Whither Now, O Adventurer?

Loredas, 3rd Frostfell

I expected the shipwreck to be devoid of anything of value, long since picked clean, but once Lydia and I reached the wreck we discovered that it contained not only an infestation of mudcrabs, but also several chests and compartments that were locked and still held things of value.  We roamed about its damp, dark, foul-smelling confines for a little while, walking awkwardly because it was listing sharply to one side.  When I had satisfied myself that we had found everything worth keeping or exchanging for a few septims, we left the wreck and returned to the beach.

I noticed several standing stones on one of the sand bars just offshore.  My curiosity led me to wade across to investigate.  The tiny patch of dry land proved to hold not only the ancient stones but some valuable ore and a pair of horkers.  Prior to that time I hadn't yet encountered any of the huge, amphibious beasts.  As the creatures were blocking access to the standing stones, and their meat and tusks hold some small value, Lydia and I slew them and stripped their corpses.  Disappointingly the stones had nothing of interest, no carvings or offerings nor anything to explain their original purpose.

Looking across at another islet, I observed several more horkers resting at the water's edge and decided that we could do with more horker meat.  We slew four more of the beasts and found yet more useful ore, as well as a good quantity of the spiky grass that grows on the beach, which has alchemical properties.  The shore beyond Dawnstar has great quantities of this grass.  I also found several of the mysterious singing nirnroots, and soon became rather preoccupied with exploring tiny islets for nirnroots and grass pods.  Darkness had fallen by that time, but the snow reflected so much of the moonlight that it wasn't difficult to see, and the glow of the nirnroots was easy to detect even before I could hear their curious hum.

Wading back to the shore after a time, I gathered some slaughterfish eggs from a shallow pool, then found myself facing a barrow or crypt.  I decided that I would not trouble to explore it at that time and we continued to wend out way along the shore as the sun gradually rose to light our way.  By the time it was fully light we had left behind the ocean beach without realizing it, and had entered a marshy area that I recognized we had visited once before, while questing for the horn of Jurgen Windcaller at the behest of the Graybeards.  I had heard that a powerful vampire laired in that area, and had even stumbled upon a cavern I suspected might be his lair during our first visit to the marsh, but as before I determined that I was not prepared to face a vampire.  

We also stumbled upon a small shack in the marsh, which at first appeared to be abandoned, its door disturbingly splattered with gore.  But the door was locked and I could only conclude that someone must be using it as a hunting lodge, which would account for the bloodstains.  Lydia and I passed on and I continued to gather more of the fungus pods that grew everywhere in the marsh.  

After a time our wanderings led us to the small town of Morthal, which is no bigger than Riverwood.  The town lacks a trader's establishment or smithy, but boasts a small shop selling potions and alchemical ingredients, which its proprietor rather pompously calls a thaumaturgist's shop.  Everyone in Morthal appeared to be concerned about the recent arrival of a wizard who had chosen to settle there, the Nords in the countryside generally being ill-disposed toward magic.  It also seemed that everyone wanted to tell me about a house that had lately burned.  I suppose that any change in routine must be of interest in such a small town, and there must be little else to talk about other than the civil war.  But I have no interest in such matters and paid them no attention.

By the time we reached Morthal I had accumulated a great quantity of objects and both Lydia and I were carrying heavy burdens.  As Morthal had no trader to purchase such things, we decided to make our way back home to Whiterun and visit our friends there.  It was a relief to get back to the familiar - and warmer - environs of that hold, to speak with familiar folk, and to sleep in my own bed.  I spent some time brewing a large quantity of potions from all the ingredients I had acquired, sold a great many things to Berethor and to Elrindir at the Drunken Huntsman, and visited Ferengar the wizard at Dragonsreach to borrow the use of his enchanting table for a little while.  

