The Dragonborn stepped out into the Cyrodiil side of the border post. He immediately saw a horse stabled nearby and walked over to him. He allowed the Dragonborn to touch him, smooth his mane, and seemed to take an immediate liking to the Dragonborn. The Dragonborn thought to himself, “I have no idea how long the trip into Bruma is from here, so maybe I’ll borrow the horse, ride it to Bruma and have one of the guards there return it to Stultus.
The Dragonborn left some gold coins on top of the nearby barrels. He thought to himself, “Stultus, consider it a loaner’s fee until its returned. I’ll have the guard or whoever returns it to you bring you some more on gold coins on deliver back to this location. He then raised his foot into the stirrup, lifted himself up, and began to ride the trail down towards what he supposed would be another checkpoint before Bruma.
He came to a spot as he the trail continued to descend, stopped at a strange rock that rose up out of the snow and appeared as a dragon watching over the land. He remembered, “When I first came through here, there was no gate, no office for the border post nor guards. It was here for some reason that the Greybeards had called out to him, “Dovahkiin”. Both Rigmor and he heard the call and felt it rumble through the valleys around him
He continued on then came up on the approach of the original gate and guard post into Cyrodiil and the cities within. He would never forget this place as it was where he had to explain to Rigmor why he could not continue on with her. He knew he broke her heart that day and never forgave himself for having done it. From there you could see the Imperial City, seat of the Emperor and true power of Tamriel far off into the valleys below.
He sat there as the cold winds blew hard through the channels of the mountains into his face. He held his eyes closed in mediation for a moment, while behind him stood a memory so full of promise. One that he had shattered into pieces as he stood there watching Rigmor make her last journey to Bruma and home.
When he arrived at the old post, he dismounted the horse and walked over to where he and Rigmor rested and she spoke about the bright future ahead together. How she would show him so many new things, and they would live happily ever after, at least that is what Rigmor thought.
The Dragonborn stood there and the memories of all that had occurred in those last moments together here at this place flooded through him. He could still hear her talking about how wonderful it would be for them to share in a new life together in Cyrodiil. For Rigmor, this was a sort of promise and a better tomorrow that she believed in so much. He thought to himself with tears rolling out of his eyes and falling through the air to hit the snow around him. “Oh Rigmor, forgive me for the pain I had to deliver that day. Find grace in your heart to let me back in when I return.” He then thought, “its’ getting late, maybe I should retire here for the evening then begin the rest of the journey into Bruma starting tomorrow morning.”
The night was peaceful except for his dreams, the events of those last moments haunted him while he slept. He knew that seeing her again would be hard on them both. Too much had passed between them for it to become forgotten because of the simple passing of time.
The Dragonborn rose from his chair as Stultus headed for somewhere else for a while. He opened the door to the outside where the guards would be on the Skyrim side of the post and immediately he heard, “Well, Well, look who’s back fellas. No official border pass hah! Well, for you the price has just doubled, ha, ha, ha!”
The Dragonborn walked down the stairs and over to the guard who had spoken to him both before when he first arrived and now, after spending time inside the office of the border post. The Dragonborn then said to the guard in response, “I think it’s wrong you sending all these people over the border to their deaths.” The border guard replied, “Are you making some kind of joke!” The Dragonborn said, “No really…women, children. You must be very proud of yourselves.” The guard laughed, then said, “You’ve got some kind of courage talking to us like that…considering your by yourself.” The guard paused, then continued, “My advice to you is to turn around and walk back the way you came, after all, a man’s gotta make a living.”
The rest of the guards who had been sitting, listening, stood up and formed a circle around the Dragonborn and the spokesmen for them. One then said, “Well he ain’t moving, fellas, some folks don’t wanna listen to good advice.” Another guard replied, “Maybe his ears are clogged up” while the other said, “Or maybe he’s just stupid.” The guards all laughed at that point. The Dragonborn then softly replied, “Dying ain’t much of a living!” The main guard then replied, “Well, cry me a river.” Then the whole scene broke into mayhem as the guards all drew their weapons and the Dragonborn slid Azura’s Bane out of it sheath, set it before him, and the runes burst into flames that licked its edges with a warning of pain.
One of the guards cried out, “You never should have come here.” Then the Dragonborn and the sword become one, and it justice was served by the divines on those who had taken advantage of so many innocent men, women, and children. Bane exploded with power as each stroke sliced into the guards, and they all realized too late, the doom that was upon them.
The Dragonborn stood over the guards in a final stance ready to deliver the last blow but there was nothing but silence now, as justice had been delivered for the innocents who these guards had helped to send to their deaths. All that he could hear was the rush of blood in his ears, and the crackle of Azura’s Bane – The Sword of Destiny.
