{"id":2224,"date":"2018-09-04T20:02:50","date_gmt":"2018-09-04T20:02:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/?page_id=2224"},"modified":"2020-02-23T19:15:04","modified_gmt":"2020-02-23T19:15:04","slug":"chapter-25","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/volume-iii\/part-i-andante\/chapter-25\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 25"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Andante followed Valerica through the door, only to discover that his assumptions about her former prison had been completely incorrect.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t a castle he\u2019d been seeing.\u00a0 Oh, it was surely a large, formidable structure, no doubt about that; but the towers were merely two of a series of six towers connected by great curtain walls at least twice as thick as their poorer cousins surrounding Whiterun. Each of the walls had at least one raised platform nestled at about half the height of the wall, with stone stairways running up to them. No, it was not a castle, but rather a great open arena, with clusters of the same sorts of standing stones as they\u2019d passed all along the way in the Soul Cairn outside.\u00a0 Somewhere in this huge space was the Elder Scroll, hidden safely away by Valerica.<\/p>\n<p>Andante was trying to take it all in when Serana spoke.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI hear something.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Andante hadn\u2019t had nearly the same amount of experience with them as Dardeh, the Dragonborn, but he knew the hollow roar of a dragon when he heard it. To the best of his knowledge, Brynjolf had no experience with dragons at all, and he was certain that Dynjyl and Serana hadn\u2019t either because of how recently the dragons had returned. He looked up to see a shape, distant and distinctly green, approaching rapidly.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s Durnheviir! He\u2019s here! Defend yourselves!\u201d Valerica called.<\/p>\n<p>Andante swapped an alarmed glance with Brynjolf, then drew his weapons and ran forward into the yard.\u00a0 The creature flew directly overhead, and Andante gagged.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2226\" src=\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-1.png 1920w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-1-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-1-1024x576.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>It was enormous, like all other dragons he\u2019d ever encountered.\u00a0 But it was green, and rotted, portions of its huge ribcage visible where the flesh had long since fallen away, tendons and muscles visible in other places. Its wings were a magnificent latticework of putrid membrane stretched thin over bones that somehow maintained their integrity in spite of untold eons of decomposition.\u00a0 Strands of green saliva stretched between its opened jaws as it roared.\u00a0 And the smell, pushed downward with every flap of its wings, was the foulest thing Andante had ever experienced, an overwhelming, thick stench that could nearly be felt as well as smelled.<\/p>\n<p>He coughed, trying not to breathe through his nose, and was grateful for perhaps the first time ever that he\u2019d not fed recently.<\/p>\n<p><em>Vampires create death. But we feed on the living, primarily, or the very recently deceased; clean, fresh, warm beings. This is decay. This is rot. This is the foulest aspect of death. This is horrible. <\/em><\/p>\n<p>He heard Serana making distressed noises, somewhere nearby, and while he could neither see nor hear the others he was certain they must be in equal discomfort. How could they not be?<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2227\" src=\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-2.png 1920w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-2-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-2-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-2-1024x576.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Durnheviir flew across the yard and landed atop one of the towers, and Shouted. At least, Andante assumed that it Shouted; he felt or sensed it rather than hearing anything over the crackling of nearby lightning and percussion of thunder.\u00a0 The dragon opened its mouth, and from it flew a strand of blue energy that arced over the center of the bone yard and then split, descending like fireworks in smaller balls that fell to ground in the various clusters of standing stones around the yard. Where the balls landed, the ground turned red like a vampire\u2019s life-draining spell; and from each of the areas arose a bone man, one of the creatures with legs of mist, and a large, draugr-like skeleton wearing armor.<\/p>\n<p><em>Oh by the Eight we\u2019re going to be busy.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>He\u2019d no more than had a chance to think that when a flash of light to his left caught his attention; it was Dynjyl, rushing into action against a bone man that had attacked Brynjolf.\u00a0 \u201cIs that it?\u201d he yelled, his voice harsh and angry. \u201cIs that your best?\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>And here I stand, doing nothing, and me the only one who\u2019s ever fought a dragon. Move!<\/em><\/p>\n<p>He swapped his axe and Razor for his bow, readied his strongest Daedric arrows, and took aim on the dragon. His very first shot was a solid hit; he saw the creature\u2019s head jerk backward.\u00a0 But before he could get another shot off, Durnheviir launched himself back into the air and flew across the yard, toward Andante.