The Story Of Iriisii Dovahkiin - Book One Chapter Eleven

  The Story of Iriisii Dovahkiin - Chapter Eleven      

      

     The battle for the soul of the Dragonborn is over. Vaermina is defeated, at least for the time being. The Dragonborn is sleeping, recovering from the ordeal she and her companions had to endure, whether they truly went to the Realm of Quagmire is up for debate. Since Vaermina is Daedric Lord of Dreams and Nightmares, who can really say where they went. The Dragonborn has been asleep for nearly two days with Rigmor a constant presence at their bedside.

     Everyone who had business either in the bedroom or anywhere near soon learned to walk on eggshells, even Lord Blackwell walked carefully when he needed to talk to Rigmor, making no noise when approaching. Even the falcon perched on the open window sill, calmly watching the activities going on, no one taking notice of her being there and certainly not about to try and get her to leave. At least not after a couple of servants got a pair of matching holes pecked in their hands, and made any noise while she calmly watched.

     Lucia whispered: "Has there been any change with Mama?"

     Rigmor: "No Lucia, I am afraid not, but the healer says she just needs to recover the sleep she lost. It may take her sleeping nearly all the time for the next week or so."

     Lucia: "Well, I am just glad that mess is over with and Mama is going to get well again."

     Rigmor: "I agree, and Lucia."

     Lucia: "Yes Mom?"

     Rigmor: "Thank you, for what you did for her in wherever that place was. I will never forget and I pray someday I can adequately reward you."

     Lucia: "Please Mom, you do not have to do that. The life, Mama saved me from, and the new one she gave me is a reward enough for me many times over. I will never as long as I live be able to repay her for what she gave me when she adopted me."

     Rigmor: "Even so, not many children, even grown ones have the strength of will to do what you did. Now go get some sleep yourself, you are about to fall over."

     Lucia: "OK, I will check back later and spell you a while watching Mama."

     Lucia leaves and quietly closes the door behind her, leaving Rigmor alone with a sleeping Dragonborn and a falcon resting on the windowsill. A couple of hours elapses with no interruptions and Rigmor starts to nod. Just then she hears a rustle of bed coverings and jerks awake, Seeing the Dragonborn stirring she quickly moves to her side, gently taking hold of her hand.

     Rigmor: "Finally waking up, sleepyhead?"

     Iriisii: "How long?"

     Rigmor: "You have been asleep for nearly two days now, ever since we taught Vaermina not to mess with us."

     Iriisii: "Two days!" trying to move to get up.

     Rigmor: "No you don't! You stay right there until Rose has a look at you and says you can get up!"

     Iriisii: "Uugghh, I think this time I am in total agreement with you."

     Rigmor: "You just lay there and I will go get Rose."

     Iriisii: "Wait, my love, there is something I would like to talk with you about, something that has been on my mind for a while, and the events of the past months have made me want to speak with you about it very much. I kept pushing it back but now I see I was wrong to do that."

     Rigmor feels something, she doesn't know what, but a strong feeling coming over her, like this is one of those 'crux' moments, when the world hangs in the balance.

     Rigmor: "Ok, I am here for you no matter what, go on and tell me."

     The Dragonborn looks at Rigmor with eyes alight with an inner fiery glow that sends shivers of pleasure throughout Rigmor's body at the memories that it brings back to her.

     Iriisii: "Rigmor, please hear me out before you say anything in response."

     Rigmor: "Ok" takes a deep breath, "Go on".

     Iriisii: "Rigmor, love of my heart, I want to have another child with you!"

     Rigmor: "What did you just say?!"

     Iriisii: "Please listen to me before you beat me over the head with whatever you can grab hold of."

     Rigmor: "Ok, but you had better make this good or there will be Oblivion to pay!"

     Iriisii: "You know how much I love Kintyra, there is nothing I would not do for her. But seeing you with her, holding her, talking to her, playing with her, I would not take those moments away from you for any reason. You bore her within your body for nine months, protecting her while she grew, feeling her move inside you, and then you gladly suffered to let her come out into the world to be her own.

     Seeing you experience all that has made me realize just how badly I want that same experience for myself, and I do not want you to have to go through that again so soon after Kintyra. I want to be the one to bear and give birth to this child, I know we will have to ask the Gods to intervene again, but they do owe us for not only what we have done for them but what we have still to do. If they will not then that will settle the issue at least for a while. Now you can hit me over the head if you want."

     Rigmor: "Oh, my silly Dragonborn, you caught me by surprise. How could I ever tell you no when I can see and now understand just how you feel. I would feel the same as you, if were our places exchanged, so yes, as soon as you feel recovered, we can go to a shrine or one of the cathedrals and ask for their favor.

     Suddenly a gentle knocking is heard at the door.

     Rigmor: "This had better be important or somebody is going to be spending some time in the dungeon."

     Rigmor goes and opens the door, ready to 'take someone's head off for interrupting' and sees Sethri calmly waiting.

     Rigmor: "Sethri, you had better come in, I know you are aware of how the Dragonborn needs rest, so is this worth the interruption?"

