Deep in the Barrow

I woke with a heavy head and queasy stomach the next morning. Celebrations had gone long into the night and probably the morning once my acceptance as a Companion was complete. Food was eaten. Many, many tankards of mead were consumed. Songs were sung. While I believe most of them were pleased that another warrior had joined their ranks, while I wouldn't say they were suspicious, one or two were still careful around me. I guess they still considered me an outsider. I thought of myself as a Nord, but coming from Chorrol and Cyrodil, in their eyes I assumed I was not a 'true' Nord. But I didn't let it bother me. I would change their mind through my actions, not my words.

Through it all, though, I didn't have any real opportunity to speak with Kodlak in private. The revelation of beastblood was still in the back of my mind. I was left thinking that it was something that should have not been revealed so early. I still wondered if I would be offered such a blessing, as Farkas had called it. I wasn't so sure it was a blessing, but I had seen the power of the wolf, and some of the advantages of having beastblood. I thought I would have to speak with Kodlak later and get his view on it.

Any thoughts of speaking to Kodlak was put to the back of my mind when Aela approached me while I was eating breakfast by myself. She had a strange look on her face as she took a seat next to me.

"What is it?" I asked.

"There's a pair of town guard outside asking for you."

"About what?"

"They didn't say why. They only said that the Jarl has requested you go see him straight away."

"So I'm not in trouble?"

"I guess not. But why would the Jarl be asking for you?"

I shrugged. "I did bring the news of the dragon attack on Helgen and the request of aid for Riverwood. He asked if I could stay in Whiterun as I only guessed he may have a job for me."

"Working for the Jarl, Ragnar? Friends in high places?"

I laughed. "Hardly. Do I look like someone who would be part of the Jarl's inner circle?" I paused. "Don't answer that. But I guess I'd better go see what he wants."

"I may jest, but the Jarl is a good man. It would be worth having someone like that on your side if you wish to make your way in life."

The pair of town guard said little as they escorted me to Dragonsreach, not that I asked them any questions, figuring the Jarl or his steward would answer any questions I may have. Again, there was a small crowd of petitioners waiting to see the Jarl, the great hall otherwise feeling rather empty. The two guards escorted me as far as the stairs before they turned and left me alone, the Jarl standing and walking forward to greet me. Again, I wasn't sure if I should take a knee or not. He could obviously read my face as he held up a hand to stop me.

"No need for that, Ragnar. I have requested your presence for a specific reason." He'd got straight to business. I appreciated that. "Have you settled in well?"

"I have. I was made a Companion last night."

"Your trial was successful?" I nodded. "Where did it take place?"

"Dustman's Cairn."

"An ancient Nordic crypt? They didn't make it easy for you."

"No. But we were triumphant in the end as I stood side by side alongside my shield-brother. We brought honour to the Companions."

"Just don't let the old man down. Everyone in Whiterun has respect for Kodlak Whitemane. But I also consider him a close personal friend."

"I'll do my best, sir."

"So I'm guessing you're wondering why I've asked you up here?" I nodded. "Come with me." I followed him into a side room where a man dressed in robes was reading over some sort of tome. "This is Farengar, my court wizard. He will explain what is required."

It sounded simple though I knew it wouldn't be. Retrieve something called the 'Dragonstone'. Farengar explained that it was a map of dragon burial sites and may help discover where the next dragon would appear. It had been some time since the attack on Helgen but no-one thought it was an isolated incident. Dragons had returned. It was simply a case of where and when the next attack would occur. I asked but one question.

"Where am I going?"

"Bleak Falls Barrow. It is not far from Riverwood."

I had a vague idea where it was. 'Think that was the ruins Ralof pointed out after we escaped Helgen'. "I'll leave at once."

"Be careful, Ragnar. These old ruins are usually full of the undead, though I guess you're already used to that after your trial."

