The Story Of Iriisii Dovahkiin - Chapter Eight

 The Story Of Iriisii Dovahkiin

                                                                   Chapter Eight

     They made it back from Ustengrav without anything notable happening, the usual bandits, common thieves trying to accost travelers, and a few Vigilants of Stendaar, always warning against cavorting with Daedra. Iriisii is not saying a word about her previous encounters with some of them as these Vigilants seem perhaps even more fanatical than some of the Daedra worshipers she had met.

     Standing before the door to the Sleeping Giant, Rigmor asks how were they going to do this.

     Iriisii: "I want to know everything she thinks she knows about it. Most of it is going to be garbage, idle speculation, and no hard facts. But there will be a few nuggets of true information or at least a direction where I can find them. After that the less I have to do with her the better."

     Rigmor: "I do agree with you, but what makes you say what you just did about her?"

     Iriisii: "If she has to go out cloaked and hooded, she is being hunted. The most likely hunters would be the Thalmor. I do not see any signs of any others looking for her, and the Thalmor are looking mainly just to run across a trace of her somewhere. She is very good at hiding her tracks. After all, she got through the entirety of Ustengrav and got the 'Horn' without us knowing anything about it until we reached the end. She is very interested in this return of the dragons and I want to know why."

     Rigmor: "Why do you want to know?"

     Iriisii: "My task set for me by the Gods is tied up in it. When I killed that dragon, his last words were, 'Dovahkiin! No!'. I can still hear them echoing in my mind and I can faintly feel him inside me."

     Rigmor: "You can feel him inside you?"

     Iriisii: "I think whatever was passed to me from his body was more than his power, it included his soul, his memories, everything about him is within me now, slowly joining and mixing with all that I am. He is becoming a part of me, and now I know why I felt such pain."

     Rigmor: "Please tell me why?"

     Iriisii: "When this Kalpa dies and is reborn, the lives of the people that lived within it from its birth to its death, even dragons, are reborn with the new Kalpa. But because I devoured his soul, and am making it a part of me, he will not be reborn. And so I feel the pain of his soul being lost to the future forever more."

     As she stands and contemplates what she is feeling, she is not aware of a tear dropping and running down her face.

     Rigmor: "You are crying for him, are you not?"

     Rigmor raised a finger and felt the tear on Iriisii's face.

     Iriisii: "Truth be told, yes. He paid a price far too high for anything he may have done. He may have done heinous things from our point of view, but his victims will live again in the next Kalpa, and the one after that, and so onward. But he will not, he is gone forevermore, who he was, what he thought, will vanish from existence. As I said, a very high price to pay, and for what? Just to test me?

     If there is any justice in this existence, one day I will grow strong enough, powerful enough to recreate him anew. And give him another chance at life, at least for now, a chance that is nothing more than hopeful wishing. Let us see what this Delphine has to say, and see where it may lead us."

     They walk through the door and begin to look over the Inn. Rigmor spots her first and points her out to Iriisii. They then start walking toward her. Her bartender, Orgnar, sees them approaching and motions to Delphine that she has visitors coming. As Delphine turns around and sees who is approaching her, Iriisii reaches into a leather pouch, withdraws a rolled-up parchment, and hands it to Delphine.

     Iriisii: "I believe you misplaced this, in Ustengrav."

     Delphine stands with shock on her face.

     Iriisii: "Do you have someplace more private or do you wish to continue this conversation out here where everyone will know your business?"

     Delphine gathers herself and simply says, "Follow me".

     Iriisii and Rigmor follow her into her own room to the wardrobe. Iriisii senses what is next and motions Rigmor to close the door. As the door closes, Delphine reaches inside the wardrobe and unlatches a fake back, opening access to a set of stairs downward. Iriisii waves her arm to indicate Delphine should precede her.

     Delphine: "I am not your enemy!"

     Iriisii: "We shall determine that in a minute, now will you go on down or do I need to allow Rigmor to toss you down."

     With that Delphine turns and walks down the stairs, Rigmor has a disappointing frown on her face for she was so looking forward to throwing Delphine down the steps face first.

     Once all of them were down there, Delphine repeats herself.

     Delphine: "I am not your enemy, I gave you the 'Horn' you were looking for."

     Iriisii: "If I thought you were my enemy your head would be rolling around the floor right now, but you did so for your own motives and I came to see just what they are. You could have just come up to me in the Jarl's palace and asked me to come and speak to you about these dragons."

     Delphine bristles up and Rigmor noticing, steps up.

     Rigmor: "You could not stand against her blade to blade. I have seen her fight and I have seen no one to equal her. Even the Morag Tong and the Dark Brotherhood will not cross her."

     Delphine: "I find that a bit difficult to believe."

     Rigmor: "Believe it, she was addicted to Black Lotus to make her obedient, and then trained to be the most deadly assassin to walk upon Nirn, by the 'Sinister Seven'. She managed to escape at great personal cost, was found by the Ancient Order of the Blade Dancers, and was taken in and adopted into the Matriarch's family. They trained her in every martial school they have. Then reached out to outside schools in magic, and more esoteric methods of training. She merged her assassin's training with what she learned from the Blade Dancers and turned the combined knowledge into a new school of which she is the avowed and unquestioned master. Those few who have come from that school are considered the greatest warriors anywhere in Nirn. They call her school, 'Arytiss di Lerovupel Nelithral', exactly what it means I do not know, I have been told that it roughly means, 'Warriors of Beautiful Death'.