     Sethri: "Of course, Milady! As soon as this came into my hands I knew you would want to see it for yourself." Sethri hands over some pages, (Dawnstar Story),

                                               *

     A story told to a Dawnstar fisherman

     I tell you boys true. That lady warrior you boys saw earlier, that came up in that boat. You know the one I am talking about, the one that was dripping blood and flesh from herself but had no wounds of her own. I know this because she was carrying that young girl in her arms and never missed a beat in her steps. Just kept walking on through town and kept going south.

     You boys know my past, I was a mercenary before I settled here, I traveled all over Tamriel and other places, so I recognized the armor she wore. That's why I told you boys to leave her be and not ask any questions of her. She wore the armor of a Divine Blade Dancer, probably the last of her kind, in these parts anyway.

     Let me tell you boys a true story. It was many years ago and I was washed up on the islands of the Sea Elves after one mother of a storm tore apart the boat I was working as a guard on. The next day in the brightest noonday sun you could imagine, a strange ship sails up into the harbor but stays away from the docks.

     A skiff was dropped over the side and a woman wearing the same kind of armor climbed down into the skiff and rowed to the docks. She tied up the skiff and talked to one of the sea elves for a moment. I swear to you as I am standing here right now, that that sea elf knelt down and bowed to her, right there on the docks. Some of the guards started running over to see what was going on and drew their swords as they approached. The woman did not move, did not turn around to face them, in fact, it looked like she was totally ignoring them bearing down on her. The sea elf at her feet looked up and saw the guards racing toward them with swords drawn.

     He jumped up and placed himself in between the woman and the guards, speaking to them hurriedly. I don't know much of their tongue but I made out a few words that sent such a chill down my spine that I felt like an ice wraith had crawled up my backside. Look, I am getting to that, just let me drink some more of this golden courage from this mug. As I said, the words I heard...first were the words 'Aasimar Scourge', then I heard 'Blade Dancer', and then silence as if time had stopped, she turned her head and looked at me. I felt a breeze flow around me and more words whispered into my ear by the winds.

     Zephyrs: "She is the last of the Ancient Blade Dancers left on Nirn, an Aasimar Scourge dedicated to the Honor of the Gods, trained from birth to seek out Evil wherever it may be found and destroy it. This one seeks sanctuary for a time. She will be gifted by the Gods with a granddaughter, a granddaughter fated with a destiny greater than all past destinies, but who must travel that doom-driven path with no memory to guide her way. Some will say she walks a path to greatness, and they will not be wrong.

     But there is much more to the path she will tread, climbing her way through war and death, blood and bodies to fill an ocean marking her footsteps, and should she find her heart's deepest, most needful desire, claiming it through all the battles, lies, deceit, and betrayals that will stand in her way, will bring her to the world's greatest need. It is her fate to set the stage for the future that is to come.

     For good or ill, all things will revolve around her actions, her decisions, and her desires. If all goes well, through her and her line will blossom the will of the Gods, a Golden Age of peace, honor, and prosperity for all men, mer, and beast, to last for millennia to come. If all goes awry, the Gods will weep for Nirn for all time to come. You will know when this one comes, for she will bear a young girl in her arms, unharmed, though she will be covered in the blood and offal of her enemies.

     Your task is to follow her, keep her in your sight, until you see her rise up into the very air. upon dragon wings like none ever seen before. You will be her priest, her prophet, as in the days of Maruck, a prophet of Alessia. Spread your tale far and wide, let none deny you the words you speak, let no ear go unhearing of your story, and the Gods will bless you above all men.

     The daughter of Alessia and Talos, dragonblood and dragonchild, together in one woman of destiny. One to fulfill the ancient vision of Maruck, given unto him by Alessia herself. A hero will come in the greatest need of Nirn, a hero to reforge the Empire, a hero to smash the Aldmeri Dominion, a hero to put the Ancient Sword of the Blade Dancers to the Serpent. She will be that one, unburdened by the past, looking always to the future, guided but unknowing.

     Do all you can to convince others to help her in her path, for she is the last hope to stop the Age of the Undead from being unleashed. Go now, that ship is waiting to bear you to Tamriel, for you are blessed by the Gods to carry the word of the greatest and only Dragonborn Blade Dancer to all who will hear this message from your voice. Listen for rumors of her exploits, hear the call of the Greybeards of High Hrothgar ring throughout the land summoning her to the great and terrible battle that will be her life, and know your work is just beginning.

     I thought hard about what the words said and made my way toward the skiff to board that strange ship and go home to Skyrim. But as I made my way to the docks, three Thalmor ships came racing into the harbor determined to not let that ship leave. They came on and blocked the harbor entrance with two ships while the third came on to the docks and a full company of Thalmor soldiers jumped to the dock. More guards poured out of the palace to stop the advance of the Thalmor. But the Blade Dancer turned to the approaching guards and spoke to them, motioning them to back up off the dock and onto the island shore. The only thing I heard that I understood was that she said that she would meet them and that they would rue this day for as long as they remembered it. Then she turned and looked at me again, and I heard the voices in the wind tell me to wait with the guards until she was done.

     Boys, with the gods as witness to my words, I have never before and never since seen anything like the dance she put on for those Thalmor soldiers. She moved so smoothly, you would swear she was hardly moving at all. But as her blade moved back and forth, slicing and parrying, Thalmor bodies dropped to the docks, getting more and more slippery with blood. But she never slipped, never faltered in her dance of death. The look on her face was stern and unforgiving as if she took no joy from her actions that day, just meted out justice as the gods' right hand.

