I’d like to thank all of my readers who have been following this story of Skyrim.
Sometimes it’s been fun, sometimes it’s been frustrating, and sometimes I’ve wanted to scream at the game and at my computer. You’ve made it worth it.
Although the tale of Tel’kiira Kethrina and Tervesa Kaushad has ended, the tales of Skyrim have not.
I promise that soon I will begin a new tale in a new blog. Once I do, I will post a link of it here.
Again, I thank you.
2nd of First Seed, 4E 202
To General Tullius:
Windhelm has mostly recovered from the attack on the city. There are still those who still miss Ulfric Stormcloak, including those residing in exile in the Palace of Kings. Honestly, I don’t know how Jarl Brunwulf Free-Winter puts up with them. Nevertheless, the townspeople have managed to return to their lives.
Regarding your personal request, Legate Tervesa Kaushad is doing well for the most part. Last month she purchased Hjerim here in the city after a dragon burned down her house near Riverwood. Neither of us should be surprised, she grew up here.
She has now made Windhelm her permanent home. She often spends her evenings in the New Gnisis Cornerclub, talking amiably with Ambarys and entertaining the patrons. I’ve heard she’s become their resident bard.
She brings in this talking “space ball” from time to time. It seems to be very popular, until someone threatens to hit it with a hammer. I think it’s hilarious myself.
Every so often Tervesa travels around Skyrim, playing in many taverns and inns, hunting the occasional dragon, and helping those in need. Because of her reputation, she’s frequently inundated with requests for help … and marriage proposals.
This war was difficult for all of us, we have all lost friends, but thanks in part to Tervesa, we will recover.
As ordered, I will travel to the Dominion and attempt to gather intelligence on the Thalmor. From what we know of them, I suspect in time the Dragonborn will be called again to fight for the Empire.
Sincerely,
A.
Antonius
19th of Sun’s Dawn, 4E 202
I wish I knew where Ambarys was, I wish I knew if he was all right.
We fought the Stormcloaks in the city. We took Windhelm, burned through the barricades, and reached Ulfric and his housecarl Galmar in the Palace of Kings.
They would not surrender. I focused my fire attacks on Galmar first, then when he went down assisted General Tullius and Rikke in defeating Ulfric.
Out of respect for him, I did so. General Tullius lent me his daedric sword to do the deed.
I whispered a prayer to Talos for Ulfric the moment the blade pierced his heart.
General Tullius delivered a succinct speech to his troops. Amidst their cheering, I heard him say “I hate giving speeches.” I had to admit, I found myself smiling.
And then the officers went about assigning troops to put out fires, begin clean up, and repair the damages.
Gods be thanked, the war is over. For now, I will lend my healing spells to help the wounded. After that, I’ll find Ambarys and share a few drinks.
I hope he’s all right.
(This letter was delivered magically, dropping onto the bar. The Cornerclub was empty at the time.)
We’ve taken Fort Amol. If you haven’t left or taken shelter yet, do it now!
Tervesa
(This letter was delivered magically, dropping onto the bar during the busiest time of the night. Its arrival nearly caused a panic when it was read.)
17th of Sun’s Dawn, 4E 202
Dear Ambarys,
I know you’ve been preparing. I hope it’s enough.
I’m heading to the Imperial camp in Eastmarch. Soon we will attack Windhelm. Get everyone you can either out of the city or into the best possible shelter, but do it as discreetly as possible!
Good luck.
Sincerely yours,
Tervesa
17th of Sun’s Dawn, 4E 202
We attacked Fort Sungard in the darkest of hours, yet the fort was lit brilliantly with mage lights.
By those lights, I saw who I had both dreaded and expected to see, Tel’kiira Kethrina, standing on the battlements above the gate. She was wearing Stormcloak armor, sans the helmet, and the mage lights reflected from her golden eyes. The other soldiers were giving her a wide berth.
Our eyes met, and we both knew the time had finally come.
I ordered the Legion soldiers to stay away from Kethrina and focus on the regular troops while I dealt with her. From the expressions on their faces, they were only too happy to comply.
The legionnaires rushed into the fort while I waited outside. Kethrina calmly descended the stairs and met me before the gate. We nodded respectfully to each other, and then we dueled.
