It's Destana.

 

Damien was poring over stacks and stacks of notes.  

 

"Did you... go back in the Fort?" Serana asked.

 

"Yes.  Everything inside is dead.  Some kind of poison.  I tested it, and it wasn't anything from this world.  Different from Solaire's world, or any of the beasts I've seen yet.  I may consult a professional Alchemist to figure this out.  From my testing on Skeevers, proximity makes them hypersexual, contact usually paralyzes them, causes excruciating pain, then death.  I'm not sure what this alien substance is, but it is powerful.  I was just digging into the notes left in that place, want to help me?" Damien handed her a stack.

 

Serana sighed, "I'm just glad she's okay.  Pretty amazing how you found her."

 

"It was a fluke.  I'm not that powerful most of the time," Damien replied.  Then he thought, 'Not going to be able to do that many more times before some Daedra takes an interest in me.  Dad spent so much time in Nirn he can't really come here for the next century or so.  So no protection for me.'

 

"Besides, I don't know that she's okay," he continued, "From what I'm reading, and the Chronological displacement I sensed, that fort was displaced.  More time passing inside.  She may have been in there for months, when it was only a few days for us."

 

He flipped through the notes, "The Thalmor have been really leaning into their research of dimensions and time."

 

I just laid there, listening, not feeling like I had anything to add to this.  Could I move?  Probably.

 

Damien lifted up my foot, "You can see where they tried cutting her tendons.  Achilles, knee, elbow.  And they drew gallons of blood every day.  Numerous abrasions, scars, they ripped off her fingernails.  They slashed her through the left eye.  But because she's a VL, or from being a werewolf, or the Dragonborn, or a score of other things, she regenerated from everything they did to her.  Some of it is still healing, but it'll heal."

 

"What about the old scars?" Serana asked.

 

"Those were from when she was human - before she even came into her power as a Dragonborn," he replied, "They'll never heal."

 

"Furthermore," he continued, "That poison is so painful I'm certain the Skeevers died from pain, if that's possible.  Even if she did survive months of this treatment, this poison would destroy anyone.  I... don't know how she survived.  I wonder what it would do to a Daedra."

 

"Turn you into Hermaeus Mora?" I asked flatly.  They just looked at me for a few seconds.

Damien looked at Serana, "Can you understand what she's saying?"

The look on her face... pure anguish.  She covered her face, starting to cry.  

Guess I won't talk anymore.  I touched her on the leg.  She grabbed my hand, uncovering her teary, beautiful red eyes.

 

Damien put his hand on Serana's shoulder, "Listen.  Don't worry about her.  She's going to pull through."

Serana took a deep breath and then said, "But what kind of world is she going to come back to?  We lost Morthal and Markarth.  We're about to be without a home."

"We can always go to Cyrodiil," Runa said from the doorway, "The Brotherhood has a presence there.  Or maybe Hammerfell."

 

Fenrir and Ulfric passed Runa.  Ulfric rested his head on my lap, "We need to get those bastards.  Look what they did to her!"

Damien was still shuffling pages, "So that's how they were moving so many troops so fast."

"How?" Fenrir asked.

 

"It's all right here.  They were using time manipulation.  Forces massed at the border are getting replenished via teleportation from Elswyer, Summerset and Valenwood via switch points through Cyrodiil (teleportation does have a maximum range based on your level of power and number of targets).  Then every four or five contingents has a chronomancer, which they use to move huge masses of troops to their destinations in Skyrim.  But there are only six chronomancers, so their strategy is to retreat once the force is in place.  Still, one of them died at Riften, by mom's hand.  One died in Markarth, shot by Fen.  One was assassinated by the Brotherhood on our contract by simple dumb luck.  And the fourth was killed by... Bandits?  Seriously?  No, this description.  A man in a long flowing wig, another in a hooded cowl and several more in leather armor.  Strange."

 

That's the Thieves' Guild, I thought.  

 

"So that leaves us with two?" Runa asked.  Certainly, my daughter was thinking what I was thinking.  To find and kill the other two.