     Almost as soon as she started, it was over, not a single soldier was left alive. She slowly walked close enough to the ship for them to hear her words and she told them to return to the Isles and tell their masters of what happened that day, and should they have the misfortune to return here again, the fate of these who fell this day would seem mild to what would befall any who returned.

     It did not take hardly any time at all for the Thalmor to turn tail and run as fast as the winds could take them from that land. Once they were out of sight, she motioned me to take the skiff out to the waiting ship, and as I passed by her, she placed a hand on my shoulder stopping me for just a moment of time, she whispered to me and thanked me for accepting the task the Gods had asked of me. She then asked the Gods to bless my trip home and watch over me as I did their bidding.

     And as they have done so all of the time since then, I have done as they asked of me and spoke what words they gave unto me to speak. Until today, when I have seen the sight I was promised so long ago. And now I have a new task ahead of me, one even more important than the one I had before. For you, all saw her as she walked through Dawnstar on her way to her destiny, and now it is my time to shed these robes of a traveling priest and follow in her footsteps as her prophet, by the will of the Gods, now go I upon this new journey.

     Maybe I will see you boys again someday, and maybe not. But remember this day for this is the day of the return of the Dragonborn Blade Dancer as she starts her journey, first to the Ruby Throne, and then... well only the Gods know what comes after. Goodbye and may the Gods watch over you all, my friends."     

                                                                  *

     Rigmor's face suddenly becomes first serious then awestruck as she reads the pages.

     Rigmor: "Dragonborn, you need to read this if you are up to it, maybe you can make more of it than I can."

     The Dragonborn takes the pages and begins to read. By the time she finishes, her hands are shaking, and her voice is trembling.

     Iriisii: "I never knew anything about this in my past, any idea how long ago this happened, Sethri?"

     Sethri: "My Mistress says the first part happened some forty-five years ago, maybe longer, but the last part is pretty obvious that was when you brought Rigmor back from the Altar of Trinimac. Also, Lord Blackwell has been receiving reports of an itinerant priest wandering around Skyrim, proclaiming to be the prophet of the Dragonborn Blade Dancer, heiress to the long-forgotten Ancient Order.

     But this is the kicker, the priest is not alone in his travels. He has two sea elves that Blackwell says are highly placed, close to their King, accompanying him and vouching that his every word is true and that they themselves witnessed the events that happened that day! I can tell you that when he gets to the part where the Thalmor gets their 'asses handed to them on a silver platter' the crowds are cheering loud enough to be heard in the next province.

     Not to mention that the latter half of the story is backed up by the entire population of Dawnstar. It seems you made quite the impression when you carried Rigmor in your arms through town, covered in blood and guts but with not a mark on either of you. Some are saying they saw a winged figure in the distance take off from the ground carrying a heavy load and head southeast. And some are beginning to say they think you are the warrior that carried the young girl through town and that would make Rigmor that young girl!"

     Iriisii: "As if we did not have enough complications in our lives, now this crops up. At least he is not stirring up the people of Skyrim against us, but you can just imagine the apoplectic fits the Thalmor elite are going through. I expect we will be hearing from them shortly. They are going to use every bit of leverage that they can come up with to get us to denounce him."

     Rigmor: "Well are you?" looking pointedly at the Dragonborn.

     Iriisii: "Hell no, I am not going to denounce him. He just may be on to something here, and if he is telling the truth, I may know who the Blade Dancer was, and if the goddess, who was whispering in his ear all those years ago, is who I suspect."

     Rigmor: "Who do you think they were?"

     Iriisii: "The Blade Dancer could have been my adopted mortal grandmother. The Goddess I believe is Kyne, Goddess of the Winds."

     At which the falcon on the windowsill, who had been ignored and forgotten by everyone in the room, suddenly let out a very loud screech, immediately drawing all attention to herself.

     Sethri with a strange considering look on his face said, "Dragonborn, I think someone is confirming your conclusion."

     Again the falcon lets out a loud screech as if agreeing with Sethri.

     Rigmor: "Dragonborn, you can't be thinking..."

     Iriisii: "Stop and consider a moment my love. Kyne is the Goddess of the Winds, I know of several times my words have been carried on those winds to someone many miles away and their reply has come back to me on those same winds. The falcon is perfectly at home on the winds, traveling, hunting, and teaching her chicks. It stands to reason that they would be close to Kyne, in fact, closer than many other kinds of animals.

     And I am close to her as well, she was the one who convinced Paarthanax to teach the dragon language to man so that they could use that with the 'Voice' to use 'Shouts'. She is why I have the ability to 'Shout', and when she declared me her "Thunderchild", she taught me much more than just those 'Shouts' recorded on the 'Word Walls'. She taught me new meanings to the words I learned so that I could arrange them into new 'Shouts' similar to what the 'Tongues' did during the 'Dragon War" when they developed the 'Dragonrend' shout. A 'Shout' never before known because it was a pure construct of men, dragons could not even comprehend its meaning."

     The falcon agrees with the Dragonborn, and finally, Rigmor has to accept that maybe there is something to what the Dragonborn is saying. Rigmor looks over to the falcon, draws up a measure of courage that she is not about to make a fool of herself, and says to the falcon.

     Rigmor: "I apologize if I have offended you for not believing. The times and events have not been kind to me, as I am sure you are aware, having witnessed nearly all that has happened from the window."

