"What?" I stared down at the voice's origin.

A female Nord stood before me, blonde hair tied out of her face with a thin strip of deer hide. Her pale blue eyes reminded me of the mountain flowers that bloomed in the plains west of the Throat. Clutching a large scrap of sabertooth fur with both hands, she crept toward me on quivering legs.

"Your wounds." She pointed at the dried blood staining my chest. "Would you...would you like them cleaned?"

"Oh..." I murmured, glancing behind my shoulder.

Tahrodiisqosu'um had not moved from the base of the mountain. Narrowing his eyes at me, he gave a deep huff and flicked his tail.

"Clean my wounds, joor!" I growled. "And be quick!"

The woman gave no reply, only bowed before walking to the river and dipping her rag into the frigid water. She hastily wrung her cleaning pelt, returning after only a couple of heartbeats.

"You're brave for speaking to a dovah," I whispered as she began her work. "What do you want from me?"

"I wanted to thank you," she answered. "The boy Miraak killed... He was my son. You getting him sent away was a blessing, but I wish you could've eaten him."

My mind conjured the image of the young boy standing before me, proclaiming what Numinex thought to be true:

"Behold the Firstborn of Akatosh!"

"Did you believe he was right?" I stretched my wings into the crisp air, allowing them to cast my shadow upon the Nordic woman. "About this Firstborn of Akatosh?"

"I don't know. Never held much in prophecies." The woman shook her head as she continued to soak my wounds. "Maybe Ivaric was insane. Miraak complained about him often, and I think he was planning on sacrificing my son first chance he had."

"You're taking it well," I murmured, baring my teeth at the sting of the rough hide against a stitched wound. "Be careful! I don't want to have to be sewn up again."

"Sorry," she answered dully. "And I suppose so. I should've stayed in Atmora. Then, we wouldn't have been dragged into this."

"Why did you leave Atmora? From what I've heard, you had a good life there. No dragons live there anymore, and the priests probably don't make sacrifices without anyone to attend them."

"You're wrong about that. The sacrifices. True, there aren't as many, but they still exist. And a few of those dragons come over every year or so to participate in them." The woman pointed to Tahrodiisqosu'um. "Especially him. And...Atmora's dying."

"Dying?" I cocked my head at her. "What do you mean?"

"The weather...it's gone insane. Winters are becoming so long, we only have three months to grow anything at all. But I could've found enough for Ivaric and me...maybe could have boarded another boat if things became too bad."

"So that's why the Nords are coming over like this." I nodded at the rest of the pale creatures still lying on their stomachs before me. "They have no choice... I'm sorry this has happened to you. You don't deserve this...to live afraid of everything."

"You're one of the few who'd actually say that." She gave me a small smile. "I'm glad at least one dragon has a little bit of kindness—"

The woman dropped her scrap of hide and put her hands over her mouth. Quivering, she knelt onto the coarse grass into a bow.

"What?"

"I see you have found someone to help you clean your wounds." Tahrodiisqosu'um's foul breath assaulted my nostrils, and I gagged at the stench.

"Yes, I have," I replied, shakily dipping my head to the purple tyrant.

"And I see the proper respects have been paid to you," he continued. "You learned from your last encounter. But there are few things you lack. First." He threw his head into the sky and gave a deep bellow. "Always give them a roar to alert them of your presence. And should any of them fail to bow, you are to kill him...or her..."

The purple dragon narrowed his eyes at the woman lying on the ground before me.

"I demanded that she clean my scales," I answered. "She followed the proper protocol. I was oblivious. I apologize for this; haven't been trained in correct Nord etiquette."

"I already know that." Tahrodiisqosu'um huffed through his nose. "You can't even follow simple protocol such as this...or you won't. Tell me, Alduin, was I wrong in saving you?"

"N-No!" I stammered, mimicking Numinex's quivering stance. "I apologize sincerely for this. Please forgive me!"

"Good." The purple dovah glared icily at the female Nord.

