, Lifeforce, and Consciousness together by soul-thread. The clan’s patron spirit determines the moral and metaphysical flavour of that binding: hunt, domination, secrecy, decay, shadow, disease, or sacrifice.
• Rigmor: Umm…
• Wulf: That thing in his chest is a briar heart, the seed of a plant. The Forsworn must die to be transformed into a Briarheart.
• Raikou: A corpse, not that of the future Briarheart, is purified, planted in soil with a briar heart seed, then nourished with spells and blood. The resulting saplings connect by roots to a larger hagraven-tended tree, and the “fruit” eventually ripens into beating briar hearts ready for transplant.
• Wulf: Hagravens perform the ritual, and depending on the Daedric Prince they follow, the resulting Briarheart will have certain personality traits.
• Raikou: The Hagraven that Wulf roasted earlier was a devotee of Hircine. Therefore, this Briarheart wanted to be a stronger, more resilient warrior and to emulate the sacrifice of Lorkhan, even though that entity did not volunteer to have his heart ripped out!
• Wulf: Briarhearts are the result of the poor treatment of Reachmen. After centuries of suppression in High Rock and Skyrim, Faolan, known as the Red Eagle, turned to the darker parts of Reach Magic to help his rebellion.
• Rigmor: Are they undead?
• Raikou: They are undead-adjacent, not standard undead.
• Rigmor: Huh?
• Wulf: They have died or undergone a death-like transformation. The heart is a living plant-organ, the soul-thread remains bound, and the power is Daedric/Reach witchcraft rather than simple corpse animation.
• Dhali: Rigmor, it does not matter what they are. Your sword and bow will end them.
• Shiva: I gave up on most gobbledegook long ago. Take our advice and just kill them while ignoring a plant heart beating in their chest.
• Rigmor: I should avoid encouraging such metaphysical mumbo-jumbo.
• Wulf: The fact that you recognised it as being metaphysical means there is hope for you.
• Rigmor: Or I could have damaged my brain when I jumped off that cliff.

Cobwebs across a cavern entrance indicated nobody had strayed past it for a long time. The reason was the many Dragonguard vampiric minions guarding Sky Haven Temple.

I explained to Rigmor, “They still have a soul and produce body heat. That differentiates them from other undead. Draugr are the same.”

Three rotating pillars controlled a drawbridge mechanism.

I asked Rigmor, “What do you think the combination is?”

“The one on the right shows the Tsaesci symbol for dragonborn. I think all three should show that symbol.”

“Correct.”

I rotated the two other pillars to show the dragonborn symbol, and the drawbridge lowered.

The Dragonguard minions showed no interest in us. They recognised us as Dragonguard.

We came to a room with a floor covered in pressure plates.

Rigmor blurted, “Duh!”

I turned to her and asked, “What is duh?”

“Just walk on the tiles showing the dragonborn symbol.”

“I will do so, oh great oracle. But stay here in case you got it wrong.”

“Okay, I will speak to the minion. He is probably more interesting than you anyway.”

After carefully stepping on the correct pressure plates, I reached a pull chain.

I enabled Laranelor, which is Ayleidoon for ‘gentle ambient radiance.’ It is the light that surrounds me that I use instead of Magelight or another spell.

I then pulled the chain, and another drawbridge lowered.

I called out, “The trap is disabled, you can cross now.”

When the others joined me, we continued together.

We walked past an Akaviri general.

Raikou said, “That is General Taira Matsutoshi. It was not just the rank and file who volunteered.”

When we reached the temple entrance, Kalein’Sei Akamizu was crouched before a tilting bust of Reman Cyrodiil and on the other side of the Blood Seal. A chest contained documents relating to the history of Skyrim’s Dragonguard.

Kalein’Sei Akamizu was surrounded by a red miasma, the visible part of the Blood Magic she wielded.

I told the group, “Stay on this side of the Blood Seal. Only a dragonborn should approach until the temple is unlocked.”

I walked up to Kalein’Sei Akamizu, and she slowly stood before drawing her bladed, two-handed staff. She was ten feet tall and wore a mask. Cyrodiilic Vampires are difficult to distinguish from mortals. I assume Kalein’Sei Akamizu suffered some disfigurement.

I asked, “Do you speak Cyrodiilic, ?”

“Yes.”

“There is one of the Dragonguard present who does not speak Tsaesci. Cyrodiilic has changed into Tamrielic, but most words remain the same.”

“You are dragonborn.”

“Yes, I am Valdr Septim, Dragonborn and Grandmaster of the Dragonguard. Va-Kalein’Sei Raikou is with me.”

“The Kamal?”

“Yes. Dragonguards Khao, Shiva and Dhali are Ka’Po’Tun. Dragonguard Rigmor is a Nord.”

Kalein’Sei Akamizu sheathed her weapon.

She asked, “The Dragonguard still exist after all these years?”

“Reman Cyrodiil named those who swore allegiance, ‘Dragonguard’, which is the Tamrielic interpretation of Va-Kurosei’Dovah. As you know, the Va-Kurosei’Dovah existed for thousands of years before the invasion of Tamriel. They still existed in Akavir till recently, hidden but still active.”

“They are gone?”

“Yes. Several months ago, unknown assailants found our village and killed nearly all who lived there. We only know what the survivors could tell us, which is not enough to identify who attacked or why. We have suspicions, but have not had the time or resources to investigate. All the surviving Dragonguard, who number several hundred, lost family and friends.”

“If you did not flee that slaughter, why are you in Skyrim?”

“Three Tsaesci of the Akavir Dragonguard came to my home when I turned eighteen to swear allegiance to me. I returned to Akavir with them, where I received training in many disciplines. We came to Skyrim about six months ago, as Alduin’s return was imminent. He has returned, and that is why I am here, to see if Alduin’s Wall can aid our cause.”

“It may. We did not know for certain how Alduin was defeated. We carved it from a mindscape that several Kalein’Sei received. We believe the god known as Kyne provided the mindscape. Alduin’s Wall is, at best, a record of the fragments of information we could glean from the mindscape and other sources.”