When I had satisfied my desire to perform such mundane activities and was ready to once again seek adventure in the wilds of Skyrim, I determined that it was now time for me to face the hagravens of Lost Valley Redoubt.  Lydia and I made our way back to that lofty place and found that little had changed even though it had been some while since our last visit.  We found two hagravens performing some unspeakable ritual with one of their Forsworn followers.  My dragon shout of unrelenting force sent them all tumbling like dice, but they swiftly regained their feet.  It was a hard fight, and had it not been for my loyal housecarl and the potions I had made for myself, I might have ended my life there beside the hagravens' altar.  

The fight was made more difficult by the presence of a draconic word of power on the wall just behind that altar, for I found it difficult to concentrate on the battle while it kept calling to my blood. But in the end Lydia and I triumphed and I learned the word of power.  

Once we had swallowed a few potions and recovered from our many wounds, I wanted to explore the surrounding area.  We came upon a half-ruined tower not far from the altar, which proved to hold a third hagraven.  Thank Akatosh, one hagraven alone is not quite so difficult to slay as two of them together.  But the filthy thing tainted me with disease, and I was glad I had had the forethought to bring a potion of disease-curing.  

Once we had rid the place of the hagravens entirely, I decided that eliminating a few bandits and claiming a bounty would be our next goal.  The bandit lair we sought lay to the north of Rorikstead, so we returned to that familiar hamlet to spend a night.  

The next morning we had hardly stepped out onto the road before a dragon came swooping down on the village again.  This didn't surprise me, as I had already noted the presence of several mounds nearby.  I am only relieved that I was there to fight it when this second dragon arrived.  This dragon proved more difficult to battle than the one that had previously menaced Rorikstead, for it refused to alight on the ground and kept hovering just out of reach of my spells while it blasted me with its fiery breath.  But in the end it landed and I was able to take its life and claim its soul. 

Daybreak in Dawnstar

Middas, 30 Heartfire

Having determined that I would not give aid to the bizarre daedric dog, I next made up my mind to find some quicksilver with which to forge myself a suit of armor.  I also had in mind to return to the mine inelegantly known as Soljund's Sinkhole, near the Old Hroldan Inn.  When I passed there during my search for the Bilegulch Mine, I had learned that the mine was closed.  While excavating new tunnels the miners had broken through to an ancient crypt infested with draugr.  I decided that Lydia and I should return to clear away this nuisance.  

Eliminating the draugr within the mine was no great challenge, though climbing down the vertical shaft to reach the crypt proved more difficult than I expected.  I was pleased to find that in addition to the usual assortment of grave goods, the mine contained some rare alchemical ingredients.  But it is not a quicksilver mine.  Once we had claimed the not inconsequential reward the mine owner offered, I asked him if he knew of a good source of the metal I sought.  He told me that the best quicksilver mine in Skyrim could be found in Dawnstar.  I had yet to visit that town, nor was Lydia familiar with it. 

I was determined to go there at once, but then had to choose by what method we should travel there.  We could of course go on foot and learn the lay of the land between Whiterun and The Pale, but we would also face the greatest danger.  I could purchase a horse, but horses are costly and one of Lydia's few weaknesses - aside from her propensity to interpose herself between me and my foes just as I am about to blast them with flames - is her inability to ride.  In the end I decided that hiring a wagon to take us to Dawnstar in relative safety and comfort at little expense was the most satisfactory option.

Though Dawnstar is as snowy as Windhelm, I find it far less oppressive and gloomy.  The town is home to two mines.  With the agreement of the mine owner I was able to acquire plenty of quicksilver, and it seemed prudent to take advantage of the presence of the iron mine as well.  The local smith allowed me to use his forge, and in short order I had created the armor I desired, crafted in the style of armor worn in my homeland in the Summerset Isles. 

It was as well that I exchanged my old Imperial armor for my new creation before I went to present myself to Jarl Skald.  He is a staunch supporter of the rebels.  When I entered his hall I overheard his housecarl telling him that he feared the jarl had sent too many of his men to aid the Stormcloaks.  The jarl only scoffed at that.  I hadn't come to support Ulfric's rabble and so Jarl Skald had no time for me.  I cannot say I am impressed with him, either.

