{"id":1916,"date":"2022-09-25T21:23:47","date_gmt":"2022-09-26T03:23:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/?page_id=1916"},"modified":"2022-10-29T20:19:41","modified_gmt":"2022-10-30T02:19:41","slug":"chapter-6-qaralana-and-dardeh","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/volume-ii\/part-ii-above-and-beyond\/chapter-6-qaralana-and-dardeh\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 6 – Qaralana and Dardeh"},"content":{"rendered":"
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 <\/p>\n

\u201cHarald! Wow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Qaralana had just taken out an aggressive wolf when the bandit emerged from a clump of trees. Harald tsk\u2019d, drew his sword, and calmly beheaded the man.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t think I had it in me, I take it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Qara smiled. \u201cIt\u2019s not that, I just haven\u2019t ever seen you do such a thing. You\u2019re a lot stronger than\u2026\u201d She trailed off. That hadn\u2019t come out at all correctly.<\/p>\n

Harald chuckled. \u201cStronger than I look?\u201d<\/p>\n

Qara stomped her foot into the snow. \u201cThat\u2019s not what I meant and you know it. I\u2019ve just never been with you when you fought anything more than a bear or a wolf.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald sheathed his sword. \u201cWhich you took care of easily, I see.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d She felt irritated. \u201cI\u2019ll have you know I\u2019ve taken off a head or two myself. In Falskaar.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald laughed. \u201cI would expect nothing less of you.\u201d He pointed westward. \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

They started walking. A few moments later he sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really never expected to be able to do that, to be honest with you. When I was out in Markarth I discovered that I had\u2026 well.\u201d He peered up toward the mountains, shaking his head.<\/p>\n

Qara waited for a moment, hoping he would finish. He didn\u2019t; she cleared her throat to get his attention. \u201cYou had what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMore power than I thought I had. Let\u2019s just put it that way. Come on, let\u2019s move. It looks like there might be a storm moving in, and I\u2019d like not to get caught in it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald took off at a much faster trot than Qara would have expected from a large Nord in heavy armor. She stood watching him for a moment. That trip to Markarth really bothered him. Maybe it\u2019s that he has the same pride that his mother and father have. There\u2019s nobody in that castle who isn\u2019t absolutely certain they\u2019re the best at what they do; and if he didn\u2019t succeed immediately at what he attempted\u2026 <\/em><\/p>\n

Or maybe it\u2019s just the whole situation out there. Or maybe\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

She suddenly realized that Harald had disappeared around the side of a rock outcropping. She tsk\u2019d at herself and started following him. Qara could run nearly forever, and Harald would need to stop for breath at some point. She rounded the boulder. She couldn\u2019t see him, but he\u2019d left a trail in the snow. By the time she caught up to him, Harald had reached the Shrine of Azura and was near the top of the first flight of stairs where the Nerevarine waited. The hero looked down at her as she approached, and nodded a greeting. Harald grinned at her from under his helmet and then turned back to the Nerevarine.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cWell met. I\u2019ve come to see whether you\u2019ve translated that text that I found.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have,\u201d the Nerevarine responded. \u201cIt\u2019s a memoir. Memories of Dorana, it is called. Apparently, Kagrenar was the tomb of Lord Kagrenac\u2019s wife, a woman named Dorana. Here, read it for yourself.\u201d He handed a sheaf of papers to Harald. \u201cGood luck to you, Harald Stormcloak. And to you, Dragonborn,\u201d he said, turning to address Qaralana.<\/p>\n

She squeaked.<\/p>\n

And then she felt herself blushing furiously. \u201cSorry, I\u2019m still not quite used to having people call me that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a reason you\u2019ve been revealed at this time. Perhaps it\u2019s the same reason I was drawn back to Skyrim, and that the heir to the throne was led to Kagrenar. Time will tell.\u201d He looked back at Harald. \u201cI see you are wearing the ring. Keep wearing it. I feel certain it\u2019s important to your future, although I do not know why.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Harald said simply. Then he sighed. \u201cI suppose we need to get back to the Palace. The fact that someone was after me has my parents and relatives nervous.\u201d He trotted down the stairs to join Qara, and together they began the trip back to Windhelm.<\/p>\n

