Turdas, 4^th Hearthfire, 4E 201

to Loredas, 6^th Hearthfire, 4E 201

I was returning from the barracks when the latest orphan to arrive intercepted me.

“Good morning, Nina. Have you settled in?”

“Yeah, I had lessons with Rigmor and the mages yesterday. That was fun! Today I am going to start meditation lessons with Shaman Cian.”

“It can take a lot of practice to achieve the various states, so do not get disheartened.”

“Shaman Cian already warned me. He said frustration is the enemy of calmness.”

“I am sure you will have the patience to succeed. Our shamans have learnt techniques from many different races and countries. Where a particular technique fails, another might work.”

“I had better hurry and meet Shaman Cian under that funny-looking tree.”

“The tree is a Lattanyathil, a Blessed Life-Tree. Cian can explain its importance, as he has learned it from me. Now, hurry along. Cian will have a sad face if you are late for his lesson.”

Nina giggled and ran off. The laughter of children is one of the most beautiful things in this world.

I knew Auryen would be up and about already. The museum consumes his every waking minute, and I am sure his dreams as well. He answered the annoying chirping of his Welkorith in a few seconds, proving he was already in his office.

“Good morning. What can I do for you, Guildmaster?”

“Good morning, Auryen. Since we are not speaking within the museum where others might hear, you can call me Wulf.”

“Oh, of course. Sorry.”

“I need to obtain an Elder Scroll. Do you know where one might be? Visiting The White-Gold Tower is not an option. I do not want to fill in an application for a reading and wait for the Moth Priests to grant a session two weeks from now!”

“Sorry, I do not know where one might be, but Master Mage Septimus Signus might.”

“The author of Ruminations On The Elder Scrolls?”

“Yes.”

“That book makes no sense whatsoever. The Tsaesci creation story is more coherent!”

“The last time I spoke to Septimus he made as much sense.”

“He is a lecturer at The College of Winterhold, isn’t he?”

“He was. I wanted to talk to him about three months ago and went to the college. Master Mage Urag gro-Shub was upset as Septimus had left the college to waste his time at some Dwemer ruins in the ice fields. I made my way to those ruins, and Septimus was muttering to himself while digging a large spherical Dwemer contraption from the ice. When I described the device to Madras, he identified it as a Dwemer Lockbox.”

“What did you want to speak to Septimus about?”

“I wanted to know if the College would accept any Elder Scrolls we find as a gift. Of course, I would seek your approval first, but I was testing the waters.”

“And did he give you an answer?”

“In a roundabout way, after deciphering his gibberish, I think he thought it a bad idea because The Empire would steal them.”

“Why is he so interested in the Dwemer Lockbox?”

“He said it is a secret between him and his master.”

“Is he ensorceled?”

“My mage abilities are limited, Wulf, but I do not think so. I surmise his master is a Daedric Prince, though I could see no signs of worship.”

“If Septimus is nuttier than a fruitcake, Lord Sheogorath might be appealing to him.”

“I found the encounter disturbing, so did not stay long.”

“Where can I find Septimus’ dig site?”

“Head for The Chill. Septimus has placed a flag above his dig site and had a rowboat tied nearby. If you reach The Chill, you have gone too far.”

“If I find an Elder Scroll, our battle with Alduin will soon follow.”

“Solitude is not the same after the dragon attack. News of Alduin’s defeat would be met with loud sighs of relief.”

“Can you imagine living through years of such terror? The Ancient Tongues thrust that terror forward, but I do not blame them. They did the best they could.”

“Why wasn’t there a Dragonborn to help? Oh, wait, there was Miraak. Please find out why he did not help the Tongues before killing him.”

“Who says I am going to kill him? I always try to discover motives before making a judgement.”

“If you were to speculate, which Daedric Prince would have influence over Septimus?”

“Logic says if it is knowledge Septimus seeks, then Lord Mora would be his master. But if he is being misled, and is unwittingly recovering a powerful relic, then there are many prospective masters amongst the Daedric Princes.”

“It would be a shame if Septimus’ knowledge is lost to the college.”

“Not everybody can be rescued from a Daedric Prince’s servitude. Some people willingly allow their masters access to their soul before death. Such hooks can bypass a person’s moral code. Those hooks also allow their master to kill them from Oblivion. Without such a hook, they are safe from harm.”

“I wish you the best on your hunt for an Elder Scroll, and the battle with Alduin.”

“The World Eater will find Wulf and the Dragonguard a more formidable foe than the Ancient Tongues.”

Vayu, Celestine, Lydia, Seiko, Inigo and Rigmor would be accompanying me on the quest for an Elder Scroll.

• Wulf: I am going to speak to an eccentric mage who is Skyrim’s expert on Elder Scrolls.
• Celestine: That would be Master Mage Septimus Signus. He was a lecturer at the college when I attended.
• Wulf: He left the college to dig up a Dwemer Lockbox in the icefields. Auryen thinks he is under the influence of a Daedric Prince.
• Vayu: His book on Elder Scrolls suggests he was not sane long ago.
• Rigmor: Is that the sort of book that Wulf likes to read while drinking wine and gobbling down cheese?
• Wulf: Imagine living beneath the waves with a strong-sighted blessing of most excellent fabric. Holding the fabric over your gills, you would begin to breathe-drink its warp and weft. Though the plant matter fibres imbue your soul, the wretched plankton would pollute the cloth until it stank to heavens of prophecy. This is one manner in which the Elder Scrolls first came to pass, but are we the sea, or the breather, or the fabric? Or are we the breath itself?
• Rigmor: Do you have any idea what that means?
• Wulf: Not the foggiest.
• Lydia: Wow, another Wulf colloquialism to add to my growing collection.
• Rigmor: Are you going to put them in a book with explanations?
• Lydia: I might.
• Rigmor: The title should be ‘Weird sayings of a Weirdo.’
• Wulf: I will fly across the icefields in search of Septimus and summon you when I find him.
• Rigmor: Will we be waiting here?
• Wulf: No, I thought you might like to see the Temple of Jhunal.
• Rigmor: The Nordic god?
• Wulf: Yes, the god of languages and mathematics. He became Lord Julianos after Mother created the Imperial pantheon.
• Vayu: Many histories say he became Lord Julianos after falling into disfavour with the other Nord gods.
• Wulf: Which is bullshit. Jhunal and Julianos are not two gods, nor successive identities of one god. They are two mortal names and traditions directed toward the same Divine.
• Vayu: Indeed, other Nord gods are also present in The Nine, but there is no claim of angst with other gods.
• Wulf: Lord Julianos is our god of wisdom and logic. The worship of Jhunal declined because he was associated with magic and mysticism, which are not a Nord’s favourite subjects.
• Inigo: Many of the gods in the Khajiiti pantheon are part of The Nine.
• Vayu: Nearly all pantheons have one or more gods identifiable as members of The Nine.
• Wulf: The Temple of Jhunal is quite impressive, and I often visit to peruse their excellent collection of dusty and obscure manuscripts. I found invaluable information on the old portals I reenabled within its library.
• Inigo: There is an excellent and large tavern close to that temple.
• Rigmor: I would rather see something different. Taverns are all the same.
• Wulf: Ah, what about The New Gnisis Cornerclub?
• Rigmor: Yeah, the one you called The New Gnisis Mausoleum. That was different. There were no drunken brawls, pinching of waitress’ bottoms or loud belches.
• Wulf: Taverns can vary greatly.
• Rigmor: The Temple of Jhunal, please.
• Wulf: Lady Iva Ramsbottom has spoken.
• Lydia: Iva Ramsbottom?
• Inigo: No, you have a mammoth’s bottom!
• Rigmor: I will explain later, but Inigo scored a point there, so we must respect his tiny victory.
• Lydia: Enjoy it while you can, Blue Fleabag. Revenge shall be mine!
• Inigo: Help me, My Friend! The scary lady is staring at me!
• Wulf: You made your bed. Sleep in it.
• Lydia: Goody, another entry for ‘Weird sayings of a Weirdo.’

We came out of the ether just inside the temple’s entrance.

I said, “Do not be alarmed, Priestess Hel, it is Lord Welkynd with a few friends.”

I stood in front of the Priestess of Jhunal.

• Hel: Are you here to make chaos of my neatly catalogued tomes and manuscripts, Lord Welkynd?
• Wulf: I have apologised for that on several occasions, Priestess.
• Hel: Hello, Shaman Vayu and Dragonguard Celestine.
• Celestine: Good morning, Priestess.
• Vayu: Greetings, Priestess.
• Wulf: Your neatly catalogued tomes and manuscripts are safe from chaos today. My friends need shelter from the weather while I attend to something urgent. It was this or the tavern, and by unanimous vote, your wonderful temple was chosen.
• Hel: All are welcome.
• Wulf: They will not be here long.
• Hel: Long enough for some gossip exchange, I hope.
• Celestine: Definitely. We can also complain about those useless males who hang around despite our protests.
• Vayu: Hey!
• Lydia: Oh, can I be a proxy for Ko’rassa? She had given me enough information to paint a dismal picture of that Inigo person.
• Inigo: Let us go to the library, Vayu. I am not keen to hear my character assassinated.
• Vayu: Follow me, fellow victim of female jealousy.

It would be bad form for me not to acknowledge the god.

“Your temple is as resplendent as always, Lord Jhunal.”

The god’s voice boomed, which startled Priestess Hel and some others not used to gods speaking.

“You have done well against Alduin, Valdr. Lord Akatosh is pleased but mourns the loss of his children.”

“We are working as quickly as we can, within the constraints of mortal weaknesses, but each Dov I kill saddens me as well.”

“You could continue without rest, but have chosen to match the abilities of companions, which is understandable and logical.”

“They are vital to achieving success.”

“Farewell, Valdr.”

I turned to find Rigmor staring at me.

“What is wrong? Do I have a booger hanging out my nose?”

“It is one thing to read about you speaking to gods, but something else to witness it.”

“I forget how unusual it is to others. It is routine for me.”

“Guess what?”

“Weird?”

“Very weird!”

“Do not forget to tell the other ladies how wonderful I am.”

“Haha.”

Exited the temple to snow and the beauty of the icefields.

The statue of Azura is made from many layers carved and placed on each other. The skill and time required to produce the structure is a testament to how important Dunmer believe her to be. I am yet to find why she has such interest in Rigmor.

I cast Shroudwalk and Silathalor, then headed over the icefields.

There was a dragon mound in the distance, but no mention of it in Atlas of Dragons. It is another mystery I hope to investigate one day.

Septimus’ excavation was not hard to spot from a height. It would have been far more difficult to find at sea level.

I landed and then summoned the group. It took several seconds for all of them to accept it.

I told them, “If Master Mage Septimus is not mentally well, he is not likely going to welcome a crowd. Rigmor and Inigo can come inside with me as I always like observers in case I miss something.”

Vayu laughed and said, “You had no hope of leaving Rigmor outside.”

“I could but be subjected to pouting and accusatory staring upon my return.”

Rigmor did not object to my accurate assessment of a probable outcome.

As we walked towards the entrance, I warned, “Once inside, do not say a word. My voice and that of Septimus are the only ones I want to hear!”

We entered, and it soon became apparent that Septimus’ excavation had uncovered a small part of a substantial Dwemer structure.

As we slowly descended a winding ramp, we could hear Septimus talking to himself. He kept repeating the same sentences.

“Dig, Dwemer, in the beyond. I’ll know your lost unknown and rise to your depths. When the top level was built, no more could be placed. It was and is the maximal apex. How long will it be sung? My feet were set upon the rock, but it turned to mud and drew me down. It licks the panes and smokes the glass!”

It was a mistake to look at Rigmor. She went cross-eyed and poked her tongue out while twirling her finger near her temple.

I had to stifle a laugh, which made her smile.

We had not hurried down the ramp, but had not tried being stealthy. We made enough noise to be noticed, but Septimus showed no recognition of our presence.

When I stood in his way, Septimus swerved around me without making eye contact. His liturgy continued unabated.

Eventually I held my finger out, and he walked into it. The poke on his chest made him aware of my presence.

I asked, “Hello, are you Master Mage Septimus Signus?”

“I was, once, long ago. But now I am His Champion.”

“My name is Lord Welkynd, and I seek information on Elder Scrolls. Can you help me?”

“Elder Scrolls. Indeed. The Empire. They absconded with them. Or so they think. The ones they saw. The ones they thought they saw. I know of one. Forgotten. Sequestered. But I cannot go to it, not poor Septimus, for I… I have arisen beyond its grasp.”

“In other words, it is somewhere too dangerous for you to venture alone.”

“Indeed.”

“Are you okay? Maybe you bumped your head or have eaten funny mushrooms? Not a Skooma addict, perchance? Maybe you have a venereal disease and were too ashamed to have it treated?”

“Oh, I am well. I will be well. Well, to be within the will inside the walls.”

“Where is this sequestered Elder Scroll?”

“Here. Well, here, as in the plane. Mundus. Tamriel. Nearby, relatively speaking. On the cosmological scale, it is all nearby.”

“Good. No quick trip to Oblivion, then. Where on Nirn will I find the scroll?”

“I could tell you, but as one block raises another, perhaps ourselves could help each other?”

“Why can’t anybody ever say, ‘Here you go, Wulf, just what you need with no strings attached since you are trying to save my life or freedom.’  But alas, I must ask, what do you need me to do?”

“You see this masterwork of the Dwemer. Deep inside their greatest knowings. Septimus is clever among men, but he is an idiot child compared to the dullest of the Dwemer.”

“They were so smart they disappeared up their rectums!”

“Lucky then, they left behind a way of reading the Elder Scrolls. In the depths of Blackreach, one yet lies. Have you heard of Blackreach? ‘Cast upon where Dwemer cities slept, the yearning spire hidden leanings kept.’”

“Blackreach is where they mined Aetherium, and it connected Skyrim’s four major Dwemer cities. Do you know of an entrance? What is this spire?”

“The hidden keep. Tower Mzark. Alftand. The point of puncture, of first entry, of the tapping. Delve to its limits, and Blackreach lies just beyond. But not all can enter there. Only Septimus knows the hidden key to loosen the lock to jump beneath the deathly rock.”

“You sound as if from inbred stock!”

Septimus just stared at me. Inigo whispered, “I thought it was funny.”

I asked, “Alftand is not far from here. How do I get in?”

“Two things I have for you. Two shapes. One edged. One round. The round one for tuning. Dwemer music is soft and subtle and needed to open their cleverest gates.”

“The round one is a key for a Tonal Lock.”

“Yes, indeed! The edged lexicon for inscribing. To us, a hunk of metal. To the Dwemer, a full library of knowings. But…empty.”

“There must be a transcription machine for the lexicon. Where is it?”

“Find Mzark and its sky-dome. The machinations will read the Scroll and lay the lore upon the cube.”

“This transcription machine is how the Dwemer read Elder Scrolls without danger.”

“To glimpse the world inside an Elder Scroll can damage the eyes.”

“Or the mind. I think you read one too many of them!”

“The Dwemer found a loophole, as they always do. To focus the knowledge away and inside without harm. Place the lexicon into their contraption and focus the knowings into it. When it brims with glow, bring it back, and Septimus can read once more.”

“You hope the knowledge contained will let you operate this Dwemer machinery.”

“Ooooh, an observant one. The Dwemer Lockbox. Look upon it and wonder. Inside is the heart. The heart of a god. The heart of you. And me. But it was hidden away. Not by the Dwarves, you see. They were already gone. Someone else. Unseen. Unknown. Found the heart and, with a flair for the ironical, used Dwarven trickery to lock it away. The scroll will give the deep vision needed to open it. For not even the strongest machinations of the Dwemer can hold off the all-sight given by an Elder Scroll.”

Septimus handed me a sphere and a lexicon.

“You think Lorkhan’s Heart resides in the lockbox?”

“Yes, the ice entombs the heart. It was the bane of Kagrenac and Dagoth Ur. To harness it is to know the fundaments. The Dwemer lockbox hides it from me. The Elder Scroll gives insight deeper than the deep ones, though. To bring about the opening.”

“How do you know Lorkhan’s Heart is within?”

“My Lord, the Daedric Prince of the unknown, Hermaeus Mora, told me. I thought there were no secrets left to know until I first spoke to him. He asks a price to work his will, such as a few murders, some dissent spread and a plague or two. For the secrets, I can endure. In time, he brought me here to the box. But he won’t reveal how to open it. Maddening.”

“You have killed, and spread plagues in pursuing what you think is in the lockbox. Would Hermaeus Mora allow you to possess something as powerful as Lorkhan’s Heart?”

What I didn’t say is I would not allow it. I doubt very much Lorkhan’s Heart is in the lockbox. It vanished when The Nerevarine removed its binding to the Red Mountain using Keening. It may have appeared somewhere else and ended up in the lockbox, but the chances are slim.

Septimus did not answer my question. His mind was fixated on one thing. I think he is simply a tool to be manipulated by Hermaeus Mora.

I studied the Dwemer machinery.

I then signalled Rigmor and Inigo, and we made our way outside.