Lydia and I spent the night at the local inn.  The townsfolk who were present were all talking about a plague of nightmares that seems to be rampant in the town.  When I spoke with the local priest he begged me to accompany him to the Nightcaller Temple to find the source of the fearful dreams and eliminate it.  I agreed, but I didn't want to go at once.  I have a premonition that this task will not be a simple one.

We had hardly set foot outside the door the next morning when a dragon came swooping down on Dawnstar.  Fortunately the jarl hadn't sent the entirety of his guard to the rebels and their arrows were of good use in defeating the beast. I hope that I am not becoming complacent about slaying dragons.  They are not easy to fight.  Without the aid of the guards I would have found it difficult to bring this one down, for it would not land and put itself within range of of my axe.  My magic is not enough to combat such a beast.

When I had taken its soul and collected its remains, I felt that I had taken advantage of all that Dawnstar had to offer.  I wanted to range out into the countryside to see what sort of challenges we might meet.  As we began our foray into the snowy wilderness we encountered a band of Khajit traders.  I sold them some of my acquisitions and purchased some additional potions.  I also chatted briefly with their guard, who told me a tale of having been set upon by bandits and losing an amulet his mother had given him when he was small.  I felt sympathy for him as another warrior far from home, in a land where all who are not Nords are often treated with contempt.  I offered to recover the amulet for him. 

Outside the town we came upon an ancient ruin, long abandoned and inhabited by nothing but skeever.  Yet somehow past looters had overlooked a chest containing a few valuables.  Not much further on we met with a trio of bandits, though they did not prove to be those who had stolen the Khajit's amulet.  Making my way down to the shoreline, I discovered an overturned boat that had become home to mudcrabs.  The mudcrabs here are no less vicious than those found elsewhere in Tamriel, and I felt no guilt for adding their meat to our supplies.  Under the boat I discovered the remains of some poor wretch who had fallen victim to the crabs' fierce temper.  I could see what appeared to be a shipwreck not far away which I wanted to investigate.  Though I am not fond of the snow and ice that is so common in this land,  it is very beautiful, and at times I want only to stop and admire the view.

Much Labor, Little Reward

Sundas, 27 Heartfire

At long last, after considerable effort, I succeeded in discovering the location of Bilegulch Mine and claiming the bounty Jarl Siddgeir of Falkreath Hold offered for the removal of its bandit occupants.  It was not as satisfying as I had hoped.  The mine itself had proved singularly difficult to find.  In the end I had to return to Falkreath and work my way there from that direction, as the way was blocked by a sheer cliff when I came at it from Roriksted. 

As I set out on my latest attempt, I had an interruption - by the arrival of a dragon.  It swooped down on us as if it had been seeking me.  Lydia and I are seasoned companions now and experienced warriors, but that does not make fighting a dragon any easier.  I felt a good deal of pride that I was able to vault onto its head and chop at it with my axe until it finally fell still and burst into flames.  It must be something about the magic that resurrected them that causes the dragons to burn when they die.

Having absorbed its soul, I set off again for the mine in better spirits.  But I was soon feeling less pleased when I found myself overlooking Lost Valley again.  Every route I tried seemed to take me back to that place.  I'm surely destined to go there.  But I resisted the desire yet again and determined to fulfill my mission to eliminate the bandits before indulging in this personal quest.  

While Lydia and I were seeking a path, we heard someone call out to us begging for help.  At first I couldn't see who was speaking and feared it was some trick by bandits or rogue necromancers.  But after a moment I glimpsed a man sitting on a fallen tree trunk in the shadows near the mouth of a cave.  He introduced himself as a hunter from Falkreath, Valdr by name.  He and two companions had been hunting for bear in the cave when they had been set upon by spriggan.  His friends had been slain and he was badly hurt.  I called upon my magical skill to heal his injuries and offered to help him reclaim the remains of his two companions from within the cave.  