It felt to Qara as though something was weighing on Harald\u2019s mind. He\u2019d always been a bit hard to read, even when they were children; she was never quite sure whether he was distressed about something or simply had nothing to say. They ran in silence for quite some time. She had just opened her mouth to ask what he was thinking about when he cleared his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t feel like going back to the Palace in the middle of the night,\u201d he said. \u201cLet\u2019s just get back to my cabin. We can read the translation and get some rest, and head up to the others first thing in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ll skin us alive if they find out,\u201d she answered. I feel as though I have to point that out. But the truth is that I don\u2019t feel much like joining the elders, either. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care,\u201d Harald said. \u201cThey can worry all they like, but nobody is going to get into my house unless I let them in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Qara thought about how effortlessly any of her relatives could pick even the hardest lock. That had been a real benefit of growing up in the Thieves Guild. Even her Uncle Roggi \u2013 who steadfastly refused to become an official member \u2013 could pick most locks. It wouldn\u2019t do to say that to Harald, though. When he had his mind made up about something he was at least as stubborn as his father, and nearly as stubborn as hers.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Harald had piles of furs in front of his bookshelves. They could have sat in his chairs before the fire, after they\u2019d refreshed themselves, but somehow it had seemed cozier to plop down onto the furs. But even so, Qaralana felt her throat closing up and her eyes watering as he read the translation to her.<\/p>\n

It was written by Lord Kagrenac himself, the High Craftlord and Chief Tonal Architect, one of the most important Dwemer in the world. Dorana was one of his guards. He spoke of meeting her and being drawn both to her straightforward, sometimes too-literal manner and to her sense of humor. While always respectful she\u2019d seemed largely unimpressed with the magnitude of his status. He\u2019d slowly \u2013 very slowly indeed – discovered that he\u2019d fallen in love with her, in spite of what he described as her \u201cunladylike appearance.\u201d And they had married.<\/p>\n

Qara couldn\u2019t help but find herself warming to the story. Harald\u2019s deep voice gave it an immediacy that added much to the reading, though legends would have the Dwemer\u2019s voices even deeper and much more gravelly than his. She cast a few furtive glances at Harald\u2019s face; he was clearly as engrossed in the reading as she was. Then he frowned.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo wonder he wanted to build her such an elaborate tomb.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHarald, tell me what it says!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright. Let\u2019s see. It says that she got ill. Coughing all the time. For two years, even.\u201d<\/p>\n

Qara shuddered, in spite of herself. \u201cLike Uncle Dar.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn a sense. I doubt that Dorana was Dragonborn, and Dardeh seems perfectly healthy now, even if he sounds odd. Let me read the next part.<\/p>\n

\u2018If only I had worked faster. If only the Tools had been ready sooner. The Brass God, the Heart, it was all for you, Dorana. I wanted to bury the Tools with you here, for what good are they now, if they cannot restore your smile? But no, I will keep them with me, for one day they will take me to you. Without your light, this world is too dark. I don\u2019t belong in it. No one does.\u2019<\/p>\n

That explains the replica tools I found. He wanted to bury them with her, so he made substitutes to symbolize how much she meant to him. Shor\u2019s beard. Does that mean Kagrenac actually is the one who caused the Dwemer to disappear? \u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Qara couldn\u2019t respond. It was just so unspeakably sad<\/em>, to think of this greatest-of-all Dwarves losing his wife after taking so long to understand that he loved her. As she stared down at the furs, hoping that the dim lighting and her hair would hide her face, she felt a single tear start making a trail down her cheek. She reached up to wipe it away.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you crying<\/em>, Qara?\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked back up at Harald. He wore an expression that she couldn\u2019t quite decipher. Was it a smile, or a smirk?<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you laughing<\/em> at me, Harald Stormcloak? For being moved by such a sad story?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Qara,\u201d he said. \u201cNot at all. I find it quite wonderful that someone as tough as you are can still understand and appreciate someone else\u2019s pain. Even if that pain happened so long ago that we can hardly imagine the expanse of time that has passed since.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was definitely a smile, she decided \u2013 a soft and gentle smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s one of the things that make you special, Qara. And I\u2019m glad that you\u2019re my best friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

