It’s getting colder as they got closer to the border. Four of them have finally reach the probably, end of their long journey. The settlements and villages they passed were also slowly decreasing in numbers as they drew nearer, noticing the gap of silence of people. Even if he was blind, he still sensed that the first village they passed after leaving Mournhold had the population of four thousand at most, then three thousand, then just a thousand, then eight hundred people, then six hundred until it was only fifty people. That was the last village they left. The young girl explained that this part of the region was usually under attack or suffers border raids from the neighboring province of Skyrim, so the population obviously moved away to safer places. She said this as if ignoring the fact that they were heading towards that said province.

“Geez, I told you to let us guide you sensei.” the girl sighed as she looked at the seemingly struggling Shin in walking the rocky terrain.

The girl named Kisara and the boy named Saru tried to be helpful by leading him on the road as he was blind. Yet he wasn’t incapable enough to be that helpless as he still have other senses to use, as what he had repeatedly told them. Despite traveling with them for a several weeks already, he still haven’t got a clue on their real identities and most especially, the reason why he was targeted. They would always answer vaguely and leave it at that. And they were already attacked by many assassins on their way here.

But he was now more conscious of the rocks on the road. He was told that the province of Skyrim was mostly comprised of mountainous and rocky terrain but he didn’t expect that this would also include the bordering regions.

“Could you finally tell me why I am being targeted?” he begged the man named Usagi, who was walking behind him.

“I cannot. All that we can tell you was that the two most powerful nations on this continent found you to be a person of great interest and threat. The first one wanted to capture and use you while the latter wanted you dead than let you fall to the former.” Usagi replied. “I’m sorry.”

Shin immediately realized that there must be an important reason why they can’t reveal the truth. But still, he was able to get enough information about the three from traveling together.

The interaction between the two, made Shin assume with high confidence that Usagi and the young girl named Kisara were father and daughter. Although he would sometimes laugh in secret and observe in the sides for amusement in their awkward dialogues like it was obvious that Usagi wanted to be closer to her daughter but a daughter at near on the age of puberty would be embarrass at such thing. While Saru had probably a student-mentor relationship with Usagi, noticing how he would always follow obediently every Usagi’s words and advice.

Then after few hours of trekking into the woods and rocks, they saw a long line of people and caravan on the road. And at the end, were several dunmer soldiers.

“Wait here. I’ll meet with our guide.” Usagi said as he disappeared into the crowds. Three of them sat on the rocks in relief, stretching their legs from prolonged walking.

Shin could hear and sense that there were camping sites and tents around them. The smell of fur and the familiar addictive scent made him realize that most of them were owned by Khajiits. He still haven’t personally saw them with his eyes as he was blind already when he came to this continent but he encountered many Khajiit traders passing by his coastal home in the past. And with the permission of one trading khajiit, he remembered that they have cat like features despite being bipedal or humanoid from touching her body. But the signature thing that he found similar on all of the khajiits he met was the peculiar smell of what he presumed to be an addictive powder which they call Skooma. Something that made him laugh many times when they visit as they were either hallucinating or high when he meets them, excitedly trying to sell their wares to him. He admired their people as despite also receiving much discrimination due to their animal-like traits, they still loved trading and socializing with other races. He smiled in remembering those people as it would be possible that he won’t meet them again.

There were no permanent structure, yet the noise and flocks of people made it look like a new rising trade hub just near the borders. The large tents, canopies and wall awnings made it even more crowded due to the limited space that the people had to walk through. The people were almost shoulder to shoulder in the cold rocks and road, divided by large tents. Saru and Kisara just quietly followed behind him, watching any suspicious people around him while Shin understood what they were doing and just let her.

Shin had to admit that he was impressed on how the various races of people were able to mingle on this cold region. From the accents and varying smells he could sense, he could picture out how three nord hunters haggling with a dunmer couple for a new bow and quiver of arrows, a Khajiit jeweler trying to persuade a wealthy looking Imperial that was surrounded by his guards, an arguing Breton and Redguard over some payment for their delivery of the goods, and even several Argonians covered in thick fur of coat walking through the streets, a race that he expected the least to be on this cold north. As he only encountered them once yet it was also a memorable meeting with another unique race that never existed on his homeland. He stretched out his hearing senses as it filters every noise and grunts of the people around.

