The Thief in the Snow
Entry VI: Just the Beginning
Location: Riverwood, Whiterun Hold
Date: Middas, 20th of Last Seed, 4E 201
I had spent an entire day in Bleak Falls Barrow and the whole ordeal had been a nightmare. I could not comprehend the events that had taken place as I hiked down the mountain to Riverwood. During the short journey down the mountain, I began to examine the items I had collected from the Draugr Overlord. The Dragonstone was just as Farengar said it would be, a small stone tablet with writing on it, the same strange writing that had glowed in Bleak Falls Barrow. There was a Spell Tome of Clairvoyance which I read on my way to Riverwood. I also found an enchanted necklace and ring; one granted fire resistance and the other increased my magicka. I had collected quite a few weapons too, both from the Bandits and the Draugr. At least this quest had not been for nothing, I would get my rewards from Lucan and Farengar and also hefty earnings from selling these goods.
I went straight to Lucan’s store to return his Golden Claw for I had had enough of the cursed thing. Lucan and Camilla were overcome with joy when I gave them back their claw. Lucan could not thank me enough. I told him I was happy to help but left out the part with the glowing writing, Draugr everywhere, and the shouting. He and Camilla did not need to know those things. He gave me a reward and I sold my goods to him. With the money I was able to buy some extra supplies including Leather to craft new armor for myself. I said my farewells and went straight to Alvor’s forge to craft myself a fine set of Leather Armor. Dorthe was there, helping Alvor with his work. She kept asking him questions, like if she would ever be as good as him one day. I wanted to stay with Alvor and his family, maybe make a life for myself here in Riverwood but I knew that Farengar needed the Dragonstone if he were to discover why a Dragon had returned to Skyrim. I had to finish my quest, even if I wished to remain in Riverwood.
Location: Whiterun, Whiterun Hold
Date: Middas, 20th of Last Seed, 4E 201
It was late evening when I arrived in Whiterun and the streets of the city were empty. As I walked past the Temple of Kynareth, I saw an Imperial girl sitting on a bench next to the giant white tree that was the center of Whiterun. She was no older than Alvor’s little girl, Dorthe, and I was surprised to see her by herself at such a late hour.
As I grew closer, she called out and asked, “Mister, could you spare a coin?”
I reached into my pocket and held out a gold coin.
“Oh, thank you! Divines bless your kind heart.” she cried as she took the gold coin from my paws.
“What is this one's name?” I asked, “And why is this one begging?”
“My name is Lucia.” she answered and then paused for a moment. “It is… it is what Brenuin said I should do. He is the only one that has been nice to me since… since mama…” Lucia looked down at her hands, “Since she died. My aunt and uncle took over our farm and threw me out. Said I was not good for anything. I wound up here, but… I…” She wrapped an arm around herself, “I do not know what to do. I miss her so much…”
There was nothing I could do or say to make her situation better. I wished her well and told her to be careful not to freeze to death. I felt guilty leaving her behind like that but what could I do? I myself did not even have a place to call home. The plight of this child was a common occurrence in the harsh land of Skyrim. As I climbed the stairs that led to Dragonsreach, I came across a Whiterun Guard.
He pointed a finger at me and sneered, “Heard about you and your honeyed words.”
I ignored him and kept walking. I passed another Guard.
“Hands to yourself, sneak thief.” he threatened as I walked by.
I had no reply. I simply kept my head down and continued towards Dragonsreach. Once I had given Farengar the Dragonstone, I would leave Whiterun for good. I hoped I could find one of the Khajiit Caravans that roamed across Skyrim and join them. I would rather be amongst my own people; they would not treat me like these Nords did.
I entered Dragonsreach and marched towards Farengar’s room with a purpose.
The Guard at the door called out to me, “Stay out of trouble, Khajiit.”