We fought for hours. She had gained considerable power from vampirism, while I had cleansed myself of lycanthropy before arranging the peace conference. My magic skills were greater than hers, her melee skills were greater than mine.
But I had the the Thu’um. Her mastery of the Thu’um extended only as far as her basic education and what Ulfric could share with her. I, on the other hand, had been given instruction by the Greybeards, Paarthurnax, and the three great warriors of the first Dragon War.
That was then I did something I had never done except against dragons and their draugr servants, I used the Thu’um to fight, and I didn’t spare anything.
Even so, the duel was a difficult one, Kethrina was the most powerful and the most dangerous foe I had ever faced. It was only when I had called Odahviing and the valiant of Sovngarde that I was finally able to overpower her.
The sun’s rays were just beginning to rise when I looked down upon Kethrina’s broken body. She had sustained wounds that would have killed five men, yet she still lived, barely.
I knelt by her side and asked if she had any final requests. She whispered to me that she wanted to be buried next to Charlotte. I promised her that I would make that happen.
I then asked if she had any last words. She said she had none, save that she had no regrets. I nodded, promised I would see her in Sovngarde, then ended her life quickly with a stab to her heart.
I rose to my feet and looked around at the legionnaires who had been watching our duel with awe. I don’t think any had any idea just how powerful a Dragonborn was. All of them looked at me with fear.
I ordered two of them to prepare Kethrina’s body for transport and to treat it with respect. They quickly complied. Odahviing, who was still there, agreed to carry her and me to Solitude where Charlotte was buried, and I expressed grateful thanks.
It has been a long night, and a longer day. Styrr helped me make the arrangements, and now Tel’kiira Kethrina and Charlotte Corday lie side by side in death.
Alduin is dead. Kethrina is dead. The Reach is ours again. Ulfric is isolated in his hold.
I have no time to rest. General Tullius needs me to help prepare for the final battle and finally end this war forever.
14th of Sun’s Dawn, 4E 202
Rays of the setting sun are drawing lines on the wall in my room. I watched them lazily as I bathed.
Now, with a goblet of wine in my hand and some bread and cheese at my elbow, I’m finally able to record the phenomenal events from over the past few days.
The conference went much as Balgruuf and Arngeir predicted. Ulfric demanded Markarth, and at this point in the war, he only had Winterhold to trade. He was receiving a major hold in exchange for a minor one, and he still insisted it wasn’t enough. If it weren’t for Esbern, he would’ve walked out of the room.
While I disdain Esbern’s and Delphine’s insistence that I kill Paarthurnax, I respect Esbern for what he did for me that day. The day ended with the Stormcloak possessing Markarth and the Imperials possessing Winterhold.
Esbern then taught me how to lure a dragon to Dragonsreach. He knew the names of many dragons, and taught me one of them: Odahviing. What I didn’t realize before then, but should have, was that each dragon’s name is a shout made up of three words.
With that knowledge, and Jarl Balgruuf’s preparations, we were able to call and capture Odahviing. We conversed for a while, and he politely answered my questions.
To reach Alduin’s portal, I had to be able to fly. Odahviing agreed to let me ride him, as I had proven my Thu’um to him. I took this to mean that I had earned his respect.
As I considered this and whether to free him, Farengar introduced himself to Odahviing. At first I thought the wizard was only going to ask him questions, but then he tried to take some of the dragon’s scales and blood. Idiot!
I prepared myself for a long journey, then set Odahviing free. True to his word, he allowed me to ride him. Flying through the skies was the most exhilarating experience I’ve ever had in my life.
And fighting the draugr in Skuldafn Temple was the most harrowing battle in my life. Almost all of them were deathlords. As if ordinary draugr weren’t bad enough. At the portal itself was a powerful dragon priest that wouldn’t hold still.
Afterwards though, the vision that greeted me made it worth it.
I’ve heard and read so many stories of Sovngarde, one of them written by Kodlak in his journal. None of them even remotely did justice to the reality. I captured dozens of images, but only one developed clearly.
But paradise was marred by Alduin’s mist, trapping the souls of the fallen, preventing them from reaching Shor’s Hall.
I managed to navigate to that honored hall after passing Tsun’s test of combat. Inside I met many heroes, including the three who banished Alduin, the three whose battle I witnessed: Gormlaith, Hakon, and Felldir. Together we dispersed Alduin’s mist, and then finally defeated the World-Eater himself.
