[ 18 years before the events of Book 1]
The winds tore through the mountains of Hjaalmarch. It was one of the smaller holds of Skyrim with a crescent-shaped mountain range hiding it from the east parts of the continent. There was a man braving these windy peaks on this day. He was covered in foreign garbs and carried a dead goat over his shoulder. Each step presented great resistance as if the winds themselves did not wish to see him progress. He came to a cave with a river flowing out of it. He could hear the water fall inside feeding the stream, accompanied by loud and slow breathing. The man quickly made his way into the cave to escape the elements. He was covered in snow and shaking from the cold temperatures. His face was completely covered, only showing his eyes. The cave was dark, with only a small portion of it receiving light from a whole at the top of the cave. The man walked further in as the strange breathing grew closer. Then a very deep and tired voice spoke out from the darkness.
Voice: Are you planning on making these trips every year? Will I never be able to die in peace?
The man dropped the goat on the ground and dragged it over to where the voice came from.
Man: Oh don't be like that Zindreyth buddy. You might not miss me much, but I know you miss the free food.
He then leaves the goat on the ground and walks over to a torch that was mounted between two rocks, which he also used to take a seat and remove his face coverings. He raises his hand to the torch and uses a light fire spell to set it ablaze. Now that the cave was illuminated, there was a large creature that could be seen in the corner lying on the ground. It was a dragon, an old one that had long lost it's fight. It raised it's head slowly and moved it toward the goat. It sniffed the goat a few times before snapping it into it's jaws and raising its head to swallow it whole. The man watched as the dragon digested the goat having now removed his face cowling completely. It was a redguard man in his late 20's, with mid length dreadlocks and a full flowing beard. He stared at the dragon while it ate in amazement. Once done, the dragon lowered it's head back to the ground and let out a sigh.
Zindreyth: What is it now Falwon? Come to regale me with the tales of your adventures of late?
Falwon: Hey,…no need to be so sarcastic. Besides, you love it when I visit.
Zindreyth: As you said,…I love only the goats. (Licks Teeth) Oh I do so love the goats.
Falwon: Ah you don't mean that. You know you're growing bitter in your old age.
Zindreyth: I am not simply getting old. I am dying. Something I wish to do in peace. These visits of yours only put me at risk of being found by other humans.
Falwon took out a decorative pipe and a flask from his satchel. He held the pipe up to the torch's flame until it began to smoke. He then placed it in his mouth and took a puff as he began opening the flask.
Falwon: I get it. You've lived a long peaceful life. And now that you can't hunt anymore, you wish to die quietly and alone. Trust me I understand. I just hate the last part. (Takes sip from flask) No one should have to die in solitude from starvation.
Zindreyth: It is the fate I have chosen. I did not wish to wage war on the humans like my brethren. So because I chose peace to live,…It is also how I shall go.
Falwon: I wanted to ask you about that. What was it that kept you from warring with humans like the other dragons?
Zindreyth: I saw how rage and hatred had corrupted the minds of my brothers and sisters. Dragons are destructive, battle prone creatures by nature. But only living by one's baser instincts is not living at all. It is a death in and of itself. Alduin was a fool for thinking he could destroy humanity. Not because he failed or because he couldn't, but because it served no real purpose. Humans, dragons, and every other creature imaginable were meant to be here,…or else they would not. Such is the way of this world.
Falwon: Do you not sometimes regret not fighting alongside your brethren?
Zindreyth: My kin would still be alive and well if they had not all died in the war. I am proof of this. My time here is nearing it's end. But I have lived a long and peaceful life. I regret nothing. I only feel sadness that the others could not live long and happy lives as I have.
Falwon sat on the rock next to the torch, still drinking and smoking his pipe. He'd grown quiet from pondering the words of Zindreyth. He still had questions, but the creature was easily annoyed as of late, and he did not wish to anger him. Falwon had been coming to visit Zindreyth for a handful of years now. They had become close friends since he first discovered the dragon living out his final days in this cave. He hated to see the beast wither away, so he'd bring him goats from time to time as means to quiet the hunger pains. Zindreyth however was content with dying this way. He valued Falwon's friendship, but did not wish to sadden him with his inedible passing. Despite his efforts to dissuade him, Falwon would show up every year with a freshly killed goat on his shoulder. It seemed it could not be helped. He looked over at Falwon who seemed to be in deep thought.
Zindreyth: What is on your mind Falwon? You've stopped badgering me with questions.
Falwon: I was just pondering your words. I often wonder if I should be back home aiding in the fight against the invading Nords, instead of all this,…traveling and trading nonsense.
Zindreyth: You do not like the work that you do?
Falwon: (Blows smoke out of nose) I love it actually. Seeing different places, meeting people. Oh the things I've gleaned over the years. But sometimes I wonder,…maybe there is something more important I should be doing. Something that matters to others,…not just myself.
