We're back at the Vilemyr Inn, and I wish I was as sure about things now as I was when I went to bed last night.

  Especially after those Cultists.

  They were wearing strange masks and claiming that I'm not actually the Dragonborn?

  I don't know what to do!

  So much happened today. It even started with a fight!

  As soon as we set foot outside the Inn, a vampire and two death hounds jumped us! We and the guards fought them off, but not before I got infected.

  Erandur's still paranoid about that, but I have a bunch of potions on me, and they seemed to do the trick. I promised to get a blessing from the first shrine we come across.

  Anyway, once all the ruckus calmed down from that, we went to cross the bridge to get to the mountain path. There, we ran into a Nord and a Bosmer, Klimmek and Gwilin. They were talking about Klimmek making a food delivery to the Greybeards, and the man was complaining about how his knees weren't what they used to be.

  So, I volunteered to make it for him. I mean, we were headed there anyway!

  Klimmek was happy that I was willing to help, and gave me a knapsack full of food. He said it was salted meat and other things that can keep for a good while. He doesn't charge for it or anything. It's just something he's been doing for years.

  There's good people here in Ivarstead.

  With that, we were on our way up the seven thousand steps.

  Honestly, I don't think it was that many, but Mara's tits, it felt like it!

  In terms of animals on the way up, we ran into some frost trolls, bears, and wolves. A LOT of wolves. There's plenty of goats around for them to eat, and I picked up some goat legs for us to have later, too.

  Along the way, here and there, are little stone altars? They're not tall like pillars; they're sort of like headstones, actually, but they all have tablets with inscriptions on them. There's ten of them, and they tell the story of the dragons and how people learned to Shout. They also told about Jurgen Windcaller, and how the Greybeards summoned Tiber Septim - Talos - to High Hrothgar.

  It feels strange to know that I walked the same path Tiber Septim did. There've been other Dragonborn between him and me, but according to Lydia, they weren't called to High Hrothgar like I was.

  What makes me different?

  I asked the others this at the time, and they - My friends said they didn't know.

  Divines, I know they're my friends, but it feels so strange to put it down on paper.

  Anyway, I thought about it a lot as I walked up, and even more as we walked back down, after what I'd learned.

  We were all pretty quiet on the way up. They knew I was nervous, and didn't push me to keep moving or anything when I'd stop to read the tablets, or walk to the edge of the path to look out over the land. Even Erandur hardly said a word.

  The view is amazing, I'll give it that.

  On the way up we ran into two pilgrims. The first one, a hunter, we ran into before we reached the first stone tablet. He was on his way down and said he'd heard the Greybeards when they Shouted for me. He shuddered at the memory of it, and said he wasn't sure what it meant.

  Same here, and I've talked to them!

  The second person we met was a woman, clearly a warrior, sitting in front of the fourth tablet. She said she made the climb every few years just to meditate on the words. Unlike the hunter, she was excited to have heard the voice of the Greybeards!

  As we went up, the weather got colder and colder, and the wind picked up. At times the snow was blowing so badly I couldn't see the world past the mountain at all! I kept having to use Wolfskin and Bask just to keep from freezing, and Erandur and I both kept torches up. Valdimar admitted that he was glad for the extra protection the Elven armor gave him from the wind. He said it was "A bit chilly".

  The second to last tablet is right before High Hrothgar, set into the base of a statue of Talos. I took a moment to look up at him after I read the tablet, and wondered if he was just as confused as I was. Was he scared, too? He'd only been a boy, and there I was, a grown woman, afraid of what I'd see in the building just up the path from where I stood.

  High Hrothgar looks more like a fortress than a monastery, with wide steps that split around a tall tower. At the base of the tower is a chest for placing food, and a bunch of offerings left by pilgrims. Klimmek said he's never seen one of the Greybeards, but he's glad for it. He heard they could kill with a whisper!

  The final tablet is by the steps, so I read it, then walked up to the chest and put the supplies in.

  I was so tempted to turn around and go back down, but I made myself go left, up the curved steps. I stopped outside the big metal double doors that lead into the building.