She thought about all the teasing Chip had given her while they were in Falskaar. As unsettling as that had been, Harald had somehow just made it right. She smiled back at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Harald. And you are mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been looking for you. Got something I\u2019m supposed to deliver.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dardeh turned and reached for the letter the courier held out.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks. Here, this is for you.\u201d He gave the man a generous number of coins. This would be an important message, and he was grateful that it had come so quickly and without incident. The courier smiled, bobbed his head, and ran back toward the road.<\/p>\n

Dardeh waited until the courier was well out of sight and then opened the seal on the folded parchment. He recognized the handwriting. He could almost hear the sharp voice as he read the words.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have indeed noticed the increased number of dragons. But our position remains the same, Dragonborn. You are no longer welcome here and we will no longer help you.\u201d<\/p>\n

He crumpled the paper into a tiny, compact ball and threw it just as hard as he could out toward the lake. Thanks for nothing, Delphine. I wouldn\u2019t have asked for your help if it weren\u2019t important. Maybe even vital. Haven\u2019t even approached you in all this time. And you couldn\u2019t put aside a twenty-year-old grudge, finally? Even long enough to learn that I\u2019m not the Dragonborn anymore?<\/em><\/p>\n

I need someone to swap ideas with so I know I\u2019m not crazy. And I can\u2019t advise Qara unless I know that I\u2019m on the right track. And I can\u2019t Shout, and I can\u2019t absorb dragons anymore, and there are so many showing up\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

He found himself getting more and more distressed as the thoughts rolled along. His eyes stung; he slammed one meaty fist down onto the deck\u2019s railing, hissing and shaking his hand out at the pain he\u2019d inflicted on himself.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t even know whether I still have any use at all left in this world. I don\u2019t know why I\u2019m still here. Maybe I should just\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

He stood in the early-morning light, staring angrily out across the lake. It was just too difficult. After being arguably the most powerful mortal in the world for two decades he was used to getting what he wanted. He was used to being paid attention to. He was used to having some agency, to being important.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

He shook his head and sighed heavily. This path of thought wasn\u2019t helping him. In fact, it was probably making things worse.<\/p>\n

I need to calm down and think.<\/em><\/p>\n

I may want to die, but I can\u2019t very well leave Roggi. Not now. It would ruin him. <\/em><\/p>\n

I was the one who decided to fight Herma Mora. I had valid reasons for doing that. I was saving the world from him \u2013 and from me. I have to live with the consequences of that decision. I may not like them, but that\u2019s how it is. <\/em><\/p>\n

He dropped his head forward, closing his eyes and letting the tight muscles in his neck stretch out. He took a long, deep breath and blew it out.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s better, my sweet boy. You still have important things to do in your life.<\/em><\/p>\n

He smiled, before opening his eyes. It had been a long time since he\u2019d felt the comforting presence of his late mother, longer still since he\u2019d heard her voice so clearly in his mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Ma. I needed to hear that. Well, then. Time to suit up and get on the road.\u201d<\/p>\n

He pulled on his armor, packed what he needed to take along, and closed up the house. Then he left, following the trail Roggi, Harald and Qara had taken just a couple of days prior. He was fairly fast, even at his age. Year after year of hard work and battle had given him conditioning beyond what he\u2019d had as a miner, and his Redguard side gave him the stamina he needed to maintain a good pace. It was mid-afternoon when he slowed to a stop near Whiterun\u2019s western watchtower.<\/p>\n

He shaded his eyes and looked south, and east, and up, memories of a much earlier time nearly overwhelming him. This was where it had started, in many ways. He\u2019d encountered both Ulfric Stormcloak and Alduin the World-eater earlier, in Helgen. He\u2019d learned that he could understand Dovahzul not long after that, in Bleak Falls Barrow. But it had been here, outside the burning wreckage of the ancient watchtower, that he\u2019d taken his first dragon and first felt the intoxicating rush of power expand his existence as it flowed into him and then explode as his first Shout.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