The Dragonborn sheathed Bane, then walked up the steps to door for the office of the border post, turned the handle and stepped in. He found Stultus and his wife sitting comfortably at a table near the cooking fire quietly speaking with each other. He walked over to them, then Stultus asked, “What can I do for you?” The Dragonborn replied, “Okay, Now I’m ready.” Stultus responded, “So many raids these days from Redguard nomad raiders. I’ll make an official report and have this mess cleaned up. Please follow me.”
The Dragonborn walked over to a dresser and took all the goods; necklaces, rings, amulets and a child’s doll and set them all on the top of the dresser. He was in his own heart, making a deposit for the loss of the dead innocents who these guards had stolen from and sent to their deaths on the other side in Cyrodiil. He paused and looked at it all while the wife quietly watched him and wondered about who this man was that had been touched so much to do what he was doing now.
The Dragonborn tuned and followed Stultus towards another door that likely open onto the Cyrodiil side of the border. Stultus was telling him, “Make sure you show the pass to the New Imperial Guards on the Cyrodiil side of the border. Keep it safe, you’ll need it to travel freely between the provinces.” Stultus then stopped walking, turned to face the Dragonborn and said, “One more thing, whatever you see down there, on the border, please remain calm and remember what I said about who you represent now. Enjoy your stay!”
The journey for the Dragonborn from the Bannered Mare in Whiterun up to Riverwood, Helgen, Past the Old Fort Neurgrad, then finally to the border post that sat at the Pale Pass had been uneventful. It was cold up near the pass from Skyrim into Cyrodiil. He had to come here to get the official pass as there were other ways into the capital provenance of Cyrodiil but this was where the official had been sent to allow people to pass legally into that land.
When he arrived there was a group of four guards posted there outside of the actual home and office of the post and its residences. One of the guards approached him and said, “Hey men, here’s another one, what a beauty.” He approached the Dragonborn then asked, “Looking to cross the border friend! The price is 100 gold coins.” The Dragonborn paused then replied, ” I am here to collect an official pass.” The guard that had approached him then responded with, “No need for that, it could take hours to get that processed and signed. A few gold coins and you’ll be over the border in no time.”
The Dragonborn immediately responded, “Is this a shakedown?” The guard replied, “Nah, just trying to do you a favor friend.” The guard walked back to the fire with the other guards. The Dragonborn walked up the stairs to the door of the post and entered it.
Once inside he immediately heard a conversation taking place in another room between a man and his wife, “Sarmenti, my dear, please, I’m trying my best. Hopefully I can get a new appointment somewhere else in the Empire.” Sarmenti could be heard responding, “Well, your best is not enough. We have been stuck out here for nearly two years, how much longer do I have to put up with those beasts they call guards outside?” The man responded, “Everything is going to be just fine.” His wife, Sarmenti replied, ” The way they look at me, it’s only a matter of time…what are you going to do about it. I am in fear of my life…” The man exclaimed, “Oh Sarmenti…”
It was then the man notice he was sitting there patiently waiting when he said, “Hello, my name is Stultus. Are you in need of some assistance?” The man who had identified himself as Stultus came and sat down then asked, “Well met, what can I do for you?” The Dragonborn replied, ” I am here to collect an official pass to cross the border into Cyrodiil” Stultus replied, “Ah, you must be…one moment.” Stultus stood up again, walked to a hallway and could be heard saying to him, “Yes, Captain Grimbold of the Bruma garrison informed us you would probably be coming, no one gets into Cyrodiil without an official pass.” He returned with an officially sealed document in hand and said, “This one is signed by the house of Bruma, be sure to show it to the New Imperial Guards when asked.”
The Dragonborn picked it up, unsealed the document and open it to see it read, “Provincial Border Pass, Border Pass Issue No 3009, dated 4E205. This document is to certify the holder is permitted full and free passage to the Province of Cyrodiil and the Empire, and that the holder has acknowledged to uphold the law at all times. I declare, full allegiance to the Emperor, the laws and citizens of Cyrodiil and the Empire. I declare full compliance with the laws and decrees set within the ‘White Gold Agreement of 4E 203 and do understand failure to comply with the laws of this agreement will render me, my family and known associates and representatives liable to summary execution.” The Dragonborn looked at Stultus then continued, “Signed for the issue: Sigunn of Bruma per procurationem: The Countess of Bruma. Issue Officer: Stultus Aprilis On behalf of the Lord Chancellor Martin Blackwell.”
The Dragonborn looked up and asked Stultus, “New Imperial guards?”. Stultus replied, “Have you not heard? A lot of changes have recently occurred in Cyrodiil. The…Emperor is very “serious” on immigration control and is quite ruthless in his implementation of…zero tolerance. To not be in possession of an official document can be, how shall we say…fatal.” The Dragonborn replied, “The guards outside didn’t seem serious. Even offered to open the gate for coin.” Stultus replied, “Those…guards, are nothing more than criminal scum and people traffickers. They would wave you through for coin knowing how it would end..like it has for so many others…those poor souls.”