Heartbeats passed as he stared at her cowering form. His maw began to open to reveal his stained fangs, but he snapped them together on empty air. An odd light flickered in his poison-yellow eyes, and he shook his head. Giving a dismissive grunt, he launched himself into the sky.

I did not need a verbal command to know that I was to follow the leader of the Kruziikke. Without speaking, I joined him in flight.

What was all that about? Did he really just go back on a punishment?

Tahrodiisqosu'um shot me a backwards glance, locking his eyes with mine. Though none of his teeth gleamed in the morning sunlight, his gaze burned with an unspoken threat.

He meant to do it all along. Why kill the Nord when he can make her submit with just the threat of doing it?

"I've actually gotten a pleasant surprise for you, Alduin." The purple dovah had returned his attention to the sky ahead of him. "It may help to...motivate you. You'll see after you've been reinstated into your training."

I narrowed my eyes at him as we approached the Throat of the World.

Surprise? More like a punishment! Or a threat. By Akatosh, I hope Bruniikloksivaas isn't going to be in charge of me again!

"Once you've been reinstated into the Kruziikke, you will be held to the standards of any other member. If you fail once more, we'll have no choice but to execute you," he continued. "Your lover have you a great gift, Alduin. Don't waste it."

It would've been a better gift if you had died!

I opened my mouth but quickly closed it before any of the words forming in my mind could spring from my tongue. Quietly exhaling through my nose, I lifted my gaze to the towering Throat. Several dov had already begun to assemble and were now sitting atop their perches.

A flash of gold announced the arrival of Bruniikloksivaas to the meeting. Wings spread in the sunlight, he soared around the peak until taking his place on top of a large boulder near Tahrodiisqosu'um's seat. As I drew closer to the mountaintop, I resisted the urge to spit fire at his head.

"...And it's time that pathetic dovah knew it! By Akatosh, I don't know why Tahrodiisqosu'um wants to keep him. If it weren't for—"

"Bruniikloksivaas." The leader of the Kruziikke landed before the golden dovah, stirring tiny snow drifts with his feet and tail as his bulk hit the ground. "I see the members have been gathered."

The tyrant gave me a short nod, and I copied his action. As soon as my talons met the snow, I crept to the center of the open peak.

The corners of the golden dragon's maw had turned to form a crooked smirk, and his emerald-green eyes smoldered in their sockets. Bruniikloksivaas sank his wing-claws into the snow...

In and out. In and out. He knows something about this that I don't...or he's planning something again.

I winced at thought of the the sharp pain of those weapons digging into my flesh. Whatever punishment that Bruniikloksivaas had conjured for me would be unendurable.

And not because of the pain. I could go through that and more. But to see him smiling at me like that...

Shaking my head, I turned my back to the shiny-scaled menace.

Don't think about it! Not here! You have to be smart about this. Listen to Numinex.

Narrowing my eyes at Tahrodiisqosu'um, I stood in the rigid pose of a member of the Kruziikke as the purple dovah made his way to his seat.

I'm ready, Tahrodiisqosu'um. And this time, I won't make a mistake...

"Members of the Kruziikke, I present Alduin." The purple dragon boomed, his voice echoing around the mountain. "He is here to be reinstated into our ranks and to welcome the new blood joining him in training."

New blood?

I glanced at the dragons who had been given the honor of sitting closest to the tyrant. All of them were staring at the wall of stone a short distance to my left: the continuation of the strunmah's highest peak.

Two dov stood in its shadows. Though crammed against the frigid rock, neither of them allowed their wingtips to touch each other.

Who are they?

I cocked my head at the smaller of the two, a deep-red dovah. Scraping his black, crooked wing-claws in the snow, he stared sightlessly into the ground. He let out a huff, and a pillar of white vapor rose from his nose and into the air as he continued his work.

He looks about my age, but I don't remember seeing him on any hunts with other groups of dov. Probably from some inferior family living in that northwestern corner. They don't normally hunt with us...or anyone. Too far away from the mammoths. Might also explain his looks.