     The Morag Tong fear her because they once attempted to form an outpost where she lived. She had just become the least of the 'Seven'. To cinch her position, she was sent alone to clear the Morag Tong out along with their leader, the 'Mute's second. She did as she was ordered, killing every single Morag Tong member in that old fortress, just over a hundred, without raising any alarm at all. She even faced down the 'Mute' when he came to investigate the silence from their outpost. It is whispered that she earned the respect of Mephala that day for what she did, even as she does not follow Mephala, then or now."

     Rigmor turns to Iriisii's questioning glance and simply says, "You sometimes talk in your sleep."

     Iriisii looks at Rigmor with a cock of her head to the side, then nods her head to Rigmor, accepting her answer.

     Delphine: "I thought you might be a Thalmor plant. They have been looking for me for a long time. I had hoped they would think I was dead and stop looking, but I see now they will never be satisfied until they have my head."

     Iriisii: "First, I am not a Thalmor plant, I hate them as much as you do. And do not protest that I could not, for you have no way to know of my history with them. Now why did you take the 'Horn' just to bring me here to speak with you?"

     Delphine: "I am someone who has been looking for you or someone like you for a long time. Are you 'Dragonborn' or not?"

     Iriisii: "I am, most assuredly, I am."

     Delphine: "Good then you can prove it to me by going with me to the next burial site that is about to have its inhabitant wake up."

     Iriisii: "You mean a dragon is about to be resurrected, don't you?"

     Delphine: "I do not know what is going on. All I know is dragons are coming back and some of the old burial sites are empty. How this is happening I have no idea. They were supposed to be dead!"

     Iriisii: "They were dead, just not gone. There is a bit of lore you obviously do not know about, so let me enlighten you. Unless a dragon is killed by a 'Dragonborn' and its soul devoured. It is possible for such a dragon to be resurrected once more, the question that needs to be answered is who or what is bringing them back."

     Delphine: "I accept your words, then neither of us will know  who or what is responsible until we reach Kynesgrove and see what is happening for ourselves."

     Iriisii: "That I can agree with you on, but if I prove I am 'Dragonborn' to your satisfaction, I expect answers from you."

     Delphine: "And you will have them, anything and everything you wish to know, if I know it, I will tell you. Do you wish to go together or separate?"

     Iriisii: "If the Thalmor is looking for you then let us go separate. No need to draw their attention where it is not wanted."

     Delphine nods her head, turns, and proceeds up the stairs. Iriisii waits until she is out of earshot before turning to Rigmor.

     Iriisii: "I know you do not trust her, and neither do I. But I will have answers from her and this way we can find out what is going on with the return of the dragons. If there is one resurrecting them, he will be powerful indeed. I wonder if it will be the same one who laid waste to Helgen? I do not think it would surprise me very much if it was."

     Rigmor: "I do not know which way it could be worse. If a dragon is resurrecting the others or if it is some kind of necromancer coven. Either way, we must deal with it, I still expect you to help me find my mother as soon as it is practical for you. Just do not take too long or I will go without you."

     Iriisii: "I understand, but I stress, what good to find your mother if Nirn falls back under the control of the dragons. Let us see what we may see, and plan accordingly to do both tasks."

     Rigmor: "Ok, let us go then, after you."

     Iriisii nods her head and moves up the stairs with Rigmor close behind thinking, 'All of this trouble happening and I cannot help but think she has a nice rear. Gods! I have got to get control of myself!'

     Delphine takes the river road toward Windhelm, while Iriisii and Rigmor leave Riverwood through the east gate, going around the mountain and through the hot springs before turning north toward Kynesgrove. They both arrive at the base of the road up to the Inn in Kynesgrove, just in time to avoid a crowd of people screaming about a dragon on the hill behind the town. Without saying a word more, they run for that hill, Iriisii feeling the presence of that same dragon from Helgen.

     They arrive just in time to see the black dragon hovering above one of the burial sites.

     Iriisii's Dragonsoul walks up beside her inside her mind, "You have naught to fear from him. He is far more interested in what you will grow to be and if he were to kill you, his questions concerning you would never be answered. He is consumed by his hubris, you can use that against him. He does not know you at all and truly does not care to, that will be his downfall.

     Iriisii: "How can I defeat one that can resurrect my enemies?"

     Dragonsoul: "What he attempts to do has a very high cost in power. Simply kill and devour the soul of the one he wants to bring back and his effort is wasted. Do not attack him, not yet, here he is invulnerable, that is why the ancient tongues could only banish him in the past rather than kill him. But he can be killed, it is only a matter of where."

     Iriisii: "Then where do I kill him?"

     Dragonsoul: "Find out where he goes to recover himself, this is where you will be able to send him back to his maker."

     Iriisii: "Akatosh?"

     Dragonsoul: "No, there is one over Akatosh. He was born out of all of the ones who held the lead in each of the ancient timelines before they were merged. When they were merged, Akatosh became the first of the Divines, and the others that existed joined and became an oversoul that is called AKKA. AKKA begat Alduin to serve as the destroyer of the old Kalpa and creator of the new one. Kill Alduin and return him to AKKA, then AKKA may allow Alduin to be reborn when the time comes for the next Kalpa. Remember I will be here for you while you deal with Alduin."

     With that, she walks forward to the edge of the mound and looks up at Alduin without a speck of fear in her eyes. Alduin's eyes shift to her movement.

     Iriisii: "Yes, it is I, as if you really cared. I wish to know something, if you really wanted me dead, why did you interfere with the execution? The headsman would have taken care of your problem for you, there was no need of destroying the town."

     Alduin: "I tasted you on the winds, and came to see what had been raised up against me. I wished to see what you would do if faced with a real challenge. That you are here now before me says you came through your trial by fire. Now we will see how you do when faced with my brothers. Sahloknir, ziil gro dovah ulse! Slen tiid vo!