• Vayu: Did Septimus know where to get an Elder Scroll?
• Wulf: Yes, even though he is nuttier than a fruitcake.
• Lydia: Another one to add to the book.
• Rigmor: You might need several volumes.
• Wulf: Septimus is a few sheep short in the top paddock.
• Lydia: Huh?
• Wulf: He has lost his marbles.
• Vayu: Where did Septimus say we can obtain an Elder Scroll?
• Rigmor: Here. Well, here, as in the plane. Mundus. Tamriel. Nearby, relatively speaking. On the cosmological scale, it is all nearby.
• Seiko: Look at what being too close to Wulf has done to poor Rigmor!
• Wulf: We must go through Alftand to enter Blackreach. Within Blackreach is The Tower of Mzark. There is an Elder Scroll in there and a transcribing machine. The Dwemer would transcribe Elder Scrolls onto lexicons and avoid going blind or insane. We shall use the transcribing machine to copy the contents of the Elder Scroll onto a cube I am carrying.
• Inigo: What makes you go blind or insane?
• Vayu: Reading Elder Scrolls can make you go blind or insane. Most Moth Priests, who look after the Elder Scrolls in The White-Gold Tower, end up blind.
• Inigo: My mother said reading certain illustrated books would make me blind.
• Wulf: That habit can also lead to hairy palms.
• Lydia: Inigo, look at the fur on your palms! You pervert!
• Inigo: Seriously, My Friend, won’t you be risking your eyes and sanity at the Time-Wound?
• Wulf: I am not reading it, Inigo. When I unroll the Elder Scroll, its dweomer will make a conduit to the time when the Ancient Tongues used one to cast Alduin into the timestream.
• Vayu: Wulf will then use his ability to ethereal travel and send his Consciousness back through time via the conduit. Once there, he will observe the fight with Alduin. Hopefully, he will hear Dragonrend being used and learn it that way.
• Seiko: How do we know the Elder Scroll in Blackreach, whatever that is, is the same one they used back then?
• Rigmor: If the Elder Scrolls want Wulf to find that one, it would now be the one we find in Blackreach, even if it wasn’t before.
• Wulf: Now I am worried about Rigmor! That was correct.
• Inigo: What enemies can we expect?
• Wulf: Alftand will be full of Dwemer automatons and Falmer. Blackreach will be full of Falmer.
• Vayu: We might also encounter enemies as we cross the snowfields.
• Wulf: Let’s go!
• Vayu: Wait! You will transcribe the Elder Scroll onto a lexicon, but we don’t need to know its contents. Therefore, I assume Septimus does. What does he need one for?
• Wulf: He is trying to open a Dwemer Lockbox. He thinks the Elder Scroll will tell him how and that the lockbox contains The Heart of Lorkhan.
• Vayu: Fuck!
• Wulf: I doubt it does, but Septimus can’t do anything without the transcribed lexicon. Therefore, the lockbox’s contents are not of concern now.
• Seiko: Why does he think the Dwemer Lockbox contains the heart?
• Wulf: Hermaeus Mora told him. But the Dark Lord can lie, as can all gods. You can trust them only when you make them bound to a verbal contract. Even then, you must be careful of the wording.
• Lydia: Is that the artefact that made mortals into gods?
• Wulf: Yes, Lydia, it created The Tribunal. It also powered the Numidium. The Nerevarine used Keening, one of Kagrenac’s tools, to remove a dweomer keeping Lorkhan’s Heart tied to The Red Mountain. It then vanished, so I doubt it is within the lockbox. However, if Hermaeus Mora puts such effort into opening it, it might contain a relic he shouldn’t have.
• Lydia: You will retrieve whatever it is and keep it from the mage and the Dark Lord.
• Wulf: Yes. Septimus has murdered and spread diseases in pursuit of knowledge. The Tentacled Turd can do nothing to me if I deny him the contents of the lockbox.
• Rigmor: I have seen sketches of Hermaeus Mora, and that seems an apt description.
• Celestine: The aspect, or avatar, that most people dealing with Hermaeus Mora see is called The Abyss. It is a writhing ball of tentacles and eyes.
• Inigo: Please, can we get moving? Icicles are forming on my whiskers and other vital parts of my anatomy!
• Wulf: Yes, but I feel I need to defend Septimus a bit. He has been trying to understand non-linear time. That is such a foreign concept to mortals that dwelling on it too much is enough to trigger insanity. The nonsense he wrote and we heard him speak is an attempt to describe non-linear time.
• Vayu: The logic of cause and effect vanishes.
• Rigmor: With a single action, Wulf created and will close the Time Wound.
• Vayu: Yes, that is a good example.
• Seiko: Did you go to a school of gobbledegook, Rigmor?
• Rigmor: No, but I have tried to understand the gibberish Wulf speaks.
• Wulf: I apologise, Rigmor, for using terms like ‘I love you’ and referring to you as ‘my beloved.’ Such gibberish is unforgivable.
• Rigmor: You make sense sometimes.
• Wulf: I will teleport us to Winterhold’s entrance. As per usual, keep an eye out for New Order scum and Miraak’s Morons.
• Lydia: Are they goons or morons?
• Wulf: The names are interchangeable.
• Lydia: What about Miraak’s Moronic Goons?
• Celestine: Miraak’s Goonish Morons?
• Wulf: Two-word labels work the best.
• Lydia: Yeah. How stupid does Inigo the Brave sound?
• Inigo: Hey!

I teleported us to Winterhold’s entrance.

There were no New Order scum or Miraak’s Morons to greet us. But Kogaanvulthuryol (Hero-Fire-Dragon) was.

He said as he circled,

“Dovahkiin! Zu’u los Kogaanvulthuryol, wunduniik do Alduin, koraav ko krah do Winterhold. Zu’u saraan nid. Tinvaak voth hin Thu’um, uv krif voth hin zahkrii. Gein grah. Gein Thu’um. Gein dov fen paaz.” (Dragonborn! I am Kogaanvulthuryol, servant of Alduin, watching in the cold of Winterhold. I wait no longer. Speak with your Voice, or fight with your sword. Come, Dragonborn. One battle. One Voice. One dragon shall fall.)

I was surprised the mages of Winterhold had not driven him away. But the challenge was issued, so I replied,

“Hi los ni grozein. Ni viir agos fah nikriin wo lost nau wah krif zu’u ko grah.” (You have no chance. Do not cease to exist for a coward who has yet to fight me in battle.)

Kogaanvulthuryol roared and attacked.

The fight was not as long as the subsequent soul absorption. Another dragon erased for no real purpose other than Alduin’s ambition.

Winterhold residents came to stare at the dragon and me. I heard my name and the label Dragonborn used. But I also heard reference to the “beast” we just killed.

I used a bit of Thu’um and said, “HIS NAME IS KOGAANVULTHURYOL. HE WAS NAÏVE AND FOOLISH TO OBEY ALDUIN, BUT HE WAS NOT A BEAST, AND HE DID NOT DESERVE TO DIE!”

I then started walking at a brisk pace, with my friends struggling to keep up.

I stopped at the exit of Winterhold, next to one of the ancient portals I had repaired.

• Rigmor: I understand, Wulf. Even after defeating Alduin, the dragons we kill can never return.
• Wulf: The same fate will not befall Alduin. Lord Akatosh will reclaim his soul. Our Celestial Father will scald him after restoration, but he will live.
• Rigmor: That seems unfair.
• Vayu: Alduin is essential. I am sure Lord Akatosh would desire to restore all the dragons, but cannot do so when they die in Mundus. If they were killed in Aetherius or Sovngarde, he could stop their souls from being absorbed by Wulf.
• Wulf: Alduin is different. He is not part of AKA, the Time Dragon Oversoul. However, he was made different on purpose.
• Rigmor: AKA?
• Wulf: Forgive me. The concept of AKA is fascinating but complicated. Just accept that Alduin’s soul is not mine to absorb.
• Vayu: I doubt it would be healthy for Wulf to absorb Alduin’s soul.
• Wulf: It is not just Words of Power and Shouts that are transferred to me. The knowledge a dragon accumulated while alive is also transferred. If I were to absorb Alduin’s soul, I would gain knowledge of previous kalpa and the civilisations that existed. But I would also absorb knowledge of non-linear time, and that would harm me.
• Rigmor: You would end up sounding like Septimus.
• Vayu: It has been some time since we sat and talked about such interesting theoretical possibilities!
• Inigo: Do you both enjoy hurting your brains?
• Wulf: Yes, we do. Sometimes we bash our heads on a table to enhance the experience.
• Rigmor: How far do we have to walk?
• Wulf: Can you see the Dwemer Orb station in the distance?
• Rigmor: That bowl-shaped thingy?
• Wulf: Yes. That is part of Alftand.
• Rigmor: Why don’t you fly over there and summon us? We shall wait patiently inside a tavern.
• Wulf: You want to see more of Skyrim. Well, this is Skyrim, so stop whining.
• Rigmor: I hate you.

We started our trek light-hearted and enjoying each other’s company. There had not been enough of that lately.

We had not gone far when we encountered a group of bears.

I said, “We could do with more rugs in Aetheron!”

Rigmor took the bait, “Don’t you dare, Dragonbum!”

“But Kyne’s Peace makes it so easy!”

“Wulf!”

“Okay, they are safe. Only because they are too small; if it were Mr Bear, that would be different.”

“I hate you even more.”

Saarthal came into view.

• Celestine: They are finally doing it!
• Seiko: Doing what?
• Celestine: The College of Winterhold is excavating Saarthal.
• Seiko: Does Saarthal have some significance?
• Celestine: It was the Nord’s first settlement in Skyrim after arriving from Atmora. In an incident called ‘The Night of Tears’, Snow Elves attacked Saarthal and killed many of its residents.
• Wulf: That was the excuse Ysgramor used for genocide. However, I think the Snow Elves were after something inside Saarthal or were trying to prevent the Nords from finding it. I do not think it was a fear or hatred of Man that triggered the attack.
• Celestine: Some scholars who investigated Saarthal after the attack said it was not mass slaughter, and that the Snow Elves did not attack heavily defended parts but seemed determined to reach somewhere.
• Wulf: Victors write the histories taught. It was convenient to label Snow Elves as mindless savages who hated Man.
• Seiko: Why has it taken so long for an excavation to happen?
• Celestine: Politics. Mages are not held in high esteem, especially in Winterhold where they are blamed for The Great Collapse. If mages found proof that Ysgramor’s slaughter of Snow Elves was unjustified, it could cause social upheaval.
• Wulf: The claim, ‘Skyrim is for the Nords!’ would become even more senseless than it already is.
• Celestine: Nobody denies the attack occurred. It is the motivation behind it that is in question.
• Wulf: It looks like preparations only at the moment. I do not think they have entered the ruins yet.

The Goblin tribes of Skyrim have been squabbling for many years. Warring tribes occupied the path I wanted to take.

I told the group, “Those fighting goblins block the shortcut to Alftand I wanted to take. We shall have to go the longer route as I do not fancy slaughtering them.”

We eventually reached the entrance to Alftand’s Tower.

• Wulf: This will not lead us to Blackreach. It will, however, take us to an entrance of the main Alftand ruins.
• Celestine: Wulf hates Dwemer ruins.
• Wulf: They are tedious. Room after room with the same furniture. There is no art or relief from the same metalwork and stonework. Dwemer ruins are dull and full of things that want to kill you.
• Vayu: Their architecture is confusing, and the layouts lack logic.
• Wulf: Let us get this over with. Wake me if I nod off.

The tower was a prelude to what was to come. We fought our way up and out.

• Wulf: That scaffolding will likely lead to the entrance we want. It also suggests we will not be the first to enter Alftand.
• Inigo: You did not warn me about the metal spiders. They do not go crunch but zap!
• Lydia: You still enjoyed disposing of them!
• Inigo: Well, they were spiders. Sort of.
• Wulf: We shall have to deal with many automatons. Hit them with arrows if getting zapped bothers you.
• Rigmor: Or stay behind our friendly dragonborn and let his Thu’um dispose of them.
• Wulf: We shall find they come from many directions, so I will not be able to deal with all of them.

• Wulf: Up there is Langley’s, Inigo. You must spend time with him after Alduin is taken care of.
• Inigo: Fair enough. But if you have to fight New Order or Stormcloak armies, I want to be beside you.
• Wulf: You have never fought in a battle, have you?
• Inigo: No, my friend. But you seem to attract more enemies in a skirmish than I ever did.
• Vayu: Many of our newer recruits haven’t experienced battle.
• Wulf: Yes, and I wish I could keep it that way.
• Rigmor: Is it so different? I killed dozens in Bruma’s Thalmor Embassy.
• Seiko: When in battle, it may seem the same as a large skirmish. You are using your skills to survive.
• Vayu: It is when the battle is over that the differences bombard your senses.
• Seiko: Bodies are piled on top of each other. The wounded are pleading for help from gods, their mothers or anybody.
• Vayu: Even hardened veterans weep when they find comrades injured or dead.
• Wulf: The smell of faeces, vomit, blood, burnt flesh and viscera is overwhelming. You find yourself slipping, but it is not always mud caused by water. It can be somebody’s brains or their insides or ground soaked in blood.
• Vayu: We might leave small piles or corpses after a skirmish, but the scale of suffering and death in battle is infinitely worse.
• Inigo: I would still prefer to be by your side, My Friend. I can help carry the burden.
• Rigmor: And you had better not ask me not to be by your side!
• Wulf: I was enjoying this walk up to now.
• Celestine: You are always morose after travelling through Dwemer ruins.
• Wulf: True. Well, let’s keep going. We have hours more of smashing automatons while staring at exciting Dwemer architecture to look forward to!

Remains of an expedition were scattered near the entrance to Alftand.

In one hut, I found a journal called ‘Expedition Manifest.’ I read the relevant section out loud.

“We’ve managed to secure the site and hold off any others who may try to steal our discoveries so far, especially those from the College of Winterhold, who seem to think the glory of exploring every ruin should be theirs alone.

The crew for our expedition is as follows:

•     Sulla Trebatius (myself) – Expedition leader
•     Umana – my constant companion and bodyguard
•     Valie – a mage not associated with Winterhold (took some time to find)
•     Endrast – a fellow explorer of some local renown
•     Yag – a great brute of a woman, hired to keep the rest of the labour in check
•     J’darr and J’zhar – two Khajiit brothers, hired as labour

We need a couple more labourers. Getting through the ice is proving difficult.

We’ve set up a shelter and scouted the area. The small ruins on the lower plateau of the glacier don’t seem connected to the main structure, and we haven’t managed to find a way into the tower parapet we’ve found here. Yag mentioned spotting a fissure in the glacial wall that may lead into the ruins, so we will try to find a way to get down there with the gear. It looks like a storm is coming.”

• Wulf: I don’t care what the expedition was doing or what relics and treasure will be inside Alftand and Blackreach.
• Vayu: They can be revisited after Alduin is removed.
• Wulf: Exactly.
• Rigmor: Dwemer ruins are not your favourite, anyway.
• Wulf: As mentioned before. Their layout is never logical. There are always dozens of rooms with little to indicate their use. The same furniture and fittings are in those rooms and all other Dwemer ruins I have traversed. The Dwemer automatons are mindlessly violent, and the Falmer are not much better.
• Inigo: We are going to kill quickly and not look around?
• Wulf: That is the plan.
• Rigmor: Wulf is good at the rapid killing bit.
• Wulf: I think the person who wrote this journal, Sulla Trebatius, is a Legion General. If so, and he is AWOL, I will arrest him and hand him over to General Tullius.
• Rigmor: AWOL?
• Celestine: Away without leave. They do not have permission to leave their billet.
• Lydia: Desertion during a war is a disgrace that would tarnish his family name.

Several charred then frozen bodies were scattered around the expedition’s camp.

I said, “A passing dragon killed them. There was no tactical reason, just the whim of a dragon.”

Inigo replied, “But there were more named in the journal than lie dead. They may have found a way in?”

“The scaffolding is fairly new and likely leads to the fissure mentioned in the journal.”

I told the group, “Before subjecting myself to the boredom of the ruins, let us have a look at something more interesting.”

We walked along a jetty designed for Dwemer Orb Transporters.

I said, “This pedestal is for a Dwemer Control Cube. The cubes have many different purposes and look identical. If you are lucky, a Dwemer has written the purpose somewhere on the cube. We have already collected many of them without knowing their functions. I assume a specific type of cube summons the Dwemer Orb Transporter.”

We peered over the edge of the jetty.

• Rigmor: That machinery has been exposed to the weather for millennia, but still works!
• Wulf: Well, it is still doing something. We would need a Dwemer Orb Transporter to test it.
• Lydia: Had anybody found one?
• Wulf: Not that I know of. Auryen and Madras would faint if we discovered one.
• Rigmor: Can they only travel from cradle to cradle?
• Wulf: We only know the orbs exist from sketches left behind by the Dwemer. If they can fly and hover is unknown.
• Inigo: So, there are interesting Dwemer things, My Friend.
• Wulf: Most major Dwemer ruins contain something of interest. Reaching that something is the tedious bit.
• Lydia: What about Blackreach? Will that be boring?
• Wulf: No, from sketches and reports I have seen, it is beautiful with huge glowing mushrooms and Aetherium crystals. Aggressive Falmer populate it.
• Vayu: I am looking forward to Blackreach. I have been curious about it for centuries.

We walked along the scaffolding, and it led to the fissure.

The fissure led to the inside of Alftand.

Equipment was in disarray. Something violent happened barely inside the ruins.

Atop a barrel was the journal of the expedition leader, Sulla Trebatius. I read it aloud,

“We tried to get through the glacier at the top but couldn’t find any way into that tower parapet. Yag spotted a fissure in the glacial wall, and the construction of a catwalk was finished just in time for a storm to hit. At first, we thought to wait it out, but it only worsened. A shift in the glacier took out several of the new labourers.

I ordered everyone to quickly move as much of the supplies as possible into the fissure, and we managed to get most of it. One of the hands decided that he wouldn’t listen and tried to make it out through the storm but got blown off the catwalk by the wind.