I had had enough. The name calling, the threats, maybe I was a thief but they did not know that. They were only judging me on my appearance alone. I decided I would get revenge on this unsuspecting Guard. I walked away from the Guard until I was out of his line of sight and then snuck back around him. I crept closer to him until he was within reach. With my deft paws, I lifted the quiver full of Steel Arrows off of his back, and then I reached into his pack and pulled out a torch and his civilian clothes; all without the Guard noticing. I chuckled to myself as I slinked away, this would teach him to mock me.
When I reached Farengar’s room, I found he was not alone. He was talking to a hooded woman, I could not see her face clearly but from her dress and demeanor, I could tell that she was a capable warrior. I overheard Farengar mention a book from the First Era, something about a Dragon War. I did not understand what was being said but I was sure the mysterious woman did. She commented about her employers and how they needed to see progress. Farengar reassured her that he was working as hard he was could. He also remarked how he would love to see a Dragon up close, that the experience would be invaluable; I doubt he would still feel the same way if he had witnessed the events of Helgen.
Farengar then noticed I had been standing near him and addressed me, “Hmm? Ah, yes, the Jarl’s protege! Back from Bleak Falls Barrow? You did not die, it seems.”
‘Protege?’ I snickered to myself, ‘What a funny prospect.’ I held out the Dragonstone to Farengar without saying a word.
“Ah! The Dragonstone of Bleak Falls Barrow!” the Court Wizard exclaimed with surprise in his voice. He began to run his hands over the tablet. “Seems you are a cut above the usual brutes the Jarl sends my way.”
“Dar’Raza has brought this one the Dragonstone. What next?” I asked as Farengar continued to appraise the tablet.
Without even looking up at me, he answered, “This is where your job ends and mine begins. The work of the mind, sadly undervalued in Skyrim.” Farengar hesitated for a moment before continuing, “My… associate will be pleased to see your handiwork. She discovered its location, by means she has so far declined to share with me.”
With this he addressed the woman. “So your information was correct after all. And we have our friend here to thank for recovering it for us.”
The mysterious woman spoke to me, “You went into Bleak Falls Barrow and got that? Nice work.” Then she continued her conversation with Farengar, “Just send me a copy when you have deciphered it.”
Suddenly, the Jarl’s Housecarl bolted into the room. “Farengar!”
We all turned our attention to the panicked Dunmer.
“Farengar, you need to come at once.” Irileth’s face was taut with seriousness. “A Dragon has been sighted nearby.”
My heart skipped a beat. ‘A Dragon? Could it be the same one from Helgen?’ the questions swirled in my head.
Irileth pointed at me, “You should come, too.”
I nodded with a low growl and adjusted the quiver on my back. I guess this was not the end of my work after all.
“A Dragon!” Farengar exclaimed as he clapped his hands with glee, “How exciting! Where was it seen? What was it doing?”
I do not think Farengar truly understood the gravity of the situation. Killing a Dragon would be no small task and I was unsure if it was even possible. The Imperial Archers in Helgen had pelted the black Dragon with hundreds of arrows but they failed to bring down the creature. I did not think my bow would make much of a difference in a fight against a Dragon. As Irileth answered Farengar, I noticed the mysterious woman leaving. None of her concern, I take it. I wanted to do the same but what if the Dragon turned towards Riverwood? At least Whiterun had an army of guards; they might be able to kill the beast. I pictured Alvor and Dorthe happily working the forge while Sigrid prepared a meal inside their home. There was Lucan and Camilla who tended their store and Faendal who worked the mill before he hunted in the woods. ‘I must protect them.’ I thought to myself as I fingered my bow and turned my attention back to the conversation.
Irileth scoffed at Farengar, “I would take this a bit more seriously if I were you. If a Dragon decides to attack Whiterun I do not know if we can stop it.”
She motioned for us to follow her up the second floor of Dragonsreach. There we found Jarl Balgruuf and a Whiterun Guard holding a conversation.
“So, Irileth tells me you came from the Western Watchtower?” the Jarl questioned the Guard.
The Guard answered, “Yes, my lord.”
Irileth interjected, “Tell him what you told me. About the Dragon.”