I headed straight back to Jorrvaskr and prepared myself for what was to come, in particular the new sword Eorlund had given me the night before. Skyforge steel. Far stronger than regular steel but also lighter, which I didn't particularly understand. I then thought that I was now a Companion and could probably use help for when I arrived at the barrow. 'An ancient Nordic ruin? Going to be a full of draugr. Definitely need help'. Having worked with Farkas during my trial, I thought I may ask for someone else for help. 'Maybe even two'. I ran into Aela first and asked her if she was willing to join me. She leapt at the opportunity to jump into action. I saw no-one else around so, wasting little time, we headed off to Riverwood together.

"We should head to that shop for supplies," Aela suggested when we entered the little village.

"What sort?"

"Do you have any health or stamina potions?" I shook my head. "We should grab a few of those, just in case. See what else the store has available. You don't use potions?"

I shrugged. "Not particularly. I find not getting cut or stabbed helps."

"What about magic?"

I shook my head. "I'm a Nord. I'm not particularly inclined to magic anyway."

Aela laughed, I think at me. "You sound just like Skjor and the others."

"What about you?"

"While I will admit that I'll use my bow above anything else, I do have some skill in regards to magic. I just never really have to use it because of my adeptness with the bow."

We entered the shop to find a man behind the counter in an argument with a woman who we soon discovered was his sister. A quick discussion with the man, Lucan Valerius, told us about the robbery that had recently taken place in his shop. He said nothing had been taken except one object, a golden claw, and therefore he would pay us in coin, a lot of coin, if we were to retrieve it. He asked where we were headed, and upon telling him that we were headed to Bleak Falls Barrow, he said there were rumours in town that is where the robbers had fled to. Aela purchased some potions from Lucan and, after an escort to the opposite side of town from his sister, Camilla, we started up the mountain pass.

It was a long walk up the path and the weather slowly changed the higher we climbed, a reminder of my trip from Bruma into Skyrim, what already felt like a lifetime ago. The forest and fauna eventually thinned as the mountain towered over us. When I looked up, the peak was barely visible thanks to the cloud and I could see the weather was closing in. I looked at Aela, who had plenty of skin exposed.

"I'll be fine. I brought a coat," she stated, pointing to the small pack on her back.

We soon ended up on a narrow path circling around the mountain, the green turning into white as we soon found banks of snow on either side of us. The view to our left was breath-taking in its beauty, mountains ranges spreading as far as the eye could snow, snow-capped peaks shrouded by fluffy clouds, while far below in the valley, a river ran through a forest of trees, green fields far off to our right turning into farms nearer to Whiterun. I could have stood there all day and simply taken in the view.

The first snowflakes started to fall as we climbed even higher. The wind started to howl, whipping even more snow into our faces. It wasn't blinding but it was certainly getting uncomfortable. We stopped for a moment to put on our coats to hold off the worst of it. We Nords are particularly hardy and are certainly used to the cold. I've been told that we have an inbuilt resistance to the cold. Considering the harsh landscape, it would make sense. Aela certainly looked far warmer wrapped in her fur coat as we trudged forward.

"Halt!" Aela called quietly as we approached a tower, immediately taking a knee, scanning ahead.

"What is it?" I asked as she came alongside.

"Ahead near the tower. There's a guard."

I couldn't see a thing ahead. Then I thought. 'Must be the beastblood. All Circle members have it, after all. Smell, hearing and sight appears to be significantly improved'. "Can you hit him from here?"

She answered by taking an arrow from the quiver on her back, taking aim and firing. I tried to track it but lost it through the snowfall. "Let's move," she stated, so I guessed the arrow hit its intended target.

We found the body a couple of hundred metres ahead, the arrow piercing the throat of what appeared to be a bandit. 'Dressed like a bandit, but may be one of the robbers'. I took the sword from its scabbard and entered the tower, another bandit sitting at a table. He heard my entry but it was already far too late, walking out a few seconds later, sword bloodied.

The weather well and truly closed in as we continued our long walk up the mountain, barely able to see a few feet in front of us, having to use a hand to shield our eyes from the snow and wind. Even in our fur coats, we were both chilled to the bone, eager to get into the barrow as soon as possible, not because it would likely be any warmer, just so we'd get out of the snow.