His body incinerated into nothing, and his soul dispersed into Aetherius. I suppose his soul wasn’t meant to be taken. In the end, Tsun taught me a Shout that would allow me to call a hero of Sovngarde, then returned me to the Throat of the World.
I was greeted by a half dozen dragons. I felt humbled as they acknowledged me as the Dragonborn in their own tongue. Paarthurnax was there was well, and he told me he intended to teach the dragons the Way of the Voice. I pray he’s successful.
I am tired. My battle with Alduin left me aching everywhere, but I can not rest yet. General Tullius has ordered me to assist Legate Rikke in regaining the Rift.
The civil war continues.
12th of Sun’s Dawn, 4e 202
Dear Ambarys,
I’m not certain what I can tell you. Yes, I spoke with Kethrina. We both wanted each other to withdraw from the civil war, and neither of us could do that. I asked her to join me in fighting Alduin, but she refused. I still don’t understand why.
We claimed the Rift, although I doubt things will change in the capital. Maven was running things in Riften even before she officially became the Jarl.
We will win this war, but for now I need to concentrate on fighting Alduin. I was able to fight and defeat him at the Throat of the World, but he fled to Sovngarde. There he will hunt and eat the souls of the honored dead, stealing their strength.
To learn where Alduin’s portal is located, I need to capture one of his lieutenants and interrogate him. The best place to do that will be Dragonsreach. To that end, I asked Jarl Balgruuf for help, and he agreed on the condition that I help the Greybeards arrange a truce between the two sides so that his city will be safe from the Stormcloaks while we’re trapping the dragon.
General Tullius wasn’t difficult to convince, skeptical as he was.
Jarl Ulfric was more difficult. Being in the Palace of Kings itself was a difficult experience by itself. Skald the Elder, Laila Law-Giver, their families, and stewards were dining at the long table before the throne. All of them were glaring at me, as if I were the sole cause of their problems. Nevertheless, I was able to convince Ulfric to come to the conference.
These will be difficult negotiations. Wish me luck.
Sincerely Yours,
Tervesa
8th of Sun’s Dawn, 4E 202
Dear Tervesa,
My agent told me what happened during your meeting, what he could tell me anyway. He claimed he couldn’t understand much of what the two of you were saying, but I know that he could have transcribed your conversation phonetically, and I or any other Dunmer agent could have translated it for him. For some reason, he didn’t. I don’t suppose you know why?
What happened in that skooma den?
My patrons and I celebrated when we heard the Legion captured the Rift. Malthyr openly wondered if this means Black-Briar mead will be cheaper. From what you’ve told me about Maven, I’m pretty sure that will never happen.
This just leaves Winterhold and Windhelm doesn’t it? I can’t believe we’re so close to reunifying Skyrim. I wonder if the mages at the College will fight for one side or the other? What do you think?
You know you can always talk to me.
Ambarys
3rd of Sun’s Dawn, 4E 202
These last hours have felt so surreal.
When I arrived at at the Throat of the World, Paarthurnax instructed me to read the scroll at the “time wound”, the exact point where the banishment ritual took place. I could see it, a circle of air that moved differently from the rest of the mountaintop. It felt strange to step inside it.
I paused for a moment, prayed, and then unfurled the scroll.
I was immediately transported to the past, and yet I wasn’t. I was watching everything through a screen, as if the Elder Scroll had become transparent, with various symbols flying through my vision apparently at random.
Dozens of dragons flew through the skies, their roars surrounding me. A few feet from me, almost close enough to touch, two heroes fought and killed one of the dragons. I was able to hear their names, Gormlaith Golden-Hilt and Hakon One-Eye, faced it bravely even in the face of its fire breath.
Gormlaith delivered the death blow from atop its head, a move I felt was equal parts brave and insane.
After the dragon was dead, the pair were joined by an older Nord, Felldir the Old, who pulled out an Elder Scroll from his Greybeard robes.
Then Alduin himself attacked them, and it was that moment I heard the words of the first Shout created by mortals: Joor, Zah, Frul. It forced Alduin to crash land to the ground.