     The surface of the mound erupts in a geyser of power. The skeletal bones of a dragon begin reknitting themselves together. Then flesh begins to form on those bones, and skin grows to cover the bare flesh.

     Sahloknir: Alduin, thuri! Boaan tiid vokriiha suleyksejun kruziik?

     Alduin: Geh, Sahloknir, kaali mir. Ful, losei Dovahkiin? Zu'u koraav nid nol dov do hi.

    You do not even know our tongue, do you? Such arrogance, to dare take for yourself the name of Dovah.

     Sahloknir, krii daar joorre."

     Dragonsoul: 'Now, kill Sahloknir! Do it now!'

     Iriisii draws her sword, as Sahloknir prepares to leap into the sky. Iriisii leaps first and strikes with her blade. The blade cuts deep as Sahloknir just gets into the air. The unexpected pain he feels causes him to drop to the ground, where Iriisii delivers the killing blow to him. Then as she stands watching his body begin to burn and return to the bones from which Alduin recalled him. The magic of her Dragonborn abilities draws his soul into her to be consumed, the process as it reacts to her causes her body to levitate, and the pain causes Iriisii to scream until it is done and she must release the soulfire that surrounds her body. She drops to the ground and the soulfire releases in n explosive burst. Rigmor rushes over to help her get to her feet.

     Rigmor: "He is getting away!"

     Iriisii: "Let him go, it is not yet time for us to face off. It will come though."

     Rigmor: "How do you know this?"

     Iriisii looks seriously at Rigmor: "Trust me, I know."

     Rigmor hears something in her voice, something that she has heard about, read about, but never experienced. 

     Rigmor: "You are a seer, are you not?"

     Iriisii: "There is a part of me that fits that description, mostly it sleeps, only waking to show me what I need to see, to know. Why I cannot say, nor do I know when it will happen, only that it will, and I have to be ready or all is lost."

     Iriisii then turns to go and speak to Delphine.

     Delphine: "I owe you some explanations, do I not? I am ready, ask me what you will, and I will answer."

     Iriisii: "Who are you and what do you want with me?"

     Delphine: "I'm one of the last members of the Blades. A very long time ago, the Blades were dragonslayers, and we served the Dragonborn, the greatest dragonslayer. For the last two hundred years, since the last Dragonborn emperor, the Blades have been searching for a purpose. Now that dragons are coming back, our purpose is clear again. We need to stop them."

     Iriisii: "The Blades? Who are they?"

     Swlphine: "Exactly. Nobody even remembers our name these days. We used to be known across Tamriel as the protectors of the Septim Emperors. Those days are long gone, though. For the last two hundred years, we've been searching for the next Dragonborn to guide and guard, as we are sworn to do. But we never found one. Until now."

     Iriisii: "What do you know about the dragons coming back?"

     Delphine: "Not a damn thing. I was just as surprised as you to find that big black dragon here."

     Iriisii: "I've seen that dragon before, the one that got "

     Delphine: "Really? Where?"

     Iriisii: "It was the one that attacked Helgen when Ulfric escaped from the Imperials."

     Delphine: "Interesting. Same dragon... Damn it, we're blundering around in the dark here! We need to figure out who's behind it all!"

     Iriisii: "What's our next move?"

     Delphine: "The first thing we need to do is figure out who's behind the dragons. The Thalmor are our best lead. If they aren't involved, they'll know who is."

     Iriisii: "What makes you think the Thalmor are bringing dragons back?"

     Delphine: "Nothing solid. Yet. But my gut tells me it can't be anybody else. The Empire had captured Ulfric. The war was basically over. Then a dragon attacks, Ulfric escapes, and the war is back on. And now the dragons are attacking everywhere, indiscriminately. Skyrim is weakened, and the Empire is weakened. Who else gains from that but the Thalmor?"

     Iriisii: "Why are the Thalmor after you?"

     Delphine: "Before the Great War, the Blades helped the Empire against the Thalmor. Our Grand Master saw them as the greatest threat to Tamriel. At the time, that was true. Maybe it still is. So we fought them in the shadows, all across Tamriel. We thought we were more than a match for them. We were wrong."

     Iriisii: "So, we need to find out what the Thalmor know about the dragons. Any ideas?"

     Delphine: "If we could get into the Thalmor Embassy... it's the center of their operations in Skyrim... The problem is, that place is locked up tighter than a miser's purse. They could teach me a few things about paranoia..."

     Iriisii: "So how do we get into the Thalmor Embassy?"

     Delphine: "I'm not sure yet. I have a few ideas, but I'll need some time to pull things together... Meet me back in Riverwood. If I'm not back when you get there, wait for me. I shouldn't be long. Keep an eye on the sky. This is only going to get worse."

     Before she leaves she gives Iriisii a key to her basement and then turns and leaves. Iriisii turns back and stares at Sahloknir's skeleton laying on the ground before murmuring, 'Why, why did you do it? You did not have to die the 'True Death'.

      Uli si majak wux nomeno inglata, tenpiswo shafaer dout drihliri, sjek si fortrog persvek nomeno inglata, nomag sia kurjh drihliri ssifisv mrith douta. Si inglata wux batobot si geou ehtah vi idol ekess dronilnr wux spical, majak wux vi z'ar tobor for wer ir si ahfvenan de wux sva alduin ui ulph lex."

     A deep mournful rumble can be heard echoing as if from incomprehensibly distant places, barely heard as the thunder of the approaching storm rolls across the area, and a cold rain begins to fall.

     Rigmor walks up to her and asks, "What did you promise him?"

     Iriisii: "You understood what I said?"

     Rigmor: "No, but the emotion in how you spoke told me it was a promise."