The cave itself proved an interesting experience.  It was impossibly green within, filled with ferns and mushrooms and other living things, not at all what I would anticipate in cave.  There were several openings in the roof admitting sunlight, and a mountain stream formed a sparkling waterfall.  But when we first entered we had no time to enjoy the scenery.  A large and fierce bear met us, and when we had dispatched it we had to deal with two spriggan.  I was delighted with a spell I had acquired that allowed me to summon a flame atronach to serve me, for it was most useful in combating the spriggan.  When we had emptied the cave and found what was left of Valdr's companions, he presented me with an enchanted dagger as a token of his gratitude for our aid.

This must have been a sign of good fortune.  It was not long after we parted from Valdr that we found the mine.  The bandits proved only a minor niusance.  Lydia and I easily disposed of them and returned to Falkreath to collect the reward.  When the jarl's steward gave me the gold I realized with some disappointment that I had collected more gold from the bandits' ill-gotten loot than what the jarl had been prepared to offer for getting rid of them.

Still, the effort had not been without worth.  I was able to sell the bandit chief's armor for a fair amount, as well as the bones and scales of the dragon.  Afterward we made our way back home to Whiterun and I spent some time brewing potions and practicing my smithing.  I've learned enough of smithcraft to be capable of crafting the kind of armor made by my people.  Now I only need to acquire some quicksilver with which to forge some.

My next goal in mind, I decided to return to Falkreath again.  I recalled that I had agreed to do a favor for Lod the blackmith; he wanted a dog, and had asked me to lure a stray that had been seen in the vicinity of the town.  When we first arrived in the town I thought we might have to fight another dragon, as we caught a glimpse of one circling overhead.  But after a short time it flew away.  We discovered the dog just outside the town - and to my amazement it spoke to me!  It claimed to belong to one of the daedric princes, and asked me to help it settle a disagreement between itself and its master.  A talking dog was disturbing enough, but the thought of an encounter with one of the daedra made the decision easy for me.  Let some other fool follow a talking dog into the clutches of the daedra.  That is not my path. 

Places to Go, Sabercats to Kill

Tirdas, 20 Heartfire

I stood on the threshold of the Serpent's Bluff ruin, ready to open the door, when I noticed two things that gave me pause.  The first was a spriggan head on a stake.  Spriggan are not easy to slay. 

The second item was a black feather lying on the ground at my feet.  Several days earlier we had stumbled upon a dead hagraven at the side of the road, and I knew what their feathers look like.  If there were hagravens to be found within the ruin, I was not prepared to meet them.  I turned around and strode back up the steps to the top of the bluff.  Lydia, ever faithful, didn't question my sudden change of plan.

Someone in Roriksted had told me there was a shrine to Akatosh on top of another bluff on the other side of the hamlet.  I made my way to that spot to see the shrine.  The bluff afforded a good view of all the surrounding countryside.  As I was walking about, I spotted a sabercat in the grass nearby.  I crept a little closer and when the cat charged we quickly dispatched it. 

The view from the shrine also showed me a giant camp not far below, but giants are usually no trouble unless they are provoked and I decided there was no cause to provoke them.  We climbed down and headed north toward the road that runs through the village. 

Almost immediately another sabercat lunged at us out of the shrubs.  This one had somehow managed to swallow a few gold coins, in addition to having a large quantity of orc-crafted arrows embedded in its body.  Perhaps that explains its agressiveness, though sabercats are aggressive under any circumstances.  I began to feel a bit sickly afterward, as I hadn't managed to escape its claws.  Fortunately I'd had the forethought to purchase some potions of disease-curing some time ago in Whiterun.  After I swallowed one I felt instantly improved.