And it was all the way up there, up at the very top, that I learned what I needed to know to defeat Alduin. It was both the best time of my life and the worst.<\/em><\/p>\n

By Talos I miss it. I didn\u2019t think I would, but I miss it.<\/em><\/p>\n

Roggi had told him once of a conversation he\u2019d had with Brynjolf. He\u2019d asked the Guildmaster whether he missed it \u2013 \u201cit\u201d being the immense power he\u2019d enjoyed as a vampire. \u201cBryn said he did,\u201d Roggi had told him. \u201cI don\u2019t know why I even asked. Of course he did.\u201d<\/p>\n

And now I understand that. <\/em><\/p>\n

Dardeh pondered the situation all the way to Windhelm. There had to be a reason for the sudden resurgence of dragons. There had to be a reason it triggered at the same time his relationship with his own power \u2013 and with Hermaeus Mora – came to a head. But all of those who had lived through Alduin\u2019s return, and his demise, were older now.<\/p>\n

We can\u2019t all go running out to kill dragons. I can\u2019t Shout. I can fight, but I can\u2019t destroy them. Roggi and Brynjolf are in their sixties and Ulfric\u2019s at least seventy. Sayma\u2019s younger, and strong but not killing-dragons strong and neither is Frina, really. Not anymore. Harald is strong but he needs to be ready to take over if necessary. So it\u2019s the perfect moment for someone, or something, to have triggered this situation.<\/em><\/p>\n

And it might well be my fault, just like having Alduin show up was my fault.<\/em><\/p>\n

And then there\u2019s Qara. She\u2019s strong, but so young coming into her power. It\u2019s far too easy to make the wrong choices when you\u2019re young because you don\u2019t know all the options available to you. Well, if nothing else I can help her understand those. I just want to make certain I don\u2019t overly influence her. All I can do is make sure she has all the information she needs. And then it\u2019s up to her. It has to be.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to understand, Harald. You\u2019re my only living child and no matter how old you get I will worry about your well-being.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMother\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Dardeh grimaced as he approached the door to what he\u2019d been told was his personal suite. Jorlief had directed him to it and told him that the High King and his family were taking a private meal there. Instead, it sounded like family bickering. He heard Ulfric heave a sigh, and frowned. Roggi had told him that Ulfric sounded tired, and so he did. Dardeh was genuinely sorry if the man didn\u2019t feel well, but he\u2019d spent much of the last two decades worrying about the well-being of Ulfric, who didn\u2019t even like him very much.<\/p>\n

Then he mentally shook his head at himself. It\u2019s not that. Ulfric likes me well enough, even if we\u2019ll never be close friends. It\u2019s the feeling of being \u201cother\u201d that gets to me, still. Once I step into that room I\u2019ll be the only man there who looks like a Redguard, in spite of being half Nord. Roggi and Ulfric look like they belong together. Roggi and I don\u2019t.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cListen to your mother, Harald,\u201d Ulfric\u2019s low rumble interjected. \u201cI know that it chafes you but she will be here for much more of your life than I will. You will need your family to help you through.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roggi tsk\u2019d. \u201cDon\u2019t talk like that, Ulfric.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dardeh stepped through the door, his heavy armor making its usual noise. He was gratified when Roggi\u2019s attention immediately turned to him. Roggi\u2019s eyes sparkled and his smile flashed before he composed his expression again.<\/p>\n

\u201cDar. I\u2019m glad you made it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ulfric looked up at Dardeh and nodded. \u201cAs am I, Dragonborn.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harald cleared his throat. \u201cFather.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ulfric looked confused for a moment before his eyes widened. \u201cOf course. Welcome, Dardeh. Come have a seat.\u201d He turned to Qaralana. \u201cPlease accept my apologies, Dragonborn. I haven\u2019t yet become accustomed to the change.\u201d<\/p>\n

