Ekali of the Frozen Heights, Book one Options

[Saquira]

Hi! I'm back... for a while at least. I finally got past the huge obstacle of Feynahkrils' dialogue, so after this we're going to Ustengrav. Then, Delphine...

King Coin: Yeah, I'm going to try and come up with some way that she can stay neutral but still get involved in the war, kind of... It's tricky. She'll have to make enough of an impact for her mother to want to kill her, which might require a bit of effort.

mALX: Thank you I like writing those scenes.

Previously on Ekali of the Frozen Heights: After speaking to Ulfric Stormcloak, Ekali spent the evening with Shakh at the Cornerclub, and found out that he's quite the detective. The evening took a turn for the worse when it was revealed that the streets are unsafe during the nights for anyone who isn't human.

Dezhahnu 2
28th-29th Last Seed

For once, the khajiit's breath was calm when she awakened in the dream-scape, and she sat up slowly, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. Then she blinked a few times, and seeing the dragon perched on a rocky outcropping further away, she got to her feet.

“Drem Yol Lok Golgronfron. I see that you came through your fight with Feynahkril without any mayor wounds.” [Greetings, Golgronfron.] The great dragon gazed down upon her as he spoke, wings not quite folded against his body in the mild wind of the late evening.

“Greetings, Mirmulnir. Have you seen him?” she asked as she looked around the plateau and the skies around it. Above her, the dragon smiled.

“Yes, I have. He's here somewhere, exploring his new home. Waiting for you to come, incidentally,” the great beast said as his eyes swept over the skies

“Dovahkiin,” [Dragonborn] a voice rumbled behind her as the other dragon came gliding down through the clouds, swinging around and landing beside them without even a slight rumble in the ground. “Also the cause of my defeat, it would seem.” She’d turned around when he landed, and both Mirmulnir and the khajiit were now watching the latest arrival. “Zu’u Feynahkril, but you know that already.” [I am Feynahkril] There was a trace of amusement in his voice, and it was reflected by the glint in his eyes.

“Drem yol lok, zu’u Golgronfron,” [Greetings, I’m Golgronfron] she answered him after a moment, bowing her head down in his direction. He smiled at that, and lowered his own head in greeting.

“Ah, so you do speak some of our language. Pruzah.” [Good.] He smiled wider for a moment as he came closer, lowering his head so that it came to rest before her. “However, I already know who you are. You are Dovahkiin, the dragon trapped in a mortal body.” He raised his head again, backing away from her. “It was in spite that my lord first called you Golgronfron, for you are a dragon bound to earth, and as such your presence is unlikely to make any difference in the coming days.” He bared his teeth at her, still smiling. She frowned, narrowing her eyes at him.

“Why do you say that? And who is your lord?” she asked, and he leaned his head to his right as he watched her.

“Because it is the truth. Your name is as much a curse as we can accomplish using the voice. It is a way of calling you weak. For the fate of the world will not be decided by those forever condemned to walk the earth. It will be decided in the skies above, and the power of the Voice shall be the deciding factor when the last blow is dealt. My lord is Alduin, and you will meet him one day, if you survive that is,” he rumbled, smiling threateningly as he leapt into the air, using his strong wings to catch onto an up-draft that brought him away from them.

“What did he mean?” she asked as she turned to Mirmulnir and found that he'd been watching her.

“In part, he meant that though you have a dragons soul, there is very much about us that you have yet to understand, many things you'll never understand. You are extremely young by our counting, and have yet to go through our coming of age trial. The rest, well, I expect you will hear more of that eventually.” Mirmulnir sighed and laid down onto the mountain, putting his head down to rest onto his front feet.

“Coming of age?” she asked, puzzled.

“Yes. Every user of the voice does one day loose the control of their powers. When it happens to a dragon, it is the sign that the child is ready to become an adult, and the child heads to the north, to the lair of the ancients. We do not speak of what happens there, but it is where you learn to control the voice, and whatever else the ancients have decided.” He closed his eyes, not bothering to look at her when he spoke.

“Have a dragonborn ever gone through it?” she asked after a short while, genuinely curious of the trial.

“A few, the one you know as Talos was one of them. You might go there one day, should you survive that long.”

“The greybeards told me of how most of the have lost their control of the voice, and it seems a very steep price to pay.” Ekali said as she looked up at the great dragon.

“The Voice is a great power, and they were never meant to use it. All power comes with a price. For most the price is a trial. One that changes you, and one that some wish they never had gone through. For others, the price is never to talk, unless you are willing to take the risk of hurting those around you. It is the price that Akatosh decided for his children, and it is a price that we have accepted. To not go through with the trial is to condemn yourself to a solitary life, and if not that, then death.” His eyes opened again and he watched her as he spoke. When he finished, the khajiit merely stood there for a while, thoughtful as she watched the dragon stretch his wings and neck.

“How many dragons are there?” she asked suddenly, and he turned his head towards her again, thinking quickly before answering.

“I do not know. In Skyrim, I doubt there are more than twenty. And many of us have spent the last century or so sleeping. There used to be many more, but most were either killed by the ancient blades or fled to other lands. Their bones lie buried beneath the ground you tread by day. Of course there aren't only dragons in Skyrim though; far to the north in Iisfrod [Icefield], thousands of dragons live at peace with the land around them. There we can hunt, live and raise our young without worry that the inhabitants of Tamriel will hunt us down. For they do not live there, and they have not done so for a very long time.” He smiled slightly as he spoke, for the words conjured many old memories for the old dragon.

“Why do you say 'they', I'm one of the people of Tamriel as well,” she asked with furrowed brows.

“Your body may be, but not your soul. You are a daughter of Akatosh. And though only he can know exactly why you have the body of a khajiit, I do know that you are what you are for a reason.” He looked her straight in the eyes as he spoke, and when no answer came from her, Mirmulnir yawned and placed his body in a more comfortable position before closing his eyes.

[McBadgere]

Blimey!...

It's no wonder it took you so long!... ...

Very epic, metaphysical and brilliant...

Loved the dragon language translations...Cheers for that...

I think this whole dreamscape thing is amazing...It's going to get a bit cluttered in there though... ...

Brilliant stuff, as ever...Nice to see you back...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

[mALX]

Sorry it's taking so long, Saquira - will be back as soon as I get a chance to read this! <3

[Saquira]

McBadgere: Thank you, I'm glad you like it. I figure the dreamscape is a pretty big place though, so space shouldn't be a problem.

mALX: Don't worry about it, I've been busy myself.

Previously on Ekali of the Frozen Heights: Ekali spoke for the first time with Feynahkril in Dezhahnu, and then she learnt of the fact that dragons have to learn how to control the voice, as well as what the dragons think of her.

Chapter 5.4 Deep beneath the snow
30th – 31st Last Seed

She bent her head down in the cold wind, shifting her bearskin hood so that it caught the snow that tried to get in her eyes. Muffled footsteps sounded nearby, but she didn't look around to see the wolf as she knew the futility of that endeavour. Though it wasn't the worst snowfall she'd experienced, it certainly didn't fall far behind, and as such she was keen to get out of the biting wind.

After a while, the faint crackling of a fire reached her sensitive ears, and Ekali raised her head to look into the storm. According to her compass she was heading straight north, which should lead them to the tomb Ustengrav within the day. She hadn’t expected to meet other travellers on the way, especially not since she’d already left the main road. She drew the great-sword off her back when an orange light appeared in the white landscape, and a soft growl reached her from Gladio's direction.

They came upon the camp suddenly. One second there was nothing but snow swirling around the khajiit, and the next a tent appeared not half a meter before her. A male Nord was sitting next to it, and he started violently when he saw her silhouette through the snow. He yelled out and put his hand on the axe by his side as he struggled to rise, but she was quicker, and thrust her short-sword through his neck. He barely had time to look surprised before he sunk to the ground with a gurgling sound.

Then the camp came to life, as a sword was drawn somewhere in front of Ekali, and with a roar another human came rushing at her. The khajiit barely had time to react, and then Gladio leapt through the air, pushing the human down into the snow as his jaws clamped down onto the woman’s arm and she gave of a shriek that was distorted by the storm. Ekali froze momentarily, but her eyes were soon drawn from the deadly struggle as sparks crackled to her left. Moments after her eyes went wide with the realisation, instinct kicked in and she threw herself onto the ground, fur bristling from the electricity that passed just over her head. Then she pushed herself up of the ground, and unable to find the short sword in the snow, she conjured up her flame spell before casting it at the last bandit with both hands. The man's thick clothing lit up easily, and he screamed into the air, but just like those of his companions the sound did not travel far, and he soon crumpled to the ground in a charred heap.

Ekali drew a deep breath as she lowered her body onto the ground next to one of the tents, trying to get her frantic heart to calm down. Not being able to see anything but snow around her, she was surprised to feel the cold metal underneath her hand, and looked down to see her short-sword peeking out from a snowdrift. She picked it up and wiped it off with a cloth she produced from her armour, before once again sheathing the weapon. Then she looked around once more, and found that Gladio was standing on some stone further away.

She got to her feet as quick as she could in the heavy snow-fall, and walked up next to the animal on the stone. Before them, the stone gave way to a large pit, and on the far side a staircase of stone was visible. Ekali sighed in relief and brushed her hand over the wolf’s fur, for it was the entrance to the tomb of Ustengrav. He glanced up at her, and she stepped clear of the edge before walking around so that she could walk down the stairs.

There wasn’t as much snow or wind in the pit, and she brushed the snow out of the fur on her head as she flicked her ears in relief and approached the metal door. It made a lot of noise when she pushed it open, and Ekali was happy to find that there where no bandits, except for the body of one, inside the door. However Gladio, as soon as he'd gotten inside and taken a sniff off the air, angled his ears backwards and barred his teeth before stalking slowly down the corridor. At his silent warning, the khajiit perked her ears, and upon hearing the faint noise of footsteps from further in, drew the bow of her back, strung it and fitted an arrow to the bow before following after the animal.

As they travelled further down the corridor, the noises became louder and louder, with two voices arguing with another. When they finally rounded the last corner, a large room opened up before them, covered in darkness. Ekali activated her night eye ability before sweeping the room with her eyes, quickly spotting the three humanoid shapes at the far end. A man and a woman in dark robes, as well as a man in fur clothing. But lights swirled around his shape, and he merely stood there, slumped over slightly, as the two mages argued.