After what felt like hours, though wasn't, it was only the bad weather which caused our pace to slow, we finally arrived at a set of stairs leading up the barrow. Again Aela called me to a halt, bow already in hand. I'd brought my bow as well, and while nowhere near a good a shot as she was, I figured I could help. Cautiously we climbed the steps, the howl of the wind in our ears, as we both readied an arrow, a sixth sense that more bandits would be waiting for us.

Before I'd even seen or heard the enemy, Aela had already loosed an arrow, a second arrow readied immediately, turning and firing at a bandit that had been running towards us. I hadn't even heard him! I twirled again as I heard a shout, a third bandit approaching cautiously, shield in hand. I readied my arrow, waiting for the opportunity. For some reason, the bandit thought banging his shield would be a good idea. 'Wrong!' I let go and watched the arrow find its mark. Aela made sure by loosing a second arrow after my first. We checked for any further bandits, but finding no more, we entered the barrow, despatching the pair of bandits guarding the entrance with ease.

"This place must be thousands of years old," I wondered aloud as we walked along the expansive entrance chamber.

"Yes, it shows," she replied, pointing at a wall that had completely crumbled, exposing us to light and snow.

"You ever been in one of these old ruins?"

"I have from time to time. I wouldn't exactly call myself an adventurer. I prefer hunting out in the open though, through the forests or across the plains."

"As a human or���"

She came to a stop, eyebrows raised. "You know?" I nodded. "Yet you sound intrigued. Is that true?"

I shrugged. "I can see the benefits. But I guess it's not an easy choice."

She shook her head. "No, it isn't. I would suggest you speak with Kodlak and the others before making your choice. The old man is…" She trailed off before clearing her throat. "Apologies, I am speaking out of turn. What the Harbinger thinks is private and for him to share."

"I take it you enjoy the beastblood?"

A look entered her eyes for a moment and I knew immediately that she enjoyed it a lot. "I consider it a great gift from Hircine. I know Nords generally wish to journey to Sovngarde when they die. I will be happy to serve Hircine in this life and the next."

"I assume Hircine is a daedra though?"

Aela nodded. "He is. But, unlike most of them, I believe him to be honourable. I am a hunter and believe I will be rewarded to participate in Hircine's hunting grounds for eternity once this life has ended."

"An interesting viewpoint."

"And you, Ragnar? What do you believe?"

"My father waits for me in Sovngarde. I wish to join him."

We descended deeper into the barrow but I was surprised to find no further bandits waiting for us. Well, that's not quite correct. We came across the body of one bandit when we entered what Aela called a puzzle room. "Another sort of trap," she added, "Don't put that lever until we're sure everything is right. They usually look simple but appearances are deceiving."

If these were the sort of puzzles the ancient Nords thought would stop adventurers such as myself, they were sadly mistaken. Not because I'm a smart man, just that the puzzle wasn't too difficult, strolling through the open gate no more than a minute or so later. We were met with a dead end, though there was a rickety wooden staircase that led downstairs. Below, we were greeted by thick spider webs. 'Ugh, more spiders'. Aela had her bow in hand, following her example as we took our time moving forward.

"Wait, I hear something. Up ahead."

"What?"

"A voice. Terrified."

The webs continued to thicken until we could go no further. I drew my sword, hacked my way through and, ten seconds later, wish I hadn't as I scrambled back through the doorway, a giant spider in my footsteps. Aela took a small bottle from her pack and started coating her arrowheads in something. She looked up at me while busy at work. "Poison. It should slow if not paralyse the spider. Once I've put about three of these into the creature, you get in there and put it down."

Sometimes the best laid plans don't go awry. Quicker than even I could imagine, she put three arrows into the spider. It screamed, if such as a thing was possible, before it shuddered then eventually collapsed to the ground. I ran in and leapt onto its back, driving my sword down through its head. Just to make sure, I stabbed down a couple of more times, tempted to severe its head from its body. So focused on trying to kill the giant spider, I hadn't even heard the voice yelling for help.

We approached the elf wrapped in webbing. "Who are you?"