After slaying the second sabercat we nearly stumbled into a second giant camp, but quickly gave it a wide berth and crossed the road to climb up the slope on the opposite side.  A third angry sabercat appeared then to join its brethren in whatever afterlife such big cats may enjoy.  We followed the road after that, fending off several wolves and a vicious skeever along the way.  We met a mercenary and I attempted to persuade her to tell me where she was going in such a hurry, but she was unwilling to say.

When we left the shrine I had intended to head for the Sinkhole mine near the Old Hroldan Inn to find out more about the trouble there.  But the road we followed led us away from that direction and I was reluctant to backtrack.  We continued on, fighting off a few more wolves.  Eventually we passed below a tower set among the overhanging rocks, but I saw no way to reach it. 

As we came around a bend just beyond the tower, we stumbled upon several Forsworn attacking a Redguard woman.  I rushed forward to her aid, blasting the nearest Forsworn with magical flames.  Unfortunately my aim was poor and I burned the Redguard woman as well.  When the Forsworn had fallen, the woman turned on me.  I lowered my weapons and tried to apologize but she would have none of it.  In the end I was obliged to take her life to defend my own. 

Then I observed that though there was no sign of other Forsworn, Lydia was still firing her bow at something.  To my surprise I realized her target was the woman's horse!  I thought this odd until the horse ran out of range of her bow and she stopped shooting; then the animal came galloping back and tried to kick me!  I drove it off with flames, but once it was out of range it again returned and attacked me.  Lydia and I were forced to subject it to the same fate as its mistress.  It's a pity we couldn't have taken it for ourselves.  I would never have expected a riding horse to be so fierce.

We found that the woman had evidently had a companion, a Khajit, who now lay dead beside the road along with a cart horse.  We gathered up all of their belongings as well as those of the Forsworn and continued our journey.  A short while later we met a hunter, but he had no news of anything save what game was available in the area. 

I was beginning to think again of heading to the north to find Bilegulch, but the road we followed was shifting off to the east.  Finally we left the road to look for a path through the rocks.  I couldn't find a way up, but I did discover another unopened dragon mound.  While I was standing on the elevated mound, I realized there was a fortress just ahead.  I could also hear sounds of someone chopping wood or perhaps wielding a pickaxe somewhere in the distance, though I couldn't determine if the sounds came from the fort or elsewhere.  I climbed down from the mound with the intent of heading toward the fort to see if it was occupied.  It was growing dark and I didn't want to continue traveling at night if we could find shelter. 

The road branched shortly after I made that choice, and I followed it to the west for a short distance just to see where it might lead.  I soon found myself overlooking a waterfall.  By that time I had to activate my candlelight spell to see, and in its light I couldn't make out what lay across the river. 

Treasure Hunting

Tirdas, 20 Heartfire

Though my intention had been to return to Roriksted and continue searching for the bandit lair at Bilegulch, an unusually vivid dream I experienced while sleeping in my home in Whiterun sent us off on a short detour.  I dreamt that I had returned to Bonestrewn Crest, where I had slain a dragon.  I was searching for some unknown item I knew to be there.  Something drew me up to the crest itself, which I hadn't ascended to during my previous visit.  Just as I reached the crest, certain the unknown thing I sought would be there, I woke.

The dream was so convincing that I decided to revise my plans and make another trip to Bonestrewn Crest.  I had the same feeling I experienced at Lost Valley, as if something was drawing me there.  Once we arrived I clambered up to the top of the crest.  Though I didn't know what I was looking for, as soon as I saw the curved wall with its engraved characters in the written language of the dragons I knew I had found it.  One word drew my eyes, seeming to glow with an inner fire.  As I stared at it my mind was filled with the knowledge of a new word of power in the draconic tongue.  There must be another such word at Lost Valley, but that will have to wait until I am better prepared to face the hagravens.

Armed with this new knowledge, I returned to Roriksted to continue the search for Bilegulch.  No sooner had we set out on the road north than I heard the roar of a dragon overhead, followed by cries of alarm from the villagers.  Lydia and I rushed back to combat the dragon, which was setting the fields and thatched cottages alight with its breath.  Despite my resolve to pursue magical studies, I found I had to resort to my axe to slay it.  Once it was dead the villagers seemed quite awed as I absorbed its soul.