Ekali drew the bowstring taught as Gladio stopped a couple of strides in front of her, body hunched down in preparation for leaping at the humanoids. She aimed first at the man in the robe, as he was the closest to her location, and then held her breath just before releasing the arrow. The projectile struck him just under the chin, and he went down with a muted gurgle as blood spilled from the new wound on his throat. The woman spun at the noise, eyes searching the darkness as the newly animated body by her side raised its axe. Her eyes found the khajiit just as she released a second arrow, and the wolf bounded forward after it. The arrow hit its target in the shoulder, and the mage yelled out in rage, casting her spell and sending a cloud of frost in in the dragonborn's direction as the body of the bandit began to run towards her. Gladio collided with the dead bandit when he'd gotten halfway across the room, and Ekali threw herself to the side, only just escaping the freezing cold of the spell.

When she got up again she left the bow on the ground and drew her great-sword from its scabbard as she shouted; “Wuld!” and was propelled towards the mage. Slightly disoriented by the motion, the Altmer female's next spell caught her in the shoulder, and the khajiit staggered momentarily, grunting in pain as she swung her sword at the elf’s' neck.

The woman, having put up a shield spell only moments before, fell backwards and put her hand to her neck, finding that a thin line of blood was seeping out of the new cut on her neck. She glared at the khajiit, but that was all she had time for before Ekali thrust the sword through her chest, and she went limp moments after.

Ekali took a deep breath, finally able to relax somewhat as she turned to look for the wolf, and saw him padding up to her on light feet. A pile of dust lay behind him, still glowing slightly blue, she saw, when she turned off her night eye ability. She bent down to wipe her blade free of blood on the mage's robes before sheathing the weapon and grabbing the corpse by the ankles, then proceeding to drag the bodies away and dump them in a niche in the wall. Gladio was already laying down when she got back, and she smiled slightly as she rolled out her bedroll and took out some food to eat for dinner.

<-><-><->

She stepped carefully over the uneven ground, listening closely to the hissing and creaking from the skeletons that were ambling around on the plateau further below. The cave that stretched out before her was immense, and Ekali took a moment to admire it from where she stood on the walkway. She held her bow in one hand, an arrow in the other, ready to fire almost at a moments notice.

When Gladio looked back, wondering why she'd stopped, Ekali put the arrow against the bow and aimed at a skeleton that was at the moment very isolated from the rest. It was just heading past the lower end of the walkway when she released the arrow, and went tumbling to the ground in a shamble, bones clattering against the hard floor. For some reason, none of the other creatures reacted to it, and the khajiit was free to nock another arrow without any hurry.

She picked them off one after one from her perch on the walkway, without having to worry about being discovered. Once that was done, Gladio finally relaxed, and Ekali slung her bow over her shoulders as she walked down onto the platform below. A throne-like chair stood further away, but the khajiit turned to the right where two pathways lead even further into the crypt. The closest one was a bridge that reached over a large abyss, and ended a couple of meters away from an iron gate and three standing stones. The further one spiraled down into the abyss, and only a few treetops could be glimpsed down below, though she could clearly hear the sound of rushing water.

She was pondering which path to choose when whispers began to reach her ears. Whisper of the dragon tongue. Incomprehensible to her at the moment, but calling for her none the less. Then Ekali was startled from her thoughts when the male wolf suddenly let of a short bark and bounded of down the path that was further away. She merely gaped for a moment before reacting, at which point she took a firmer hold around her bow before running after the animal, not wanting to call out in case it would attract any unwanted attention.

As she descended the path, both the trees and whispers grew closer, and a large stone formation appeared amongst the trees. The running water turned out to be a waterfall that ended in a small lake at the bottom. She came to a stop finally, and while standing on the cold earth she could clearly see Gladio lying by the water and the great stone, at which point the origin of the whispers became evident.

Screenshot

Standing before her was a wordwall, which even though it was hidden from the world above, called out to the dragons soul within her.

Stepping forward, she left her pack and bow by the water, transfixed by the wall as the whispers grew in volume and her field of vision narrowed. And for the first time, amongst all the powerful voices that brought her to her knees, she could finally understand a part.

There is power in knowledge, and you’d do well to remember that, child.

It was followed almost instantly by another word, Feim. Fade, she knew instantly that it meant, and if used as a shout it could allow her to pass through danger unscathed for a short time.

When she became aware of her surroundings again, Gladio was standing before her, whining in worry, but calming down when she met his eyes and reached out with a hand to scratch him between the ears. The next noise he made was one of pleasure, before she rose to her feet and surveyed the low reaches of the cavern.

No danger was apparent, and the wolf laid down on the shore again and closed his eyes, so she turned to the water. Sticking her hand in after removing the gauntlet revealed that it was a hot spring, and unable to resist the temptation Ekali began to remove her armour to bathe.

<-><-><->

The female khajiit kept her sword held high as she pushed open the wooden door, eyes sweeping the new space for spiders or draugr as her breath came in short bursts. Gladio was just as alert, ignoring the spider blood that covered his muzzle as he made sure no other danger would leap at the from the dark of the crypt. But there was only a gate on the other side of the door, an iron gate and a chain, presumably to open the gate.

Ekali took her sword in one hand as she stepped up next to the gate and pulled on the chain, causing the iron bars to raise into the roof, and allowing the wolf to stalk into the chamber beyond. And it was a large one, the khajiit saw when she stepped through herself, and began to head down the stairs. A large chamber with only one path to walk, ahead.

The path was lined by water, dark water through which she could see no bottom, and at the far end of the path stood some kind of altar. As she approached it, the ground shook suddenly, and great statues rose from the water on her sides.

Screenshot

She gaped at them for a few moments, and when it became clear that no danger was about to appear the khajiit sheated her great-sword over her back before heading along the path. The wolf padded along behind her as she approached the altar, and she frowned when she came close enough to see what laid on it.

Screenshot

A hand of stone rose straight up from, shaped as if to hold something. But instead of the horn that she had expected to find, there was a paper. She looked around briefly before reaching her hand out to pik it up, and nothing changed as she did so. The paper seemed new, not at all the kind that could have lain in a crypt for centuries. Opening the note and reading it caused her lips to draw back as she bared her teeth in annoyance and narrowed her eyes.

Dragonborn -

I need to speak to you. Urgently.

Rent the attic room at the Sleeping Giant Inn in Riverwood, and I’ll meet you.

- A friend

Ekali crumpled the paper, dropping it on the ground as she gave of a weary sigh and sat down next to the altar. Her left hand took of the helmet before she ran her right through her fur, took a deep breath and looked up at Gladio.

“It seems we’ll be heading back to Riverwood next boy,” she said, and he tilted his head in curiosity. The khajiit merely put her helmet on again before standing up and heading to the door behind the altar.

This post has been edited by Saquira: May 9 2013, 05:03 PM

[McBadgere]

That was epic!!...

I loved that it was an extended runthrough...Ustengrav's a gorgeous bit of design...I love that oasis at the bottom of the cave...Though the ramps always end up confusing me... ...

No, it's not difficult... ...

Aaamywho...

Loved the whole piece, Gladio was brilliant...

I got a shock at the start with the fight...She seemed to attack without warning...It's a good job it turned out to be bandits... ...

But still loved it!...

Amazing writing, glad you're keeping going...

Nice one!!..

*Applauds heartily*...

[mALX]

*

I haven’t met the talking dragon in my game yet, but love him in the vids. I love your rendition of him here, you have captured what I have seen of him in the vids perfectly! I also like that she answered him in his own language (and didn’t know if that was a part of the game or not, but loved it)!

Next:

Coming across a camp in a snowstorm, in it before you realize it is there - LOVED that! How real that felt, believable. Uh oh, that note sounds like a trap! Lol, Awesome Write !!!

*

[Saquira]

McBadgere: Thank you, I quite like Ustengrav as well. That place with the trees and the water just by the wordwall is really nice. And I got such a shock when I entered the final chamber the first time and those statues rose from the water.

Yeah, I might have had her draw her blade a bit earlier than necessary.

mALX: She haven't actually met any of the dragons who you can talk too in the game yet, but I'm glad that you like the ones she have met She's going to be talking to a lot more dragons before this story is over.

And well, you can't actually answer anyone with dragon language in the game, as fun as that would be. Ekali will be using it a lot though, both voluntarily and involuntarily.

[mALX]

McBadgere: Thank you, I quite like Ustengrav as well. That place with the trees and the water just by the wordwall is really nice. And I got such a shock when I entered the final chamber the first time and those statues rose from the water.

Yeah, I might have had her draw her blade a bit earlier than necessary.

mALX: She haven't actually met any of the dragons who you can talk too in the game yet, but I'm glad that you like the ones she have met She's going to be talking to a lot more dragons before this story is over.

And well, you can't actually answer anyone with dragon language in the game, as fun as that would be. Ekali will be using it a lot though, both voluntarily and involuntarily.

Oh, so talking in the dragon language was your own worldbuilding - now that makes it much more exciting! Also the part I bolded - this sounds AWESOME !!! Very intriguing, like there is more to being the Dragonborn than shouts, there is an actual connection? I LOVE this idea !!!!!!

[Saquira]

Previously on Ekali of the Frozen Heights: Ekali arrived in Ustengrav and fought her way past bandits, necromancers and undead on her journey into the depths. However, once she reached her destination, a note had taken the place of the horn, asking her to come to Riverwood.

Chapter 5.5 The Attic Room
2nd – 3rd Hearthfire

They arrived in Whiterun in the afternoon, and Ekali having thought of where to sleep for quite some time headed up towards Dragonsreach to speak with the Jarls' steward. She'd much preferred to stay away from the place since they'd made her a Thane, but she needed somewhere to store her things, as all the items she found during her travels took up far too much space in her pack. The best option for it was to buy her own house, and having counted her coin the night before, she knew that she had enough. The guards nodded to her in recognition as she walked past, and Ekali returned the gesture without really thinking about it.

As she stepped in through the great doors and they swung shut behind her, a few glances were sent her way. But the eyes were soon averted, and heading up the wooden steps alerted her to the cause. Around the throne a group of people had assembled. Irileth and Avenicci stood on either side of the throne, and Hrongar stood just next to Avenicci. There where also the heads of the clans Battle-Born and Gray-Mane, as well as Commander Caius and another man whom she didn't recognise – both of them wearing the garb of the city guard. Though she wasn't close enough yet to hear what exactly they were talking about, she could clearly hear the mix of anger and frustration in the Jarl's voice, as well as see the frown upon his face.