 

"But!  Moving such a large force requires magicka batteries," Damien continued.  Then he reached for his bag and dumped out all the batteries that'd been filled in my little tentacle excursion.

 

And Damien started to chuckle.

 

"What are you thinking, brother?" Fenrir asked.

 

"I'm thinking I know enough about chronomancy, and I have books on books of procedures right here telling how the Thalmor are doing this.  And I have a LOT of magicka batteries.  Tell me, where do you think they're going to attack next?"

 

"Solitude," Ulfric said.

 

"No," Fenrir retorted, "If they have two more, and the batteries they originally planned on using, I bet they'll converge on Whiterun.  Windhelm and Solitude are candidates for the soul of Skyrim, but Whiterun sits at its heart.  Break our spirits.  Break Skyrim."

 

“Even if they do have some of the Time Magic left, we reasonably have a couple days to prepare,” Serana said.

 

I stood, and everybody silently looked at me.  I rifled through my things that Damien had found.  I started putting on my Forsworn clothes. 

“Honey, what are you doing?” Serana asked, putting her hand on my fur skirt.  I pulled it away from her, putting it on.

“I think she wants to help,” Damien said.

I put my finger up, showing them, yes, but wait.  Then I formed a mountain with my hands.

“Going to High Hrothgar?” Ulfric asked.  I nodded.

“At least let someone go with you,” Serana said.

I pursed my lips, then I nodded again.  I pointed to Runa.

 

 

Serana tilted her head.  I’m sure she was thinking, ‘Why not me?’  But also being careful not to make this about her.  She smiled, “Be safe.”

 

I hugged her, teleporting Runa and I to Riverwood.  Then we made the long climb to High Hrothgar.  Arngeir was sitting in the main room, looking at the statues when we walked in. 

 

“Dragonborn.  What brings you here?” He asked.

Runa replied, “She’s been through a lot.  I think she wanted to come here to clear her head.  Or maybe… something with shouts.  When she speaks… we can’t seem to understand what she’s saying.”

 

“Hmm…” Arngeir scratched his beard, “Say something.”

“I’m a meat popsicle,” I said back.

 

“Interesting.  Try an Unrelenting Force for me,” Arngeir said.

 

“FUS!” I said.  At least, it sounded to me like the tried-and-true word I knew well.  But it did nothing.

“Come.  Sit with me.  I will meditate with you,” Arngeir said.  Then he looked up at Runa, “You’re free to bother the other Graybeards for advice with your voice, but please leave me be with the Dragonborn.”

 

 

Runa nodded and walked out.

 

We sat there for a while, trying various voices.  But my shouts didn’t work.  My beast calls didn’t work.  He sat there for what seemed like hours, just watching me.

 

Finally, he said, “A dragon’s, and thus, dragonborn’s Voice comes from the soul.  It seems to me the encounter you had with this creature may have been damaging to your soul.  Perhaps when it kills its victims it steals their soul as well – but yours is different.  A normal mortal would be dead, and you might well have been dead after repeated encounters.”

 

Arngeir stood, “I believe I have reached the limits of my ability.  You must go see Paarthurnax.  I will explain to Runa, who can explain to him.”

 

Runa and I made the trek up to the peak of the mountain.  Dragons circled overhead, but Paarthurnax perched at his normal place.

 

 

“Aaah!  Dovakiin!  What brings you to this windy peak?” He asked.

“She’s lost her voice.  Arngeir said something about her soul being damaged,” Runa explained.

Paar blinked and stared at me for a moment, “Yes, it appears so.  Hold, Dovakiin.  And listen to my words.”

“VOKRII!” He shouted at me, his dragon breath blasting me in the face.

We paused there for a second.

“Did it work?” I asked.

Runa looked at Paarthurnax, “Still gibberish.”

“Intriguing, most intriguing.”

“What’s that?” Runa asked.

“I can now understand her perfectly.  She asked if it worked,” Paarthurnax said.