     Iriisii: "I promised him a new life to replace the one I consumed because Alduin told him to attack us. That if I failed, may my bones rest here with his."

     Rigmor: "Then we had better see that you do not fail in your promise then."

     Iriisii: "Come on then, we have to get this 'Horn' to Arngeir."

     Rigmor: "And then we go looking for my mother?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, we go looking for your mother."

     Rigmor wraps her arms around Iriisii and holds her close, while the cold rain falls on them both, and perhaps for the first time since they met from Rose calling Iriisii for help, they are so deep within each other that they never notice Kyne's zephyrs calling the rain away from them.

     They make their way back to High Hrothgar, and along the way, they talk about what Delphine said.

     Rigmor: "How much do you believe of what she said?"

     Iriisii: "She believes all of it, I could tell that much."

     Rigmor: "But how much do you believe of it?"

     Iriisii: "Not much. As to who the Blades actually were, there is too much lore lost to be certain, and we both know how spoken words over time become distorted and changed by the whims of those who speak them. But I do believe they came here to serve the Dragonborn. The problem lies in whether the Dragonborn they serve is strong enough to tell them when they are wrong and hold on to their reins with a firm grip."

     Rigmor thinking about the vision she had of Iriisii standing by the Ruby Throne with crown in one hand and a bloody sword in the other, "What about the other things she said about them. About them being protectors to the Emperor?"

     Iriisii: "When there were very few Dragonborn for them to serve, they sought the closest replacement they could find and feel their efforts could bear fruit. But each new Emperor would be different and I can see where schisms could develop between them. As they continued, more of the truth of their past was changed until they lost nearly all of it and so became just another footnote in history."

     Rigmor: "Do you think the Thalmor are involved in any way?"

     Iriisii: "No, the black dragon, Alduin is doing this. You know how she spoke of the dragons, deep down she sees them as near mindless beasts, nothing more could be further from the truth. They just think differently from you and me, thus they act differently. We look at them from our point of view, if we saw them from theirs we would understand their actions.

     Remember, they are not mindless, they have language, they speak to one another, understand each other, just as we do. But they are far more likely to follow a strong leader without question as we tend not to do. Mainly because to disagree with a strong dragon leader would mean their death and their sense of self is greater than ours."

     Rigmor: "You picked this up from the two you have killed and devoured?"

     Iriisii: "Yes. Just as I know that fighting Alduin, here on Nirn, will only produce a stalemate at best. He could not be killed when the ancient tongues fought him above High Hrothgar, only banished, and so he still cannot be killed here?"

     Rigmor: "Then can he be killed?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, just not on Nirn."

     Rigmor: "Then where?"

     Iriisii: "That is something I must learn, then I must learn how to go there myself, for it is this, perhaps among other things as well that Akatosh anointed me 'Dragonborn' and brought me here at the time of Alduin's return. If he truly chose me for this and I have no reason to believe otherwise, there is a way to find where Alduin can be killed and a way for me to do it. And yes I am certain of this, there is too much involvement from the Gods for it not to be true. Too many things coming together in otherwise impossible ways."

     They are quiet the rest of the way to High Hrothgar, each thinking over the things said and coming to the same conclusion from different paths. Somewhere, somehow, somewhen, Alduin must die, and Iriisii has been the one chosen to carry out the task.

     They climb the 'Seven Thousand Steps', Rigmor complaining the whole way, sometimes vocally, sometimes silently. Iriisii on the other hand, although feeling the steps just as much as Rigmor is, ignores the aches and continues onward resolute in the knowledge that what does not kill her only serves to make her stronger, tougher, more resilient, and gives her the edge against the foes who seek her life.

     Reaching the steps of High Hrothgar, Iriisii is overwhelmed by a feeling of concern for Rigmor's safety if she proceeds inside with her. She feels for whatever reason Rigmor must not be inside when what comes next for Iriisii.

     Iriisii: "Wait."

     Rigmor: "What is it?"

     Iriisii: "I must finish this alone, you must not go inside with me this time."

     Rigmor: "Why?"

     Iriisii: "I do not know, I just have an overwhelming feeling that you would not survive what is about to come."

     Rigmor starts to say that she is not going to let Iriisii step inside alone but then considers that if maybe what she is concerned about involves the 'Thu'um', then she could be in mortal danger if she was inside as well.

     Rigmor: "Ok, I will wait for you here."

     Iriisii looks at her strangely.

     Rigmor: "I know it is not like me to agree with you on something like this, but I know you sense something that could be dangerous to me inside. I do not believe the Greybeards would mean me harm, but sometimes harm does not have to be intended for it to happen anyway. I will be safe here waiting for you, just make sure you come back out and get me when it is over."

     Iriisii nods her head and turns to go inside, wondering where on Nirn did this almost uncontrollable urge to kiss Rigmor come from as it washed over her. She grabs control of it and shoves it deep within, thinking, 'This is not going to make things easier or better, besides she has never said anything about loving me, and she has never even flirted with me, so where is this coming from?' As she enters the main hall, she is once again in control of herself. She walks up to Arngeir and hands over the 'Horn'.

     Arngeir: "Ah! You've retrieved the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller. Well done. You have now passed all the trials. Come with me. It is time for us to recognize you formally as Dragonborn."

     Iriisii follows Arngeir into the entrance hall, where the other Greybeards are already waiting.

     Arngeir: "You are ready to learn the final word of Unrelenting Force, "Dah," which means "Push." With all three words together, this Shout is much more powerful. Use it wisely."

     Arngeir asks Wulfgar to teach Iriisii 'Dah', the last word in the shout 'Unrelenting Force'.

     Once that has been completed.

