FVN Chapter 305: Chapter XXXI: Return To Respite
Chapter 305: Chapter XXXI: Return To Respite
Chapter 305: Chapter XXXI: Return To Respite
Our hosts at High Hrothgar were far more solemn when the time came to say our goodbyes, Arngeir's usual well concealed haughtiness thoroughly replaced by a genuine wish for our, or namely the Dragonborn's success.
The knowledge about Alduin's return, something which only a select few knew about even now, gave them a whole new perspective about Minthara's timely emergence, removing most of their doubt about her becoming another Tiber Septim, or a thu'um abusing conqueror in their words.
This also served to earn me a massive amount of respect from the wrinkled bunch, as the fact that I had been working to counter this apocalypse for years now meant that in the end my use of the thu'um could be nothing but righteous.
Well, I wouldn't go quite that far but they did seem far more receptive to my words by the end of our little mountain camping trip.
"We wish you luck on your quest, Dragonborn." Argeir bowed, the gesture swiftly followed by his brothers "We shall consult the master of our order and prepare to instruct you as best as we can when you return."
"A master we haven't met yet." Delphine interrupts with narrowed eyes "I wonder if they are simply reclusive or have a very good reason for hiding."
"Delphine." Minthara nearly growls at the woman, staring her down into compliance before turning back to the Greybeards and inclining her head toward them "I thank you for your aid, masters. I will endeavor to return as swiftly as possible."
Arngeir's solemn expression shifted into a grandfatherly smile for a moment before he recomposed himself and turned to me. He stared at me for a good minute, thoroughly considering his words before finally settling on "Your insights would also be... welcomed, when the time comes."
"Sure thing old man." I grin at him and suddenly remember something "Oh! And tell the older old man that he who was once cursed and never dying sends his regards."
His eyebrows disappeared into his hairline as he was momentarily stunned by my words, and all he could do in the end was simply nod his head dumbly.
I chuckled at the out of character reaction and as I turned to my group I clapped my hands "Alrighty then! Now that that is over and dealt with, where do you lot want to go next?"
All of them immediately came up with some ideas but the actual decision belonged to only one person so all their eyes shifted to Minthara who was stuck in thought, she cupped her chin in consideration before slowly declaring "I could really go for a feast after all that."
Lydia looked like she had just heard a divine revelation and muttered a quiet "Please."
Marco was also nodding enthusiastically, already licking his lips with his mouth closed, while Junia also seemed enthusiastic about the idea.
Seeing that she was thoroughly outnumbered, Delhpine let out a light exhale "Fine."
'As if her choice mattered.' Bird man scoffed and I smiled "Feast it is."
Before anyone could react my hand was already raised and my fingers snapped. (Argneir's POV)
The entourage of the final born of Akatosh disappeared with a loud crack akin to glass shattering, leaving even the dust undisturbed as if they were never there in the first place. My brows furrowed as soon as the need to look presentable disappeared with them and I looked to my brothers, all of them too seemed deeply disturbed by the Dunmer's earlier revelations. Finally free to let unchain my voice I spoke "The gods test us greatly with each passing year, my brothers. To think that the World Eater himself would return after so long. Does the land not suffer enough already, or have our sins grown so terrible that we are deserving of an end?" The air itself shook as my words reached my brethren, carrying with them meanings both heard and unheard. They pondered briefly and it was Wulfgar who was first to speak "Fear not the challenges of the divine my brother, for oft it is that if great change is to come, greater strife still must precede it."
"I understand the balance of the world, you know this. Or have you forgotten, brother, that it was you who taught it to me in the first place?" I retort lightly, and even that is enough to cloud the path before the temple in fog.
"Peace Arngeir." Einarth raises a placating hand.
Ah "Apologies, masters." I clasp my hands and bow in deference "I merely worry that this is a greater challenge than any hero may face, for it is known that Alduin is no mere Dovah, but a god in his own right."
"Heroes." Master Borri corrects, his usual cheer unshaken as always, his voice easily clearing the path I shrouded moments before even as his words stopped us all in our tracks "The divines work in mysterious ways and even the lowliest of us may be risen to greater heights in times of need. I find it most fitting that a descendant of one who would usurp the divine now does their work." Einarth frowns and waves his hand dismissively "He is mighty, this is not in question, but I cannot help but feel this is just one big game for him, the irreverence he shows is proof enough I say!"
The youngest brother beside myself had always been one to judge too quickly and to my surprise I find within me the need to defend the odd elf "The Dunmer holds depths beyond what a cursory glance may tell you brother, he is not as he first seemed, on this I can swear."
He stares at me blankly for a brief moment before huffing and grumbling a couple of unkind words to himself.
"Great wisdom he was given, by the gods or merely the whims of fate, it matters little." Borri declares with a sad smile "As it has allowed him to rise far beyond any other, so has it placed a great burden upon his shoulders, and already he has done more than any other to prepare the world for what was to come." The eldest's hopeful words bring the light of dawn upon us as the very clouds shift ever so slightly, turning us all to deep contemplation.
In the end all I could say was "We will have to wait and see, now won't we?" I smile wearily "Best that we prepare as much as we can, let it not be said that we exist for naught but being old and grey of hair!" The candles within the still open hallway burn brighter at my declaration.
obsessed patrons as news of my deeds on the fields of Dawnstar had no doubt reached the entire city by now, not that they were judgmental, just slightly fearful or overly awed in the case of some of the younger patrons.
I ignored their gazes and made my way toward my private booth, the guard beside the entrance offering a crisp salute and opening the elaborate drape which hung in the way.
Everyone seemed to almost melt within the seats as they finally got the chance to truly relax and I immediately called out to an expectant waitress to bring us a feast and keep it coming. Falling into a food coma sounded quite good just about now.
It took them mere minutes to start delivering the orders and we descended upon the meal
worthy of an emperor with the bestial ferocity of an entire pack of trolls, only pausing for some minor small talk in between deliveries.
They regaled me with tales of their travels, questioning me on what exactly happened over in Valtheim, while I, in turn, offered a more detailed retelling of the great battle, pointedly going over a few of the gory details as not even I appreciated that during a meal, and I was
almost completely desensitized to it all after facing Namira's special brand of bleh so many times already.
By the time we were done all of us, including the ever-paranoid Delphine, were leaned back in our seats and letting out sighs of contentment.
Finally having woken up from the Hrothgar air-induced nap, Scorch appeared on my shoulder and immediately gobbled up the piece of bacon I tossed into the air. The peaceful aura of the high temple was like a balm to the usually hyperactive bird and after the first day he just
started snoozing like a cat.
Would have probably panicked me if I couldn't feel his comfort.
He looked around curiously, his eyes still a bit drooped. This did not last long as they burst
open the moment they landed upon Minthara, mischievous excitement practically radiating off the little twat "Ah, my first worshipper!"
Without even looking at him she growled "Be silent or I will punt you across the damn room
you little shit." "Understandable, have a great day." He salutes, grabs the entire slice of bacon from my plate, and disappears.
"Heh." Her expression turned so smug Scorch started cursing at her like a sailor.
He still did not leave my Magicka pool though.
My attention was drawn by a slight pulse coming from my inventory, the orb (tm) glowed with
light displaying a message. A quick skim showed it to be an invitation from Savos to visit him
in his quarters, apparently he and Tolfdir had made some discoveries recently and wanted my
input.
Letting out a content yawn I paused briefly, closing my eyes for a moment, and then got up, leaving the group to snore their day away in a blissful food coma.
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