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2228\" src=\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-3.png 1920w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-3-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-3-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-3-1024x576.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Andante stopped, and loosed another arrow straight overhead as the creature passed, catching it in what was left of its enormous gut.\u00a0 It howled, then banked to return.\u00a0 A brilliant spot of red in his peripheral vision made him turn just in time to see Valerica battling a draugr. \u201cI\u2019m not going to die like this!\u201d she shouted.<\/p>\n<p>And then he wished he hadn\u2019t stopped, or turned.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGAAN \u2013 LAH HAAS!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The sound boomed so loudly across the yard that dust flew.\u00a0 The force of the Shout hit Andante full on.\u00a0 He swiveled, and let fly another arrow that was a solid strike on Durnheviir, but he felt himself failing even as he let go the bowstring.<\/p>\n<p>He was dying.\u00a0 His life force was draining away from him.\u00a0 His feet would barely move, his heart started pounding, and it was all he could do to focus enough to cast a healing spell on himself.<\/p>\n<p><em>Got to find cover.\u00a0 Got to keep healing.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>He looked about frantically and spotted a shallow alcove between two of the staircases, and made for it as quickly as he could make his body move.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t perfect, but it was some cover.\u00a0 As he gasped for breath he continued to cast healing spells, but it was an uphill battle against the Shout that kept draining his vitality faster than he could replenish it.<\/p>\n<p><em>I\u2019m not going to die like this, either. I have things to do. I refuse.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Outside the alcove, the others were making slow but steady headway against the creatures of the Bone yard.\u00a0 He heard Brynjolf taunting them, Valerica crying out as weapons struck her, Serana declaring that it wouldn\u2019t end well for them; and all the while he fumed that he was doing so little to protect the only one of them he truly cared about.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, he could sense that he\u2019d gotten the better of whatever terrible force had been behind the dragon\u2019s shout, and ran back out into the yard.\u00a0 He was about to take aim at it again when it flew down into the yard, hovering just high enough to be well clear of weapons, and drew a deep breath.\u00a0 Just beneath it were Valerica, Brynjolf, and two bone men.<\/p>\n<p><em>It\u2019s going to use that shout again.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2229\" src=\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-4.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-4.png 1920w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-4-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-4-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-4-1024x576.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u201cBrynjolf! RUN!\u201d he screamed, then pulled his bow around in front while gathering his own breath.<\/p>\n<p><em>I only know one word of Unrelenting Force.\u00a0 But if I don\u2019t do something Brynjolf is going to die.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u201cGAAN\u2014\u201c Durnheviir bellowed.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFUS!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Time seemed to slow to a crawl as he watched the shock wave of his own Shout travel into the air and strike the dragon\u2019s head, interrupting the remainder of its Shout.\u00a0 Brynjolf grabbed Valerica\u2019s arm and rolled to the side, dragging her down with him, outside the area of the dragon\u2019s shout just enough to spare them the brunt of it, though Andante did see her casting a heal spell.<\/p>\n<p>And he pulled an arrow from its quiver, slung it into position and let it fly as quickly as he could.\u00a0 It struck the dragon in the neck.\u00a0 Durnheviir fought his way back into the sky and flew for the far end of the bone yard again.<\/p>\n<p>The battle went on like that, in a blur of confusion, Shouts, spells, bone man attacks and battle cries, for what seemed a lifetime.\u00a0 All five of them fought as hard as they could; Andante focused on the dragon while the other four kept knocking down his summoned bone men.\u00a0 He interrupted its attacks as best he was able, fired as quickly as he could, sprinting around the perimeter of the arena so as to avoid Durnheviir\u2019s Shouts, and eventually the beast was wounded enough that he came to ground, as dragons always did.<\/p>\n<p>Andante dashed to the stairway behind him, to try to get some height from which to fire. He was almost close enough to touch the dragon, definitely close enough to feel increasingly ill at the putrid odor of it. The dragon was still, crouched over, breathing heavily and trying to recover its strength. It wouldn\u2019t be moving any time soon, and it didn\u2019t appear to sense his presence.<\/p>\n<p>Andante snuck along the top of the curtain wall, creeping closer until he had the smallest of angles, down the stairwell, in which he might possibly fire an arrow. He pulled his bow around from behind him and nocked an arrow, pulling the string back and holding it.<\/p>\n<p><em>Focus, fool. This should be easy. You\u2019ve done this hundreds of times before.