Large, midnight-black spines rose steeply along the red dragon's back, and four small, slightly curved horns, bearing the same color, grew from his head. Deep violet splotches on his pale-gray wings shimmered in the sunlight: an obvious statement of his heritage.

That's not something you see around my home. Not usually, anyway. But for northwestern dov...

"Alduin, please give your testimony. Show the Kruziikke that you are no mere beast. These two newcomers also need to learn how a true dovah speaks." Tahrodiisqosu'um's deep voice snapped me from my thoughts. "You will be quite the example for them. Whether you give us a wise or foolish display of behavior, they can still learn from you."

Don't act defiant. Don't be a fool.

I inhaled deeply, allowing the frigid air to fill my lungs before taking a step toward Tahrodiisqosu'um. Dipping my neck in a bow, I allowed the sound of Bruniikloksivaas's honeyed voice to fill my mind.

"Distinguished members of the Kruziikke, I have repented of my heinous crimes, and now, I humbly ask if I may wholeheartedly serve you," I answered as I rose from my sickening position. "I was wrong to challenge you, and I thank...I thank the dovah who gave herself for my sake."

And I'll prove it by killing you!

"So you have decided to make the right choice." Tahrodiisqosu'um narrowed his eyes at me. "I'm pleased to hear this, Alduin. Although only time will be able to show us whether you mean any of this or not, you may yet make a fine member of the Kruziikke as a negotiate for the sonaakke. And now, my brothers and sisters, I call upon you to restore Alduin to his training status. He is now considered innocent of any legal crime, and we must acknowledge this truth. However..." The purple dragon gazed upon the group of dov that he led. "Alduin does need someone to...look after him."

"I could watch him, if you wish," Bruniikloksivaas interjected.

Try it, worm!

I felt my maw begin to part to reveal my fangs. After a couple of heartbeats, Tahrodiisqosu'um's poison-yellow gaze fell upon me. Snapping my jaws together, I gave him a quick bow.

"...You will do nothing with Alduin, Bruniikloksivaas," Tahrodiisqosu'um hissed as he lifted his head to face the golden dovah. "There are more important matters where you are needed, such as Numinex's trial. You are one of the witnesses."

"Of course." Bruniikloksivaas fell upon his stomach, almost knocking two other members of the Kruziikke off of their perches as his wings stretched over the ground. Though he lay prostrate before the great tyrant, the pupils of his eyes had rolled to the top of his sockets.

"Sahqo Geinne will make sure that Alduin and our new blood have their needs met," Tahrodiisqosu'um finished.

You just want someone to keep us under control!

The words lodged themselves in the back of my mouth, pressing against my tongue. Heaving through my nose, I struggled to keep them from springing into the crisp air.

I can't say whatever I want without thinking. If I do, my family will die with me. Besides, Yoldurkrii and Dinokviidostlun are less likely to murder me unless I break a rule...or Tahrodiisqosu'um changes his mind...

"If no one has an objection to my suggestion, we will introduce our newcomers," the purple tyrant boomed, nodding to the pair of strangers. "They come from the strunmahhe and icy coasts of our northwestern region. Both of them show promise in their skills. Members of the Kruziikke, I present Vograhdinok."

"Vograhdinok..." Sounds familiar.

As the larger of the newcomers stepped into the sunlight and gave a respectful bow, whispers of gossiping elders filled my mind. His deep violet scales, darker than Tahrodiisqosu'um's, seemed to glow an odd, almost ethereal, pale blue. The four bluish-black horns growing from the sides of his head curved downward, reminding me of the strange, horned armor I had often seen Nordic warriors wear on their heads.

Helmets! That's what the joorre call them! And those eyes!

The balls of fiery magenta blazed with the brightness of lightning. Neither of them contained the black pupils of other dov. His large, ebony-black wings seemed to engulf the sky as he spread them, and the savage, black hooks serving as his wing-claws could easily cut through flesh...and bone.

Stomach churning, I took a step away from him. I had never had the opportunity to look at him closely, and now that I had met those pieces of magenta brimstone...