"Fresh vegetables! Fresh fruits!"

"Direwolves' fur! Perfect for warming yourselves for this cold winter!"

"How much can you give me with this?"

"Meat! Smoked horkers meat! Better buy now for your dinner tonight!"

“I’ve sent a raven to my village. Please wait for now.”

"You know you can lower the price further! I will be buying from you starting today."

“Daaamn its soo cold… is this line even moving?”

"Fish! Fresh and Fat! A very good partner with mead and cheese!"

“We have fire rocks for sale! Warm yourself with just a two of these stones in your pockets!”

It was always a refreshing feeling for Shin to hear such noise after exiling himself to solitude for several years.

Several minutes later, Usagi returned with a man, followed by a dozen more behind them. Shin couldn’t see but he could hear from the bouncing sounds and clinking echoes that the man and others were all wearing full plate armor. As evident also with how impressed Saru on seeing such armor for the first time.

“Wooooowww… Are all of that ebony?” Saru asked with admiring eyes on the man, referring to his armor.

“Yes.” The man replied, his smile covered by his helmet then turned to Shin and asked. “Are you Lord Shin? My name is Fjaskr, captain of the 24th Dawnguard Windhelm Division. These are my men. We will be escorting you to the other side of the border.”

“I thank you for your guidance in advance. Please take care of us.” Shin said and greeted with a bow. Kisara and Saru followed suit.

“Well then, follow me closely. We can’t have you lost within the crowds. My men will create a perimeter just in case your pursuers are already here and will try something stupid.”

Shin walked behind with Fjaskr while four of his men took point in advance to create a path for them. He didn’t sense anything previously but Shin quickly realized that the number of people were starting to increase as they grew closer to their destination.

“What is happening that there are so many people here?” He asked. “Did something changed in Skyrim?”

“Have you ever gone to Skyrim?” Fjaskr got curious on his question.

“No, but I heard from the fishermen on where I stayed that there are a lot of refugees that are still trying to get out.”

Fjaskr just laughed and answered.

“Skyrim is still the same as everyone knows about it when winter comes. Freezing and barren.”

He heard that the cold in Skyrim was much colder than in Morrowind. Hearing such statement made Shin believe that the province was tied with the cold.

“These dunmers were previously businessmen, merchants and shop owners who were kicked out of Skyrim during the Civil War due to racial motivated violence and discrimination from the rebels. Even after the Civil War ended more than a decade ago, they were still hesitant to return.” Fjaskr added. “But with the unification of Windhelm, Dawnstar and Winterhold – which they now call the Northern Triad – the new king established several decrees that protected free trade and laws that also protected other races. This border station directly leads to the territory of Windhelm, which were previously the base of the rebels and source of discrimination. Now they are flocking back after the change of power. Especially when the Empire had also invested the reopening of hundreds of mines and direct imperial trading route in the region.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“Wait… king?” Shin noticed something. “I thought they were ruled by jarls.”

Fjaskr scoffed but didn’t continue his reaction as he didn’t want to offend Shin if he would take it as an offense. He coughed a couple of times then answered.

“With the exception of Markath, the High Queen of Skyrim recently decided to promote the power and autonomy of every Jarl into kingship.” Fjaskr explained. “They will still answer to her but this will grant them enough influence and power to act independently. To be honest, that’s what all I know. Only those who were involved in politics knew if this was the real reason for the granting of kingship.”

Then he sensed the line of people cutting on the large tall stone walls that he could feel to be a giant keep. The stagnant cold water around the keep made him assume that it was protected by a deep moat. The creaking sound told him of a metal gate placed along with the heavy drawbridge that could be raised on the event of siege.

But they were stopped by the huge crowd that even Fjaskr men whom he had sent in advance to make way, were drowned by the sea of people.

“This is not just a crowd of people anymore, are all border stations in the same situation or just limited here?” Shin asked.