It looks like we are well and truly stuck in here. But for all that, I feel even more driven that I should be the one to uncover the mysteries of this ruin. I’m tired of all the credit for my work going to the Mages or the Legion. My name will go down in the history books for this discovery.”

• Wulf: If we come across Sulla Trebatius, and he is aggressive, he will discover my sword in his belly. I hate deserters.
• Lydia: My sword will be next to yours!
• Vayu: I hope there is room for three swords!
• Rigmor: You will try to arrest him as you said earlier.
• Wulf: You are right, and he might not be a deserter. He might have a furlough, and this is how he is spending it.
• Inigo: I wonder where an Elder Scroll would hide. I think it would choose somewhere warmer than this place.
• Lydia: You are talking like Elder Scrolls can think.
• Vayu: They are sentient, as many powerful artefacts are.
• Inigo: Yes, the infamous Ring of Khajiiti will abandon its wearer if used for illegal activity. How would it know what was illegal if it couldn’t think?
• Rigmor: Why are you nodding your head, Lydia?
• Lydia: I am nodding my head vigorously because Kharjo said the dizziness helps the acceptance of gobbledegook.
• Inigo: I thought you were in a perpetual state of dizziness.
• Lydia: Keep trying, Fur for Brains. That was only 95% unfunny.
• Inigo: Using my insults against me is against the rules!
• Wulf: If the children have finished, we shall keep going.

Signs of violence, including substantial bloodstains, suggested that even at the beginning of their travels through Alftand, something didn’t like them and attacked.

• Wulf: I can’t see any arrows, so I doubt the assailants were Falmer.
• Vayu: It was probably Dwemer Automatons and Spectres.
• Rigmor: Would they remove the dead?
• Vayu: Probably not.
• Wulf: We won’t solve the mystery by standing still.

Blood stains led from the scene of violence. They could be from a survivor staggering along or bodies dripping blood as they were carried away.

There were more bloodstains, but no bodies, at another campsite further in.

I enabled Laranelor as it was quite dim in places.

We heard an unmistakably Khajiiti voice say, “Where is it? I know you were trying to keep it for yourself, J’zhar… You always try to keep it to yourself and do not share with poor J’darr!”

Inigo looked distraught.

• Inigo: My Friend, wait, do not go forward yet.
• Wulf: Echoes of the past, Inigo?
• Inigo: I know that voice. Not the Khajiiti but the sickness speaking through him.
• Wulf: Skooma addicts are capable of atrocities when they have not had any for too long.
• Lydia: I do not know all of your story, Inigo.
• Inigo: I killed two friends when addicted to Skooma. I thought Felix was going to rob me of my remaining Skooma. I killed him with his own sword. The other friend, Cacilius, surprised me when I was in a trance-like state. I shot him and left him for dead.
• Wulf: You can accompany me when I get the chance to destroy Riften’s Skooma dealers.
• Inigo: Yes, Olette told me of her mother and Wujeeta. It would be a pleasure.

A bit further on, J’darr said, “No! There’s got to be more Skooma… Shut up! Shut up! Don’t lie to me, J’zhar! You hid it! You always try and steal it from me!”

When it was apparent J’darr had no more ranting to do, I looked at Inigo. He looked into my eyes, and there was a deep sadness in his.

After a few seconds, he said, “Felix must have heard something very similar from me. Let us continue, My Friend. I will be okay.”

A few minutes later, we encountered our first Automaton within Alftand. It was a Dwemer Spider, and Inigo killed it, then swore as electricity hit him.

We came across Automatons that somebody else had destroyed.

I was already bored of entering a room, killing Automatons, and proceeding to the next indescript room.

The blood stains continued.

Inigo saw another Dwemer Spider and attacked it just as I covered it in Dragonfire.

He said, “Ouch. That singed my whiskers!”

“What is the number one rule, Inigo?”

“Do not get in front of Wulf.”

“That is twice now. I know J’darr is playing on your mind, but you must concentrate.”

“I shall try.”

Sometime later, we found the research notes of Valie, the expedition’s mage.

Nearby was a table where she had conducted experiments and dissected automatons.

I read the research notes to the group,

“If only Umana would have left one of these Dwarven machine creatures intact for me to study. That they almost killed those Khajiit brothers in the middle of the night doesn’t mean we couldn’t have found a way to disable one. We dragged some stuff in front of the pipes they came out of to stop them from coming back.

They are simply fascinating! It is just as Calcelmo described in Dwarves, v2. Their appearance does, in fact, resemble that of an arachnid. I had thought that to be an embellishment given by his source. The inclusion of the soul gem into the design of the apparatus is quite remarkable. It could explain the focus of the lightning that he describes.

Oddly enough, it doesn’t appear to be the primary power source for the apparatus. Perhaps some sort of harmonic resonance with the energies contained in the soul gem to bring heat to a small boiler? Too early to say conclusively. However, that raises the question of where they get the liquid for the boiler.

Huh, that was strange. I thought I just saw something moving beyond the barred door. It looked vaguely humanoid. I wonder if it could be an undiscovered automaton. I will move my bedroll down here to see if I can catch another glimpse. This expedition is so exciting!”

I told my colleagues, “I don’t think Valie was a victim of the Dwemer machines. I think the ‘vaguely humanoid’ thing she saw was a Falmer. They still infest their old homes as the automatons do. Also, there are countless books written about Dwemer Automatons. Valie was excited about rediscovering very old knowledge.”

Celestine added, “The College of Winterhold has an excellent selection of automatons to study and experts to learn from.”

We found J’darr’s corpse. An automaton had killed him.

Not far from J’darr, we found the body of his brother, J’zhar. He was not a victim of an automaton. A brother with an axe and severe Skooma withdrawal murdered him.

In a satchel near J’zhar were many empty Skooma bottles. Also nearby was J’zhar’s journal, part of which I read to the group.

“This one is at his wit’s end. I signed J’darr and myself up for this expedition to get him clean of the Skooma. I brought a small supply to bring him down slowly, but the storm trapped us in the glacier for weeks.

The others have not yet realised that one with fur should not shake so much from the cold, but I’ve run out of the little Skooma I brought, and J’darr is getting pretty bad. He’s started hallucinating creatures coming out of the ice and the ruins. The others are starting to think he may be behind Valie’s disappearance, but I know he would never do something like that.”

Inigo said with grief threatening to overcome him, “Skooma does not merely take your coin and your health. Sometimes it gives you enemies who were never there. These brothers are making me remember things I would rather forget.”

A sad Inigo was something new and foreign. We are used to the light-hearted Inigo. Lydia placed her hand on Inigo’s shoulder, and he squeezed it. Everybody knows their bickering is for fun, and it seems even our newest recruit has a soft spot for our blue friend.

A bit further on from the brothers, we discovered another journal. This one belonged to Umana and read,

“It’s been about a week since Valie went missing, and now Endrast is gone. We found blood leading over to the barred-off doorway. Sulla seems to think they found a way through and are trying to cut him out of the discovery.

He keeps saying that we need to press on. We’ve managed to break through into another section of the ruins, an ‘Animonculory’, where the dwarves would produce their automatons.

We learned the hard way that the metal creatures are still alive, and it hasn’t improved Yag’s mood. She holds that the Khajiit brothers aren’t involved with the disappearances and has kept a stern eye on Sulla.

The rations have all but run out, and we will have to decide soon whether to brave the storm or try to push further into the ruins. I don’t know if the echoes of screams I’ve heard in my sleep are those of our missing comrades or my nightmares.”

I said, “I don’t recall any great storm near Winterhold lately. And how would they know it was there unless they kept returning to the entrance?”

Lydia replied, “I was thinking the same thing. Nords are highly resistant to the cold and could easily have survived. A storm, as they described, would be all over the news sheets. Anything is better than starving to death.”

“It is also strange how ignorant they are of Falmer living in Dwemer ruins. They populate nearly every single one!”

“Perhaps some of them did know and kept it quiet. Sulla and Umana might not have told the others because they needed people for the expedition.”

We approached an area where several automatons hid in the pipework and on balconies.

We soon destroyed them.

• Wulf: Something new! A Dwemer Draman Automaton!
• Vayu: It would not be much of a leap to go from Draman to dragon.
• Wulf: There is no way for the Thu’um to be used by an automaton. A Dragon Automaton would look impressive, but merely be another lump of metal.
• Seiko: Why didn’t the expedition members get attacked if they came this way?
• Lydia: They didn’t have Inigo with them.
• Seiko: Lydia scores a point! The crowd cheers!

Inigo laughed, which was a welcome mood change.

A bit late, Lydia seemed fascinated by a metal rod going up and down.

She asked, “What is the purpose of those things?”

Vayu replied, “They are valves. When the pressure in a pipe reaches a certain level, the valve will rise, release some steam, and relieve the pressure. The release of the steam is the hissing sound you hear each time they pop up.”

We were walking along a narrow corridor when I suddenly stopped, and everyone piled into the back of the preceding person.

Lydia asked, “Inigo, are you pleased to see me, or is that a metal pipe in your trousers?”

“Ahh, no, over my dead body, Lydia.”

“Whatever makes you happy, my furry friend.”

“Please, I am rarely scared, but the thought of you naked terrifies me.”

I interjected and asked, “Does anybody know why I have stopped?”

Inigo replied, “I can smell something, a gas of some sort.”

“Yes, watch.”

Dragonfire ignited some gas, and flames whooshed down the corridor and around a corner.

Lydia asked, “Wulf, does it hurt breathing fire like that?”

“Only from the other end, Lydia. You can try some of Kharjo’s Elsweyr Chowder to experience the feeling.”

“Eww!”

We surprised a Dwemer Spectre.

I stood behind it and asked, “Can you please describe the sensation of vanishing up your bum hole?”

The rude Spectre did not answer but tried to cast a spell. I turned it into a puddle of ectoplasm.

Room after room. Automaton after automaton. Spectre after spectre. I alternated between Fire Breath and Unrelenting Force just for variety. The occasional gas pockets and pools of oil were highlights of the walk.

I told the group, “We are entering Falmer territory. For those who have never encountered them before, they are blind, but their hearing and sense of smell are acute. They can also detect the slightest breeze, so even if you think you are being sneaky, they find you.”

We came upon a pulsating, gelatinous mound.

Lydia asked, “Yuck. What are those disgusting things?”

Seiko replied, “Chaurus Eggs. They are delicious with the right salad and wine. Argonians like to eat them raw. I like mine boiled. Wujeeta has promised to teach me a Chaurus Egg Pie recipe.”

Everybody stared at Seiko, who shrugged her shoulders and said, “You never know unless you give it a go!”

I lowered a portcullis that led to a steep spiral ramp leading downwards.

Spectres and automatons populated the first half of the spiral ramp.

Using Zoom Vision, I identified the body of Yag, the Orsimer warrior.

To reach Yag, we could go through more corridors full of enemies or drop thirty feet down. The dweomer on our armour made the drop relatively safe, which is what we did.

Rigmor could not resist saying, “Wheeee!” on the way down.

Yag had been killed by Falmer arrows.

We killed dozens of Falmer without pause. It does not matter what squad I am with; it becomes an unstoppable machine of death.

In a room containing torture equipment, we found the remains of a person on a slab and piles of bones littered a small room used as a prison.

Valie’s corpse also lay on a slab.

Random items from the expedition were laid out on a bench, including clothing.

I said, “This is unusual. I can’t recall reading any reports of Falmer doing torture. They will kill and loot, but not this.”

Lydia asked, “Are they eating people?”

“There is a chance. That has been reported but rarely.”

We continued the rapid killing, barely noticing the surroundings as we went. Dozens of enemies fell to us, and it was monotonous.

When we look up, it became apparent how clever the Dwemer were, until they weren’t.

As we approached a large gate, Inigo whispered, “I can hear two people arguing.”

I replied, “We had better introduce ourselves!”

The two people were Sulla Trebatius, the Imperial General, and his seemingly former friend, Umana. According to their argument, they stood in front of a Dwemer Lift, which led outside.

“Sulla, let’s just get out of here. Hasn’t there been enough death?”

“Oh, of course, Umana. You’re just waiting for me to turn my back so you can have all the glory for yourself!”

I said, “Greetings. I am Lord Wulf Welkynd.”

Both of them lunged at me, so I killed them.

I retrieved a key from Umana’s corpse and said, “I know the way to Blackreach, but first, let us see where this lift goes.”

I unlocked the gate, and we piled onto the lift. I pulled the lever, and we soon found ourselves at the expedition’s main camp.

We then returned to the depths of Alftand.

I handed around the small sphere that Septimus had given me for the others to inspect.

I explained, “Much Dwemer technology utilises light, electricity and sound. Most people only think of steam-powered machines, as that is what is written about in standard texts and books. The steam technology is visible and easy to understand. Most of the equipment based on other technologies is incomprehensible to us. Sometimes we can figure out how to use it but have no idea why it works. That sphere is a key for a Tonal Lock. If you place it in the receptacle, it will use sound that we may not even hear to open this Tonal Lock. I think it will give us access to lower levels and Blackreach. Many Dwemer artisans were called Tonal Architects because of their specialist knowledge.”

Lydia asked, “So if I put this little ball in that receptacle, something will happen?”

“Try it and see.”

Lydia inserted the sphere.

The Tonal Lock twisted and turned.

A set of stairs leading down was revealed.

I retrieved the sphere, as it would make a good exhibit in my museum.

At the bottom of the stairs were a pair of large doors.

I opened the doors, and we entered Blackreach.

There was a chorus of ‘ooh!’ and ‘wow!’ and other exclamations. Even Vayu expressed wonderment, and he had seen a lot of strange places when training as a shaman in Akavir.

I smiled at Lydia. She is starting to understand that her life as a Whiterun guard would never allow her to see such wonders. We might be in danger quite often, but we live a life of discovery, and that is good compensation.

Giant luminescent mushrooms floated or stood upon huge stalks. A constant blue from Aetherium ore added to the varied colours of the fungi. Heat Vision showed both Dwemer automatons and Falmer populated the area.

A large orb radiated heat, and I assume fake sunlight to allow crops to grow.

Inigo exclaimed, “My eyes are having trouble taking this place in. It is magical, mysterious, and menacing!”

“What about that large proboscis of yours?”

“There are many new scents. My nose is very busy at the moment.”

Heat Vision showed many Falmer and some automatons populated the immediate area.

I told the group, “I am not here to explore Blackreach. Via the Dwemer Lifts, we can always return later. However, I don’t fancy being ambushed, so we shall eliminate the danger.”

I destroyed an automaton guarding the entrance to an isolated tower.

We made our way to the tower and entered.

Rigmor asked, “Is this The Tower of Mzark?”

“No, it seems to be a laboratory for an alchemist. They have even grown those weeds with the red flowers.”

“Mountain Flowers are not weeds!”

“Yep, I still wish fish would take the bait as quickly as you.”

“Idiot!”

The unfortunate alchemist’s skeleton had two Falmer arrows embedded in its back.

I found his journal on a nearby bench and read it aloud,

“I’ve spent a large portion of my life unravelling the mystery of the Nirnroot, and yet I still feel unfulfilled. The trilling sound this strange herb emits seems to taunt me, to push me even harder to discover its secrets. Even after a generous and indomitable traveller became a field collector in my stead and provided me with a five score of the nirnroot, I was only able to muster what I consider a mediocre alchemical creation at best. This only strengthened my hunger and whetted my appetite for the solution.

It wasn’t until over fifty years later that the answer to my prayers was carried into my basement workshop at the West Weald Inn. I first heard the familiar tone – that unmistakable warble unique to the nirnroot. But when I turned around, my heart leapt, and a chill ran down my spine. This was indeed a nirnroot but of a variety the likes of which I have never seen. The herb was awash in a spectacular array of red hues, each leaf seemingly emblazoned with innumerable variations of crimson. I couldn’t move – I was utterly transfixed. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined a species of nirnroot with such a unique property.

After an awkward silence, I finally managed to stammer out a few questions to the traveller who’d brought me this treasure. He told me his name was Obeth Arnesian, a treasure-seeker from Skyrim. Apparently, he’d been exploring a vast subterranean network of grand caverns called Blackreach and had stumbled across what he dismissed as ‘a noisy red weed.’ His expedition was largely unsuccessful, and he didn’t want to leave the caves empty-handed, so Obeth picked one of the crimson nirnroot to bring home. He said that it took some time, but eventually, he was pointed my way and that perhaps I’d pay a fair price for it.

Before I could gather my wits and ask anything else, Obeth offered to sell me the Crimson Nirnroot sample, a map showing me how to find Blackreach and the strange key needed to breach its outer defences. It took me mere moments to decide. Obeth left Skingrad a thousand septims richer, but I would have quickly paid ten times that amount to obtain the sample alone.

It took a year of planning, but I was able to pack up and sell my workshop and make my way into Skyrim. Before delving headfirst into Blackreach, I knew I needed to set up a new laboratory but wished to do so in seclusion. After making inquiries at the College of Winterhold, of which I was an honorary member, I was directed to speak to Avrusa Sarethi, a student of botanical alchemy who had a small farm near the city of Riften. I kept the knowledge of the Crimson Nirnroot a secret from Avrusa but imparted everything else I knew to her in exchange for her hospitality. By bartering my knowledge of nirnroot cultivation, I secured Sarethi Farm as a launching point for my field research.

A few months passed, but I was finally ready to enter Blackreach. My goal was to gather enough Crimson Nirnroot to produce my greatest alchemical creation to date – I was confident it would take at least thirty of them to provide the necessary catalyst. I used the Attunement Sphere that Obeth had provided and descended into the depths.