The Guard nodded, “Uh… that is right. We saw it coming from the south. It was fast… faster than anything I have ever seen.”
“What did it do?” the Jarl asked with concern streaking his face. “Is it attacking the watchtower?”
“No, my lord.” the Guard replied. “It was just circling overhead when I left. I never ran so fast in my life… I thought it would come after me for sure.”
The Jarl patted the Guard on the shoulder. “Good work, son. We will take it from here. Head down to the barracks for some food and rest. You have earned it.”
The Guard bowed and left the presence of the Jarl.
Balgruuf the Greater motioned towards the Dunmer. “Irileth, you had better gather some guardsmen and get down there.”
“I have already ordered my men to muster near the main gate.” she replied.
“Good.” the Jarl said in a concerned voice. He paused for a moment before looking straight into Irileth’s eyes. “Do not fail me.”
The Jarl turned towards me. “There is no time to stand on ceremony, my friend. I need your help again.”
‘Friend?’ I thought but only nodded my support.
“I want you to go with Irileth and her fight this Dragon. You survived Helgen, so you have more experience with Dragons than anyone else here.” Jarl Balgruuf smiled at me, “But I have not forgotten the service you did for me in retrieving the Dragonstone for Farengar. As a token of my esteem, I have instructed Avenicci that you are permitted to purchase property in the city. And please accept this gift from my personal armory.”
I was stunned; I took the gift without a word. He had shown me such trust and gratitude. Me, a Khajiit, an outsider to his lands and he had offered me a home in Whiterun. I could not think, there was still the Dragon to deal with. I followed Irileth back down to the main hall of Dragonsreach. As I did, I could over hear Farengar speaking with the Jarl.
“I should come along.” Farengar remarked. “I would very much like to see this Dragon.”
“No, I cannot afford to risk both of you.” Jarl Balgruuf shook his head, “I need you here working on ways to defend the city against these Dragons.”
Farengar hung his head in disappointment but did not question his Jarl. “As you command.”
The Jarl stood at the top the stairs and called out to us. “One last thing, Irileth. This is not a death or glory mission. I need to know what we are dealing with.”
The Dunmer reassured her Jarl, “Do not worry, my lord. I am the very soul of caution.”
As we approached the main door to Whiterun, Irileth spoke to me, “I will see you at the watchtower as soon as the rest of the men have gathered.”
“I envy you to see this Dragon up close.” Farengar shouted as he waved goodbye.
‘I envy you for staying in the safety of Dragonsreach’ I replied in my head.
The Thief in the Snow
Entry V: Into the Deep
Location: Bleak Falls Barrow, Whiterun Hold
Date: Tirdas, 19th of Last Seed, 4E 201
I made no mistake this time. I followed the road from Riverwood up the mountain and made certain that I did not go back to the watchtower but forward, towards the barrow. For this journey, I had no cover for the morning sun was steadily rising higher and the clouds that floated overhead did not appear full of snow. I did have one advantage on this attempt; I was not dressed as an Imperial Soldier but looked like a common bandit. I could easily get close to any thieves that may lie in wait before they became too suspicious. On the other hand, the Whiterun guards in Riverwood had almost arrested me until they recognized who I was. Maybe I looked too much like a bandit for my own good.
I had finally arrived at my destination. I was never one for admiring the scenery but the sight of Bleak Falls Barrow before me was one to behold. The ancient ruins towered high overhead and there was an eerie aura in the air. I hesitated for only a moment, gathering myself as I gazed at my surroundings, before I entered the home of Hadvar’s childhood nightmares.
Awaiting me were three Bandits, participants in the robbery of Lucan I presumed. I snuck around the giant stone columns, keeping just out of sight until I was able to let loose a killing shot. The first Bandit fell without a sound. It took a few moments for the other Bandits to notice the death of their comrade. They split up to search for me but they had not realized they had given me the advantage. I fired an arrow at the head of a Bandit but the shot whistled wide. The Bandit whipped around, searching for where the arrow had come from but I had regained my focus and the next shot would not miss. I knew there was at least one more bandit searching for me. I climbed the ancient stone stairs silently, with every muscle in my body tense, ready to spring into action. I stopped for a moment to listen, the wind was whipping across the ruins but my Khajiit senses did not fail me. I could hear the clumsy footsteps of the Human only a few hundred feet away. I drew my bow and waited for the Bandit to appear and with one fluid motion; I planted my arrow into the Bandit’s heart.