The Dragonborn thought briefly then replied, “Do you want me to take care of them for you?” Stultus only replied with, “Let’s just say I have seen them letting whole families through the gates, men, women, and children. All hoping for a new life, only to end up bloody frozen rags in the snow..its’ quite sad. They are actually meant to be here to turn away the economic migrants and protect me as a diplomatic service. The New Imperial border guards are shall we say..more robust in their duties…hence the pass. Your friends had good cause to make sure you adhered to the official channels.”
The Dragonborn pondered what he had just heard, then asked, “Is there anything else I should need to know before I leave?” Stultus replied, “Cyrodiil is a civilized province. Acts of aggression against any citizen are met with extreme prejudice. In some cases entire families can be held responsible by the actions of one. As you now officially represent the House of Bruma…need I go on?”
The Dragonborn replied, “It sounds all a bit extreme if you ask me.” Stultus then responded, “Of course you can defend yourself and people do carry weapons in case of the odd renegade or wild animal. But you’ll find those…inconveniences virtually eradicated apart from the border regions, so please act accordingly to the law. Before you leave, do you require an further assistance?”
The Dragonborn replied, “I was told you might have some letters for me here.” Stultus responded, “Do you know the name of the sender?” The Dragonborn replied, “Rigmor, Rigmor of Bruma” Stultus began to rise and said, “One moment.” He returned to the back hallway and then responded with, “Ah, here is one.” He returned and set the letter down on the desk while saying, “Dated mid 202, almost 4 years ago.” Then Stultus said, “let me check to see if there are any more in the back room.”
The Dragonborn paused in thought for a moment as all these feelings concerning Rigmor came rushing back in. He thought to himself, “I can’t believe I still love her so much after all this time has passed. I am almost afraid to read the letters.” Stultus came back and set another letter down saying here’s one more dated early 203.” The Dragonborn then picked up the first letter and began to read,
After reading the first letter the Dragonborn sat in meditation as his mind was flooded with a fast moving flood of images and emotions concerning Rigmor, He silently thought, “how he first met her, what he felt, how they adventured together, grew closer together, and eventually fell in love with each other.” He then paused and began to pickup the second letter written about a year later.
After reading this final letter the Dragonborn looked up and met the eyes of Stultus who had been watching him closely as he read the letters. The Dragonborn spoke, “These letters are years old. She must think I ignored them. Why were they not returned? Stultus replied, “There’s been a lot of change, especially over these last few years.” There was a slight pause then he continued, “We received a lot of undelivered correspondence dating back years when we set up this border post. You must remember the last letter was sent during a most unsettling time. The good news is Cyrodiil is experiencing growth and stability since the new administration. Even more so after the expulsion of the Thalmor and the possible reinstation of the Nine throughout the Empire. I am sure your stay will be most pleasant and enlightening. And there’s one more thing, this was left for you too.”
The Dragonborn stared at the sword and thought to himself, “There must be potential for Rigmor to be harmed if this sword, ‘The Sword Of Destiny” has been given to him again to be its keeper. His eyes began to swell with emotion. He then asked Stultus, “What’s the next step?” Stultus replied, “Are you ready to continue?”
The Dragonborn thought, and saw his scared wife fixing dinner for them. He responded after thinking about the hardships he and Rigmor had experienced and now these people are experiencing because of people who had bad intent, “After I have killed these guards.” Stultus immediately replied, “Ahem, I think I have forgotten something out back, would you excuse me for one moment?”
The Dragonborn had made his way towards the Bannered Mare, which was situated in the market area where the General Goods and Alchemy and Potions shops were as well as several other outdoor stalls that sold various items such as fruits, breads, vegetables, fresh meat, and jewelry made by a famous blacksmith who work was famous because of the forge he used, called Skyforge. He did mos of his work for the companions, a company of mercenaries of sorts.
When he entered the inn, he scanned the room looking for familiar faces, he saw Hulda, a Nord, who was the innkeeper and owner, the bard, Mikael, also a Nord and the author of “A Gentleman’s Guide to Whiterun” who was currently playing a local favorite, “Ragnar the Red”. He also observed that several of the waiters and some of the regular locals were there. He had expected to see this familiar group of people, one of the reasons he came here as it helped to stir the memories of old with Rigmor. He sat at an open table and waited to see who would show up as a friend as the message said and what news they needed to deliver to him.
It wasn’t long before he heard footsteps approaching him from behind, he actually expected it to be Saadia, a Redguard living and working at the inn as a waiter asking him if he wanted anything to eat or drink or maybe both. He only had a moment to muse about it when a figure he had not seen for a long time came around immediately stating, “Greetings Dragonborn, you don’t know the trouble I’ve had finding you. Got a letter ‘ere for ya. Special delivery!”
