"Little Blue? My name is Nidnia."
The blue dragon corrected him internally, but outwardly she kept her head lowered and answered obediently.
"It was Alduin who resurrected me. He has returned from exile. This time… he intends to end the world."
"The World-Eater," Savos Aren murmured, his expression tightening.
He turned immediately to Jarl Korir.
"My lord, this information must be sent to Solitude at once."
Savos explained what little was known.
Alduin was said to be a primordial dragon of apocalypse, defeated in ancient times by legendary heroes. Details were scarce, but every account agreed on one thing.
If Alduin truly walked the world again, catastrophe followed.
"I'll dispatch messengers immediately," Korir said, signaling to an aide.
Skyrim's politics were tangled, but this threat eclipsed every banner and every border.
Nearby, Rowan Mercer addressed the recovering dragon.
"Find somewhere close to rest. Don't stray far. I'll call for you when I need you."
Nidnia nodded quickly and launched into the air, wings beating hard as she fled the ruined streets.
Even knowing Rowan had subdued her, the sight of the dragon lingering made civilians uneasy.
Letting her leave—for now—was the better choice.
Savos directed the College mages to spread out and treat the wounded.
Restoration magic mended shattered bones, sealed bleeding wounds, and pulled soldiers and townsfolk back from death's edge.
Watching Nidnia disappear into the snowy distance, Savos frowned.
"Dragons are cunning creatures. If she decides to flee, there's no guarantee she'll return."
Rowan smiled faintly.
"She won't get far."
Savos didn't fully understand what that meant, but Rowan's calm confidence was difficult to doubt.
Once the chaos settled, Jarl Korir cleared his throat.
"I've prepared a banquet at the keep. I would be honored if you would both attend."
Under normal circumstances, Korir would never have extended such an invitation to the Arch-Mage.
But tonight, the College's mages had saved lives.
And Winterhold could not afford further division.
"Thank you," Savos said.
Rowan nodded as well.
Free food was free food.
That evening, Rowan attended the feast alongside Avier, Savos Aren, and several senior mages.
The meal was generous. The atmosphere, unexpectedly warm.
When it ended, Korir personally escorted them outside.
Rowan was about to raise the subject of enrolling at the College when a sudden sensation tugged at his senses.
He paused.
"Apologies," Rowan said. "My new mount is attempting to escape. I'll handle it and return shortly."
Savos and Korir both stiffened.
They knew exactly which "mount" he meant.
"Of course," Savos said carefully.
Before either man could say more, Rowan bent his knees and vanished.
A sonic crack echoed.
They watched in disbelief as Rowan streaked into the sky, arcing toward a distant glacier. One leap.
Then another.
Then he was gone.
Savos stared at the empty horizon.
"So… he plans to chase a dragon on foot."
Korir swallowed.
Earlier that day, he would have laughed at the idea.
Now?
He wasn't so sure.
High above the frozen tundra, Rowan bounded from ice spire to ice spire, closing the distance.
Inside Nidnia's mind, Rowan's voice echoed.
"Turn back now. I'll pretend this never happened. Run any farther, and you'll regret it."
Nidnia didn't answer.
She flapped harder.
Faster.
Her wings burned.
The man's presence behind her was growing closer.
Impossible.
Humans couldn't outrun dragons.
They couldn't.
She climbed higher, forcing her aching wings to beat even faster.
If she could just reach the clouds…
If she could just escape his sight…
Then she could hide for a century.
Two.
Long enough for the fragile human to die.
Then she would be free.
Nidnia's wings beat so hard they felt ready to ignite.
And still…
That presence was gaining.