This brings me to the present. My initial research indicates that the Crimson Nirnroot has a similar affinity for moisture as the garden variety and maintains a symbiotic relationship with the enormous fungi that inhabit Blackreach. I guess that the fungi themselves are water sources, absorbing it from the moist subterranean air like a sponge. This provides the ideal environment for the Nirnroot to grow. Unfortunately, the Crimson Nirnroot appears to have a vastly shortened lifespan, and they are in no way plentiful down here. Gathering thirty of them will be quite the challenge, but hopefully, the denizens of Blackreach will allow me to gather my samples unhindered.”

I informed the group, “I have many Crimson Nirnroot amongst my reagent collection. The name on the journal is Sinderion Alifas. I will visit the farm he mentions.”

We made our way to the top of the tower and exited to a balcony.

I told the group, “There are plenty of targets for bow and spell. We might as well eliminate them from here.”

The twang of bow and release of spells made a cacophony of death.

I could see a cluster of Falmer.

I sent a couple of Fireballs their way.

Inigo had been trying to hit a crystal golem with no success. I hit it with my first arrow.

Inigo asked, “Rigmor, what is that name you use for My Friend?”

“I have many, but I assume you mean smartarse.”

“Yes, that is the one. My Friend is a smartarse!”

After we eliminated all visible and reachable threats, we exited the tower.

We decided the main road would likely lead us to Mzark’s tower.

There were many interesting buildings, and what looked like a lift to the surface. However, as I told the group earlier, we were not there to explore.

Evidence of the slaughter we inflicted from the alchemist’s tower littered the road.

We passed a Dwemer Centurion but did not activate it. There is no telling if it would recognise us as friend or foe.

Vayu said, “We must visit again and take time to map this part of Blackreach and enter some of these buildings.”

“We shall. Perhaps we can bring some of the Dwemer experts from the museum with us.”

When passied the Crystal Golem.

Inigo mumbled, “A single arrow from that distance. My Friend is a huge smartarse!”

Slightly charred Falmer showed the effectiveness of my Fireballs

We climbed the ramp of a small tower.

The central road continued into the distance, but we could not see Mzark’s tower.

We travelled to the next level, and a prominent tower was visible in the distance.

Zoom Vision did not show much detail because a thin fog reflected the light coming from Aetherium ore.

• Wulf: I think that is Mzark’s tower. There are no lights on, but then again, Falmer do not need them.
• Rigmor: Are we going to continue along the main road?
• Wulf: I think it would be quicker to turn right and follow the other road.
• Lydia: There are a lot of Falmer along that road.
• Wulf: Not for long! There are many Shouts I have never used. I am curious as to how well Cyclone works. It will sometimes lift targets high and drop them. Other times it will just freeze them. It is supposed to be useful for killing enemies hiding behind cover.

I Shouted Cyclone, and a freezing tornado travelled along the road and killed several Falmer.

We made our way to the smaller road which led to a major Falmer compound.

Cyclone eliminated many Falmer.

Steps led to the centre of the compound.

I said, “I have read about the Man and Mer you see. Generations ago, they were enslaved. Now, they are loyal to their masters. Do not hesitate to kill them.”

Lydia commented, “The enslaved became enslavers. That is tragic!”

“The Dwemer were arseholes, and their treatment of the Snow Elves seeking shelter removed all compassion from the species. To survive, the Falmer would not have any qualms about enslaving others.”

“Those buildings are probably full of enslaved people!”

“They are no longer enslaved, Lydia. They remain here by choice, so I have no compulsion to rescue them.”

When we entered the compound, attackers came from all sides. Some were at our level, and others occupied raised ramparts.

I yelled, “Duck, Rigmor!”

“Why?”

“A Daedroth is headed for us!”

“Will I ever live that down?”

“Nope!”

Unrelenting Force took care of the Daedroth Titan. They are minions of Molag Bal, so its presence in Blackreach was a mystery.

We quickly eliminated all opposition. There were likely other enemies who wisely stayed inside the surrounding buildings.

When the fighting was over, Inigo asked, “What is that big ball?”

“It is an artificial sun. It provides heat, and a dweomer produces artificial sunlight for crops.”

“Is it solid?”

“I doubt it, but I cannot tell from here.”

“Would hitting it with your Thu’um let us know?”

“I do not want to destroy it. I will use a weak Unrelenting Force Shout and see what happens.”

Rigmor asked, “Do you think that is a good idea, Dragonbum?”

I replied, “Where is your sense of adventure?”

Unrelenting Force hit the sphere, and our experiment produced an ear-splitting gong that echoed for several seconds.

Inigo laughed and said, “That proves it is hollow!”

I was about to reply when a roar echoed.

There was no need to tell the group a dragon was approaching. However, I did say, “That was not a challenge. Do not attack unless attacked.”

The dragon landed on the main road. He was curious, not aggressive, as I approached.

Our conversation was in Dovahzul. What follows is my translation.

“Greetings. I am Lord Wulf Welkynd. I did not know you were here, Celestial Brother. I struck the machine to learn what it would do.”

“And it called across the darkness with your Thu’um. I am Vulthuryol.”

“It called to no one deliberately. You answered from curiosity.”

“Curiosity has killed many mortals.”

“Fortunately, I am difficult to kill, and I tire of destroying Dov whose only crime is loyalty to Alduin.”

“You are Dovahkiin.”

“Yes.”

“I owe no loyalty to Alduin. Blackreach is my refuge from those who hunt Dov.”

“Wouldn’t you prefer the freedom of Nirn’s skies?”

“If it were possible to live in peace above, I would do so.”

“When Alduin is defeated, I shall summon you. There is no obligation to assist me in my endeavours. You will be free to do as you choose as long as mortals are left unharmed.”

“Wouldn’t I still be hunted?”

“No. The Dragonguard and Blades are under my command. A decree will be issued that names you and other Dov as citizens.”

“Then I would accept your summons and see if what you claim is true.”

“Farewell for now, Vulthuryol.”

The dragon took off and disappeared into the depths of Blackreach.

 As we walked toward the tower, I told the group what was agreed between Vulthuryol and me. Then we talked about it.

• Rigmor: What is there to eat down here?
• Wulf: Giants. Down below, a troll is making a lot of noise and is probably tough but tasty. Falmer are likely to be stringy but edible. There are many Chaurus.
• Seiko: Chaurus eggs! Yum!!!
• Wulf: I would be willing to try Wujeeta’s Chaurus egg pie.
• Seiko: You would?
• Wulf: I survived Apple Cabbage Stew!
• Lydia: Rigmor, Wulf is being cruel again.
• Rigmor: If you take no notice, he will get bored and leave you alone.
• Lydia: Did you like my Apple Cabbage Stew?
• Rigmor: Well…um…
• Wulf: Rigmor upchucked. The only thing that smells worse than Apple Cabbage Stew is half-digested Apple Cabbage Stew.
• Inigo: Apple Cabbage Spew!
• Celestine: A point for Inigo. I like quick wit!
• Seiko: Some of the male Dragonguard like Apple Cabbage Stew because it produces copious amounts of fart gas.
• Wulf: Women also find farts amusing!
• Vayu: Did you cook Apple Cabbage Stew for Whiterun’s guards, Lydia?
• Lydia: Once a week.
• Vayu: And what were the barracks like?
• Lydia: Even when it was cold outside, we had the windows and doors open.
• Vayu: Good idea. The fumes were probably explosive.

We were laughing as we reached the entrance to the tower.

Upon entering, we found ourselves on a Dwemer Lift.

I pulled the lever, and up we went.

The lift stopped at a round-shaped room.

We searched the room and found nothing of relevance. However, a bedroll and other items suggested another explorer had used the room.

We exited through doors directly opposite the lift and found ourselves at the bottom of a gigantic machine.

I quoted, “Cast upon where Dwemer cities slept, the yearning spire hidden learnings kept.”

Lydia said, “Huh?”

“This is The Tower of Mzark. Now I need to place the lexicon into their contraption and focus the knowings into it!”

“Okay…”

“Did you know, when the top-level was built, no more could be placed? It was and is the maximal apex!”

“Maybe you need to lie down and have a rest?”

“When the lexicon brims with glow, I will know it contains the knowings!”

Lydia stared at me with a worried frown as I proceeded up a spiral ramp.

Mzarks’ Spectre stood at the top of the ramp.

I approached with weapons sheathed.

Mzark’s Spectre attacked, so I cut it down.

It turned into an ectoplasm puddle. I retrieved two Dwemer Lexicon from the remains. Auryen might be able to figure out what they are.

The gigantic machine dominated the top of the tower.

On the ground, next to the machinery, was a skeleton. I jumped down to investigate it.

I told the group, “Logically, this is the owner of the bedroll we had noticed earlier.”

Next to the skeleton was a journal which I read aloud,

“I was never one for writing about my life. The king-priests of old deserve their stories told, but Drokt is a simple man. So, this isn’t no journal, and I’m not telling any stories here. But this infernal machine done worked its way into my brain-space, and I won’t leave till it’s figured out.

The whole contraption just sits like a dead horker if it doesn’t have the box. Putting the box in the hole made it all come to life.

Five rings, but only four buttons? Most of them don’t work most of the time anyhow. When the lights line up, more open, but they don’t seem to help. Just make another damned thing move.

The old fleabag Khajiit what sold me this cube said something about ‘the light through the knowledge through the machine rests on the cube.’ I remember because he made me say it back at him until I wanted to throttle him.

So, I did.

Tried to leave, but wolves to the top and them eyeless freaks outside the tower. I gotta stay here till I get it right.

And I will get it right.”

I said, “It seems like Drokt got what he deserved for murder. There is no lexicon on him, but I found two in Mzark’s ectoplasm puddle.”

I looked up at the machine, which consisted of crystal lenses with arms to move them. An Elder Scroll was inside a crystal or glass egg.

We climbed the ramp to where Mzark’s Spectre had been.

An array of four buttons was used to control the machine. In the centre of the four buttons was a celestial map. Metal covers covered the buttons.

To the right of the buttons was a receptacle for the blank lexicon.

• Wulf: There is an Elder Scroll inside a crystal egg at the very top of the machine.
• Inigo: My Friend, how does it work?
• Wulf: There are a lot of lenses. What does that suggest?
• Inigo: They are probably used to direct light.
• Wulf: But there is no light to direct.
• Rigmor: Maybe you have to put that cube thingy in that holder thingy to get the light?
• Wulf: Not just a pretty face, are you?
• Rigmor: I love you too!
• Wulf: Your arse is also impressive!

Rigmor intended to tear into me, but soon giggled along with others.

I placed the lexicon into the receptacle.

This action did three things. It uncovered the two buttons furthest to the right. It also made a pentagonal pane of glass at the top of the machine start emitting a bright vertical beam of light. Some arms moved, making the crystal oval containing the Elder Scroll more visible.

Rigmor exclaimed, “I can see the Elder Scroll!”

I pushed the button furthest to the right several times. The arms moved once, then stayed in position. Pushing the furthest right button again made no difference.

I pushed the second-from-the-right button, and the floor opened, revealing several lenses. The second-from-left button was then revealed.

I told my friends, “The lenses must be moved to split the light. A light beam must hit each crystal lens on the floor. They will direct the light to hidden machinery, and hopefully, that will give us access to the Elder Scroll. Notice that the lexicon had opened, ready for transcription.”

Lydia asked, “Have you seen a machine like this before?”

I replied, “No, Lydia, but logic tells me how to work it. I have no idea how it works!”

I pushed the second from the left button several times. Each time I did, the arms and lenses moved.

When a beam of light hit all the floor lenses, the furthest left button was uncovered.

The surface of the now closed lexicon showed blue, glowing glyphs.

I said, “The lexicon now contains the information in the Elder Scroll. When I push the last button, we can retrieve the Elder Scroll. That allowed the Dwemer to change scrolls and repeat the process.”

I pushed the last button.

The cradle holding the crystal egg swung down.

The egg was moved into a horizontal position.

The egg then opened with a mechanical clatter.

I removed the lexicon and sent it to Cethnelor.

We then went to the oval, and I removed the Elder Scroll.

I briefly looked at the scroll and then sent it to Cethnelor.

• Inigo: You got the Elder Scroll! Well done, My Friend.
• Wulf: I intend to collect a squad of four mages and proceed to The Throat of the World. If anybody is too tired, let me know, and you will be swapped out.
• Vayu: Is this wise?
• Wulf: I can go for days without rest. I do not want more people falling prey to Alduin’s megalomania!
• Rigmor: There is no way you are doing this without me!
• Wulf: With six mages and our weapons, Alduin will find us far more formidable than the Ancient Tongues.
• Lydia: Can Alduin be killed on Nirn?
• Wulf: Alduin cannot be killed in Mundus or Sovngarde. We are to weaken him so he flees to Sovngarde.
• Celestine: Wulf will then pursue him to Sovngarde as soon as possible, as Alduin will consume souls to recover his strength.
• Vayu: As Wulf said, Alduin will not be killed in Sovngarde either. If we defeat him there, Lord Akatosh will claim his soul and eventually restore him.
• Wulf: Forget the dragons we have already fought. None of them was a fraction as powerful as Nahfahlaar or my other dragon allies. My allies are a fraction as powerful as Alduin.
• Celestine: Another one or two mages and I will concentrate on healing during the battle. Nobody is going to die!
• Wulf: Septimus will have to wait for his lexicon. He is not a priority. Come, there will be another exit from Blackreach that will come in handy.
• Lydia: Come in handy? Another one for ‘Weird sayings of the Weirdo.’
• Wulf: Rigmor, Lydia is being mean again.
• Rigmor: Serves you right for being a bastard.

At the foot of the machine was another door.

It led to another Dwemer Lift.

We piled on, and I pulled the lever.

The lift took us to another base camp. There was no sign of whose it was, but a stew was boiling over the campfire.

We took the lift back down so nobody had access to Blackreach, then I teleported us to Aetheron.

I said, “You have an hour to feed, pee and poop and be ready for Alduin. Vayu, ask Raikou to select another three mages.”

Rigmor remarked, “Barbarian through and through.”

“I could have said piss and shit.”

My friends scattered, and Rigmor and I enjoyed a hot meal in my rooms.

When we entered the barracks later, there was a palpable sense of excitement. There was no resentment about who was to accompany me. Everybody had one goal in mind, and that was the defeat of Alduin.

I approached Raikou.

“Grandmaster, I will be watching you closely. If I think you are too fatigued, you will rest. Is that understood?”

“Would I disobey my Va-Kalein’Sei?”

“No, but I like clarification.”

“Did you deliver the goods to Delphine and Esbern?”

“Yes. Nahfahlaar escorted me. It would not be healthy to be attacked by a dragon whilst flying Moraeth. Esbern was drooling over the selection of tomes I provided. Kalein’Sei Akamizu accepted a selection with grace. She is a formidable leader and kind soul.”

“I will release her and the other guards once the Blades are established.”

“Yes, we can reconsecrate after.”

“Okay, let’s get moving.”

 Raikou had chosen Dae, Cian and Khao as the other mages. Several months ago, I would not have had the concentration needed to remember everybody’s Raen, which is their trace, imprint, signature, remembered pattern. What makes them different from every other mortal. Now, I could teleport eleven people with ease.

I said, “I cannot teleport us onto the plateau where the Time Wound is. We shall come out of the ether close to it.”

I retrieved the Elder Scroll from Cethnelor then teleported the group.

Paarthurnax was waiting for us where we exited the ether, not on his Word Wall.

He said, “You have it! The Kel! The Elder Scroll! Tiid kreh… qalos. Time shudders at its touch.”

“As I shudder when near the Time Wound.”

“There is no question. You are doom-driven. Kogaan Akatosh. The very bones of the earth are at your disposal.”

“I am not doom-driven, Paarthurnax. I am motivated by a desire to aid the mortals of Nirn as are my companions.”

“Go then. Fulfill your destiny. Take the Scroll to the Time Wound. Do not delay. Alduin will be coming. He cannot miss the signs.”

“I do not believe in destiny, Paarthurnax. However, I believe in free will and choose to use the Kel.”

We made our way to the Time Wound and Rigmor was worried.

“Wulf, what will I see? Will you vanish?”

“I do not know, Rigmor. Only my Consciousness is travelling through the conduit. I assume I will be frozen in place, like a statue.”

“Will Tirlineth cease, like when you entered that other plane?”

“This has never been done before, Rigmor. I will still be in the mortal plane, so there is no need for Tirlineth to stop, but what you will experience through it…well, I have no idea!”

“Will you be in danger?”

“My ethereal self will not be in danger. Alduin might detect my presence, but he cannot harm me in the past. However, if he arrives at the Throat of the World before my Consciousness returns, you and the others will have to keep my body safe so I can return.”

“I am scared, Wulf.”

“What is Marael?”

“The power of love. The most powerful force known.”

“What is Tirnetha Marael?”

“The strongest expression of love. Our love.”

“Alduin stands no chance against Tirnetha Marael!”

I entered the Time Wound. Although uncomfortable, I was not nauseous.

I called out, “You make a great target for a single Shout. Stop gossiping and spread out!”

Paarthurnax was watching from the distant rock, not his usual perch.

I unfolded the Elder Scroll. There was no writing on it. A web with superimposed lines and circled Ehlnofex runes was burned into my subconscious, not my retina.

Instinctively, I sought and found the conduit to the time of Alduin’s banishment. I willed myself there, and the present started to fade.

Inigo said, “Good luck, My Friend.”