     The falcon calls out again, and Rigmor can almost swear she thinks the falcon is laughing, not making fun of her, but trying to lighten the somber mood everyone seems to be dropping into. The Dragonborn seems to get it as well and chuckling says to the falcon.

     Iriisii: "Thank you for helping bring us out of the shadows that were creeping onto us. You are welcome here anytime you wish, I will leave orders for the guards and staff not to disturb you."

     The falcon simply bobs her head and Sethri says nothing but does give the falcon a nod of respect, which the falcon returns.

     Iriisii: "Now where were we?"

                                                                     *

     Iriisii: "We need more information if we are to keep the Thalmor off balance on this Blade Dancer issue. And I think I may have an idea about where some more information may be found, but first, we need to try and see if we can confirm if the information could be there."

     Rigmor: "Where are you thinking of?"

     Iriisii: "Something is telling me, we should look toward 'Sky's Divide', but last I knew that place got pulled into the void by Salaquine. Besides I do not want to even make the attempt unless there is a good chance of actually finding something there. Sethri, would you go and see if you can find Lilith and Serana? Ask them to come up here, I want to talk to them about this. My love, please stay, there is much you will need and want to hear."

     After Sethri rounds up Lilith and Serana, everyone gathers around a table.

     Iriisii: "Ok, I am sure you have both probably heard by now what is happening in Skyrim."

     Everyone nods their head as the Dragonborn looks around the table.

     Iriisii: "Ok, we need to find any information to either confirm or disprove what that priest is spreading all over Skyrim. I know that we are talking about a warrior order that for all intents and purposes disappeared anywhere from two to four thousand years ago, maybe more. However, if the story is to be believed, at least one member showed up in Pyandonea within the last twenty to forty-five years. Where she went after that is unknown, but there are two high-ranking officials from Pyandonea who are confirming her presence there at that time and are accompanying that priest on his travels and vouching for what he is saying. I don't know for sure if this is an elaborate hoax or not. I am leaning toward 'not' for reasons I cannot express at this time.

     I do not want to be dragged into this either way until I can prove with historical records that they did actually exist. If so then we can make the case for some of them going underground so to speak until recently. But the first order of business is historical proof. I need that to combat the Thalmor position when they show up here to pressure us to deny the priests' words.

     Serana, have you at any time heard any mention or stories about an Ancient Order of Blade Dancers before you were sealed away in Dimhollow?"

     Serana: "I have been going through my memories since I first heard the news. I cannot say for certain but the name does 'ring a bell' in some of my earliest memories. I remember that my father suffered some rather humiliating military defeats against a 'mercenary band' of warrior women. I think it was those defeats that drove him to become a devout follower of Molag Bal in order to gain his assistance in fighting them. Even after he received the assistance he wanted, the best he could do was fight to a stalemate with horrendous losses of his men. Other than that, I have no other memories."

     Iriisii: "Thanks, I appreciate the effort you made to dredge that up, it could not have been easy. Lilith, before you answer, I have some thoughts of my own to throw out as to why I asked you to join this discussion. Just before we left Sky's Divide, I told you that I had to fight Matari's Golden Maidens. What I did not and have not said until now was that they were the toughest opponents I have ever had to face. They were tougher even than quite a few of the dragons I have had to kill!

     And I am dead serious when I say that. It took all my skills in combat, magic, and dragon shouts to take them down, and I almost couldn't do it. Somehow they seemed to be able to vanish in midstride, appear, and strike as if out of thin air. I used 'Storm Call', the rain and lightning strikes surprised them when they revealed their positioning, allowing me to use my own lightning strikes to take out three of them in just two strikes.

     The remaining three recovered quickly and I lost track of them again. I used several other shouts but nothing seemed to be able to target them. I switched to magic, using a specialized fire spell that hovered above while streaking out random fire strikes. I knew it was a taking a chance since I could be hit as well, but it worked in my favor allowing me to take out two more, leaving one remaining. That was when I had to use the ring, I just could not find that last Maiden.

     I slipped the ring on my finger and felt the slowdown effect start. I still could not see her, but I knew she would be very near. So I began a series of sweeping strikes, trying to cover as much area as I could until I felt my blade part flesh. Now I had her, I simply used my strikes to pinpoint where she was and sliced her until she fell over and bled out from her wounds. This is the ring that I used in that battle."

     The Dragonborn opened an engraved fur-lined box, sitting in the middle of the table, with a single ring displayed inside.

     Iriisii: "Lilith will you please look at the markings on the ring and see if they mean anything to you?" 

     Lilith takes the ring gently in her hands, holding it into the candlelight while the Dragonborn continues speaking, "I do not know the script engraved on the ring but I do know that it is written in the dragon language even though as you can see the script is not Runic but some kind of flowing script I have never seen before.

     Iriisii: "I know it is the dragon language because some of the words give me the same feelings as words I read on some of the dragon walls around Skyrim. Specifically the words to the dragon shout called, "Slow Time", because that is exactly what that ring does when it is worn. It can slow time down to a crawl for everyone around whoever wears it. Honestly, if I had not had that ring then, I would not be here now."

     Rigmor: "But then, how did you come by it, how did you know to have it with you when you went to that island?"