     Arngeir: "You have completed your training, Dragonborn. We would Speak to you. Stand between us, and prepare yourself. Few can withstand the unbridled Voice of the Greybeards. But you are ready."

     The Greybeards formally greet the Dragonborn in Dovahzul.

     Greybeards: "Lingrah krosis saraan Strundu'ul, voth nid balaan klov praan nau. Naal Thu'umu, mu ofan nii nu, Dovahkiin, naal suleyk do Kaan, naal suleyk do Shor, ahrk naal suleyk do Atmorasewuth. Meyz nu Ysmir, Dovahsebrom. Dahmaan daar rok."

     As the power of the words rolls over Iriisii, rocking and staggering her, she keeps her feet. Deep inside, something in her blood, that has been slumbering since Talos ascended, awakens and spreads itself, becoming aware of itself once again. Iriisii's dragonsoul reaches out to what now knows itself as the force called 'Ysmir, Dragon of the North'.

     Dragonsoul: "Come and join with me, my brother. Together we will one day merge ourselves with the Dovahkiin, and she will then become a power to be feared, respected, loved, and adored." 

     Ysmir hears the desire of her dragonsoul, and knowing the truth of what path they now walk, agrees and joins itself to her dragonsoul.

     Arngeir: "Dovahkiin. You have tasted the Voice of the Greybeards and passed through unscathed. High Hrothgar is open to you."

     Iriisii then feels a strong pull on her toward the end of the corridor. even as a key forms itself in her hand. She soon sees the double doors at the end of the corridor with some pottery stacked in front. She moves them out of the way and places the key in the lock. 

     Turning the key, she wonders how long has it been since this was last done, whatever room beyond last visited, what was indeed waiting for her inside. The corridor she steps into looks the same as the one she left, proving that this is indeed a part of High Hrothgar as she remembers the words of Arngeir as she asked about those doors.

     Arngeir: 'We do not speak of what lies beyond because we do not know. They were there before we came here, and the same was said to us that was said to those who were here when we came, 'they have always been here and none of us have ever been inside'.'

     And now after who knows how long someone enters, did Tiber Septim enter in here? Somehow she does not think so, the thought comes to her that not since the early second era has anyone worthy passed through those doors. She looks into a few rooms as she passes, basically just personal quarters for anyone who stayed, and few enough of those.

     Then at the end, she sees a single doorway opening to a few large rooms. Walking down she sees a bed, with a nightstand, some chairs, and a wardrobe on one side, on the other a series of wardrobes containing several different styles of robes like the ones the Greybeards wear. Then she sees in another room a large shrine to Kyne with some meditation mats sitting in front.

      There is a book laying on the floor next to one of the mats. As she picks it up and reads it, many thoughts and hidden memories come together and she knows what she must do next. She moves to one of the mats, kneels down on it, and allows herself to go into a meditative trance, opening her mind and spirit to the Shrine of Kyne.

     Kyne: "Welcome, at last, I too greet thee, my daughter."

     Iriisii: "Mother Kyne...how long?"

     Kyne: "Long enough to begin to despair that no one worthy enough to accept my gift would ever come."

     Iriisii: "But I have just now been declared 'Dovahkkin' by the Greybeards! Surely it would take more time to know if I was worthy?"

     Kyne: "I have been watching you for some time, ever since I became aware of you and Dibella came to me and explained your purpose. The things you will do will write your name in the annals of history, and they will be kept in the Great Library of Aetherius so that they never be forgotten or lost in the mists of time.

     It is now time to bestow unto you the greatest gift I can give, will you choose to become my 'Thunderchild' as you have read in the last journal remaining of those who once followed this path?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, Mother Kyne, I gladly ask that gift of you. I pray that I would use it to help the people of Nirn, to protect them from dangers they are not strong enough to face, to shield them from terrors that seek to enslave and destroy them."

     Kyne: "Then I give unto you my gift, learn its secrets, use them as you feel fit, and your already formidable power as a Dovahkiin will become even stronger. And those who would enslave the people of Nirn will know the true meaning of fear as your 'Voice' speaks with the 'Will of the Gods'. When you learn more of the Rotmulaag, come back and meditate on them. I will teach you more of what you can do with them than even the dragons are able to do. Go now and know that wherever you go, I will be with you, I and my 'Children of the Air', call upon us when you have a need and we will answer."

     Iriisii stands and walks toward the corridor, stopping to look into the wardrobes, she sees a set of robes she feels she should take with her. A set called the 'Robes of Dream', then inside the nightstand is an amulet that she remembered was described in the journal. An amulet that could be charged with a series of shouts of her choosing, that she could use with no cooldown between them. Taking it she moves on to the door and passes into the rest of the Temple, then on out to see if Rigmor had found any trouble. She sees Rigmor sitting on top of the chest that gifts to the Greybeards are left for them in.

     Rigmor: "You have been gone so long, I was getting worried."

     Then looking more closely, "There is something different about you, what happened to you in there."

     Iriisii: "The Greybeards formally greeted me as a Dragonborn. Do you want to know what they said?"

     Rigmor: "Yes, tell me."

     Iriisii: "Long has the Stormcrown languished, with no worthy brow to sit upon. By our breath we bestow it now to you in the name of Kyne, in the name of Shor, and in the name of Atmora of Old. You are Ysmir now, the Dragon of the North, hearken to it."

     Rigmor: "Wow..., Dragonborn, this is the stuff of legend! Where is it going to take you?"

     Iriisii: "I will find that out as we go on from here. Now we go find your mother."

     Rigmor jumps down from the chest and wraps her arms around Iriisii.

     Rigmor: "Thank you, Dragonborn. We need to go to Riften then, to meet with Baa-Ren'Dar."