Qara waved a hand. \u201cDon\u2019t even worry about it. I have a hard time believing it, myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dardeh moved closer to the table and looked down at Qaralana. \u201cI have to admit I\u2019m still adjusting, myself. And I wasn\u2019t able to get the help I\u2019d hoped for. I wrote to someone who might help shed some light on this dragon problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou wrote to Delphine?\u201d Roggi asked as Dardeh eased himself into the vacant chair between Ulfric and Roggi.<\/p>\n

He chuckled. \u201cI should have known you\u2019d guess, Roggi.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is this all about, Dardeh?\u201d Frina asked him.<\/p>\n

Dardeh sighed. This is going to be difficult. I need to tell them what I think and what I\u2019ve done without unduly influencing Qara. I don\u2019t know if I am subtle enough to do that.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d he said slowly, \u201cit has to do with me, and dragons, and the fact that we\u2019ve had peace for almost twenty years and don\u2019t anymore. You see\u2026 back when Alduin was the biggest issue, before the war, I had two different groups trying to influence me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Greybeards and the Blades,\u201d Roggi murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cExactly. And aside from agreeing that Alduin was the immediate threat, they wanted opposite things from me.\u201d<\/p>\n

To his surprise, Ulfric snorted a bitter laugh. \u201cMaster Arngeir agreed that you should slay Alduin?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReluctantly, and only because Paarthurnax accepted my reasoning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt makes sense that Arngeir would be reluctant,\u201d Ulfric said, \u201cbecause of the Way of the Voice that Paarthurnax taught.\u201d<\/p>\n

Qaralana, who had been listening intently, frowned. \u201cWhen I talked to the Greybeards, Arngeir mentioned that. I was too confused and distracted to even wonder what it meant.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dardeh nodded. \u201cYes, and while I did talk to them about it, all I cared about was stopping Alduin from consuming more souls. Anything else basically went in one ear and out the other.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Ulfric,\u201d Frina said, \u201cyou studied with them. Tell us why Master Arngeir would have been reluctant to have Dardeh kill Alduin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ulfric paused for a moment, his gaze far-away and almost pained, to Dardeh\u2019s eye. \u201cAs you all know,\u201d he began, only to be interrupted by Harald\u2019s snort, \u201cbecause yes, Harald, I have told you a great many times – I studied with the Greybeards.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ulfric smirked at Harald for a moment. Harald flushed, clearly embarrassed that his father had read his thoughts so easily.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was taught,\u201d Ulfric continued, \u201cthat the order was led by Paarthurnax, who learned what came to be known as the Way of the Voice from Jurgen Windcaller. I was unaware that Paarthurnax was a dragon. I had no way to know this since Arngeir did not tell me and I could not reach the peak myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cArngeir didn\u2019t tell you that basic a fact?\u201d Roggi asked quietly. \u201cI met him, later on when Dar took me, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe did not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t tell me, either,\u201d Dardeh added. \u201cI had to Shout my way up the mountain to find out. So did Qara, so that I could take her to meet him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Ulfric nodded. \u201cWhat they taught me \u2013 what Paarthurnax supposedly taught them \u2013 is written on the etched plates along the Seven Thousand Steps. When the mortals of this land rebelled against the dragons, Alduin and the other dragons, under his direction, started slaughtering them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Dragon War,\u201d Harald said. \u201cI\u2019ve read some about it. Paarthurnax taught mankind to use the Voice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ulfric said. \u201cIncluding Jurgen. It was a weapon that allowed mortals to defeat the dragons. The burial mounds across our lands were the result of that great conflict.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd,\u201d Dardeh interjected, \u201cit was how they sent Alduin forward in time. They created the Dragonrend shout. They thought they\u2019d gotten rid of him, but they only delayed the inevitable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOk,\u201d Qara said slowly, \u201cbut I knew that. Vaguely. What does that have to do with the Way of the Voice, and what does it mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Way of the Voice would never have come into being if not for the great wars of conquest in the First Era,\u201d Ulfric said. \u201cThe Tongues \u2013 those with mastery of the Thu\u2019um \u2013 used their powerful Voices to break into cities, to destroy the walls that surrounded them, and to conquer them. And then came the battle at Red Mountain. Of all the mortal men, Jurgen Windcaller had the strongest Thu\u2019um. He and the other Tongues went into that battle convinced that their power would win the day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe arrogance of their power,\u201d Dardeh murmured in his raspy voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ulfric continued. \u201cThey failed, as you know. And the rest is written in the etchings. Jurgen Windcaller retired from the world for seven years and determined that the Voice should only be used in times of great need, and in worship of the gods.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not what we\u2019ve done, Ulfric, neither one of us,\u201d Dardeh said. “We’ve used our Voices.” I remember how angry Arngeir was when I told him I was going to battle Alduin. Maybe he was right.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI have, as well,\u201d Harald said quietly. \u201cIt was the only way I could see to stop Madanach.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd me, as well,\u201d Qara said, frowning. \u201cIf we didn\u2019t use our Voices people would have died! How could Jurgen Windcaller say that this great gift shouldn\u2019t be used?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause he was a coward,\u201d Roggi said flatly. \u201cHe lost the battle, he couldn\u2019t accept that he lost, and so he made up this elaborate excuse for himself instead of just admitting that he failed. If you\u2019ve used a gift of the gods in battle and lose, it must be that the gods didn\u2019t intend it.\u201d His voice dropped to a grumble. \u201cCouldn\u2019t just admit that he wasn\u2019t perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ulfric peered at Roggi and gave him a small smile. \u201cIndeed. That is the conclusion I have come to over time, my friend. But Jurgen Windcaller was strong in his beliefs and had an epic struggle against the other Tongues to gain primacy. Legend has it that he \u2018swallowed the Shouts\u2019 of the others for three days, until they had no power left.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike you did, Uncle Dar!\u201d Qara exclaimed. \u201cExcept that it was your own Shouts you were swallowing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dardeh nodded. \u201cYes, but was that a good thing, or not? That\u2019s the question. The Greybeards say the Voice should not be used as a weapon. The Blades think otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait,\u201d Qaralana said. \u201cI don\u2019t get it. If the Blades agree that the Voice should <\/em>be used, why won\u2019t they talk to you now?\u201d<\/p>\n