“The Ancient Tongues used a Shout invented by mortals called ‘Dragonrend’. What the Words of Power are is unknown. Its purpose is unknown, but we believe it brought Alduin down, for he was invincible while airborne. However, the Thu’um did not force Alduin into the time-stream. A Kel, an Elder Scroll, was used by Felldir to force Alduin into the time-stream. The metaphysics of this has erased all memory of the Words of Power. Even the Ancient Tongues in their afterlife cannot remember the Dragonrend Shout.”

“Why didn’t we know of the Elder Scroll and the name of the Shout?”

“Paarthurnax knows what the Ancient Tongues did, but not the Words of Power. The Dragonguard of sixteen centuries ago did not know Paarthurnax still lived.”

“Is Paarthurnax still alive?”

“Yes, he has stood guard at The Throat of the World since Alduin’s banishment.”

“We would not have harmed him.”

“But you would not have openly dealt with him, for dragons were still regarded as beasts to be slaughtered by much of Tamriel. I cannot judge why the Dragonguard killed some dragons, but I doubt Paarthurnax would have initiated discussions with you.”

“When we carved Felldir, he was not depicted using the Thu’um. He is saying something. Now I understand.”

“We can decipher Alduin’s Wall for you after inspecting it. I shall write my summary in Tsaesci for you to study.”

“That would be good, for I still have the carving burnt into my memory. What happened to the Dragonguard who swore allegiance to Reman Cyrodiil? My Dragonguard.”

“When Emperor Reman Cyrodiil III was assassinated in 1E 2920, the Dragonguard had failed in their duty and were disbanded. However, under Akaviri Potentate Versidue-Shaie, they were unofficially reactivated as an intelligence network rather than an honour guard. Not all Dragonguard joined this spy network. Some joined a new organisation called The Fighter’s Guild. Some became mercenaries. Others preserved Akaviri martial and mystical arts and became Dragonknights. But this wasn’t the last Tamriel heard of the Dragonguard before our arrival six months ago. A group of Dragonguard emerged in 2E 582 to aid the Khajiiti against Kaalgrontiid and Dov allies. Kaalgrontiid tried to use an artifact, Jode’s Core, to become a god. The Dragonguard, Khajiiti and my friend, Nahfahlaar, defeated Kaalgrontiid, which likely saved all mortals from enslavement. Kaalgrontiid would have succeeded where Alduin has so far failed. Those Dragonguard slowly disbanded with some travelling to Akavir to rejoin the original Va-Kurosei’Dovah.”

“You properly addressed me as Kalein’Sei Akamizu since my role has been passed onto others. I assume you know what we have done here.”

“Your story has been passed on, Kalein’Sei to Kalein’Sei.”

“We must continue to guard this temple, Dovahkiin.”

“That was the pledge you made. While this temple is Dragonguard sanctified, you will remain guarding it.”

“Beware of General Kalien. He managed to hide within the temple before it was sealed. He was a lich, so it is likely he is still within its walls.”

“Many Kalein’Sei study dark magic, so I do not believe that is the only reason why you refused Kalien entry into the Dragonguard.”

“Kalien would never have adhered to our oath, Dovahkiin. He could command troops, but not his hunger for power.”

“I thank you for your service, Kalein’Sei Akamizu. Your name and those of the other guardians can now be recorded in our histories.”

“The others would not care, for their minds left them long ago. But they will eventually enter their chosen afterlives. However, I can still appreciate such gestures. I will sit here and guard, but a good talk now and then would be appreciated.”

“Can you enter the temple once I have unlocked it?”

“No. Here is my post, and I may not leave it.”

“Much has happened in the sixteen centuries you have guarded this temple. I am sure that I, Va-Kalein’Sei Raikou, and many others will visit often. After all, where else can we hear firsthand of the early days of Tamriel’s Dragonguard?”

“One test awaits, Dovahkiin.”

Kalein’Sei Akamizu faced Reman Cyrodiil’s bust as I removed my gauntlets and sliced across my hand with a dagger.

Drops of my blood dripped onto the Blood Seal, and Reman’s bust began to pivot.

Kalein’Sei Akamizu turned to me and bowed.

She then sat and gave me the traditional salute, hands to bowed forehead, signifying her acceptance of my rank.

I turned to my friends.

• Wulf: Take heed of Kalein’Sei Akamizu’s warning. Some liches can be powerful, and it seems General Kalien never forgave the Dragonguard.
• Rigmor: Can’t you release them from their oath, Wulf? You are their Grandmaster.
• Wulf: The oath was not made with any provision to end it except for a declaration that this is no longer a Dragonguard sanctuary. Perhaps I may declare that. We shall see.
• Raikou: The minions are mindless, Rigmor. Kalein’Sei Akamizu is barely aware when in a meditative state. We shall talk with her, and news of the last sixteen centuries will keep her mind busy.
• Rigmor: There had better be some commemoration of their sacrifice in your museum, Dragonbum!
• Wulf: There will be, my beloved, along with a commemoration of Paarthurnax. I am sure we shall encounter other beings who have made similar sacrifices over the course of millennia. That is what I find upsetting about Draugr. Their names are rarely recorded.
• Dhali: Nords regard entry to The Hall of Valour as the only reward needed for such service.
• Wulf: Something Alduin is denying those currently dying in Ulfric’s pointless war.
• Rigmor: Father would hate Sovngarde. He loved The Divines and is in Aetherius.
• Wulf: I am not allowed to ask where individuals are, Rigmor.
• Rigmor: There is no need, for I am certain.
• Wulf: It can take some spirits a long time to travel across Sovngarde and reach The Hall of Valour. Not four years, so do not worry about Ragnar in the off chance he went there. But High King Torygg might not have reached it by the time Alduin arrived.
• Shiva: This is why speculation is so disliked by you, Wulf. Do not get upset about High King Torygg without proof of a possible tragedy.
• Wulf: Alduin consuming souls is not well known by the Nords of Tamriel. When that knowledge becomes widespread, there will be countless people begging for information about their deceased loved ones.
• Raikou: I have discussed this with Silah. Lord Shor may release the names of those lost to Alduin if The Nine approve.
• Wulf: I find it strange that after such animosity, Lord Shor and The Nine even talk to each other.
• Raikou: You know that with death comes wisdom. Perhaps the same applies to the Aedric gods who suffered the trauma caused by Lord Shor’s deceit?
• Wulf: That is the type of speculation I am happy to endorse. Come, curiosity is eating away at my patience.