Alduin was shocked and furious, and I watched the trio bravely fight him, but the effects didn’t last. Alduin grabbed Gormlaith and threw her to the ground like a terrier would a rat, and soon Hakon was crippled.
Finally Felldir used the Elder Scroll to banish Alduin. There was a sphere of green energy around the dragon, then he disappeared, and vision ended.
I was still recovering from the experience when Alduin arrived. Paarthurnax distracted him long enough for me to regain my bearings, saving my life.
The words of power erupted from my throat, and Alduin crashed to the ground in front of me. After that I didn’t waste any time, throwing everything I had against him until he collapsed.
Alduin acknowledged my strength, and then he fled. Paarthurnax told me he went to Sovngarde to devour the souls of the dead and grow stronger, but he didn’t know the location of the portal.
The only way I can follow Alduin is to capture one of his lieutenants and question him. Paarthurnax suggested using Dragonsreach, where Olaf One-Eyed captured and held Numinex.
This will be a challenge. No sane person is going to be eager to have a dragon in his city. Nevertheless, I don’t have a choice but to ask.
First though, General Tullius has ordered me to help regain the Rift, and Legate Rikke has specifically told me that she needs me.
I will assist Rikke, then request leave to ask Jarl Balgruuf to help me capture a dragon.
2nd of Sun’s Dawn, 4E 202
Our conversation proved meaningless, unsurprisingly. Neither of us was willing to capitulate to the other. She is consumed by her quest for vengeance, and I refused to deter from my duty.
Kethrina left a satchel behind, saying it was a gift. I had no idea what was in it, and I just carried it with me to Riften. I had intended to return to Urag and ask for his advice on where to find an Elder Scroll, but I didn’t feel very optimistic about that.
I waited to open the satchel until I was in my room at the Bee and Barb and certain I wasn’t being watched. I withdrew a leather-wrapped bundle, untied the bounds … and was left in complete shock.
I don’t know how, I’m not sure why, but Kethrina had given me an Elder Scroll!
There’s so much I don’t understand. Kethrina’s helping me for some reason. I wish I had time to ponder this, but I can’t. I have the Elder Scroll I need. I’ll recover my strength in Ivarstead, then climb to the Throat of the World.
1st of Sun’s Dawn, 4E 202
To General Tullius:
Kaushad arrived at the Redwater Den in the pre-dawn hours. There was a moment when I thought her contact would meet her outside, especially when a dragon attacked, but Kaushad defeated it alone.
I found a bench with the best view possible and pretended to drink skooma for several minutes, during which Kaushad sat alone quietly.
Eventually another person approached her from behind. The person appeared to be female and shorter than Kaushad, but she wore a robe with a hood, obscuring everything else.
They spoke softly in Dunmeris, a language I only barely speak. Because of that and the surrounding noise, I could only understand some of their conversation.
Kaushad wanted the woman to join her in fighting the dragons, but the woman refused. Her tone suggested regret.
The woman tried to convince Kaushad to leave Skyrim and stay out of her way, Kaushad replied she couldn’t do that as long as Alduin and the dragons threatened Skyrim. The woman was displeased, but seemed to grudgingly acknowledge the point.
They went back and forth like this for some time. They seemed to be trying to negotiate a way to avoid killing each other in the future, but neither seemed willing to budge on her position.
Eventually the two realized they were at a standstill. The woman rose, drank an invisibility potion, and left in the direction she came, but she left behind a satchel. I was unable to follow her.
Kaushad remained for a time, sipping wine thoughtfully and staring pensively at the satchel. Then she rose, took the satchel, and left the den.
Kaushad is currently staying at Vilemyr Inn in Ivarstead and has been staying there for the past day.
I will continue to update you regarding the situation as I learn more.
Sincerely,
A.
29th of Morning Star, 4E 202
Dear Ambarys,
I need a favor.
I know you have several covert agents stationed near you. I need to borrow one of them as quickly as possible, immediately if you can manage it.
I’ve been asked to talk with someone important on very short notice, but I want someone to observe the meeting and record it if possible.
Send whoever you can spare to the Bee and Barb in Riften as soon as possible.
I can’t explain everything now, but I promise I will when I can.
Thanks old friend. I owe you for this.