After he greeted the Dragonborn, he sat down at the table in an open chair. The Dragonborn greeted him kindly, “Tendril Sethri, thief, disciple, messenger, mage, landlord and now courier. How long has it been since we last saw and spoke to each other?”
Tendril Sethri sat down crossed his arms while Olfina Gray-Mane, a Nord, and a part of the Gray-Mane clan, stood watching the inn, as she worked there as one of the waiters along with Saadia. Sethri responded to the Dragonborn question by replying, “He-he, too long Dragonborn, too long. I’d say by a whisker, it’s been four years since we last saw each other. Our last conversation was back at the old farmhouse located near Riften. Unfortunately, it was when I had to deliver that message to you concerning your need to stay in Skyrim.”
The Dragonborn replied, “If you’ve been sent to find me, this delivery must be very special indeed!” Sethri responded, “For your eyes only, straight from Bruma, don’t suppose you’ve heard what’s been going on in Cyrodiil these last couple of years?” The Dragonborn paused in thought a moment, then replied, ” I’ve had my hands full in Skyrim to be honest with you. But I am sure you being a disciple of Azura must already know about those times.” Sethri then looked at him and asked, “Not heard from young Rigmor then?” The Dragonborn replied, “I’ve not heard a word from he since we last saw each other at the border post up in the Pale pass to Cyrodiil. I am guessing this letter is from her?” Sethri said, “No, not this one. Although I do know Rigmor did write you.” The Dragonborn responded, “Well, I never received anything from Rigmor, I just assumed she got tired of waiting for me and moved on with her life.” Sethri, then placed a letter on the table in front of the Dragonborn. At the same time Ysolda, a Nord who lived in Whiterun, and enjoyed listening to and speaking with newcomers to Whiterun sat down at an open chair at the table and quietly listened.
Sethri replied to the Dragonborn, “Yeah, well the letters never got returned, so it may be worth your time to check with the border post to see they got buried up there in some sort of unknown person bag or something. You know you weren’t exactly easy to find.” The Dragonborn exclaimed, “The border post?” Sethri chuckled then said, “You have to go there anyway , to acquire the pass from the official assigned to that post.” There was silence at the table for a moment, the room had more of the locals arriving such as Lucia, a local orphan who would sit under the big tree and beg for some coins to buy her next meal. Sethri then interrupted the silence by saying, “Well, that’s why they sent me. I think you’d better read that letter there to understand.”
The Dragonborn picked up the letter, broke the seal, and unfolded it to read, the letter was dated 4E 205 and read as follows: “Dragonborn, If you are reading this, then we have at last managed to find you. You must have heard of the recent events in Cyrodiil, and although some stability has returned, freedom has not. We must speak in private, and certain names have been omitted in this correspondence, but I am sure you know to whom I am referring.She did try to write you, but you could not be located and gave up on ever seeing you again. I don’t think she ever got over losing you. But she is fine, and well and has moved on. You know her, never one to sit still, always looking for trouble if it doesn’t find her first. And trouble has found her. Of course she just waves it off, talks tough and I do realize you have moved on with your life, but I have no choice but to contact you for help. We fear she is in grave danger Dragonborn. Please come to visit us at our residence so we can talk further. Show the border guards the official pass.” The letter was signed, “Sigunn of Bruma”.
The Dragonborn folded the letter again and slipped it into a pouch he carried on his waist, he then looked at Sethri and asked, “What kind of crap has she gotten herself into this time?” Sethri replied, “These days, with the border locked down, it’s near impossible to get anything through. You must get the official border pass to enter Cyrodiil. If anyone tells you otherwise or offers a way over for coin, be wary of them, very wary. That’s if you decide to respond of course.”
The Dragonborn replied, “Don’t worry, I’ll get the pass.” Sethri then chuckled slightly, “Must be like a blast from the past right? The Dragonborn asked, ” Have you seen Rigmor lately, do you know how she’s doing?” Sethri replied, ” Ah, well! All will be revealed Dragonborn, all will be revealed.” The Dragonborn replied back, “Why is it I feel my stomach churn every time you say that?” Sethri responded, “Ha ha, let’s see…um, foreboding? The Dragonborn chuckled, “That’s it…yes, foreboding as in something bad is about to happen.” Sethri looked at his friend and replied, ” I’m sure it’s nothing you can’t handle, must be important seeing’ as you ain’t had no contact with anyone from back then in a such a long time!”
The conversation continued where in Sethri revealed that Cyrodiil wasn’t like Skyrim, they were civilized and had apparently set down very harsh penalties for violence against any law bidding citizen. Sethri had also warned the Dragonborn that something wasn’t right, he used an old saying, “I can fell it in me water like.” He paused then told the Dragonborn there was nothing civilized about what he saw crossing the border. The Dragonborn asked, “What did you see Sethri?” Sethri replied, “Just make sure you keep a cool head, you’ll see.”