“That’s a start,” I said.

“Perhaps, dovakiin, you should return to your old devices and it will return naturally.  I believe your dragon soul has begun the healing process,” Paarthurnax said.

 

I sighed, “That’s the most comforting thing I’ve heard.  While I’m here could I~”

Paarthurnax cut me off, “I thought you’d never ask.  I’d love to parley with my favorite mortal.”

I smirked, “So I noticed the dragon attacks have nearly stopped.”

“Yes.  There are a few outliers.  But I believe the remaining dragons have come under my sway.  They have accepted the Way of the Voice,” Paarthurnax said.

“Well, we’re kind of in a real bind down there,” I said.

“Yes, the Thalmor have made themselves quite unwelcome on this part of the continent,” Paarthurnax replied, “And I imagine if Skyrim falls, they’ll begin to hunt us, even if we have finally embraced peace.  Tiiraaz.”

“I agree.  Something’s going to be done about this.  You have my word,” I clenched my fist. 

 

 

Runa and I came down off the mountain, heading back to Windhelm.  We spotted Fenrir and Serana, talking in the plaza near the Talos statue, and they rushed over. 

“Someone do something!” A woman shouted, and people started to get out their bows.  I turned to find a revered dragon raining down fire on the city. 

With a smirk, I pulled out the Nerevarine’s Bow, but Fenrir was already Machine-Bolting the thing with his Dwarven Polybolos. 

 

 

The thing hit the ground in seconds, wasted. 

I blinked, and Fenrir smiled, “They’re going to think twice when they see this thing.”

It started the normal disintegration process, and the dragon soul flowed into me, as it always had.  I could hear the chanting and beating of drums, and it was familiar.  It made my heart swell.  Maybe there was a shot for us to win this thing.  And maybe I could be fixed.

 

 

I looked over to Serana, who was wearing one of the dresses I’d given her.  She usually reverted to her Vampire Armor, and it made me smile.

 

“Somebody looks a little better,” Serana said.

As we walked inside, Ulfric came over (not in his armor, I might add), hugging and kissing me, “If I were a little younger and still strong like in my heyday… maybe I could go out on all these adventures with you.”

 

 

“You know, I could just make you into a vampire,” Serana smirked.

 

Ulfric blinked, then chuckled, like he actually considered it for a minute, “I don’t think Skyrim would accept a vampire king.”

“That’s the only thing stopping you?” Runa asked.

Ulfric chuckled, “Clearly you’ve never gotten old.”

 

“I know this is pretty morbid, but have you ever thought about what happens if you die?” Serana asked as we walked back over to the throne.

“Destana will take over,” he replied, “At this point I handle the day-to-day government and she mostly travels around making wild decrees and handles the military.”

“What if she’s going on adventures?” Serana asked back.

“Well, I imagine my son can fill the role.  One day he’ll be the High King for real.”

“Fenrir?” Runa asked, looking at him.

“No, my other son.  From my secret family,” Ulfric smirked, then he laughed, “Of course!  Fenrir Stormcloak.”

 

A Synod mage stepped up to our conversation.  She asked, "Fenrir?"

 

"Hey Agrippina!  I wasn't sure if I was going to see you again.  You ran off after..." He avoided the subject and I immediately knew what he was thinking.

I eyed her with only the look a mother can have, and even without saying anything, the girl knew I was being judgmental of her.

 

 

She shrugged off my icy look and said to him, "Sorry, I was nervous.  Now I hear you're going to be king someday... and I feel like that was not the best way to approach royalty.  But anyway, my boss, the man I'm apprenticed to, Panthius, has asked me to approach you again for more help."

"What is it?" Fenrir asked.

"Some of the Synod mages took staves and artifacts and ran.  They said they were going to sell them to the Dominion for amnesty," she said.

He put his hand on her shoulder, "You were right to come to me."

I smiled at the kid, looking the hero.

He turned to us, "Who's coming with?  I probably can't handle a bunch of casters my own."

