The Voice of the Dragonborn, a song of Ice and Fire.
Chapter 1: Home comming.
Morndas, 12th of First Seed, 4th Era 206.
Ulfgar.
Solitude Inlet, Aboard the Ocean Warrior.The red and blue sails of the Ocean Warrior heralded the mighty ship's arrival within the Solitude inlet. Flying the flags and banners of the Dragonborn hero indicated whom was on board. Ulfgar Storm-Blade, the vanquisher of Lord Harkon, Miraak, and the mighty Alduin, and the celebrated peace bringing hero of the Civil War. The twin sigils alongside the red diamond and eight stars of the divines adorning the banners of his ship, the head Bear of the Stormcloaks, and the head of the Dragon of the Empire, was all the proof needed that the Civil War was resolved to the mutual benefit of all. All, except for the proven instigators of the entire thing; the hated Thalmor.
Ulfgar was standing upon the bow of his ship, a smile upon his face. After a two week long voyage from the city of Anvil in Cyrodiil, he was glad to finally be home again in his native Skyrim after four years abroad the vast majority of Tamriel. Ulfgar breathed in the fresh cold air of home deeply through his nose, and let out a contented sigh.
'Finally, I am home' he thought, as his captain Gjalund Salt-Sage pulled the Warrior into the eastern most docks located under the Solitude Arch. Ulfgar looked at Gjalund for a moment, and was grateful that he had the experienced sailor, and his crew, even though the circumstances of how Salt-Sage came into his service was not a pleasant tale.
Gjalund's first vessel, the Northern Maiden, was lost during one of Ulfgar's last trips from Solstheim. The small cargo vessel was set upon by a group of Bandit pirates while the Maiden was enroute to Windhelm, carrying ebony ore and food supplies, and of course, Ulfgar himself. Although the crew and the Dragonborn was able to fend off the thugs and save a good portion of the cargo, the ship herself was scuttled and burned on the inlet of the White River.
However, Ulfgar had the ideal solution, and made Gjalund and his crew an offer they couldn't refuse; the Ocean Warrior had already come into Ulfgar's possession, but he had no crew to sail the gigantic vessel. When Gjalund set eyes on the magnificent ship, modeled in part after the now infamous Katariah, the flagship of the Imperial fleet, sitting at anchor in it's slip on the newly constructed western Solitude Docks, he very nearly broke down in gratitude to the Dragonborn, as were his men. They could continue to make a living, even better than before. Ulfgar would retain ownership of the ship, and pay for the upkeep and the mooring taxes, which left Gjalund free to concentrate on acquiring new cargo suppliers and to recruit additional crew members.
Now, four years later, Gjalund had a decent, experienced crew, good trade routes and contacts established thanks to the Dragonborn's travels. He also began to earn considerable income for himself and his men due to the larger amounts of merchandise and people his vessel could transport. The only thing Ulfgar asked for in return, was that Gjalund would pay a percentage of the income to him, and that he would commandeer the vessel when he needed it to travel by sea, which fortunately was not often.
Ulfgar turned back towards the docks, and was slightly taken aback at how much the Solitude harbours and docks had been expanded. It looked like an entire village had sprouted out of the ground, dozens of new buildings lined the roadway leading up to to archway of the East Empire Company warehouse, including a few stout stone watchtowers flying the Solitude banners. Hundreds of new people now lived here, beneath and alongside the great arch of Solitude. And with them, the eastern docks had spider-webbed outward, reaching as far as the warehouse, creating dozens of new slips for boats and ships of every size and shape.
The biggest change however, was the entryway of the warehouse itself. Even from here Ulfgar could see the massive skeletal structure, supporting a rope pulley crane. A combination of a ship construction yard, and a cargo loading apparatus that he could guess was for ships that are too large for the warehouse interior, like his own ship would have been.
'By the nine, with the end of the civil war, I guess that many people have returned home.' Ulfgar mused in thought, wondering what new people he may meet in the once familiar capital of Skyrim.