     Sethri asks Lilith if he may examine the ring. As she hands it over to him, he places it in the flat palm of his hand, palm up, then cradles his other hand under the first. He holds his head straight, then slightly tilted up. As his eyes begin to glow with a pale blue color and an aetherial wind seems to gently blow around the room.

     The Dragonborn motions Rigmor to look at Sethri. She does and goes quiet, patiently waiting to see what happens next. Sethri opens his mouth to speak but it is another voice that issues forth.

     Azura: "Perhaps I can answer your question, Daughter of Azura. The language written on the ring is indeed the Dragon speech, but the writing itself is far older. The ring itself is older than this Kalpa, brought over with the father of Umaril the Unfeathered when he escaped the ending of the previous Kalpa. Luckily, he lost the ring in the transition, or who knows what catastrophe might have been born.

     It was found by a young female warrior of the Aasimar race, long before they were driven from Nirn or forced to face genocide. She discovered what the ring could do and decided that the Gods had bestowed it upon her to follow in her deceased mother's footsteps. She used it to create a legend around herself, drawing in acolytes wanting to learn her martial skills, many of whom were also Aasimar.

     And so the Ancient Order of the Blade Dancers was born, she trained them and charged them to go out and find Evil in whatever pockets of darkness it lived in, drag it out into the brightness of the sun, and utterly destroy it! Many fell, but they were always more willing to train and give their lives to fight against the rising Darkness. For the Darkness, seeing the threat of the Blade Dancers, corrupted all it could entice into its fold.

     The founder of the Order grew old and eventually passed the Order and the ring to her daughter, just before she died. And so it went for generations, each one passing the legacy to the next. Some passed from battle wounds, others old age, their numbers dwindling as the years rolled on as if in a passing parade. When the Darkness felt its strength great enough, it drew upon its corrupted agents and turned the people against the Blade Dancers. Many were lost in the ensuing defensive battles, for the Blade Dancers chose to die horribly rather than take the lives of innocents, even innocents deluded by the Darkness.

     The Matriarch of the Order then made a decision, either stay and die to the last one, or escape to a new home through a portal their mages had just built. She chose for what remained to escape in the hope that perhaps one day they could return, bringing peace and justice to Nirn again.

     A valiant few decided to stay and go to ground, hiding in far-off lands. Hoping to be able to be the ones to open the portal, returning their brothers and sisters home. The Matriarch's daughter was one of these valiant few. Against all odds, they survived the "Wild Hunt" that was called to find and exterminate them. But still, time worked against them, slowly whittling their numbers down, until just a very few remained, waiting for the one promised to them by the Gods.

    The one who would come into the world as one of the lowest and rise to the pinnacle at the top of an Empire. One who would discover her lineage and her beginnings. In doing so, reclaims her birthright, takes control of her destiny, and forges a new future for Nirn. One never before seen on Nirn, a Dragonborn Blade Dancer! How can this be possible? Two of the Divine Realm conceived a child together, but the child could not be born in the Divine Realm and grasp the destiny, fate and the Elder Scrolls decreed. The Divine parents came to Nirn, gave birth to their child, and raised her until her eighteenth birth year when she disappeared.

     What happened to her, only I and the 'Nine' were able to discover. Another of the 'Other Gods', Gods who watch over the Realms beyond Mundus. One saw that this young woman could be what was needed to solve a tremendously daunting problem. And so a bargain was struck between this Goddess and Akatosh, the path they each needed this young woman for was merged by the Jills at Akatosh's order.

     The young woman was physically regressed until she could be returned to the womb to be born a second time, but this time to a Blade Dancer, one of their 'Lost Ones' who never returned from their trial. The mother died during the child's birth, and the father some months later of a broken heart. The child was raised by her grandfather and the village she grew up in until they were slaughtered by mercenary assassins.

     The child's second mother was the daughter of the Matriarch of the Blade Dancers. She shares the gifts of the Dragonborn, with the training of the Blade Dancers, and the potential of the abilities of the Gods who 'touched' her ancestors. What this all means, none of us truly knows where this will lead her, but we do feel she will reach a point where she will write her own destiny and it will be beyond anything even Gods can imagine.

     The 'Blade Dancer' grandmother is still alive and living in seclusion. Find her and she can confirm all that I have said, for she knows the history of the Dragonborn Blade Dancer because she trained her. And somewhere along the trail of events, your Divine parents will announce themselves to all, for they are indeed proud of your choices and decisions. They have laughed when you laughed, cried when you cried, knew joy when you knew joy. They knew fear and then rejoiced at the birth of Kintyra, and eagerly await the possibility of more children to come.

     There exists a portal, created by the Dwemer and no one now living knows where the portal resides, for it was hidden even from the sight of the Gods. But it is possible to find out where it is if you should so desire to do so. There is an Elder Scroll locked away by the Dwemer, and doubly sealed in a guarded vault on the edge of the Void. You know where you would need to go to be able to access that hidden vault. Then you would need to take what you find in that cursed vault and take it to another Dwemer location. One where you can channel the contents of that Elder Scroll and safely read it.

     Then if you still desire to continue on, you will have the location of the portal. Journey there with the key, open the portal, and step through. You will meet your ultimate destiny, and if you should so desire, return at the helm of an army never before seen or imagined. Purge Evil and Darkness from Nirn, then make it a world worth defending and living in. I must go, I have been here too long already. My servant Sethri will have no memory of what has transpired, but if you have need of him, take him with you. And I will endeavor to help as I can through him. And Dragonborn, thank you for looking after my Daughter as you have done. Farewell!"