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>And suddenly out of nowhere the memory of flames enveloped him, so overpowering that it took his breath away.\u00a0 He began shuddering. Flames would kill a vampire, faster than Durnheviir\u2019s vitality-draining Shout, faster than anything else except full sun on an empty stomach.\u00a0 Flames were to be avoided.<\/p>\n<p><em>What? Flames? He hasn\u2019t used flames on us. Focus, Andante!<\/em><\/p>\n<p>He\u2019d relaxed his arm while he shook, and thus had to draw the bow again and take aim.\u00a0 Even as he took a deep breath and tried to steady himself a part of his mind wailed about flames.<\/p>\n<p><em>Enough! Let\u2019s end this! <\/em><\/p>\n<p>The arrow caught the dragon square in the eye, the closer eye. Its head snapped back, and it flailed about looking for the enemy, but couldn\u2019t see Andante in his perch above and behind him.\u00a0 It Shouted, the energy of it shooting out across the arena without a target; Andante saw the others dashing away from any chance of encountering it.\u00a0 He smiled, grimly, and fired four more shots in quick succession.<\/p>\n<p>As he saw the dragon go limp, the telltale sign that he\u2019d finally felled it, Andante raced down the stairs toward the carcass and witnessed the most remarkable thing. It sizzled and glowed, energy in coruscating patterns of lavender and blue that dissipated slowly until there was absolutely nothing left of the thing \u2013 not even its stench.<\/p>\n<p>The others all came running. He was still staring dumbfounded at it \u2013 or the spot it had been \u2013 as they arrived.\u00a0 He shook himself back to life and turned, finding Brynjolf\u2019s familiar bulk first.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Brynjolf grabbed him by the upper arms and nodded, scanning Andante for damage.\u00a0 \u201cAre you?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes, yes I\u2019m\u2026\u201d\u00a0 <em>No I\u2019m not. What was that? The flames? I was\u2026 afraid. But physically\u2026\u00a0 \u201c<\/em>I\u2019m fine. And it\u2019s dead.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Brynjolf released him, and released a breath. \u201cGood.\u00a0 We all seem to have come out of it mostly unscathed, too.\u00a0 That was a nasty Shout it had. Is it really gone, then?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWho knows?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Valerica had been staring at the empty spot where the dragon had sat, as dumbly as Andante had been.\u00a0 She turned to him and shook her head.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cForgive my astonishment, but I never thought I\u2019d witness the death of that dragon. Volumes written on Durnheviir allege that he cannot be slain by normal means. It appears they are mistaken.\u00a0 Unless\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Andante grimaced. \u201cWhat now?\u201d He shook his head. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, that was uncalled for on my part, Madame. Go on.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Valerica spoke slowly, pacing back and forth, her attention focused inward.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe soul of a dragon is as resilient as its scaly hide.\u00a0 It\u2019s possible that your killing blow has only displaced Durnheviir\u2019s physical form while he reconstitutes himself.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As soon as she said it, Andante knew it had to be true. He swapped glances with Brynjolf.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou\u2019re right.\u00a0 I\u2019m not Dragonborn. I didn\u2019t absorb its energy.\u00a0 It\u2019s off somewhere, trying to recover. How long will that take?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI have no idea. Minutes? Hours? Years? I suggest we don\u2019t wait around to find out.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She turned from the spot and began walking toward the wall in another area, a place where Andante could see a niche tucked between matched stairwells. \u201cNow let\u2019s get you the Elder Scroll and you can be on your way.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2230\" src=\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-5.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-5.png 1920w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-5-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-5-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-5-1024x576.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Valerica led them to the niche that contained an alchemy station and a long, shallow chest.\u00a0 She opened it and pulled out the Elder Scroll, handing it to him and saying that they should be on their way.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou\u2019re staying here? I thought perhaps you\u2019d like to go back to your workshop; it\u2019s very much intact and very much closed off from the rest of the castle.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She shook her head. \u201cI have no choice. As I told you before, I\u2019m a Daughter of Cold Harbour. If I return to Tamriel, that increases Harkon\u2019s likelihood of bringing the Tyranny of the Sun to fruition.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTrue.\u201d <em>It increases the likelihood regardless of who is trying to complete the prophecy, doesn\u2019t it.\u00a0 <\/em>\u201cWell, as I told you, I intend to do something about him. We\u2019ll return for you if we can.\u201d <em>That much is true.