"A lot has changed in five years, eh?" came a familiar voice from beside Ulfgar. He turned to see Lygrleid, a member of Gjalund's original crew of the Northern Maiden. He was a young Nord lad, and his words made Ulfgar smile lightly.
"Yeah. It seems that with the war over, many people have returned to Skyrim. This is the farthest safe place from the Dominion's borders now. Well, except maybe Solstheim" replied Ulfgar as he turned around and made his way towards the gangplank. He watched as the crew had dropped and secured the anchors, tying the ship to the dock, and securing the vessel to disembark.
Gjalund had come down from the bridge and approached Ulfgar, and handed to him his backpack, weapons, and a slip of parchment. Ulfgar looked at Gjalund questioningly, and the captain simply said "It's our schedule for the next 3 weeks. We plan to move along the coast to Dawnstar and Windhelm for work. We'll be leaving by Fredas".
Ulfgar nodded. "Aye. Thank you for that. I'll keep it in mind" he said as he shook Gjalund's hand, pumping it twice. He strapped on his enchanted Ebony Straight Sword on his left hip, and the Blade of Woe on his lower back, before swinging his black backpack on his shoulders and waving goodbye to his crew, and disembarked from the ship.
He walked towards the main docks, and gazed about at the new houses and stores that lined the road now. Some familiar faces, and many new faces turned to see who had climbed off of the huge ship, but it was the patrolling Solitude watchmen that recognized him first.
"It's Ulfgar! The Dragonborn has returned to Skyrim!" he had heard the chatter among the guards, and eventually word spread around the little hamlet. Soon the children and younger men and women came out to see the hero of their stories. The children smiled at him with fascination in their eyes, and grins to match their wonder. Ulgar smiled at them, and gave a small wave, which made their own happy looks grow.
Going over the warehouse arch, Ulfgar could see the busy sailors, workers and merchants below, working on loading and unloading the various trading ships, and making use of that huge crane to move heavy hauls too and from the docks. An amazing feat of engineering. The western docks had also seen it's share of expansion by the look of it, but nowhere near to the extent of the eastern docks. He continued onward towards Kalta's Farm and the Solitude Stables. The farm had expanded somewhat westward, new fields were being plowed and sown. Probably to help compensate for the higher population, and the size of the stables and carriages reflected the growth in trade as well.
Once he rounded the corner by the westermost watchtower on the road leading to Solitude's main gate, Ulfgar began to see just how much had changed in the capital. Over the wall he could see the tops of buildings he did not remember seeing before.
He glanced at the campsite used by the Khajiit trading caravans, and smiled when he only saw Ra'zhinda, the faithful guard of Ma'dran's particular caravan, standing watch over the wagons and tents there, along with a few more Khajiit Ulfgar didn't recognize. Ulfgar saw to it that all races were allowed to enter the cities and villages of Skyrim not long after stopping Alduin and ending the war.
At the Moot, Ulfgar had petitioned all the Jarl's simultaneously, informing them that the aid of the caravans was vital in rebuilding a land burned by war. When the protests began by the most staunchly opposed, those who were still swayed by bigoted racism, that the Khajiit and Argonians were thought of as lesser, and that they were thieves, assassins and spies or worse, the Dragonborn informed them that all races bleed red, and all had been harmed by the Thalmor, even their own native Altmer were not spared. Each individual person should, and must be judged by their own actions, and not by their race. The Jarls were forced to agree, some begrudgingly, but Ulfgar's words rang true, especially after what Ulfgar revealed in the ceasefire negotiations at High Hrothgar that ended the war.
Smiling at that particular success, the gate guards opened the gates for Ulfgar. As he entered the city proper, the extensive changes became apparent immediately. There were new buildings rising on the tops of the old, new housing for the expanded population, Ulfgar guessed. The place felt somewhat crowded as dozens of people moved back and forth doing their daily rounds, chatting away, making sales, the usual hustle and bustle of the capital, and then some. As he moved through the crowds, Ulfgar noticed that the ramp leading up to the Castle blacksmith and fletcher was now properly walled to prevent falling accidents, the entry to the ramp now had a small archway and gate, probably to prevent children from running up the ramps and into the blacksmith forges and the training yards of Castle Dour.