I collected my prizes off the corpses of the three Bandits before I proceeded into the interior of the barrow. Here I was, finally inside Bleak Falls Temple. It smelled musty and damp except for the few vapors of burning wood. I was not alone in these ruins. Over on the far side of the room, I could see the dancing shadows of an open fire and the faint silhouettes of two Humans. I wasted no time and fired an arrow at one of the silhouettes, dropping its owner to the ground. I quickly hid behind a pillar as the surviving Bandit ran to the door to investigate. ‘Hah!’ I chuckled to myself as the Bandit ran right past my hiding spot. I did not even have to aim as I let loose an arrow into her back. I was quite pleased with myself until I saw the dead bodies littered about the room. There were five corpses in total but only two had been dispatched by my bow. I crouched down immediately, I must stay on guard.
I descended deeper into the temple; dislodging spider webs that must have been there for generations. I came across some ancient burial urns, they were an unnerving sight. Someone must have inhabited this ruin long ago but I also saw signs of more recent visitors. Dust had been disturbed and fresh mud lined the floors. I crept deeper into the Temple where I discovered another Bandit trying to open a door. It took two arrows to finally kill him and I looted his body like I had done to the previous Bandits I had encountered. I turned to examine the door he had been trying to unlock. It appeared to be some kind of puzzle but I had no knowledge of how to solve it. I turned back the way I came, deciding that it would be best to go back to Riverwood and inquire about the puzzle in town. Maybe Alvor or Lucan would know something about it, or someone from the Sleeping Giant Inn. I was also carrying my limit in goods from the Bandits and I wanted the opportunity to sell what I had collected.
Location: Riverwood, Whiterun Hold
Date: Tirdas, 19th of Last Seed, 4E 201
Unfortunately, no one in Riverwood had any idea what I was inquiring about. It was not a complete waste of time as I did earn quite a bit of gold by selling off the goods from the Bandits. I also created a few potions with the ingredients I had gained and had even overheard an interesting conversation at the inn. According to what I was able to catch, there was a Shrine of Azura, or Azurah as I know her, near Winterhold which was located as far north and almost as far east as you could travel in Skyrim. Supposedly, the shrine was built by refugees from Morrowind and the trek there was very dangerous. This interested me very much because Azura was said to have created the Khajiit race and I had made quite a few pilgrimages to Azura’s Shrine near Cheydinhal during my time in Cyrodiil. Well, it was not the same Azura exactly, but it would be the closest I could get outside of Elsweyr. This would have to wait of course, since I still had my mission to collect the Dragonstone for that Court Wizard, Farengar.
Location: Bleak Falls Barrow, Whiterun Hold
Date: Tirdas, 19th of Last Seed, 4E 201
Two minutes. That is all it took for me to solve the puzzle and open the door. I regretted not trying to open it the first time I stumbled upon the room but I would rather take the cautious route than end up as a rug on the wall. Beyond the door I found a chest filled with quite a bit of gold and a book entitled ‘Thief.’ ‘My kind of book.’ I grinned to myself. After thumbing through its pages, I realized it had some useful information to improve my lockpicking technique. This book turned out to be more valuable than the gold I had found. To the left of the room was a spiral staircase that led deeper into the barrow. ‘Down I go.’ I mused.
When I reached the bottom of the stairs, I was suddenly attacked by a horde of Skeever rats. The stairwell was too narrow and the Skeevers too close for my bow to be effective. I hurriedly wielded my dual daggers, one steel and the other iron, to dispatch of the vermin. Luckily, I was not bit for Skeevers carry horrid diseases that I was not equipped to treat. I reached an open room in the ruins below and I searched it but found nothing of value. As I continued further on I could hear a panicked voice calling out the names of his comrades. I wondered if he was the thief who had stolen the Golden Claw but I had more important things to worry about first, he knew I was there. I pulled out my bow and notched an arrow. I would kill him in one shot.