"I'm Arvel. I'm… an adventurer."

"Try again," Aela stated.

"What?" Arvel asked, confusion in his tone.

"Do you have a golden claw?" she asked.

"Yes! Yes, I do. It will reveal the secrets of this barrow. If you cut me down, I'll share it with you. You've already help take care of the spider. You will be of great assistance with whatever else we have to face."

"So you admit to being a thief?" I asked. His face dropped. "We'll cut you down, you give us the golden claw then you can get out of here. We'll let you live but you're so called adventure ends."

I cut him down and then the fool decided to run before I even had a chance to grab him. We let him go, figuring we would catch him eventually deeper in the barrow, and would probably be running to his death considering the manner of traps and creatures waiting for us. Thankfully I wasn't wrong, finding his body in a burial chamber surrounded by a trio of draugr. We put them down quickly before I found the golden claw in his backpack, pocketing a few coins and also a couple of gems hidden in another pocket.

"What do we do, keep going or head back?" Aela asked.

"Up for some adventure? He mentioned there were secrets to this place. We could find out what they are?"

She grinned. "Sure. Why not. It will be a story to tell on our triumphant return."

There was still plenty of draugr for us to pick through and a number of traps ready for the unwary to stumble into but Aela and I worked well as a team. If I wasn't convinced before, I was now proud to be a Companion, to have people I could call up at a moment's notice for help in any given situation, and I would happily answer their call if required. Aela's skill with the bow was incredible, draugr falling to the ground before they've even come close to me. I even found reason to complain that I was feeling a little left out as she put arrow after arrow into the enemy.

A swinging axe trap did cause a moment of concern. I don't know how it started as we stepped on no pressure pads. For the first time, Aela looked nervous if not a little unsure. So I, bravely, stupidly or unwisely, volunteered to run through and stop them swinging, hoping there was some sort of lever on the other side. I handed my weapons and small pack to Aela before I stood before the swinging axes, took a deep breath, and once they had swung one way, I ran, feet pounding into the ground before I dove forward as the axes returned the other way.

I was through.

I found a chain and stopped the axes, allowing Aela to pass through safely. We continued to descend through the crumbling ruin, eventually arriving in a chamber, a waterfall to our left with water cascading through a gate to our right. But it was another dead end.

"Wait, there may be a way through here," Aela stated, pulling a chain nearby. The gate through which the water flowed opened and we followed the path through. We followed the water until arriving in another cave, continuing to descend further, running into the occasional draugr.

"Are we still in the barrow?" Aela wondered as we walked through a tunnel.

"Can only assume the ruin has collapsed and someone has dug all these tunnels," I replied.

"Who would have done that?"

"I don't know. The draugr, perhaps? They appear to be the guardians of these places. Considering how old these places may actually be."

The series of tunnels finally ended after a few minutes, re-entering the barrow, looking back to see an entire hallway had collapsed in on itself, though we were so far underground, there was no sunlight. Happy that we were back on the right track, we ran into a lone draugr standing guard at a large pair of doors. Any hopes that this would lead directly to the secret were dashed as we entered a room full of sarcophaguses.

Of which at least half a dozen then opened. I knew I groaned as I took out my sword yet again, Aela already unleashing a storm of arrows. This time, she didn't kill them all as my sword was bloodied once again, the clang of metal as two swords met, the crash of sword hitting shield, though my sword, smithed with Skyforge steel, actually caused the ancient metal of the draugr to snap and break apart at times, leaving them as easy pickings. My sword was so sharp it cut through draugr like butter, leaving a trail of blood and body parts behind me.

A few minutes later we ended up in a long hallway. To our left and right was ancient artwork and inscriptions. I didn't know what to make of them, asking Aela for her opinion and she didn't know either. We spent a few minutes' look at each one, trying interpret what they meant but eventually gave up. It was far beyond anything I could understand but it was interesting nonetheless. At the end of the hallway was a large door, covered in more inscriptions. There was also a giant lock. 'Ah, so that's what the claw is for'. I withdrew the claw from my pack and was ready to insert it when Aela stopped me.