The markets had certainly seen an expansion, both in sales and construction. Several new buildings ringed the market square, and many more stalls and stores had been created. And business was booming. Ulfgar smiled again as he saw many Khajiit, Argonians and Elves around. He even saw the temporary stall now being run by Ma'dran and Ma'jhad of the Khajiit caravan. They were too busy making sales to notice him though, so Ulfgar continued on to Castle Dour proper.
When he entered the castle interior, he could hear a discussion between Legate Rikke, and an unknown man.
The conversation stopped abruptly when Rikke noticed him standing in the doorway though, and Ulfgar did not fail to notice that the Legate's armor was different. She was wearing the bronze armor emblazoned with gold that General Tullius once wore. he didn't get to dwell on that thought long. He stood at attention, and crossed his right arm across his chest in the Imperial salute.
"So your back Ulfgar? I'm surprised you would take time from your busy schedule of saving the world and ending wars to come and see me." Rikke said with a smirk as she returned the gesture.
Ulfgar returned the smirk. "I would always take the time out of my schedule to come and see you, my dear Legate" he replied.
"I wonder if you flirted with Galmar that way" Rikke retorted with a cheeky grin as she extended her hand towards the Dragonborn, which he took gladly, pumping it twice.
"Wouldn't you like to find out" he stated, the smirk widening a little at the banter.
"So, what brings you back here after five years Ulfgar? Dux Tullius will be here in a few days on an inspection tour of the fourth Legion if you have any reports for him, otherwise I can handle it" Rikke ended the banter abruptly.
"Dux?" Ulfgar asked raising an eyebrow. "When did that happen?"
"About six months after you left Skyrim" Rikke replied. "With his mission to end the war completed, and you helping with the rebuilding efforts, Tullius was requested to return to the Imperial City, where he was not only given a promotion, but was inducted formally into the Imperial Knights. Ending the Stormcloak Rebellion in the way that you did prevented a lot of innocent bloodshed, and gained us a few powerful allies against the Thalmor. It was better than what the Emperor had hoped for. You got inducted into the knights yourself too, didn't you?"
Ulfgar sighed a little and nodded his head. "Aye, I was given the rank of Paladin, and was inducted into the Order of the Dragon for defeating Harkon, Miraak and Alduin, and for helping to stop the war to the benefit of both sides. It came as a bit of a shock, but I guess it's not too surprising with everything that happened" Ulfgar said, shrugging his shoulders, before wincing a little and rubbing his stiff left shoulder.
"Hrmm, forgive me" he muttered. "I've been at sea for two weeks, and I'm a little stiff. I think I'll go home and get cleaned up and have a hot meal that doesn't taste like an old boot. Consider this as just checking in. I'll probably go and see High Queen Elisif in the morning and get a rundown on what's happened around the country while I've been away". And with that, Ulfgar turned on his heel, and departed the castle.
Ulfgar finally arrived at Proudspire Manor a few minutes after departing the castle. Entering into the foyer, the tired Dragonborn decided to take a relaxing steaming bath, and proceeded out back, discarding his backpack, cloak and weapons on the dresser right there.
Stepping out back, Ulfgar quickly drew a steaming hot bath, and discarded his travelling clothes. his long raven black hair flowed freely as he quickly descended into the scalding water without flinching. Letting out a sigh as he relaxed into the water, Ulfar looked at the darkening evening sky, and he lost himself to thought.
‘So much has changed in 5 years. The Thalmor are still a threat, but they haven’t made a move in all this time. With so many of them dead, and Elenwen sent back to Alinor with her tail tucked tight between her legs, and with the White Gold Concordant in tatters on the floor of the Imperial Palace, it is surprising that the Thalmor Ruling Council hasn’t made any retaliatory strikes yet. Ah, fuck it!’Ulfgar snapped back to reality when he heard the front door open and close. But his suspicion turned into mirth when he heard a faint voice.