     They make their way down the 'Seven Thousand Steps', Iriisii wonders if she has the heart to tell Rigmor the next time she complains of having to climb seven thousand steps, there are actually only about seven hundred, and then tell her she counted them the last time they went to see the Greybeards.

     Time to make that decision if it happens, soon enough they begin to see the town of Ivarstead. They make their way across the bridge into town and turn to the local Inn for something to drink before setting out for Riften. Just before getting to the Inn, they hear a voice coming from behind them, asking one of the guards where they can find Iriisii Dovahkiin.

      Iriisii and Rigmor stop and turn to see who is asking for Iriisii. There are three clothed in some strange form of armor, their helmets are yellow in color and of a strange shape. The leader calls to Iriisii.

       Cult Leader: "Are you the one called Iriisii Dovahkiin? Are you Dragonborn?"

       Iriisii: "The Greybeards think so since they summoned me to High Hrothgar, where they tested me to be certain of the claim. I passed all of their tests and so they formally greeted me. Why do you ask?"

       Cult Leader: "It is already too late, the lie has been spread and is taking hold. It must be cleansed that all will be ready when our Lord Miraak returns to claim his rightful position as the true Dragonborn. We must purge the heretic and stop the lie. Attack!"

       Iriisii shouts: "Fus Ro Dah" and a wave of force rolls from her and strikes the cult members, knocking them down. Iriisii then draws her sword and charges forward with Rigmor close behind. As she reaches them, two go down as a single sword strike disembowels them both. Rigmor's two-hand blade drives straight into a third cultist, while the fourth turns and runs. Iriisii takes her sword in hand and shouts, "Wuld". In an instant, she covers the distance between her and the fleeing cultist, her blade driving through his body as he looks down to see its length protruding from his chest, as he dies.

       Rigmor takes a moment to see a piece of parchment behind the leader's belt. So she slips it out and holds on to it as the Ivarstead Guards come running up to take control after the Cultists are down. Of course. Rigmor stands aside, unrolls the parchment, and begins to read it, then rolls it back up and goes to Iriisii to show it to her. As Iriisii reads it, Rigmor asks, "What are you going to do?"

       Iriisii: "If this Miraak is just now sending his cult members to do his dirty work, then he is far from ready to come himself. I will deal with him after I reunite you with your mother. I gave you my promise, and I keep my promises."

       Rigmor: "Thank you, Dragonborn."

       The southern road to Riften is like all the other Skyrim roads these days, plagued with giant Frostbite spiders, wolves, bears, bandits, and even the occasional vampire. A werewolf was heard in the distance but he or she never showed themself. They did encounter three revelers, who asked them to share some Honningbrew mead with them. Iriisii remembers passing the meadery close to Whiterun, and so they stop for a few minutes to take a break from the killing.

       Passing the door to a place called Jonestead, Iriisii feels a shiver run down her spine, not being able to see any reason why she should feel that way, she and Rigmor keep going onward. Once more along the road she feels something, but cannot place just what the feeling is, just that it is somewhere to the south. At least someone is maintaining the road posts, these help keep travelers on track to find the places they intend to visit, although there is a pair of travelers they keep meeting from time to time. They seem to be on the road to Solitude for Victoria Vici's wedding, but sometimes they seem to be heading in the right direction only to some days later meet them then going in the wrong direction.

       They come up on a fallen log on the lakeside close to the shore and Rigmor veers away to take a seat and watch the waves lap on the shore. Iriisii needs a quiet moment as well and joins her to sit for a while. As she relaxes, she draws Rigmor into a conversation about her past, trying to stay away from the more unhappy and stressful portions. After a bit Rigmor asks about Iriisii's memories, at which Iriisii goes silent, looking out over the lake water as if her memories can be read from the surface.

       Iriisii: "I do not remember most of my childhood, I have only fleeting bits and pieces. I feel as if a lot happened, some good, some very bad, but I do not remember the details."

       Rigmor: "I'm sorry."

       Iriisii drops her head for a moment, then raises it toward Rigmor with a little smile, "Thank you for that, I do appreciate it. But let us go on, we are close to Riften here and will be there soon."

       They reach the South entrance to the city, with a couple of guards posted to each side of the closed Gate. They try to direct them to the North Gate, Rigmor replies that they are friends of Baa-Ren'Dar, even as Iriisii begins to bristle at the guards blocking them. Upon hearing that they are friends of Baa-Ren'Dar the guards step aside and allow them entrance.

       Once inside Rigmor tells her, "Did you not know that Kajiit are not allowed inside the gates of any of Skyrims cities?"

       Iriisii: "I do not care what excuse they give, it is not right!"

       Rigmor: "I agree, but a few 'bad apples' go about stealing whatever they can and so all are barred from entering."

       Iriisii: "And so they ignore it when others who are not Khajiit steal? I do not buy that argument, the Thieves Guilds here are just trying to protect their turfs and prevent competition. If you were to walk among the members of these so-called 'guilds', you would not see any Khajiit I would wager a guess."

       Rigmor: "You would likely be right, although I would not be one to associate with them that well."

       Iriisii: "How do you know that you have not, do they wear a sign around their necks declaring they are part of the Thieves Guild? Remember the ones we met on the roads outside, they were nearly all Argonian, and the few human ones were so inept by comparison. Do not mistake me, I do not approve of thievery, but it, like a great deal else has a place...do not look at me like that! It is a result of bad decisions by people, not always by those who turn to thievery. Many of the nobles are the worst of thieves, using laws and tax decrees to 'legally' steal from the common people.

       Some money must be levied from the citizens to run the city government, the guards, and the soldiers. But all too often they get greedy and believe that money belongs to them and not to the people they stand over."

       Rigmor: "If you could, how would you do it?"

