Honor of the Dragonborn

Secrets of the Skaal

Vilkas was so glad they'd be leaving Neloth once they got out of the Dwemer ruins, he didn't complain or ask Krinna for more details before they hurried out the doors.

"Miraak has commanded your death. So it shall be!" A large iron-colored dragon declared as soon as they got outside. Vilkas swore, drew his bow, and fired as the dragon took to the air.
"Great," Krinna grumbled sarcastically as she lit her hands with lightning spells and drew her sword. "Tell Miraak to come do his own dirty work," she yelled as the dragon circled around behind Nchardak, trying to avoid Vilkas's arrows.  "Joor Zah Frul," she shouted as soon as the dragon doubled back around to attack them.
"Bein Rotmulaagge," the dragon cried as it crashed to the front of the ruins. "What foul Words are these?"
Vilkas switched to his axe and charged the downed dragon, slicing at its wings as Krinna charged into its face.
No matter how many times he saw it, watching his wife jump onto a dragon's head and stab it in the face until it died never failed to impress Vilkas. But as the dragon fell and began to disintegrate, the spectral form of Miraak appeared beside Krinna again.
"Did you ever think of the pain? Of having your soul ripped like that?" He asked with a cruel chuckle as he stole the dragon soul.
"Fuck off!" Krinna yelled furiously swinging her sword straight through his incorporeal form. Miraak just laughed as he slowly disappeared. "I'm gonna rip his soul," Krinna growled.
Vilkas took several steps closer to Krinna as he scanned the skies for more trouble. After a few moments when none was apparent, he put Wuuthrad back on his back and Krinna sheathed her sword with a grumpy sigh.
"Hmm..." Neloth said thoughtfully looking at the dragon bones, "I wonder if a dragon could be captured alive? It would make a fascinating test subject."
Krinna and Vilkas exchanged amused glances and wordlessly agreed not to tell the annoying wizard anything.

As they made their way carefully away from the sunken ruins, an icy breeze whipped around them, and Vilkas noticed the sun was already low in the sky.
"Maybe we should make for the Skaal village in the morning, love," he suggested.
"Maybe," Krinna agreed. She pulled her map out thoughtfully and Vilkas kept watch while she studied it for a moment. "Raven Rock is a bit closer," she pointed out, "we can probably make it back to that inn before dark."
"And hopefully there will be less chanting this time," Vilkas nodded.

As they walked back to Raven Rock Krinna described the bizarre realm of Apocrypha and told him of her encounter with Hermeaus Mora.
"So what's our plan love?" Vilkas asked once she'd finished.
"That's what I'm trying to think of," Krinna sighed. "I don't want to betray the Skaal... I'm thinking we just try to talk to them and see if they'll cooperate with us..."
"Seems unlikely," Vilkas warned in concern.
"I know," Krinna agreed with another sigh, "but I still don't want to try and trick or betray our allies."
"So what will we do if they won't cooperate?"
"That's what Wuuthrad is for?" Krinna shrugged, clearly distressed at the thought of it coming to that.
"Alright love," Vilkas nodded as he reached down and took her hand as they walked. "I'll have your back if it comes to that."
Krinna gave him a small, grateful smile and gently squeezed his hand.

They made it back to the Retching Netch right at nightfall. There were several more patrons inside now. A few of them recognized the two of them as the ones who'd freed them from Miraak's spell at the Earth Stone, and offered to buy their dinner.
The food was greasy but not bad. Vilkas noticed Krinna still looked a little pale, so he wasn't surprised she didn't eat as much as usual.
"How are you feeling love?" Vilkas asked in concern once they got to their room.
"Just exhausted," Krinna sighed as Vilkas gently pulled her to the bed and began helping her remove her armor. "Hermaeus Mora makes me uncomfortable," Krinna continued, "and trying to keep up with those moving platforms in Apocrypha just made me sick."
Vilkas took off his own armor and helped his wife wash off the ash from their trek to Raven Rock. He hoped she wouldn't have to deal with going back to that awful place, especially if he couldn't go with her.