Rigmor shouted, “I love you, and Alduin can go get f…”

The present faded, but I guessed what Rigmor’s last word was.

The past slowly came into focus. 

Here I record the heroic deeds of those ancient Tongues for the first time in their entirety.

Hakon On-Eye came running along the path that now leads to High Hrothgar. A dragon, Grahziinir, was in pursuit.

Hakon yelled, “Gormlaith! We are running out of time! The battle….”

Grahziinir landed in front of Hakon.

Grahziinir said, “Daar sul thur se Alduin. Today Alduin’s lordship shall be restored. But I honour your courage. Krif voth ahkrin. Die now, in vain.”

As he attacked, Hakon yelled, “It is you who will die, Grahziinir! For Keizaal!”

Note: Keizaal is the Dovahzul name for the land later called Skyrim.

Grahziinir tried to burn Hakon with Dragonfire. The Tongue must have had protective dweomer; otherwise, he would have joined the other burnt husks littering the summit. He was also wearing Dragonbone armour, which offers some natural protection.

When fire proved ineffective, Grahziinir resorted to his formidable array of teeth as his primary weapon. Hakon would dodge the giant maw and swing his battleaxe in return.

The battleaxe has the same weakness as other two-handed weapons. They are slow and easy to avoid, which Grahziinir did with lightning reflexes. Hakon would tire long before the dragon and eventually get caught in those massive jaws. The kai-katana is much faster, lighter, and less fatiguing. That is why the Dragonguard uses them.

A loud “Hyah!” announced the arrival of Gormlaith Golden-Hilt. She wore steel plate armour, but like Hakon, had no helm.

Gormlaith ran up, jumped and sliced Grahziinir across his face with her sword.

Gormlaith then leapt upon Grahziinir’s head.

Gormlaith struggled to gain footing as Grahziinir shook his head, desperately trying to dislodge her.

Gormlaith yelled, “Know that Gormlaith sent you down to death!”

She stabbed Grahziinir through his right eye, her sword finding the dragon’s brain.

Gormlaith leapt to safety as Grahziinir died.

I braced for the soul absorption, briefly forgetting I was not physically there. I stared at Grahziinir’s corpse and wondered if he was ever restored.

Many dragons flew overhead but did not attack. I assumed they awaited their overlord. As they walked, Gormlaith spoke with great confidence.

• Gormlaith: Hakon! A glorious day is it not?
• Hakon: Have you no thought beyond the blooding of your blade?
• Gormlaith: What else is there?
• Hakon: The battle below goes ill. I fear all may be lost if Alduin does not rise to our challenge.
• Gormlaith: You worry too much, brother. Victory will be ours.

Hakon moved away and looked at the scene below. I can only imagine the devastation he saw.

Gormlaith looked at the carnage littering the summit, and I could sense her confidence was forced. She was unsure of their ability to win but would face Alduin with courage.

Felldir the Old came running.

The three Ancient Tongues faced each other.

The sky was unsettled as dragons Shouted in battle with brave but doomed mortals.

Felldir and Gormlaith continued to face each other. Harkon moved away and surveyed the sky, looking for Alduin.

Many shadows of dragons flying feet above their heads did not disturb them.

• Hakon: Why does Alduin hang back? We’ve staked everything on this plan of yours, old man.
• Felldir: He will come. He cannot ignore our defiance. And why should he fear us, even now?
• Gormlaith: We’ve bloodied him well. Four of his kin have fallen to my blade alone this day.
• Felldir: But none have yet survived against Alduin! Galthor, Sorry, Birkir…
• Gormlaith: They did not have Dragonrend and could not hurt him when he was in the air. Once we bring him down, I promise I shall have his head.
• Felldir: You do not understand. Alduin cannot be slain like a lesser dragon. He is beyond our strength, so I brought the Elder Scroll.

Felldir reached into the folds of his robes and retrieved an Elder Scroll.

• Hakon: Felldir! We agreed not to use it!
• Felldir: I never agreed. And if you are right, I will not need it.
• Hakon: No. We will deal with Alduin ourselves, here and now.
• Gormlaith: We shall see soon enough. Alduin approaches!

The Ancient Tongues looked skyward. Felldir hid the Elder Scroll in his robes once more.

The World-Eater roared as he spiralled and then landed upon the Word Wall Paarthurnax now uses as a perch.

In a deep, baritone voice, Alduin said, “Meyye! Tahrodiis aanne! Him hinde pah livv! Zu’u hin daan!” (Fools! Treacherous slaves! All your hopes are withered. I am your doom!)

Gormlaith yelled, “Let those who watch from Sovngarde envy us this day!”

Alduin lifted from the Word Wall with another roar.

All three Tongues Shouted, “JOOR ZAH FRUL!”

The three Power Words of Dragonrend mean mortal, finite and temporary.

A blue miasma surrounded Alduin.

Then he landed heavily in a barely controlled landing.

The Ancient Tongues spread out in an arc.

Alduin growled, “Nivahriin joorre! What have you done? What twisted Words have you created?! Tahrodiis Paarthurnax! My teeth to his neck! But first… dir ko maar. You will die in terror, knowing your final fate… To feed my power when I come for you in Sovngarde!”

Alduin turned to Gormlaith as she yelled, “If I die today, it will not be in terror. You feel fear for the first time, worm. I see it in your eyes.”

The three Tongues engaged Alduin with weapons and Thu’um.

Alduin concentrated on Gormlaith. She was agile, and she swung her sword with speed and power.  Every time Alduin’s massive jaws snapped shut where Gormlaith was, she had moved elsewhere. I could see why she had slain many lesser dragons.

Felldir Shouted Unrelenting Force.

Even with the might of Felldir’s Thu’um, it had little impact on Alduin.

The duel between Gormlaith and Alduin continued.

Then Alduin turned his head, seemingly distracted by Felldir.

Once again, forgetting where I was, I yelled, “It’s a trick! Jump back!”

But Gormlaith didn’t jump back. She yelled, “Keizaal will be free!” and moved closer to Alduin.

Alduin lunged far faster than any dragon I have faced. His mouth snapped closed around Gormlaith, and bones could be heard splintering. She died quickly, and only her armour stopped Alduin from biting her in two.

Alduin then shook her body like a terrier with a rat.

Alduin tossed Gormlaith’s broken body with disdain, then faced the two remaining Tongues.

Hakon yelled, “No, damn you! It’s no use! Use the Scroll, Felldir! Now!”

Hakon attacked Alduin as a Berserker. He cared not for defence, and all effort was directed towards offence. I have no doubt he did so to provide a distraction. If Alduin saw the Elder Scroll, Felldir might not have time to use it.

Felldir sheathed his sword and stepped back.

Alduin covered Hakon in frost, and unlike that of the weaker Grahziinir, his Thu’um started to damage the brave Tongue.

Felldir held up the Elder Scroll and yelled, “Hold, Alduin on the Wing! Sister Hawk, grant us your sacred breath to make this contract heard! Begone, World-Eater! By words with older bones than your own, we break your perch on this age and send you out! You are banished! Alduin, we shout you out from all our endings unto the last!”

Halfway through Felldir’s recitation, Alduin noticed what he was doing and turned his Dragonfire upon him. That spared Hakon, who was on his knees, his life almost spent.

I became engaged in what was happening, forgetting I was not there in bodily form. I wanted to heal Hakon but could not.

Alduin ceased his resistance and then stared in my direction. As Rigmor could sense where my ethereal spirit was, so could Alduin. It was the same stare he directed at me in Helgen.

Felldir finished, and the power of Kyne combined with that of the Elder Scroll dragged Alduin into the flow of time.

Alduin’s last words of that age were, “Faal Kel…?! Nikriinne…” (The Elder Scroll…!? Cowards…)

Alduin started to fade into the timestream.

Then he vanished with a pop as air filled the vacuum where The World-Eater once stood.

Felldir finished with, “You are banished!”

The badly injured Hakon stammered, “It worked… you did it….”

Felldir replied, “Yes, the World-Eater is gone… may the spirits have mercy on our souls.”

I had learned what I needed, so I willed myself back to the present.

As I did so, the Dragonborn Prophecy was inscribed onto the Elder Scroll.

Alduin had come out of the ether and hovered. I was still disoriented and not ready for battle.

• Alduin: Bahloki nahkip sillesejoor. My belly is full of the souls of your fellow mortals, Dovahkiin. Die now and await your fate in Sovngarde!
• Paarthurnax: Lost funt. You are too late, Alduin! Dovahkiin! Use Dragonrend, if you know it.
• Alduin: Suleyki mulaag, Paarthurnax. My power has waxed, while yours has waned. Aav uv dir. Join me or perish with your mortal friends.
• Paarthurnax: Unslaad hokoron! Never again!
• Wulf: You have no idea who I am, Alduin. I am not a Nord and Sovngarde will not be my destination when I die. You face the Dragonguard, and we are far more deadly than those brave Tongues.

I hit him with Dragonrend. Straight away, he would know my Thu’um was more powerful than any he had faced before.

Alduin desperately tried to control his flight.

Dragonrend hit him again, and he plummeted to the ground.

My friends had spread out in preparation for battle.

I Shouted Dragonrend a third time as I ran towards Alduin.

Alduin was being attacked by some of the finest warriors and most powerful mages on Nirn.

He did not have one Gormlaith to contend with but five.

Spells from six Master Mages of Destruction came from all directions.

My sword inflicted great damage, and Alduin realised early in the melee that he was outmatched.

Every time I shouted Dragonrend, Alduin recoiled.

It took almost ninety minutes to defeat Alduin. There was no use continuing the fight, for we had done all we could in Mundus. Only in Sovngarde can he be returned to Lord Akatosh.

When the effects of my last Dragonrend Shout ended, I yelled, “Halt! Let him go.”

We ceased fighting, and Alduin rose into the air with effort.

He said, “Meyz mul, Dovahkiin. You have become strong. But I am Al-du-in, Firstborn of Akatosh! Mulaagi zok lot! I cannot be slain here, by you or anyone else! You cannot prevail against me. I will outlast you… mortal!”

“I will hunt you in Sovngarde and then send you to Bormahu for the spanking you deserve.”

Alduin flew away, and the sky began to clear.

I looked around. None of my friends was lying prone or being attended to by Celestine.

Paarthurnax landed on the Word Wall. He would have to wait.

My eyes locked onto Rigmor’s. Relief and confusion travelled through Tirlineth.

“I am okay, Rigmor.”

“I could still feel you. Barely. You weren’t gone, but you were somewhere behind me, but not anywhere I could turn and find.”

“Not behind you in distance, but in time. That feeling was your brain trying to interpret something foreign. Something illogical and not one of your senses.”

“I caught glimpses of the Tongues, of Alduin, of the bodies, mortal and dragon, that covered this area. The sky was full of dragons!”

“Under certain conditions, you make an empathetic link with me. You did it when still unconscious at Angi’s camp. We shared memories. I panicked when it happened the first time, as I thought of it as intrusive and a breach of my morals. I saw parts of your life that I had no right to see. I wanted you to share them, not steal them.”

“You never mentioned this.”

“I broke the connection almost immediately. I had not thought about it till now.”

“In a way, sharing what you were witnessing was comforting. When you learned Dragonrend, it was like you sighed with relief. You were pleased your plan worked.”

“Subconsciously, I probably was. I was concentrating hard in case something vital was said or done and had no time to celebrate. Plus, this was the only chance to document what occurred that day.”

“Speak to Paarthurnax. Devise a plan. The quicker we send Alduin to be spanked, the better.”

“Did you like that insult?”

“It was one of your better ones but would Alduin know what a spanking is?”

“He will after Lord Akatosh has finished with him.”

I walked over to Paarthurnax, who said, “Lot krongrah. You truly have The Voice of a Dovah. Alduin’s allies will think twice after this victory.”

“It is a battle won but not the war’s end.”

“Ni liivrah hin mere. True, this is not the final krongah, victory. But not even the heroes of old were able to defeat Alduin in open battle. Alduin always was pahlok, arrogant in his power. Uznahgar paar. He took domination as his birthright. This defeat should shake the loyalty of the Dov who serve him.”

“He has fled to Sovngarde and will soon be strong enough to return. He must have a portal to that part of Aetherius!”

“Yes… one of his allies could tell us. Motmahus… But it will not be easy to… convince one of them to betray him. Perhaps the hofkahsejun, the palace in Whiterun, Dragonsreach. It was originally built to house a captive Dovah. A fine place to trap one of Alduin’s allies, hmm?”

“His Lieutenant, Odahviing, will respond to my challenge.”

“Indeed. As I told you, Odahviing has expressed reservations about this new war. I do not think he has harmed mortals since his restoration. Many Dov are reluctant to repeat the same mistake that almost made us extinct!”

“First, I must convince Jarl Balgruuf to allow a dragon to land on his palace.”

“Hmm, yes. But your su’um is strong. I do not doubt you can convince him of the need.”

“Tell me what you know of Dragonsreach.”

“They held a Dovah prisoner there for a very long time. This imprisonment was ages ago, you understand. There were more of us then. Before the bruniike, the Akaviri, came and killed all my zeymah. I used to visit him from time to time. He was nearly crazed by loneliness and captivity. Tiiraz sivaas. He did not even remember his name. I do not know how he came to be caught. But the bronjun, the Jarl, was very proud of his pet. Paak! The hofkahsejun has been known as Dragonsreach ever since.”

I approached Raikou.

“You can return to Aetheron. I will only take one squad with me to Sovngarde. We shall have the aid of the Ancient Tongues.”

“Khao said Alduin’s appearance has changed since Helgen.”

“It must have something to do with the soul absorption in Sovngarde. When the Tongues fought him, he looked as he did today.”

“He may be even stronger in Sovngarde.”

“We shall still overwhelm him.”

“The Time Wound is gone.”

“Which is a relief. The Dragonborn Prophecy was written into the Elder Scroll after Alduin was banished. It was blank before then.”

“Too much of this and we shall all end up guests of Lord Sheogorath.“

“Well, he has a good cheese collection. Perhaps his wines are as varied.“

The group were still on high alert with weapons drawn and spells prepared. The only relaxed ones were Inigo and Cian.

I wandered over to Inigo the Brave. He certainly earned that title and was always using his swords, not his bow.

He smiled and said, “That was exhilarating. I think Alduin will think twice before messing with you again. What a fight!”

“He will think twice before messing with us again, Inigo. We combined our skills well like a clockwork machine. I hope Jarl Balgruuf is in a good mood.”

I gathered the group and teleported us inside Dragonsreach.

Some Vigilants of Stendarr saw us materialise but did not bother us, which was wise.

As we approached the Jarl, he was arguing with his brother.

• Hrongar: Have you reconsidered my idea?
• Balgruuf: I haven’t changed my mind, if that’s what you are asking. I will not leave Whiterun defenceless, even for a day.
• Hrongar: If we send half our guards to aid the legions, just for a few days, it could tip the scales in the Empire’s favour. The Companions can help protect the city, and Emperor Mede will be in our debt.
• Balgruuf: Have you lost all sense? We are short on guards as it is! If we lose half our men, lawbreakers will have the run of the city. The Stormcloaks will be the least of our worries! The answer is no, I tell you! Now stop pestering me with your war-mongering!

I coughed loudly, and the conversation ended.

• Wulf: Numbers are not the issue, Hrongar. His Imperial Majesty could easily quadruple the number of Legionnaires and the war would still drag on.
• Balgruuf: You were listening?
• Wulf: Half of Whiterun were listening. You do not whisper when riled, my Jarl.
• Irileth: Can you guess what got him riled, Thane Welkynd?
• Wulf: A visit from Vigilants of Stendarr seeking non-existent Daedra worshippers.
• Irileth: Yes, indeed. I had to remind them we have very capable guards and do not need their assistance.
• Wulf: And that led to the discussion about lending some guards to General Tullius.
• Irileth: You are observant and would make an excellent spy.
• Wulf: Like the one who infiltrated the Thalmor Embassy during a party and killed dozens of guards. I wonder what useful information they retrieved.
• Irileth: Perhaps that spy might be generous in sharing such useful information.
• Wulf: Oh, I am sure they will, when the time is right.
• Balgruuf: Thane Welkynd, for the last few hours, explosions and The Voice could be heard from The Throat of the World. Countless citizens have come here to ask their Jarl what is happening.
• Inigo: That was us kicking Alduin in the goolies! Oh, my name is Inigo, in case you have forgotten.
• Balgruuf: You fought Alduin and survived? Does that mean the dragon problem is over?
• Wulf: Not yet, for Alduin has fled to Sovngarde, and we must follow him. Only in Sovngarde can he truly be defeated.
• Balgruuf: Okay, but I guess you aren’t visiting every Jarl to inform them of this.
• Inigo: Only the Jarls whose castles have handy dragon traps. Counting you, that makes a total of one!
• Wulf: You would never make a diplomat, Inigo.
• Inigo: I don’t know. The Kingdom of Fleas has an embassy near my right ear.
• Balgruuf: Inigo, please be quiet, or Irileth will tie you up and put you in the corner.
• Wulf: He might enjoy that.
• Inigo: Okay, being quiet.
• Wulf: I need to trap a dragon in your palace.
• Balgruuf: I must have misheard you. I thought you said you needed to trap a dragon in my palace.
• Wulf: Is the dragon trap apparatus still in position and operational?
• Balgruuf: Yes, it is a part of the city’s history. The stories intrigue many visitors who want to see how the trap works. It was last greased less than a month ago.
• Wulf: I will challenge Alduin’s Lieutenant, Odahviing, to a fight. He cannot refuse, as that would be cowardice, and his reputation would be shredded. When he comes to fight me, I will use what I learned from travelling back in time to force his landing. Then we trap him. Simple.
• Balgruuf: You went back in time?
• Inigo: Wulf does a lot of weird things. Oops, back to being quiet.
• Wulf: You can read about it soon, but we need to get moving on this while Alduin is weakened.
• Balgruuf: And what use will this captured dragon be?
• Wulf: He will accept that my Thu’um is stronger. Then he will tell me how Alduin gets to Sovngarde.
• Irileth: Surely, my Jarl, you can’t allow this plan!
• Wulf: You have heard about that attack on the cities. We ended them, but not before many deaths and much damage. Do not think that Alduin is done with Whiterun. If we allow him to regain strength, he might send dragons to reduce this city and its citizens to ashes.
• Balgruuf: There have been stories in the news sheets. They were shocking enough, but the official reports from the Jarls are terrifying.
• Wulf: So, what will it be, my Jarl? Will you help me defend Skyrim, or hide under a table and hope the dragons disappear? Perhaps I should ask Lady Ivy Balgruuf?
• Balgruuf: Leave my wife out of this!
• Wulf: I am being frank because time is of the essence. A decision, my Jarl.
• Balgruuf: Irileth, if we can’t trust Wulf and Dragonguard, who can we trust?
• Irileth: You are right. I have no reason to question their plan.
• Balgruuf: Dragonborn, Whiterun will stand with you and the Dragonguard. We will take the risk and gain the glory, whether in victory or defeat.
• Wulf: Good. We are ready to go, but you must agree to obey my orders. If not, we shall find another way of convincing Odahviing to cooperate.
• Balgruuf: Yes, of course. We know nothing about fighting dragons.
• Wulf: We won’t be fighting him. I will taunt him, and his anger will overcome his caution. He could kill you in seconds. You and Irileth can watch, but don’t attract his attention, or you will die.
• Balgruuf: Understood.
• Wulf: And you, Irileth.
• Irileth: I will do as told, Thane Welkynd.
• Wulf: And to think, I didn’t even have to throw my noble title at you.
• Irileth: Give me ten minutes to inform some guards and have them on the street.
• Wulf: Good idea. Civilians and guards may panic when Odahviing arrives. It will get noisy!