  I didn't want to go in, and when I told the others, all the fears I'd confessed to Wilhelm and then some came tumbling out. Erandur and Valdimar tried to calm me down gently, but Lydia surprised all of us by interrupting me with a spine-cracking hug and said I had nothing to worry about. No matter what happened, we were going to go back home once we were done or sell off our loot, whichever came first, then head for Sarthaal. That was the plan, right?

  I admit, that did more for my nerves than any words or mystery booze could. She was right. No matter what, we had a plan.

  At the very least, we could warm up inside before we headed back down.

  She went to one door, and Valdimar put his hand on the other. Erandur stood behind me, a bit to my left, and Septim was on my right, nosing under my fingers.

  Lydia nodded to Valdimar, and they pushed the big doors open.

  The main hall of High Hrothgar is lit by open skylights in the ceiling, and deathly quiet. There's multiple braziers around for heat, and lots of candles, too. I think the carvings high on the walls are meant to depict Akatosh.

  When we walked in, the four Greybeards were all gathered there, and I think some of them were… Praying? Meditating? I'm not entirely sure, honestly. One of them came forward, and welcomed me as a Dragonborn.

  I asked him what that meant, exactly, and he said that first they had to make sure I really was Dragonborn. They had to "taste of my Voice."

  I hope it's not just me, but that sounded kind of gross at the time, and even more now that I think about it.

  Whatever. They're a bunch of old hermits who never talk to anyone, so… I think we can forgive them for being a little strange.

  He assured me they wouldn't be harmed, so I demonstrated my Force Shout on them, and they were pleased. He smiled and said I really was a Dragonborn, and introduced himself as Arngeir, who speaks for the Greybeards. He wanted to know why I'd come.

  I mean, they'd called me, but I told him I wanted to know what it meant to be a Dragonborn, and he said that was part of the Greybeard's purpose. To guide those of Dragon's Blood.

  I noticed that, unlike everyone else, he wasn't calling me "The" Dragonborn. I asked him if there were others, and he said that many have received the "gift" of Dragon's Blood from Akatosh over time. Whether or not I was the only one of this age was not for us to know. I was the only one they knew of, and I alone had answered their call.

  I told him I was ready to learn, and he said that while I had the talent to Shout, I needed discipline to master them. Arngeir then went on to explain that each Shout is made up of three words, and knowing more words makes the Shout more powerful.

  I knew it!

  He gestured to one of the others, and introduced Master Einarth. He said that Einarth would teach me "Ro", the second word of "Unrelenting Force".

  And then… It was amazing. Einarth whispered - WHISPERED - the word, and I could feel the stone rumble under my feet when he did. Then it appeared on the floor in glowing orange runes.

  There was no chanting or change to my vision. Not even that strange pull. They just glowed there.

  I walked up to read them, and I could hear Valdimar start to follow me to catch me if I fell. I saw Arngeir gesture for him to stop, and he did.

  The words didn't do anything to me. There was a wave of golden light, and the sensation of rushing wind, but it was warm, and pleasant, like the breeze on a summer's day.

  Arngeir said I learned words like a master, but that the only way to unlock the power of them was through dedicated practice. At least, that's how it went for Tongues. Apparently, when I take a dragon's soul, I take in some of their life force and their knowledge, and that's how I "unlock" Shouts.

  I'm so glad he explained it to me! I was going to ask why I absorbed souls, and it literally is just a "Dragonborn Thing" like the others say!

  He said that Einarth would share his knowledge of "Ro" (Balance) with me, then Einarth spread his arms and golden light, exactly the same as what came from the rune on the floor, flowed from his chest and towards me. As before, the feeling was warm and soft; a gentle breeze.

  Arngeir nodded in an approving way, and Einarth stepped back. Arngeir wanted me to demonstrate my more powerful Shout, and said that they would summon targets for me.

  The other three Greybeards, one after another, whispered a word and a phantom form of themselves appeared in the middle of the room. I shouted each phantom to mist, and they all nodded approvingly at one another.

  Arngeir said I did well, then had me follow Master Borri to the courtyard out back.

  He said they wanted to see me learn a completely new Shout. Like Einarth did inside, Borri whispered a rune onto the ground, which shook.