When we entered Sky Haven Temple’s central chamber, my eyes were drawn to Alduin’s Wall, and I spent several minutes studying it.

My friends knew to leave me be and that I would answer questions when I was ready.

The others quickly surveyed the area, but there was no sign of General Kalien. However, even though I was concentrating on Alduin’s Wall, I registered the presence of a nearby portal.

Eventually, I said, “Okay, let me narrate what it depicts. Then we can discuss what is next. All of you, feel free to ask questions.”

Everybody was silent, and I began.

“Some scholars say that Alduin’s Wall represents the accumulated dragonlore of the Akaviri, Dragonguard and Blades. It does nothing of the sort! However, it does give a clue as to how the Dragonguard thought the Ancient Tongues defeated Alduin.

Alduin’s Wall is divided into three logical parts. The first part depicts the Dragon War.”

I showed the extent of the first part.

“Dragons and mortals coexisted in peace for millennia and shared great cities. Dragon Priests were the intermediaries between the two, and most were benevolent leaders.

Alas, Alduin could not control his basic instincts to conquer and control. He wanted to make himself an overlord of all Dov and mortals. He wanted to be Ysmir. Like most megalomaniacs, he could persuade others to aid in his endeavour. Most dragons did not oppose Alduin, and many Dragon Priests were seduced by power and joined the cause. The relationship between Dov and mortals changed from cooperation to enslavement. Eventually, this led mortals to turn on the dragons they once revered. This rebellion resulted in the Dragon War, as depicted in the first panel.

Are there any questions?”

I waited a few seconds, then continued.

“Okay, I will skip the middle part for a minute and talk about the third. It shows the events of The Prophecy of the Dragonborn.”

I showed where the third part starts.

Like most prophecies, it comes from an Elder Scroll. The prophecy says,

•     When misrule takes its place at the eight corners of the world
•     When the Brass Tower walks and Time is reshaped
•     When the thrice-blessed fail and the Red Tower trembles
•     When the Dragonborn Ruler loses his throne, and the White Tower falls
•     When the Snow Tower lies sundered, kingless, bleeding
•     The World-Eater wakes, and the Wheel turns upon the Last Dragonborn

• Rigmor: You told me the prophecy was written in the future.
• Wulf: Yes. It lists events the author knew happened. It does not say how the prophecy ends.
• Rigmor: But if you failed, would there be any free person to write the prophecy?
• Wulf: Nobody knows who wrote the Elder Scrolls. There might not have been free mortals, but some other being or beings capable of writing Elder Scrolls could be free to do so.
• Raikou: You also assume that a victorious Alduin could maintain his position. The Divines and Daedric Lords always find mortal agents to continue the fight. A future mortal champion may very well defeat Alduin if Wulf fails.
• Wulf: Elder Scrolls are the gobbledegookest of all gobbledegook.
• Rigmor: Why the mumbo-jumbo? Why not tell us exactly what the omens mean?
• Wulf: Prophecy is not written to make the future easy. It is written so that the right people may recognise the moment when it arrives. If it outlined every omen plainly, fools would spend centuries trying to prevent them, hasten them, or counterfeit them. And if those omens are part of the structure holding time together, then avoiding one might not save the world. It might break the sequence by which the world was meant to be saved.
• Rigmor: Understood.

I continued, “The first omen says, ‘When misrule takes its place at the eight corners of the world.’

This omen refers to the Staff of Chaos, a powerful relic capable of opening gateways to other worlds and obliterating all living beings. In the late Third Era, the Imperial Battlemage Jagar Tharn used the Staff of Chaos to imprison Emperor Uriel Septim VII within a pocket plane of Oblivion. Jagar Tharn then used Magicka to impersonate Emperor Uriel Septim VII for ten years. This period is referred to as the Imperial Simulacrum.

Jagar Tharn was killed by The Eternal Champion, who rescued the emperor from Oblivion.

After using the Staff of Chaos to imprison the emperor, Jagar Tharn broke it into eight pieces and hid them all over Tamriel. This omen is depicted in this part of Alduin’s Wall.”

I pointed to the relevant part.

I continued, “The second omen says, ‘When the Brass Tower walks and Time is reshaped.’

The Brass Tower is another name for Numidium, an enormous brass golem created by Dwemer High Craftlord Kagrenac. The Dwemer never used Numidium, as that race vanished before it could be activated. Some say the activation caused their demise. Tiber Septim used Numidium, but the extent to which is debatable. A control rod was needed to control Numidium, and Battlemage Zurin Arctus created one. The control rod was called The Totem of Tiber Septim.

Shortly after Tiber Septim had united most of Tamriel under The Empire, The Underking destroyed Numidium, and The Totem of Tiber Septim was lost.

In the Third Era, the Blades were tasked with finding the parts of Numidium and The Totem of Tiber Septim. The Numidium was eventually reconstructed, but The Totem of Tiber Septim remained lost till 3E 401. A Blade found it in the Iliac Bay region. When the various kingdoms and city-states of the region heard this, they all coveted it, hoping to use it to conquer their enemies.

I don’t want to go off on a tangent, but I don’t think a Blade found The Totem of Tiber Septim. That is a discussion I am happy to have over cheese and wine.

A Dragon Break occurred, and all seven powers in the Iliac Bay then owned a Totem of Tiber Septim and a Numidium! During a Dragon Break, Nirn exists in multiple parallel timelines. Several seemingly conflicting histories are valid during this period.

At least five Numidium, collectively called Numiduma, roamed and destroyed vast areas of High Rock and Hammerfell.

The outcome of this Dragon Break is a complex subject, and I will not try to summarise it here.

The Underking destroyed the Numiduma.

This Dragon Break became known as The Warp in The West. The Dragon Break ended when the Jills, including Silah, combined the parallel timelines into the one we live in today.

Numidium is shown on Alduin’s wall here.”

I pointed to the relevant part.

I asked, “Are there any questions?”

There were no questions, so I explained, “The third omen says, ‘When the thrice-blessed fail and the Red Tower trembles.’