The conversation then continued on a different track where the Dragonborn asked Sethri what he had been up to all these years since they last saw each other. He told him about the fact he was still living in the old farmhouse and how he had gone on a pilgrimage to Winterhold. To the shrine of his mistress, Azura. Sethri then spoke about a pretty young thing there that had taken a bit of a shine to him, Aranea was her name. He then told him with him that he hoped to coax her down from the mountain and into his little ‘ol farm.” The conversation was coming to a close, the Dragonborn could sense and said, “Well good luck with that, It’s so good to see you again Sethri.” Sethri replied, “Likewise Dragonborn, likewise, it’s good to see you too my friend.” Sethri in closing said, “Now then…my part in this is done and I have a date with destiny. So until next time Dragonborn.”
The Dragonborn watched in silence as Sethri turned, open the door and disappeared to the road again. He paused briefly then thought to himself, “I guess I better prepare for a journey to Cyrodiil to understand more about what’s going on with Rigmor and why her mother Sigunn felt the need to bring him back in their lives again.”
She walked up to the sleeping Katrina, stood there in silence watching her slowly breathe in and out then said, “My daughter, go forth and fulfill that which you were born to be. When you are done, missing home, come to us, we will be waiting, ‘Tiid, Los, Hin Dez’, ‘Time Is Your Destiny’ my daughter. We will be waiting.” With that the room returned to an empty silence and she slept the dreams of purpose until the first light of dawn filtered into the room and stirred her from her sleep.
Katrina slowly rose, slid her legs over the side of the bed to a sitting position. She sat there a while, trying to remember something about her dreams, there was something that transformed her here beyond what she already had become aware of. Her dreams were full of strange messages and memories of other people, other places.
One from last night was the last she remembered experiencing. She sat there pondering, then thought, “Mother, you were here! I remember now, you said to me, “Go forth and fulfill that which you were born to be.” Katrina paused then, closed her eyes and then both heard and saw her, “Tiid, Los Hin Dez, Time Is Your Destiny. Come to us when you are done, we will be waiting.”
The tears rolled down her cheeks from her closed eyes as she thought, “You were beautiful, I will come to you although I am not sure yet what it means, ‘Time Is Your Destiny’” She opened her eyes then, found a cloth she would use to wipe away the tears and went to an area set aside for reading with food and books all within easy reach.
Here she sat for a while reading, eating some fruit, nuts, and bread for breakfast. She knew she needed to begin her journey back to Whiterun soon. She wanted to make it back to the home that had been left for her. There she would plan her approach to release Whiterun from the hold of the Thalmor. Today she would go to meet her “Dez”, her fate.
As Katrina slept, four lights filled the room who had once been the Greybeards. They were ethereal in appearance, approached her bed. Each ball of light moved forward and from the first it could be heard, “Hind, Do, Daar, Bok” in the common tongue it meant, “Hope of this Age”.
Then, next another came and said, “Sil, Vahzah, Ahrk, Fron” which would translate to, “Heart True and Kind”. A third shimmering light moved over her and spoke, “Tinvaak, Wah, Fin, Kun”, which commonly meant, “Prophet to The Light”.
The fourth light, the brightest in the room at that time and the one who had at a previous time, spoken her true name of “Dovah Do Daah Bok”, “The Dragon of this Age” spoke over her, “Tiid, Los, Hin, Dez” which was not just a series of words of power but a prophecy as well. The meaning of those words would be translated to, “Time Is Your Destiny”. This set of words appeared to hover and simmer a great light over her before being absorbed as the others had.
As each one spoke their words a light would descend and be absorbed by her sleeping form. When the last one had spoken, one more voice came into the room, a shimmering figure of a lady of great beauty with a touch of both her father and mother’s grace in her.
As she sat and read the book, “A mother’s love and the sword of destiny”, she discovered her name was Katrina Morgan Septim Kendra. She knew from reading from some passages documented by the Lord Chancellor of Rigmor’s time that her name had special meaning.
The Lord Chancellor, Martin Blackwell, was keeper of history and a fierce defender of the rulers of Tamriel during that time. He had written about the meanings behind her name.
Her first name Katrina meant “Pure”. Morgan, a family name of Rigmor meant, “Sea Song” and according to this her grandfather and grandmother, Rigmor would travel often in ships as she loved the open song of the sea. Septim, her grandfather’s lineage was the name of the greatest dynasty of Tamriel, and Kendra, her last name from her father had been known to mean “Knowing, Of Royal Power, and Great Hero”.
Katrina’s eyes were full of the tears of reading of her grandmother’s journey to understand her destiny, of her grandfather, who had saved her grandmother many times, not just from physical death but spiritual death as well.