"I dunno, that crossbow could probably win the war for us," Serana smiled.

Fenrir laughed, and I raised my hand.

 

There were a few doubting looks, but then Runa said, "Paarthurnax said she should keep doing what she does and peace will come back to her."

Ulfric scratched his head, "Well if the Graybeards' leader says she's alright..."

"Be careful," Serana hugged me again. 

We headed to the lake where they were supposedly going to meet - in the mountains south of Windhelm.  It was dark by the time we arrived.  

 

 

After walking around a few minutes, we came upon them.  I approached in stealth, listening to what they were saying.  The man was indeed pleading for his groups' lives.  I walked up behind him - invisible, and decapitated the Thalmor.  

 

 

"Wow!" Fenrir said.  Then he turned to the Synod mage, "Do you want to be next?"

"No!" The man cowered.

"Tell us where your accomplices are!" He shouted.

He led us to a rock outcropping that hid a very small cave.

 

"This is Aberius," the man said.

"That's far enough, friend.  Let me guess, Panthius sent you?  Does he think he can frighten us?"

"Aberius, you might want to listen to them..." the other mage said, nearly back in pleading state.

"Your threats won't work here.  Compared to the might of the Dominion, you don't scare us," Aberius said, "You're wasting your time."

Fenrir piped up, "The Dominion are playing you for fools."

Then he handed him a letter the Thalmor agent had on his body.  

 

 

"Those bastards," Aberius said as he read the letter.  He shook his head, "I'm heading back to Windhelm.  I just hope Panthius can forgive us.  Thank you for this, truly."

I smirked and patted Fenrir on the back.  When we got back to WIndhelm, Runa was talking with Balfhe.

 

"He was visiting the camp," Balfhe said.

"How can I help?" Runa asked.

"According to Legate Calleius, they're holding the Commander Falced Caro prisoner.  We can't afford to lose another commander," Balfhe said.

"I'll go see."

"Take Calleius with you.  He's just outside the office," Balfhe said.

Runa turned and saw me, "Keen on a quick rescue mission?  It'll be a lot faster with your teleport."

I nodded, motioning for her to lead on and we walked around the corner.

 

 

"Oh hey!  It's you!" Runa smiled, "You're the one who helped me out with one of my Thalmor targets a few days ago.  You said you were going to gather Imperial troops to our cause, but you never gave me your name."

"Legate Tyroni Calleius, at your service, ma'am," the man bowed formally.  

"Yeah!  Runa Fair-Shield."

"A lovely name for a lovely woman," he replied.  I raised an eyebrow.

Runa smiled, "Tell me the truth, was it you who got General Sialius?"

"Indeed, ma'am.  He was in hiding and I informed him Windhelm would accept him if only he used a little diplomacy," Calleius said.

She smiled.  We walked out into the Windhelm hold, then I grabbed both their hands and put them on my shoulders, charging up a teleport to Morthal.  We dodged the Thalmor there and went to the old Imperial camp, recently rebuilt, but also deserted.  I went in first, being stealthy.

 

A voice called out of the command tent as a Thalmor aimed a lightning bolt at me, "Not so fast.  You don't look half as intimidating as I had imagined based on the stories we'd heard.  The mythical Redguard who's nigh unkillable.  Well, this was a trap for you alone.  Don't worry, I'm going to kill you and make it quick.  I've no time for the foolishness Orthar put you through."

At the mention of that name, my face transformed into unyielding rage.  Several Thalmor soldiers and assassins appeared behind me, but in a flash I had already jammed my claw and dagger into their leader, lifting him off the ground. 

 

 

Runa and Calleius fought off the men while I dumped him on the ground.  It was over fairly quickly.  

 

"This is insulting," Runa said, taking the words out of my mouth.  We teleported back to Windhelm.

 

 

I noticed I'd let the blood pour onto my body as I held him over my head.  Also, I did that thing I do often and hadn't realized a whole night passed.

 

Fenrir had retired with Agrippina after our short mission and it was nearly time to wake up. 