Zindreyth: The human lifespan is entirely too short to live for others. Even more so to die for them. We are alike in our way of thinking. Despite the violent nature of dova and man, there are a few who recognize the futility in war. It is endless. An insatiable beast that destroys itself and everything around it.
Falwon: Do you think your fellow dova would consider you a coward? For choosing not to fight.
Zindreyth: There would be no consideration. Had I openly spoke out against them,…I'd have been killed. They acted this way out of fear of Alduin and his power. Not because they considered all of the options. This makes them the cowards. This, you are not.
Falwon: What makes you so sure?
Zindreyth: You could have chosen to kill me in my weakened state, but you did not. You were afraid,…and so was I to have been discovered. But we did not let that fear control our actions. Because of that, we now have this unlikely companionship of ours. Imagine if every dova and human decided to talk. Imagine the things we could have accomplished.
Falwon: I guess there's truth there. I may be a warrior,…but killing is never the first thing that crosses my mind.
A light breeze seeped in from the top of the cave causing the flame from the torch to flicker a bit. It began stealing the smoke from Falwon's pipe, that was then spirited away into the open air. He and his old friend sat in calm reflection for a moment. Zindreyth had begun sniffing the air as it passed his snout; one of the few joys still allowed to him in his declining state. He enjoyed this for a moment until a familiar scent hit his nose.
Zindreyth: Falwon,…I think you should leave.
Falwon lowered his pipe from his mouth and looked to Zindreyth with confusion. Before the dragon could open his mouth again to speak, the winds picked up violently, and immediately blew out the torch. They both now sat in darkness, with only the flame from his pipe being visible. Falwon had an odd feeling. He was afraid to move for some reason. Why did he feel this oppressive force all of a sudden.
Zindreyth: They've come.
Falwon raised his fist while charging an alteration spell. He then opened his hand and released a small orb of light into the air above him. The very moment he saw light, he also saw bodies, three of them standing all around him. They were all wearing masks and orange robes with gilded shoulder armor that ran down a single arm. They were cultists. Falwon had never laid eyes on them before. He knew not the reason for this intrusion. One of the men tilted his head as they all stood sternly.
Cultist 1: You're in our way mortal. Move!
The man immediately lifts his leg and boots Falwon out of the cave with monstrous force. As he went tumbling out into the snow, only stopping for a large pine tree that broke his fall, one of the men stepped out of the cave with blades in hand. The first cultist places a hand on his shoulder.
Cultist 1: None see and live.
Cultist 2: Don't worry,…(Cracks neck on both sides) This won't take long at all.
The man then crouches right before he jettisons himself down the mountain after Falwon who was disoriented from the force of that attack. He struggles to his feet while using the tree as a crutch.
Falwon: Dammit,…why the hell was that guy so strong?
He looked up to see a blade racing to his neck almost faster than he could process. He had no time to draw his scimitar. All he could muster was a roll to the side as the blade cleaved through the tree that broke his fall. It was a clean cut. So clean that the broad tree seemed unharmed. The man ground his feet into the snow to kill his momentum. Falwon turned in the man's direction, but his line of sight was cut off by the tree, but not for long. The tree began making deep and sharp crackling noises. Slow and spaced out at first, but then gradually growing into a symphony of groans until the tree began to lose its upright posture. The tree was tall, taking some time to completely fall into the snow with a booming crash, and with enough force to shake loose the snow on every surrounding tree on the mountainside. Falwon drew his blade as the view of his opponent was no longer obscured.
Falwon: I suppose asking why you're doing this is pointless now?
Cultist 2: Not any business of a mortal like you I can assure.
The man begins rushing up the hill at Falwon with both of his blades pointed outward.
Falwon: I don't have time for this. Zindreyth is in trouble. But he's not going to let me turn my back on him so easily.
Falwon was cunning. His mind was a thousand times sharper than his blade ever was. If only he had more time to assess the situation he might still save Zindreyth, but his opponent was nigh.
Inside the cave you could hear the groans of an old beast and the sounds of fighting. The other two cultists were attempting to fell the dragon, but even in his feeble state he managed to put up a fight. Finally one of the cultists managed to drive their sword deep into the dragon's side. Zindreyth reeled from this blow, and kicked the cultist away from him, but could fight back no longer. He was quickly loosing blood and all his strength with it. The dragon slowly fell to the ground, trying with all his might to back away from his attackers.
Cultist 1: There it is, won't be long now.
He then pulled a strange looking soul gem from his waste band. It was certainly no ordinary gem. It seemed to have scales lain into the crystal itself. The other cultist rose to his feet with a bloodied sword in hand.
Cultist 3: The relic the master gave you. And this,…will trap the soul of a dragon?
He held the soul gem in front of him.
Cultist 1: Don't you understand what this is? Essentially the dragonborn is a living, breathing soul gem, especially made to house the soul of a dragon. Once our master merges with this, he will control the next line of dragonborn. Think about it. An entire lineage of the most powerful humans under his name. It only need contain one,…soul of an elder dragon. (Turns head toward Zindreyth) And this one is quite elderly wouldn't you agree?