When we had gathered up the bones and scales we set off again.  Not far from the hamlet we spotted a band of Forsworn occupying a rocky outcropping beside the road.  I decided I would prefer to come on them unaware, so we veered off the road to look for a way to approach the outcrop from another direction.  This eventually led us to discover one of the dragon burial mounds.  Making our way back to the road, we discovered a small inn called Old Hroldan nestled in the hills.   The location seems a bit remote to me, but it isn't far from a mine, so it must be handy to the miners and anyone coming to do business there.  

Continuing on, we next encountered a small campsite where a sabercat aggressively attacked us.  I found a combination of the new power word I had learned and a well-prepared flame spell adequate to slay it.  The cat had viciously slaughtered the two people who had set up the camp, a youth and a young lady.  I found the girl's journal and learned that she and the young fellow had run off together in defiance of her family.  I kept the journal.  I'll ask at Roriksted and perhaps also at Old Hraldon to see if anyone knows who they are.

While we were still in the vicinity of that sad spot I decided to take a look around the area from a higher vantage to see if I could identify any landmarks.  I could see several ruined towers perched on the rocks overlooking the mine entrance, and when I climbed down to a cliff edge beyond the campsite I found a second dragon mound.  Neither this one nor the first we had discovered were opened.  I don't know where the dragon we fought in Roriksted came from, but clearly not from either of these mounds.  I could also see the spires of Lost Valley in the distance, overlooking the river.  But there was nothing I could identify as our goal, Bilegulch Mine.

Eventually we made our way back to the Forsworn camp, though by the time we had cautiously crept up to it darkness had fallen.  I decided it was better for me to put on my armor and wield my axe than try to defeat them with my burgeoning magic.  There were six or seven Forsworn in the camp and they proved difficult foes.  Two of them either hid or fled and came back, and when I thought we had slain them all we were suddenly set upon again.  After we had eliminated them we spent the night resting in their camp.

The next morning I realized we were so laden with their weapons and armor and the dragon's scales that we would have difficulty traveling.  I had also seriously depleted my supply of healing potions.  I didn't want to carry so much equipment to Bilegulch, so we made our way to Falkreath to dispose of it and to acquire some additional potions. 

Our load lightened and supplied with more potions, we returned to the Forsworn camp.  The rocky outcrop where the camp lay turned out to hide an old ruin, still guarded by a sturdy wooden door.  I've determined that it might be worthwhile to explore it, as there may be more Forsworn hiding within, or equipment that could be useful when we finally locate Bilegulch. 

As for finding Bilegulch at last, I intend to work our way around to the other side of the mountain to avoid Lost Valley.  There is also the matter of some trouble at the mine near the Old Hroldan Inn; perhaps it would be worthwhile to pursue that before seeking out Bilegulch.  The Jarl of Falkreath's bounty may be won by another adventurer, but this land is so full of ruins, caves, and crypts that there must surely be plenty of treasure to be taken if one is bold.  In any case, I realized I have another bounty notice from Jarl Siddgeir in my pack.  There are more bandits to be sought at Embershard.  I wonder how the Nords are able to conduct any business when their land is so thick with bandits and Forsworn.

Blood and Bile(gulch)

Fredas, 18 Heartfire

I had set off in search of Bilegulch Mine to claim the bounty offered by the Jarl of Falkreath, but my journey had taken me instead to a place called Lost Valley Redoubt, which was occupied by a band of Forsworn.  Perhaps my mistake was in misunderstanding the name of the mine as Bilgegulch, which then meant that no one could give me directions to it because they had never heard of such a place.  Someone finally suggested that it might be Bilegulch instead, which lay somewhere to the north of the village of Roriksted.  Unfortunately I'd never been to Roriksted, nor had Lydia.

