Chapter VI

The refugee camp lied in ruins. Corpses littered the ground and the air reeked with the scent of burning flesh. The last handful of buildings that made up the town of Winterhold was in flames.

“Gods I had hoped they wouldn’t find us here.” Shahk muttered surveying the wreckage.

“You and me both.” Bartleby said. “It was only a matter of time. I’m surprised we held out this long. Come. I am eager to be done with this place.”

“Are you truly that excited to be leaving your home?” Shahk asked.

“Bastian is my home. Whatever is waiting for us on the other side of that archway of his we’ll make the best of it together.” Bartleby relied.

“That was beautiful Bart.” Shahk said with a sniff.

“Oh shut up.” Bartleby laughed.

The mages of the college had created a bridge of ice connecting the college to the city and the refugees were filling in the corners of the courtyard rather quickly. A Knight Brother approached Bartleby and saluted him.

“What’s going on sir? The refugees are on the verge of panicking. Heciri has managed to pacify them with a spell but it won’t last much longer.”

“Everything is fine.” Bartleby said addressing everyone around him. “The enemy has been routed for now but it won’t be long before they launch their next strike. Everyone remain calm and we’ll get through this together. The end is in sight.”
He left Shahk to watch over things outside and entered the Hall of Elements. Mirabelle and Savos were directing a pair of scamps that were carrying large chests into the chamber. One of the imp-like creatures leered at Bartleby and made a rude gesture at him.

“Where is Bastian?” Bartleby asked as the two Daedra snickered.

“He’s in the main chamber.” Mirabelle said. “I don’t know how but the apprentices managed to get the portal working on their own. That brother of yours is something else.”

“Don’t I know it?” Bartleby said walking past the pair of mages and their snickering Daedra.

In the main chamber Bastian was sitting on a wooden stool and Lielle was helping him drink from a potion bottle. His eyes were wide and he was shaking as if he had a bad case of the rattles.

“Is everything okay in here? Shor’s blood Bastian what happened to you?”

“We couldn’t get the archway going by ourselves so he… he let the Augur of Dunlain take hold of his body to power it.” Lielle said.

“What does that mean?” Bartleby asked fiercely.

“Bas? Can you hear me?” He asked.

“He said something.” Lielle said. “The Augur before it left him. He said that the sun and the moon will fall beneath the golden king.”

“What in oblivion does that mean?” Bartleby asked.

“I don’t know.” Lielle said. “He fainted after that.”

“I-I’m fine.” Bastian said. “We-we need to get moving. The Augur gave us the boost we need but I don’t know how long the portal will stay open.”

“Okay.” Bartleby said. “Then let’s get going.”

The mage’s began moving their supplies; crates and barrels and chests of everything they could possibly need in a new world. Where they were going they could not say. For all Bastian knew it could send them to another realm of Oblivion or even somewhere else entirely. The journal of the architect that designed the portal referenced its capacity of “traveling beyond the void itself”. Though no one knew for certain what waited for them beyond the archway, they hoped it was better than the world they had come to know in the past few years; a world of fire and dragons.

Bartleby set down a large wooden chest and sighed.

“I didn’t realize that we had so much.” He said looking at the growing stack of supplies.

“I just hope that it’s enough.” Bastian said.

“We have plenty. We have farming tools, medical supplies, seeds, and you said yourself that we have enough food to last everyone for about a month.”

“I said that when I got back, assuming that you took hunting parties out to gather food while we were gone, that we would have just enough food to last everyone a month. Instead you bring home more mouths to feed and less food to feed them with.”

“I don’t like your tone little brother.” Bartleby said. “What was I supposed to do just leave them to die?”

“They had their chance to come when we originally invited them. We made plans for the people that came with us. Plans to feed them and keep them alive long enough for all of us to make our escape and survive where ever this takes us.” Bastian said pointing at the archway. “We can’t feed all of these people Bartleby!”