And there it is.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was it that Delphine told you, Dar?\u201d Roggi asked.<\/p>\n

Leave it to Roggi. Well how do I explain this to Qara?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cDelphine said if the Greybeards had their way I\u2019d – how did she put it – \u2018do nothing but sit up there on the mountain with them and talk to the sky, or whatever it is they do.\u00a0Power\u2019s no good if you\u2019re too afraid to do anything with it.\u2019 I obviously agreed with her on that point.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd so did I,\u201d Ulfric agreed. \u201cBut there is an argument to be made that by using that power I caused much of the strife that has disrupted our lands for the last, well, fifty winters or more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s hardly your fault, Ulfric,\u201d Frina said dryly. \u201cWho taught everyone this tool in the first place?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPaarthurnax,\u201d Harald muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s exactly the issue, Harald,\u201d Dardeh said, quietly relieved that someone else had said it. \u201cWhen we had the council for the truce, Ulfric, the Blades approached me shortly after you left and said they\u2019d discovered that Paarthurnax was a dragon, and that he had to be killed as well as Alduin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember that,\u201d Roggi said. \u201cI was glad you didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just ignored the Blades. I had other priorities then.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ulfric nodded slowly. \u201cI see. I should have known then that Paarthurnax was a dragon, but being preoccupied with the wars I did not. You\u2019re thinking that the resurgence of dragon attacks is related to Paarthurnax.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that\u2019s why you wrote to Delphine!\u201d Roggi exclaimed. \u201cWhat does she say?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dardeh sighed. \u201cShe says that until I kill Paarthurnax she will not see me. She doesn\u2019t know about Qara. I wanted Qara to have the chance to hear both sides of the story direct from the people involved and not get it from me. I\u2019m too close to it.\u201d He paused, thinking hard. \u201cI\u2019m not sure whether any of what I did was the right choice. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn\u2019t. But she won\u2019t talk to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frina said slowly, \u201cWeren\u2019t the Blades dedicated to the Dragonborn? I feel as though I\u2019m forgetting something about this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, they were,\u201d Ulfric said, \u201cmaking it all the more vexing that they would refuse to help Dardeh.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a single, very long moment of silence. Dardeh thought they might have reached a wall too high to hurdle. There didn\u2019t seem to be an answer other than to force Qara to decide whether they were even right, much less whether she would do anything about it.<\/p>\n