Briefly, the third omen foretells the fate that would befall The Tribunal at the hands of The Nerevarine in the late Third Era, as well as the eruption of Red Mountain.

The fulfillment of The Nerevarine Prophecy resulted in Vivec, Almalexia and Sotha Sil losing their immortality. They are the thrice-blessed of the omen.

A large rock called Baar Dau had appeared over Vivec City during The Tribunal’s rule. Where Baar Dau originated and what it was is a point of conjecture, and I have not read anything that persuades me enough to choose a theory.

What is undeniable is that Vivec had the power to remove Baar Dau but refused to do so. He let it hover over Vivec City to remind the populace of his power and guarantee servitude.

When Vivec lost his god powers, the Daedric Prince, Clavicus Vile, helped two Dunmer, Sul and Vuhon, create a machine called The Ingenium. This machine kept Baar Dau aloft but was powered by souls. Living people were sacrificed and selected for the strength of their souls. Vuhon ordered Ilzheven, Sul’s beloved, to be sacrificed. Sul tried to rescue her, which destroyed The Ingenium. Baar Dau crashed into Vivec City, and the shockwave triggered Red Mountain’s eruption. The Red Mountain is also called The Red Tower.

This part of Alduin’s Wall depicts this omen.”

I pointed to the relevant part.

I waited for questions, and when none were asked, I continued.

“The fourth omen says, ‘When the Dragonborn Ruler loses his throne, and the White Tower falls.’

It is a two-part omen. The first part refers to the assassination of Emperor Uriel Septim VII and the subsequent Oblivion Crisis.

The second part of the omen refers to The Dominion’s capture of The White-Gold Tower during The Great War.

The Daedric rune for an Oblivion Gate is used to depict this omen.”

I pointed to the symbol on Alduin’s Wall.

When no question arose, I explained the last omen.

“The fifth and last omen reads, ‘When the Snow Tower lies sundered, kingless, bleeding.’

This omen refers to the murder of High King Torygg by Ulfric Stormcloak and the subsequent civil war. That has left Skyrim kingless.

Skyrim is often symbolised by The Throat of the World, also known as The Snow Tower. The civil war has divided Skyrim into two factions. It has been sundered. The artisans have depicted this omen by the allegorical sundering of The Throat of the World.”

I pointed to the depiction of The Throat of the Word being rent in half.

I concluded, “These five omens lead to the prophecy’s outcome, ‘The World-Eater wakes, and the Wheel turns upon the Last Dragonborn.’

Alduin is here, and so am I. I doubt that I will be the Last Dragonborn. Perhaps it should have said the latest instead of the last.”

Rigmor commented, ‘The Wheel turns upon the Weirdest Dragonborn.”

“I think Miraak might claim that title if his Goons are any indication. Anyway, the outcome is depicted by this very Nord-looking character fighting a very ugly Alduin. You can see the Akaviri symbol for Dragonborn above his head, and they have depicted a Shout issuing from his mouth. He is winning by the reaction of the three Dragonguard raising their swords in triumph.”

I pointed to the Dragonborn and three happy accomplices.

I asked, “Any questions?”

• Rigmor: They do not look like a katana?
• Wulf: Nords have fits over curved swords, so a thin, slightly curved katana must confuse them.
• Rigmor: I thought the Akaviri Dragonguard carved Alduin’s Wall?
• Wulf: Nord and Imperial artisans under Akaviri supervision carved it. If told to show Dragonguard holding up swords, normal longswords would be carved.
• Dhali: They are wearing cloaks? Even woollen ones are a fire hazard when fighting dragons.
• Wulf: There is a lot of artistic license with Alduin’s Wall.
• Shiva: How come they are all males?
• Raikou: Depicting you would take up too much space.
• Shiva: Meaning what, Raikou? Answer carefully.
• Raikou: You are large, but well-proportioned, Shiva. In no way do I regard you as fat.
• Shiva: Mmm… you have barely avoided a beating.
• Wulf: Despite many Legionnaires, guards and Stormcloaks being female, male warriors dominate art.
• Dhali: The dragonborn demonstrates why I insisted we use shields.
• Rigmor: It is too late for me to learn board and sword. But the times I have been caught in Dragonfire made me wish for a shield.
• Wulf: You stopped swearing after the first few times.
• Rigmor: Only because Tirlineth let me know how amused you were.
• Dhali: You found Rigmor being roasted amusing?
• Wulf: I knew it was uncomfortable, but not deadly. And Rigmor’s cursing is quite inventive and, therefore, amusing.
• Rigmor: Wulf joked a few times as we were thrown around like ragdolls in Castle Dour’s courtyard.
• Wulf: Seeing you arse over tits against the wall was funny! And once again, your cursing was amusing.
• Dhali: You are letting him get away with too much, Rigmor. We shall have to discuss other training methods.
• Wulf: Are there any more questions about Alduin’s Wall, or discussions on the victimisation of this poor dragonborn?

When all was quiet, I continued my explanation of Alduin’s Wall.

“The middle part depicts the final battle between the Ancient Tongues and Alduin.”

The Ancient Tongues have made Alduin fall from the sky. You can tell he is falling by the position of his head and wings. He doesn’t look too pleased about it!

The three Ancient Tongues depicted are well-known to historians. The one on the left is Hakon One-Eye. He was a Nord warrior of great skill.

The Tongue in the middle is Felldir the Old, a mage. Due to Nordic bias, Felldir is not referred to as a mage. You can’t have a milk-drinking spell caster be a Nord hero! At least they have depicted him holding a staff on Alduin’s Wall. But then again, the other two don’t have swords but also carry staffs.

The third Tongue is Gormlaith Golden-Hilt, a Nord Swordmaiden, also of great skill. She did not survive the final fight with Alduin.

Notice that Hakon and Gormlaith are Shouting while Felldir seems to be talking. He is not casting a spell, as his hands would not be as they are.

There is nothing on Alduin’s Wall that tells us what Shout the Tongues are using or what Felldir is doing. That knowledge was lost by the very doing.

The Shouts issued by Gormlaith and Hakon may have inflicted the final bit of damage that made Alduin land, as all dragons do when they are severely injured.