     Rigmor softly with love and respect: "Dragonborn, don't you even think about going away on this task without me."

                                              *

     Iriisii: "Rigmor, you do realize we cannot both be gone from Cyrodiil at the same time. Blackwell will have kittens over this as it is and I need his cooperation. Yes, I know he works for me, but this is going to be a delicate matter and I would rather not have to get into a fight with him over it."

     Rigmor: "Why does he even have to know what you intend to do about it?"

     Iriisii: "Because I need some handpicked men to go along and act as guards at the teleport station, on both sides of the portal. I have no idea what we will face. It may well be a walk in the garden, or it could be a bloodbath the entire way, or anywhere in between. I want the portals guarded in case we have to make a fast exit and I do not want anyone else coming in behind us or waiting for us to return in order to ambush us. He will know who among his people and the legion is best suited and experienced to trust with the job."

     Rigmor: "I appreciate you taking security seriously, really I do. But you are not going to leave me behind and that is final! So just find a way to make it work!"

     Iriisii: "That is it, I give up. You know that I love you with all of my heart, I know you have worried over me these past few months what with all that has happened. If there was any way to do this differently, I would pull the moons out of the night sky if that would let me bring you along, but I cannot think of a way to lower the risk enough to allow both of us to be away from Cyrodiil at this time! If you can think of a way, then please tell me and I will happily do it!"

     Rigmor stops what she was going to say and starts trying to do just what the Dragonborn asked. Suddenly, the falcon that has up until now rested quietly on the window sill, flies to and lands on the table, screeching loudly. Rigmor starts to shoo the falcon off the table when the Dragonborn interrupts her action.

     Iriisii: "Wait, look at the falcon closely. She is not acting how you would expect a falcon to act."

     The Dragonborn looks at the falcon directly and asks, "Do you believe you can help us with this situation?"

     As Rigmor looks on incredulously, thinking that maybe something is still wrong in the Dragonborn's head, the falcon dips her head up and down in answer to the question.

     Rigmor: "By the Gods, Dragonborn, she is answering you!"

     To which the falcon gives another loud screech.

     Iriisii: "Is there a way to allow you to talk to us in normal speech?"

     The falcon looks at the Dragonborn as if considering what action she wants to take, then hops off of the table and moves to an open area of the room. Suddenly a glow surrounds the falcon, which fades from view as the glow becomes a bright, almost blinding light. Guards quickly come running into the room and the Dragonborn has to step between them and the blindingly bright light, that is shifting its shape, expanding and becoming more human in shape.

     As quickly as the light flared up, it now died down, leaving in its place the form of an exceedingly beautiful young woman clad in robes of a kind that covered her from shoulders to feet, but somehow looked like translucent feathers. The Dragonborn hastily moves the guards back out of the room but bids them to stay close in case they are needed. The guard captain accepts the Dragonborn's request and posts his men in a formation that would allow quick access for his men to enter the room if needed without getting hung in the doorway. The Dragonborn goes back into the room, walks up to the young woman, and bows respectfully.

     Rigmor: "Dragonborn, who or what is this standing here where that falcon was?"

     Iriisii: "I feel that we have met before somewhere, but I do not remember where."

     Falcon: "Indeed, we have and have not met before, you met an echo of me, while you sojourned in Coldharbour as a Vigilant of Stendarr."

     Rigmor, somewhat stridently but also confused: "Dragonborn, you never told me that you were once a Vigilant of Stendarr, and how did you ever end up in Coldharbour? You have never been a vampire, have you?"

     Falcon: "Lady Rigmor, please allow me to explain. The Dragonborn was recruited to assist the Vigilants of Stendarr with some especially difficult occurrences of Daedra being summoned across Skyrim. It led to one of the Vigilants betraying the order and causing it to almost be totally destroyed. The Dragonborn survived the betrayal by defeating Molag Bal in combat in his shrine deep underneath Stendarr's Beacon.

     At that time only the Dragonborn and the librarian in the Temple were left. The Dragonborn took up the mantle of Commander until someone else could be found to pass it to. But until then there were requests for help to be attended to. It was an old request that a previous Vigilant had gone on that was brought to the Dragonborn's attention due to no word returning as to the outcome of the investigation.

     The Dragonborn went to the Manor House to see who had made the request to see if any more help was needed. The Dragonborn found all inside dead and proceeded to find out what happened. She found the answers she sought, but also found herself trapped inside while a blood curse had plunged the Manor into flames. The Dragonborn had only two options left to her, to die in the flames, a martyr to Stendarr, or accept an offer of escape from Molag Bal to his realm of Coldharbor. The Dragonborn did take a few moments to think through the choices before accepting the escape offer.

     She was transported to Coldharbour as a living mortal, which has only happened a scant handful of times in the last several millennia. Once there, she cleared her head and took her bearings on where she found herself and what was happening within the area. For Coldharbour was in the midst of a decades-long invasion by Jyggalaag, Daedric Lord of Order."

     Rigmor: "Dragonborn, you and I are going to have a long talk when this is over, but first I have not heard of this Jyggalaag. Who exactly is he?"

