//------------------------------// // 10- Anything goes // Story: Kulaas Ahrk Dovah // by SkarinOfAtmora //------------------------------// That morning Skarin woke up later than usual at around 10am. The battle against Alduin took a toll on him so the Dragonborn decided to rest a little longer. It was actually pretty strange how an all-powerful dragon like Alduin operated with such patience, stealth and strategy. Skarin remembers a time when noone in Skyrim saw the beast for months and then suddenly he appears out of nowhere. Most would think he'd just swoop down from the sky and burn everything to the ground but Skarin believed that Alduin reveled in the fear his absence caused. Where is he? What could he be planning? It was partially true that Alduin enjoyed toying with his prey but another reason was that he lost a lot of his original power once he abandoned his duty as World Eater and decided to rule over Tamriel with his brethren. But back to the matter at hand as Skarin descended the seemingly infinite stairs from his room towards the dining room for some late breakfast. Along the way he noticed the staff of the castle was trying to melt into the wall in fear whenever he passed by some of them. It brought a satisfied wolfish grin to his face. They should fear him after the little stunt he pulled last night and he'd do it again if they act like an ungrateful lot towards him. He saved the life of their beloved Princess, and she saved his in return, and all he got was a "Walk it off." and a bandage for his broken forearm. The fracture wasn't completely healed yet, though greatly accelerated by his beast blood, and it was like an annoying stinging sensation. The castle guards on the other hand were a different story. The ones who didn't know what transpired on the battlefield gave him the stink eye as he passed, because of his transformation last night, but the ones who arrived with Luna to drive the dragon away stood to full attention and saluted a fellow soldier. They were briefed on the events by Celestia, after rushing to the medical wing to find their Princess Canterlot voicing her displeasure of Skarin's treatment to the medical staff. Some even got a visual reminder in the form of today's newspapers but we'll get to that. Anyway, Skarin returned their greetings with a salute of his own and continued towards his destination with a satisfied smile, instead of a wolfish grin. After finally reaching the dining room, and after asking for directions several times, Skarin opened the large doors and saw Celestia, Luna, Shining Armor and Twilight Sparkle sitting at the table. There was no food on it, only drinks, and by their reaction Skarin figured he interrupted something important. He also noticed Celestia's wings were still bandaged and healing. "I'll come back later. " Skarin offered apologetically and began closing the door. "Wait. " Celestia called out to with a tone that left no room for discussion "We need to talk. " Skarin sighed, entered the room and closed the door behind him. "Look, if it's about the bar fight, it might've started because of an arm-wrestling match. " Skarin said sheepieshly and Celestia looked at him in confusion. "No, it's about something else. " before she could continue Skarin spoke up again. "The transformation? " he scratched his cheek in thought. "No, but thank you for reminding me. " Celestia had a smug smile on her muzzle and Skarin face-palmed. "Walked right into that one. " Shining Armor added with a smirk. Deciding to get things rolling, Luna called attention to herself. "It is about this. " she then placed a book on the table and Skarin looked at it from a distance. "A book? " he walked towards the table and picked the book up "What about it? " there was something written on the cover but Skarin couldn't read it. Not because it was an old book but he didn't understand the language. He sat down and began listing through the pages "I can't read this... " he said to himself but everyone heard it just fine. "You can't read? " Twilight asked in shock and almost jumped to her hooves. Skarin rolled his eyes at the young alicorn. "I can read just fine. But your letters are completely different from mine. " "Tis' strange. " Luna said in thought and took the book from Skarin's hands "We speak the same language even though we are eons apart. " "Just tell me what's the book about. " Skarin leaned back in his chair and began massaging his slowly healing forearm. Celestia noticed that and looked at Skarin apologetically. "I once again apologize for the behavior of our medical staff. " she said sincerely and Skarin nodded in return "My sister and I shall ensure that it never happens again. " "Don't let them near me again and we're good, Kulaas. " Skarin then looked at Luna holding the book "Speak, girl. " Luna raised an un-amused brow but opened the book and began reading nontheless. "And the Scrolls have foretold, of black wings in the cold- " "That when brothers wage war come unfurled. " all eyes were on Skarin as he cut off Luna and continued by himself "Alduin, bane of Kings, ancient shadow unbound, with a hunger to swallow the world. " he looked at Luna with an annoyed expression "I know the prophecy. Someone must've found a book from my time or something and translated it. " "This book- " Celestia began speaking "-was written by Starswirl the Bearded after he read a mysterious ancient scroll. " Skarin's