Daughter Of Alduin | A Skyrim inspired novel

Chapter 3 | A Dragon's Message

The morning sun filtered through the small window of their inn room, casting a warm glow across the wooden floor. Shea woke with a start, her mind still reeling from the strange calling she had heard in her dreams. The haunting words echoed in her thoughts, urging her to seek out Sovngarde. As she quickly dressed and prepared to leave, she realized with a jolt that Valen and Nivan were nowhere to be seen.

Panic surged through her, and she grabbed her sword, ready to search for them. But as she hurried down the stairs, the aroma of breakfast wafted up to meet her. She followed the scent to the common room, where she found Valen, Nivan, and a few other travelers seated at a large table, enjoying a hearty meal.

Valen looked up as she entered, a slice of bread halfway to his mouth. "Aren't you joining us?" he asked, his voice warm and welcoming.

Shea, still slightly disoriented, nodded and took a seat. "Yes, of course," she replied, forcing a smile as she began to eat. The friendly chatter and the clinking of plates provided a welcome distraction from the unsettling vision she had experienced.

As she ate, Shea's mind remained preoccupied with the mysterious voice. It wasn't long before the silence fell over the table. Shea, unable to shake her curiosity, broke it with a question. "Where is Sovngarde?"

Valen's hand froze mid-air, his bread slipping from his grip. He stared at her with a mix of surprise and concern. "Sovngarde?" he repeated, his voice tinged with confusion. "It's a dangerous place, a realm where no living man has ever returned."

Nivan looked up from her plate, her expression mirroring Valen's confusion. "Yes, it is indeed a perilous realm," she said, her tone serious. "Sovngarde is the realm of Aetherius, where dead Nord heroes are rewarded by Shor with an eternity of revelry in the Hall of Valor. It's a place of honor and glory, but no living soul has ever been seen coming back from there."

Shea listened intently, feeling a strange sensation wash over her. The words spoken by the voice in her dream now seemed even more cryptic and distant. She understood the gravity of what they were saying, but the call she had heard lingered in her mind, unanswered and unresolved.

Valen and Nivan's reactions only deepened her confusion. She chose to keep the strange calling to herself, not wanting to alarm or burden her companions with something they couldn't understand. Instead, she continued eating, trying to focus on the warmth of the meal and the comfort of the company around her.

By noon, the town of Windhelm had receded into the distance. Shea and Nivan made their way through the snowy wilderness, the wind biting at their faces. The air was crisp and cold, but their spirits were high as they set out on their journey toward Riften.

At the edge of town, they bid farewell to Valen, who declined their offer to join them on their adventures. He had unfinished business in Whiterun and promised to visit them in Riften once he had completed his tasks. Shea embraced him in a warm hug, a gesture of both gratitude and goodbye. "I'll see you in Riften," she said. Valen nodded, his expression a mix of determination and regret as he mounted his horse and rode off into the distance.

As Shea and Nivan walked away from Windhelm, they waved goodbye to the curious townsfolk. The journey ahead was long, but they were undeterred. They traveled for six days, navigating the rugged terrain of Skyrim until they reached the small town of Ivorstead. They took refuge in a cozy inn, resting and replenishing their supplies before continuing their quest.

The following day, as they resumed their journey, the weather took a dramatic turn. A fierce snowstorm descended upon them, the wind howling and snow swirling in chaotic gusts. Visibility became nearly impossible, and the biting cold made travel arduous.