  I did the same thing with "Wuld" (Wind) as I did before, learning the word and getting the knowledge from Borri. It's the start of a Shout called "Whirlwind Sprint".

  Arngeir then gestured to the other monk, and said that Master Wulfgar would demonstrate Whirlwind Sprint for us. There's a large metal gate at the far end of the courtyard, and Borri whispered a shout, and it opened.

  Wulfgar Shouted, and he burst forward like an arrow, and easily passed through the gate before Borri could close it on him. We were all amazed, and just looked at each other. We'd never seen anyone move so fast!

  Arngeir challenged me to get through the gate before Borri closed it, like Wulfgar, and had me stand next to him, between two small stone pillars. I saw there was a clear line of stonework on the ground. This was how they trained!

  I took a deep breath, and waited for the gate to open. As soon as it did, I Shouted, and by the Nine! I can't believe what happened! I don't think my feet touched the ground, I was just… There, on the other side of the gate, and trying not to fall off the side of the mountain!

  I started to laugh, and I think I might've sounded a little mad, because it really was such a rush! I ran back to my friends, cheering. They were just as excited as I was, and Valdimar picked me off the ground in a big hug like he does, congratulating me.

  I don't know why, but normally trying out new Shouts feels… Dangerous. It's scary, because I don't know what they're going to do. There's some I've never tried. I've started, but then I feel the power growing, and it feels almost too big, so I stop. Having them shown to me first makes it actually fun!

  Arngeir and the others walked up to me, looking at each other and nodding approvingly.

  Arngeir said that seeing me master a new Shout was "astonishing" and that he'd heard of how quickly a Dragonborn can do it, but to see it firsthand, well…

  I shrugged and admitted that I don't know how I do it. It just sort of happens?

  He said that I was given this gift by the gods for a reason, and I was hopeful to hear what came next.

  "It is up to you to figure out how best to use it."

  That's… Not what I wanted to hear.

  Arngeir went on to say that I had one more trial to complete. I had to retrieve the horn of Jurgen Windcaller from his tomb in…

  I was too shocked to let him finish. "Ustengrav?"

  Arngeir was pleased to know that I had heard of it, and it took everything I had to keep a straight face as I said that yes, I knew of it. I knew where it was, actually!

  He said that was excellent news, and since that was the case, they hoped to see me back soon.

  The others were just looking at each other, and I am so very glad that Lydia's helm covers her face. Still, I heard her mutter that we're gonna need some shovels.

  I covered that up (I think) by asking Arngeir if there were only four of them there, and he said that no, their leader, Paarthunax, lived alone at the very top of the Throat of the World. When my Voice is strong enough to clear the way, I'll be able to go see him.

  Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

  Arngeir gestured to the other side of the courtyard, towards a large stone arch. There was a blizzard raging just past it, and I had the distinct feeling it wasn't a natural wind that blocked the way.

  Yeah, I can't get past that. Not yet, anyway.

  As we went back inside out of the cold, I asked him more questions, and learned that the others don't speak because the rumors are true. A whisper could kill me. I asked about the dragons' return, and if it had anything to do with me, and he said that it must. He said I needed to focus on training my Voice, and that soon enough, "your path will be made clear".

  I asked him about the Way of the Voice, and he said that the Voice was a gift of Kynareth. He said that many Tongues abuse their power, and that its true purpose was for the worship and glory of the gods. True adherents of the Way of the Voice seek balance, and meditate on the sky, and try to being their inner desires in harmony with their actions.

  I asked why they would help me if I didn't share their beliefs, and he explained that as Dragonborn, the rules don't apply to me. He said my Voice is a gift from Akatosh himself, and that their duty was to guide me in the proper use of it.

  We were in the main room of High Hrothgar now, and the other Greybeards were all meditating, either at the images of Akatosh or staring up at the sky through the skylights.

  Erandur whispered that the sun was getting low, so I bid farewell to the Greybeards, and we set out on our way.

  I didn't know what to think as I left High Hrothgar. I got out my torch and stopped to read the last tablet again, the one right by the stairs. The last line is "Speak only in True Need."

