Night had once again fallen over the city of Whiterun. Jorrvaskr was silent, the braziers snuffed out. Durag and Aela cuddled together tightly underneath their blankets, holding each other close. Suddenly, a sound in their room awakened the Wood Orc. Shooting up, he gripped the sword beside his bed as he saw someone sat on the floor, Volendrung in their lap. "How did you find that weapon?!" he demanded, "Speak!"
The figure turned and stood. It was an Argonian, dressed in strange robes with a feathered headdress. "So you are the famous Wood Orc of Valenwood," she seemed unfazed by his threat, "This is quite a weapon you find yourself in possession of."
She stopped, hearing the pull of a bow. Aela had too awoken, and was pulling back her bow. "You do not need to threaten me," the Argonian said, "This is all I want. I'll be on my way now."
"Oh, will you?" Durag stepped in front of the door.
The Argonian chuckled. "You have no idea what this is, do you?" she asked.
"It is the weapon of Malacath," Durag answered, "Given to me by him."
"A weapon of the Daedra," she finished for him, "Then you should also know that it is not the only one of its kind in Skyrim."
He watched as she looked at it closely. "You may not realise this, Durag Ugrua," she continued, "But an Evil is coming to Skyrim. The likes of which none of us have ever encountered before."
She looked at the weapon again, gently running her hands over it. "The Daedra watch over our mortal affairs," she said, "And some think it comedic to interfere. They choose Champions, like yourself, to spread their name in our realm."
"Is this the evil you speak of?" Aela demanded, "Gods and deities?"
The Argonian turned to her with a snap, almost too fast.
"Not exactly." she answered.
Durag approached her and took her by the arm. "What does that mean?" he yelled.
"I cannot say," she broke away effortlessly, "It is not my warning to bear. But I must take this weapon."
"How are we to know that you will not use it for the purposes you warn us of?" Durag asked, crossing his arms.
She sighed and sat in the chair facing the bed. "I am the Arch-Mage of the College of Winterhold," she explained, "My job is to scour the world, and deal with all of Skyrim's Magical problems. Assuring these "Champions" do not use their artefacts for evil is one such obligation."
"How many other Champions are there?" Durag asked, intrigued.
"So far?" The Arch-Mage looked up, "Just the two of us."
She smirked before whispering to herself, "The battle for my soul is already one that shall rage for centuries."
Aela turned to her husband, who could not break his eyes from this Argonian. She was certainly peculiar. "What do you intend to do with Volendrung?" he asked.
"Keep it away, keep it hidden," she promised, "With the others in the College. That way, nobody will ever be able to use them."
"And how can we be sure the College won't use them?" Aela asked.
"Our purpose is to teach others how to harness Magic and protect themselves from the evil of the world," was the answer, "We would not endanger our students, much less the world."
Reluctantly, Durag stepped away from the door. "Keep it secret," he asked, "Keep it safe."
"You have my word, Harbinger." came the reply as the Argonian left.
I have found the Champion of Malacath, and successfully obtained Volendrung. My next expedition will take me to Markarth, where rumours of a certain haunted house may lead me to the Mace of Molag Bal.
- Kasaah Careesilus, 12th of Rain's Hand
YOU ARE READING
Legends of Skyrim: The Wood Orc (BOOK ONE)
Fantasi"... They are a very different breed of Orc." - In the Company of Wood Orcs Durag Ugrua once stood proudly among his tribe, the Wood Orcs of Valenwood. Yet, despite his valour in combat, Durag found himself at odds with the chieftain's stance agains...