Or, the same Shout was used by both Tongues, forcing Alduin to land no matter his level of damage. That Shout would be tremendously valuable against all dragons but essential when fighting Alduin. He cannot be harmed when flying, so the only way to defeat him is to make him land.

Whatever Felldir is doing must be essential to Alduin’s defeat, or they would not have depicted it on Alduin’s Wall. This depiction of the three Ancient Tongues suggests that the Dragonguard had some idea of what occurred, but not the specifics.

Any questions?

• Rigmor: The events depicted in the omens occurred after Alduin’s Wall was made. Kalein’Sei Akamizu said it depicts what they saw in a mindscape.
• Wulf: I have long had the suspicion that the Elder Scroll did not contain a spell or anything else to banish Alduin. I think Felldir used its power to open the Time Wound. With the aid of Lady Kynareth, Alduin was banished.
• Raikou: We have discussed this several times. We surmised that The Prophecy of The Dragonborn was then written into the Elder Scroll. It may have existed before, but Felldir’s reading of it may have been detrimental, so having it written after the banishment makes more sense.
• Wulf: If Lady Kynareth was involved, she has not said so, for that would prejudice my own investigations.
• Rigmor: And that is why Kyne provided the mindscape.
• Raikou: Kalein’Sei Akamizu thinks that Divine did. But all of this is speculation.
• Wulf: It is logical, though. This speculation provides a consistent metaphysical explanation for why Alduin’s Wall accurately depicts events yet to occur.
• Khao: And done in a way to make them as hard to decipher as the wording of the prophecy.
• Wulf: You are awake, Khao! You have been very quiet today.
• Khao: It is hard to get a word in with you and Raikou doing your two minds, one explanation routines.
• Rigmor: Wulf and Vayu do the same.
• Dhali: Believe me, Rigmor, it is preferable to Wulf doing monologue explanations of complex things.
• Wulf: Everything points to me having to go back and witness that final battle. Perhaps that will confirm our speculation.
• Rigmor: What is the chance of finding a Blade that knows more?
• Wulf: Slim to none, but it is worth finding hidden Blades before the Thalmor do.
• Shiva: Admit it, Wulf. You have been looking for an excuse to hurt Elenwen and her thugs, who have been causing misery in Skyrim.
• Wulf: Any more questions?
• Shiva: Well dodged!
• Rigmor: Why did they show the warrior Tongues with staves and not swords?
• Wulf: The emphasis is on The Voice. The Greybeards would approve the decision to highlight the Thu’um and not weapons. Like the Emblem along the 7000 Steps, nothing but the Thu’um caused Alduin’s banishment in this reenactment.
• Rigmor: But they depicted Felldir doing something. They did not know what.
• Wulf: Lady Kynareth knew about the Elder Scroll, but did not share it in the mindscape.
• Raikou: That clue would have made many Dragonguard waste their time and lives on a fruitless search for the Elder Scroll.
• Rigmor: Is that itch thing still in here somewhere?
• Wulf: Lich, is the word. I can sense a portal nearby.
• Raikou: As can I.
• Khao: Me too.
• Wulf: I cannot concentrate on the rest of this temple with that thing open. I shall visit Kalien and talk with him.

The Dragonguard spread out. Rigmor followed me to the portal.

Parts of Sky Haven Temple were open to the sky. The sunlight seemed unnaturally bright in contrast to the shadowed interior.

I stood in front of the portal and placed my hand near it.

I turned and told Rigmor, “The sword’s blade is made from Welkynd stone. The stored Magicka is powering the portal, which leads to a pocket plane of Oblivion. I cannot sense any Daedric Lord’s taint.”

“Are you going to enter the portal?”

“Yes. Kalien has done this to taint a sacred place of the Dragonguard. I will not let it remain.”

“But it is Oblivion!”

“Rigmor, I have no doubt I will be entering Oblivion quite often as I perform my duties. Mages, liches and others have created many thousands of Oblivion pocket planes. A mortal in Oblivion does not die slowly as their Lifeforce drains away, so they have advantages over something like Aethsela. If Father had not placed a dweomer on your amulet, you could not remain there for more than an hour or so.”

“How powerful is Kalien if he managed to do this?”

“As I said, there are many Oblivion pocket planes. Kalien must have some skills to reach Lichdom, and the sword is undoubtedly a relic from Akavir. Nothing suggests he is a danger to me. I might be stepping into a mindscape shaped to his desire, but that is easily detected and ignored.”

“This is what it will be like, isn’t it? You are stepping into danger while I wait for your return.”

“Like the soldier I am, my beloved. This confrontation with Kalien is just another battle.”

“Do not play games with Kalien! I know you want to taunt and punish him for this. Just get rid of him and return!”

“I will do what is necessary.”

“I love you!”

“And I love you. Be prepared for Tirlineth to cease.”

“Oh. Ah, lucky you warned me.”

I stepped through the portal, and despite my warning to Rigmor, the sudden cessation of Tirlineth shocked me. It is different from when I teleport away from her on Nirn. When I do that, Tirlineth is still there, in the background, as our souls are on the same plane. Now something was missing. Like part of my soul had been cut out.

The same did not happen if I was in Aethsela without Rigmor. There is likely a metaphysical explanation, but contemplation on that would have to wait. I must concentrate on Kalien.

I looked around. The mindscape I was in showed a ruined Sky Haven Temple with barricades, ballistae and many dead, both Dragonguard and Imperial troops. However, they were not all Legionnaires of the Imperial Army! Many were Penitus Oculatus agents, and they did not exist until after the Oblivion Crisis. I speculate that if I had entered the pocket plane before then, the attackers would have been Legionnaires and Akaviri.

The pocket plane showed Kalien’s base desire. He wanted to lead troops, under the direction of Emperor Kastev, against the Dragonguard within Sky Haven Temple. Kalien adjusted the attackers according to the history known to those who dared enter it. The Dragonguard were all Akaviri with a couple of Tsaesci, as they were when he was denied entry into the order.

I made my way to what would have been the temple’s main chamber. Alduin’s Wall has been demolished.

Kalien appeared. He wore the helm of an Akaviri general, but the robes of a Vaermina devotee. He was surrounded by a swirling miasma that acted as a shield against Magicka.