eyes went wide "Starswirl claimed he saw images of an ancient world and that Alduin would return to finish his job. " Celestia's features saddened "The scroll vanished before anypony else could confirm his claims." "Elder Scrolls tend to do that..." Skarin added and got odd looks "That's what he read. Elder Scrolls are ancient and powerful artefacts that deliver prophecies and what not. Sometimes they disappear with no reasonable explanation." his expression went grim " Rest assured that whatever he saw is true and count himself lucky he survived. " all attention was on Skarin "Besides going insane, which I doubt he did since he wrote a book, an Elder Scroll can easily render you blind or even kill you. " a look of shock passed around the gathered ponies "I've read three myself, actually, and lived to tell the tale but I believe it was because fate had other plans for me." he looked at the royalty gathered around him "You should've listened to him." "But he was proclaimed mad after he wrote it. " Twilight continued and Skarin's gaze shifted to her "He became the laughing stock of the scientific community and his constant ramblings were bordering on insanity. Ancient world eating dragon, hairless apes- " Skarin glared at the young alicorn whose ears fell flat on her head "H-he didn't know what you were! " "The point is- " Shining continued to tear Skarin's gaze from his sister "-the book is infamous and most have even forgotten it exists. It was regarded as a breaking point of a mad stallion and everything about it was just a figment of his imagination. Shows what we know... " "We were hoping you could tell us more about it. " Celestia said, levitating the book towards her with her magic "But seeing as you can't read our alphabet we should first correct that. " her horn began glowing softly and Skarin felt like someone was gently poking his head. "Stop! " he raised his hand and Celestia stopped immediately with a confused look on her face "I prefer to read the old fashioned way. " Twilight's ears perked up. "You do? " "Yes. I also preffer nobody entering my mind all willy-nilly. " Luna looked away and whistled innocently "So if there's a way to translate the book by normal means then I'll gladly read it. " he looked to Twilight "Is there a way? " "Yes! You simply write out your alphabet and I can use a simple translation spell to translate the book for you! " the lavender alicorn was shaking from excitement. She's going to translate a book from Equestrian into an ancient language nopony has ever heard of! "Don't get too excited, you're not off the hook yet. " Skarin sent a stern look to Twilight which made her shrink in her seat "Now tell me, what exactly did you do? " Twilight was squirming in her seat, feeling her answer might enrage Skarin for it was a stupid one. "I-I accidentally touched you and Alduin. " Skarin remained quiet "It's the truth! " "She's telling the truth, Skarin. " Celestia joined in "Some bats scared her and in her stumbling she fell upon you and Alduin. " "It can't be that simple. " Skarin rubbed his temples in annoyance "Did you cast any kind of magic? " Twilight shook her head "Had any thoughts of magic? " once again, no "Did any of you do anything? " the table shook their heads together and Skarin sighed deeply. "Do you have any idea what might've transpired? " Luna asked and it was Skarin's turn to shake his head. "No idea. Like I said to Kulaas, I can't do magic that well. I'm limited to basic healing spells to heal small wounds and that's about it. " he looked up to the ceiling in thought "What I know is that Morganna fashioned some kind of powerful spell to trap Alduin and I. Maybe she found those Elements you speak of and used them but miscalculated the effect. " he looked at the table once again, his expression an angry one "That's why I was pissed when you released us. I saw the spell being cast and my friends turning to stone before my very eyes. " "If they truly wielded the Elements, the we have no doubt they will restore your friends. " Luna said with a comforting smile. "My sister is the Element of Magic. " Shining spoke up proudly "If there's anypony who can figure out how to save your friends, it's her. " "Thanks Shiny. " Twilight said bashfully and tried to hide behind her mane like one of her friends does. "Good to know. " Skarin nodded and looked to Twilight "Now, about that alphabet... " Twilight squeed in excitement and a scroll and quill appeared from thin air. After some initial trouble in writing down the Tamrielic alphabet, Skarin handed the scroll to Twilight who easily wrote down the Eqestrian alphabet. "I'll have it translated in no time! " she said excitedly and examined the scroll "You'll see! It'll be easy as- " "PIE! " all heads turned to a guard that opened the door "Uhhh, my apologies, your Majesties and lord Skarin, but I am looking for private Apple Pie. We're having mandatory drills and I can't seem to find him. " the guard bowed before the princesses in respect. "Private Pie was sent on an important mission per my request. " Shining spoke up "Return to the barracks, Swift Stream, I'll be there soon. " the guard nodded, bowed and left the room. "You have no idea where he is. " Skarin stated matter of factly. "Nope. " Shining shrugged his shoulders and got a few laughs "Pie is a good colt but he tends to disappear every once in awhile. Family issues. " everyone nodded in