  I kept going down the mountain and stayed quiet, lost in my own thoughts, until I heard Lydia gasp and go, "Look at that!"

  I turned and looked towards the sun, which was very close to the horizon, and saw the most beautiful aurora I've ever seen! Ribbons of light, in pink that faded to blue, radiated out from the sun, dancing across the sky and covering everything in a soft, rosy glow.

  I don't think I've ever seen anything that beautiful before in my life.

  We all stood there on the edge of the cliff, commenting in whispers how beautiful it was, and how none of us have ever seen anything like it. I would've watched until the sun set, but a sudden gust of icy wind reminded me that we were on the highest mountain in Tamriel, and it was getting dark, fast.

  We hurried down, and soon the snow that had started to fall turned to a light rain as we reached the bridge to Ivarstead.

  I stopped on the bridge to think, staring out past the waterfall. I wondered what Arngeir meant by my path being made clear, when I heard a familiar roar behind us, and the flapping of wings! We turned to see a small dragon attacking Ivarstead!

  We ran to help, but before I could get to it I was stopped by two people, a man and a woman, wearing strange robes with bone-like plates that look like armor, and creepy carved bone masks. They asked if I was the Dragonborn, and I said that's what the Greybeards call me! I just wanted to get past them to fight the dragon that was wreaking havoc on the guards at the other end of town.

  Valdimar and Lydia had already joined the battle, but Erandur lingered, instead using magic to fire at the dragon while keeping an eye on me. Septim was between me and the cultists, growling.

  The other one said that the lie had spread, and that they would tear out my heart! They called me a deceiver, and said I was not the true Dragonborn! They said their Lord Miraak was the True Dragonborn, and that he will come and "all will bear witness" whatever that means.

  They attacked, summoning a Fire Atronach and using other fire spells. Septim, Erandur and I fought them, while all around us, the battle raged as the dragon circled and blew waves of Frost over everyone.

  We killed the cultists, and then went after the dragon. We managed to kill it, and I was so exhausted from the hike and the fighting and just... Everything that the force of the soul hitting me was too much.

  I fell to my knees and Valdimar caught me before I hit the ground.

  Klimmek came up to see if I was all right. He was astonished, and wanted to know what happened. I was still out of it, so Lydia spoke with him and explained everything, and he handed her some gold for delivering the food for him.

  Valdimar helped me up. The guards were eyeing us warily, and giving the dead cultists a wide berth. I asked Lydia to take all they had and meet us inside, then let Valdimar help me up the steps into the Inn.

  Erandur ordered us some dinner, then Lydia came in and set one of their masks on the table. Lynly says it's creepy, and she's right, it is.

  Lydia said the cultists were both Dunmer, and she'd found a note on the man. It was an order telling them to go from Raven Rock to Windhelm, then find and kill me (they knew my name) before I got to Solstheim. If they did, it would please Miraak.

  I'd never even heard of Solstheim until now! The others told me that it's an island to the northeast of Skyrim. It's not part of the Empire, and is half snow-covered mountains, half ashland, and the people reflect it, too. I asked why I would want to go there, and they couldn't think of a reason.

  We looked at the letter again.

  I said that clearly, I'm not supposed to go there.

  They picked up on my tone.

  Erandur said, with a smirk, that it sounds like they don't want me there. They think I'll Do Something.

  Valdimar said, almost nonchalantly, that they sounded afraid of me.

  Lydia snorted and said they weren't afraid of me, they were afraid of what I'd do.

  I asked her what that was, fully knowing her answer, and she said, "What you do best, my thane. Something Stupid."

  We laughed, and I stashed the note and mask in my pack.

  Food made me feel a lot better, and we discussed our next move. We'd see about digging out Ustengrav, but if that proved to be too difficult, we could always head on to Sarthaal. I do want to go to Solstheim, but only after I take care of everything we've been putting off here. Valdimar asked about the piece of Aetherium we'd found, and I said that finding the Aetherium Forge, if it still existed, would be for after Solstheim. Whatever waited for us there would be helped by having the completed Gauldur Amulet, probably.

