Dragonborn Rising Ch. 35

Chapter 35 -- The Expedition

*****

I figured that entrance to the college wouldn't be easy, but the Altmer guarding the bridge to the college had a bit of an attitude. She probably took me for an everyday dumb Nord. Not far wrong, to be honest, but still... Altmer reminded me of the Thalmor. Not all of them were, but it was hard to differentiate at times. Lydia and Aela were not with me, and no doubt they'd have found my exasperation rather amusing.

So I played my last card. I didn't want them to know exactly who I was, but now I had no choice. "I'm the Dragonborn."

"And I'm the High Queen of Skyrim. You still cannot enter."

I know I started to smirk, and a concerned look crossed her face as I walked backwards then towards a nearby tree, and breathed fire, watching the flames quickly take hold. After a few seconds, I then breathed frost, immediately extinguishing the flames. Walking back towards the elf, I simply said, "I'm the Dragonborn. I don't demand entrance, but I do need help from someone inside."

"What sort of help do you need?" she asked, her tone suddenly friendly. No surprise.

"Is there anyone inside who could tell me where to find an Elder Scroll?"

"An Elder...?" She stepped aside and gestured. "The best person would be Urag, the curator of our library."

"Thanks."

To call the crossing to the college perilous would be an understatement. I'd heard stories of the destruction of Winterhold, and the bridge was a testament to that. I assume it may have once been a grand crossing, but it had long since fallen into disrepair, with numerous exposed places. On a windy day, one would have run across to avoid being blow off.

Entering the grounds of the college itself, I observed a conversation between one of the mages and someone, another Altmer, this one obviously Thalmor from the robes he wore and the sneer in his tone. I'll give the mage credit, though. She gave as good as she got, basically telling the Thalmor to shove it up his arse. I allowed myself a smirk as he walked by.

Walking closer towards her, I know I stopped and stared as the... similarities were uncanny. I knew immediately that she was a Breton. And she was... too much of a reminder. And she noticed me staring. "Can I help you?" I know my mouth opened once or twice, my mouth and throat suddenly very dry. She must have thought I was nervous or something, as she smiled -- the sort of smile that near enough brought me to my knees - and asked, "Are you a new student here?"

"Who are you?" I asked, taking a couple of steps closer, unable to take my eyes off her.

It must have been the look in my eyes that made her smile. "I'm Mirabelle, master wizard of this college. And you are?"

"Ragnar. Some call me the Dragonborn."

"Dragon..." She trailed off before asking, the smile broadening, "I can only assume you're not a new student?"

"No, but I suddenly have an interest in returning to be one."

Certainly one of my corniest lines, but she was beautiful, and far too much a reminder of my wife. Still, she took the compliment in her stride, a little colour forming on her cheeks. "What brings you to our college, Dragonborn?"

"I need to speak to someone about an Elder Scroll." I thumbed behind me. "Your guard suggested I speak to someone called Urag."

That made her laugh lightly. It was a dagger into the heart. Exactly the same. Did all Breton women laugh like that? "Urag can be very helpful. Just don't antagonise him. Most importantly, he is very protective of his book collection."

"I'll be on my best behaviour. Thanks for the help."

I walked by her, ready to just walked inside, when she said, "Dragonborn?" Turning back, she added, "I would be delighted if you returned to the college one day. As a student, of course." The smile hadn't left her face, and all she did was turn and walk away. I watched her for a moment before heading inside, finding a door labelled 'Arcanaeum'. I figured that meant library, as the other door was labelled 'Arch-Mage Quarters'.

I expected a library with numerous bookshelves, books piled to the ceiling, and the smell of paper decades old. What I did not expect was an Orc as a librarian. I didn't have much to do with Orcs, but those I'd dealt with before hadn't exactly been what I'd call intelligent. And I knew for certain that they were not adept mages. They made Nords look like skilful wizards.

"Never seen you around here before. Who are you?"

"I'm Ragnar."

"And what do you want?"

Well, he was as gruff as any other Orc I'd dealt with. But there was an inflection to his speech that suggested an education. "I'm looking for an Elder Scroll."

That made him laugh, which actually relieved me, though I'm sure the laughter was directed towards me. "And what do you plan to do with it? Do you even know what you're asking about, or are you just someone's errand boy?"