As she came closer, Proventus Avenicci spotted her and alerted the group to the Thane's presence, which brought the discussion to an abrupt stop. Because of all the attention that was now turned to the khajiit, she had no choice but to step before the throne as the men crowding it stepped apart to allow her to stand with them.

"Thane Ekali, I take it you've been to see the Greybeards," Jarl Balgruuf said in greeting, and Ekali ignored the discomfort of standing in front of so many people as she answered.

"Yes, my Jarl. I travelled to High Hrothgar and the Greybeards began my training and trial," she said and the Jarl nodded.

"I see. So you have not finished it yet, I take it," he said.

"No, Jarl Balgruuf. There is another task I have yet to complete before they will recognise me as the Dragonborn." He nodded as the rest watched.

"I see. Now, what are your business here in Dragonsreach?" he asked, and she squirmed slightly where she stood.

"I wish to buy a house here in Whiterun, and intended to speak with Avenicci about it," she said as the Jarl raised an eyebrow. He did not comment however, but turned to Avenicci.

"Very well, I'm sure we can make do without the steward for a little while." He gestured to Proventus, and the man inclined his head to the Jarl before turning to Ekali. He motioned for her to follow, then headed to the staircase to the upper levels. The Jarl resumed talking as they walked up the stairs.

“There is currently only one house for sale in the city. It’s called Breezehome, and is situated only a few houses away from the city gates.” When they reached the top, he headed past the map-table to a safe in the wall, talking as he unlocked it. “The price for the house is 5000 thalms, and for an extra fee you can buy several upgrades to the furniture. The house comes with only the bare essentials, and an extra bed for your housecarl.” Having removed some papers from the safe, he closed it again behind him, and the two of them went up to the table where he spread the papers out.

“What is the total cost of the upgrades?” she asked as he fetched a quill and a jar of ink.

“1800 thalms. These documents detail the exact contents of the furniture upgrades,” he said and pushed a couple of papers closer to her as he began to fill out another. “There is a possibility that you might be allowed to expand the house in the future, should you have need of another room.”

“Thank you, but I don’t think that’ll be necessary,” she said, looking down briefly.

“If you say so,” he answered, finally finished writing. He pushed a few papers across to her and pointed out some of the blank spaces with his finger. “If you could sign your name in these places.” She did so, and he took them back as she reached into her coin-pouch to pick out a sufficient amount to pay for the house and upgrades. Avenicci accepted the money, then signed his own name on the papers before handing her one of them, as well as a key. “This is the deed and key to the house, and the furniture will be delivered and installed sometime during the next week. You might want to tell Lydia of your purchase as well, so that she can move her belongings from the  barracks.” Ekali nodded at all that, accepting the paper and key, and then winced at the mention of the housecarl’s name.

“You wouldn’t know where I can find her?” she asked as he began to put the papers together in a pile, and took both them and the money to the safe where he locked them in.

“She should be eating lunch in the Great Hall by now, unless I’m mistaken.” Ekali nodded, and then the two of them left the map-table and headed down the stairs. When they reached the bottom, Proventus Avenicci once again joined the Jarl and his council, and Ekali walked past them to the dining tables. Lydia, her housecarl, sat furthest away from the throne, taking out all of her frustrations on the steak on her plate. When her eyes wandered and fell upon the khajiit, they narrowed, and she let go of the cutlery in her hands to get to her feet. The Nord was several feet taller than Ekali, as well as furious, but she ignored the impulse to cower and stood straight as she came to a stop before the housecarl.

“My Thane,” the Nord greeted her stiffly.

“Lydia,” Ekali said, just as rigidly. She took a deep breath as she thought of how to continue. “I just bought Breezehome down in the city, so you may move your belongings there when you have the time.”

“Very well. When will we be leaving Whiterun?” the Nord asked, taking a deep breath of her own and doing a visible effort at calming down.

“I will be leaving as soon as I have stopped by the house and the market. You will stay in Whiterun and take care of the house, hunt or spar with the soldiers. Whatever you like.” The Nord’s eyes narrowed as the khajiit spoke.

“It is my duty to protect you, not be your housewife,” the housecarl snarled in answer, and the khajiit’s eyes narrowed in return.

“It is your duty to follow my orders.”

“And how do you expect me to do that if you’re killed in battle?”

“I am more than competent enough to take care of myself, and I never go to battle alone.”

“A wolf is of little use in a real fight,” the nord woman sneered, and Ekali’s face tightened dangerously as her lips drew back from her teeth.

“And who are you to be the judge of that?” the khajiit snarled. “You may do with your time as you wish, but you are not joining me on my next journey. That’s an order,” she snapped before pushing past the housecarl and striding stiffly through the hall to the door. Despite the low volume of their argument, several of the guards had overheard it, and they where standing nearby, watching silently when the khajiit finally lost her temper and left Dragonsreach. As the door slammed shut behind her, the housecarl uncurled her fists and sat down in her chair again, anger barely restrained. She looked at her meal for a moment before finally pushing it aside and rising to her feet, having lost her appetite.

<-><-><->

Their feet found the bridge outside Riverwood around noon of the following day, and Ekali’s eyes swept over the small settlement. It only contained a general goods store, a smithy, a mill, an inn, barracks and six commoners houses, but the streets were full of people all the same. Sitting exactly where travellers from Falkreath, Helgen and Cyrodiil had to travel to get to Whiterun, it had become a flourishing traders community.

The Sleeping Giant inn lay in the middle of settlement, just by the main road and facing the river. It was where travellers spent the night and locals winded down after a long day at work. She’d already been there once, when joining Ralof for a drink after they’d escaped from Helgen. Before all of the dragon business. Now, it was her goal for the trip, and Ekali pondered it as she stepped up the short stairs to the door. A man sat on the bench next to it, face turned to the sun with closed eyes. He opened them when he heard her footsteps, and she nodded in greeting before stepping through the door.

The establishment was sparsely populated in the morning, merely holding a few patrons who were eating breakfast and the owner - a female Breton - who was leaning against a wall further in. She straightened up when she felt the khajiit’s eyes on her, and turned so that she could face the other woman.

“Can I get you anything?” the Breton asked when Ekali came closer, and she nodded as Gladio came to a stop behind her.

“Yes, I’d like to rent the attic room,” she said, at which the other woman frowned.

“Attic room, eh? We don’t have an attic room, but you may take number three. It’s down that corridor,” the Breton said, and Ekali sighed as she picked the necessary amount of thalms out of her pouch and accepted the key from the woman. Then Ekali followed the other woman’s instructions, soon reaching the small room where she was supposed to stay. When she’d unlocked the door, she and the wolf headed inside, and she placed her pack upon the bed before sitting down herself. Having received no instructions about what to do once she arrived, the khajiit took out a book and began to read. Since there wasn’t an attic room for hire, she could only assume that it was some kind of message, and she hoped that it wouldn’t take too long until she found out exactly who’d left the note.

<-><-><->

It was late in the evening when footsteps approached and stopped just outside Ekali’s door, then someone knocked on it just loud enough for the sound to reach her ears before the door was opened from outside and a woman stepped inside. It wasn’t until she stepped into the light thrown by the candle on the side table that Ekali could see the features of the Breton, the owner of the inn whom had previously rented her the room.

“So you’re the Dragonborn I’ve been hearing so much about. I think you’re looking for this,” Delphine said as she took her hand out from behind her back and held out the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller for the khajiit to take. Ekali’s ears slowly tilted backwards as she accepted the item and placed it on the bed, but the other woman didn’t wait for an answer before continuing. “We need to talk, but we can’t do it up here. Follow me.” With that, the Breton turned swiftly and left the room, heading down the corridor to the common area in which the female khajiit had dined earlier.

Gladio followed Ekali with his eyes when she stood up and made to follow her, but she motioned for him to stay before she grabbed the sheath containing her short-sword and slipped out through the door; quickly locking it before hurrying after the other woman. When she reached the common room, she found it empty of people except for Delphine where she stood by a door on the other side of the room. As soon as her eyes fell on the khajiit, the breton opened the door and stepped through, leaving it open behind her for the woman who followed only a few moments later.

“Close the door, then we can talk,” the Breton uttered as soon as Ekali had gotten through the door, and when the khajiit turned back towards the human woman she was stepping into a cupboard as a noise sounded as if though from a sliding door. Following after the blonde woman, the khajiit found herself in a small room with shelves, weapon racks and chests lining the walls. Plenty of potions and weapons could be seen, and in the middle there was a table with writing utensils and a map of Skyrim.

“The Greybeards seem to think you’re the Dragonborn. I hope they’re right.” Delphine walked around the table and leaned forward with her hands serving as supports on the table as the woman spoke, and Ekali’s ears flickered lightly in return.

“So you’re the one who took the horn,” she merely said in answer, and the innkeeper raised an eyebrow.

“Surprised? I guess I’m getting pretty good at my harmless innkeeper act,” she said, a small smile almost breaking through the cold exterior, but it was pushed down quickly.

“Well, here I am. What’s with all the cloak and dagger?” Ekali asked as she stepped up in front of the table, eyes firmly on the other woman.

“You can’t be too careful. Thalmor spies are everywhere, I wasn’t going to put my life on the line if there was a risk that you’re with them,” Delphine said with a roll of her eyes.

“What do you want with me?” Ekali asked, ignoring the other woman's’ reaction, still slightly vary in her presence.

“I didn’t go to all this trouble on a whim. I needed to make sure it wasn’t a Thalmor trap. I’m not your enemy. I already gave you the horn. I’m actually trying to help you. I just need you to hear me out.” The Breton sounded slightly exasperated as she attempted to explain herself, and Ekali nodded.

“Go on. I’m listening.”

“Like I said in my note, I’ve heard that you might be Dragonborn. I’m part of a group that’s been looking for you... well, someone like you, for a very long time. If you really are Dragonborn, that is. Before I tell you any more, I need to make sure I can trust you.”

“How do I know I can trust you?” Ekali asked as she narrowed her eyes at the Breton, prompting a huff of laughter to issue from the others’ mouth.

“If you don’t trust me, you were a fool to walk in here in the first place,” she said, only her eyes betraying her amusement at the khajiit’s comment.

“I might trust that you do not intend to kill me, but that doesn’t mean that I will follow you blindly into danger,” Ekali hissed out, and Delphine sighed.

“Fair enough. Any questions then?”

“Why did you take the horn from Ustengrav?” Ekali asked.

“I knew the Greybeards would send you there if they thought you were the Dragonborn. They’re nothing if not predictable. When you showed up there, I knew you were the one the Greybeards sent, and not some Thalmor plant.”