There had been many battles fought to come to their journey’s end. Rigmor and “The Last Dragonborn” as her father was referred to during that time had fallen in love with each other as they journeyed across many provinces of Tamriel.
Her grandfather had taken on the role of guardian, as Rigmor would say in the beginning, “What are you, my guardian angel or something?” Later, once they both learned of the blessings that were within his blood, Rigmor would refer to him as the “Guardian Dragonborn”. Of course, there were other names she held private for her grandfather but that is for another story.
In time they fell in love with each other, they understood the truths of their destiny together and got married, her grandfather became Emperor and her grandmother, High Queen of Tamriel. The Lord Chancellor has also written that at the time of their crowning, Rigmor was already pregnant with a child.
That the resulting birth was of course, her mother Kintyra, an old family name of the Septim dynasty. She was prophesied to be born to fulfill the Alessian prophecy and bring about the “Golden Age”. It was said that she would be born with the blessings of Akatosh and Tiber Septim in her blood so that her grandfather would no longer be “The Last Dragonborn”.
This was foretold to be required to restore the line of the Emperors and Empresses who held in their blood the power of the dragons which in turn would help to bring about a lasting peace and prosperity.
All of that had been betrayed though, by the Thalmor and the Dominion. They had chosen not to be the partners they were asked to be, to help create the greatest age in the history of the races. Instead, they chose to take a path of darkness, leaving nothing but a road of dead, the empty lands she experienced since coming awake near that cave below Helgen, and the undoing of an age of hope.
She knew now that it was her destiny to be the instrument for this time to what would become known as the “Path to Reclamation”. She had inherited the gifts of her parents and grandparents, of the gods and deities that believed and supported the Alessian promised age of hope and lasting peace. She knew now that she would begin in Whiterun, to take back that hold and find others who wanted this land restored to its legacy and become something even more.
This was to be her sea song and her doorway towards returning home someday as Rigmor and the dragons had hinted to and said, “You know that way to us once your journey is complete here, use it to come home and know your brethren, “Dovah Do Daah Bok”, “The Dragon of this Age.”
She thought to herself, I will need to be well rested to take this journey. It is a path that will require all that I have learned on my hard-fought journey towards shedding the wrappings of illusion to know who I am, what I am, and maybe what I am yet to become.”
She paused briefly and felt the silence of this place that had once been the home of the Greybeards hang on the edges of her mind. She knew tomorrow before leaving, she would give thanks to them, to honor their great sacrifice to her and this destiny yet to be fulfilled.
She closed the book, got up from the chair and placed it carefully back upon the soft cloth that had been placed on top of the dresser. She then walked back to the first bed she came to, bent over to lay down, closed her eyes and was fast asleep.
The journey to Falkreath was uneventful since they hired the carriage driver to take them there. Once they arrived Rigmor turned to the Dragonborn, looked into his eyes then said, “You seemed to be internalizing something. You haven’t said anything since we left Whiterun. You care to share some of those thoughts with me, you know the one you committed to guarding?”
The Dragonborn looked back at Rigmor, then said, “You say she lives north of here, let’s get going.” Rigmor looked as if she was going to say something not befitting a lady, then changed her mind, turned and said to him, “Okay, guardian let’s do this your way.” The Dragonborn walked a bit more until they came upon the first rise and vista that overlooked Falkreath. He turned to Rigmor with a slight smirk and said to her, “Guardian Dragonborn Rigmor!”
The Guardian Dragonborn then looked away towards the direction the trail was going. Rigmor was entertained and mad at the same time at him. She said, “Okay Guardian Dragonborn, pffft! Whatever, are we going to continue, I am starting to tire in this thinning cold air?”
The Guardian Dragonborn continued up the trail. It was a fairly difficult trail and it kept rising higher into the mountains. At one point they came to a sign that read, “Stay Out!” There were bear traps laid out all along the approach to the trail leading away towards something. The Guardian Dragonborn could see smoke rising from a campfire or fireplace off through the trees. He suspected it was Angie’s place.
He held his hand to Rigmor as if to say stay here. He turned then with a change in focus his blood began to burn and the word “Fus” came out pointed at all the traps along the way. This shout although the same word was different, its intent and form were focused at doing something.
Rigmor observed and as the shout rolled across the trail all the traps were sprung, eliminating the danger to the two of them. Rigmor thought to herself, “That’s impressive, he’s had no training at all and he is already learning to evolve that first dragon shout into something unique and different.”
The Dragonborn lowered his hand and began following the trail towards the smoking rising from ahead. When they were close enough to see Angie’s place, a small cabin with a fence of posts around it the Dragonborn stopped turned and spoke to Rigmor.
The Dragonborn asked Rigmor, “What can we expect from Angie, is she going to put an arrow through my head? I’ve heard the rumors while we were briefly in Falkreath about the crazy lady that lived alone up in the mountains.” Rigmor didn’t bite back at him as was her nature to do so. She instead said, “Look Dragonborn, Angie has been through a lot, take my word for it. Besides she saved my life when she could have left me on the trail where she found me. It was after the Bruma incident with the Thalmor and I was making my way into Skyrim.”