“Someones here?!” he heard from behind the door, and he turned around to see one of his Housecarls, Jordis the Sword Maiden, burst through the rear door, her steel sword and shield drawn and ready for a fight, only for said sword and shield to drop to the ground with a shocked gasp. Jordis quickly turned around to face away from her naked thane.
“M... my thane! You have returned!” Jordis exclaimed, despite the embarrassing situation. “W... when did you get here? I had not received news of your arrival.”
“I just arrived, actually” Ulfgar responded. “I stunk of sea salt, and decided to take a well deserved bath. I was planning on fixing myself some dinner then get some sleep. I’ve been aboard the Warrior for weeks on end, and getting a decent sleep on solid ground sounds nice.”
“Oh, don’t be silly my thane, you just got home. I’ll fix you a supper.” Jordis said as she picked up her sword and shield and made her way back inside.
“Thanks Jordis.” Ulfgar complemented, to which Jordis simply waved it off. He quickly scrubbed, rinsed and dried himself off before wrapping himself in a few drying cloths, and went back inside. Ascending the stairs and into his bedroom, Ulfgar rummaged through some of his wardrobes, looking for something to wear. Settling for a simple bed tunic, Ulfgar went back downstairs to collect his food.
When he sat at the dinner table, Jordis presented him with a tankard of Dragons Breath mead, a bowl of tomato soup, and a home cooked meat pie. “Thank you Jordis” the hungry Nord said with eager eyes, and he dug into his feast with gusto. “You’re welcome, my thane” Jordis responded, and started eating at a much more reserved pace.
Ulfgar completed his meal in 10 minutes, and washed it down with the last of his mead in a long swallow, before letting out a contented sigh. “My compliments to the chef!” he declared as he placed the empty tankard into the soup bowl, and the bowl onto the empty plate. He excused himself from the table and quickly placed the used dishes into the water washing bucket near the benches in the back of the kitchen, before ascending the stairs back to his bedroom.
As soon as Ulfgar’s head touched the pillow, he drifted into a deep sleep. A sleep full of dreams.
Ulfgar was flying above an arid, hot land. The sands and stones dry under the clear skies and blazing sun.
The Dragonborn’s sight was drawn to a platinum white haired young woman, who was mourning a lost loved one. She was preparing a funeral pyre for him, placing 3 ovoid stones around his body. An old woman was tied to one end of the pyre, before the platinum haired girl lit the flames.
Then, she willingly walked into the fires herself.
When the fires burned themselves out, and the light of dawn began to shine on the sands, the men who attended the funeral looked around the blackened sand and rock. What they found shocked Ulfgar considerably. The girl survived. And wrapped around her body, were 3 tiny scaled and winged creatures, which Ulfgar knew, where Dragons. Infant Dragons.
This girl had done the impossible, she had survived the inferno, and bore 3 new Dragons into the world! Her eyes looked into his, and he could see it. She bore the same gift as he did. She was Dragonborn.
But, before Ulfgar could finish process this development, his vision was pulled away from the girl and her tiny dragonlings, and moved far to the west.
His flight slowed as he crossed a stretch of ocean. A new, more temperate land filled his vision. A huge city atop a cliff. And there, in the vast courtyard of what he assumed was a temple or cathedral of some kind. He saw a man on his knees in front of a vast crowd of thousands of people.
There are several people around the kneeling man. Some speak, but Ulfgar could not hear, nor make out the words. Soon however, the man’s head is pushed down to a chopping block. A man dressed in black raises a huge greatsword, and with a single swing, decapitates the kneeling man.
As soon as the execution was complete, the lands surrounding the city erupts into fire. Men fight against men with steel and fury, burning, and killing and pillaging everything in their path.
Ulfgar’s vision turned again, this time to the far north. where, even from here, he could see a shadow was growing.