Our conversation was in Tsaesci. What follows is the Tamrielic translation.

Kalien asked, “Who dares wear the Dragonguard armour of Akavir?”

I was careful not to answer with a pseudonym, rank or real name. Vaermina may be watching.

“I have earned the right through deed and skill. But you, Kalien, were not even worthy of acolyte status. Now you spend eternity inside your revenge fantasy, destroying those who were better than you. But this is not history, Kalien. This place is a pathetic, delusional dream of somebody without honour. Lady Vaermina will not save you, for you are just another weak devotee. Your mistress will take pleasure in your demise.”

Kalien moved unnaturally fast. I drew my katana and parried his blows, letting frustration build.

Was this necessary? Not to a mortal, but a dragon seeks dominance. Therefore, I enjoyed humiliating the scum who slaughtered the people of Winterhold and turned them against the Dragonguard.

Kalien was fast, but nowhere near my speed. I would let him attack, and undoubtedly, he was skilled with the kai-katana, then retreat. This sequence of repeated parry, retreat, parry, retreat increased his frustration to the level where sword forms and technique were replaced by anger and desperation.

His shield against Magicka was not protection against Dragonfire.

At one stage, I smashed him with my shield, and he was brought to his knees.

I could have stabbed him in the back. Instead, I laughed and said, “Come on, Kalien. Not even the rawest acolyte would have fallen for that trick!”

What followed was a series of wild slashes from Kalien as I smiled while stepping backwards and blocking every blow.

Eventually, I said, “You are boring, Kalien. I have faced ten-year-olds with more skill than you. It is time you enjoyed your mistress’s domain. She does not treat failures well.”

I decapitated the lich, who was once the mortal known as Kalien.

Then I exited the pocket plane.

The relief on Rigmor’s face wrenched at my heart. As I embraced her, the glow of the portal faded, then vanished.

I said, “Let’s have a look around. The gardens are supposed to be beautiful.”

As I started to explore Sky Haven Temple, Raikou confronted me with his katana drawn and spell prepared.

• Rigmor: What are you doing, Raikou?
• Raikou: You have no right to question the Va-Kalein’Sei, Dragonguard Rigmor.
• Wulf: Relax, Rigmor. Raikou is only doing his duty. He has to make sure I return from Oblivion without being ensorceled or otherwise harmed.
• Rigmor: Tirlineth tells me that our Grandmaster has returned without any change to who he is, Va-Kalein’Sei Raikou!
• Raikou: Thank you for that report, Dragonguard Rigmor. That is good enough for me to clear our Grandmaster.

Raikou sheathed his katana, dismissed the paralysis spell he had prepared and smiled.

• Rigmor: I think you look far more sinister when you smile!
• Raikou: Sorry to pull rank, Rigmor, but I must do my duty.
• Rigmor: I was not expecting suspicion to be directed towards Wulf.
• Raikou: The chances of anything or anyone ensorceling Wulf are almost zero, but he still entered an unknown pocket plane.
• Wulf: Kalien had chosen Vaermina as his mistress. There was no sign of her presence in the pocket plane. I will detail what I experienced later, but right now, I want to explore the temple.

We started our tour in the main room.

I looked up and remarked, “That skeleton does not contain a soul. However, it represents a dragon lost to this and future kalpa. Therefore, it will be removed, as will the dragon skulls on display.”

Rigmor commented, “To you, Wulf, it would be like the skeleton and skulls of relatives on display.”

“Precisely. It is an insult to my sensibilities.”

Many different Tsaesci and Akaviri weapons and armours were stored in the temple. One katana was worthy of display in the Dragonborn Gallery. Its name is Dragonbane and is so sharp that it cuts through Dragonhide and Dragonscale better than the standard Akaviri and Blade katana. It is less effective than the katanas my friends wield. However, it was used by several Dragonguard heroes.

The Grandmaster’s room was basic. So were the barracks. I had no intention of staying in the temple, but if we use it for Blades or Dragonguard, they will need to be updated.

We exited into the gardens, which showed sixteen centuries of neglect.

Rigmor enjoyed the views.

I pointed to the main road.

• Wulf: Ri’saad’s caravan is not as compact as it usually is.
• Rigmor: Like that Khajiiti you spoke to said.
• Wulf: He has a couple of kittens with him. They learn the trade from an early age.
• Khao: That is a very busy road. Luckily, we cleared many hazards on the way here.
• Wulf: They are passing three of Miraak’s Goons travelling in the other direction.
• Rigmor: I wonder how many goons there are?
• Wulf: Enough of them to be a nuisance.
• Dhali: These gardens will look nice and clean with a bit of effort.
• Shiva: I can imagine how beautiful they once were.
• Rigmor: Ah, what stops somebody from climbing the cliff and entering the temple via the doors to the garden?
• Wulf: They were locked by the Blood Seal. You would have heard them unlatching when Reman’s bust was pivoting.
• Rigmor: What about the holes in the roof of the temple?
• Wulf: A magical barrier would have prevented entry.
• Raikou: The temple is also protected by a barrier against teleportation.

After a few more minutes of exploring the garden, I told the group, “I want to write my interpretation of Alduin’s Wall for Kalein’Sei Akamizu.”

We entered the temple, and as I wrote my interpretation in Tsaesci, the others explored and chatted among themselves.

We exited, and I handed what I had written to Akamizu.

• Wulf: This is my interpretation of the events depicted on Alduin’s Wall.
• Akamizu: I thank you for this gift, Grandmaster.
• Wulf: It will help make sense of many of the carved items, but the history of each event is complex.
• Raikou: I shall visit with histories and answer questions, Kalein’Sei Akamizu.
• Akamizu: It will be interesting to see if my guesses are accurate. I doubt they will be, for I had no context.
• Rigmor: The Grandmaster said that Reachmen supported the Dragonguard when Emperor Kastav sieged the temple.
• Akamizu: Yes, our relationship with Reachmen was always one of friendship. Something must have changed, for those who live nearby are descendants of our allies, but they became aggressive for a short period. Only after many were killed for trespass did the aggression cease.
• Wulf: The Reachmen were betrayed by Ulfric Stormcloak, who has since started a civil war. They changed their name to Forlorn, and most turned to the Daedric Princes in their fight for justice and their own lands.
• Akamizu: It was our empathy for their cause that generated the friendship between our people.
• Wulf: Kalien had created a pocket plane in Oblivion. When I entered it, he was surrounded by a mindscape where Imperial troops had destroyed Sky Haven Temple at a great cost in lives. He worshipped Vaermina and is now enjoying her hospitality.
• Akamizu: Kalien should have accepted our rejection and improved himself.
• Wulf: We must continue pursuing the knowledge needed to defeat Alduin. Farewell for now, Kalein’Sei Akamizu.

