Skyrim Stories

Gold Stone Barrow

I had left the throat of the world weeks prior. The Grey Beards had given me the directions to a Barrow up North, by the name of "Gold Stone Barrow." I was told to go to Dawnstar, and follow a trail that lead North for several hours until I fell upon another trail heading right. They didn't give much detail as to what this Barrow intailed, but it was nothing good. I made my way through blizzard, after blizzard. Shadowmere walked slowly along beside me. He'd been my companion since Astrid had given him to me when I joined the brotherhood. I was alone otherwise. No pets, no friends. Only a single daughter, Lucia who I'd adopted off the streets in Whiterun.

I come to a split in the road, having left Dawnstar ages ago I turn right knowing I may very well have hours left. The forest is oddly quite as though every monster, and animal is warning me to turn and walk away. I have come to far turn back now. Nearing a mountain I find myself at the base of a stone staircase. Worn by weather, and pure neglect. The stone seemed frozen into place by the sheets of thick ice atop each step. Climbing my way up I find the bodies of past adventures that had succumb to the cold. I check one for any spare coin, or potions. Each one only has 3 Septums in their pockets. I check my money reserve to find I had left my life savings at home in case I never returned home to Lucia. I had in fact left Dawnstar with only 3 Septums in my pocket as well.

There are all races from Redguard, to Khajiit, High and Dark Elves, and wood Elves, even a Nord or two sprawled out on the steps. Less and less bodies appeared as I reach the end of the stairs towards the large wooden door. Inscriptions of Dovahzul or Dragon Language are etched across the door. Reading over the last inscription "Faas fin laat keir" I shuddered, a sense of fear rolling over me as I push open the heavy wooden door. I gag at the smell of death reeking in the air. A few torches line the wall either side of me. In front of me a large stone table littered with papers, and tools of eras gone by. In the center sat a Dragon Claw.

I had managed to get my hands on almost every one of these valuable keys. Sapphire, Ebony, and the two halves of the Amethyst claw among others. However checking it over it wasn't a copy of any of the other's it was made entirely out of silver. I had always assumed this key belonged to the door in which Mercer Frey had unlocked with the Skeleton Key. I pack away the key, and pull out a torch lighting it with a torch on the moss covered stone wall. I also pull out my Daedric Sword in my right hand as a precaution as I head down a narrow corridor. It was bitter cold, only slightly warmer then the blizzard I could only assume was still raging on outside.

Out of no where a Skeever jumps on me. Throwing it to the ground I drive my sword through it's neck killing it instantly. I crouch down sneaking around had become my best defense in quickly taking out my enemies. Putting out the torch I put away my sword in exchange for my Daedric bow and arrows. It was just bright enough that I navigate my way to the very last puzzle door I'd ever have to face. Turning each ring to match the pictures on the bottom of the Dragon Claw. Wolf, bear, and lastly a Dragon. I shudder again looking at the image of the dragon. It doesn't look like any dragon I have encountered in my many years traveling across the province of Skyrim.

As the door falls the familiar sound of the stone rumbling sent me back to many past adventures. Crouching down I crawl through the door. Wooden ramps and pillers come into view. In the middle of the far wall between two Draugr Death Lords a door with what appeared to be a hole for some sort of key. I quietly ready my bow with an arrow. Taking aim I launch an arrow into one and quickly reloaded to shoot again killing it quickly. I quickly repeated this on the second one. Checking the rest of the room I find it empty.

Standing I walk to the Death lords and search them. Only 3 Septums, and a fresh cabbage? I can't help, but think to try and put the cabbage in the door lock for shits and giggles. Walking up I slide the cabbage into place, and to my utter amazement the door slides opens. Who makes a door key a cabbage? I internally scream as the door slides open. My heart leaps into my throat. The cold from the room is nothing new, but the hissing noises were all to familiar. Ice wraiths. Crouching quickly loading my bow I try to count and can't tell how many of these frozen little monsters there are I start with one, and keep shooting.

Once the noise dies down I count all the bodies. Twelve?! My head spins this is only the second floor, and already the large amount of creatures is staggering. Searching through the bodies each again having three Septums. I find a strange key the bow of the key has a gemstone presumably from a foreign land far from Skyrim. It's very smooth and a cool medium blue color. Maneuvering through the bodies I come up to the door, and slide the key through the slot. The door drops, and my heart jumps. In front of me is a wooden spiral staircase. Carved into the pillar is an image of another Dragon, shaking my head I slowly make my way down. I come to a wooden door with more Dovahzul inscribed above the door. "Straag rigir Dovahkiin" translating to "Turn back Dragonborn". Pausing for just a moment I question if I perhaps should turn back as the inscription of the first door replays in my mind. "Faas fin laat keir" translating to English as "Fear the last floor".

Crouching I push open the door as silently as I can. The bright light hits my eyes blinding me as I walk forward. My heart drops as I walk into the cavern a ring of torches surrounds a Dragon Mound with a massive dragon in the center. Its giant wings are golden black in color, with spikes running down its back. It's tail is flat and appears to be as wide as it's body.

"Dohvahkiin. You've come for a final battle. My name is not important. I fought beside Alduin before being trapped here" It's voice booms within my head sending me to my knees.

"You and Alduin will see each other in the void!!" I shout piercing his tough scales with an arrow. I hear him laugh as he snaps at me, and I roll to the side as he takes to the air. I try using Dragon Rend, but he seem unaffected by the shout.

Drawing back my bow I lunch an arrow into the Dragons left eye and effectively blinding him allowing for me to land a shot in the back of his head. He blasts fire at me and injures me greatly. Taking out a regeneration potion I drink it quickly as I dodge another bite attack as the massive gold dragon lands beside me. I draw my sword and swing it as the dragon growls in anger. Landing several hits, before he can blast back into the top of cave. Blood is heavily dripping from his eye. I ready another shot to aim for his right eye.

I miss him by only a few inches. He roars in anger, and blasts me with another ball of fire. I shout Dragon rend to keep him on the ground. After a few seconds I realise that this dragon unlike Alduin is immune to Dragon Rend. "Foolish Dovahkiin. Your Earthly shouts are no match for me!" His voice booms in my head. I shoot another arrow, and hit his right eye this time. The large golden dragon lands infront of me on the Dragon Mound. I quickly jump on his head, and plunge my sword into the back of his head in one fluent motion. With one last growl the Golden Black Dragon slams to the floor.

I take my gains from his corps, and walk back to the top of Gold Stone Barrow, "Back to my daughter. It's over now."