       Iriisii: "Make sure all money spent went to help the people in some measurable way. Let them see that their taxes work to make their lives better and not just build a prettier palace to impress visitors. When they refer to the people they tax as the 'common rabble' it goes under my skin and not in a good way.

       They are not better than anyone else. They bleed like any other and put their clothes on like any other. History is replete with rulers and nobles who went too far, and one way or another met their just 'fate', but the ones who step up to replace them seem not to learn the lesson the past ones learned.

       Rulers should be the highest servant to the people, not the opposite. The good ones help and guide their people, try and make life better. That does not mean easier, but to give them all the chance to make their lives better. It should be that the people must make an effort to better their lives and it is up to the rulers to give them that chance. If some will only take the easy way and take from their neighbors rather than both works to help each other rise up. Then the rulers have the responsibility to stand in judgment, not join with the ones taking the easy road."

       Rigmor: "You have obviously thought about this a lot."

       Iriisii: "I have seen it in my travels. The guards who tried to steer us to the North Gate."

       Rigmor: "What about them?"

       Iriisii: "The guards at the North gate try to scam visitors by charging a 'visitors tax' to enter the city. The guards keep a part of the 'tax' and the Thieves Guild takes another part, the rest goes to whoever sits in the shadows 'pulling the strings'."

       Rigmor: "Do you know who that might be, the one sitting in the shadows?"

       Iriisii: "Maven Blackbriar."

       Rigmor: "And how do you know this? Do you have ties to the 'Thieves Guild'?"

       Iriisii: "No, I do not have ties to them, they have a 'lookout' near the North Gate with a big mouth to go with his big body."

       Rigmor: "But if you have never been here before, how could you know this?"

       Iriisii goes quiet, thoughts going back to that night in Rose's camp.

     

       Rose: "Have you been anywhere else in Skyrim?"

       Iriisii: "No, or more correctly, I have no memory if I have or if I even heard of anywhere here from someone who had visited."

       Rose: "I am sorry for whatever happened to you to cause you to lose those memories. You are not someone who deserves something like that."

       Iriisii: "Thank you, it helps me to know you feel that way toward me."

       Rose, her arm loosely draped across Iriisii's stomach, slides it up just under her breasts and draws Iriisii tighter into a hug.

       Rose: "I think you are a very special person, someone I have hoped to someday meet. I just did not know it would be today, calling out for help to a stranger and finding you."

       Iriisii snuggles her head into the crook of Rose's neck, "Tell me about someplace you have been."

       Rose thinks for a few seconds, takes her free hand, and begins stroking the back of Iriisii's head, feeling the soft silkiness of her hair bringing back the memory of a place she had been.

       Rose: "Let me tell you of Riften. It is a city with two sides, like all the others here, but more obvious in Riften. The city is corrupt to the core, not that the Jarl is corrupt, but that she is kept unaware of what goes on under the surface. Just like you have two sides, with your darker side just sometimes peeking out. If you ask anyone in public about the 'Thieves Guild' they will deny it even exists, calling it nothing more than a rabble calling itself a guild.

       But once it was not like that, once it held power over everything that went on there, but no more. A woman named Maven of the Blackbriar family, the same that runs the Blackbriar meadery, is the power behind the shadows in that city. I know because she has a thug placed near the North Gate that looks for anyone who enters and warns them from causing trouble for Maven. I do not know why someone as smart as she is keeps him around for his lips are much too loose when it comes to talking about the Blackbriars and the Thieves Guild.

       He told me that she has the Thieves Guild in her pocket and that they do her bidding. The Jarl's steward is also in her pay, keeping the Jarl from interfering in Maven's business. The Jarl herself is not corrupt, just inept for the position she holds. Trusting the advisors around her that have all been suborned by Maven. If you should ever go there, watch out for the guards saying you must pay a 'visitor's tax' to enter Riften. It is a 'Thieves Guild' scam to fleece gold from unsuspecting visitors before they have a chance to spend their money in the marketplace.

       The marketplace is mostly legitimate, but there is always at least one market stall run by someone from the 'Thieves Guild'. Just listen for the one making the most outrageous claims for what they are selling. Anyway, there is a stall there run by a Dunmer named 'Branshei', he is honest, you can trust his prices and the quality of his goods. He sometimes brings in the most beautiful dresses from Morrowind. The fabric is as soft as your hair, and the colors are as beautiful as you are."

       Iriisii looks up at Rose's face, as Rose leans in to kiss her. Later, once they settle down to sleep, Iriisii is deep in her dreams. Rose murmurs to her, "Are you dreaming of me? Of this night we spend in each other's arms? I pray that you are, for I believe I am falling in love with you." Iriisii snuggles closer into Rose's arms, and Rose slips quietly into dreaming of what could be between them.

     

       Iriisii thinks of how to answer Rigmor, and Rigmor seeing the expressions fleeting across Iriisii's face, knows her question has caused a memory to surface in Iriisii's mind, but a private one, one that should stay private.

       Rigmor: "Rose told you about Riften, didn't she?"

       Iriisii: "Yes."

       Rigmor: "You do not have to say anything more, I understand. Come on, let us go find Baa-Ren'Dar, he should be in the 'Bee and Barb'."

       They enter the marketplace and Iriisii listens to each hawking their goods. It does not take long to spot the stall run by the 'Thieves Guild'. She thinks, 'Falmer Blood Elixir, really?' She knows a good bit about alchemy, but those claims are completely out of reason. A few of the claims can be addressed to an extent by alchemy, but most cannot. The rest would take a high level of magic to even begin to be addressed. And an alchemical potion? Not unless a God or Daedra fashioned it, and no God or Daedra would do that to be sold in a market. Not one you wanted to even hold in your hand, much less drink.