Fifteen minutes later, Irileth had organised the guards on the streets, and Jarl Balgruuf had organised guards to spring the trap.

We made our way to the balcony, but Balgruuf, Irileth and a guard were standing in the open.

I walked over to Balgruuf and said, “You must stand at the back, where the Dragonguard are. Even there, remain quiet and do not attract Odahviing’s attention.”

When everybody was in position, I used a bit of Thu’um and said, “Nobody is to say a word. No weapons are to be drawn. No spells prepared. I want Odahviing’s undivided attention.”

Balgruuf said, “You call me loud. All of Whiterun would have heard that.”

Inigo laughed and said, “You have no idea how loud The Voice can be.”

I walked to the edge of the balcony and looked skywards. I did not want to risk harming others.

Using the full strength of my Thu’um, I issued my challenge,

“OD-AH-VIING! ZU’U DOVAHKIIN, WULF WELKYND, KORAAV HI. HI FEN BO, UV HI FEN KROSIS.” (Odahviing! I, the Dragonborn, Wulf Welkynd, challenge you. You will come, or you will know shame.)

As happened when the Greybeards summoned me, The Voice echoed from the mountains. Dogs went wild, and other mayhem erupted. The Whiterun Guards will be cursing my name.

• Balgruuf: Fuck!
• Irileth: My Jarl!
• Balgruuf: Lucky I warned Ivy and the children.
• Inigo: Told you so.

Any further banter was abandoned when Odahviing roared his acceptance.

Odahviing circled then landed on the balcony’s ledge.

He hit me with a full-strength Unrelenting Force.

I laughed and did not move an inch.

I was quite adept at reading the facial expression of dragons. Odahviing’s was one of surprise.

He took off and hovered for a few seconds before Dragonrend slammed into him.

He crashed onto the balcony then tried Unrelenting Force again, with the same result.

I yawned. Even dragons know that form of contempt.

Dragonfire was next, and I slowly backpedalled. It hurt, but I did not want Odahviing to know that.

I replied with Dragonrend, and, like Alduin, it was almost like I had landed a solid punch.

Odahviing was enraged. All he wanted to do was kill the insolent mortal.

When he was in place, I yelled, “RELEASE!”

Odahviing halted, briefly looked up and saw the harness dropping.

He roared, “NID!”

I Shouted, “GEH!”

When the harness hit Odahviing’s neck, restraints sprang, and the collar encircled it.

I told the observers, “Nobody is to approach. Let Odahviing calm down, and for Dragonrend to dissipate!”

Twenty seconds later, Odahviing stopped roaring, and I calmly walked up to him.

• Inigo: Hehe! Look at that silly gas bag. I bet Odahviing is feeling very embarrassed now.
• Odahviing: Silence, mortal cat, before I devour you.
• Inigo: That is an impressive threat. It would be more convincing if you were not hanging from the ceiling.
• Lydia: Would you like us to open the trap and let you try entering again with greater dignity?
• Rigmor: Such enormous wings, such terrible judgement.
• Wulf: Okay children, you have had your fun. Now let me speak to Odahviing without interruption.
• Rigmor: Party pooper!

“We shall speak the common tongue, Odahviing, so Brojun Balgruuf the Greater and others understand.”

“Nid! Horvutah med kodaav. Caught like a bear in a trap… Zok frini grind ko grah drun viiki, Dovahkiin. My… eagerness to meet you in battle was my… undoing.”

“I knew you would want to test yourself against me, and I laughed and yawned to make you angrier. It is a good tactic, as many enemies make mistakes when anger takes over.”

“I salute your, hmm, low cunning in devising such a grahmindol – stratagem.”

“I am Dov, and I know how we react. It was intelligent planning, not cunning.”

“Zu’u bonaar. You went to a great deal of trouble to put me in this… humiliating position. Hind siiv Alduin, hmm? No doubt you want to know where to find Alduin?”

“I know he is hiding in Sovngarde. He needs to consume more souls quickly before we arrive and defeat him. I need to know how he gets to Sovngarde so I can follow.”

“Rinik vazah. Hiding is an apt phrase. Alduin bovul. I came to your call to test your Thu’um for myself. Many of us have begun questioning Alduin’s lordship, whether his Thu’um was truly the strongest. Among ourselves, of course. Mu ni meyye. None were yet ready to defy him openly.”

“I am not interested in your politics. Tell me how I get to Sovngarde.”

“Unslaad krosis. Innumerable pardons. I digress. As you said, Alduin has travelled to Sovngarde to regain his strength, devouring the sillesejoor… the souls of the mortal dead. A privilege he jealously guards… His door to Sovngarde is at Skuldafn, one of his ancient fanes high in the eastern mountains. Mindoraan, pah ok middovahhe lahvraan til. I surely do not need to warn you that all his remaining strength is marshalled there. Zu’u lost ofan hin laan… now that I have answered your question, you will allow me to go free?”

“Tell me how to get to Skuldalfn, and I give you my word that I will release you once Alduin is defeated.”

“Hmm… krosis. There is one… detail about Skuldafn I neglected to mention.”

“Which is?”

“You have the Thu’um of a Dovah, but without the wings of one, you will never set foot in Skuldafn. Of course, I could fly you there, but not while imprisoned like this.”

“I can fly without wings, Odahviing. Plus, I can call upon one of my allies, such as Silah or Nahfahlaar. I have an airship. I do not need to climb on your back to get there, just a mark on a map.”

“And if I refuse?”

“You recruited weaker dragons. They still did great damage and killed many. But that was self-preservation. Mu ni meyye. None were yet ready to defy Alduin openly.”

“That is true, but I did what I could to weaken Alduin.”

Just then, Farengar came marching up as if Odahviing was incapable of turning him into ash. I stood in front of him.

• Farengar: Incredible! Uh… sir, you have no idea how long I have waited for such an opportunity! I would be most appreciative if you would permit me to perform some, ah, tests on you, purely in the interests of the advancement of knowledge.
• Odahviing: Begone, mage.
• Farengar: I assure you, you will not even notice the tests. Most of them are hardly painful at all to a large dragon such as yourself.
• Irileth: Farengar, that is a very bad idea, even for you.
• Farengar: Surely the dragon will not miss a few scales… or a small amount of blood…
• Wulf: What do you think you are doing, Court Mage Farengar?
• Farengar: Think what we could learn! A living dragon, restrained and entirely at our disposal.
• Wulf: He is not at our disposal. He is a prisoner under my protection.
• Farengar: I was only suggesting a few samples.
• Wulf: Pain does not become civilised because a scholar takes notes while inflicting it.
• Farengar: But…
• Wulf: He is a Dovah, my Celestial Brother, born of the same blood that circulates within me. But that should not matter. You do not need to share blood with someone before recognising when curiosity begets immorality.
• Farengar: Surely, as a mage you understand the value of knowledge.
• Wulf: If your compassion ends where scales begin, Farengar, then it was never compassion. It was merely preference. You would not ask to take such samples from an Elf or other sentient being. Now go, before it is your blood that is spilled!
• Farengar: How dare…
• Wulf: How dare I? I am Dragonborn and Champion of The Divines. I am a Thane of Whiterun. Odahviing is my prisoner and therefore, he is my responsibility. You have no say in this matter or authority. I do.
• Balgruuf: Farengar! Enough! A Thane has given you a command. Obey it or find another place of employment.

Farengar stood in the corner and was wise not to say another word.

I returned my attention to Odahviing.

“Let us test your contrition. Odahviing, do you swear on Bormahu, on Lord Akatosh, that you will fly me to Skuldafn if I release you from this trap?”

“You can trust me. Zu’u ni tahrodiis. Alduin has proven himself unworthy to rule. I go my own way now. Free me, and I will carry you to Skuldafn.”

“Then we have a deal, Odahviing.”

I called up to the guard, “Open the trap.”

He called back down, “Are you sure about that?”

“Let’s all become enslaved because you know more about Alduin and dragons than I do! I am Thane Welkynd, and I order you to open the trap. Do it now or spend a week in the brig after I pull the lever myself.”

“Oh…ah…of course, Thane.”

The lever was pulled, and counterweights lifted the harness to free Odahviing.

Odahviing slowly turned and shuffled to the end of the balcony.

I walked over to Rigmor and Celestine.

• Wulf: It may take hours to battle through Skuldafn. I do not know how long it will take to traverse Sovngarde, and the battle with Alduin will likely take longer than the one at The Throat of the World.
• Rigmor: I am okay, Wulf. Please take my word for it.
• Wulf: Celestine, people’s Lifeforce will slowly drain in Sovngarde. You must use your skills to keep them healthy. With the aid of the Ancient Tongues, we will do enough damage without your sword or Destruction spells.
• Celestine: I understand.
• Rigmor: Wulf?
• Wulf: I would be a fool to question your honesty in this matter, Rigmor. Even on Odahviing’s back, it may take some time to reach Skuldafn. His speed is restricted by the mortal desperately holding on. Rest while you can. Eat while you can.
• Rigmor: Oh, Celestine, my Lifeforce will not drain. Lord Talos placed a dweomer on my amulet to prevent that.
• Celestine: I shall ensure everybody relaxes and eats, Wulf. We shall be ready for your summons.

I walked over, mounted Odahviing and then said, “Come, let us enjoy the skies of Kieval together.”

Odahviing chuckled, leapt into the air, and trumpeted, “Amativ! Mu bo kotin stinselok.”

I laughed and replied, “Indeed, let us fly onwards into the freedom of the sky!”

It took just over an hour to reach Skuldafn.

I dismounted.

“You are free to go, Odahviing. It is likely not wise for you to linger here in case Alduin wins.”

“Krif voth ahkrin. I will look for your return, or Alduin’s.”

“We always fight bravely. Perhaps you might take advantage of the thermals of Monhaven while waiting?”

“That is an excellent suggestion. If it is to be my last flight, I would have enjoyed it immensely.

As Odahviing departed Skuldafn, I hoped I would have no cause to kill him later.

I summoned the group.

• Inigo: Woah! That was a bumpy one! This place smells exciting. Where are we, My Friend?
• Wulf: We are in Skuldafn. It is one of many cities that mortals and Dov once shared. Now it is Alduin’s eerie.
• Lydia: Will this place be heavily guarded?
• Wulf: I expect many Draugr will be here, all the most potent kind. Close on them fast, as they will be users of The Voice.
• Rigmor: What about dragons?
• Wulf: I don’t know how many Dov remain loyal to Alduin. If any, they will be here.
• Inigo: Giant spiders?
• Wulf: Probably not.
• Inigo: This place no longer smells exciting.
• Rigmor: But there are Zoombies! Isn’t that exciting?
• Inigo: If excitement forces one to soil their pants, then yes.
• Lydia: I really need to hear why you are terrified of Draugr.
• Rigmor: Me too!
• Wulf: Despite Inigo’s phobia, he has no hesitation fighting Draugr.
• Inigo: But I would much prefer if we visited places with no Zoombies!
• Wulf: Is everybody rested? It took over an hour to get here. Odahviing went as fast as he could with me holding on!
• Rigmor: Lady Balgruuf spoilt us silly. She is a lovely person and not grumpy like her husband. Their children are a mixed bag.
• Wulf: Frothar is a little gentleman. Dagny is a spoiled brat. Nelkir is quiet and reserved.
• Lydia: Dagny thought I was still a guard and tried to order me around.
• Wulf: I told Lady Balgruuf a week or two in one of my orphanages would straighten Dagny out.
• Lydia: That is a great idea. A week or two without luxury would be ideal.
• Wulf: She would soon find out that ordering other children around is a shortcut to isolation.
• Rigmor: Yeah, the bossy kids in Bruma soon learnt when they were not invited to play.
• Inigo: That sounds safer than my parents’ solution.
• Wulf: They were assassins, Inigo.
• Lydia: You didn’t kill other children, did you?
• Inigo: No, but I became an expert at hitting soft spots with hard rocks. Khajiiti often attract race-based bullying. A blue Khajiiti attracts far more. After a few bruises and the story spreading, the bullies stayed away from me.
• Lydia: I am not judging you, Inigo. I was not in your situation.

Our conversation was cut short by the roar of a diving dragon.

Dragonrend resulted in an awkward landing.

A quick flurry of blows from us soon ended Vuzsahrotnaal’s existence.

We eliminated many Skeletal Warriors and Draugr before another dragon attacked.

Mulqithiimkrii lasted no longer than Vuzsahrotnaal.

We fought our way past dozens more enemies before arriving at some intricate doors.

• Wulf: There will be dozens more of the powerful Draugr inside. It could take us many hours to fight our way through them.
• Rigmor: Do we have a choice?
• Wulf: Yes, can you see the portal above us?
• Rigmor: Is that what it is? It appeared soon after we arrived.
• Wulf: I will fly up there and see if we can access the portal.
• Vayu: Good idea. The only reason we would need to enter this place is if an artifact is required.
• Rigmor: Why didn’t you fly there earlier?
• Wulf: I thought we would fight our way to the portal outside, where we have relatively little difficulty. I did not think we would have to fight through a building. The Draugr are a much more difficult opponent in such a place.
• Inigo: The ones we encountered to get to this door have been the toughest opponents I have ever faced.
• Vayu: It is worth trying.

I flew to the roof and killed a powerful Draugr before summoning the group.

We made our way to the portal, and a Dragon Priest had his back to us.

He said, “Alduin! Alduin! Hin dein los krent! Skuldafn los briik! Dovahkiin los ko miiraad wah Sovngarde! Rok meyz!”

I killed him and other guardians of the portal with Dragonfire.

I inspected the remains of the Dragon Priest.

• Wulf: His name is Nahkriin. Eight of the most powerful Dragon Priests were considered the leaders of the Dragon Cult. He was one of them.
• Rigmor: What was he saying?
• Wulf: Alduin! Alduin! Your guard is broken! Skuldafn is breached! The Dragonborn is at the portal to Sovngarde! He comes!
• Vayu: Alduin was expecting us, but probably not so soon.
• Wulf: If Nahkriin was keeping Alduin informed, the World Eater likely thought we would be fighting his guards for another couple of hours.

I walked over to a staff with its end embedded in a hole.

• Wulf: This staff is the key to the portal. While it is inserted, the portal is open.
• Rigmor: Are you certain the portal is not a trap?
• Wulf: It leads to Sovngarde, which is part of Aetherius, so the portal feels familiar.
• Vayu: Wulf cannot summon us from another plane. Therefore, our only choice is to enter the portal.
• Rigmor: Well, I trust Wulf’s assessment.
• Wulf: Let’s go. I hope Sovngarde is not as boring as it sounds.
• Inigo: Well, have fun, My Friend, and tell me about it when you get back.
• Wulf: Why aren’t you coming with us?
• Inigo: I am a Khajiiti, and they are not allowed in Sovngarde.
• Rigmor: Perhaps you are dreaming, Inigo. And in your dream, you can follow us into Sovngarde and become a hero!
• Inigo: Mmm…I wouldn’t want to spoil such a wonderful dream. Therefore, I shall follow, and if I find myself in Sovngarde, I will know I am dreaming!

We all stepped through the beam.

Above us was the Aetherius portal.

I turned and made sure all of us arrived in Sovngarde.

Inigo was excited.