“Why are you looking for a Dragonborn?”

“We remember what most don’t - that the Dragonborn is the ultimate dragon-slayer. You’re the only one that can kill a dragon permanently by devouring its soul. Can you do it? Can you devour a dragon’s soul?” Ekali’s stomach churned at the woman's’ choice of words, though she knew better that most how true it was.

“Yes, that’s how I first learned I was Dragonborn.”

“Good. And you’ll have a chance to prove it to me soon enough.” Delphine nodded slightly to herself, eyes flickering down to sweep over the map before looking back at the khajiit.

“So what’s the part you’re not telling me?” Ekali asked with a frown as she too looked down at the map briefly. Delphine sighed, and when Ekali’s eyes met hers again the Breton bit her lip briefly before answering.

“Dragons aren’t just coming back, they’re coming back to life. They weren’t gone somewhere all these years. They were dead, killed off centuries ago by my predecessors. Now something’s happening to bring them back to life. And I need you to help me stop it,” Delphine said and the khajiit blinked in surprise. Mirmulnir and Feynahkril had mentioned nothing of the sort.

“What makes you think dragons are coming back to life?” Ekali asked.

“I know they are. I’ve visited their ancient burial mounds and found them empty. And I’ve figured out where the next one will come back to life. We’re going to go there, and you’re going to kill that dragon. If we succeed, I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”

“So where are we headed exactly?”

“Kynesgrove. There’s an ancient dragon burial near there. If we can get there before it happens, maybe we’ll learn how to stop it.” Delphine stepped back from the table once she’d finished speaking.

“Very well. However, I need to visit the Greybeards before I go there, and I’m not leaving until the morning,” Ekali said as she followed the other woman with her eyes.

“As you wish. Then I’ll leave for Kynesgrove the day after tomorrow and meet you there,” Delphine said as she interrupted her walk towards one of the chests and instead headed towards the stairs.

[McBadgere]

Fair dues...Brilliant, as ever... ...

I loved that bit with Prentis...The way you had Ekali buy the house and then furnish/upgrade it straight out was brilliantly done...

She's a bit spiky with Lydia, in't she?... ...I forget (I apologise ) did they have a run-in earlier?...Must go back and look...Lazy get aren't I?... ...

Aaamywho...The description of Riverwood was excellent, and I loved that whole thing with Delphine...

Nice to have another section...Always love it when they're here...

Keep going, brilliant stuff...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

[Saquira]

Previously on Ekali of the Frozen Heights: Ekali bought a house in Whiterun and then went to Riverwood to finally find out who’d stolen the horn before she could take it. It turned out to be the innkeeper, who’s a member of the Blades and have been looking for a Dragonborn for a long time.

Dezhahnu 3
3rd – 4th Hearthfire

The snow crunched loudly underneath her feet as she stepped closer to the edge, and when she was close enough she leaned out over it. Nothing but the pale clouds could be seen beneath, as if though a barrier existed between her perch and the rest of the world. Occasionally, a shadow would move through the mist as one of the dragons stretched their wings, but otherwise the world was silent, and though she wasn’t cold where she stood in the snow, Ekali shivered lightly.

As she stood there, she pondered how it would feel to fall, whether Feynahkril or Mirmulnir would bother with catching her, and exactly how long towards the ground that the white barrier stretched.. For a moment, standing there on the edge, it was almost as if though she was alone in the world. Then the illusion was shattered as the flapping of wings came from far behind her, and she turned to see Feynahkril land on the other side of the platform.

“Dovahkiin. I trust you are well,” the dragon greeted her with a nod of his head, and she inclined her head in return.

“As well as can be expected,” she answered as she walked away from the edge. He gave her a bemused look that clearly conveyed his understanding as he folded his wings close to his body. She only came a few steps closer to the dragon, choosing then to increase her distance to the ledge while keeping the distance between them the same, and he let out a deep chuckle at the proof of her distrust.

“I’d have expected us to gain company here soon,” the large dragon said as he sat back on his haunches in an attempt to appear less threatening. It failed spectacularly.

“You will soon enough,” she uttered as she kept an eye on him, walking slowly across the snow. She finally came to a stop a few meters later, and though her eyes were pointed towards the horizon her attention did not leave the creature sitting nearby. “I heard something about the dragons, and I was wondering if it was true,” she said, not meeting his gaze.

“The people of Tamriel have many rumors that pertain to us, but not all of them speak the truth.” He watched her bemusedly as he waited.

“Vahzah[True]. That is why I’m asking,” she said before looking back at him. “Is someone bringing the dragons back from the dead?” she asked, and was treated to the first look of surprise on his face since she’d killed him and absorbed his soul. He recovered quickly however, schooling his face.

“Ferviit [Curious]. And what reason have you found to believe that?” he asked, watching her closely as she frowned at him.

“None yet, though I’m looking for some. I was merely wondering if you could tell me something about it.”

“There are many abilities available to our people of which you’ve never heard, Dovahkiin, be assured of that. Some have higher penalties than others, and some require a certain state of mind. I intend to say no more of the matter, except that you certainly were the first person to kill me,” he said and paused momentarily, strangely hesitant. “Golgronfron,” he finally finished, and seemed strangely content when he once again unfolded his wings and took to the skies. She watched him go, not really moving until Mirmulnir came gliding in through the mist at her side, eyes on her as he landed.

“I would excuse our zeymah[brother], but it would be of little use,” the dragon said as he shook his head to be rid of the gathered water, almost reminding her of Gladio for a moment. “You wonder of our return. Faal yoriik do faal dovahhe[The march of the dragons]. It is true that few of us survived the persecution of the Blades, but how the others are back I could not say.” Had he been a man, Mirmulnir would most likely have shrugged, but instead he tilted his head slightly as his eyes swept across the dreamscape.

“When last Alduin flew across the skies of Keizaal[Skyrim], I served as one of his lieutenants. Now, I am dead before the fighting has begun.” He turned his eyes to the khajiit. “Do not mistake my loose tongue for loyalty, Dovahkiin. I will provide you whatever counsel I may offer, but I do not think you will win this. Alduin is the World-Eater, and were you to destroy him I would be very surprised.” Ekali met his eyes as he spoke and found nothing but truth in his level stare. She held his gaze until he broke it, as with a flap of his wings he took flight from the plateau. And though he left, her eyes followed him until the clouds hid him from the eyes of the dragonborn. First when she was certain the dragons wouldn’t see her did Ekali allow the shiver to course through her body, and a deep breath filled her lungs as she turned her face towards the sky.

[McBadgere]

YAY!!... ...

An excellent story, and one that I have missed greatly!...*Applauds*...

I love this episode...This dragon-space place is such an excellent idea!...I'd forgotten - not a great shocker for me at the moment - that you'd given them all names, and that's another nice touch!...

The mistrust bit, where Ekali's walking away from the edge but keeping her distance from the dragon was nicely done... ...

An amazing and brilliant new addition, hope there's more to come before you disappear again... ...

Nicely done!!...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

[Grits]

I enjoy the dragon conversations very much. It’s great to get an update on this story.

[King Coin]

It has been both a long time since you have updated and a long time since I have read. This story is too delightful to leave be though. Your character is quiet but endearing in that way. Plus I just like khajiit. The conversations with the dragons are a real pleasure. This is a far better way to treat the soul devouring nature of the dragonborn than someone simply consuming them like a piece of candy. I wonder what will happen when she finally defeats Alduin though? Would she be stuck the rest of her life with that dragon roaming around her head? That would be very… unpleasant I would think.

I do hope you continue writing this story and get the chance to update a little more often.

[Saquira]

Author's note: It's been far too long since I updated this story the last time and I'm incredibly sorry for it but my inspiration has been non-existential. A recent surge of it over the last few days hopefully means that I'll get going again though. Because I've finally figured out how to introduce the characters that need to be introduced and how to keep the main quest interesting. Hopefully it will be to your liking

One of the many new ideas I've got concerns what will happen with her forays into Dezhahnu. However, that won't be either explained or controlled for quite some time to come. Which means that most of my ideas considering the powers associated to dragons won't really be expanded upon until the sequel.

Previously on Ekali of the Frozen Heights: Ekali bought Breezehome in Whiterun and then followed the note she found in Ustengrav to Riverwood, where the innkeeper Delphine gave her the horn and told her that the dragons haven't just been returning, they've been coming back to life. To prove her theory, Delphine proposed they go to Kynesgrove where the next dragon is likely to be revived. But first, Ekali returns to High Hrothgar.

Chapter 6.1 Dovhasebrom
6th Hearthfire

The light snow fall that had been going on ever since she reached the snowline of the mountain had left a light cover of white upon her silver-coloured armour and fur hood, and when Ekali finally pushed the door to High Hrothgar open it was with a sigh of relief that she dropped the sack of supplies she'd brought from the village onto the stone floor and pushed the hood back to fall over her shoulders. The afternoon sun, half blocked by the snowfall, valiantly shone in through the small windows that where set high in the walls, aiding the lit braziers in lighting the vast space, and fell partly upon the Greybeard whom had begun to rise to his feet when she entered. Now he faced her, and Ekali slid her equipment of her shoulders as she walked further in, opening her bag to extract the horn.

“Ah! You’ve retrieved the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller. Well done.” Arngeir said as he approached and accepted the horn from her gauntlet-clad hands. “You have now passed all the trials, and it’s time to recognize you formally as Dragonborn.” Arngeir examined the horn for a moment before placing it on a pedestal out of the way as his fellow Greybeards entered the room at a slow walk. “It also means that you are ready to learn the final word of Unrelenting Force, ‘Dah’, which means ‘Push’.” Arngeir gestured towards Wulfgar, and yellow eyes turned to the other Greybeard as he came to stand near them before speaking the word. It appeared before them on the floor in the draconic script, and as Ekali stepped closer it began to glow orange and voices rose around her. They rose to a crescendo before abating, leaving her only the Word. Dah.

“With all three words, this Shout is much more powerful. Use it wisely,” Arngeir said as she turned her eyes back to Wulfgar, and he bowed his head as the knowledge of Dah's use flowed from him to her, taking on a form as if though it was burning mist as it passed into the woman. When the power finally abated and the space was once again lit up only by the rays of the sun and the fires of the braziers, Arngeir spoke once again. “You have completed your training Dragonborn, and we would Speak to you now, as only we can. Stand between us and prepare yourself. Few can withstand the unbridled Voice of the Greybeards, but you are ready.” As he spoke, he moved to complete the circle formed by his fellow Greybeards around the carved pattern in the floor, and Ekali took the few steps required to place her between all of them. Then she merely looked on as all of them simultaneously opened their mouths, and began to Speak.