My choice to go directly north had taken us into the mountains and to Lost Valley Redoubt.  I felt there was something there, something I had to see.  But when I drew nearer to whatever was calling to me I found that the place was also occupied by hagravens.  I've heard they're very difficult to deal with and my supply of healing potions was low, so I reluctantly chose not to confront them and instead continued on my way toward the mine. 

We soon found that going directly north was impossible.  The mountain slope was simply too steep.  Following a trail to the northeast, we eventually came upon an ancient dwarven ruin of some sort, and an orc stronghold where the orcs refused us entry.  We spent a night in one of the dragon barrows that dot the land, but there was nothing there except a few odds and ends presumably left by some bandits.  The place showed no sign a dragon had ever been interred there. 

After we left there we found that there were many bears and several trolls roaming near the trail.  Bears are difficult enough, and more than one troll at a time is a challenge indeed.  I didn't want to die in the wilderness without ever reaching my goal, so I made the decision to turn back and make our way to Roriksted.  Added to the appeal of not being clawed to death by a troll was the discovery that the area around Roriksted has veins of iron and corundum ore, and a better supply of alchemical ingredients that I'd seen in the region near Lost Valley Redoubt.  I was convinced I'd made the right choice when we stumbled upon a trio of bandits and made them surrender their lives - and all their gear.

Roriksted is a tiny hamlet, but it has an inn, and the people are surprisingly friendly even though the town's namesake fought in the Great War and might be expected to have no good feeling toward Altmer.  One young farmer approached me to ask some questions about the adventuring life and begged me to intercede with his father, the innkeeper.  His father refused to allow him to take up the adventuring life.  I could see that he thought he would be miserable living as a farmer, so I pleaded his case and was able to convince his father to let him go.  It was an oddly satisfying experience.

Lydia and I had accumulated quite a supply of bandit and Forsworn armor, as well as some wolf and bear pelts, but Roriksted has no shops or smithy.  After spending a night at the inn there, I decided that we were close enough to Whiterun to return home and dispose of some of our loot.  I sold most of the weapons and armor to Adrienne Avenicci, then visited the Jarl's steward to purchase an alchemist's worktable for my house.  I'm beginning to think that perhaps combining magic with the words of power I've learned might be the wisest course.  I bought some spellbooks from the Jarl's wizard, Ferengar, so that I can now ward myself rather than worry with armor, and I can summon a fire atronach to fight on my behalf.  I spent some time in my home using my new tools to brew a number of potions.  I would never have thought that I would soon own a home in Skyrim when I first arrived here.. 

After I had put away my alchemical tools and settled down in a chair beside the hearth,  I felt quite pleased.  Though I still haven't located this mine, I think I'll soon discover it after I return to Roriksted.  I've made some new friends, learned new spells,  and chosen a new course of action for my future.  Once we've claimed the bounty in Falkreath, perhaps Lydia and I will pay a visit to the College of Wizards in Winterhold as Ferengar keeps recommending.  I've enjoyed plying my enchanted axe against bandits and draugr, but I have a vision of myself blasting my foes with flames and carrying a wizard's staff.  Let my faithful housecarl bear the weapons and armor.  We'll make an even more formidable pair. 

Perhaps I'll learn to enchant armor and make her a fine set of armor with some protective enchantment.  That will be a fitting repayment for her service.  I had no great love for Nords when I arrived, particularly after my first experiences here.  But Lydia is brave and loyal.  She does as I ask without complaint, even when I've led her far out of the way with my lack of directions.  The only complaint I could make of her is that she grumbles whenever I ask her to carry some of the gear.  I suppose that's a small sacrifice to bear in exchange for her otherwise admirable service.

Killing Two Dragons With One Axe

Loredas, 12 Heartfire

I continue to be pleased that I chose to purchase my house in Whiterun.  Not only does it provide me a place to sleep without having to hand over my hard-won coin for a bed, it is also next door to War-maiden's, the armorer's shop in Whiterun.  I have been given leave to use the smelter and forge outside, where Adrianne Avenici does her smithing.  