Sincerely Yours,
Tervesa
28th of Morning Star, 4E 202
To Tervesa Kaushad, Dragonborn:
I have no doubt you’ve learned much about me, and I have learned just as much about you.
I’d like to meet you, I want to talk. You and I are on a course that will inevitably lead us to fight each other, perhaps kill each other.
I want us to avoid that if we can. We may be on different sides, but a fight between us would only benefit Alduin and his dragon legions. Would you be willing to talk with me?
If so, meet me at the Redwater Den, west of Autumnshade Clearing. I will have a lantern burning by the entrance.
I realize you’re not likely to trust me, but I will agree to a temporary truce for the duration of our meeting and for one hour afterward. This I promise, from one Dragonborn to another.
Tel’kiira Kethrina
27th of Morning Star, 4E 202
I had no idea what Ambarys was trying to accomplish by sending me these fragments, but it wasn’t as if I had anything else to do.
Working on this puzzle gives me a headache too, and I have no idea why, but when Ambarys told me this was a document I got an idea to take it to Urag gro-Shub at the College. I’m surprised Kethrina never thought of that.
Urag seemed disinterested at first, but something in the pieces caught his curiosity. We worked together to assemble them, and after several hours we made a remarkable discovery.
It’s an Elder Scroll!
Urag was ecstatic and demanded to know how I obtained these pieces. I told him the truth, how they were recovered from a Memory Crystal belonging to Kethrina, then produced the journal entry where she described finding them. I decided the more information I gave him, the more he would help me.
Urag listened rapturously every moment, constantly taking notes. He theorized that this may have been originally taken by the Dwemer in an attempt to read an Elder Scroll without experiencing the effects on the sight or the mind. I have a feeling he’s going to write a treatise on this one day.
It’s extremely corrupted though, so I doubt Paarthurnax would be able to use it. As fun as this puzzle was, it really isn’t useful to me.
I’m afraid I will have to contact Delvin in the guild, but I really don’t want to go that route. Maybe Legate Rikke will have some advice, or perhaps she can convince General Tullius of my need for this.
26th of Morning Star, 4E 202
Dear Tervesa,
I’m not sure how you can get out of this quandary. Trust the government to make things harder and more complicated than they have to be. I’ve contacted some people I know in the Legion, but so far I’m getting the same roadblocks as you. I’ll let you know the moment anything changes.
I’d get in trouble for saying this, but you might consider hiring the Thieves Guild to steal it.
This isn’t just an image, someone tried to copy a document. I’m sending you all of the fragments and the progress I’ve made in this puzzle. I don’t know why, but I think it might help you with something. Good luck.
Ambarys
24th of Morning Star, 4E 202
A major regret I have about becoming a werewolf is that I never have truly restful sleep. It makes it considerably more difficult to deal with stress.
Once I broke through his paranoia and fatalism though, he turned out to be a fascinating man. I enjoyed conversing with him about Akaviri history on the way to Riverwood. I just wish he had been willing to wear some armor during our journey.
Somehow, I doubt the appearance of a dragon outside of Karthspire was a coincidence. As if the Forsworn weren’t enough.
Inside were more Forsworn and booby-trap puzzles, ending in a blood seal only the blood of a Dragonborn could unlock.
As Esbern predicted, inside the temple was Alduin’s Wall, a large stone relief depicting the history and prophecy of Alduin and the Dragonborn. To Delphine’s chagrin, we learned the Tongues used an unknown Shout to defeat the World-Eater.
I didn’t see a problem with asking Arngeir about this Shout, but Delphine certainly did. She believes the Greybeards refrain from using their power because they’re afraid of that power. She also claimed they were afraid of me.
I wish I knew what led her to feel so bitter towards the Greybeards, but I’m willing to speculate that it was similar to what led Arngeir to feel bitter towards the Blades. Just when I thought I found someone without a bias or an agenda.
By the time I convinced Arngeir that I needed this Shout to stop Alduin, I was ready to thrust my head into a snowdrift to ease the throbbing pain. He taught me the Clear Skies Shout, and with it I ascended the mountain and met the leader of the Greybeards, Paarthurnax. In retrospect, I should’ve know he was a dragon. Delphine isn’t going to like this.
Paarthurnax told me that he didn’t know the Shout, called Dragonrend, but there was a way I could learn it. It’ll require me to find an Elder Scroll, which he’ll use to cast me back to when Alduin was first defeated, allowing me to speak with the three Tongues who first used Dragonrend.