The Dragonborn replied, “Okay, I trust you Rigmor. Let’s go and meet Angie so you can get some rest. I can see this journey has worn on you a bit and we need to get you well rested.” Rigmor smiled slightly thinking to herself, “He’s concerned for me, he really sincerely cares about me.” Then she thought, “Is that want I want, there’s something about him. Not just him but him and me like, like this was our destiny to find each other or something. “
She then turned and walked on towards Angie’s camp exclaiming, “Pffft!” As they walked up the stairway leading into the camp with Rigmor taking the lead, Angie watched as Rigmor past by her to warm up near the fire set in the middle of the camp. However, Angie spoke immediately to Dragonborn, “You lost or something? I think you’re in the wrong place friend.”
The Dragonborn replied, “I am with Rigmor!” Angie said, “I don’t think so, she’s under my protection and if you try anything stupid I’ll put an arrow through your head.” Rigmor, who was standing nearby over heard this and said to Angie, “Angie, he’s with me, he’s my guardian, he saved me and helped to nurse me back to health. It’s okay, really!”
Angie replied, “Okay, but I’ll be keeping an eye on him while he’s here. I’ll be in my cabin if you need me.” She turned and walked into her cabin. The Dragonborn approached Rigmor and said, “Okay, nice lady!” Rigmor could tell he was being sarcastic so changed the subject by saying, “Hey, I have a nice tent over there with an extra bedroll in it if you want to get some rest. Let’s go there and talk if you don’t mind?”
The Dragonborn nodded then followed Rigmor into the tent. After Rigmor sat down on the bed the Dragonborn sat on the chair near it. He thought to himself, “It was spacious and had a bed, chair, and bedroll in it. The whole place was lined with furs and was pretty cozy and comfortable considering how high they were in the mountains. ”
The Dragonborn sat there thinking briefly, then said, “Well, nice place you have here. Do I need to be worried about Angie?” Rigmor responded, “No, she’s actually quite nice once you get to know her. ” The Dragonborn replied, “So I shouldn’t be worried about getting an arrow in the back of my head?”
Rigmor chuckled at that and replied, “No, you’ll be fine but if you want to make friends with her ask her about the bow she has hanging on the side of the cabin and those practice stands you probably saw setup on the way into camp. She’ll like that. ” The Dragonborn then asked, “Rigmor, what happened to you? I mean those were some pretty nasty scars I saw on your back when we first brought you back to the camp with Rose.”
Rigmor looked away briefly then back again with tears beginning to roll down her cheeks. She then replied, “I am sorry Dragonborn, I can’t talk about that right now, maybe someday. Hey, listen I really need to get some rest. Why don’t you go into Angie’s cabin and check out the map I made on the table. Maybe you could start up a conversation with Angie and the two of you become more comfortable with each other.”
Rigmor then laid down and the Dragonborn sat there thinking while silence filled the tent and Rigmor closed her eyes to give herself time to rest and recover emotionally from all that had transpired since she meet the Guardian Dragonborn. The Dragonborn lowered his gaze sitting there meditating on the same thing without knowing it. There was a lot that happened since he meet Rigmor. His last thoughts were, “I wonder what else is on this road with her. We seemed to be tied together to some destiny yet to be discovered.”
When Rigmor and the Dragonborn entered the palace, the steward who was Adrianne Avenicci’s, one of the local blacksmith’s father, came up to them and said to him, “Good your back, the Jarl has been waiting for you to hear what the update is.”
The Dragonborn walked a few more steps towards the Jarl who was sitting on his throne when his brother, Hrongar who approached him and said, “Good, my brother the Jarl and I were just speaking about you. He needs to have a word with you. “
The Dragonborn nodded to acknowledge Hrongar. He then stepped forward to see what the Jarl would ask, “Well, what happened at the watchtower? Was the dragon there? Did Irileth and the soldiers defeat it?” The Dragonborn replied, “Yes, the dragon was there and has done a great deal of damage to the watchtower. We were able to defeat the dragon but not without loss of some of your brave guards.”
The Jarl paused for a minute with his brother and the steward listened to every word being spoken between these two. The Jarl said, “Good, I was hoping that Irileth would be successful but there must be more to it than that? We all heard the booming voice come rolling in from the Throat of the World.”
Rigmor had taken a couple of steps forward and was listening with intense effort to what was being said now between these two. The Jarl and the Dragonborn.
The Dragonborn looked to the side briefly as if trying to consider the best way to respond to the Jarl’s question. He turned, then said, “Something happened when I helped to kill the dragon. I absorbed some type of power from it when it died.”