“Fortunately and unfortunately, it’s the same since the big change in Skyrim.” Fjaskr said. “This was the very fort that was previously built by the rebel jarl to kick out dunmers and bar entry of every non-human to Windhelm. Now this had become a border station that welcomed the same races that it kicked out in the past. Don’t worry, we don’t have to wait for our turn. That’s why we are here with you.”

“So there’s preferential treatment to Dawnguards?” Kisara asked.

“Yes. Ever since we helped solved one of the biggest daedric crises in Skyrim, our reputation spread and we became preferred monster slayers of every rulers than mercenaries and adventurers. Because unlike them, we are not motivated by money, so any normal citizens or people may it be from the empire or dominion will have no worry in hiring us. One of the boons that the empire and the local lords gave us was the exception to any entry taxes and freedom to enter or exit borders without restriction. Daedric issues needs immediate attention that normal soldiers couldn’t solve.” Fjaskr replied. “Although we still have not got any permission to conduct operations in Dominion Provinces by the Thalmor. The chapter masters are still trying to negotiate to the Dominion authorities to this day. Many of the daedric cults that we are pursuing have taken shelter on their lands, making it harder for us to eliminate them.”

Fjaskr then turned to Usagi who just finished conjuring a raven, inserting a scroll in one of its legs and released it into the sky.

“Fjaskr, we may need cooperation with the other side to finish this quickly. I sent a message to Arlene to help us.” Usagi said.

The captain nodded and had his men to be on constant alert as they insert themselves through the crowd and took a break in the spacious vacant area at the corner of the stone wall.

They waited for another half an hour until the arrival of another set of soldiers. This time, dunmer clan soldiers who were also cooperating with the border station with more Dawnguards. The dunmers started controlling the crowd who were now confusedly amassing near the gate, instead of waiting for their turns in the line while the Dawnguards led Shin and his party to enter the fort.

The grumbling and complaints of the people they passed after seeing them skip the line made Shin hurt and a little bit embarrassed by being treated differently, but thankfully none tried to voice it out. But some of the whispers that didn’t escape his ears were the assumptions that Shin was probably a criminal who were being escorted by the Dawnguards.

They arrived inside the fort which had a lot of confiscated carriages, crates and goods along with arrested people in chains, probably awaiting to be sent away to receive their trial.

A woman in the same armor as the Dawnguards without a helmet, greeted them.

“Finally! I was actually worried that you will be late. Our lord already sent me several messages already asking for the state of your arrival.” She went closer to Shin and shook his hands. “I am Arlene va’Braun of House Leschenmacht, Morrowind Chapter Master of Dawnguards. It’s an honor to finally meet you master Shin in person.”

Shin presumed that this woman probably knew more of his current predicament than his previous escorts.

“Thank you Lady Arlene. Can I ask the same question that I always ask to my escorts but never got a real answer?”

“You don’t have to as I already have the answer.” She smiled. “It’s just that you are one of the most important person right now in the entire continent. And it’s not just the empire or the dominion who wants you. Our grandmaster also desired your help on his future expenditures.”

“How could I help?” He was confused and curious at the same time.

“We know Master Shin that you are not of this continent. And as such, you are an extremely once in a lifetime sight and a race that never existed since your ancestors had left thousands of years ago.” She shrugged and grinned. “If your escorts haven’t told you yet, we call your race the Akaviri. And your homeland as Akavir.”

Shin frowned as he have a bad feeling. At first he thought that she was just mistaken in the name of his home continent but presumed that it was probably what they named the continent.

“If I am-”

Before he could finish, Arlene handed a scroll to him.

“Don’t worry, it’s just a letter addressed to you. It’s made for you who can’t see. I’m sure you know how to read before you suffered from blindness, yeah?” she asked.

“Yeah…” he unrolled the high quality parchment and touched the content, he senses some sort of script with protruding texture to help someone like him read by feeling what was written. He sighed and closed the scroll then handed it back to Arlene.

“I don’t know how to say this… but you all probably got the wrong guy. It was addressed to a person named Akira. All of the effort you did to protect and escort me here... I thank you sincerely but also apologized for being the wrong person you were looking for.”

The letter was asking for the attendance of the person in the imperial court. He felt sorry for these people who did everything to get him here only to be disappointed.