     Iriisii: "He is the other side of Sheolgorath's coin, As Sheolgorath is the Daedric Lord of Madness, Jyggalag is his alter ego or equally the other way around. As I remember, Jyggalaag was first and had amassed so much power that the other Daedric lords grew afraid and sundered his mind into two halves. One Jyggalaag, Prince of Order, and the other Sheolgorath, Prince of Madness, both sharing the same body, but only one manifesting at a time."

     Falcon: "You are correct, Dragonborn. And so the Dragonborn sought a means of escape from Coldharbor. In doing so her actions and decisions along the way allowed her to gain a great deal of karma for the good actions and decisions she was able to make in both the reality of Coldharbour and in the soul dreams of those figures of history she met.

     This in the end is what allowed her to escape Coldharbor while at the same time breaking the stalemate between Molag Bal and Jyggalaag. The Dragonborn ascended the Imperial Tower in the center of the city looking for a way out, fighting both the forces of Molag Bal and the forces of Jyggalaag along the way. The fighting was so fierce at times, that even Jyggalaag paused to observe the Dragonborn's prowess in battle. At the top, after defeating everything that could be thrown at her, the Dragonborn stepped into the Portal she opened with the Ada-Bal that she took from Molag Bal.

     She found herself in Aetherius, moving along, learning the history and motivations of Molag Bal, she made the choices she needed to make to ultimately allow herself to escape back to Mundus, and thus to Skyrim."

     Rigmor: "But who or what exactly are you?"

     Iriisii: "Now I remember where I met you. Down that old well that led to a Shrine of Meridia beneath Coldharbour, you were the last 'Golden Maiden of Meridia'. I assume that the echo of yourself that was trapped there was freed upon Jyggalaag defeating Molag Bal and converting Coldharbour."

     Falcon: "Yes indeed Dragonborn, and I have you to thank for reuniting the two pieces of my soul. For now, Meridia has seen fit for me to enter the ranks of her 'Valkyries' and thus I owe you a great debt of gratitude. For the Champion of Meridia to enter Coldharbour and rescue the last remaining lost soul of Meridia's Maiden warriors and return that lost soul to her Goddess.

     Others as well were saved and reunited, some after millennia of separation, Morihaus, Pelinal, Laza, and others. The bards of Shor's Hall in Sovngarde are singing songs of your deeds, Dragonborn, songs such that the very rafters of that exalted hall are shaking with the power of those songs. Such are the stories of which great legends are created! My Goddess, Meridia, has given me leave to assist you in any way you see fit, I am yours to command, Champion!"

     Dragonborn softly asks: "What is your name, that I would call you by?"

     Falcon: "Gloriana Reynorsa, Dragonborn."

     Dragonborn: "Then I welcome you, Gloriana, Valkyrie of the Empire! Come, we have much planning to do, but first I think we need to find a new room, this one has grown just a bit small for our cadre of friends, we also need to find a servant along the way to bring us some food. I am sure all of us could use something to eat."

                                             *

     Iriisii: "After such a heartfelt apology from the love of my life, how can I do anything but tell you, I love you more and more each day. Now don't say anything else and kiss me."

     Iriisii wraps Rigmor in her arms, holds her tight, and gives her a toe-curling kiss until the guards start to feel uncomfortable with some coughs and throat-clearing sounds.

     Rigmor replies with a simple, "Wow", while Iriisii simply smiles and says, "Come on, we need to talk to the others just a few minutes before we all need to retire for the night. And before you say anything, I just want to sleep, with you holding me and Kintyra next to us in her cradle. I feel better when I have the two of you close to me."

     Rigmor: "How can I say no to that! Of course, my silly Dragonborn."

     Later that night, all were asleep in the royal quarters but for the night guards. Iriisii drifts off into a strange dream.

     Iriisii thinks as she looks around: 'I know I am dreaming but it looks so real. The hall is full of columns so high I can see clouds among the tops. There in the distance is a bright glow that seems to beckon me onward. I am walking normally but I seem to be closing the distance quite rapidly. I approach a set of half-round steps with a throne seated at the top. As I look up at the figure seated on the throne, he turns his head to look at me. Suddenly I feel overwhelmed with a feeling of love and peace, is this ... him?'

     Iriisii feels an impulse to kneel before the glowing figure, bowing her head as she goes to one knee. The figure steps down and comes to her, raising her up with one hand while saying, "Please my Dovah Mon, there is no need to kneel before me. You have proven to me the wisdom of the Elder Scrolls in choosing you for the destiny you are even now fulfilling.

     Yes, it was indeed the Elder Scrolls that declared you for that destiny almost from the time Mundus was born from the Void. I have watched and waited to see how this would play out, trying in my own way to help without tilting events too much.

     Iriisii Dovahkin, you have impressed me greatly with the manner you wield the power that dwells within you. Whether you channel that power to blades, magic, or Dragon shouts, you use only what you need to use and no more. I must apologize to you for the actions of my firstborn, Alduin. It was as you said, he brought his fate onto himself, by his own actions. I hold no animosity toward you for his death, for it seems when Nirn needs a true hero, one rises up to do what must be done.