And then Harald cleared his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut before that. They\u2019ve been around for a long time, and have had different purposes. Two hundred years ago, for example, the Nerevarine himself was a member of the Blades.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Qaralana gasped. \u201cHarald!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe ring,\u201d Harald said, nodding at Qara. \u201cThe Nerevarine himself gave me a replica of his Moon-and-Star ring. Maybe, if the Blades were to see the ring, they might let us in? All of us, I mean, Dardeh? You\u2019d have to show me where they are, anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dardeh was stunned.<\/p>\n

By Talos. It might actually work. If I can just get Delphine to listen long enough to meet Qara\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Frina stared at Harald.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re going to lie to them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, Mother, I\u2019m not going to lie to them.\u201d Harald shook his head. \u201cI\u2019m not going to represent myself as the Nerevarine; I\u2019m just going to show them the ring.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dardeh saw Roggi grinning at him, and tilted his head to one side. What is going on in your mind, love? <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHarald is a smart young man who has learned his lessons well. In this case, they\u2019re the ones from Brynjolf. You don\u2019t lie to people. You don\u2019t deliberately tell them something false.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you don\u2019t necessarily tell them all of the details,\u201d Qaralana finished, chuckling. \u201cThat\u2019s one of the first things Daddy taught me.\u201d She looked at Frina and smiled. \u201cWe won\u2019t say Harald is the Nerevarine, because he\u2019s not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I did get this ring from the real Nerevarine. He said it might be of use.\u201d Harald looked across the table at his father, who was staring at the table.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a good plan, son. Very good. You must all travel together \u2013 you, Dardeh, and the Dragonborn. Together you should be safe.\u201d He raised his head up again and looked directly at Qaralana.<\/p>\n

\u201cListen to the Blades carefully, if they allow you to. Consider what you\u2019ve learned from Arngeir. Don\u2019t allow the judgment of those who have been close to this issue to color your thoughts. I know that is difficult to do. It is difficult for all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s be on our way, then,\u201d Dardeh said, shaking his head when Roggi started to protest. \u201cI\u2019d prefer staying here to make use of this fantastic room, love, but I think this needs to be done right away. Stay and watch the palace.\u201d He exchanged a long look with Roggi. Ulfric does look tired. I\u2019m concerned. Keep an eye on him. <\/em>He prayed that Roggi would understand; and after a long moment, Roggi gave him a small nod.<\/p>\n

\u201cWill do,\u201d Roggi agreed.<\/p>\n

Harald led the way out of the suite. Just before they left the main trophy area, though, Qaralana stopped Dardeh with a hand on his arm.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cUncle Dar. You think something\u2019s happened to Paarthurnax, and that\u2019s why all the dragons came back?\u201d<\/p>\n

He thought for a moment.<\/p>\n

Brynjolf\u2019s right. Never lie to them, but don\u2019t necessarily tell them the whole truth.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019m afraid that may be the case. That\u2019s why I want you to talk to the Blades.\u201d<\/p>\n

He followed her out of the room, hoping that he was wrong.<\/p>\n

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Home Previous \/ Next   \u201cHarald! Wow.\u201d Qaralana had just taken out an aggressive wolf when the bandit emerged from a clump of trees. Harald tsk\u2019d, drew his sword, and calmly beheaded the man. \u201cYou didn\u2019t think I had it in me, I take it?\u201d Qara smiled. \u201cIt\u2019s not that, I just haven\u2019t ever seen … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “Chapter 6 – Qaralana and Dardeh”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":1779,"menu_order":6,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1916","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1916","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1916"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1916\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1968,"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1916\/revisions\/1968"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1779"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1916"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}