understanding "Oh, you made the headlines. " Shining slid over this mornings newspapers over to Skarin." the Dragonborn looked at the picture, completely ignoring the lettering, and smirked. It was a picture of him punching Alduin straight in his ugly maw. "I'm keeping this." Skarin said as he rolled up the newspapers "And Twilight will teach me how to read your writing as a way of making up for releasing Alduin." he looked over to the lavender Alicorn who nodded timidly and resumed the translation of the book. The possibilities if they could find actual books from Skarin's time are endless! "Well, now that that's cleared up, let's talk about the Gala preparations, shall we? " Celestia said smilingly and looked at Shining "Is Cadence coming? " "She's nearing Canterlot as we speak. " Shining proclaimed happily and Celestia nodded. "Excellent! Twilight, what about your friends? " the young alicorn's eyes were glued to the scroll with the alphabets and some mumbling was heard "I'll take that as a yes. " Celestia chuckled and then looked at Skarin "As for you- " "Still not going. " Skarin stood up from the table "Actually, I'll be going right now. " "Skarin! " Celestia called sternly. "You can't make me, Kulaas!" he said over his shoulder "I'll be at the barracks should anyone need me!" and with that he was out the door. "Oooooh! That stubborn-" Celestia couldn't even finish with how frustrated she was. "I'll talk to him." Shining got up and followed Skarin to the barracks. Celestia sighed and rubbed her temples in frustration. "The Gala is tomorrow and his appearance would disperse many of the concerns our little ponies have." the Sun princess said with a heavy sigh. "We may have a solution to thine problem, dear sister." Luna said with a sly smirk. "Why do I feel this information is going to cost me?" Celestia knew her sister to know that this kind of information came with a price but Luna simply waved her off. "Do not worry, Tia. The results will be payment enough and also aid to our own amusement." after taking a moment to consider it, Celestia nodded. "Alright, tell me what you had in mind, Lulu." and as Luna began explaining her plan Celestia's expression went from amused to shocked and then to a downright furious blush "Luna! You don't actually expect me to do that!" then her expression turned serious "Will it work?" "If it does not, then our title is no longer Princess of the Hunch!" Celestia raised a questioning brow to which Luna responded with a sly smirk "Trust us, it shall work." Celestia looked a little uncertain but desperate times called for desperate measures. "Very well. But if it does not work I'll have words with you. " Celestia glared at her sister who simply shrugged "I have an appointment with the doctor about my wings. After that I shall test out your... Plan." "Ummm, Princess Celestia?" both sisters looked at Twilight who had a small blush on her cheeks "I have translated the book so please give it to Skarin." Celestia took the copy that had an unfamiliar writing on it and smiled at the young alicorn in appreciation. It was an hour later when Celestia arrived at the guards training grounds and found a peculiar sight. Skarin was holding a shield as another one was pressed against it and a dozen stallions were pushing back. It appeared to be some kind of strength exercise where you'd have to push back your opponent over a line drawn in the ground in order to win. "Hello, Princess Celestia." Shining Armor greeted once the Princess stood next to him "What did the doctor say?" "My wings are healing at a fast rate and the doctor said I could even fly tomorrow. " Celestia said happily and actually thought about going flying just for fun since it was decades since she had last done that. "Guess being an alicorn has it's advantages." Shining replied with a smile and continued observing the exercise. "And what is going on here?" Celestia asked while watching her guards struggling against Skarin. "Well, the guards wanted a rematch from the Bucking Bronco brawl and I thought this would be a good way to do it." Shining answered with a smirk. "It would appear you trained your guards well, Captain." Celestia said proudly "They have the mighty Dragonborn on the verge of defeat." she said while looking at the line on the ground behind Skarin's right foot. "Actually..." Shining began sheepishly "Skarin's line is over there- " Shining pointed at another line about 13 feet behind Skarin "That's the middle one- " then the one by Skarin's foot "-and lastly the guard's. " and another that the last in line was already stepping on "The shields meet in the middle and you have to push the opponent back to cross their line." Celestia watched in amusement as Skarin held off a dozen stallions, each one dripping with sweat and brathing heavily while Skarin looked like he had the time of his life. "Put some back into it! " Skarin yelled at the stallions "Wouldn't want to look bad in front of your Kulaas!" "YES , LORD SKARIN, SIR!" came the unified response followed by a loud laugh from Skarin. "HAHAHA! THAT'S THE SPIRIT LADS!" the he pushed the line back some more. "Why do they call him Lord?" Celestia asked in confusion. "He technically is, or rather, was." when Celestia remained quiet Shining continued "The way Skarin explained is thar he held the title of Thane which is a title granted to somepony of great importance by a Jarl, who governs a certain