Skyrim: A Nord's Tale

Twenty Four

When Esbern pulls out the Skyhaven book, Delphine looks at him in utter shock. "Esbern, how-how did you manage to get this? The temple was destroyed when the Thalmor took over and all the books along with it."

Esbern looks at his friend with a grin. "I knew that the Thalmor would be coming for the temple, so for weeks I stayed there, copying the wall's glyph into this book. To anyone but the Akaviri or those educated in their writings, the glyphs would be utter nonsense."

"And you are?" Elisia asks looking interested.

"Quite," Esbern replies and he opens the flap of the journal. He grabs one of the pages and pulls, several pages follow the first, flowing over the table until the whole width of the table is covered.

Curious, I walk over to the table and touch the edge of one page. I flip the page over and find that the edge of one page was laid over the other then the two were sewn together. "Did you do this?" I ask Esbern.

The old man looks at me and when he sees what I am referring to he shakes his head. "No, one of my friends, Kyla was the Blades record keeper. Before she came to Skyrim, she bound books as her living in the Imperial City of Cyrodil. So when I had finally finished my work with Alduin's Wall, I took it to her and she did the rest."

Turning his attention back to the book, Esbern places a finger on a glyph. "Look here is Alduin. This panel goes back to the beginning of time, when Alduin and the Dragon Cult ruled over Skyrim." Moving his finger to the next page he comments, "Here, the humans rebel against their dragon overlords -- the Legendary Dragon War." Moving to the centre of the table he places his hands on either side of the page. "Alduin's defeat is the centre piece of the Wall. You see, here he is falling from the sky. The Nord Tongues -- Masters of the Voice -- are arrayed against him."

I move to his side and look down at the page Esbern is referring to. "So, does it show how they defeated him?"

Esbern looks at me chuckling, "Patience my dear. The Akaviri were not a straightforward people. Everything is couched in allegory and mythic symbolism." Esbern looks down at the paper with a furrowed brow and is silent for several moments. Finally his expression clears and he says with satisfaction, "Yes, yes. This here, coming from the mouths of the Nord heroes -- The Akaviri symbol for Shout. But there is no way to know which shout is meant..."

Feeling a surge of hope for the first time I ask excitedly, "You mean they used a shout to defeat Alduin? You're sure?"

Esbern seems lost in thought and he replies, "Hmm? Oh, yes. Presumably something rather specific to dragons, or even Alduin himself. Remember, this is where they recorded all they knew of Alduin and his return."

Delphine leans against the wall and comments, "So we're looking for a shout then."

She sounds angry and I look at her in surprise. "What's wrong?"

"Have you ever heard of such a thing? A shout that can knock a dragon out of the sky?" Delphine still sounds angry and I'm started to get a little nervous myself.

"The Greybeards might know," I suggest.

Delphine kicks a chair and it tumbles to the floor. Esbern looks at her sternly and Elisia's hands are crackling with flames. Taking a deep breath, Delphine closes her eyes and when she opens them, she focuses them on the ceiling. "You're probably right. I was hoping to avoid having to involve them in this, but it seems we have no choice."

My nervousness changes to uneasiness and it forms like a pit in my stomach. "What do you have against the Greybeards?"

Delphine locks her jaw and refuses to look at me.

"Delphine," Esbern says sternly.

Delphine glares at her friend venomously. "It doesn't matter, you and Elisia need to return to High Hrothgar and talk to Arngeir about this thrice blasted shout." With that, she turns around and exits the room closing the wardrobe with a loud snap.

Feeling utterly confused, I look at Esbern for answers.

Esbern sighs, "The Greybeards and the Blades have been at odds for over a century. The controversy over what the Dragonborn's role in Tamriel should be is and always was the most heated debate. But no matter what our debate, we have always been united by the Dragonborn. When the Thalmor ordered the disbanding of the Blades, we expected the Greybeards to come to our aid, when they didn't... Well we were wiped out, the few of us that survived... You've met us. We had to go into hiding to survive and Delphine has never forgiven them for that. She blames them for the destruction of our world."

Elisia scratches her ear and asks, "And what do you think?"

Esbern's eyes are alight with fire and he answers, "No one is to blame but the Thalmor. Them and the White Gold Concordat. The Greybeards were just following their principle of staying apart from conflict, that in itself is The Way of the Voice."

I feel some sympathy for Delphine but my loyalty to the Greybeards is stronger. "Delphine's right, we need to get back to High Hrothgar. Thank you for your help Esbern, if it's not too much trouble-"

The fire has died from Esbern's eyes and he folds the paper back into journal, and hands it to me. "I have no more use for it, but be careful with it. This journal is the product of centuries of knowledge and weeks of hard work, it means much to me."

"You will get it back," I reply sincerely. "Every page."

Esbern gives me a grateful nod and leads the way up the stairs.

Elisia tries to convince me to stay in Riverwood for a few days to regain our strength and rest. But I can barely stand to be in the same room with Delphine because of the tension so we only stay for two days before heading back to Ivarstead.

We're passing by Valtheim when Elisia pulls Titus to a stop. "Alright, you have not said one word since we left Riverwood. What's wrong?"

I pull Brin to a stop and take a deep breath. "I'm not sure about Delphine... If I am asked to go one way or the other I cast my lot with the Greybeards, they taught me how to use my power first and I - I just don't know if we can trust the Blades."

Elisia nods. "I know how you feel. The Greybeards are definitely more open minded than the Blades, but we need them and they have not failed us yet. Do not give up on them so easily."

"I know and for now nothing will change. I just have a feeling that a time will come when the Blades give up on me."

***

Hey guys!!

Now I know that this is not the way that the Dragonborn learns about Alduin's Wall in the actual video game but... A lot of this story just seems to be about traveling and I don't want to bore you guys with all the traveling.

Its boring to write too actually hahaha :)

Anyway guys I hope you enjoyed this chapter, don't forget to leave comments on what you think!! Please do, it makes my day so much better and it will make this story a lot better too!!