  We chatted and drank after dinner while I wrote. It's well past midnight, now, and the others have gone to bed. Tomorrow we head back to the Manor.

  Wilhelm asked me how my trip went, and I said I wasn't sure. I learned a lot, but with those Cultists saying they served the True Dragonborn... It was strange. I told him to send for us if he saw more of them sniffing around here again.

  He promised he would, and pointed out that even if that Miraak fellow was a Dragonborn like me, he and anyone else with Dragon Blood had three whole months to reach High Hrothgar before I showed up!

  I hadn't thought of it that way. He's right, of course. Anyone else like me could have gone up that mountain. They had plenty of time to get there.

  I admit, that made me feel a lot better.

  Well, I should sleep. It's really late, and I've finally gotten all of today down. Let's hope tomorrow's a quiet one.

  We're in Whiterun tonight. Thank the Nine, it's been a quiet day. Gods know I need it!

  We got up bright and early - too early, for my taste - and made such good time on the road that we got here sometime in the early afternoon.

  The trip from Ivarstead was exceptionally quiet, and… Strange. Not in a bad way, just… Strange.

  Apparently, I'd gotten some sort of blessing from Kyne up at High Hrothgar when I finished reading all ten stone tablets. Valdimar said he'd heard of pilgrims who completed their journey radiating an aura of peace for a little while that animals could feel.

  It was amazing! Not far past Ivarstead we saw some goats eating beside the road, and I raised my bow to shoot, but they didn't move. I was puzzled, and walked up to them. They looked at me, then went back to their breakfast.

  They didn't run from the others, either. Even Septim, who snuffled at them, just got a bit of a head shake from one.

  That's when Valdimar explained the blessing he'd heard of.

  I mean, I sure as Oblivion didn't feel peaceful at the time! I was almost more confused than when I'd gone up, but I do feel different. Not sure how, but I do.

  We got to pet a sabercat, though!

  It was just… Headed up the hillside as we went down. I couldn't help but put my hand out and let my fingers trail down its back while it walked past, and looked back to see the others doing the same. I heard Erandur laugh when it nosed up into his palm, and he gave it a quick scratch down the back of its neck. I think I heard it purr. Septim gave it a sniff, and trotted back up to be beside me, with his tail wagging.

  Like I said - Not bad, but VERY strange!

  Once we got on the road, just past Fort Amol, we had to stop to let a small herd of elk cross the road in front of us.

  I know we could have used the meat, but I just couldn't bring myself to shoot them. The idea itself felt like betrayal. The others agreed with me, and we just watched them pass.

  Do you think animals ever attack the Greybeards? Is this what it's like for them all the time? I did start to feel some kind of calm as they walked past. I looked to Erandur to ask him about it, but he was already looking at me, with a small, knowing smile on his face. He gave me a little nod, and went back to looking at the elk.

  I know I didn't ask him anything, but I felt like I got an answer.

  Priests, right? How do they do it?

  Anyway, we got to Whiterun and I saw Ri'saad and his caravan outside the walls. I did some trading with him, and got myself new robes!

  They're for Alteration rather than Conjuration, but they're much more powerful. I use Wolfskin more than my Conjuration spells, so that'll come in handy.

  I was starting to feel a little tired, even though it was early. Valdimar asked when I got to bed last night, and Lydia said it would've been partway through his watch.

  Of course she noticed. I thought I'd slipped in without waking her.

  They all three scolded me, and even Ri'saad gave me a little rebuke when Valdimar told him when I'd gone to bed.

  Apparently they know each other a little. Ri'saad called Valdimar "Val-jo", and asked if we'd seen Ma'dran recently. Valdimar said it had been a little while, and they started chatting.

  When they'd finished, we bid them farewell and went into Whiterun. While I traded and browsed at Adrienne's, Valdimar told us how he got a Khajiiti name.

  He got it from Ma'dran, who works for Ri'saad. Ma'dran has the route between Solitude and Windhelm. His caravan stops in Morthal on occasion, and Valdimar would meet him on the road a lot, too. Sometimes Valdimar traveled with the caravan for a day or so, just to accompany them. He quickly befriended them (No surprise there - The man could probably turn a draugr into a drinking buddy if he wanted to) and made no secret of his love for books. He said Ma'dran would often keep his eye out for things that might interest him.

