I nodded, taking in the glorious sight of the 10 Sigil Stones, 35 Dark-Iron Ingots, and 10 liters of Necroplasm Creatia. This haul would be instrumental in my quest to forge the most powerful armor and weapons Tamriel had ever seen—artifacts that would make even the gods themselves envious.
The Dremora had served its purpose. "You have done well," I said to the daedric creature. "But your service ends here."
Ahbiilok, ever the opportunist, lunged forward and swallowed the Dremora in one swift motion. The creature's eyes went wide with shock before disappearing down the dragon's gaping maw. The act was so sudden and brutal that for a brief moment, I almost felt pity for it. But then the cold reality set in: this was necessary. The Dremora was a tool, and now it had outlived its usefulness.
Ahbiilok's jaws snapped shut, and a satisfied rumble vibrated through his massive chest. The dragon had consumed not just the creature's body, but its soul as well. The dark energy of the Dremora's soul coalesced before me, and I raised the Black Soulstone. With a silent incantation, I drew the soul into the stone, trapping it within. The power surged through me, potent and intoxicating.
"Ahbiilok," I said calmly, "now that we've secured these materials, there's one more task before us." The dragon's eyes gleamed with curiosity as I mounted his back, Rael bounding along beside us. "We fly to Solstheim. There's something I need to do there."
Ahbiilok took to the skies without a moment's hesitation, his mighty wings beating against the air as we soared over the vast expanse of Tamriel.
"Can you not use that Key which you've done to open portals across Tamriel as you've done in our battle?" Ahbiilok asked as h obediently took flight and flew to the South.
"I could, but Nocturnal, the Daedric Prince that the Skeleton Key belongs too would take it from me by force. I can already feel her growing impatient and irritated at my rapid repeated uses of the Skeleton Key. I know what I need to use the Skeleton Key for still, and I'll avoid further use of it for now."
The journey was long, but the excitement of what lay ahead kept me from succumbing to the weariness that threatened to claim me. The wind whipped through my hair as we approached the stormy skies of the frozen island.
Solstheim, a land of stark beauty and ancient secrets, was now our destination. The island was a treasure trove of knowledge and artifacts, left untouched by the wars and conflicts that ravaged the mainland. It was here that I would find the final piece to the puzzle that was my quest for power.
Ahbiilok touched down near the first Dragon Mound, his massive claws sinking into the frozen earth. Rael leapt from his back, his eyes scanning the horizon, ever vigilant. Sivreth stepped off, the cold air biting at his skin, but the warmth of excitement keeping him from feeling it.
The tomb of the Dragon Priest Vahlok the Jailer lies not far from here, but that wasn't my objective. I have no desire to face my death by fighting the Dragon Priest that defeated Miraak in his youth 4000 years ago. No my true goal was the Skeleton corpses of the 2 Dragons buried on Solstheim along with their souls.
Ahbiilok landed gracefully near the first Dragon Mound, his scales whispering against the cold ground. Rael leapt off and prowled around, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Is this what you seek?" Ahbiilok rumbled, his gaze fixed on the mound. "The essence of one of my kin?"
Sivreth nodded firmly. "Yes, I need you to absorb one soul to strengthen yourself, and the other... I have a different plan." He took a deep breath, the cold air stinging his lungs. "But let's not waste time. The Skeleton Key will unseal the tombs."
Ahbiilok hovered in the air, watching with curiosity as Sivreth approached the first Dragon Mound. The Falmer's hand trembled slightly as he placed the Skeleton Key against the ancient stone, feeling the pulsating power beneath his fingertips. The air grew thick with anticipation, and then with a deafening crack, the mound split open, revealing the gleaming skeleton of a once-mighty dragon.
Sivreth's heart pounded as he stepped closer, the cold wind biting at his skin. He knew that the soul of this creature was not bound to Ahbiilok, but rather to Miraak, the Dragonborn turned tyrant who had once terrorized the land. The very thought of Miraak brought a shiver of fear down his spine. But he pushed that aside, focusing on the task at hand.
Ahbiilok took to the skies as instructed, his wings slicing through the air as he dove down towards the dragon mound. He opened his jaws, and a shockwave of gold energy burst from them, shattering the icy ground and tearing the invisible bonds that held the dragon soul captive. The soul shot into the sky, a brilliant streak of light, and disappeared into the dragon's gaping maw. Sivreth felt the power surge around him, but the dragon's soul was not meant for him to claim, he was not a Dragonborn and couldn't absorb the Dragon's Soul. But he could store the Dragon Soul of the other Dragon CORPSE they will go to , with Ahbiilok's help.
With that done, I wasted no time as others will see the streak of light emitted when unsealing the Dragon Burial Mound. I swiftly stored the entire corpse of the Skeleton of the Dragon along with the scales that was undamaged from decay and the passage of time.
Ahbiilok, feeling the influx of power from the absorbed soul, turned to me with a knowing look as i spoke to hime, "Now, we go to the Northmost part of Solstheim. There's another dragon that awaits us."
Ahbiilok nodded and took flight, his wings slicing through the cold air as we soared over the icy landscape. The Northmost part of Solstheim was a small landmass jutting out into the sea, surrounded by treacherous waters and fierce storms. It was here that we found the next dragon mound, buried beneath layers of ice and snow.