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI appreciate your concern for me but Serana is all that I care about. You must keep her safe at all costs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Andante stared at her, considered her ancient, wrinkled features, and wanted to shake his head<em>.\u00a0 I don\u2019t believe you.\u00a0 I just don\u2019t.\u00a0 Why would you suddenly hold her near and dear to your heart when for hundreds of years, maybe thousands, all you were concerned about was revenge on your husband?\u00a0 I\u2019ll never understand people.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u201cDefinitely.\u00a0 We\u2019ll do our best in that regard.\u201d\u00a0 <em>I need to safeguard her blood, too.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u201cRemember that Harkon is not to be trusted. No matter what he promises, he\u2019ll deceive you to get what he wants.\u00a0 And promise me you\u2019ll keep my daughter safe.\u00a0 She\u2019s the only thing of value I have left.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>Oh, have no fear on that front, Madame. I wouldn\u2019t trust Harkon if my life depended on it.\u00a0 As to the rest: Serana does not belong to you.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Andante inclined his head to Valerica, stowed the Elder Scroll and stepped away to get his bearings, while Serana and her mother said their goodbyes.\u00a0 Off to the side, Brynjolf and Dynjyl were also speaking quietly to each other.\u00a0 He sighed.\u00a0 <em>I came into the Soul Cairn with a partner and now I\u2019m the odd one out. Again.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>He spotted the great doors back to the Soul Cairn and trotted to them.\u00a0 As he pushed them open he gagged, caught full in the face by a familiar stench he\u2019d not expected to encounter again. Perched on a stone building before them was Durnheviir, reconstituting himself as they approached, the lavender and blue light resolving into a familiar shape with rotting green skin.\u00a0 They were close enough to the dragon to see flies buzzing around him.\u00a0 Andante drew his axe and heard the sounds of other weapons being readied behind him.\u00a0 Durnheviir spoke, his voice deep as the ocean floor.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2231\" src=\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-6.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1001\" srcset=\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-6.png 1500w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-6-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-6-768x513.png 768w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-6-1024x683.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u201cStay your weapons. I would speak with you, Qahnaarin.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Andante slowly returned his axe to its place.\u00a0 \u201cI thought you were dead.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCursed, not dead. \u00a0Doomed to exist in this form for eternity. Trapped between Laas and Dinok, between life and death.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo tell me, then. Why are you here? Why are we speaking?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI believe in civility between seasoned warriors and I find your ear worthy of my words. My claws have rended the flesh of innumerable foes but I have never once been felled on the field of battle. I therefore honor-name you Qahnaarin, or Vanquisher in your tongue.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Andante barely knew how to respond.\u00a0 Staring back at the great beast that had nearly ended his existence with a power he couldn\u2019t begin to equal, he said, slowly, \u201cI find you\u2026 equally worthy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYour words do me great honor. My desire to speak to you was born from the result of our battle. Qahnaarin.\u00a0 I merely wish to respectfully ask a favor of you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGo on.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor countless years I\u2019ve roamed the Soul Cairn, in unintended service to the Ideal Masters. Before this, I roamed the skies about Tamriel. I desire to return there. I fear that my time here has taken its toll upon me. I share a bond with this dreaded place.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Behind Andante, Dynjyl drew a breath, catching Andante\u2019s attention for a moment. <em>He\u2019s trapped, too. I\u2019m not sure whether I\u2019m pleased about that or not.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf I ventured far from the Soul Cairn my strength would begin to wane until I was no more.\u00a0 I will place my name with you and grant you the right to call my name from Tamriel. Do me this simple honor and I will fight at your side as your Grah-Zeymahzin, your ally, and teach you my Thu\u2019um. \u201c<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat seems a very simple request to honor.\u00a0 Just Shout for you?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTrivial in your mind, perhaps.\u00a0 For me, it would mean a great deal. I don\u2019t require an answer, Qahnaarin. Simply speak my name to the heavens when you feel the time is right.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Andante nodded.\u00a0 \u201cWhen the time is right, I will call.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Durnheviir launched himself into the skies and flew away, and the air around them became breathable, if not pleasant.