After they told Balfhe the news, Calleius turned to Runa and said, "Fancy a bit of breakfast, ma'am?"

I elbowed her, motioning for her to go ahead by herself.  I also motioned to myself, displaying the obscene level of gore on my chest and stomach.  

Runa nodded to me and said to him, "Stop calling me ma'am."

"My apologies.  I come from a very formal family," he said as they walked out.  

I grabbed Serana by the arm and motioned to her that I was going to teleport.

 

Serana shrugged, "Okay, I'll go with you."

I teleported to Highreach, threw my clothes off and dove into the hot spring.  She joined me.  We had some fun together and relaxed for a while.  

"Say, this might not be the best time, but do you want to go on a date with me again?" She asked.

I nodded.

"How about to the Bannered Mare?" She asked, "We can wait out the Thalmor."

Feeling much more casual than I think I should've about the direness of the situation, I agreed.  We dressed and I teleported us to Whiterun.

 

About five seconds after I got there, a passing horse splashed me with mud, getting it on my stomach.  Fucking figures.

 

We walked into the mare.  It was nearly time for the lunch rush.  Serana went over to the wench and started ordering for us.  I immediately noticed a gruff-looking female Imperial Captain with one eye slashed through.  She looked over to me.

 

 

"Well met," she said, "Hey!  I know you.  I should - I was on the other side in the Civil War.  Gotta say, I'm really glad we're on the same side this time.  You're really sticking it to the Dominion.  Good on you, my friend.  Name's Captain Vinicia Matius."

She shook my hand, flapping nearly my entire body back and forth.  She took my silent smile as justification to continue.

"If you'd told me a year ago I'd be fighting with Stormcloaks I wouldn't have believed you.  But we need every sword we can to deal with those bastards.  Say, would you mind helping me out with something?"

 

I shrugged, then nodded.

"While the majority of your comrades have agreed to support us and fight side-by-side, there are some that aren't so happy about it.  Refusing to fight if any Imperial soldiers take the field.  Cowards, looking for any excuse not to fight.  I got tasked with dealing with them and I don't know crap about the Stormcloaks other than how to fight 'em.  Maybe you being a hero of them, could talk some sense into them?  Whaddya say?"  

 

"Oh!  You have fine wines here?" Serana asked, then she looked over to me, "Are you really picking up quests while we're on a date?"

"Uh-oh," Vinicia said.  I patted her on the back, nodded, and she seemed to get the picture.  She marked on my map where the men were skating off to.  

Serana handed me a drink and said, "The mare's best wine.  Keep 'em coming.  My treat."

She took a drink and started to talk.  It sucked not being able to contribute anything to the conversation. 

 

 

Eventually she got tired of talking to a wall, and I suggested through hand signals we should go talk to Vidnar and the companions.

We walked up to the large stairs that led to the upper city and found Runa and Fenrir there.

"Mom, Stepmom (I guess), did you hear?" Runa asked.

We shook our heads.

"The Thalmor are massing," Fenrir said, "Maybe they wanted to catch us offguard."

 

 

"Is Damien ready with his time thing?" Serana asked.

"No.  He teleported us here.  But he said it's not ready yet," Runa said.

Guess we're going to have to deal with this on our own.  I charged off and the others followed me.

 

I burst into Dragonsreach first, while Runa and Fenrir peeled off to Jorrvaskr.  Vidnar was there, sitting on the Jarl's throne.

"Dragonborn!" He shouted, "I've just gotten the report.  I was just enjoying the throne one last time."

I shook my head, wanting to tell him not to throw his life away.

 

Serana said, "I can tell Destana doesn't want you to die, old man.  So you do your best to make it through this."

Vidnar replied, "I must have a warrior's death.  Defending my hold.  Unless you have some incentive to offer me to keep my old bones still living."

"What could I offer a Jarl?" Serana asked.

He looked at me for a few seconds, "Forgive me, Dragonborn, but I've been dumbstruck by your now-wife since I saw her at the moot."