Sivreth's hand hovered over the Skeleton Key, and with a swift motion, he touched it to the mound's entrance. The ancient stone trembled, cracked, and split open. Inside lay the skeletal remains of a dragon, frozen in time. Ahbiilok descended, his eyes glowing with the hunger for knowledge and power. He released a Shout, the ancient language of the dragons, and the soul of the creature was ripped from its resting place, captured within a modified Black Soul Gem that hung around his neck. The dragon's soul was too potent to be contained in an ordinary gem, but it would serve its purpose for now.
The dragon's skeleton was then meticulously stored away in Sivreth's ring, the bones clicking into place as if it was meant to be. He had harvested enough Stahlrim Ore and other materials needed for his grand designs on this trip, and now it was time to leave Solstheim behind.
Ahbiilok, feeling the power of the new soul within him, took to the skies once more. We flew over the treacherous waters that surrounded the island, heading back towards the mainland. The journey was silent, each of us lost in our thoughts about what the future might hold. The dragon's wings sliced through the air, leaving a trail of frost in our wake.
As we approached the shoreline of Skyrim, I could see the distant lights of Riverwood twinkling in the night. The village was a safe haven for many travelers, and it had been a while since I had visited. But tonight, my visit would be anything but ordinary. I instructed Ahbiilok to remain hidden as we descended, landing in the shadows just outside the village limits. Rael's eyes darted around, sensing the presence of the guards and villagers nearby.
Disguised as a Nord teenager, I made my way to the Sleeping Giant Inn, the warm light spilling out into the cold night air. The scent of roasting meats and spilled mead wafted from within, mingling with the pungent odor of the nearby river. As I entered, the patrons barely spared me a glance, lost in their own tales and drinks. I slipped by them and made my way to the back room where I knew the secret entrance lay, I made sure to sneak past the inkeeper ad not to allow Delphine especially, to see me as I sneaked inside the room with the secret wardrobe passageway.
The room was as I remembered, cluttered with weapons and armor that gleamed dully in the moonlight. But what I sought were not the treasures of Riverwood, but the knowledge hidden within the maps scattered across the dusty tables. One by one, I touched my Elder Grimoire to them, each time a glowing copy of the map appearing within its pages. The knowledge of Skyrim's hidden passes, ancient ruins, and forgotten fortresses became mine to command, a tactical advantage that would serve me well in the battles to come for when I eventually raise my army and begin my conquest of Skyrim.
The air grew thick with the scent of parchment and ink as the last map transferred to my Grimoire. I felt a brief pang of greed, my eyes lingering over the wealth of knowledge before me, but I knew that time was not a luxury I could afford. The whispers of the Thalmor would reach these walls soon enough, and I had to be one step ahead of them at all times.
Before I was done I left a specific modified sapphire stone I had enchanted and hidden it in the corner of the room.
With the maps safely within my Elder Grimoireas a copy, i left the originals untouched as if i never moved them, I turned to leave the room, my boots silent on the dusty floorboards. I paused at the door, casting a Detect Life spell through the wood to ensure no prying eyes would spot my exit. The coast was clear. I slipped out into the quiet hallway, my heart beating a staccato rhythm in my chest. The guise of a Nord teenager felt tight around me, a reminder of the many layers of deceit I had woven into my existence.
As I exited the Sleeping Giant Inn, the cool night air washed over me, carrying with it the scent of the river and the distant howl of a wolf. Rael waited outside, his fur ruffling in the breeze. "Good boy," I murmured, scratching his ears. "We're almost done here."
Ahbiilok remained hidden in the shadows, his massive form barely discernible as he watched over us. With the dragon's soul stored safely and the maps copied, we had what we needed. "Let's go," I whispered to Rael, and we set off into the night, leaving the sleepy village of Riverwood behind.
"You should stay hidden for the next few months Ahbiilok. I'll have ro stay in Whiterun for some time, I'll come back here every 30 days (1 month) to meet with you and inform you of my plans moving forward.
The journey to Whiterun was uneventful, the moon casting a silver path before us as we rode through the frosty night. Upon reaching the city's gates, I dismounted and approached the guards, my illusion amulet in full effect. They nodded in recognition of the Nord youth before them, and after paying the entry tax, allowed us passage into the bustling merchant city.
I did need to pass through a clearance check so that Rael could enter alongside with me as he was a Senche-Raht-Tiger. Previously Rael was born as a Senche-Tiger but had evolved and became a Senche-Raht-Tiger breed. It seems that the affects of the 4th moon were greater than I had previously thought when he was born.
Regardless I made my way to the Bannered Mare Inn in Whiterun's.
The familiar scent of roasting meats and spilled mead filled my nose as I stepped into the warmth of the bustling tavern. The patrons were a mix of locals and travelers, all sharing tales of their journeys and exploits. I found a quiet corner and approached the innkeeper, a gruff but fair-looking woman. "I need a room," I said, keeping my voice low and my hood up. She gave me a suspicious look but took the gold I offered without question.
With the room secured, I quickly set to work placing magical wards around it. It was a simple spell, one that would alert me to any unwanted visitors and provide a barrier against spells and physical intrusion. I didn't expect trouble, but it was better to be safe than sorry, especially in a city as crowded as Whiterun.
Once the wards were in place, I settled down on the sturdy bed, the soft fur blankets a welcome respite from the cold outside. Rael took his position by the door, his eyes glowing softly in the dim light. He had grown more alert since our encounter with the rogue mage, and I knew I could count on him to protect me while I rested.