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t know whether I could bear to inflict that stench on Tamriel,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLet\u2019s get going, then,\u201d Serana said. \u201cI need some fresh air, too.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTruly,\u201d Brynjolf said. \u201cUp to now the worst I ever smelled was Falmer but this place outdoes even them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI suppose there is some advantage to being dead, in that case,\u201d Dynjyl said, his voice cheerful. \u201cI can\u2019t smell a thing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Andante set off at a run, frowning as he went.\u00a0 It was a long run, back across the wastes to the stairwell portal, and he couldn\u2019t help thinking about what might happen when they readied themselves to leave.\u00a0 They passed several other specters along the way, some resting mournfully on blocks of stone.<\/p>\n<p><em>Look around you. The Keepers are gone. At least you don\u2019t have to fear them anymore. But this isn\u2019t much of an existence, is it.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>At the base of the portal, Andante turned to look at Dynjyl, and sighed<em>.\u00a0 I like him. I wish I didn\u2019t but I do.\u00a0 He ought not to be here. <\/em>He approached the ghost and spoke quietly.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s been a pleasure, Dynjyl.\u00a0 I hope to see you again.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dynny smiled. \u201cTake care of Brynjolf for me, Andante. I know you will, but it makes me feel better to say it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI will. At least I\u2019ll try.\u201d\u00a0 He looked past Dynjyl to Brynjolf, who was hanging back, looking uncomfortable.\u00a0 \u201cI think you should talk to him.\u00a0 He isn\u2019t very good at hiding his feelings, really, but he\u2019s even worse at expressing them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dynjyl laughed. \u201cThat is very true.\u00a0 I\u2019m glad you know him so well.\u00a0 Take care, Andante.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The specter moved to face Brynjolf.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat is it, Bryn?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t want to leave you behind, Dynny. This is no place for you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dynjyl\u2019s crisp, businesslike voice softened.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is the only place for me now, Bryn.\u00a0 I can\u2019t leave. You know that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut we dropped the barrier\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2232\" src=\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-7.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-7.png 1920w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-7-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-7-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-7-1024x576.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u201cBrynjolf.\u201d\u00a0 Dynjyl crossed his arms and smiled up at the man. \u201cThink about it. With your head, and not just your heart.\u201d\u00a0 Brynjolf winced. \u00a0\u201cWe defeated the Keepers.\u00a0 The Ideal Masters still exist. That barrier was only to imprison Valerica, not the rest of us; we can\u2019t leave anyway. And when that archer stole my life he also stole part of my soul.\u00a0 What you see is all that was left. You know that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Brynjolf nodded, slowly, looking miserable.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEven if that wasn\u2019t the case, my dear, I still couldn\u2019t be with you again, and you know that to be true as well, don\u2019t you. That long, long staircase behind you?\u00a0 As soon as I stepped through the portal I would cease to be.\u00a0 I\u2019m dead, Bryn.\u00a0 You know that.\u00a0 I\u2019m so glad I\u2019ve gotten to see you again, but we both know this is all there is for me now.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2233\" src=\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-8.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-8.png 1920w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-8-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-8-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-8-1024x576.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Brynjolf tried to speak, but what came out was barely a whisper.\u00a0 \u201cDynny.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dynjyl shook his head.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDon\u2019t give me that. You know I\u2019m not going to Sovngarde. You know that. Even in my best moments I wasn\u2019t a warrior.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Andante frowned. <em>Oh I think you accounted for yourself very well, sir.\u00a0 Don\u2019t sell yourself short.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere must be a way, lad.\u00a0 There must be a way to at least\u2026 let you rest,\u201d Brynjolf said quietly, his voice cracking at the end.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI wish I knew what that was, Bryn.\u00a0 But I don\u2019t. Don\u2019t worry about me.\u00a0 Please.\u00a0 You have a life to live and,\u201d and he nodded at Brynjolf\u2019s hand, adorned as it was with the Bond of Matrimony, \u201csomeone special to be with.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Brynjolf\u2019s head shot up and he looked at Andante, his expression miserable.<\/p>\n<p>Andante sighed and shook his head.\u00a0 <em>It\u2019s alright, Bryn.\u00a0 It\u2019s alright. I understand.