Cultist 3: I see. Then let's be done with it.
The cultist moves the strike the dragon down when suddenly, something round passes by his shoulder, landing on the ground with a thud. He looked down to see it was the head of his comrade. His mask broken and showing the horrified and shocked expression in his eyes. The cultist turned around to see Falwon standing in the door of the cave. Now would have been the time for a witty remark, but he had just noticed the wound Zindreyth had suffered.
Cultist 1: (Turns around to Falwon) Persistent this one. No matter,…we shall do what our comrade could not.
He raises his hand while powering up a large fire spell. Zindreyth feared for Falwon. He knew he would not survive a fight against both of them. As both cultist trained their attention on him, Zindreyth began slowly raising his head.
Falwon: No buddy save your strength!
His words went unheard. Zindreyth cocked his head back one last time and unleashed a hell storm upon the cultists. They had no time to react. Immediately the cave lit up with blinding flames as they were burned to cinders while screaming in agony. Zindreyth gave the blast all he had. Not stopping until all that remained were piles of ash. In one of them lay the dragon soul gem, untouched by the flame. His blast was interrupted by a fit of coughing, followed by the spitting up of blood. All of his energy was spent in the excursion. His head soon dropped to ground with a thud as Falwon ran over to him. He frantically looked around the cave for something to help his friend with tears forming in his eyes.
Falwon: Don't worry I got you friend. I'll find some-
Zindreyth: Spare me your aid Falwon. I need you to hear me (Cough) And hear me well.
Falwon stopped immediately, growing completely silent as he stared at the ground that was now being covered with the blood of his companion. He was emotional, but he knew Zindreyth had something important to say.
Zindreyth: Those men,…they wished to capture my soul. Using that soul gem over there.
Falwon: I don't understand. Is something like that even possibly?
Zindreyth: Their aim was to have control over who is the next dragonborn,…and with it, their master would be able to do so. (coughs blood) I want you to finish what they set out to do.
Falwon: You can't be serious. You want me to trap your soul in that crystal? For what? What even is a dragonborn?
Zindreyth: Listen! Time is short. I will leave this life soon. Once that happens my soul will leave my body. I want you to capture it, and keep it out of the hands of the one called Miraak. He is the master they serve. He was once a formidable enemy to dragons, a hero of the people. He was dragonborn. But now he only serves himself and his own lofty ambitions.
Falwon: What am I to do with it once it is done?
Zindreyth: You will be the chooser of the next dragonborn. Whosoever you choose will be the key to stopping this war he intends to wage.
Falwon: If I take your soul,…with this gem,…how will you find peace,… in the afterlife?
Zindreyth: It seems I will not. (Cough, cough) I apparently have one last war to fight. This time it will be on the side of man.
Falwon went to pick the soul from the pile of ashes. He looked it over while slowly turning it in his hands.
Falwon: I'm gonna need more instructions on how to use this thing. I don't know the first thing about trappings souls. How will I know who to choose?
Falwon looked up while waiting for a response. He soon realized that he wasn't getting one. In his confusion Zindreyth had slipped off into an eternal slumber. Falwon could hear the last breath exiting his lungs as his body turned lifeless.
Falwon: Wait Zin you can't leave me just yet. I don't know what I'm doing! I need answers in order to-
He was suddenly cut off by a bright swirling gust of wind emitting from the dragon's corpse. The force of the wind flung back Falwons cloak as the body began glowing. Falwon had never seen such a force. It was the power of a dragon's soul. He sat there on his knees holding the soul gem in his hands, watching the glowing gust swirl about. Despite the sadness he felt, he was stricken by the beauty of it all. It was a tempest of lights swirling out of the body of the dragon and into the air. Then, as if drawn into a void, the aura of his soul was violently sucked into the soul gem. It took everything in Falwon not to drop it as it shook violently while the soul entered. Soon the light was gone, and the soul completely absorbed into the gem. The cave was now dark again. with only the moonlight reflecting off of the pool of blood on the ground. Falwon sat in the blood puddle on his knees, clutching the soul gem tightly as tears ran down his cheek. He was saddened at the loss of his close friend, but now he had more pressing issues on the mind. What would this mean for him, for the world? How was he supposed to stop another dragon war? How would he choose the next dragonborn? He almost grew angry at the amount of questions Zindreyth had left him with. Selfishly burdening him with this task right before slipping off into death. He managed to calm himself and rose to his feet. He stared calmly at he soul gem, now glowing with a soul inside of it.
Falwon: Fine,…have it your way friend. But one day,…we will meet on The Far Shores. And when we do,…your getting an earful about this.
He laughed to himself for a moment while wiping his tears. His clothes now cover in blood. He gathered his things and began making his way to the entrance of the cave. He stopped and took one last gaze upon the deceased wyrm.
Falwon: Until then my friend.
Chapter End -