      But you have done more and will yet do more than any hero before you. You have deep wisdom in you, even though you do not recognize it, it guides you down your razor's edge path, keeping you from falling to one side or the other. Even though you fear what might happen if you were to fall, trust in that indwelling wisdom to show you the right path as I have learned to trust you to do the right thing when you are called upon to correct injustice.

     You have earned the seat of power that you now hold by right not only of combat, but of blood, wisdom, compassion, integrity, generosity, and most of all, love. Love of the people, love of the land, love of family, love of friends, love of your mate, Rigmor, and love of your child, Kintyra. All of this and more yet unseen proves your worth above all others, past, present, and even for the future that the Elder Scrolls have allowed me to see. So you see, even though I am not all-powerful, I have limits imposed upon me. But what I can do for you, trust that I will, you have but to ask. And so I understand there is something you would ask of me?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, Father Akatosh, there is a request I would ask of you."

     Father Akatosh: "Then please ask, my child, for I would delight in giving you whatever is within my power to grant!"

     Iriisii: "I would like to have another child with Lady Rigmor, I would wish to be the one to bear this child, to spare her from what she endured to bear Kintyra."

     Father Akatosh: "To ask this in this way, speaks greatly of you, my child. You know the deep desire you hold within yourself to ask this, and you would take up the burden from Rigmor, knowing how harrowing it could be. If you are willing to bear this load, how could I deny you what you desire."

     It is then that a series of sounds Iriisii cannot describe echo across Aetherium. Akatosh, his head cocked to the side listening, his face more neutral than any other emotion. Once the sounds fade Akatosh turns back to Iriisii.

     Akatosh: "I do not know exactly how to explain what has just happened. Your desire has reached farther ears than I imagined."

     Iriisii: "Who was that?"

     Akatosh: "In order to understand that, I must clarify some misconceptions being taught concerning us. You have heard all of the various names that many say are simply each race's name for me as the head of the Divines. This is both right and wrong. The truth is that all who carry a name are in fact that deity. To use me as an example, I as Akatosh exist, so too does Auri-El, and all the others whose names are recorded."

     Iriisii: "Then how...?"

     Akatosh: "All who are compared with me, and this includes Alduin, and Bormahu as well, are Aspects of an 'Oversoul' called simply 'AKKA'. When you destroyed Alduin's body, his soul returned to 'AKKA', there to merge with him once more. When the time comes for this Kalpa to end and the new one to be born, a new Alduin will be formed from AKKA, and events will follow the course he set out in the beginning."

     Iriisii: "You mean that was AKKA?"

     Akatosh: "Yes, it was. And what he wishes is very surprising in that I believe it has never been tried before. I am not concerned that anything could go wrong, but as to what reason has driven him to ask this."

     Iriisii: "I think this somehow concerns what I asked of you?"

     Akatosh: "Yes it does. To put it simply, he wishes to be the one to gift you with a child. The child would then share attributes and abilities of you both."

     Iriisii: "Would the child then be a God?"

     Akatosh: "The child would be born mortal, this is part of the rules 'He' laid out in the beginning. But the child would bear the seeds of godhood from two different sources, one from AKKA and one from those who first 'touched' your people and made them Aasimar. The child would then be allowed to choose a 'Test of Ascention' or to turn away and not seek that path. If the child passes the test, he or she would be subject to the 'Calling', when they felt the decision to accept the change come upon them. Which group they would side with would be their decision. But regardless of ascending or not, the 'blood' of the Gods would be passed to their offspring and so on."

     Iriisii: "This is..."

     Akatosh: "Yes, I know. If the child ascended, the potential power they could wield, and I think this may in fact be what AKKA is considering. I believe the Liminal Barrier would not be a barrier to the child, having started out life as a mortal. If so they would be the perfect 'agent' for Kintyra. If she is the one to face what happens at the end of the 'Fifth Era', then having the help of a 'God' of such stature, able to go wherever he or she is needed, the Liminal Barrier not a barrier to them. Well, it might in fact be a very long time before the Kalpa would need to be reborn."

     Iriisii: "This is going to cause a great many concerns among Aetherius, and especially the 'Void' is it not? Not to mention all of the other worlds that exist within Mundus."

     Akatosh: "Yes, but I am sure AKKA has thought of that and has balanced the threat against the need and feels it is the right thing to do. And somehow I feel the child would no longer be needed at some part and would then be allowed to join you in your endeavors."

     Iriisii: "How does AKKA wish to do this? I mean..."

     Akatosh: "I would not worry, I am sure he has a means in place that will not upset what has been built up."

     Iriisii: "Then I would be honored to bear his child."

     She feels a tingle deep within herself. And Father Akatosh says, "When you feel that tingle after you wake, know you will be with child from yourself and AKKA."

     Then he looks around into the spaces around the throne and speaks loudly.

     Akatosh: "Know this is my Dovah Mon, in whom I am well pleased. AKKA has given unto her the gift she has asked for and I am greatly pleased to have played a part! Also know that I will send help to her, so that she may accomplish the tasks set to her without worry for those she cares so deeply for. One more thing, my daughter, before you return to Mundus. The woman who is your grandmother, whom you have not seen in many years, still lives. Go to Pyandonea and seek her out. Speak to her of your life and loves, trials and tribulations. Let her see the granddaughter she has wished for so long to see again. Ask her to help you train your Sirens in the Way of the Blade Dancers, then give her this medallion. She will know you speak with my voice in this matter."