  They named him "Val-jo" because most people in Morthal called him Val (like "Hall"), and "Jo" is a sort of title that can mean "scholar" or "wizard".

  We headed for the market, and Lydia asked if Valdimar would prefer if we called him "Val". He quickly said that no, he preferred his full name. "Val" was just something people called him, and it stuck. He didn't mind the Khajiiti name, though. He knows it's rare for outsiders to be given them, and considers it an honor.

  Erandur barked a laugh at this, and when asked, said that while that was usually the case, it wasn't so for him! He promised to explain once we were back at the house.

  We took a moment to check on the Gildergreen sapling when we were done shopping, and we couldn't believe it! It's almost twice my height already, and I can tell the roots are spreading quickly. There were a few pilgrims there, sitting on the benches with their eyes closed, just listening to the wind in the branches.

  At least, I hope they could hear the wind over Hermskeir's endless ranting about Talos.

  We looked at each other and smiled. It was very satisfying to see that the new tree had no trouble attracting worshipers.

  We went back to Breezehome, and once we were all out of our armor and changed, I asked Erandur what his Khajiiti name was. It was his turn to cook, and while he worked, he said that his name wasn't so bad. The Khajiit he knew called him Kaz-dar, which can mean "Thief" but in his case also meant someone who is skilled with his hands and particularly clever. He said it usually didn't mean someone was a criminal, but in his case, it was true.

  He said he'd gotten it from his girlfriend while he worked in a skooma lab, and we all about choked on our drinks!

  He was a bit insulted that we were surprised he had a girlfriend at one point. He went on a little rant while he chopped up some vegetables about how he had sixty-five years between priesthoods. Of COURSE he had a few partners in that time! He admitted they weren't serious and didn't last long, and none of them ended well, but that was beside the point.

  Lydia and I cast glances at Valdimar, who was eyeing the mer over his mead. His thinking face. Now was our chance! Lydia asked how many girlfriends he'd had, and Erandur said two.

  Lydia laughed, and said that two girlfriends in over half a century wasn't exactly a good sign!

  Erandur scoffed and said that he'd had boyfriends, too, dammit! (Valdimar failed to hide a smirk in his mug) He'd even had an Imperial partner who would go by either.

  Lydia sounded smug and asked him to clarify, then. How many in total?

  "Six, if you must know."

  Now it was MY turn to jump in! I poked fun at how he said he can't help his flirting, but in sixty-five years he's only slept with six people?

  I don't know what I was expecting, but I did NOT expect him to burst out laughing! He looked embarrassed after he calmed down, and said that he was surprised that I, of all people, would think that!

  "I don't!" I said, and he knew he'd been caught.

  I know what it's like for people like us. I was never part of anything organized; it was always just Dru and I, with maybe a few others for a job or two, but we had a lot of friends who ran with various groups.

  Erandur obviously still knows how to play the game, and you don't get that good without practice.

  A lot of practice.

  Lydia jumped on the opening, and hinted that he must have spent his ill-gotten coin on whores.

  Erandur admitted he'd paid for "those services" here and there, but he never needed to. Back then, he never went to bed alone unless he wanted to, thank you very much.

  Valdimar took the opportunity to flirt by saying, "Obviously!" then turned to Lydia and said he was probably the one charging!

  I could see Erandur fight a smile from my angle, and he said that no, he was many things, but never a whore.

  I was about to say something, but he clarified, "Not that there's anything wrong with that!"

  Good!

  I decided to take pity on him - He was blushing almost to the tips of his ears! - and said that his Khajiiti name didn't sound so bad. It was fairly simple, after all.

  Dinner was ready by then, and he explained over food that it wasn't the name itself. His girlfriend gave him the name of Kaz-dar, but the others in the gang gave him a nickname to go with it. They called him "Dark-Moons Kaz-dar" or some variation of that. Even I know what that translates to!