And that has led me to my current bureaucratic absurdity. Kethrina found an Elder Scroll five months ago, which she left at the Blue Palace. I know for a fact that the Legion has possession of that scroll. I personally asked General Tullius to borrow it, and I fully explained why I need it, but he refused to allow me to have it.
Shor’s bones, what I am supposed to do now?
20th of Morning Star, 4E 202
Dear Ambarys,
Thanks for the information. Recently I had a long talk with Isran, the head of the Dawnguard. I’ve been a member for some time, although Isran understands that my duties as Prefect (yes, I’ve been promoted) take precedence. We both know that this civil war is only making it easier for vampires to operate in Skyrim.
Isran confirmed my worst fears. Kethrina is a vampire lord. Several weeks ago a squad of our vampire hunters discovered her and attempted to kill her. We’re not sure exactly what happened, as none of the squad survived. All we do have is a log book a squad member kept, apparently to keep track of how many vampires he killed.
However, the log book clearly states that Kethrina showed all the signs of being a vampire, and at one point she transformed into a monstrous figure with wings. No “thin-blooded” vampire can transform in such a way, and you can’t accidentally become a vampire lord either. She would have needed to actively seek this out.
I won’t lie to you Ambarys, I’m frightened. It’s one thing to side with the Stormcloaks, it’s another to willingly embrace the blessings of Molag Bal.
I feel like we’re both assembling resources to fight each other. She has the Stormcloaks, I the Legion. She has the Volkihar vampire clan, I have the Dawnguard. She’s a vampire lord, and I’m a werewolf. And both of us are Dragonborn, killing dragons and stealing their power.
We have both become very powerful. If it comes to a battle between us, who would win? And what would become of the field on which we fought?
I’m sorry to burden you with my fears. I just don’t know who else I can talk to. It’s not as if there’s another friendly Dragonborn out there. And everyone else I could speak to, Rikke, Delphine, Arngeir, either have no true understanding of this or have their own agenda they want to force onto me.
You’re one of the oldest friends I have, and the one I can rely on to be both down to earth and impartial. Thank you.
Sincerely Yours,
Tervesa
19th of Morning Star, 4E 202
Dear Tervesa,
I can’t believe you’re Harbringer. Is it true Kodlak was a werewolf? That all of the Companions are werewolves? Wait, does that mean you’re one too?
I’ve heard you’ve retaken the Pale. Most of my patrons are quietly optimistic about the Legion’s success, but of course no one’s saying it publically. I’m surprised Kethrina wasn’t fighting at Fort Dunstad or at Dawnstar itself. Unfortunately I have no idea where she is or what she’s doing, and my friend at the palace told me Ulfric doesn’t know either.
What is the Legion’s next target? Winterhold? The Rift? Let me know when you plan to attack Windhelm. I want to get as many of my people as I can either out of the city or hiding in basements by then.
I’ll send you an update as soon as I know anything about Kethrina.
Ambarys
16th of Morning Star, 4E 202
We have retaken the Pale and removed a foolish jarl from power. Legate Brina Merilis holds power here now. I’ve been told that Skald the Elder is now living in exile at the Palace of Kings. Gods be thanked, no one in town was hurt or killed. I would like to hope that we’ll fare just as well in the other holds, but I doubt it.
I decided to do a few jobs for the Companions and gain some more training at Jorrvaskr before reporting to Legate Rikke at Rift Imperial Camp. Aela tasked me to clear out a Silver Hand hideout, and later Vilkas had me rescue an elderly man who had been kidnapped by vampires.
Kodlak had learned of Aela’s crusade by the time I returned from rescuing the old man and asked to see me. I decided to be honest with him, which he seemed to appreciate, even though our actions saddened him. He then told me the history of our lycanthropy and how he could be cured. I agreed to help.
I spent the next day or so killing the Glenmoril witches and harvesting their heads, but when I returned, I discovered the Silver Hand had attacked Jorrvaskr. Several of my brothers had been injured, and Kodlak had been killed.
Vilkas and I are trekking to Driftshade Refuge. The Silver Hand are about realize they’ve just kicked a giant hornet’s nest.