I approached the room where the voice had come from with stillness to my step, stalking my prey before unleashing the killing blow. I was so focused on the task at hand that I failed to notice the spider webs that were now encroaching every corner of the ruins. I could hear him crying for help, pleading with his dead comrades to save him but he did not realize that he was alone. The room where this voice was coming from had been sealed by webbing so thick that I had to cast a fire spell to breach it. I now knew this was going to be no ordinary kill.
With Steel Dagger in my right paw and Flames ready to be conjured in my left paw, I approached the owner of the voice I had been hearing with caution. It happened in an instant. I saw the Dark Elf screaming for help as he tried to break free from the webbing that confined him. A Giant Frostbite Spider fell from the ceiling and began to attack. ‘Why did it have to be a spider?’ but I had no time to complain, it attacked ferociously, poisoning me with its wicked venom. I cast a healing spell on myself with one paw and with the other, feverously attacked with my dagger. The battle waged on for what felt like hours; dodging, countering, healing, and always trying to gain the upper hand. Then I saw it, my chance to end this monster’s life. I slid under its hulking frame and thrust my dagger up into its abdomen. The giant spider squirmed for a few moments before slumping to the ground; dead. I turned my attention to the thief, a Dunmer, who was still trapped in the spider’s web.
“Get me out of here!” he pleaded. “Do not leave me, for Arkay’s sake!”
I approached him with my dagger still drawn, “Where is the Golden Claw?”
“Yes, the claw. I know how it works.” he answered as if he were pleading for his life. “The claw, the markings, the door in the Hall of Stories. I know how they all fit together! Cut me down and I will show you. You will not believe the power the Nords have hidden there.”
I did not trust this man but I had little choice, “Fine. Dar’Raza will see if Dar'Raza can cut this one down.”
“Sweet breath of Arkay, thank you!” the Dunmer exclaimed with appreciation.
I took two swings at the webbing with my dagger.
“It is coming loose. I can feel it.” he said ecstatically as I continued to cut at the web.
With one last swift swipe of my dagger, the Dunmer fell to the ground, free of his prison. He got up to his feet and then smirked at me.
“You fool.” he declared, “Why should I share the treasure with anyone?”
He ran. He was the fool. Did he think he could outrun me, a Khajiit? I chased after him, I could have pulled out my bow and shot him but I wanted to sink my daggers into his back. He ran down into what appeared to be a tomb and I followed in close pursuit.
He stopped momentarily, “What is that sound?”
I did not allow him the opportunity of an answer as I pounced on top of his back, plunging steel and iron into the back of his neck. I stood up feeling proud that I had caught my prey only to realize that I was not alone. I whirled around as I saw three corpses rising up from their coffins. ‘Draugr! These creatures were what had haunted Hadvar’s dream!’ I had to react quickly; I attacked the Draugr that was closest to me first. Two strong strikes and he was down. I spun around to face the other two; one had a shield and the other a greatsword. The exertion of chasing the Dunmer thief had spent most of my energy and I did not have the stamina to land another heavy attack. I used my swiftness to maneuver behind the two Draugr and attack their backs. Within moments, the ambush was over and the Draugr were corpses once more.
I collapsed to the floor, exhausted, trying to collect my breath. So those were the monsters Hadvar told me about and the ghouls Camilla warned me to be on guard for. It was bad enough I had run into a Giant Frostbite Spider but now I had corpses to fear as well. After taking a few more minutes to collect myself, I stood up and began searching the bodies. The Draugr did not have much on them, they were corpses after all, but the Dunmer thief had exactly what I was looking for; the Golden Claw! Upon further examination I could see that the claw had three symbols on it. A quizzical expression crossed my face, ‘I wonder what they mean?’ I moved on to the other items the thief was carrying. One was a book, ‘Arvel’s Journal.’ I looked down at the lifeless Dunmer, ‘Thank you very much for your cooperation, Arvel.’ I seethed. Arvel the thief did say he knew the secrets to this place, his journal might be the key. I opened the book and began to read.