“Are you guys seriously doing this now?” Lielle snapped stepping through the two brothers and setting a crate down on the growing stack. “Either help or get out of our way!”

The brothers scowled at each other and went back to work. They had just gotten the last of the supplies into the Hall of Elements when the refugees outside screamed and the roar of a dragon filled the air. The door to the Hall opened and Shahk stood there with his weapon drawn.

“Bartleby! The dragons are forming another assault and we have another wave of Draugr coming up the path!”

“Okay that’s enough gear I think.” Bartleby said. “Bastian, Shahk and I will start funneling survivors inside the hall; you guys get them through the portal. Faendal! Take a group of Blades to the top of the tower with the Arch-Mage and get on those giant crossbow things of Bastian’s.”

“They’re called ballistae.” Bastian said.

“Whatever they are just shoot those overgrown lizards out of the sky. Do whatever you can to buy us more time.”

“It would be my pleasure.” Faendal said.

“Colette, Faralda? Would you two kindly assist the Blades in repelling the Draugr?” Savos asked.

“Yes of course Arch-Mage.” The Breton mage said.

“We appreciate the extra hands.” Bartleby said.

Bartleby led the two wizards out of the Hall and into the courtyard as Faendal led the Blades up to the top of the tower.

“All right everyone listen up.” Bartleby shouted. “I want everyone to break up into groups of five. Women and children will go first. I want every man that can swing a sword armed and protecting this school. Any remaining Knight Brothers will follow us into the city where we will hold the line. This day we shall make the dragons wish that they had stayed dead!”

With that Bartleby and Shahk led the Blades into Winterhold and the first group of refugees entered the College. Two Nord women and their children looked up at the archway in silent awe.

“Is... Is this it then?” One of the women asked. “If we walk through this then we’ll leave Skyrim? Leave Nirn? Are you sure it’s safe?”

“Only one way to find out.” Bastian replied.

“All of you hold hands and walk through it together. When you get to the other side just stay out until the rest of us get there.” Lielle said handing each woman a crate of supplies. “Talos guide you.”

The women exchanged nervous glances. They took their children’s hand and stepped into the light of the archway, vanishing in a burst of light.

“Next group!”

The top of the tower was outfitted with four ballistae that the Blades had recovered from Dwemer ruins with Bastian’s aid. They had been repaired and armed with bolts the size of spears and were more than capable of bringing down a dragon with a few well-placed shots. It wasn’t Faendal’s favorite weapon, instead preferring the traditional bow of his people but he had to admit, with a weapon like this he could really reach out and touch someone. The Blades split into groups of two, one man to fire the ballista and one to reload.

“A storm is coming in.” A Nord said. “Over the mountains. Look.”

He pointed and Faendal could indeed see white snow clouds pouring over the mountains and moving towards Winterhold in an unnatural manner.

“Those are not clouds.” Faendal said. “The dragons are upon us!”

No sooner had Faendal finished speaking, a pair of dragons appeared from the clouds, their bronze scales glinting in the moonlight. They roared as they flapped their massive wings and sent a gust of wind that chilled the Blades atop of the College of Winterhold. Behind them flew a dozen more of their lesser kin, their eyes full of malice and hunger.

“Gods!” A Knight Brother yelled. “I’ve never seen so many at once!”

“To your stations!” Faendal yelled over the storm. “Aim for their chest and their wings! Knock them from the sky!”

The Blades fired their ballistae and arrows met flame and frost over the Winterhold. The bolts buried into a few of the dragons chests and immediately sent them tumbling down the cliffs below. One of the bronze dragons flew through the volley, the arrows bouncing harmlessly off of its scales. A blast of flames to rival the fires of Oblivion burned the air above the Blade’s heads and the frigid night air of Winterhold turned became sweltering. Savos Aren and Mirabelle Ervine acted quickly and put up a shield of magical energy above their heads, blocking the bulk of the assault.

“We will protect you from their flames!” Savos yelled. “Just keep firing and bring those monsters down!”