“Lingrah krosis saraan Strundu'ul, voth nid balaan klov praan nau. Naal Thu'umu, mu ofan nii nu, Dovahkiin, naal suleyk do Kaan, naal suleyk do Shor, ahrk naal suleyk do Atmorasewuth. Meyz nu Ysmir, Dovahsebrom. Dahmaan daar rok.”[Long has the Storm Crown Languished with no worthy brow to sit upon. By our breath we bestow it now to you in the name of Kyne, in the name of Shor, and in the name of Atmora of old. You are Ysmir now, the Dragon of the North. Hearken to it.] As the room shook underneath the power of their voices and Ekali struggled to remain one her feet, her memory was drawn back to that day that seemed so distant now, when the distant call of Dovahkiin had drawn the attention of both her and the people, and she had first been called Dragonborn by the Jarl of Whiterun. She hadn't seen what they'd seen then, whatever power she possessed had seemed foreign to her, but perhaps this was finally the proof she required.

As the Greybeards fell silent, and the world ceased shaking as though a chasm was about to open up underneath her feet, Ekali's eyes were drawn to the spokesman of the Greybeards, and his was drawn to her. “Dovahkiin. You have tasted the Voice of the Greybeards, and passed through unscathed. High Hrothgar is open to you,” he said finally, inclining his head in unison with the others as a sign of respect, and Ekali nodded in return as all the Greybeards turned towards other parts of the building, to continue whatever chores her arrival had interrupted.

<-><-><->

Having shed her armour and weapons in her temporary quarters Ekali sat at the old table clad only in her simple clothing and leather boots as her eyes scoured the page of the old book before her. The writing was a mixture of old Tamrielic and the Dragon tongue, and every now and then she'd pause and her brow would furrow as she thought of the meaning of the words.

Her concentration was broken after a time as cloth moved across stone in the doorway, and the khajiit raised her eyes to see Arngeir looking down at her. He paused for a moment as he noticed her before continuing into the cramped library.

“Have you found any information that answers your questions?” he asked as he sat down at the table across from her as she followed him with her eyes.

“No, I've only found more questions I'm afraid.” One of her fingers began to tap against the table as she looked thoughtful for a moment before once again addressing the Greybeard. “This book seems to be one of several written by king Wulfharth, I don't know how long ago. He speaks quite a lot of his encounters in Dezhahnu and his gradual loss of control over his Thu'um, and though it is never expanded upon how it happens, he eventually stops writing about them. At some point after he was crowned king he ceased writing for a rather long time, and when he picked it up again he'd ceased writing about either problem,” she said as her eyes scanned the books pages, finally looking up to meet Arngeir's gaze.

“Yes, Wulfharth was crowned king of Skyrim in the first era. He studied here for a time before that, I believe. It is possible that there might be some way of regaining ones control of the Thu'um, many texts written by old Dragonborn seem to suggest that they accomplished it, but rarely is anything that might help one guess at the method mentioned. It is a well kept secret that they never told to the Greybeards.” Arngeir simply watched her as she thought, having no need to refresh his memory of the old texts.

“But why would they keep that information from your order?” Ekali asked quizzically.

“Only the Dragonborn of old could answer that. Perhaps they did not trust my predecessors, perhaps it was too dangerous a process for them to ever want it to get out. Maybe the incident haunted them and they only wished to forget it. I doubt it is a question to which we will be given the answer within my lifetime,” he said, and she nodded thoughtfully.

“Perhaps, or perhaps the reasons are simply beyond our comprehension.”

“Are there any other questions you have been seeking an answer too?” he asked instead of continuing to pursue the subject, and Ekali gave a soft snort as she closed the book she'd been reading and fixed her attention upon the Greybeard.

“Only a hundred more,” she said, and he smiled softly in response. “For most of my life I did as I was told. First by my mother and then by my superiors. I didn't question, not even when fighting next to the Thalmor and seeing them resort to torture to get the information they sought. Not when a quarrel with my Centurion saw me reassigned to the frozen landscapes of northern Tamriel. Now I find that questions is all that fill my mind, and the few answers I find only lead to more questions.”

“Perhaps all you have to do is to ask them.”

“And perhaps doing so would see my head placed upon another block.” She drew in a deep breath, eyes finding one of the many small windows to seek the stars, but the night was cloudy and both braziers and torches burned brightly in the chamber. There was nothing outside but darkness. “Dragons are roaming the land, and a civil war is raging. Imperials and Stormcloaks fight each other when the Thalmor are the true threat and also the only ones who benefit from the war.” Pausing for a moment, her eyes came down to meet his. “I have met Imperial soldiers who worship Talos in whispers as night sets in, soldiers who die with the name of the Ninth divine upon their lips, and yet they all follow the commanders who would dance to the tune of the Thalmor.”

“Men finds comfort in familiar things,” Arngeir said as he watched the Dragonborn, took in the sorrow and confusion that shone from her gaze.

“And when everything they find familiar is taken from them?” she asked in a quiet voice.

“Some seek revenge, and some choose instead to make use of what they have left and begin anew.” Her lips quirked up in a faint smile, though it did not reach her eyes. “The civil war is not your fight. You have other duties now,” he said, and she only watched him for a few moments before rising to her feet.

“Indeed. It's time I retire for the night. Good night Arngeir,” she said and turned from him. He returned the words as she was walking out the door and then lingered in thought for a few moments before going to bed.

This post has been edited by Saquira: Jan 31 2015, 03:12 PM

[McBadgere]

It's been far too long since I updated this story the last time and I'm incredibly sorry for it but my inspiration has been non-existential.

I know exactly what you mean... ...

Properly brilliant to read this again...Indeed, it has been too long... ...

Brilliant stuff...Loved the little things with Arngeir, but also the epic initiation into "Dah!"...Brilliantly done...

Excellent!!!...

Hoping for more soon... ...

Nice one!!...

*applauds heartily*...

[Saquira]

McBadgere: Thank you, I'm glad you enjoy it I really enjoy writing the story.

Author's Note: Something that you're going to want to pay attention to in the next few chapters is that they're very heavily altered from the way things actually happens in the game. I've mostly just altered conversations lightly before and added a few scenes, and I only slightly alter the conversation in this one, but the following chapters are not just going to have very heavily altered conversations, they're also containing a lot of scenes with which I think the events make a whole lot more sense. For example, the invitation that Ekali has to get herself next chapter. Delphine is not going to do the job for her.

Previously on Ekali of the Frozen Heights: Ekali returned the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller to the Greybeards, prompting them to formally recognise her as Dragonborn in the dragon tongue. They taught her the final word of unrelenting force and then she spent the evening reading up on the experiences of past dragonborn in their library. That's where Arngeir found her, and the two discussed the secrets of the dragonborn of old and the civil war.

Chapter 6.2 Sahloknir
9th Hearthfire

When Ekali finally arrived at Kynesgrove in the late afternoon the sight that met her eyes spurred her on, and she jogged into the small settlement as her eyes searched the streets for Delphine. People were running every which way, yelling about dragons and for everyone to take cover. A small child staring at the sky above the entrance to the mines was grabbed around the waist by a large man and hoisted onto his shoulder before he hurried into the house upon which the tavern sign hung and another man was holding onto the leash of a dog that had flown into a panic, attempting to calm it.

“There you are, finally!” The words were called out from her left, and Ekali turned from watching the raucous to find Delphine jogging up to her. “There's no time to loose, the dragon flew by only a minute ago!” The woman practically had to shout to be heard over all of the noise, so the khajiit only nodded and gestured for her to lead the way. Delphine didn't hesitate before setting off at a run towards the mines, then took the right path when the road forked just in front of them. Ekali followed right behind her, the wolf on her heels as they headed up the hill towards the beating of wings and the speaking voice that she'd only just begun to hear. When they crested the hill and rounded a large rocky outcropping the burial mound was clear to see before them. But above it, great wings beating the air to keep it aloft, a black dragon looked down upon the mound as he spoke.

“Sahloknir, ziil gro dovah ulse! Slen tiid vo! [Sahloknir, ever-bound dragon spirit! Let your flesh be unrotten!]” The last three words came out as a shout and the ground shook as the great skeleton of a dragon broke free from the earth and in fragments of light its body began to reform as it clambered out and turned to face the black dragon.

“Alduin, thuri! Boaan tiid vokriiha suleyksejun kruziik? [Alduin, my overlord! An age past, did you not destroy the power of the ancient kings?]” Ekali kept her attention on the two dragons, placing her pack down in the cover of the great stone next to which they'd stopped and drawing her bow as Delphine muttered something in the background. Gladio kept his body low to the ground, tensed and ready to attack as his eyes kept watch over the two creatures.

“Geh, Sahloknir, kaali mir, [Yes, Sahloknir, my trusted ally.]” Alduin said before turning his head to face Ekali, and she stilled underneath his penetrating gaze, stopping in the process of drawing an arrow from her quiver. “Ful, losei Dovahkiin? Zu'u koraav nid nol dov do hi. [So, my false Dragonborn? I do not recognize you as dragon.]” Ekali found herself bristling at his mocking words.

“Vahr dreh hi lorot zu'u ulaak?[Why do you think I care?]” she called out, not truly realising she'd spoken in the dragon tongue until the words had already left her mouth. Alduin chuckled lowly in return.

“You speak such a garbled version of our tongue, Golgronfron, and yet you dare take for yourself the name of Dovah. You are but a mortal child playing at something it's not. Sahloknir, krii daar joorre. [Sahloknir, kill these mortals.]” He turned away from the two women just as Sahloknir turned his attention to them. Then Alduin beat his wings harder, angling them so as to carry him away from the impending battle as Sahloknir unleashed a bout of flame at the two females and then took to the air to gain the upper ground. Ekali and Delphine both ducked down behind the rock to escape the flames, then the khajiit nocked an arrow, attention fixed upon Sahloknir as Alduin flew off into the horizon. Delphine drew her own bow just as Ekali let her first arrow fly.