‘My fingers are trembling. The Golden Claw is finally in my hands, and with it, the power of the ancient Nordic herves.’
‘Herves? What is that?’ I queried. I looked at the word closely, squinting to try and make it out. ‘Heroes!’ I exclaimed in my head. I gave Arvel’s body a kick, ‘You could have written more clearly.’ I kicked him again. ‘Fool.’
‘That fool Lucan Valerius had no idea that his favorite store decoration was actually the key to Bleak Falls Barrow.
Now I just need to get to the Hall of Stories and unlock the door. The legend says there is a test that the Nords put in place to keep the unworthy away, but that “when you have the Golden Claw, the solution is in the palm of your hands.”’
I laughed out loud. This was just too easy. The symbols were obviously a part of the key. Now all I had to do is find this ‘Hall of Stories’ and claim the treasure that awaited me for myself. This would be as simple as baking an Apple Pie. I calmly dodged the traps that lined the floor in the rooms ahead as I delved deeper into the barrow. I stopped for a moment when I approached another series of tombs. I peered into the room and examined each corpse closely. One of the corpses had a sword on its side and I placed three arrows into it before it had time to get up. I now knew how to spot a Draugr before it spotted me.
I came upon another series of tombs with two more Draugr lying in wait. I killed them with little effort and was about to continue on my way when I heard the sound of metal behind me. I spun around and held up my bow, blocking the sword that was swinging for my head. I quickly dropped my bow and grabbed my daggers, two hasty motions and the third Draugr was dead. ‘Okay, so my Draugr detection method is not completely accurate.’ I wiped the sweat from my brow. This quest was a lot more dangerous than I had anticipated.
I located a locked chest hidden in one of the tombs but it was no match for my skill. Inside I found a pair of enchanted Hide Bracers of Sure Grip. Too bad they were of no use to me but they would make me quite a bit of money when I sold them in Whiterun. I carried on, towards what I hoped would be the Hall of Stories. I passed more traps and entered another series of tombs but this time there were no Draugr lying in wait. Really.
I reached another room, but this one was different. A waterfall flowed down from the ceiling and coffins, standing upright, lined the walls. I was about to move further into the room when I heard a loud crash. One of the lids to the coffins flew off and a Draugr stepped out. Too slow, before it could even lift its sword, it had an arrow sticking out of its head. Nothing would surprise me now. I followed the stream that was flowing through the room to a gate. There was a chain on the wall and when I pulled it, the gate ascended enough for me to slip under.
I continued following the flowing water into a large green cave. The color came from the Glowing Mushrooms that lined the cave walls. It was surprisingly warm inside the cave and it was humid because of the stream passing through it. I saw something knocking against two rocks in the stream. Upon closer inspection, I found it was a Troll Skull. ‘Troll. That is not good.’ I inhaled deeply. ‘Oh, this is not good at all.’
I pushed forward, using the stream as my compass through the cave. Another waterfall, but this time I was standing at the top of it. I carefully peered over the edge; below me was a patrolling Draugr that I took out with ease. I found a path down to where the Draugr had been patrolling but I did not find its body. There was another path that took me to the pool that the waterfall fed and there, I found not only the Draugr I had shot but also a locked chest. I opened it with much anticipation only to find it empty. What a cruel trick to play on a person.
I moved through more glowing caves until I reached a room that looked much like the rooms at the beginning of the barrow. I was about to press onward when I spotted a Draugr’s shadow dancing on the wall. I crouched down again and readied my bow. I hit him squarely in the chest but he did not go down. He rushed at me and I fired another arrow, this time to his leg but he was still racing towards me. He lunged, his axe grazing my arm as I fired another shot into his chest. He finally fell but not before spilling some of my blood. I reached the door into the Bleak Falls Sanctum. I had to be careful, things were getting serious now.