"By the gods, are you suggesting..?" Serana asked, then she looked at me.

I shrugged, then I wrote directly in my journal for her to see, "It's your choice.  I believe in free love."

Serana threw up her arms, "Fine."

 

 

Vidnar smiled big, "Now that's incentive to stay alive!"

 

We jumped from Dragonsreach to the Skyforge and walked into Jorrvaskr.  Nearly all the Companions were massed in the mead hall, getting a last-minute feast and strapping on their armor.

"Don't worry, Harbinger, we're with you!" 

 

 

Farkas, Vilkas, Aela, Ria and Njada joined Fenrir, Serana, Runa and I as we walked out.  The sky opened up almost immediately as we stepped outside, and I found a familiar face standing in front of me.  

 

 

"Irileth!" I said, but everyone just heard garbage, I guess.

She shouted back to me, "No way I'm going to let you fight this battle alone.  This is my damned home!"

I clapped her on the back and we all charged, en masse, to the gates.  

 

The Battle for Whiterun started.  They were here!  I went with the ranged magic folk and we stood on the walls, shooting at them as they approached.

 

 

After a minute, I hopped down to join the melees, and immediately got paralyzed by a stray blast.  

 

 

But this was not the horror I was used to.  Everybody ignored me while they fought.  I got back up and continued the fight. 

 

 

 

 

As before, this was a real, bloody battle.  And I could feel the desperation in the Thalmor.  But something was different, like they were coming in smaller strike groups.  Had so many of their commanders or their chronomancers been killed that they were making poor decisions with smaller forces now?

 

 

They continued to hammer us, trading blows with us, but we stood fast.  Then I saw it, cresting the hill was a much larger force.  The last bit of chronomancy they had up their sleeve.

"Go!  We must fall back!" Fenrir shouted.

I clenched my fists.  

"Mom!  We need to fall back!" Runa said as she started to withdraw with the others.

 

No.  I'm not going to stand down this time.  I'm not going to run.  I'm drawing a line in the sand here.  

"D..." I started to try my Voice.  I ground my teeth...

"D-D-D-D..."

 

"What is she doing?" Serana asked as the force had reached the stables and was now firing magic and arrows our way.

 

"I'm not letting you have any more!" I shouted.  I'm sure it was garbage speech.

My kids paused.

"What did she say?"

 

"DUR-NE-VIIR!  OD-AH-VIING!" I shouted.  

An undead dragon burst from the ground, taking to the sky.

 

 

"Dovahkiin!  I wondered when you'd call me again!" Durneviir shouted.

I heard cowering screams from behind me.

"Don't fear!  He's our ally!" Serana shouted over the torrential rain.

"Dovahkiin!" Odahviing finally emerged from the sky, "I come to your aid in this war!  Who must I destroy today!?"

 

 

"That's the dragon from Dragonsreach!" One of the Stormcloaks shouted.

"Yes!" Vidnar yelled, "The Dragonborn has called him to fight for us!"

The massed forces shouted in triumph and frenzy, charging forward.  My two dragon friends nipped at the Elven army's heels, blasting them with cold and fire, keeping their backlines busy while we plowed through their front lines.  It was a bloodbath.  We utterly destroyed them.  After the fight, we thanked the dragons and they were on their way.

 

My group and the Companions amassed in the torrential downpour, blood and mud falling off of us as we properly celebrated.

 

"Can you... can you talk?" Serana whispered.

"I dunno, can you understand me?" I asked.

Her face screwed up like anguish again.  In the rain I couldn't tell if they were tears, but then her mouth twisted into a smile.  

"Thank the gods," she said, and I kissed her.  Though I had my doubts whether I was completely back to normal.

 

Farkas and Vilkas lifted me on their shoulders and I shouted over the rain, "Let it be known that this is where the Thalmor were stopped!  Now we take back the lands we're already lost and show them the true heart of Skyrim!"

 

Cheers rang out like thunder.

 

 

Mods