I teleported us into Aetheron and dismissed the squad.

We had started at first light and, despite skirmishes along the way, had made good time to Sky Haven Temple.

Rigmor and I had just finished our belated midday meal when there was urgent knocking at my door.

I saw it was Silah and told her to enter.

“Valdr, dragons are attacking Falkreath and a Stormcloak camp near Kynesgrove.”

“How many?”

“Three are attacking Falkreath. Two are attacking the Stormcloaks.”

“Keep scouting, Silah. I think these are decoy attacks by Alduin. He knows we can handle small numbers even if we divide our strength.”

“I agree.”

“I will take two squads with me to Falkreath. I will send Khao with two squads to help the Stormcloaks.”

“Okay.”

Silah vanished, and I quickly organised the squads and their orders. It would take some time for Khao and his squads to reach the Stormcloak camp from Windhelm.

We emerged from the ether on the outskirts of Falkreath.

Three dragons were circling and strafing Falkreath. There was panic in the streets.

I used my Thu’um and issued a challenge.

• “DOVAH! FALKREATH LOS NI HIN GRAH. JOORE LOS NI HIN LOT.
• FOS YOL LOS KO HIN ZIIL AHRK QAHNAAR KO HIN LAAN, NU VOKUN MAL LAAS AHRK KRIF ZU’U.
• ZU’U LOS WULF WELKYND, DOVAHKIIN. MEYZ NID WAH LOK. BO NID KO SULEYK FAH TOL KENDOV LAHNEY.”

• (Dragons! Falkreath is not your battle. Mortals are not your greatness.
• If fire is in your spirits and pride in your names, now leave the little lives and fight me.
• I am Wulf Welkynd, Dragonborn. Come down from the sky. Do not fly in power while true warriors laugh.)

Rigmor asked, “What did Wulf say to them?”

Raikou answered, “He told the dragons that mortals are not worthy prey and that they should test their strength against him.”

“But they would attack him as soon as he uses The Voice anyway.”

“His challenge gives them no choice.”

The three dragons headed for us, and the battle proper began.

Our opponents were not very powerful, and all three perished in minutes.

A fourth dragon landed in Falkreath but left after I injured him with Dragonfire.

There were only minor injuries amongst Falkreath’s population, and our mages took care of them as I absorbed the souls of the dragons in silence.

Then Silah flew overhead and said, “Six dragons plus Odahviing are attacking Paarthurnax! Nahfahlaar is aiding the ancient one.”

“Return and help Paarthurnax!”

Silah vanished, and we teleported inside High Hrothgar.

There was no sign of the Greybeards as we made our way outside.

Dragons circled The Throat of the World. Shouts echoed. Arngeir rushed over to us.

I did not have to issue a challenge this time. The dragons left the battle with Paarthurnax and swooped down at great speed.

Several of them hit us with Unrelenting Force, and their combined Thu’um knocked many of us over. Rigmor laughed as only she and Arngeir remained upright.

I yelled, “Greybeards, leave the fight to us!”

They ignored me, and occasionally their Thu’um rang out with incredible power. The problem was that they had to wait many seconds between Shouts, and in the meantime, they were weaponless and in robes.

Only one dragon, Fenkrosinovah, died in High Hrothgar’s courtyard. Four flew to the summit and died. Another died along the path to The Throat of the World.

Three Greybeards had been critically injured. Restoration spells saved their lives.

I yelled once more, “Greybeards, leave the fight to us!”

As they headed for the safety of High Hrothgar, Silah hovered overhead.

She said, “Nahfahlaar and Paarthurnax are pursuing Odahviing. He is faster than them, and when tired of the game, he will go ethereal.”

I told my squads, “We must make our way to the summit. I am absorbing the souls of the fallen dragons, but they are far away, so the process will take a considerable time.”

Rigmor added, “Every time you absorb a soul, it hurts you, Wulf. Not physically, but the process feeds your darkness.”

“Follow me, and I will clear the path.”

I watched the four Greybeards enter High Hrothgar.

Silah hovered at The Throat of the World.

Winds placed by Lady Kynareth guarded the path to The Throat of the World. They were unnaturally cold and random in strength and direction. Somebody walking into them risked freezing to death or a long fall as they are tossed off the mountain.

I said, “I will use the Clear Skies Shout to remove Kynareth’s winds temporarily. Keep up with me, for the winds will start again within seconds of the Shout.”

My first Shout cleared the path to Mulqidoommiir. By the time I finished absorbing his soul, the winds returned.

Shout after Shout cleared the path, with our only opposition being a Winged Twilight who attacked without provocation.

I quickly cut it down.

• Rigmor: What was that?
• Wulf: A Winged Twilight. They are Daedric minions.
• Raikou: Most of them are in the service of Lady Azura.
• Wulf: I doubt that one was in the service of Lady Azura. They also serve Lords Molag Bal and Mehrunes Dagon as well as Lady Nocturnal.
• Raikou: Sometimes they are summoned, kill the summoner and refuse to return to Oblivion.
• Rigmor: She was kinda pretty, if you like wings and talons and tails.
• Wulf: She could survive in Lady Kynareth’s winds due to natural immunities to fire, frost, poison, and shock.
• Raikou: She was most likely hiding from somebody or something, rather than waiting to ambush travellers along this path.
• Ko’rassa: No, Inigo, I will not dress up as a Winged Twilight to spice things up!
• Inigo: I did not ask you to.
• Ko’rassa: I know how your mind works.
• Inigo: I know where you can purchase wonderful spider costumes!
• Wulf: And you dare call me weird!
• Inigo: My Friend, do not dismiss so casually what you have not tried.
• Ko’rassa: Oh, and who had dressed as a spider for you?
• Inigo: Ah… let us hurry so our friend is uncomfortable for as short a time as possible.
• Wulf: Every time I am reminded of you and your spider fetish, Inigo, I will be uncomfortable.