"Well, first thing, I'm the Dragonborn." I held up my hand to halt whatever he wanted to say. "But humour me. I don't know anything about them, so perhaps you can tell me?"

He gestured to a seat next to him. "Dragonborn eh?" I nodded as I took the empty chair. "An Elder Scroll is an instrument of immense knowledge and power. To read an Elder Scroll, a person must have the most rigorously trained mind, or else risk madness. Even so, the Divines usually take the reader's sight as a price."

"A price?"

"The simplest way to put it is 'knowledge', but there's nothing simple about an Elder Scroll. It's a reflection of all possible futures and all possible pasts. Each reader sees different reflections through different lenses, and may come away with a very different reading. But at the same time, all of it is true. Even the falsehoods. Especially the falsehoods."

I know I'm not a smart man. I have 'street smarts' but actual intelligence? I know I'm slightly lacking compared to others. But what he'd just said? Not a fucking clue. "So... do you have one?"

That made him laugh again. "Of course I bloody well don't have one. And if it wasn't for the fact you were Dragonborn, I wouldn't even consider helping you find one. But, since you are Dragonborn..." He met my eyes.

"Want proof?" I wondered.

"No. Word has reached us here about the summons of the Greybeards, and a vague description of who the Dragonborn is. Suffice to say, you match it." He paused before adding, "I'll bring everything we have on them, but it's not much. So don't get your hopes up. It's mostly lies, leavened with rumour and conjecture."

He disappeared for a few minutes as I grabbed a nearby book and glanced over its contents. It was about magic, and therefore I understood very little. Mostly my mind wandered, and I found myself thinking of Mirabelle, and how much of a reminder she was of Muiri. It was scary how similar they looked and sounded.

Urag returned and I could put the book down as he placed two on the counter nearby. Rising to my feet, I had a look at the titles. Ruminations of the Elder Scrolls and Effects of the Elder Scrolls. I had a feeling I wouldn't understand either. Picking up the first book, I read the first couple of pages before I placed it down and looked at Urag. "The fuck was all that about?"

"Aye, that's the work of Septimus Signus. He's the world's master on the nature of Elder Scrolls, but... Well, he's been gone for a long while. Too long."

"Where did he go?"

"Somewhere up north, in the ice fields. Said he found some old Dwemer artefact, but... Well, that was years ago. Haven't heard from him since."

"No-one sent a search party to see if he was still alive?"

Urag shrugged. "It was his decision to go. And it wasn't college business."

"Think he's dead?"

"Oh no. I hope not. Though it's possible, even likely, his obsession has got him into some sort of trouble. Are you thinking of looking for him?"

"I have to. He might be the only person who could help me track down what I need." Offering my hand, I added, "Thanks for the help."

"No problem. And if you really are Dragonborn, you should think about coming to the college. I can tell you're no mage, so you might learn something."

Chuckling, I replied, "There's one reason I might return."

"A woman?"

"That easy to figure out?"

"I can just take an educated guess as to who has caught your eye. I won't say who it is, but I have a pretty good idea. Run along now, Dragonborn, and let me know if you do find Septimus alive."

Heading downstairs and out into the empty courtyard, I had a quick look at the statue, wondering who it was, before I wandered back towards Winterhold. The Altmer who had been standing guard had disappeared too. I found Aela and Lydia waiting inside the The Frozen Hearth, looking rather bored with life. I didn't blame them, so I'd tried to be quick as possible. After ordering drinks for us all, I sat across from them at the table, looking around and noticing no other patrons.

"Apparently we're the first visitors in weeks," Lydia replied to my unasked question.

"What's the plan?" Aela added, "I don't see you carrying an Elder Scroll."

"We need to head north."

The pair shared a look before Lydia exclaimed, "North? Ragnar, what in oblivion is further north than the college? It's nothing but ice, snow and possible death."

"Are you sure?" Aela asked. A simple question, though I'm sure she wanted to ask more.

"The man we need headed north. He's the only one, I believe, who can point us in the right direction. You don't have to..."

"No, we'll join you. It's just... you know, ice, snow, possible drowning..."

"We'll be fine, Lydia. We will have to leave the horses here. I doubt riding will be a sensible idea."

"When do you want to head off?" Aela wondered, "You weren't gone too long, but the ride from Windhelm..."