• Lydia: Is this truly Sovngarde?
• Wulf: Yes, it is. It is a part of Aetherius, so it feels familiar to me.
• Vayu: If you look up, you can see the portal to the rest of Aetherius.
• Celestine: Mortals cannot stay in Sovngarde for prolonged periods. Your Lifeforce will slowly be absorbed until you die, and your Conscience will be sent to The Void.
• Wulf: I can stay here indefinitely, and thanks to a dweomer Father placed on Rigmor’s amulet, so can she.
• Vayu: You can be here for many hours before you are endangered.
• Celestine: I will make sure everybody’s Lifeforce does not get too low. Healing spells will renew it.
• Inigo: This place is how I always imagined Sovngarde. I am not a dead Nord, so it must be a dream. Interesting.
• Wulf: Woah! I am also not dead or a Nord!
• Inigo: Woah!
• Celestine: Double woah! I am also not dead or a Nord!
• Inigo: Woah and woah!
• Vayu: Wow! I am not dead or a Nord!
• Inigo: Triple woah!
• Seiko: How strange. I am not a Nord and am alive!
• Inigo: Quadruple woah!
• Wulf: You seem excited, Inigo.
• Inigo: You would not believe my dream. I cannot wait to wake up and tell you all about it.
• Wulf: I don’t think you are invulnerable in your dreams, so be careful if we encounter an imaginary Alduin.
• Inigo: Point taken. Ahh, Lydia, why are you in this dream?
• Lydia: Am I wearing clothes?
• Inigo: It is a pleasant dream, not a nightmare!
• Lydia: One of my biggest ambitions, ever since my mother first taught me the recipe when I was a little girl, is to cook Apple Cabbage Stew for Shor and the heroes in Sovngarde. Perhaps you invited me?
• Inigo: Yes, that sounds like the generous Inigo the Brave everybody loves. My Friend and I can help you achieve that ambition!
• Rigmor: We can all help Lydia achieve her ambition!
• Lydia: It is so nice for you all to help me!
• Wulf: Let us go to the Hall of Valour, where magical cooking pots await to create an endless supply of Apple Cabbage Stew! I am positive Lord Shor had provided the needed ventilation.

Sovngarde was pretty, but I expected more from the Nord afterlife. The Hall of Valour sounds dull enough, but if the only respite would be to wander around this average-looking valley, I can understand the eternal drinking, brawling, and boasting.

We could hear Alduin flying around, so I said, “If we see Alduin, do not attack him. Do not taunt him. I want the Ancient Tongues to fight beside us. That will increase the odds of us surviving, and they have earned the right to help finish the task they started.”

Rigmor asked, “Who are those enormous statues supposed to be?”

“Nobody in particular. Some people call them Watchers.”

“Ahh, why?”

“They will pivot and follow us as we travel through Sovngarde.”

“You are kidding! Aren’t you?”

“No, I am not. Lord Shor placed them to remind everybody that he can see everything happening in Sovngarde.”

“I hope they are not in the privies!”

“Dead people do not need to use a privy.”

“What about mortal visitors?”

“There are plenty of bushes.”

“What about privy paper?”

“In days of old, when Nords were bold, and privy paper had yet been invented. They would wipe their arse with blades of grass and walk away contented.”

“You are annoying sometimes, Dragonbum.”

Inigo started mouthing the poem and playing a nonexistent lute.

I asked, “Inigo, are you composing a song derived from my poem?”

“Yes, My Friend. I am trying to determine the key and whether a lute or harp should be the bard’s instrument.”

“Do not forget to use a Bass Shawm in parts. BRAAM-braam-brum.”

“The perfect flatulence sound! You are a genius!”

We approached some mist. It was not harmful but did obscure our view.

I told the group, “I think Alduin uses his Thu’um to produce this mist. It would make it difficult for the dead to find The Hall of Valour. The Clear Skies Shout should remove it.”

Clear Skies did remove the mist, but it soon formed again behind us.

I pointed to Watchers that had pivoted and said, “Lord Shor is watching you, Rigmor. Do not pick your nose!”

“But I’m hungry and was thinking about those Chaurus Eggs!“

A Clear Skies Shout was required regularly. I hoped we were going in the right direction, because every map I saw of Sovngarde was different.

We caught glimpses of Alduin, and he saw us.

A bit later, a Clear Skies Shout showed not only The Hall of Valour, but the lost spirit of a Stormcloak.

He said, “Many have braved this shadowed vale, but in vain.”

“And why is that?”

“Courage and determination are no good against Alduin, whose hunger is insatiable. He hunts us lost souls.”

“Where did you die, soldier?”

“Near Giant’s Gap. In the gloom before dawn, we marched, unsuspecting, into the Imperials’ trap. We stood and fought with our shield-wall, an impenetrable defence. When dawn arrived, the Legion’s ranks were wavering. I do not know which side was the victor, for an arrow ended my life.”

“I am Lord Wulf Welkynd, Dragonborn and Champion of The Divines. We defeated Alduin at The Throat of The World, and he fled here. We shall defeat him again, and then the way to The Hall of Valour will be seen by all lost souls.”

“I saw it when I first arrived. My pain and fear vanished, but then the mists rolled in.”

“We shall hurry. When Alduin is on the wing, he is hunting. Every time he lands, another soul is lost.”

“Then Hurry! Before Alduin takes your life. Bring word to Lord Shor of our fate.”

“Alduin knows we are here and has not attacked, for he knows our strength. Lord Shor will be aware of what is happening.”

“I felled many foes and was fearless in battle, but I have no defence to the terror within this valley.”

“Alduin wants you to give up hope and to fear him. Do not, for he fears us.”

We continued, with the lost Stormcloak watching us but not following.

We came to a steep set of stone stairs.

• Wulf: Those steps do not lead to The Hall of Valour.
• Rigmor: Are you positive?
• Wulf: They probably lead to a ledge that usually provides a great view of the hall. But the mist would ruin such a view. Instinct tells me to go left, past the stairs.
• Lydia: Why didn’t you ask the Stormcloak his name?
• Wulf: A name is a thread. Once carried back, it binds the dead again to every grief, quarrel and duty they left behind. The Divines told me not to pull upon those threads.
• Vayu: The dead are not a ledger for the living. The moment Wulf brings back one name, every grieving family will ask for another. And when he cannot give them one, they will believe the silence means the worst.
• Wulf: I will not turn my knowledge of Sovngarde and Aetherius into something that will aid some, but harm more.
• Lydia: I understand.
• Inigo: My Friend, your desire to do no harm involves many complicated matters.
• Wulf: And if I ever make a mistake, I will need Rigmor and others to remind me I am not infallible.
• Rigmor: I am quite happy to remind you of that whenever you disagree with me.
• Celestine: That is good to hear. You will eventually train him to your satisfaction, Rigmor.
• Inigo: That is another advantage of being Khajiiti. You cannot see the thumb marks on the forehead through the fur.
• Vayu: But we will know when Ko’rassa has had enough and kicks you in the goolies.
• Lydia: Should that word be an entry in Weird Sayings of a Weirdo?
• Vayu: Yes, it was one we learnt from our Grandmaster.
• Wulf: Which I learnt from Mother. Saint Alessia was renowned for her kicks to the goolies when a male deserved it.
• Rigmor: Is that true?
• Wulf: Mother or not, making such a claim if not true is blasphemy.
• Rigmor: No wonder she became Empress.
• Wulf: Strictly speaking, she was never Empress. She founded the Empire as Queen-ut-Cyrod or Alessia the Free. Later historians named her the First Empress. Her son by Lord Morihaus, Belharza the Man-Bull, has always been called the Second Emperor of the Alessian Empire even though, technically, he was the first.
• Rigmor: Since we are talking about historical inaccuracies…
• Wulf: No!
• Rigmor: I haven’t asked anything yet.
• Wulf: Your mischief is written on your face and transmitted via Tirlineth.
• Rigmor: Then you know there is genuine curiosity as well.
• Wulf: Go ahead, but I already know the topic.
• Rigmor: Your Minotaur friends are quite large, and your mother was petite, and well, you know. Did she knock boots with a Minotaur?

Celestine gasped, as did Lydia and Seiko.

• Wulf: Lord Morihaus was not of the Minotaur race. He was a demigod associated with the form of a winged bull and could take on a more Nedic-like form. My mother did not mate with him in Minotaur form. She is called the mother of Minotaurs because their son was the first of that race. Lady Kynareth then created other Minotaurs because the form pleased her.
• Lydia: No need to turn red, Rigmor. I always wondered the same thing.
• Seiko: I think most women would wonder about that. And the birth of a baby with horns? Ouch in its conception and double ouch in its birth.
• Celestine: You are not the first to ask the question, Rigmor. Just the most direct.
• Rigmor: When he changed into the more Nedic-like form, were all parts of him proportional?
• Lydia: That is a legitimate follow-up inquiry, Wulf.
• Wulf: We are walking through the afterlife to confront the World Eater, and this is the mystery that occupies your minds?
• Inigo: This conversation is making me uncomfortable.
• Celestine: I understand, Inigo. Male bits is usually a topic we discuss when no males are present. That prevents feelings of inadequacy.
• Inigo: There is nothing inadequate about Inigo the Brave!
• Wulf: That denial will be used as proof that you do, in fact, feel inadequate. It is best to remain silent.
• Inigo: That is good advice, My Friend.
• Wulf: When racist arseholes usurped the Alessian Empire, Minotaurs were no longer allowed to be seen as sophisticated, intelligent beings. Lord Morihaus was no longer recognised as the son of Kyne, or that subsequent Minotaurs were her creation. Mother’s relationship with Lord Morihaus was cleansed in the histories, and those opposed to the Alessian Empire turned it into a crude depiction of a barbarian woman mating with a beast.
• Vayu: Yet King Hrol expiring after enthusiastically coupling with a muddy hillock is elevated into sacred Imperial mythology because the resulting infant was Reman Cyrodiil.
• Wulf: Worst still, that muddy hole was supposed to be Mother!
• Inigo: Ladies, imagine your private parts being called a muddy hole!
• Rigmor: That would result in a good kick in the goolies!
• Lydia: Two kicks.
• Celestine: Let us be truthful here, ladies. The male who made that comparison would never be able to father children and would have difficulty walking for months.
• Inigo: Ahh, I did not make the suggestion but just posed the question.
• Wulf: Come on, we are supposed to be eliminating Alduin, not making Inigo worry about his dangly bits.
• Rigmor: Normal size or not?
• Wulf: Ask Mother when you meet her. I would not know because a son does not pry into his mother’s intimate encounters.

We took the road to the left, past the steps. A while later, a familiar figure came into view.

Alduin swooped low. If he knew who was in front of us, he may have risked claiming his soul and forcing a confrontation.

I knew the man from paintings. I had never met him when he was alive.

I bowed and said, “I am honoured to meet you, my King.”

High King Torygg replied, “When Ulfric challenged me, I faced him fearlessly knowing it meant my death. My honour was upheld. Was Ulfric’s?”

“Ulfric has no honour. He used the guise of friendship as an opportunity to issue that challenge. Then, when faced with an unblooded but brave opponent, he dismissed his martial skills and used The Voice. That is one of many offences that label Ulfric Stormcloak a traitor, murderer and blasphemer. Yet he will find his way to The Hall of Honour when I kill him.”

“My fair Elisif did not try to prevent me from fulfilling my duty. That is the only thing I regret, leaving her forlorn and alone in that cesspool of politics.”

“You fulfilled your duty. You could not refuse Ulfric’s challenge. Although you showed courage, it is your devotion to duty that should be honoured. Yet you have been summoned to Sovngarde for your courage and your Nord blood. This afterlife is not the place for you, my King.”

“You said you will kill Ulfric.”

“I am here to put an end to Alduin. Eventually I will confront Ulfric and challenge him. He stands no chance, but neither did you. It will be interesting to see if his sense of duty will allow him to accept the challenge or if he will once more display his cowardly ways.”

“Please, tell Elisif I am sorry. She deserves to be loved and to love.”

“Elisif will be High Queen. Let us hope she does marry for love, and not allow the cesspool of politics to choose for her.”

Torygg stared into infinity. The conversation was over.

We continued towards The Hall of Honour in silence. I will talk to Elisif about Torygg. I did not ask his name. I did not break my rule. Elisif deserves to know his soul is safe after we defeat Alduin, and she will be discreet.

Tsun waited for us to approach. I knew the formalities he would insist be followed. I was not in the mood for the nonsense. I warned the group, “It is important that Tsun and I speak without interruption. No matter how witty you think something is, bite your tongue and do not utter it.”

I stood in front of Tsun, and for a change, it was me looking up to meet somebody’s eyes.

Tsun asked, “What brings you, wayfarer grim, to wander here, in Sovngarde, souls-end, Shor’s gift to honoured dead?”

“Alduin brings me, Shield-Thane Tsun. I have come to end his hunt. And it seemed a pleasant day for a walk. Your brother makes an impressive bridge!”

Rigmor sniggered.

Tsun continued, “A fateful errand. No few have chafed to face the Worm since first he set his soul-snare here at Sovngarde’s threshold. But Shor restrained our wrathful onslaught, perhaps deep counselled, your doom he foresaw.”

“Lord Shor knows who I am and has deep counselled with my father and the other eight. He was not foolish enough to send those already safe within The Hall of Honour to feed the World Eater. Alduin’s defeat is more likely now we are here. To improve the chance of victory, I seek access to the Hall.”

“No shade are you, as usually here passes, but living, you dare the land of the dead. By what right do you request entry?”

“I could claim nobility or other rights. However, I declare the right of necessity. Alduin devours the souls you stand here to guard, and I have come to stop him. If that grants me no passage, then your laws now serve the World Eater.”

“Your blood and spirit are not hidden from my sight, son of sacred lineages.”

“Then you know exactly who I am and why I have come. My parentage does not make me worthy, and striking you with a sword will not make Alduin any less dangerous. Stand aside.”

“None cross the Whalebone Bridge untested. Such is the law entrusted to me.”

“Laws are meant to defend what matters. Alduin is consuming the souls that your laws are supposed to protect. If you already know my blood, my deeds and my purpose, then this is not a test. It is a ceremony performed while souls are being devoured.”

“Bold words, son of Talos.”

“True words. I did not come for admission to the Hall. I came to save it! We are talking in circles, Shield-Thane Tsun. Stand aside.”

Tsun did a slight bow of his head and stood aside.

I turned to my friends.

I told them, “I have been given access to the Hall. Unless you want to take turns belting Shield-Thane Tsun and being belted in return, wait here. I will not be long. When I return, it will be with the Ancient Tongues.”

Rigmor coughed, which is code for, “We need to talk!”

I turned to my beloved.

“Yes, Rigmor?”

“Manners, Wulf. Are you trying to be a bearded barbarian?”

“Please and thank you are not part of Lord Shor or his Shield-Thane’s vocabulary. Believe it or not, I know what I am doing.”

“I suppose the whole thing is a bit silly.”

“Oh, you are here to risk your very existence to save us all. But let us play dumb games anyway.”

“I am sorry. I was just a bit shocked listening to a stranger with your voice.”

“Always trust Tirlineth, Rigmor. There was no anger but resolve and perhaps a bit of urgency.”

“We shall be ready, Wulf. Try not to throttle Ysgramor or Jurgen Windcaller.”

“I would feel guilty enjoying myself while Alduin is still consuming souls.”

“You can explain Tsun’s brother bit to me later.”

Rigmor smiled, and I proceeded to cross the Whalebone Bridge.

The bridge is made of the bones of Tsun’s brother, Stuhn. He was also a Shield-Thane of Shor. However, it was an aspect of Stuhn, his whale manifestation, that contributed the bones. Stuhn transformed from demigod to Divine when he became Stendarr. The Nord pantheon’s totemic symbol for Stuhn is a whale. Tsun’s is a bear.

The architecture of The Hall of Honour is not to my taste.

Upon entering the hall, I was underwhelmed. Where is the laughter of children? Where is the celebration of mortal achievements? There was no art, apart from the same Nord totemic figures that also exist in Aethsela. I will have to ask Father if he got design tips from Lord Shor.

The Hall of Valour is just an enlarged mead hall. Boring!

Of all the ‘Heroes’ Lord Shor could have sent to greet me, he chose Ysgramor. I noticed Shor’s throne looked empty. That did not mean he was not present.

I was not expecting the effeminate voice that left the butcher’s throat. I had to contain my laughter.

Ysgramor said, “Welcome, Dragonborn! Our door has stood empty since Alduin first set his soul-snare here. By Shor’s command we sheathed our blades and ventured not the vale’s dark mist. But three await your word…”

“Spare me the welcome. I came to offer genuine heroes a chance to fight Alduin by my side, not to trade courtesies with somebody whose greatest legacy is genocide. How many times have they toasted your vengeance, Ysgramor? Do you ever tell them what the women screamed when being raped? What about the cries of the babies and children butchered because of their race? Did any of the elderly beg for mercy? Lord Shor should have let you fight Alduin and made this place more palatable.”

Ysgramor looked stunned.

Somebody in the fighting square called out, “Who would have guessed the Dragonborn was an Elf Lover. Nord women too much for you to handle? The only thing Ysgramor did wrong was die when there were still elves alive!”

His colleagues laughed, so I ran over and cut down half a dozen of the ‘heroes’ in seconds before others halted their charge towards me. It is likely that Lord Shor told them to cease.

It was a pity as Jurgen Windcaller has just joined the brawl.

I growled, “Oh look, I must be a hero because I defeated the helpless! Where are your families? Or were they nothing to you compared to the false glory of battle? Have a mead and boast how an Elf Lover made you look pathetic.”

I was wasting time and did not bother speaking to the heroes I recognised.

