"So we have an end times prophecy, the possible lingering of a divinity infused madman's soul, the Thalmor and a new three banners war?" Nahir asked for clarity.
"Nobody ever said it was a fun time to be alive." I joked.
"Aye, at least we won't be bored though. Nothing worse than a warrior without a purpose." Tolmen agreed with a chuckle.
"The other heads of the resistance are going to think we went mad when I send the next report out." Nahir complained lightheartedly.
"The worlds gone mad, only fitting the truth reflects that." I say with a shrug.
"Yes, well ignoring all of that distressing information we still have a problem that was never addressed. Our new friends here are both now aware of this village and one of them is not restrained like any outsider should be." Elendey said getting the conversation back towards where it was at the start.
"Not this again. The Sand tongue should be treated like a guest of honor, not some petty thief." Tolmen said firmly.
"No need to argue on our behalf. You just let us continue on our way and everything is settled nice and easy." I say mediating before allies turn on each other.
"That doesn't solve the problem of you knowing about this place." Sadi pointed out.
"Of course it does. Who exactly are we going to tell? The Thalmor? They'd sooner try and kill us than talk. Random folk on the road? I don't see it coming up in casual conversation. So who exactly?" I asked and they all thought about it and had to admit I had a point.
"It seems we are all in agreement then. You will both be allowed to go on your way with the hope we won't come to regret that decision." Nahir said and no one argued.
"Now that the stern stuffs out of the way, come friend! Regale us with the tale of your conquest of the Thalmor army!" Tolmen said with a huge grin as he dragged me to sit in a chair I was pretty sure was his and handed me a bottle of beer.
"So here I was meditating in my room of the Karghistan inn..." I started the time honored tradition of boasting ones exploits.
Time slipped by and night approached as I wrapped up the tale with me collecting the hard won loot of my conquest.
"So you are saying you have a lot of Thalmor equipment just sitting in some small plane of Oblivion that you can grab at any time?" Elendey asked with an incredulous look.
"Gold doesn't grow on tree." I said with a shrug.
"Blast that, I want to know how you learned the tongue!" Tolmen said with an eager look.
"I believe I speak for every Redguard warrior alive when I say I want to know the secret of the She` hai." Nahir said solemnly and Sadi nodded in agreement.
"The Thu'um can be learned even without the Greybeards aid if one understands it's essence. The she` hai is a very different matter. It requires not only mastery of the blade but a certain enlightenment and awareness of ones soul. It can't be taught. At most I could grant inspiration but no more." I said honestly.
"Truly? Is there no way at all beyond that to learn the art?" Nahir asked with a disappointed expression.
"The Thu'um is simpler to learn. It's steps are well worn and precise. The She` hai is more personal. No two masters of it are the same and the results while similar follow suit." I say sincerely.
"I know the Greybeards teach the Thu'um from an early age if ever. Is there any hope for a man?" Tolmen asked hopeful.
"Of course. Be warned however that the Thu'um is not some simple thing you can simply get good at in a few months. Like all skills there's a matter of talent and hard work that determines success. For many of our kinfolk remaining clear of mind and still of body for the time needed is difficult, near impossible even. It's our nature to want to move, to burn hot in battle and bright in spirit. This is not good for learning the Thu'um." I say seriously.
"So boredom becomes the cost of the art?" he asked with a grimace.
I nodded at that "Aye, that is the first enemy to conquer on the path. The second is introspection. To sit in silence and delve deep into your own energies and find your vital essence. Not your magicka, you may get a reaction from it with words shouted but they are the wrong path, never trust it's false promises." I warned gravely.
"And then?" he asked paying close attention, the other were as well.
"Then you need a word of power. To start with I suggest something you deeply resonate with. For many warriors that would be Fus or force in common tongue. Simply speaking the word is not enough. You must meditate deeply on it's meaning, it's various facets and weight. As you contemplate the words meaning more and more it will resonate in your soul and engrave itself there. The moment it does you need only stir your vital essence and project your intent to the world via a shout or whisper depending on your intent. Like this." I say before whispering the word almost softly and the air distorted before the written word branded itself into the stone floor.
"That is a Thu'um? I expected something more.... pronounced?" Elendey say sounding almost disappointed.
"If I wanted to have a more dramatic effect it would. But this is a demonstration, a light one. My voice may not be strong enough to unmake someone with the effortless breath of a whisper like many of the Greybeards but I can certainly accomplish the end result if I desired." I say firmly.
"Of course. I meant no disrespect. It's just, well the tales from the great war of Ulfric using the tongue made it seem an unbridled terrible power." she said honestly.
"Do those tales also say that Ulfric didn't complete his training with the Greybeards? Or how he broke his own oath to them by even using it in battle? The Greybeards may be masters of the tongue but they aspire to the way of the voice. The idea that the voice exists only to honor the gods and thus should never be used in a way that doesn't and war is chief on that list. Any who learn from them are required to swear to follow these tenets themselves. I learned on my own so I'm free of this oath but Ulfric was not." I say deeply offended by the comparison.
I respected much about Ulfric, but not that. A man is only as good as his word when it's tested and he failed. For a good reason maybe but his failure to uphold his oath is a stain that he bears all the same.
AN: I'm back in business folks! Got my internet back yesterday!