"Tomorrow. I wasn't given an exact location and I don't particularly want to wander the ice fields in the dark."

We behaved that night, just like we had behaved when staying overnight in Windhelm. After that night in Whiterun, and the fact both women had been rather tender the next day, though they laid no blame at my feet, they figured that, when on the road, perhaps we should just get the job done then have some fun when back in Whiterun. I agreed, though figured they'd give into temptation first whenever we were not at home.

To prevent the temptation of another threesome, we took two rooms, Lydia by herself, Aela with me as always. It was only later that night, huddled under the furs as even inside the inn the temperature dropped significantly, that I admitted that I'd met a reminder of my past. Aela thought it was quite sweet though still asked, "Did you want to fuck her?"

That gave me a good chuckle. "To be honest, a little bit, but I could never do it, because I'd end up calling her Muiri by accident." I paused before adding, "But a part of me would like... No, that just isn't a good idea. Plus, I made you a promise. And replacing Muiri with a lookalike is not a good idea."

"But what about that part that's interested?"

I couldn't help look at her in surprise. "You're serious?"

I felt her shrug. "Ragnar, whenever you speak about her, I can hear the love you had for her in your voice. Shit, even I curse the gods for taking her from you." I couldn't help pull her closer for those words. "I know you love me, and perhaps you love me as much..."

"I do. Trust me, I do."

I noticed the flicker of a smile in the candlelight as I was adamant. "And I know you do. But I can also see why you would be interested in whoever..."

"Her name was Mirabelle."

"I can definitely understand why you would be interested in her. And you know that, for the moment, I don't mind."

"No. I'm merely musing about a 'What if?' I gave you my word, Aela."

She met my eyes and smiled. "Are you sure? I'm giving you a free pass here, Ragnar, though you've never needed my permission to do anything."

"I was attracted, and I think she knew. I'll leave it at that for now."

"Well, if you want to pursue something, you know I don't mind. And I would definitely understand why if you chose to do so."

"And that's why I love you just as much, Aela."

We both gave into temptation a few minutes later, and any thoughts of my wife, or her lookalike, was forgotten as I focused only on the woman in my bed with me. I still loved and missed my wife, though the feelings had dulled over time. Since the day I'd met her, I'd been attracted to Aela, then enjoyed the sexual relationship we established, and it was little surprise I'd fallen in love with her. I knew I was almost sabotaging myself at times, with the fact I liked to fuck other women, but none matched Aela. I was just a bastard at times.

Aela was in a very good mood the next morning. Maybe it was the sex. Maybe it was the conversation we'd had. Lydia noticed and, while there was a subtle joke or two, we ate a quick breakfast and headed outside. The weather was atrocious, almost as expected, deep snow already lying on the ground, with more ready to join it. The wind was biting, cutting straight through our thick fur coats, but there was little choice. We had to find this Septimus fellow.

Walking down the hill to the shoreline, we had to search back and forth to find solid ice to walk across, and even then, the wrong step would have seen us slide into the freezing water. All three of us were capable of magic, so used our gifts to frost over any gaps we saw, hoping it would give us a little more confidence with each step we took further from shore.

With no idea what we were looking for, we spread apart and looked for any sort of campsite. If not a camp, then perhaps a mine or cave. After a couple of hours walking, where we all had moments of concern, I noticed what looked like an enormous mound of snow ahead. There were no natural formations ahead, but I could only guess that it was some sort of cave. Approaching closer, I noticed an ice-bound boat and the entrance. It was tiny, all of us having to get on hands and knees to get through it, Aela making a joke as I followed her and Lydia in.

Once we could stand up, the tomb was just as cold as outside, and it appeared to be made of sheer ice, my hand freezing straight away when I took a glove off to just touch it. We found Septimus at work beside something that looked positively dwarven, though apart from that, I had no idea what it actually was. But it looked like he'd made a life for himself. The floor was solid ground instead of ice, at least, and he even had a bed, alchemy lab, bookcase and a chest. I wouldn't call it a home, but was left wondering how long he'd lived there.

Septimus heard us coming, looking at us as we gathered near him, not wanting to scare him, though he lowered his hood, dipping his head in greeting. "Dig, Dwemer, in the beyond. I'll know your lost unknown and rise to your depths. When the top level was built, no more could be placed. It was and is the maximal apex."