At least, I think they're brimstone. I know those aren't normal eyes! Wait...eyes that burn like fire... By Akatosh, it's Vograhdinok the Undertaker!

Memories of afternoons spent with the gossips of my home filled my mind.

"He reeks of death!"

"When he flies, he kills everything under his shadow—plants, animals, and even other dov!"

"I've heard he practices necromancy and uses the bodies of dragons for his experiments!"

"Drem-yol-lok, Alduin," Vograhdinok growled as he slowly approached me.

"Dream-yol-lok," I replied, staring at the ground.

"...You know who I am, don't you?"

"Yes, I do. I'm sorry. I didn't mean—"

"Don't worry. I'm not offended," the undertaker interrupted. "You're actually among the braver dov I've met. Most fly away as soon as they see me."

"So you...prepare the dead..." I lifted my gaze to meet his.

"I know you've heard several stories about me; you have that look. From what I've seen, plants and animals don't die under my shadow when I fly. But yes, I prepare the dead. An executed dovah...a youngling who died in a hunting accident... I do this service for the good of the dov. You seem somewhat rational. Maybe you'll have the sense to put aside the rumors circling me and work for the benefit of us all," he snarled.

"Of course," I answered, giving him a courteous nod.

Tahrodiisqosu'um cleared his throat, and I turned to face him. The tyrant's eyes had not locked onto me but the young dragon remaining to be introduced.

Though the focus of Tahrodiisqosu'um's attention, the stranger only continued his work of scarring the snow beneath his wing-claws.

"Odahviing, come and meet Alduin. Use your manners, or whatever you northwestern dov have," he growled, flashing the red youngling an icy glare.

I could not help but smile as Odahviing rolled his eyes and gave a long, deep sigh as he obeyed the purple dragon's orders.

I'm surprised Tahrodiisqosu'um isn't trying to punish him for that. Then again, I wasn't killed on my first day, either, even after attacking Felbrombruniik. By Akatosh, I probably have scars all over my shoulders from him!

"Drem-yol-lok, Alduin. I'm Odahviing," the red dovah murmured as he approached me.

I narrowed my eyes at him. Neither a smile nor frown graced his muzzle, but he dipped his head in the polite greeting bow of an unacquainted equal.

"Drem-yol-lok," I replied, shifting my weight from my left leg to my right.

Oohdahviing said nothing, only quickly hummed and gave another nod before turning to face Tahrodiisqosu'um.

Strange for a dovah to act that way, even if he's from the northwestern part of Skyrim.

"And now, members-to-be, I am pleased to introduce you to another dovah." Tahrodiisqosu'um's voice echoed around the mountaintop. "I told you that I had a surprise for you, Alduin. And I believe he's here..."

I glanced at the purple tyrant. Wings spread into the air, he towered over the other members of the Kruziikke by a horn's length. A toothy grin spread across his muzzle as he nodded to the pale blue sky.

Circling above the strunmah, four dragons gave signaling calls before diving toward the snow. Two blurs of blood-red landed in the center of the mountaintop's open area, followed by Numinex's bony form. The gray-green dovah stuck out his uninsured foot to clutch the ground, but he stumbled as soon as his heel made contact with a small drift. He collapsed beside Yoldurkrii, gasping for air.

"Up, bruniik!" the assassin snarled, baring his fangs at the wounded dragon.

"I've...I've broken my leg. I won't be able to stand without...support." Numinex's reply came in a raspy whisper.

"You'll do as my brother says," Dinokviidostlun approached the gray-green dovah, wing-claw raised. "Or do you want another wound?"

The roar of the fourth dragon rang in the air for a second time, and I snapped my gaze from Sahqo Geinne and their victim to the golden-brown figure swooping toward the Throat.

No! It can't be! Please! PLEASE!!!

Paarthurnax landed only a muzzle-length away from me and smiled, though tears rimmed his sky-blue eyes.

"Drem-yol-lok, brother."