I pushed open the door; the ruins were a bit different than the ones I had previously cleared. I had a feeling no living creature had stepped inside this place for a very long time. I reached a large open room with a second level. There was a Draugr standing guard on a walkway above me. I quietly snuck under him and was able to shoot him in the back. A coffin opened behind me, I turned and fired, knocking the Draugr back into its final resting place. Across the room, another Draugr came running down the stairs. I took out its legs first with arrows, knocking it to the ground. I then placed the final arrow into its neck. Draugr eradicated.
I was not going to make the same mistake twice. I snuck up to the second floor, my bow ready for any undetected Draugr about. Finding none I pushed forward into a strange looking room. At the end of this room was a circular door or at least I thought it was a door. There were three rings, each adorned with symbols, and at the center of the rings was a medallion. Upon closer inspection of the medallion, I could see that it had four indentations in the shape of a… claw! ‘This is it!’ I exclaimed with jubilee. I swiftly pulled out the Golden Claw and examined it. The shapes on the claw were of a bear, a butterfly, and an owl. I rotated the rings of the door to align the correct symbols and then placed the claw into the medallion. With a loud din, the door began to lower; I had reached my final destination.
Inside I found a large cavern and by large, I mean enormous. A great stone monument was positioned in the middle of the cavern and three waterfalls descended from the ceiling. In the middle of the monument seemed to lay a coffin but I could not tell from this distance; I had to get closer. I crept my way across the large expanse of the cavern; inching closer to the monument and what I hoped to be the resting place of the Dragonstone. As I approached the monument, I could see some kind of writing etched into the stone. It was a language I had never seen before. As I edged closer and closer, the stone began to glow. No, the writing began to glow. I felt an odd presence as I could not help but gaze at the single glowing word written in stone. I reached out to touch it and the light suddenly shone so bright that it temporarily blinded me. The light wrapped around my body and I could swear it seemed to enter my body. With a flash, it was gone and the writing on the stone monument returned to normal.
I shook off what had just happened ‘I am fatigued. I am sure I am just hallucinating.’ I tried to convince myself. I turned back to the coffin, could the Dragonstone be inside? Before I had the time to understand what was happening, a Draugr burst out from inside the coffin. It was like no Draugr I had ever seen. It wore a horned helm and wielded an enchanted greatsword. I put two arrows into its chest but the monster acted as if I had done nothing. Then it, I do not know how to explain it, I think it shouted at me. I thought I heard the words ‘Fus! Ro!’ shouted at me and with it, a huge force that knocked me on the ground.
I clambered to my feet and let loose another arrow. My aim as off, my head was still spinning from the powerful force that the Draugr had, had shouted at me. I dove behind a boulder, trying to gain some kind of cover from this unrelenting force that kept hitting me. I notched an arrow and waited.
“Fus!” the Draugr shouted.
I waited a second for the wall of energy to pass me and then I jumped out of cover and fired an arrow into its chest. The Draugr staggered and fell to its knees. I would not miss this opportunity. I fired an arrow into its shoulder yet the Draugr still lived. I fired another, and another until with the fourth arrow protruding out of its chest; the Draugr dropped its greatsword and fell to the ground motionless.
I wanted to get out of there as rapidly as possible. I did not even care about the loot. I took everything from the Draugr and emptied the chest that was next to its coffin. I did not even look at its contents, the Dragonstone was on the Draugr’s corpse and that was all I needed to know. The battle with the Draugr had shaken me. It was a monster, more of a monster than the Draugr I had faced just hours earlier. It was like this Draugr was some kind of master, a Draugr Overlord. It did not matter; I knew I had to get out of there. I had found Lucan’s Golden Claw and Farengar’s Dragonstone, now it was time to go back to Whiterun and end this entire journey. As I made my way out of Bleak Falls Barrow, only one thought crossed my mind. ‘Hadvar was right; this place was the home of nightmares.’