Maraamur was an ancient bard. I am unsure as to why he earned his place in Sovngarde. A portrait of him was donated to Dragonborn Gallery.

I was sorely tempted to ask Olaf One-Eye about Numinex but continued towards the Tongues.

I sensed Lord Shor’s presence as I passed his throne.

The Ancient Tongues had been waiting for me, and did not mention my confrontation with Ysgramor or the fighters.

• Gormlaith Golden-Hilt: At long last! Alduin’s doom is now ours to seal. Just speak the word, and with firm hearts we’ll hasten forth to smite the worm wherever he lurks.
• Felldir: Hold, comrades. Let us counsel take before battle is blindly joined. Alduin’s mist is more than a snare. Its shadowy gloom is his shield and cloak. But with four Voices joined, our valour combined, we can blast the mist and bring him to battle.
• Hakon: Felldir speaks wisdom. The World-Eater, coward, fears you, Dragonborn. We must drive away his mist, Shouting together, and then unsheathe our blades in desperate battle with our black-winged foe.
• Gormlaith Golden-Hilt: To battle, my friends! The fields will echo with the clamour of war, our wills undaunted.
• Wulf: Then let our fourfold thunder scour the gloom, bare the Worm to wrathful steel, and, should fortune favour us, restore plain speech to Sovngarde! Beware of the snappy part with teeth, Gormlaith. You are far comelier when not chewed in twain.

The Tongues were remarkably speedy, but I passed two of them without slipping and falling to the ravine.

We gathered at the bottom of the steps.

Gormlaith and Felldir stood to my right.

Hakon stood to my left.

Inigo, Rigmor and the Dragonguard Squad stood behind us. Tsun watched from a distance.

Felldir said, “We cannot fight the foe in this mist!”

I replied, “Follow my lead and Shout Clear Skies on the count of three. One… two… three….”

“LOK VAH KOOR!”

Four beings powerful in The Voice combined their Thu’um to clear the valley of Alduin’s mist.

From somewhere within the valley, Alduin Shouted, “VEN MUL RIIK!”

The mist returned.

I said, “Clear Skies again on the count of three, One… two… three….”

“LOK VAH KOOR!”

The mist cleared.

As before, Alduin Shouted, “VEN MUL RIIK!”

The mist returned.

I advised, “We can do this forever. Alduin uses up the Lifeforce of the souls he has consumed and will eventually tire. So, let us Shout till he must fight. Clear Skies again on the count of three, One… two… three….”

“LOK VAH KOOR!”

The mist cleared. This time it did not return!

I used my Thu’um and yelled, “BO ALDUIN AHRK GRIND HIN DAAN!” (Come Alduin and meet your doom!)

A soon as Alduin came over the crest of a mountain, Dragonrend slammed into him.

The fight was coordinated. We were being batted around and picking ourselves up whilst others continued attacking, with a warrior always before Alduin, keeping him occupied. Celestine and occasionally Vayu healed people and cast protective spells.

To my surprise, Silah arrived. I had not agreed to her participation or expected it.

When Dragonrend was active, Alduin was surrounded by a blue miasma. The Shout’s effects lasted for a fraction of the time on Alduin than on lesser dragons.

A couple of times, when I was busy picking myself off the ground, Alduin became airborne. The Ancient Tongues could not use The Voice as often as me. As soon as I was on my feet, Dragonrend would bring Alduin down again.

We had been battling for an hour when I noticed that Silah was badly injured. She was also getting caught by Dragonrend, which had a wide cone of effect.

I said telepathically, “Silah, please leave the fight. Celestine and Vayu cannot heal you, and Alduin is directing his rage towards you.”

“That was the idea of my surprise arrival, Valdr. While attacking me, he is not hurting you, Rigmor or your friends. He is weakening, but the battle is far from won. I shall talk to you later.”

Silah left Sovngarde.

The battle had covered a lot of ground, but eventually Alduin was rooted to one place, which allowed a rapid escalation in the damage we were causing.

Alduin was losing, and he knew it. No time was wasted on boasts, taunts, and threats.

Every time I was knocked flying, others would take my place in front of Alduin. He had no reprieve and could do little about those flanking him.

Celestine did not use her katana or staves. She was doing as I asked by healing and casting wards. I was almost killed several times, and either she or Vayu restored my health.

There was nothing subtle about the battle. We parried and dodged while landing quick blows when the opportunity arose.

Every thirty seconds, I Shouted Dragonrend to keep Alduin on the ground.

When I first engaged him, I could tell Alduin was not as strong as at The Throat of the World’s summit. By rushing to this fight, we had prevented him from consuming enough souls to achieve that strength.

Our combined attacks defeated Alduin in just over two hours. It took longer than at The Throat of The World because there was more room for the World Eater to utilise.

I stood back and used The Voice, “ALDUIN IS DEFEATED. SHEATH YOUR WEAPONS AND MOVE AWAY, FOR I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT WILL HAPPEN NOW!”

Alduin’s last words were, “ZU’U UNSLAAD! ZU’U NIS OBLAAN!” (I’m unending! I cannot end!)

Alduin’s soul passed through the portal above us and into Aetherius, where Lord Akatosh, or more accurately, AKA, will take possession of it.

I could sense a rapid increase in Magicka. Once again, I used The Voice, “BRACE YOURSELF!”

The stored Magicka was released in an explosion that knocked some of my mortal friends down.

Everybody soon recovered, and there was silence except for the echoes of Alduin’s end.

The task was complete, and I wanted to return home. I was weary beyond words.

The clouds cleared, and the sky filled with stars. The colours of Sovngarde changed and became saturated.

I walked over to Rigmor.

“My beloved, I saw you covered in Dragonfire, and your swearing was loud and inventive.”

“Alduin was a lot more powerful than any of the other dragons, and it hurt a lot more!”

“Tirlineth let me know your health. You were healed twice.”

“You were healed seven times, Wulf! Alduin wanted you dead.”

“Silah did not tell me she would join the fight.”

“You cannot command her, but you would have objected to her participation. I do not blame Silah for keeping her plan from you.”

“We all survived, and that in itself is an achievement.”

“Let’s go and sleep for a week. I am pooped.”

“This is Sovngarde, Rigmor. We shall have to suffer some more flowery speech and unwanted praise.”

Tsun was waiting at the bottom of the steps.

As I walked over to him, the Ancient Tongues chanted, “All hail the Dragonborn! Hail him with great praise!’

As I passed Inigo, I muttered, “Anybody would think I faced Alduin without aid. You lot must be invisible.”

He laughed and replied, “Who cares? Alduin is dead! Sweetrolls for everyone! Well done, My Friend! This dream gets better and better!”

I stood before Tsun.

He said, “This was a mighty deed! The doom of Alduin encompassed at last, and cleansed is Sovngarde of his evil snare. They will sing of this battle in Shor’s Hall forever. But your fate lies elsewhere.”

“Fate? Doom? Bollocks! My tasks lie elsewhere, namely Nirn.”

“When you have completed your count of days, I may welcome you again, with glad friendship, and bid you join the blessed feasting.”

“No, Shield-Brother, I will not return here when I die. Look at the stars that surround us. That is my destination and where Father and Mother will greet me with open arms. We shall talk and laugh about life and love, not waste eternity talking about war and its false glory. Please, we wish to return home, for we are weary.”

“Then return with a rich boon from Shor, a shout to bring a hero from Sovngarde in your hour of need.”

I was gifted several new Words of Power, the knowledge to use them and a new Shout.

I told Tsun, “High King Torygg does not belong here. You honour him for courage, which he displayed when accepting Ulfric’s challenge. However, seeking glory in battle was not his objective. He did what his crown demanded and was murdered for it. Do not glorify the honourless trap that killed him. Keeping him here means Ulfric has defined his afterlife, not High King Torygg’s desire. Let him enter Aetherius.”

“That shall be done.”

“Then we are ready to return home.”

“I have been asked to send you to Monhaven.”

Tsun then Shouted, “NAHL DAAL VUS!”

We came out of the ether and were surrounded by dragons.

I was surprised to see Raikou and the other mages had not returned to Aetheron.

Odahviing was perched on a distant rock.

Paarthurnax was perched on the Word Wall.

The dragons were mourning the loss of Alduin. They would all chant a chorus. Then a single dragon would chant an individual line, take to the air and breathe fire.

• All: Alduin mahlaan (Alduin has fallen)
• Dragon: Sahrot thur qahnaraan (The Mighty Overlord is vanquished)
• All: Alduin mahlaan (Alduin has fallen)
• Dragon: Dovahkiin los ok dovahkriid (The Dragonborn is his Dragonslayer)
• All: Alduin mahlaan (Alduin has fallen)
• Dragon: Thu’umii los nahlot (His Shout is silenced)
• All: Alduin mahlaan (Alduin has fallen)
• Dragon: Mu los vomir (We are free of fealty)

The dragons are declaring their independence. It is something new to many of them, and they need guidance. Therefore, I used my Thu’um and said, “NID DOVAH FENT AAM ZU’U. NUZ STIN VOTH NID TINVAAK FEN MEYZ KEIN. TINVAAK PAARTHURNAX AHRK ODAHVIING.” (No dragon shall serve me. But freedom without counsel will become war. Speak with Paarthurnax and Odahviing.)

As the dragons continued their ritual, I approached Paarthurnax who took off and hovered above me.

He said, “So, it is done. Alduin dilon. The Eldest is no more, he who came before all others and had always been.”

“Alduin was the architect of his downfall.”

“Indeed. Alduin wahlaan daanii. His doom was written when he claimed for himself the lordship that properly belongs to Bormahu, our father, Akatosh. But I cannot celebrate his fall. Zu’u tiiraaz ahst ok mah. He was my brother once. This world will never be the same. Rok funta koraav. Perhaps now you have some insight into the forces that shape the vennesetiid… the currents of Time.”

“It was not my destiny to defeat Alduin. I am not a Dwemer construct, built to obey instructions placed within me by its maker. A prophecy revealed one possible course through the currents of Time. It did not compel me to follow it, nor did it make that outcome inevitable.

My friends and I could have failed. We could have turned aside. We did neither. What we accomplished was born of free will, courage and determination, not destiny, and not prophecy.

That is my understanding of the vennesetiid. The currents may shape the course, but they do not choose who follows it.”

 “I forget myself. Krosis. So los mid fahdon. Melancholy is an easy trap for a dovah to fall into. You have won a mighty victory. Sahrot krongrah – one that will echo through all the ages of this world for those who have eyes to see. Savour your triumph, Dovahkiin. This victory is not the last of what you will write upon the currents of time.”

“I will get sick of telling, for I don’t know if others listen. The triumph was not mine but ours.  My friends and others who aided me also deserve praise. It would be good if I could retire and go fishing. Alas, I have no doubt we will tackle threats as dire as Alduin, and the fishing gear will gather dust.”

Alduin laughed, which was still a worry with lose snow and a chance of an avalanche.

I asked him, “And what will you do now?”

“Many of the Dov are now scattered across Keizaal. Without Alduin’s lordship, they may yet bow to the vahzen… rightness of my Thu’um. But willing or not, they will hear it!”

As Paarthurnax flew in formation with other dragons, Odahviing took off from a nearby perch.

He landed with grace, and I approached him.

He said, “Pruzah wundunne wah Wuth Gein. I wish the old one luck in his… quest. But I doubt many will wish to exchange Alduin’s lordship for the tyranny of Paarthurnax’s ‘Way of the Voice’.”

“I will hunt down and kill any Dovah who does not decide to live peacefully with mortals. So maybe some will need Paarthurnax’s tyranny to survive?”

“As for myself, you’ve proven your mastery twice over. Thuri, Dovahkiin. I gladly acknowledge the power of your Thu’um. Zu’u Odahviing. Call me when you have the need, and I will come if I can.”

“No, Odahviing. You heard what I told the others: no dragon shall serve me. If you offer me obedience merely because my Thu’um proved stronger than Alduin’s, then nothing has changed except the name of your master. I refuse obedience bought by strength.

Paarthurnax did not find redemption by bowing to a stronger Voice. He earned trust through his actions, such as training the Tongues, whom he calls friends. He has demonstrated centuries of restraint and reflection, and offered advice against the tyranny he once served.

Silah, Nahfahlaar and the other dovah who fight beside me do so through friendship and loyalty. They are my allies, my comrades and my kin. None are my servants, and none remain because I compel them.

I will accept your friendship. I will welcome your loyalty if it is freely given. And I will give you the chance to earn redemption through what you choose to do from this day onward.

But I will not accept your fealty!

Stand beside me as an ally, Odahviing, or fly your own path as a free dovah. You will not kneel to me.”

Odahviing did not reply, but lifted and started flying circles around The Throat of the World. He used his wings sparingly as thermal updrafts from the mountain let him glide.

Paarthurnax landed back on the Word Wall as Silah came in to land.

I walked over and stroked Silah’s snout, something she has enjoyed since I was a small child.

I told her, “Thank you for aiding me, Silah. It has been a long road for this mortal.”

“Lord Akatosh will lecture Alduin in a way that exceeds any punishment you can imagine.”

“Oh, I had a few lectures from Mother. So, if Lord Akatosh has half her skills, I pity Alduin.”

“You have all done well, Wulf. It was the support and love of your friends, and your bond with Rigmor, that allowed this victory. More than martial skills and other abilities.”

“My training helped Silah.”

“And you were wise to ask that I leave the battle. I did not think Alduin would have such hatred for me.”

“You represented the force trying to curtail his megalomaniac ambitions. You were a handy scapegoat for the actions of Bromahu.”

“Rest, for those who lay low, the New Order will now continue their actions in Skyrim. I do not think a minor dragon problem would have stopped their fleet getting closer.”

“Indeed, we may have less time to plan than we otherwise would have had.”

“Nahfahlaar and I will monitor the situation on Solstheim. I do not think the construction of Miraak’s structures is going to be rapid. The ensorceled people have not developed extra skills overnight!”

“The Time-Wound has gone. Is the Liminal Barrier still weakening?”

“Yes, and we fear time anomalies are likely as a result. I will be doing a lot of flying low, trying to detect such anomalies before they are discovered by accident.”

“It is better to be proactive than reactive.”

“Your father will want to speak to you, and I advise you visit your mother’s shrine.”

“I will speak to Father after we have rested. The same with a visit to Mother’s shrine.”

“I know you do not accept praise easily, but take note. The Nine are proud of you, Valdr Septim!”

Silah took off and joined Odahviing in thermal worship.

I walked over to Rigmor, who was physically exhausted.

“We have worked so hard for this moment, Rigmor. But there will be other tasks as important, no doubt.”

“What are your plans?”

“We are going home and sleeping. Until Baa’Ren-Dar contacts us, we shall spend some time together. How would you like to see my museum, and your Aunt Rikke?”

“I would love that!”

“I also want to speak to Jarl Elisif about her husband.”

“You did not ask his name, so your rule is not broken.”

“I knew you would understand. We had better speak to the Greybeards and Blades as well.”

“Put them on the list, batman.”

“Yes, milady.”

I approached Raikou.

“I was surprised to see you all still here?”

“We would only have been pacing back and forth, and Paarthurnax wanted to tinvaak. The wait seemed shorter by occupying ourselves that way. He was also certain you would be returned here, not Skuldafn or elsewhere.”

“I will give you and the other Dragonguard a full account after we have rested.”

“I shall take the others home. You and Rigmor can head for your rooms.”

I walked over to Inigo. He was impressive in both fights against Alduin.

• Wulf: Inigo, you look like you have just woken up!
• Inigo: My Friend, you are amazing. You saved us all. You killed that smelly World Eater and put an end to his maniacal machinations.
• Wulf: Alduin is not dead. He has rejoined AKA until he is needed to end the Kalpa. I don’t understand why some dragons mourn like he is dead.
• Inigo: I had the strangest dream that I was there fighting Alduin by your side. Lydia, Vayu, Seiko, Celestine and Rigmor were there as well! It was exhilarating and a shame that it was not real.
• Rigmor: So where were you when you had that dream, and how did you get here?
• Inigo: Um…
• Wulf: You were there with us, Inigo. Don’t you remember walking through the portal to Sovngarde?
• Inigo: My Friend, I thought everything was a dream from when I woke up this morning. I mean, who captures a dragon in a palace?
• Rigmor: Would that be so unusual for Wulf?
• Inigo: True, and wow! I was there! That is the best news I have had in a while! That means we saved everybody from Alduin. Mr Dragonfly provided moral support and cheered us on!
• Wulf: Many people have helped with defeating Alduin. That includes all our friends in Aetheron, the Ancient Tongues and others who provided aid in various forms.
• Inigo: But you did most of the work, and what an adventure! I thought I had just imagined the whole thing. Thank you for putting me straight.
• Rigmor: We are quite a team, don’t you agree?
• Inigo: My friend, I would complain if they do not build a massive statue in your honour.
• Wulf: If they did, I would demolish it. We do such things because it is right and not to become heroes.
• Rigmor: Poor Lydia didn’t get to make the heroes some Apple Cabbage Stew.
• Wulf: I wouldn’t even wish that punishment on Ysgramor, whom I put in his place. He sounded like a per-pubescent girl!
• Rigmor: You did not hit him, did you?
• Wulf: Not him, but I did beat up six other ‘heroes’ who thought being racist in my presence was a good idea.
• Rigmor: Let us go, Wulf. A fluffy pillow is beckoning me.
• Wulf: Raikou will take you to Aetheron, Inigo. And thank you for just being you.

Rigmor and I teleported into my rooms.

No words were said. We disrobed, crawled into bed and slept.