"Wait!" she shouted, grabbing my arm, "It could be a trap. See the symbols?" she asked, pointing at the door, "I have no doubt they have to be correct, otherwise… something will happen. Probably bad."

"How will we find out what's correct?"

"What about the claw itself?"

I turned the claw around in my hands and the answer was right in front of me. "It can't be that easy. Surely…" I wondered as I entered the three symbols before placing the claw in the lock, turning it counter-clockwise. There was a loud click and then the door slowly started to lower. "I guess it is," I muttered under my breath.

We climbed another set of stairs, muscles in my legs starting to tire from all the walking and climbing, as we entered another cave. More sarcophaguses were dotted around the cave but nowhere near as many as before. And, thankfully, none of them opened as we carefully walked forward. I wasn't too surprised to see another of those strange walls ahead. A pair of braziers were lit, with even more spread out across the complex, providing some light, while there was evidence of a further cave in as sunlight filtered in through a gap in the ceiling ahead. Otherwise, all was silent apart from two waterfalls off to our left.

"What do you think?" I asked.

"I suggest we be cautious. Any idea where this Dragonstone is?"

"If I were a guessing man, it's somewhere near that wall."

Aela kept her bow in hand, watching my back as we slowly climbed the steps leading up to the wall. Just like in Dustman's Cairn, I started to hear chanting while a small portion of the wall started to glow. I looked back at Aela. "Can you not see that?"

"See what?"

I pointed. "The wall? Part of it is glowing!"

"Are you feeling alright, Ragnar?"

I sighed. "Never mind." I walked forward towards the glowing wall and again that feeling overwhelmed again, learning something I didn't particularly understand. "Fus," I whispered.

"What was that?"

"Fus. No idea what it means but that's what it says, right here," I replied, pointing at the wall, now no longer glowing.

"You can read the writing?"

"No. I can't read a single thing. But… I'm just left with the feeling that this right here says 'Fus'. But I don't even know what that means in our language. I don't what any of it means, full stop."

Aela looked unsure before she finally shrugged. "Come on, we should find the Dragonstone and get the claw back to its own."

There was only one place it probably was. The lone sarcophagus sitting centre of the platform on which we were currently standing. The lid was currently in place but I knew once we approached it, whatever was inside would wake up then try and kill us.

"What do you think?"

"We have to get it, Aela. We can't leave empty-handed."

"Okay. I'll cover you as best I can."

Sword in my right hand, shield attached to my left forearm, armour in place, I stepped towards the sarcophagus. I was half a dozen steps away when the lid popped, crashing down to the ground alongside it before there was a growl, the draugr moving swiftly. I readied to charge forward when I paused a moment as this draugr was dressed in exquisite armour, looking far stronger than anything we had dealt with previously. It pulled an enormous sword from its back and looked directly at me, its green eyes aglow.

And then it shouted. I have no idea what it actually said or how such a thing was possible, but the force of the shout blew me from my feet as I tumbled head over butt back towards the word wall, thankfully not meeting the wall with my head, though that didn't stop pain racking my body when I slammed into it. I heard Aela shout out my name before the draugr growled and then I heard footsteps. I staggered to me feet, watching the draugr rush towards Aela. I yelled at the draugr to grab its attention, the undead creature stopped in its tracks and meeting my eye. I clashed sword against shield and beckoned it forward towards me instead.

It rushed towards me, great-sword swinging in a slow arc. I managed to dodge it quite easily and slammed my shield into stomach of the draugr. It barely seemed to feel it as I swung my sword, metal hitting armour. I then took a step back and readied myself for the next phase.

"I can't get a clear shot!" Aela yelled as I ducked another swing, "You're in the way. Force it towards the wall."

'Yeah, because that's how easy it'll be'. The draugr swung his sword again, using my shield to block, deflecting it away, stabbing forward with my own sword. It was a glancing blow but I knew I'd hit skin as the draugr growled again. With eyes watching intently, I slowly circled around the draugr until its back was to the wall.

