Wanderer

Chapter Twenty-Nine

I woke up suddenly, drenched in sweat and breathing heavily. I looked down at Ulfric who laid beside me. I wiggled my fingers against his neck and rested them there for a minute. I was relieved to find a pulse, and his breathing was steady as he gently snored. A vision of his bloody robes flashed through my mind. I shook my head, as if to clear it, and quietly got out of bed. 

In nothing but my thin nightclothes, I walked down the hall until I came to the staircase. I climbed until I came to roof access, being greeted with the cool air of the night. It was welcome, seeing as I was nearly burning up in my sleep. I was surprised to find another figure, staring across the sea from the tower. I approached, recognizing the burly shoulders as Galmar.

"It's a bit cold to be out here without a cloak, isn't it lass?" he said, turning to face me. I was grateful for Galmar's presence, as he was a great listener and offered good advice. 

"I think I can manage for a little while." I responded, coming to stand next to him. We stayed silent for a little while before he spoke again.

"I've been thinking of my wife here recently." he said, his eyes never leaving the sea. "Her name was Åse. She was undoubtedly the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on." he started, a memory flashing across his face as his lips curled into a smile. "I remember the first moment I saw her. She was more radiant than a summer's day, and her voice was so soft. Like rain gently hitting a window. And her eyes, oh her eyes. Like shimmering sapphires, glistening in the candle light." he continued, obviously fond of the memory he had of her.

"She sounds wonderful." I commented, drawing his attention from the sea.

"She was. And a fantastic woman. Always knew just what to say." he said, taking my hand in his. "She was eager to visit her family. She had been raised in Solstheim, and wanted to take our son, Rhorick, to visit them. Åse was always a wonderful mother. So attentive." he said, offering me a smile before glancing back out to the sea. "Sometimes I wish I had gone with her. Perhaps things could have gone differently. But I doubt I could have prevented the disaster that occurred."

I gave Galmar a gentle embrace as tears glistened in his eyes. "The sea took them. A terrible storm swept through and capsized their ship. I received the news weeks later. I had simply assumed they were safe in Solstheim with her family." he finished, returning my embrace.

We stood there for a good long while. I understood that Galmar did not need me to say anything, or do anything. He simply needed the embrace I offered him. Little did he know, I, too, needed this embrace. 

"Galmar, she would be so proud of you." I finally said. He did not reply, but held me tighter for just a moment.

"You remind me of her sometimes. When you get a gentle look in your eye." he said, brushing my hair from my face. I smiled up at him, surprised to find his cheeks wet. I brushed his face clean of his tears, trying to give him a comforting look. "What has you out here at such an ungodly hour?" he then asked.

I sighed, debating whether to tell him or not. I had come up here with the full intention of clearing my mind, in hopes of coming to a conclusion about what to do. It was obvious the message Miraak sent me was that if I did nothing, I could lose those around me.  He was not going to stop until I was dead. But if I left now, Ulfric would never stop searching for me.

"I was invaded in my dreams tonight by a sorcerer named Miraak." I said finally, meeting Galmar's gaze which turned into a perplexed look. "I have never heard of him, nor met him. But he told me that he was the one who sent my father after me. He was also the man who warned me about Lancion and Silva." I said, pulling some strings together in my mind. " Which I assume was a ploy to trap me."

"Miraak?" Galmar repeated, a worried look coming over his brow. "I have heard of this Miraak. He is based in Solstheim. Very powerful, and very dangerous." 

"I fear he will stop at nothing until he gets what he wants." I commented, detaching myself from Galmar and looking out towards the sea in the direction of Solstheim. 

"Which is?" 

"Me." I answered, giving him a look. "He wants me dead, Galmar."

Galmar seemed to steep with this information for a moment before replying. "It would not be the first time someone wants you dead, and I fear it will be the last." 

"This is different, Galmar. He used my own family against me. He's resourceful." I said, anger bubbling in my stomach. "And he had invaded my thoughts. I've never met a mage powerful enough to do so."

"Perhaps-"

"He called me 'Imposter'. Claims that he is the true Dragonborn." I interrupted.

Galmar's face told me he was taken aback by this news. "Well that's a tall statement."

"One, I fear, may be true."

"Come on, now. You are the Dragonborn. Everyone knows it. He can-"

"He could. If he were dead." I interrupted again, my wheels working quickly in my brain to try and figure out what exactly Miraak meant for me in the future.

"Well how could he be dead? Dead people do not just come back to life." Galmar said, then quickly muttering something about necromancers under his breath.

"Galmar, I do not know how he does it but the fact of the matter is that he does." I explained, beginning to pace. "And if he is truly so well connected then I simply cannot sit here and do nothing I must-"

"Asdis."

I stopped my rant to look at Galmar. He had a sad look on his face as he watched me pace. "You're leaving again, aren't you lass?"

My breath caught in my throat as I carefully watched him. I knew I had to leave, but that was not the issue at hand. Lancion and Silva would be fine, they have each other. But Ulfric would stop at nothing to find me and bring me back home.

"I'm not going to stop you. In fact, I think it best if this is dealt with sooner rather than later." Galmar then added. "I could come with you an-"

"No."

Galmar sat silent for a moment before speaking up again. "Asdis. You cannot do everything on your own."

"I do not know this threat." I started, giving him a pleading look. "If it were a dragon, fine. Even my father, I can accept help. But this? If this man is truly what he says he is and is Dragonborn, I do not want anyone getting between us." I explained, coming to stand chest to chest with him. "Galmar, you must promise me you will not tell Ulfric where I went and that you will not try to follow me."

"Lass, I do-"

"Promise me." I pleaded. "There is nary a man nor beast that can survive me, Galmar. I do not want to think of what another Dragonborn could do."

Galmar sighed heavily before nodding. I gave him a hug, the tightest I've ever managed. 

"You'll have to break Ulfric's heart." he said suddenly.

I gave him a puzzled look. "What?"

"He'll only insist on pouring every resource into finding you. Break his heart."

Admittedly, I knew Galmar was right. But I could not hurt Ulfric, it pained me to even think about. 

"If he believes you do not love him, he will win this war in your absence." he said, motioning towards the rest of Skyrim. "He will throw himself into defeating the Empire."

I gave Galmar a sad look, "Okay." I replied quietly, dreading what I'd have to do.

"Go, it's best if you leave during the night. I will brave the morning." he said, gesturing towards the castle door. "Just be safe, and hurry back to us, Asdis. We all need you."