But much to his surprised, Arlene laughed.

“Really? Hahahahahahaha! Oh I’m sorry. That just actually confirmed you’re the right person we were searching for.”

“Eh?” He got confused as Arlene then turned to the Dawnguards and had them prepare the carriages. Then she grinned like she successfully pulled a prank on him.

“That letter was actually copied from an original ancient letter that dates back thousands of years ago, after your race arrived here in Tamriel.” She revealed. “The scholars were only able to decipher a small part of the text that it was addressed to the adjutant of an Akavir warrior. No one knew how to read the entire content of the letter… that is until you did.”

So she actually tricked me to test if I am literate to read these texts and with this, I also confirmed her thoughts of me. Shin sighed in surrender.

“Now let’s go! On to Skyhaven Temple!” She raised her left hand as if to motivate her men. The rest of the Dawnguards were already mounted and one of them handed her the reins of a horse which she immediately climbed. “Shin you can take a rest on the carriage. Don’t worry, you won’t feel any bumps on the road as this is one of the new innovations of transport industry.”

Shin then turned to the three escorts who were with him since the coast in Morrowind.

“So this is goodbye? Thanks again for your protection.” Shin patted the heads of the two children.

“Don’t worry old man! We will see each other again!” Saru just smiled.

“Though it may take a lot longer though.” Kisara mused.

“Probably in fifteen years?” Saru asked after calculating something.

“Hey!!” Kisara punched him on the head as if he said something wrong.

The two then went into a fist fight in the corner which Shin smiled in amusement. Usagi just stared on Shin and bowed.

“Take care.”

“You too.” Shin then as if remembered something turned back before entering the carriage. “By the way! Don’t be too hard on yourself. Take care of your student and your daughter!”

Usagi went into silent shock as he stared at the carriage that was now leaving with the battalion of mounted Dawnguards, entering the gates into Skyrim.

“Does he know?” he asked no one but someone answered for him.

“Probably not. He is a very sensitive and attentive person that he could read the atmosphere and know the state of relationships between the people he was with. Spending time together for almost several weeks would obviously made him understand the three of you. If you probably spend for another month or two, he would probably know the truth.”

Then she added.

“You are his student, I’m sure you know him that much.”

“Arlene.” Usagi sighed at Arlene then asked. “So there’s no conflicts?”

“Nope. We followed the scripts exactly so there’s no trouble. And it’s impossible to break the linear path already. Even if we messed up on somewhere the world will just fix it itself. We are now under the control of a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

“Good.”

“So where will you go?” she asked.

“Our role here is done. Now it’s up to ‘us’ to play theirs as well.” Usagi smiled for the first time.

This guy… he must be very popular with women. He would destroy order in the women’s circles in High Rock with just his smile alone. Arlene thought as she finally realized the sex appeal of the man in front of her.

“Don’t you want to see your former self?” She asked.

“…” Usagi just sighed again in silence as if something reminded him that made him embarrass.

“Fufufufu… he is embarrassed to see himself.” she teased him.

“We will leave Tamriel next week and sail to the place where Yokuda was located.” He tried to ignore her and stated his new plans.

“So you’re going to visit the west.”

“Unlike here in Tamriel, we will probably not get involve much in their political strife.” He said. “I have to do what I must until the constellations intertwine. There is still time but there are drifters already across Tamriel. We don’t have much time.”

“You can leave that to the Dawnguards.” She tapped her breastplate. “Then this is goodbye too for us.”

“We will meet again… I’m sure you probably know when.”

“I will thoroughly enjoy myself then.” She made a pranking smile as if implying that she had fun plans for their reunion.

“Please don’t.” He pinched his forehead in pain as if remembering something embarrassing in the past.

“We’re going somewhere dad?” Kisara asked.

“I can go for another adventure. Hehe.” Saru grinned at such prospect of travelling once more.

“Mmm. We will head to the west this time.” He confirmed which made the two children jump in joy. Arlene smiled at seeing their celebration then mounted on her horse after seeing that she was the last to leave.

“Then farewell! Until next time, Uchiha Sasuke!”