The arrow missed the great beast by inches and it let out a roar as it circled around, heading for the two of them as Ekali fumbled for another arrow and Delphine drew the string of hers back, releasing the arrow straight at the dragons chest before ducking down behind a stone as the dragon opened his mouth to Shout. "Fus Ro Dah!" It Shouted, and Ekali was thrown backwards away from Delphine. She landed on her back, bereft of her bow as she scrambled to get onto her feet and reorient herself. He'd cast her out into the open, away from the cover of the outcropping, and was once again turning the air to come at the Dragonborn. Preparing to cast her flame spell from both hands, Ekali drew on the power that she and Sahloknir both shared as he approached, head up and claws outstretched and reaching for her. He wasn't far away when she released the power.

"Fus Ro Dah!" The great shape wobbled in the air and the khajiit threw her hands forward, fire sprouting forwards from her hands at the motion and bathing the chest of the dragon in orange flames. The dragon deviated from his path, getting out of range of the fire to regain his equilibrium as the khajiit set of across the open space to the outcropping next to which Delphine stood in full view, letting loose arrow after arrow at the beast. She scooped her own bow off the ground as she did so, fitting an arrow to the bow as soon as she reached Delphine and turning to unloose it into one of the dragons' wings as he began to loose altitude and crashed into the ground.

A cloud of dust and debris rose into the air, and Ekali covered her face with her arm before once again shouldering the bow and drawing her great-sword from her back. When the dust cleared Sahloknir turned his head towards the two women, calculating gaze setting upon the khajiit.

"Mu lor ho wah kos do sobahlaan. Aalkos mu lost folaas.[We thought you to be of lesser worth. Perhaps we were wrong.]" The dragons voice rumbled as he spoke and Ekali's brow furrowed for a moment as she attempted to decipher the words. Her moment of inattention was however what he'd been waiting for, and she had to throw herself out of the way when he shouted. "Yol Toor Shul!" Fire bathed the ground where she'd been standing moments before, and Ekali's eyes sought out Delphine's form beyond the flames to ensure the other woman's safety as she got up on her feet again. She quickly found Sahloknir, his great form lumbering towards the two mortals, his attention taken up by the only perceived threats on the battle field.

Gladio came up from the side, his jaws clamping down on the dragons left wing, and it let out a roar of pain as the sensitive membrane tore, swinging its head around to bite the nuisance. But the wolf was gone before he could catch it, the animal's attack giving the women time to approach and strike at the dragon. Delphine's katana pierced deep into the hide of Sahloknir's chest, and Ekali's greatsword struck down on his neck. The dragon let out a final roar as it crumbled to the ground, the breton and the khajiit stepping back as it thrashed.

Finally the beast fell still and the khajiit wiped of her sword and sheathed it. “Well I'll be damned, you did it! That was well done. Come on. I've been wanting to get a closer look at one of these buggers," Delphine said as she walked up to the dragon, pulling out her swords before moving to take a look at the front. But she paused when the dragon began to glow as if it was burning from the inside. "Wait. Something is happening... gods above." The breton took several steps back as Ekali watched the light increase, growing into a stream of power and leaving the dragon nothing more than a pile of bones as it flowed in her body. Ekali breathed deeply as the voices overwhelmed her, as the dragons of old spoke in the dragon tongue of valiant battles and the thrill of the hunt. The pride of a parent and the knowledge that this, this was life.

Her eyes snapped open wide to see Delphine looking at her in increasing worry, the scope of her realisation taking a moment to settle in her mind. Because the voices spoke not of power or death, but of life.

"So, you really are... I... It’s true, isn’t it? You really are Dragonborn." Her attention was drawn back to Delphine at the woman's weak attempt at starting up a conservation and she merely nodded in response, not feeling up to talking just yet. "I owe you some answers, don't I? Go ahead. Whatever you want to know. Nothing held back.” The breton was looking at Ekali with an awe that scared the khajiit far more than she'd ever admit.

“Who are you, what do you want with me? Why go to all this effort just to find me?” Ekali asked after a moment, and Delphine thought of her response as she found a cloth tucked away under her armour and used it to clean of her blade before sliding it back into its sheathe.

“I’m one of the last members of the Blades. A very long time ago, longer now than most remember, we were dragonslayers. We swore our loyalty to the Dragonborn, the greatest dragonslayers that have ever existed. For the last two hundred years, since the last Dragonborn emperor, the Blades have been searching for a purpose. Now the dragons are coming back and our purpose is clear again. We need to stop them. I don't know if it's chance or the intervention of the Divines that brought you here, but whatever the reason we sure are grateful," she said as she looked back at the skeleton of the dragon, shifting from foot to foot for a moment before turning away.

“What do you know about the dragons coming back?” Ekali asked as she watched the breton, and Delphine gestured for the khajiit to follow as she walked away from the dragon and towards the spot where Ekali had left her pack.

“Not a damn thing, I'm sorry to admit. I was just as surprised as you to find that big black dragon here.” Delphine sighed as she sat down on a stone. Ekali remained standing, hand reaching out to brush through Gladio's fur when he came up at her side.

“I've seen that dragon before, the one that got away," the khajiit finally admitted, thinking back to her first few days in Skyrim.

“Really? Where?” The surprise was evident in the bretons voice.

“It was the one that attacked Helgen, when Ulfric escaped from the Imperials.”

“Interesting. Same dragon... Damn it, we're blundering around in the dark here! We need to figure out who's behind it all!” Delphine fisted her hands on her knees as she blew out a harsh breath.

“So what do we do next?” Ekali asked after half a minute, and when Delphine's eyes met hers there was a small smile of gratitude on her lips.

“Well, the first thing we need to do is figure out who’s behind the dragons. I'd figure the Thalmor to be our best lead. If they aren’t involved, they’ll know who is," the Breton said thoughtfully.

“What makes you think they're involved?”

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

“No one I can think of. And you are right, that sounds exactly like something the Thalmor would do," Ekali said as she finally sat down in the ground next to Gladio.

"Do you have any experience with them?" Delphine asked quizzically, and Ekali sent her a sharp nod.

"Yes. I only spent a short time on active duty before I was reassigned as a forester, but during that time I saw a lot of things I sometimes wish I hadn't. The Thalmor have never been good news to anyone," the khajiit said. "But why are they after you?”

“Before the Great War, the Blades helped the Empire against the Thalmor. Our Grand Master saw them as the greatest threat to Tamriel. At the time, that was true. Maybe it still is. So we fought them in the shadows, all across Tamriel. We thought we were more than a match for them. We were wrong.” Delphine's voice was bitter, and though Ekali couldn't imagine the life of persecution that the Blades might have lead, she did know what it was like to loose everything.

“So, we need to figure out what the Thalmor know about the dragons. Any ideas?”

“If we could get into the Thalmor Embassy... it’s the centre of their operations in Skyrim. Problem is, that place is locked up tighter than a miser's purse. They could teach me a few things about paranoia...” Delphine muttered the last sentence, and Ekali snorted in amusement.

“So how do we get in there?” she asked, and Delphine smiled bitterly.

“Subterfuge or a lot of bloodshed," the breton quipped and Ekali smiled. "On a more serious note, I'm not sure yet. I have a few ideas, but I’ll need some time to pull things together. Meet me back in Riverwood. If I'm not back when you get there, wait for me. I shouldn't be long. Keep an eye on the sky. This is only going to get worse.” As she spoke, Delphine stood and stretched her back briefly, nodding her greeting at Ekali that the khajiit returned as she got to her feet. Then the breton headed off down the hill, presumably to pick up her equipment at the local inn.

This post has been edited by Saquira: Feb 7 2015, 03:44 PM

[McBadgere]

Well, that was pretty darned awesome, right there... ...

Absolutely loved it...That was excellently handled...Loved all the dragonspeak (and their translation!) and the back and forth of it all...

Brilliant stuff!!!...

I'll be honest, it's so long since I did the MQ that I'd never have known they were in-game scenes you say you're changing... ...Just say you made it all up and I'd believe you... ...

The only thing I found a little jarring is there were too many women in this bit... ...

The woman practically had to shout to be heard over all of the noise, so the khajiit only nodded and gestured for the other woman to lead the way. The other woman didn't hesitate before setting off at a run towards the mines, then took the right path when the road forked just in front of them.

And that the phrase "Other woman" appears very quickly next to one another...

Is fine, but I've seen that sort of thing mentioned by others, elsewhere is all...

Proper loved it, so glad you're back into it...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

[Saquira]

Author's note: Hopefully I should be able to publish another chapter this week, but I can't make any promises after that as I'm going away for a few weeks and don't know what kind of access to the internet I'm going to have.

Previously on Ekali of the Frozen Heights: Ekali arrived at Kynesgrove just in time to witness Alduin's revival of Sahloknir and exchange a few words with the two. Then Alduin took off and Sahloknir attacked Ekali and Delphine. Once the dragon had been defeated, Delphine finally told Ekali what's going on, and the two discussed what to do next.

6.3 An Invitation
12th – 14th Hearthfire

“I don't think you were followed. Come on, I have a plan.” Those words were the first greeting Ekali got when she stepped inside the door of the Sleeping Giant Inn, and then Delphine had turned on her heel and headed into her own room. Ekali quickly followed, sighing before telling Gladio to lie down by the fire and make sure no one followed them.

Once the two women were alone in the secret room and had closed the closet doors behind them the Breton didn't waste any time before launching into the subject of their previous discussion. “I've figured out how we're going to get you into the Thalmor Embassy.”

“That didn't take long," Ekali said as the other woman rested her hands against the edge of the table, eyes quickly running over the map.

“I've been doing this a long time, remember? While the Thalmor's been looking for me, I've been watching them, and I've learnt far more than they have.”

“So what's your plan? How do I infiltrate the Thalmor Embassy?”

“The Thalmor ambassador, Elenwen, regularly throws parties where the rich and connected cosy up to the Thalmor. You are a Thane of Whiterun. That comes with its own sets of responsibilities and perks. Of course they seem to have dispensed with most of the duties in your case. I doubt anyone would want to take up the important time of the Dragonborn, though it's also possible that they simply doesn't think you know anything about politics. Which, well, I really hope you do have at least a basic comprehension of royal etiquette, because you're going to need it." Delphine smiled sardonically at the khajiit at that. Ekali's eyes furrowed in confusion for a moment before the meaning of the words dawned on her and a look of horrified apprehension appeared on her face.

"Please tell me you're not telling me what I think you're telling me," the khajiit uttered.

"I'm afraid I am. I have a contact inside the Embassy who can get you into the private quarters when you're there and smuggle in some equipment, but you'll have to get in first. The most believable way for that to happen is for you to be a representative of Whiterun, so I really hope you know how to argue, because you're going to need the Jarls go ahead on this one." Ekali groaned in response.