There were sudden gasps heard from several who were standing there. The Jarl paused for but a moment then replied, “Then its true, that was the Greybeards who were calling to you from High Hrothgar near the peak of the Throat of the World.” He paused, then said, “The Greybeards must have sensed something that was revealed when the dragon was killed.” The Jarl’s brother Hrongar then said, “Didn’t you hear the booming voice, that was the voice of the Greybeards calling you to come to High Hrothgar.”
The steward Proventus Avenicci then said, “What do these Greybeards want with him anyway. I mean a great warrior yes, but this stuff about the Dragonborn!” Hrongar replied crisply to Proventus, “You wouldn’t understand, you’re not a Nord. I mean this hasn’t happened since the days of Tiber Septim.”
The Jarl finally spoke up and said, “Well, who are we to decide, if the Greybeards believe he is the Dragonborn, should we be questioning that? The Greybeards never get involved with anything down here as far as I am aware. Something must be in motion in the world to have them invoke their voices to call the Dragonborn to High Hrothgar as they did.”
He paused but a moment, then said, “you know I’ve made the pilgrimage before up the seven thousand steps to that place. It is a very peaceful place on top of the mountain. Regardless, I cannot teach you what your destiny might be as they might be able to but it is within my power to name you the “Thane of Whiterun” and to assign Lydia, as your personal House Carl. Here is a weapon that will identify you as an officer of the court. There is no greater honor I can bestow upon you.
The Jarl paused in thought then continued, “We are honored Dragonborn to have you has as our Thane. You better get up to High Hrothgar and speak with the Greybeards, you cannot deny their summons. ” Rigmor had been standing in the background listening to every word.
She was now just beginning to understand the there was indeed, something big happening in the world if her guardian was indeed a Dragonborn from the legends.” The Dragonborn turned and walked over to speak with her. “She said, Dragonborn and Thane of Whiterun. What are you going to do now guardian?”
The Dragonborn said, let’s go stop at the inn and grab a bite to eat and something to drink before we leave. They both began to walk towards the doorway leading out of the palace when a pretty girl, dressed in steel armor came up to them and said, “My thane, I am Lydia your personal housecarl. I am here to protect you and all that you own.” Rigmor and Lydia’s eyes meet briefly with some silent exchange.
Then Rigmor turned to him and said, “Can we talk for a moment in private?” Lydia overhead what was asked, and said to Rigmor, “It’s okay, I’ll just wait over there near the door. ” Rigmor turned to him and asked, “Okay guardian, Thane, or Dragonborn. What are we going to do with her? “
The Dragonborn, said, “Are you jealous of her? I don’t even know her yet.” Rigmor’s face turned beat red and she responded, “I am going to hit you if you don’t get serious. I would simply prefer that its just you and me as we travel to Angie’s camp and wherever that leads us afterwards. You know, Angie is a very private person. There’s a reason she lives way up near the top of a mountain.”
The Dragonborn smiled slightly and then said, “Okay Rigmor, let’s talk to the steward about purchasing a home. We can have her guard the home while we’re gone.” Rigmor replied, “Okay, that would work and while you’re at it why don’t you adopt that poor orphan girl who begs down near that tree. She could use a good home you know and you now have the means to offer her that.”
The Dragonborn said, “Well, if you think that’s the right thing to do?” Rigmor replied, “Of course it is, let’s go talk to Lydia about this.”
They finished up a somewhat tense conversation with Lydia, went to the steward and purchased a home that was for sale next to the Blacksmith’s store and not far from the front gate. They then went and spoke to the little orphan girl and adopted her. Lydia said, “I will take good care of Lucia and the new home when you are gone with Rigmor my thane. Thank you for giving us both a nice place to stay and fix up to be home for everyone.
The Dragonborn / Thane replied, “You’re welcome, we’ll be back once were done with some other business Rigmor and I were already committed to finishing. ” Rigmor spoke up then, “Yes, we’ll be gone for sometime but please don’t hesitate to ask the Jarl or his Steward for funds for whatever yours and Lucia’s needs are. We, the Dragonborn and myself have both already spoken with the Jarl and his Steward.
Lydia replied, “Don’t you worry and thank you both. Please be careful. Lucia and I will be thinking of you both and waiting for your return.” She then took Lucia’s hand and they walked into the new home. Rigmor and the Dragonborn went to the front gate and through it. Once they were outside and out of reach of the guard’s hearing. Rigmor turned and said, “At last, now we go rescue Rose and retrieve my sword. Are you ready Dragonborn?” He nodded then said, “Let’s go catch a carriage to Falkreath. You said Angie’s place was north of that town, correct?”
Rigmor replied, “Yes, and good idea Dragonborn. It’s good to see all this new found attention and titles haven’t addled your thinking any. ” They both chuckled and headed to the carriage they knew was parked near the stables in Whiterun.