  Lydia wasn't familiar, so we explained that "dark moons" meant bad luck. Another way to say it is "Kaz-dar the Unlucky".

  He said it was also because he's a Dunmer, but it was mostly because almost every shipment he accompanied got ambushed or otherwise ran into trouble.

  I'm not surprised. Thieves are as superstitious as sailors.

  When we were done eating, Lydia got up to go to the Bannered Mare. She wanted to have some fun with her friends from the guard, and ducked downstairs with some hot water to freshen up. I took care of the dishes, and when she came back up I told her I was going to go to The Drunken Huntsman. It's quieter there, and I could think.

  Lydia hesitated, and said that in that case, she'd go with me. She's my housecarl, after all, and it wouldn't do to see me out and about on my own! Valdimar teasingly reminded her that she's not the only housecarl here. He'd go with me, and Erandur accepted the invite to join us. He said a quiet drink would do us some good.

  He was right! I took this with me to look over and make some plans. I sat by myself in a comfy chair near a light, and they were sharing a small table not far off. Erandur and Valdimar just chatted like they usually do. From what I can tell, it was mostly about Dwarven things and Aetherium.

  It was a relaxing evening, and I even saw something that I can't WAIT to share with Lydia when she gets back!

  Valdimar went to get us all some refills from the bar, and there was a Dunmer woman there getting a drink, too. She was dressed like a warrior, and made no secret of eyeing Valdimar. She made a comment about how he looked skilled with a blade, and he simply stated that he preferred axes and maces.

  -/-/-/-/-/-

  And I guess I'll have to to tell Lydia tomorrow!

  I heard a knock at the door and opened it to find two Whiterun guards, half in their armor and clearly drunk themselves, escorting a swaying Lydia. She was between them, and in that giggly stage where she has a bit of trouble walking in a straight line.

  She sort of collapsed in my arms, laughing, and said that I should've been there! Jarl Balgruuf snuck out of Dragonsreach AGAIN and said drinks were on him for the night!

  I thanked her friends for walking her back, and made sure she got safely up the steps and into bed.

  I'm so glad I'm not sleeping on the same floor as her!

  -/-/-/-/-/-

  All right, back to the Dunmer lady. She said she wasn't surprised, "Big man like you", and it was almost painful to listen to her try to come on to him! I even saw Elrindir flinch as he refilled the cups.

  Erandur's back was to the counter, but I could tell he was listening.

  Valdimar leaned in close to her, and whispered something in Dunmeri that I only understood a bit of. Elrindir understood it, and I saw his eyes shift to look at Erandur.

  At any rate, the lady leaned over to look past Valdimar, saw Erandur's back, made an approving noise, and wished him luck!

  Erandur obviously heard her. His eyebrow twitched and I could tell he was trying not to react.

  I'll have to ask him what Valdimar said later.

  Anyway, after a little while we finished our drinks and came back here to settle in for the night. We all took turns washing up, and I got to writing.

  Valdimar said that Erandur's corprus is gone, and looked a little sad that he didn't have an excuse to do his hair any more. Erandur thanked him for looking after it for him, and started to brush his hair while Valdimar went down to take a bath.

  It was the perfect time to ask him, but he said that he wasn't sure it was his place to say. It was "private information".

  That confirms what I thought I'd heard, and explains the others' reactions.

  I'm not certain, but Valdimar said something about the cut of her armor, and wrong sparring partner or weapons or something like that.

  I think Valdimar likes men.

  I mean, I've had my suspicions for a while, but I didn't want to write anything down. This isn't proof, either, but it's pretty close!

  I mean, he could just have a preference for men, but I've never seen him give a woman more than a glance. Even when some of the barmaids practically put their tits in his face while they fill our drinks, (girls, have some subtlety, please) he always looks away. I thought he was just being polite, but now that I think about it, he looked a little tired of it.

  Good to know?

  Lydia's good at asking questions. Maybe I can just have her ask him sometime.

  Anyway, I said that was fine, and we talked plans. The plan is to head to the Manor tomorrow, and get ready to investigate Ustengrav the day after. With any luck, this time next week we'll be leaving Sarthaal with the rest of the Gauldur Amulet!