Then I attacked, slamming my shield into the draugr again, putting all my strength into the move. This time the draugr staggered backwards, stumbling back into the wall behind it. I heard a shout of my name, then I think it was followed by 'duck' as I hit the floor. I looked up as one, two then three arrows entered the face of the draugr within seconds, the creature collapsing to the ground. I simply rolled onto my back and sucked in a few deep breaths.

Aela appeared in my eye line. "That was a good fight." I nodded. "Are you okay?" I nodded again. She offered her hand to help me up.

"Once I'm back in Jorrvaskr, I'm having a drink," I stated once I was upright again.

"Another night of revelry?"

"I thought that's what we did after a triumphant return?" I questioned rhetorically as I walked towards the sarcophagus, finding the Dragonstone at the bottom of it. I placed it carefully in my pack before we looked for the exit. It was dark outside once we'd found it, having to use the lights that illuminated Riverwood to find our way back. Thankfully it wasn't too late to return the claw to Lucan, the shopkeeper so happy to have his claw returned that he rewarded Aela and I with more coin than I could have contemplated.

It was usually unwise to travel when dark, but with torches in hand, we walked back to Whiterun as I wanted to return the Dragonstone as soon as possible. Town guards were still patrolling as far as the meadery, passing one or two farmhands as we approached the city gates. I was already recognised, one of the guards greeting me by name, which was a nice feeling.

"Want to come up to Dragonsreach?"

"No, thanks. I'll head back to Jorrvaskr. I'll see you there."

The Jarl was sat down for dinner with his family upon entering the great hall. I was ready to turn around and not interrupt but he saw and called me forward, immediately inundating me with questions about the success of my quest.

"Do you have it?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Come with me."

Farengar wasn't alone this time when we entered his quarters, deep in conversation he was with someone else, though I could not see their face, though the other voice was definitely female. Their conversation ceased once they noticed the Jarl before they both looked my way.

"You have it?" Farengar asked. I took the stone from my pack and handed it over. "Ah, you found it. Excellent! Yes, you are certainly a cut above the usual brutes the Jarl sends my way."

I think that was a compliment, slightly backhanded it may have been. "You delved into Bleak Falls Barrow by yourself and retrieved that stone?" his companion asked.

"Not alone. I did have someone help me."

"Nevertheless, I'm impressed. Not many people adventure into one of those ruins and comes out alive."

I just shrugged. "I'm not completely untrained. I was part of the Fighters Guild in Chorrol and I'm now a Companion. That's not to say it was easy. It was anything but. And my colleague, Aela, a fellow Companion, should also be thanked."

The Jarl nodded. "I will ensure word is passed to Kodlak but you, Ragnar, have done Whiterun another great service. Is there anything you want that I could give as a reward?"

"I don't want for anything, sir. I've already been rewarded plenty of coin by helping a shopkeeper in Riverwood retrieve something that had been stolen from him. I'll be happy enough to just head back to Jorrvaskr for a rest."

The Jarl nodded. "Of course. Of course. Farengar, do you need anything else?"

"No, my Jarl. I will get to work straight away."

"I will also take my leave," the female stated, "Farengar, you will keep me updated?" He nodded. "Very good. Jarl Balgruuf," she stated, nodding deferentially towards the Jarl before she left.

"Who was that?" I asked the Jarl as he escorted me towards the giant doors of the great hall.

"She's a friend. I feel I can't say anything more than that, unfortunately. It's not an issue of trust, it's…"

"Say no more, sir. I understand there are secrets that cannot be divulged."

We shared a handshake, though that of warriors, grabbing a forearm each. "You have my personal thanks for everything you have done so far, Ragnar of Chorrol. I can rest assured you will assist Whiterun again if I call?"

"Of course, sir."

He smiled. "Very good. Then enjoy your evening. I'm sure you'll have plenty to tell your colleagues in Jorrvaskr."

He was right. It was another long evening once I walked through the doors of Jorrvaskr and shared the story of Bleak Falls Barrow, many toasts towards myself and Aela for another successful quest and triumphant return. To be honest, after such a day and then evening of celebration, the only disappointment was that I went to bed alone.