Fredas, 20th of Last Seed, 4E 201

It’s been a busy day.

First off, I found the Hall of Stories!

It wasn’t half as mythical as the name made it sound. Just a wide hallway with carvings on the wall. Some were sort of creepy, but mostly they looked like kings or queens or gods, maybe. One man (?) had wings, though. I liked that one.

At end of the hall was a gate with nested stone rings set in it. In the center was a round, flat stone with holes in it that matched the claws of the golden foot. The rings rotated, and they each had three symbols on them.

As I suspected, they matched the ones on the bottom of the foot. I just had to rotate the rings, and set the foot in the center disc. The gate sunk into the floor. It was noisy, and I was immediately worried that whatever was on the other side would rush out and kill me, but there was nothing there.

Oh – I was able to take the foot out of the lock.

There were stairs, and they led up to a cave. It was a bit shocking to find a cave with waterfalls after all the hallways and crypts. I was expecting some grand chamber full of more carvings and pillars.

I mean, in hindsight, it was pretty. Freezing and damp, but nice in its own way.

Of course, there was more to it than rocks and waterfalls. There was a little footbridge over the water, and it led up some steps to a platform. There was a sarcophagus on the platform, with some ritualistic-looking things on a table next to it. There was also a chest, and a strange, free-standing wall covered in more carvings.

Leading up from the platform were more stairs that ended at a doorway. I knew in my gut that was the way out.

As I got closer to the platform, I could hear a sound like distant chanting. I have no idea what language it was in. I covered my ears, but I could still hear it. It was in my head.

I remember thinking – Oh, great! Spooky chanting in my head! That’s always a good sign!

I almost didn’t go on. I could have just run up the stairs and left, but -

Dru was right. I’m worse than a Khajiit. But some of the carvings on the wall were glowing! I couldn’t not go up and look!

The chanting got louder the closer I got, and I could see that the carvings were letters. No language I’ve ever seen, but they were obviously letters. Only a few of them were glowing, and I could see light coming out of them. It felt like the light was reaching for me, and everything else around me started to get dark.

I know, I know. I’m surprised I’ve lived this long, too.

When I was close enough to touch them, the noise felt like it was rattling my skull. Then everything went white, and I felt a rush in my brain. It’s a bit like learning a new spell, but not quite. It was colder, and… Brighter. I don’t know many spells, but I’ve never felt anything like this before. I don’t know what it does or how to use it. It’s probably some old Nord spell.

Here’s the ones that were glowing:

The chanting stopped. I could see again, the letters stopped glowing, and then the lid of the sarcophagus behind me burst open!

I was so dazed I almost didn’t hear it! A zombie came out, armed to the teeth like the others. I fought him, and he did this thing that was like a spell but not. He sort of barked at me – in words that I couldn’t understand – definitely words – and I was pushed back like I’d been hit by a sudden gust of wind.

I won, obviously, but it was tough and I had no idea what that old magic the zombie did was about. He had a strange stone tablet covered in carvings on him. Maybe I can get some septims for this in the city?

Before I left, I made sure to empty the chest by the sarcophagus and refill my waterskin. Lucky me, I found another chest tucked in the corner when I went down to the water!

I got out of the Barrow, and I think I was almost near the very top of the mountain. Climbing down was a bit scary, but I made it, despite the weather. By the time I reached the river, I was shivering and wet. I spotted a small camp across the river with a large fire, and decided to risk the crossing. Luckily, the man there wasn’t a bandit, but a huntsman. He let me dry off and we talked a bit. He said he’d been hunting and fishing in the area for years, and pointed the way to Riverwood once I was ready to go.

Back in Riverwood, I went straight to Lucan to return the claw. He was very happy, and in addition to the gold, gifted me the Yellow Book of Riddles. I traded some of my loot, and bought a few spell books.

Before I left, I gave the fake letter to Camilla and she was furious at Sven. Good! He’s so... Slimy.

I ran into Faendal on my way to the smithy, and he was glad to hear that Camilla didn’t want to speak with Sven any more. I also learned that he’s a damn good archer, so I paid him for some training. Drained a decent amount of what I got, but I’ll need it. The leather tent I have is awful for cold, and Skyrim is freezing! I can make a fur one at Alvor’s forge, so I’ll have to hunt to get supplies for that.

I’m not the best at leather working or tanning or anything like that, but Alvor’s a patient teacher, and I found a handbook with lots of directions and advice. I hear Whiterun isn't that long a trip – Ralof said I can easily make it in less than a day, but I think I’ll finish my day here and leave in the morning.