         She stops at a stall run by a Dunmer. It looks to be the only stall in the marketplace run by a Dunmer. Perhaps his name is Brandshei? But before she can ask to see his goods, she is interrupted.

        Brynjolf: "Never done an honest day's work in your life for all that coin you're carrying, eh lass?"

        Iriisii: "I'm sorry, what?"

        Brynjolf: "I'm saying you've got the coin, but you didn't earn a septim of it honestly. I can tell."

        Iriisii: "How could you possibly know that?"

        Brynjolf: "It's all about sizing up your mark, lass. The way they walk, what they're wearing. It's a dead giveaway."

        Iriisii: "My wealth is none of your business."

        Brynjolf: "Oh, but that's where you're wrong, lass. Wealth is my business. Maybe you'd like a taste?"

        Iriisii: "My hands are not squeaky clean by any means, but I do not intend to ally myself with any organization that the best they can do is hawk, 'Falmer Blood Elixer' in a third-rate marketplace. And yes, I know who the real power is in this town."

        Brynjolf: "Then perhaps it would be to your advantage not to get on her bad side."

        Iriisii: "Perhaps it would behoove her not to get on mine."

        Brynjolf: "And who would you be that my sponsor would be better off not getting on your bad side?"

        Iriisii: "If she is as intelligent as it is said of her, she should already know who I am. You can run and tell her that she is not the one I am here for, but if she wants to take exception to my presence. Well, I am ready to defend myself against anything she can bring to bear. Ask her about a visitor that came to her some years ago. Her name was Anais, the 'Killing Frost', third of the 'Sinister Seven'."

        Brynjolf: "Was?"

        Iriisii: "Yes, 'was', she and the rest of the 'Seven' are dead and gone."

        Brynjolf: "And what does that have to do with you?"

        Iriisii: "Someone had to do it, a group like the 'Sinister Seven' do not disappear for no reason at all. If one of the Jarls or the Legion had done it, you would have heard the deed proclaimed in every Inn and Tavern in both Skyrim and Cyrodiil."

        Byrnjolf: "True enough but are you saying you did it?" 

        Brynjolf eyes her body up and down.

        Iriisii: 'Darkstar, if you would like to set him in his place?'

        Darkstar: "With great pleasure!'

        Darkstar steps in close to Brynjolf, reaching a hand around his neck, and moves like she was going to kiss him. Instead, she stops just short of his lips and whispers to him.

        Darkstar: "Ask Maven Blackbriar what she has heard of the name of 'Darkstar'. Tell her I am in Skyrim now, and if she should place a contract on me with the Dark Brotherhood, they will not accept it, but they will tell me about it and I will have to pay her a visit to voice my displeasure.

       I prefer not to start a war with her, but I am more than capable of doing so and carrying it out to its final conclusion should she cross me. Not to mention, the Morag Tong will do the same as the Dark Brotherhood should she contact them. They both know what I will do to them if they accept a contract on me.

       Tell her to ask her informants in Morrowind about what happened among the Morag Tong several years ago when they suddenly lost over a hundred of their best in a single night. One of them, second in command to the 'Mute'. And that it happened on an island nation beyond Akavir. If she needs further proof, there is a monument where the 'Mother' of the 'Seven' is interred where I killed her, just to the north of Bloodlet Throne.

       I was the one, as the least of the 'Seven' to take care of the Morag Tong who thought to set up a base in my homeland. I escaped some years later, but I have not neglected my training since then. Now I am probably the most deadly and dangerous killer to walk Nirns' lands, and I will not entertain any ideas of working for her under any circumstances. An assassin of the 'First Order' must have some standards."

       She then bites his lower lip, leaving the bloody imprint of her teeth both inside and outside. As she turns away toward Brandshei, she turns her face back toward Brynjolf, "You might want to try some of that 'Falmer Blood Elixir' and see if it can heal that wound."

       As she turns her face to Brandshei, and Brynjolf walks as quickly as he can without running down to the Ratway, Brandshei looks at Iriisii with awe.

       Brandshei in a hushed voice, "You were the one who nearly destroyed the Morag Tong? Too bad you did not include the Cammona Tong as well."

       Iriisii: "They have not crossed my path as yet, but a good friend of mine said you are an honest merchant with fair prices for your goods."

       Brandshei: "I do my best, having to deal with the corruption around here limits what I can do."

       Iriisii: "I understand, I will not hold it against you for what you must charge for your goods having to endure the problems you have here."

       Brandshei: "Thank you, but for you, I will do my best."

       Iriisii: "I could ask no more than that. I expect to pay a fair price, as any other customer would pay. I believe your goods would be worth the cost."

       Brandshei: "What are you looking for?"

       Iriisii: "A dress, imported from Morrowind, red in color."

       Brandshei: "I know exactly what you want, but I do not have one in stock as yet."

       Iriisii: "No problem, may I pay you for it now and pick it up on a further visit. I will be back through soon and could stop back by when I do."

       Brandshei: "Of course, however you wish to do this is fine with me. I will leave it under the counter here. If I am not here just get it yourself, I will leave word with the others here that you have already paid and are just picking it up."

       Iriisii hands over some gold septims and says, "I appreciate doing business with an honest merchant, may Azura watch over you and protect you."

     Brandshei watches as she turns and walks toward the 'Bee and Barb'.

     A voice from the next stall asks, "Who is she, that Brynjolf left in such a hurry, and with a bloody lip at that?"

     Brandshei: "A 'Name' from history, one that has now come to Skyrim. And Tamriel will no longer be the same for her being here. Listen for her name and remember that you saw her first, here in Riften."