He flew over the burning countryside, heading north towards the looming shadow, and the climate got colder the further north he went. Eventually, he could see the snow and ice that reminded him of home. It wasn’t until he saw a great wall of ice and stone that Ulfgar could say that the cold was becoming homely. However, once he passed over the wall, the very air became darker, thicker, and full of foreboding, and unease.
Ulfgar’s vision caught sight of 3 men dressed in all black leather armour and heavy black furs, being attacked by several badly wounded tribal bandits by the look of them.
None of the 3 men managed to slay any of the tribesmen, It was then that Ulfgar noticed that the wounds inflicted upon the tribals were indeed fatal, but didn’t seem to slow them down at all. Then he saw it. The eyes of these people were glowing a cold, pale blue, just like a Draugr. Necromancy.
Ulfgar then saw something else… A tall humanoid being, with skin as pale, gaunt and pallid as he had ever seen. The creature reminded him of the Frost Giants of Skyrim, but this thing was not that large, and it wielded a blade comprised completely of crystal ice. This new creature slew the leader of the 3 men in a single strike from his ice sword.
He watched as the creature brutally decapitated another of the men, before throwing the severed head at the feet of the last remaining man, who fled south in sheer terror.
Ulfgar’s vision turned northward some more, as the shadow grew immensely, enhanced by the darkening sky. In the eternal night of the far distant north, thousands upon thousands of those pale creatures marched south, accompanied by legions of undead, among other things, but Ulfgar was moving too fast to make out these darker shapes.
Then, in the very darkest corner of this land of eternal night, Ulfgar saw a great fortress of ice and stone. Within its depths, stood 13 of the pale men, dressed in black armor. Seated on two thrones above them, on either side of a titanic archway, were two great shadows. One thin, gaunt, tailed titan with two tusked horns protruding from the sides of it’s head and a crown of spikes atop, and eyes of the palest blue, with the very coldest and darkest of intentions behind them. The other great shadow was an immense, muscular 4 armed being with a crown of thick horns, and, in contrast to it’s counterpart, two blazing orange eyes, filled with the fires of destruction.
Both shadows turned toward the Archway between them, and the a great portal opened. within. A portal leading to an absolute blackness. What little light that was about Ulfgar seemed to almost be swallowed up within the inky blackness. Until a pair of colossal ruby eyes opened within the darkness. And a feeling of primordial fear crept into him as the eyes seemed to focus on him.
“Soon, soon I shall be free. Anu’s trap will soon be rendered obsolete, and I can finish what I began.” A chill whispered voice echoed from the portal, a voice that sent all those around to hear it into a state of paralysing fear. Even the two huge shadows visibly recoiled and shrank back into their thrones.
“With Alduin’s destruction, the gate can no longer be replaced. The kalpa will grow weak, and the world shall end without a new rebirth. My children, you shall prepare the way. Discord, Chaos, Destruction, and Death will fill the world as the heralds of my return. Let the planes of existance die in Ice and Fire.”
Ulfgar was speechless. Were the Greybeards correct? Was he now responsible for an even greater calamity? Who were these new enemies?
The crimson eyes narrowed slightly, and from within the portal, a colossal black skeletal hand emerged, and reached for him. Ulfgar could not move or evade, paralysed with fear and doubt as he was. As soon as the hand touched him, the vision snapped, and all turned to blackness, then white.Tirdas, 13 of 1st Seed, 4th Era 206.
Proudspire Manor.Ulfgar awoke with a startled gasp, his body snapping upright. His breathing was heavy, and his body stuck to his clothes with a cold sweat. His breath fogged the air around him, but he knew that the weather was temperate. He realised with a start that what he had just experienced was more than a simple nightmare. And that was confirmed when he suddenly heard the rolling thunder that accompanied the summoning of the Greybeards all the way from High Hrothgar rumbled all over Skyrim.
“DOVAHKIIN!”~Chapter End~
Apr 9, 2018 6:20:33 GMT -5
Apr 9, 2018 6:20:33 GMT -5