“If you insist!” Faendal replied.

Down in the city below, Bartleby and the rest of the Blades engaged the draugr with an overwhelming ferocity. Draugr after draugr fell beneath Shahk’s hammer and Bartleby was a whirlwind of steel as he lashed out with sword and axe. Colette, a master of the restoration school of magic set draugr alight with a flame so bright it rivaled the sun. Faralda, a master of destruction, created massive rolling balls of flame that crushed every draugr that were unfortunate enough to be caught in their path. The Blades had the advantage but the draugr’s numbers were great; it was as if every one of the walking corpses had risen to heed the call of their dragon masters.

“There are too many of them!” A Knight Brother yelled. “We have to fall back!”

“Hold your ground!” Bartleby shouted. “If they get past us it’s all over! Just give Bastian and the others more time!”

A shadow passed over the Blades followed by a deafening roar. Bartleby’s face paled and he felt his heart drop into his stomach. Most would argue that all dragons sound the same but Bartleby new this roar. It haunted his dreams and kept him up at night.

Faendal fired his ballista and sent an arrow into the open mouth of a dragon and down its throat. He laughed as the ballista automatically armed the second arrow and he took aim again. He saw a new figure appear in the night sky, his elf eyes giving him more details than his Nordic companions. He saw the black spines that lined a long body so black it was if it was sculpted from solid darkness.

“Gods.” He whispered.

Another group disappeared into the portal in flash of light.

“How many are left?” Lielle asked.

“That’s the last of the women and children sir.” A Knight Brother said. “Shall we begin moving the men?”

“Yes, load them up with any supplies we have left and-“

The roar rattled the windows of the Hall of Elements and Bastian felt a wave of doom wash over him.

“No!” He shouted. “No! Bartleby!”

He extended a hand and his staff snapped into his grasp.

“Bastian wait!” Lielle yelled.

The mage ignored her and ran out into the courtyard.

“Everyone get through the portal now!” Bastian yelled running through the courtyard. “Quickly! Quickly!”

“What in oblivion is that?!” A Knight Brother cried as the shadow flew above them.

“Alduin.” Bartleby gasped softly.

Alduin, the bane of kings, the world eater landed in front of the Blades, his massive form nearly knocking them to their feet. The dragon leered down at the Blades and chuckled darkly.

Drey hi lorot tol hi vust filok zey? Did you really think you could escape me? Ignorant fools. I AM AL-DU-IN! First born of Akatosh! Ruler and devourer of this world! This act of defiance will cost you your lives!

“You’ll have to get through me first dragon!” Shahk yelled.

Arrogant mortals! Vogahriin los vunek! Before you die your spirits will be broken, your pride humbled.

Nii los hin kah tol los zok mul do pah zeymah!

Another dragon, ancient and grey from the course of time landed behind the Blades. Alduin’s red eyes narrowed and he growled angrily.

Paarthurnax! Hi fund yin grut zey zont ko laas tiid?

Ahrk Zu’u dreh ful voth lot kah!

Alduin roared and the two dragons took to the sky, engaging in a deadly verbal debate the likes of which only the dragons are capable of. Fire rained from the sky and the mountain itself shook from the force of the dragon’s feud. Bastian Bellrend looked up at the sky in awe as the dragons shouted, bit and clawed at each other. Paarthurnax may have been a great deal older than Alduin (technically speaking) but he had had thousands of years of mediation upon High Hrothgar and the way of the voice was proving to be Alduin’s equal. Down below, the draugr were preparing another assault.

“We must take this chance!” Bartleby shouted. “Blades fall back to the College!”

Bartleby heard no arguments from his men. As they crossed the bridge they met with Bastian.

“Bartleby! What in Oblivion is going on?!”

“It’s Paarthurnax! He’s bought us a little time. What about the others?”

“The last of the survivors have gone through. Everyone who’s leaving has left.”

“Then let’s get going!”