We reached The Throat of the World, which is a plateau several hundred feet below the summit.

Silah said, “I shall see what has occurred at the Stormcloak camp, and I will not be long.”

She vanished, and I approached the four dead dragons.

I absorbed the four souls, one at a time. Saviikmullosiik, Naakriinvaalvut, Hovmuthahvah and Mirzaraanvah were the latest victims of Alduin’s folly.

Lokhulgrimaar, Sahloknirvoth and Kriistovahgron died on the outskirts of Falkreath.

• Inigo: My Friend, if Paarthurnax, Silah and Nahfahlaar contributed to the deaths of these dragons, why are you the one to absorb their souls?
• Wulf: When a dragon is involved in combat, its soul creates a metaphysical connection to the opponent with the most powerful Thu’um. If I had not arrived and any of these dragons died, their soul would be absorbed by one of our ally dragons.
• Rigmor: Tirlineth tells me you are queasy, Wulf. Is that due to absorbing all these dragon souls?
• Wulf: No. Next to the inert Word Wall is the Time Wound. Even from this distance, its effect on linear time is extreme. It is aptly named! I want to climb a bit and remember this place and the needless deaths. Wait here.

I climbed and looked down on the carnage. My darkness wanted to rampage, to kill, to lessen my pain by inflicting it on others. But there were no valid targets, so I looked at Rigmor, and that darkness receded.

Silah returned, and I made my way back to the plateau as she landed.

• Silah: In the time it took for Khao and the squads to arrive, dozens of Stormcloaks died as two dragons strafed the camp.
• Wulf: Did they kill the dragons?
• Silah: The Stormcloaks inflicted considerable damage on them. When the Dragonguard entered the fray, the damage became severe, and the dragons withdrew.
• Wulf: That is the camp of General Ingol Storm-Blade. Do you know his fate?
• Silah: If he is the brutish Nord who makes you look short, then he was healthy and barking orders to both Stormcloaks and Dragonguard.
• Wulf: I have never met him, but reports say he is quite tall.
• Silah: Khao and his squads were already attending to the injured, dousing fires, and doing what they had done after countless skirmishes and battles, so the General’s commands were redundant.
• Rigmor: If Alduin sent dragons to kill Paarthurnax, he must think that would not cause a Dragon Break.
• Silah: Yes, and if they are genuinely trying to kill Valdr, Alduin is willing to gamble that it would not cause a Dragon Break either.
• Inigo: If I were a dragon, and Odahviing said, ‘Come, join Alduin in his struggle’, I would tell him to go away.
• Silah: Odahviing is intimidating to lesser dragons. Few would have the courage to deny the request.
• Raikou: Is there any sign of Odahviing and his pursuers?
• Silah: I could probably find them if I concentrated, but I am not concerned. Odahviing might enjoy the chase, but he would be foolish to fight Nahfahlaar and Paarthurnax alone.
• Rigmor: Why did the dragons land here to die?
• Silah: We have a natural attraction to high places. Their last thoughts were to climb and land as high as they could.
• Wulf: I must leave this plateau. The Time Wound is not pleasant.
• Silah: You may have to enter it, Valdr.
• Rigmor: He will need a bucket to upchuck into.
• Silah: Yes, Paarthurnax would not want his pristine snow ruined by projectile vomit.
• Wulf: Hadehaha. I will check on the Greybeards, then head home.
• Rigmor: Let us have dinner in the tavern, and perhaps you can sing some songs for us.
• Wulf: Yes, that will help me, as will the laughter of friends.

Silah lifted with mighty beats of her wings, and I marvelled at her beauty.

We teleported into High Hrothgar and examined the Greybeards. They were healthy, though two of them showed extreme fatigue from the Restoration spells.

I asked Arngeir, “Where is Bori?”

“He is resting, Dragonborn. None of us is young, and we had little protection against the Thu’um of so many dragons.”

“You defended your home. That is no different than me and my apprentice using The Voice to protect our home, the entirety of Nirn and Mundus.”

“You have an apprentice?”

“Dragonguard Mizu is already showing far more progress in a year than Ulfric Stormcloak showed in ten. It helps when The Voice is taught as Paarthurnax once taught the Ancient Tongues. No moral baggage or complex ritual.”

“You have made your points, Dragonborn. Yes, we defended our home, and that was a necessary use of The Voice. Therefore, we cannot question your need to use it to defend the mortals you have sworn to protect. It is good that you teach The Voice, as we would rather see it preserved than die with us. Our only apprentice in decades did not uphold our values.”

“Do not concern yourself with Paarthurnax. Nahfahlaar is with him, and Odahviing would be foolish to fight both. Silah thinks they are enjoying the chase and no longer involved in conflict.”

“Silah and you are more familiar with dragon priorities than we, Dragonborn.”

“When you befriend them, they are not as complex as Paarthurnax may seem. They enjoy simple pleasures, and what they may be differs from Dovah to Dovah. For instance, Nahfahlaar likes gold while Silah enjoys gossip.”

“Paarthurnax relishes tinvaak. Unfortunately, Greybeards do not have exciting tales to tell or opinions of world affairs to argue about, plus I am the only one who can moderate his voice.”

“I am sure Silah and Nahfahlaar will clear the skeletons from your courtyard and Throat of the World. Where they deposit them, I do not know. However, we do not want them to be turned into trophies, armour and weapons.”

“What is next, Dragonborn?”

“I am searching for hidden Blades in the hope they have information of use. Today, we visited Sky Haven Temple to examine Alduin’s Wall. It did not tell us anything we did not already know, and there was nothing else of use within the temple.”

“How many dragons have you had to slay?”

“Nine today, Arngeir. The sooner we stop Alduin, the fewer of my Celestial Brothers will be lost to us. The sooner those seeking their afterlife in Sovngarde can do so.”

We returned to Aetheron, where Rigmor and I enjoyed the company of friends in the tavern. I sang some songs, and the darkness of the day receded.