Just like the book he'd written, I had no fucking idea what he was talking about. Not particularly wanting to get into a long conversation, and being left utterly confused, I got straight to the point of the journey. "I've been told you're a leading authority on the Elder Scrolls."

"Elder Scrolls. Indeed. The Empire. They absconded with them. Or so they think. The ones they saw. The ones they thought they saw. I know of one. Forgotten. Sequestered. But I cannot go to it, no poor

Septimus, for I... I have arisen beyond its grasp."

Still no fucking idea, but I think he said one was nearby, so I asked, "Where is the Scroll?"

"Here. Well, here as in this plane. Mundus. Tamriel. Nearby, relatively speaking. On the cosmological scale, it's all nearby."

Aela and Lydia both giggled as I groaned. Whether he was being deliberately obtuse, or the years of isolation had left him insane, I could only ask, "Look, I need an Elder Scroll to defeat Alduin. Can you help me or not?"

"One block lifts another. Septimus will give you what you want, but you must bring him something in return."

"A trade?" Shrugging, I said, "Fair enough, I can do that. What do you want in exchange?"

"You see this masterwork of the Dwemer. Deep inside their greatest knowings. Septimus is clever among men, but he is but an idiot child compared to the dullest of the Dwemer. Lucky then they left behind their own way of reading the Elder Scrolls. In the depths of Blackreach one yet lies. Have you heard of Blackreach? 'Cast upon where Dwemer cities slept, the yearning spire hidden learnings kept.'"

Glancing at Aela and Lydia, I asked, "Blackreach?" Both shook their head, so I asked of Septimus, "I've never heard of Blackreach. Where is it?"

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

"I'm assuming you'll give me the key, so how do I get into this tower?"

"Two things I have for you. Two shapes. One edged, one round. The round one, for tuning. Dwemer music is soft and subtle, and needed to open their cleverest gates. The edged lexicon, for inscribing. To us, a hunk of metal. To the Dwemer, a full library of knowings. But... empty. Find Mzark and its sky-dome. The machinations there will read the scroll and lay the lore upon the cube. Trust Septimus. He knows you can know."

I could have asked him a lot more questions. About the Elder Scrolls. About the Dwemer. Probably about Blackreach. But it was clear the years of isolation had sent him off the deep end. Maybe he was already insane before leaving the college. Only Urag would be able to tell me, but I didn't care. All I knew was that I had to find this Alftand place and I would hopefully get my hands on a Scroll. Whether it was the one I needed, or whether any Scroll would do, only time would tell.

Thanking him for the information, we headed straight back outside, where my two companions doubled over with laughter. I didn't blame them, and I'm sure the laughter was also at my obvious frustration. I didn't think this Dragonborn business would be easy, but being sent across the breadth of Skyrim was starting to get annoying.

Having to be as careful as returning to shore as heading out, it was too late for us to think about returning south, let alone searching for Mzark or Alftand. All the maps were back to Jorrvaskr, plus I figured adventuring through another dwarven ruin might require a little more help. If not the twins or other Companions, then I might see if Delphine wanted to join us.

Walking back into the Frozen Hearth, I shouldn't have been surprised to see that Delphine was inside waiting for us. After buying four drinks, we sat around one of the tables and quickly filled her in with what we'd discovered so far. "Ever heard of either the Tower of Mzark or Alftand?" I asked Delphine.

"No. But the names alone are positively dwemer."

"So we're thinking head back to Whiterun, check the maps to see if they point out where these places are, then we put together an expedition. I don't think this is going to be easy."

Delphine nodded. "Good idea, Dragonborn. I would suggest leaving now, but I think a storm is heading this way."

"Then we'll wait it out here and leave first thing tomorrow morning. We won't make Whiterun in a day, but we'll get as far as we can before we make camp. If we take the longer route, we can camp by the hot springs at least."

She did ask further questions, particularly about my time with the Greybeards, and the only thing I glossed over was the fact that Paarthurnax was a dragon. I assumed she would freak out if I told her that, probably demanding that I go kill him immediately, so for now, that would be my little secret. Other than that, she was impressed with how everything was going. The only negative was that we had no real idea what Alduin was doing. Apart from the attack on Helgen and the attack on the watchtower outside Whiterun, there had been reports of dragon activity but nothing like on the destruction of an entire city. Strange...