"I'm going to need to wear a dress for this, aren't I?" she asked in a low tone, ears tucked close to her head.

"Yes, I'm afraid that'd be the most appropriate." Ekali sighed, then straightened up and met the Bretons eyes.

"Who's this contact of yours? How are you so sure that I can trust him?"

"His name's Malborn. Wood elf, plenty of reason to hate the Thalmor – they wiped out his family back in Valenwood during one of their purges that we never hear about. Luckily they don't know who he really is, or he wouldn't be serving drinks at the Ambassador's parties. Once you get that invitation he'll meet you in Solitude, at the Winking Skeever – you know it?" Ekali shook her head. "Well, it isn't hard to find. Give him everything you need smuggled into the embassy and then meet me at the Solitude stables. I'll make sure there'll be a carriage waiting for you."

“Once I'm inside the Embassy, then what?” Ekali asked.

“That's when the fun starts. You'll have to slip away from the party without raising the alarm. Then you'll need to find Elenwen's office and search her files. Malborn should be able to point you in the right direction.” Delphine straightened up from the table as she met Ekali's eyes.

“Then I'll see you in Solitude.”

“Sounds good. Be careful out there.”

<-><-><->

When Ekali walked into Dragonsreach early in the morning of the 14th of Hearthfire she was walking far too quickly and her fingers were tapping irregularly against her leg. She'd managed to keep her ears in an upright position and a few deep breaths had been enough to calm her heart, but the fear of failure was still prominent in her body language for anyone who knew how to read her.

Jarl Balgruuf was thankfully sitting on his throne, Proventus Avenicci and Hrongar standing on either side of him as the three of them spoke in quiet voices. Irileth stood further down the hall, idly talking to Lydia as the housecarl consumed her breakfast. Her ears twitched slightly at the sight of the housecarl, but she quickly turned her gaze back to the head of the room to see that both the Jarl and Hrongar had switched their attention to her.

Without looking at Gladio, she signed for the wolf to stay by the doors, and then walked up towards the throne when it was made evident that she wouldn't be interrupting the ceased conversation. "My Jarl," she greeted Balgruuf as she sank down on one knee and bent her head before once again rising.

"Yes, Thane. What brings you here?" the Jarl asked as most of the hall grew quiet.

"I have a rather urgent favour to ask of you. I need an invitation to the next party at the Thalmor embassy." The surprise was evident on both the Jarl and his advisers faces after she spoke and Hrongar's eyes grew calculating as he pondered the request.

"That's quite a sudden request. What business do you have with the Thalmor?" the Jarl asked, eyes glancing briefly towards Irileth who's walked closer to the dais and was making sure that no unwanted ears would hear the conversation.

"A friend of mine believes that they may have some information concerning the return of the dragons in Skyrim, and I wouldn't be surprised if that was true," Ekali answered, rolling her shoulders to release the tension as the Jarl thought.

“You're going to head into the Thalmor Embassy, go through their files to find out what they know about the dragons and somehow make it back out alive. What happens if they catch you? Better yet, what happens to us when they find out what you've done?” As Balgruuf spoke Ekali's eyes stayed firmly on him

“You tell them that you had nothing to do with it and that you certainly wouldn't have sent me if you'd known. If it appeases them, you put a bounty on my head.” Four pairs eyes widened in surprise at that, Irileth being more than capable of hearing the conversation from her position just off of the dais.

“You'd take that risk? Why?” Hrongar finally spoke up, fixing his eyes upon the Dragonborn as she stared back unflinchingly.

“Because the two largest threats on this continent are the Thalmor and the dragons, they're both focusing their attention on Skyrim at the moment and I have no idea which is the greatest threat or if they're even connected to each other.” Her eyes shifted to the Jarl. “I need the answer to that question, and the only place I'm going to get it is from the Thalmor. And I've seen enough of them to know that getting that information won't be easy.” Resting his hands on his knees, Jarl Balgruuf watched her silently for a few moments before nodding and turning his head towards Avenicci.

“Write up a missive expressing my regrets that I could not attend the party personally, but that our newest Thane would be more than happy to pass along any messages and that I hope my absence does not cause any trouble,” he said to the steward, and the Imperial nodded briefly before leaving the dais to do as asked. The jarl turned his eyes back to the khajiit as Proventus left them. “Do attempt not to make too much of a commotion,” he said as Ekali nodded her thanks.

<-><-><->

Ekali was walking towards the doors, missive and invitation packed away safely in her bag, when Lydia came at her from the side and took a hold of her arm. The female khajiit didn't protest the action as she was led off into a corner of the hall by the housecarl, waiting until they'd finally stopped to shrug of the Nord's grip and aim a glare at the woman.

“I'm going with you,” Lydia ground out as the khajiit watched her, ears prickling with annoyance. “And don't tell me I'm going to get in your way, I already got that message.”

“Look, I'm not trying to belittle your training or experience...” Ekali started before Lydia interrupted her with a glare of her own.

“Really? Well, that's exactly what it seems like you're doing,” the housecarl said, and the khajiit sighed in exasperation.

“Do you have any experience at all in infiltration? Spying, sneaking, picking locks? That kind of thing. Generally just not making the kind of noise that would tell an elf or a beast that you're coming from a mile away,” Ekali said, practically growling in annoyance, and Lydia's glare faltered as she attempted to come up with an answer. “Yeah, didn't think so,” Ekali said as she started walking towards the door. Lydia's hand shot out quickly to stop her. The khajiit stopped and glared at her, causing the Nord to let go.

“Look, I realize that I have little to no experience in the kind of work you seem to be quite good at, but that doesn't mean that I can't help. I can't just stand back as you head heedlessly into danger. There must be something that I could do,” she said, causing Ekali to sigh as she turned to face Lydia head on.

“Fine. You want to get involved that bad, I'm not going to stop you,” Ekali said as she lifted her hand and ran the fingers through the fur on her head. “I've been going through some maps, trying to memorize the area around the embassy as I don't know how I'm going to leave it. Perhaps you could get a couple of horses, take Gladio with you and wait for me at the Statue to Meridia.” Lydia nodded as the annoyance finally abated from her features.

“That I can most certainly do,” the Nord said with a small smile, and Ekali rolled her eyes.

“Just don't wait any longer than the dawn of the following day. If I haven't gotten to you by then I'm probably caught, and then there won't be anything you can do to help me any more,” the khajiit said, meeting Lydia's eyes with her own as she waited for some kind of confirmation.

“Fine,” the Nord bit out as the slight smile vanished from her lips and Ekali nodded slightly before turning without a word and heading out of the hall.

[Saquira]

Previously on Ekali of the Frozen Heights: Ekali convinced Jarl Balgruuf to send her as his representative to the Thalmor Embassy, and Lydia convinced Ekali to let her help the khajiit get out of there.

Chapter 7.1 Welcome to the Party
21st Hearthfire

True to Delphine's word Ekali had very little trouble finding the Winking Skeever once she'd finally arrived in Solitude. Situated on the main street, the inn was separated from the gates by only a few buildings, and the sign hung out over the street in full view from the gate. She made no detours before heading into the building, and once inside her contact was easy to find. There were all kinds of people in there, both eating and drinking, but only one wood elf sitting alone at a table near the door.

“Yes?” The Bosmer's greeting left much to be desired when the khajiit came to a stop beside him, his eyes not even straying from the half filled goblet in front of him. She didn't let the brusque greeting stop her as she slid onto the stool opposite him.

“Our mutual friend sent me,” she said, and finally Malborn's eyes rose to meet hers over the table. His eyebrows rose and his lips twitched in blatant disbelief.

“Really? You're who she picked? I really hope she knows what she's doing.” Shaking his head briefly, he took another drink of the goblet that her sensitive nose identified as containing wine before placing it back on the table and fixing her with an evaluating stare. “Here's the deal. I can smuggle some equipment into the Embassy for you. Don't plan on bringing anything else in with you. The Thalmor take security very seriously. Give me what you can't live without, and I'll make sure to get it into the Embassy. The rest is up to you.” He took another drink as she nodded.

“You wouldn't happen to know what kinds of thing I might have use for in there, would you?” she asked and was met with a frustrated look in response.

“You're asking me? She promised she was sending someone who knew what they were doing...” He rolled his eyes.

“I'm asking you because I've never been in the Embassy before and haven't really got any idea of what I'm going to face,” she ground out as she sent a glare his way. He paused in lifting the goblet to his lips, nodding in recognition of her statement.

“If you actually want to get out alive, I'd bring whatever you need to move quietly, and kill quickly. If you're discovered you're going to be swarmed with Thalmor wizards before you can even comprehend what's going on, and then Elenwen is going to get both of our heads served to her on a silver platter.” He shuddered at the thought as Ekali shook her head at him.

“Alright,” she said, standing up so as to be able to get her pack and weapons off of her back. Handing him the short-sword, the bow and the quiver she started rooting in her pack. After a few moments she withdrew a couple of potions, some lockpicks and her spare leather armour before placing them down onto the table in front of him. “There, that should be enough,” she breathed out as she retook her seat, and he quickly looked over the items before withdrawing a sack from underneath the chair and stuffing them in it.

“Well then, I guess I'll see you at the party,” he said as he stood up and hoisted the bag onto his shoulder.

“Yes, good luck,” Ekali said as he headed towards the door.

“I'm not the one who's gonna need it.” She only just heard his parting comment, and her lips quirked up into a smile as she rose from her seat and left for the stables.

<-><-><->

When Ekali arrived at the stables Delphine was watching the road vigilantly from where she stood leaning against the old stone mill. Near her, but still out of the way of any workers, a carriage drawn by two horses stood. A young Nord was lying down on the seat, hands folded under his head. The Breton straightened up when she saw Ekali approaching, quickly checking their surroundings as she approached the khajiit. “Have you given Malborn the gear you want to smuggle into the embassy?” she asked as the two of them came within a few feet’s distance of each other, and Ekali nodded shortly.

“Yes, he's all set.” Delphine nodded in response, lifting the sack she held in her hand a few centimetres higher briefly to draw Ekali's attention to it.