part of the country, back in his world. " "I remember something similar from the early days of Equestria." Celestia pondered in thought "Most of the nobles in Canterlot are descended from holders of such titles." "It's similar, but not quite. " Shining took a breath and continued "While our nobility became noble because of wealth, Skarin was granted the titles beacuse of his heroism and great deeds towards the populace. " he looked at Skarin who was taunting the guards to do a better job "Only one had something to do with him being a Dragonborn but that was more of a final point added to his already big score." "Wait, you said titles." Celestia looked at Shining "How many did he have?" "All of them." the Captain simply replied and Celestia's mouth parted slightly in shock "Nine titles for nine provinces. Guess you could say he was Thane of Skyrim. " he finished with a chuckle "And to think most of our nobles got their titles in, let's say, less honorable ways." "I know of many noble families who escaped our judgement by only a hair in the past." Celestia growled out "And now their descendants think they run this country and can do whatever they please. " "To be fair, there are a few good ones." Shining said remembering Fancy Pants and then continued "But finally, the reason they call him Lord is because they respect him as a fellow soldier and after yesterday, a hero. " Celestia had to agree with the last part and made a mental note to try and re-establish Skarin's title should he wish so. "RAAAAAAAH!" with a mighty push, Skarin overwhelmed the stallions and sent them over the line, falling on top of eachother in a heap of entangled limbs. "Guess the rematch is over." Shining chuckled and clapped his hands "Alright everypony, take five and then it's formation drills!" "YES SIR!" came the reply from the pile of stallions trying to untangle themselves. Skarin looked down at the stallions with a smirk. "You did good. Almost had me for a moment." the stallions perked up at the compliment and Skarin then looked at their audience "Anyone else feels like challengeing me?" all head shook no except for one. "I am." shocked gasps filled the training grounds as all eyes turned to Celestia "I challenge you, Lord Skarin." said Dragonborn quirked an amused brow before picking up the shield from his opponents and throwing it to Celestia who easily caught it. "Then by all means, Kulaas." he bowed curtly and walked to the center line. "Your majesty I beg you to reconsider-" Shining began only for Celestia to interrupt him. "Do not worry Captain, for I have a plan." she said with a reassuring smile and walked towards Skarin. "If you say so..." Shining sighed as the two stood infront of eachother. "Don't think I'll go easy on you just because you're a princess." Skarin said while stretching his arms. Celestia watched his muscles move under his skin, his sweat glistening in the morning Sun and felt a blush creeping onto her face. "I would be most insulted if you did." she said in a huff "Not only will I best you but you will attend the Gala if I do." it was time to set Luna's plan into motion. "Is that a fact?" Skarin looked at her with a smirk. "It is." she answered sternly. "Alright, we'll see about that." there was no way Skarin was going to that Gala. "Shields at the ready!" they heard Shining yelling from the sides and got into position, shields against eachother. The spectators were already making bets on who would win and the support was split 50:50 "BEGIN!" at Shining's command the two pushed against their shields but didn't budge from the spot. "I thought you weren't going to take it easy on me." Celestia grunted as she tried to push Skarin back. "And I thought you'd at least trYYYYYYYYYY! SHIIIIIT!!!" out of nowhere Celestia pushed Skarin back with everything she had until he barely stopped himself from crossing his line "That was close." said Skarin while looking at the line mere inches from his foot. "Fact." Celestia said with a sly grin. "And what happens if I win?" Skarin was sure she'd be weaker than this, considering her injuries and all. "Well, what do you want? Gold? Land? Status?" then she leaned in just close enough to whisper in his ear with a sultry voice "Me naked on your bed?" "What?" it was that short second of distraction that Celestia needed. His dumbfound look told her it was time to strike and with a mighty push Skarin was thrown back over his line. Shocked expressions appeared on all faces as Celestia grinned at a downed Skarin whose mouth was slightly parted in shock. "See?" Celeatia blew part of her mane from her face "Fact." she extended her hand to Skarin. "That was a dirty trick, Kulaas." Skarin said with a frown and accepted her helping hand. "Oh please. Warriors banter all the time." she said with a roll of her eyes. "I could have just let you phase through me." Skarin stated matter-of-factly. "Now that would be cheating." Celestia replied with a knowing smirk and tapped Skarin on the nose "Make sure to wear something nice for the Gala tomorrow! " and with a twirl on her hoof Celeatia made her way to the castle with one thought on her mind Luna is a genius! she giggled to herself as she remembered Skarin's shocked expression. Then a few images flashed through her mind and she was grateful her mane hid a furious blush. The last thing she heard before entering the castle was Skarin's cry of agony. "THAT'S TOMORROW!?"