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m\u2026 it\u2019s not that simple\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dynjyl waved a finger at him.\u00a0 \u201cHush. It doesn\u2019t matter. You need to go, and do what you need to do with the Scrolls, and Serana here.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be fine.\u00a0 Maybe I\u2019ll pop by and say hello to Valerica from time to time now that I\u2019ve met her, formally.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He smiled.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTake care of yourself, my lovely boy. Take care of Andante.\u00a0 I hope we\u2019ll see each other again someday.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He waved cheerfully, turned, and scampered back down the path into the wastes.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2234\" src=\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-9.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1001\" srcset=\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-9.png 1920w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-9-300x156.png 300w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-9-768x400.png 768w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-9-1024x534.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Andante stepped up to Brynjolf and turned to watch Dynjyl receding into the sulfurous mists.\u00a0 He slipped one arm around Brynjolf\u2019s waist.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Bryn.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere has to be a way,\u201d Brynjolf muttered.\u00a0 \u201cWe have to be able to set him free, at least.\u00a0 There just has to be a way.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He seemed to finally realize that Andante was there, put an arm around Andante\u2019s shoulders and gave him a squeeze.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThank you, lad. I\u2019m sure this wasn\u2019t any easier for you than it was for me.\u00a0 Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Andante smiled at him. \u201cI like him, Bryn.\u00a0 He\u2019s\u2026 a good fellow.\u201d\u00a0 He looked back out over the wastes. I <em>need to break this mood. I can\u2019t stand to see him so sad.<\/em> \u201cI might even have tried to give you some competition if I\u2019d known him when he was alive.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Brynjolf swatted at his arm.\u00a0 \u201cYou have no shame whatsoever, do you, lad?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNone.\u00a0 Be happy you didn\u2019t hear what I was going to say next before you interrupted me.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0<em>I do have some shame, though. I want to kiss you but this truly isn\u2019t the moment for it.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Serana, standing not far away, had been listening quietly.\u00a0 She made a disgusted noise and rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPerhaps we should go now?\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s another Elder Scroll left to find.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Andante walked to the base of the stairs and looked up.\u00a0 <em>Another trip through a portal.\u00a0 This is starting to get tiresome. But I\u2019m hungry, and there is a nice soft bed, a warm bath, and some skooma in Solitude calling my name. And a castle to take.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>And I need to figure out what is going on in my mind.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo there is.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2235\" src=\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-10.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-10.png 1920w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-10-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-10-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3-1-25-10-1024x576.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: left; float: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/volume-iii\/part-i-andante\/\">Part I: Andante<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: right; float: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/volume-iii\/part-i-andante\/chapter-24\/\">Previous<\/a> \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/volume-iii\/part-ii-counterpoint\/chapter-1\/\">Next<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Andante followed Valerica through the door, only to discover that his assumptions about her former prison had been completely incorrect.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t a castle he\u2019d been seeing.\u00a0 Oh, it was surely a large, formidable structure, no doubt about that; but the towers were merely two of a series of six towers connected by great curtain &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/volume-iii\/part-i-andante\/chapter-25\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Chapter 25&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":1752,"menu_order":25,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2224","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2224","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2224"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2224\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2365,"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2224\/revisions\/2365"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1752"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2224"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}