They ran for the College but were stopped short. Arch-Mage Savos and Master Wizard Mirabelle Ervine stood in the courtyard engaged in battle with a dragon. The dragon breathed a blast of flames that the Arch-Mage blocked with a quick ward spell. Mirabelle sent a blast of frost from her hands and froze one of the dragon’s claws to the ground. Savos acted quickly. With a wave of his hand and a word of arcane power, the dragon’s claw exploded in an eruption of red slush and scales. The dragon roared in agony as the Arch-Mage prepared a final spell. A maelstrom of ice sharper than the finest steel tore the dragon apart, flaying scales and flesh from bone causing drops of frozen blood to rain down like rubies in the courtyard. The dragon let out a final roar and fell to the ground defeated.

“Most excellent.” Savos said. “Now then ladies and gentlemen I must insist that you take this time to adjourn to the Hall of Elements.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” A Knight Brother said.

“Go on then.” Bartleby said. “We’re right behind you.”

“Boys, I am afraid that Master Wizard Mirabelle and I will not be accompanying you on this journey.”

“What?” Bartleby asked. “What are you talking about?”

“Someone needs to be on the other side to make sure that the portal closes.” Bastian said. “Arch-Mage I’m willing to make that sacrifice.”

“No you damn well aren’t!” Bartleby snapped.

“That is unnecessary Mister Bellrend.” Savos said. “You and the other apprentices are fully capable of leading this group with your wisdom. Mirabelle and I no longer have anything left to teach. We are old. Our time is over. A new world is no place for relics like us.”

“What about Lielle?” Bastian asked Mirabelle.

“The silly girl put up a fight but I… “coerced” her through the portal.” Mirabelle said. “I promised her mother I would keep her safe I have done that. Besides. She has the two of you looking after her. She’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure then?” Bartleby asked.

A new battalion of draugr was coming up to the bridge, weapons drawn and at the ready.

“Yes. We are.” Savos said.

“Very well.” Bartleby said. “Bastian, come on. It’s time.”

Bastian gave one last look at his teachers.

“Thank you.” He said.

The college shook violently. Below, a trio of dragons was shouting at the Sea of Ghosts and waves crashed against the pillar of rock that supported the school, threatening to knock it down.

“You had better get going.” Savos said.

The brothers turned and ran for the Hall of Elements. Wind had knocked the glass from the windows and the well of arcane light in the center was beginning to dim. Bastian grabbed his bag from the floor and stared at the portal.

“This is it. This is really it.” He said looking into the light.

“Aye. You had better get going.” Bartleby said drawing his sword.

“What are you talking about?” Bastian asked.

“The Arch-Mage and Master Wizard are powerful but I don’t think that they’ll be able to hold the line by themselves.”

“I’m not leaving you!” Bastian said dropping his bag.

Bartleby scoffed.

“Well then it appears that I’ll have to take a page from Mirabelle’s book.” He laughed.

Bartleby grabbed his brother by the front of his robes and dragged him to the portal.

“Bartleby don’t!” Bastian yelled in protest. “Don’t you-“

Bartleby shoved his brother into the light and the mage vanished from Nirn forever. Bartleby picked up his brother’s bag and tossed it into the portal after him.

“Don’t hate me.” He said.

Behind him the entry way to the Hall of Elements exploded and two dragons roared at him from the wreckage.

“Well then.” Bartleby said twirling his sword. “Who’s first?”

Author's Notes:

Translation notes: Drey hi lorot tol hi vust filok zey means just what he says after it, Did you really think you can escape me?
Vogahriin los Vunek means "Resistance is futile"
Nii los hin kah tol los zok mul do pah zeymah! = "It is your pride that is most strong of all brother."
Paarthurnax! Hi fund yin grut zey zont ko laas tiid = "Paarthurnax, you would betray me twice in one lifetime?"
Ahrk Zu’u dreh ful voth lot kah! = "And i do so with great pride!"