“Good. I have your clothes for the party here. I trust that you had little trouble getting the invitation?” At Ekali's nod, the Blade continued. “Well then, put this on. When you're ready, I'll keep the rest of your gear safe until you get back. You'll only have access to whatever you told Malborn to smuggle in for you as well as whatever can be found in the building. Look, I don't know much about the embassy but what I do know is that it's made up of three buildings. You're going to see the barracks and the main house from the entrance courtyard, but it's unlikely that there's anything in the barracks that'll be of use. The party is in the main building and the guests will likely be confined to a couple of rooms but your goal is Elenwen's solar on the other side of the inner courtyard. So once Malborn gets you in you need to make your way, alive, across the heavily patrolled courtyard and into Elenwen's office in the solar. It's likely it won't take long until they discover you even if you do manage to avoid any bloodshed, so you'll need to move quickly once you leave the party.”

“What kinds of guards are there at the Embassy?” Ekali asked as she accepted the sack from Delphine.

“Mostly altmer, though there might also be a couple of khajiit or bosmer. I doubt they'd have any Imperial soldiers at the Embassy, and Thalmor ranks only accept those three races. Why, do you think you could take someone's armour?”

“Possibly. It would solve the problem of crossing the courtyard if I could pull it off.”

“Ambitious, but a good idea.” Delphine nodded slowly as she thought it through. “It would give you considerably more time to search for any information.”

“Yeah,” Ekali said as she headed towards the mill, only glancing back briefly before she headed around to the back.

When Ekali came back she was dressed in a light green dress that reached down to her ankles. A grey sash and a darker grey belt held the dress tight around her abdomen. On top of that she wore a dark green over coat with brown lining and silver embroidery around the edges. The collar of the coat covered the lower part of her neck and was open so that her throat and the front of the dress was visible. The outer sleeves of the coat was embroidered with silver thread and on her feet she wore brown flat boots that were stylish but unremarkable. To complement the clothing she'd picked out a jade and emerald circlet and an amulet of Akatosh. “Hmm. I guess that will have to do. You should pass for a real guest, at least until you open your mouth. Ready to board the carriage to the Embassy?” Delphine said after she'd looked the dragonborn over.

“I'm ready. Keep this safe for me, will you?” Ekali asked as she handed over her pack and the sack that now contained her armour and great-sword.

“Don't worry, it will all be waiting for you when you get back. Just make sure you get back out of there alive with the information we need.” Delphine accepted the equipment without protest and Ekali got onto the back of the carriage as the Breton headed up to the front and slapped her hand against the side of the carriage. The driver almost fell off the seat as he was startled out of his rest, but quickly regained his wits when he saw Ekali sitting in the passengers seat. Nodding at Delphine, he took a hold of the reins and spurred on the horses to start walking away from the stables.

<-><-><->

It was almost dark by the time the carriage arrived at the Embassy. A cold wind swept across the court yard as Ekali got off of the carriage and her eyes swept the courtyard, landing on the guard at the entrance after only a few moments.

“Ah! A fellow latecomer to Elenwen's little soiree. And arriving by carriage, no less! I salute you, ma'am!” The male voice that called out for her caused Ekali's attention to waver from the entrance, and she looked around to find that a male Redguard was looking at her from his seat on some rocks of to the side. “My lateness is due more to getting lost on the way up this god-forsaken mountain than to any desire to actually arrive late. I prefer to arrive early. Often the day before the party. So as to not miss out on any of the drinking.” Ekali flashed a smile in response.

“An admirable quest,” she said, and the bearded Redguard chuckled lightly in response as the khajiit approached the door guard.

“Welcome to the Thalmor Embassy. Your invitation, please.” The guard, a female Altmer with light brown hair, accepted Ekali's invitation without any further comment as she looked it over thoroughly. “Here on behalf of Whiterun?”

“Indeed, the Jarl was unfortunately unable to make it. But as the newly appointed Thane I volunteered to help Jarl Balgruuf on this matter.”

“Very well, ma'am. Go right in,” the guard said and handed the invitation back to the Khajiit. Ekali smiled slightly before walking past her and up the stairs.

The door swung open without any problems as she pushed down on the handle and light spilled out upon the darkening courtyard. As the Khajiit was stepping inside, she spotted an Aldmer woman clad in Justicar robes watching her. Ekali closed the door behind her as the woman ended her conversation with one of Skyrim's elite and approached her, stopping a few feet away in front of the bar behind which Ekali could see Malborn busying himself with various different bottles.

“Welcome. I don't believe we've met. I'm Elenwen, the Thalmor Ambassador to Skyrim. And you are..?” As the other woman spoke, Ekali forced a smile to cross her lips as she reached out her hand towards the ambassador.

“My name is Ekali of the Frozen Heights, and I'm here on behalf of Jarl Balgruuf of Whiterun. Pleased to meet you.” A small smile crossed Elenwen's lips as her eyes remained stern and she accepted the Khajiit's hand and shook it.

“My, now you've really caught my interest. How did a Khajiit manage to become a Thane in Skyrim of all places?” Ekali was busily thinking of a better story than the truth before the ambassador had even finished her question, but only a moment passed before the wood elf bartender spoke up from the side.

“Lady Elenwen?” he asked, and as the ambassador turned her attention to the Bosmer Ekali let out a breath of relief before allowing her eyes to stray around the room for a bit. Though not as big as the interior of Dragonsreach the hall was quite large, and men and mer of all gender and sizes littered the room. Several soldiers also littered the room and though the majority of them were definitely Altmer there where also two Bosmer in the room.

“What is it Malborn?” Elenwen asked in exasperation, and Ekali forced her attention to return to the ambassador.

“It's just that we've run out of the Alto wine. Do I have your permission to uncork the Arenthia red...” Elenwen sighed as he talked, clearly not interested in talking about what to serve next.

“Of course. I've told you before not to bother me with such trifles.” As the Ambassador spoke Ekali heard the Redguard coming in through the door and watched from her peripheral as he slipped past her and started mingling with the different guests, grabbing a drink off of a tray as he went.

“Yes, Madame Ambassador.” Malborn lowered his head, eyes finding the floor as Elenwen turned her gaze back to Ekali.

“My apologies. We'll have to get better acquainted later. Please, enjoy yourself,” the ambassador said as someone called her name from across the room, then her attention completely left Ekali as she headed towards whoever had called for her. Ekali closed her eyes momentarily in relief before she walked up to the bar and leaned up against it. As she did so she noticed that the Redguard had taken a seat on a bench along the wall, and every now and then he'd try and strike up conversation with one of the waiters when they walked past, looking more and more annoyed for every time they ignored him.

“What can I get for you?” Malborn said with a loud enough voice to be heard above the din. Then he continued in a whisper as he picked up a glass and wiped it off with a cloth. “You made it in. Good. As soon as you distract the guards, I'll open this door and we can get you on your way. Let's hope we both live through this day.”

“Give me two goblets of whatever alcoholic drink you've got on hand, and then get ready. We'll have that distraction soon,” Ekali said quietly as he took out two goblets and filled them up with some wine before handing them over to her.

“Of course. Let me see if we have another bottle of that. I'll be waiting by the door for everyone to be distracted.” Ekali nodded as she accepted the goblets, then turned towards where the Redguard was sitting and walked over to him. What he was saying only got clearer as she drew closer to him.

“What does a fellow need to do to get a drink around here?” The Redguard uttered in a frustrated tone, and Ekali smiled as she took a seat next to him and handed over one of the goblets. “Ah, pardon me, friend. I didn't see you. And how incredibly generous of you!” he said as he accepted the goblet and took a long drink right of the bat. Ekali stared at him for a moment before shaking her head to clear it. “Allow me to introduce myself: Razelan. Imports and exports, by trade. Observer of human nature, by avocation,” he said as he held out his hand to her, and Ekali shifted her drink into her left hand to shake his.

“So, what brings you to this party?” Ekali asked as her eyes strayed from him to observe the room. It was filled by both humans and elves in finery, though the elves only consisted of Altmer members of the Thalmor. She found it unsettling to discover that she didn't recognise a quarter of the people assembled.

“Officially, I'm here to establish new contacts and earn the company more money. In truth, I'm only here to drink and be drunk and disorderly,” he uttered before he took another drink. It ended rather abruptly and he sighed as he observed the empty goblet. Smirking, Ekali held the other one out to him.

“Ah, the one generous soul amongst a gathering of pinch-pennies and lick-spittles! If there's ever anything I can ever do for you, do not hesitate to call upon me!” he exclaimed as he accepted the goblet from her and placed the empty one down onto a side table.

“Actually, there is something you could do for me,” Ekali said quietly as she met his eyes, and he answered her look with a bright smile.

“Wonderful! I can begin to repay your generosity immediately. What do you need, friend?” he asked, and the khajiit smiled thankfully.

“I need you to cause a scene. Get everyone's attention for a few minutes.” He narrowed his eyes slightly at her in curiosity, but didn't comment on it.

“Is that all? My friend, you've come to the right person. You could say that causing a scene is somewhat of a speciality of mine. Stand back and behold my handiwork,” he said as he stood up and made his way into the middle of the room. “Attention, everyone! Could I have your attention, please! I have an announcement to make!” As he spoke Ekali got out of her seat and slowly walked towards the bar as the attention of the room slowly shifted to Razelan's rambling.

“Let's go, let's go! Before anyone notices us,” Malborn said when she finally reached his position behind the bar. He looked around once before unlocking the door and getting her to step in before him. Ekali's eyes wandered around the small storage room as the Wood Elf closed the door behind them. “So far so good. Let's hope nobody saw us slip out. We need to pass through the kitchen. Your gear is hidden in the larder. Just stay close and let me do any talking, got it? Follow me.” Ekali only nodded in response as he unlocked the other door and opened it up.

“Who comes, Malborn? You know I don't like strange smells in my kitchen.” The voice of another Khajiit met her ears when Ekali stepped into the kitchen, the smell of cooking food filling the air.

“A guest, feeling ill. Leave the poor wretch be.” The Khajiit turned around to watch them as Ekali followed Malborn, attempting to appear as if though she was walking unsteadily.

“A guest? In the kitchens? You know this is against the rules...” Tsavani muttered.

“Rules, is it, Tsavani? I didn't realize that eating Moon Sugar was permitted. Perhaps I should ask the Ambassador...” The cook bristled and bared her teeth.

“Tss! Get out of here, I saw nothing,” she hissed as Malborn smirked and opened the door, once again letting Ekali go through first. Then he closed the door behind them and pointed to a chest in the corner.

“Your gear is in that chest. I'll lock the door behind you. Don't screw this up. Come on. If someone misses me at the party, we're both dead,” he said as she crouched down by the chest and opened it. A weight lifted from her heart as she saw her equipment in the chest and she quickly got started with changing into the leather armour and out of the finery.