Yesterday after waking in my own bed, I rose and visited Acadia, the alchemist.  She has also given me leave to use her alchemical equipment.  It's impressive how kind and accommodating the people of Whiterun are by comparison to the sour residents of Windhelm.  I used Acadia's equipment to prepare a few potions, and she purchased some from me.  Though she has a peculiar habit of proclaiming that I look ill each time I enter her shop, I find the place amenable.  I stocked up on healing potions, then decided that I should follow up on a bounty I'd heard about when I visited Falkreath.  I put on my helm, shouldered my shield, and Lydia and I set out for Bilgegulch Mine beyond Falkreath.

I had determined that our best course would be to visit Falkreath first before heading off in search of the mine.  But no sooner had we arrived than the village was beset by a dragon!  Lydia and the town guards peppered it with arrows.  I couldn't stay out of range of its fiery breath.  It was just as well that I had purchased those potions from Acadia.  Despite having been set ablaze, I was able to vault onto the beast's head and bury the blade of my axe in its skull.  As before, when the flames consumed its flesh I felt a rush of power as its soul flowed into me.

Feeling quite satisfied by this turn of events, I decided not to bother staying overnight in Falkreath.  We continued on in search of the mine, traveling by the light of my candlelight spell.  Not far outside the town we came upon an unusual ruin.  Suddenly there was a flare of light and a spriggan rushed us.  Lydia plied her bow to good effect and soon brought it down.  Inside the ruin we found that it had slain two men.  Some bandits had evidently been making the ruin their base, for there was also a chest inside with a few goods in it.  

Continuing on into the night, I became aware of a roaring echoing off the mountains around us.  Was it a dragon? I wondered.  But I couldn't tell what direction it came from.  The sound was too distorted by the echoes.  Eventually we came down into a valley and though it was dark and misty, I spotted a dragon ahead hovering over a spot on the ground.  When Delphine and I fought the dragon at Kynesgrove there were actually two dragons, one of which spoke some words in what I assume is the draconic tongue.  This dragon I saw now was doing the same.  It almost seemed to be chanting.  I decided to take cover and watch for a little while.  Soon I witnessed as strange stream of energy shooting out of the earth into the sky.  Could it be possible, I thought, that this chanting dragon was resurrecting one of the long-dead dragons?

I was right in my surmise.  I saw the second dragon rise up, while the first called out some phrase and then flew away.  Thinking that the newly-reborn dragon might still be weak, I raced toward it, hurling a shard of ice as soon as I was within range.  It wasn't as weak as I had hoped, but to my relief it did not simply fly off.  It repeatedly swooped toward us, breathing not flames but frost.  I don't know if my ice spikes did it any harm, but my axe did, as did Lydia's arrows.  It wasn't easy, but soon enough the dragon was consumed in fire and its soul passed to me.  Dawn was just breaking.  I had slain two dragons in as many days.

Feeling emboldened by this success, I marched on in search of Bilgegulch Mine.  We came upon a Khajit trader who had been slain by two bandits, who promptly attacked us and gave up their lives for it.  One of them tried to plead for mercy, but Lydia would have none of that.  It wasn't until then that I noticed the fort on the cliff above us.  But I decided to forego exploring it and continue my mission to find the bandits at the mine.  

While trying to find a more direct route toward the mine's location, I spotted another structure on the mountainside, dramatically set over a waterfall.  Thinking this might be the mine - though it looked more like Bleak Falls Barrow in design - we crossed the river and were immediately fired upon by someone high up on a promontory.  Lydia fired back, and I ended his life with an icy spike.  After we slew a second man I realized these people were no bandits, they were Forsworn.  As I'd thought, this wasn't a mine, but there was something about the place that pulled at me, telling me that I should take the time to investigate it further.