Jack tensed, turning to the Jarl to command aloud. "He's coming! Get ready!" The archers around Nathan started to notch their bows. Nathan shifted uncomfortably, turning his gaze up toward the sky. He resisted the urge to transform, despite every fiber of his being wanting to fly out and go head to head with it. Something about the dragon was pulling a primal need to fight it. Whether it was a territorial desire or something else, he couldn't figure it out. Hearing the dragon's wings go from flapping to a sudden stop, Nathan followed the direction the wind was blowing. The dragon was going into a glide to ride the current to save energy. He was the only one to look at the right side of the castle to his knowledge, when it glided around the tower and into view. Locking eyes with the great beast, the bright reddish brown dragon, stated aloud in a voice like rippling thunder. "Dovahkiin!" Nathan felt only a slight twinge of disgust at not being a bigger threat than the Dragonborn, but the rest of him was fine with it. Glancing over his shoulder calmly, he saw Jack raise his sword toward the dragon, causing the archers to open fire. The arrows whizzed by Nathan's body and Nathan turned his head back to see the flurry of arrows bounce harmlessly off the Dragon's scales.

Nathan kept his eyes locked on the dragon's every moment. It took the flurry of arrows, then started flying to circle the tower. Nathan listened t closely without moving too much, following the sound of the dragon. Upon hearing the Dragon's wings stop flapping and the soft tapping of stone as it sped closer, Nathan shouted out to the archers close to him. "WATCH OUT!" Nathan jumped back from the side of the balcony, just as the dragon swooped by it. The tower trembled from the rush of wind that came off the dragon's large body. It's massive head snatching an archer that had been standing too close to the side in the hopes of getting a good shot. Snatching the archer, the dragon swiped his claws along the balcony in the hopes of knocking others off, before its tail bashed through the stone. The stones of the balcony fell away, causing archers to scream and run for safer ground. Nathan merely backed up slowly as the balcony side fell before him. He had no fear of falling. Turning his eyes back to the dragon, he watched it swoop up sharply into the air, then arched at the height it wanted. Twisting into a freefall, it tried swooping back over the balcony this time.

Nathan jumped back as the claws of the dragon lashed out over the length of the balcony, managing to knock soldiers off, while the force of its powerful winds had others trying to find cover. The screams of the fallen were filling the air but become shrouded by the dragon's deep menacing laughter. Nathan shook his head; this was a massacre. The Jarl started to flee into the tower, calling a retreat to his men that were all too eager to follow him inside. He was starting to wonder if he should break his cover to try luring the dragon into the tower, until he saw Jack fearlessly moving up to the edge of the balcony on his own. Intrigued by his bravery, Nathan moved up beside him and didn't hide his disappointment when he asked him over the sharp wind caused by the dragon. "He'll tear down the castle before ever landing! You've got a plan?!" Nathan only saw a sword in his hand, his heart filling with more doubt. Until Jack nodded and looked at him with confident eyes upon replying. "I need a clear shot to bring him down." Nathan's shoulders fell when he realized that someone had to be the bait. That someone being the only person still out here. Himself. Collecting his confidence though, he reluctantly told him. "Leave it to me!"

Rushing over to the end of the balcony that still had a portion of itself intact, Nate leaned on it and shouted out to the dragon that was eating the last of the falling guards. "HEY! YOU GREAT UGLY LIZARD! I'VE SEEN BETTER SCALES ON PARACITES!" The dragon jerked its head toward the insult and Nathan locked eyes with it for the first time. Nathan's eyes flickered from human to vampire and back. Knowing how prideful dragons were about their looks, he knew that the insult would cut deep. However, being insulted by a vampire that was claiming vampires had better scales than him... There was no way the dragon wasn't going to respond to that to defend its pride. The dragon drifted into a sharp turn, opening its jaws to show the build-up of fire starting to ripple up its throat. Nathan stood without fear of him. The vampire in him was surging with adrenaline to fight something more on his level. The feeling to prove himself better than it was overwhelming him. The dragon unleashed the molten hot flames at him in a wild burst of fury. Nathan could hear men gasping in fear, but Nathan slowly raised his hand to conjure a Ward of protection from it. A Ward this strong would normally wipe out even the strongest mage. Yet, his vampire body seemed much harder to wipe out. Had not only his body grown stronger... but his magic too?

The hot flames encased his Ward and he felt the heat from it, but was unscathed by it. The dragon flew off with satisfied pants, until it looked back over its shoulder to admire its handy work. Only to find Nathan still standing. Nathan smirked smugly, causing the dragon to let out a deep frustrated growl. Feeling extra brazen, Nathan turned his conjuring hand over into a graceful show of flicking him off, before shouting out with a bright smug grin. "That all you got, Bitch?!" The dragon exhaled thick black smoke from its nostrils, and it curled its wings to speed back toward the balcony. Nearby, Jack started to back up quickly. He smelled of fear and it was present in his voice when he shouted at him sternly. "I said to keep him still! NOT PISS HIM OFF!" Nathan rolled his eyes, backing up quickly from the edge. He wanted to say something sarcastic about singing the dragon a love ballad, but instead he didn't bother. Looking at Jack, he answered confidently. "Everything's fine! Just get ready!" The dragon's hind legs rose with its claws at the ready, going directly for Nathan. Nathan stopped backing up. Staring the dragon down as he waited for the perfect moment. The second the dragon was close enough to the balcony, he turned invisible.

Nathan backed up from his spot, watching the dragon's wings shoot out to stop itself in midair. Hovering before the balcony, its large yellow eyes scanned the area intensely. It's vengeance blinding it from seeing the Dragonborn until it was too late. Jack rushed forward, putting his whole body into one great shout. The power of the shout was so strong that it slammed into the dragon's chest like fierce punch. The magic swirling around the dragon's body and forcing the dragon's wings to drop like they had become too heavy to for it to use. Without his wings to hold him up, the dragon was forced to land on the balcony. Walking over to Jack, Jack jumped at the sight of Nate, but shouted out to the Jarl and his men that were watching from just inside. "Get back! Get back! Don't kill it!" Nathan's eyes widened as he marveled at the massive dragon before him. He'd never seen one up close like this or knew that a shout could remove the dragon's flight. His gawking started to fade as the dragon turned its head toward them and bared its teeth in anger. Prompting Nathan to mutter out to Jack a little intimidated now. "I don't think we have to worry about US trying to kill it..."

The dragon shook its head angrily, belting out a frustrated roar. Its long tail slammed into the sides of the castle, causing dust to rain down from the rafters as the tower shook violently. Beside him, Jack whirled around and yelled to the men inside. "Retreat to the keep! NOW!" Nathan tried to grab Jack's arm but missed. It was never a good idea to run from a predator! Even if you wanted to lure it in. It was better to back up into the keep. Turning your back on anything usually meant death. The dragon exhaled thick black smoke that engulfed Nathan, but he didn't breathe it in, he just moved away from the dragon as it charged after Jack. Entering the building just enough to get steady footing, the dragon arched its neck and shouted with full force at Jack's back. "TOOR SHUL!" Jack skidded to a stop, throwing up his hand as the dragon's molten flames burst forth. Nathan saw it happen much more slowly. Realizing that Jack's Ward wasn't going to stop enough of the flames in time. He dashed over with inhuman speed, raising his hand to throw up his ward. His vampiric speed aiding in how fast his Ward was conjured up. Then sheathing his Sun sword, Nathan flexed his free hand to start expelling an icy cold mist from his other palm. Keeping his attention on the dragon, he waited for the flames to finish. Then dispelling his Ward, he used both hands to use his Ice Spikes spell.

Throwing his hands out toward the dragon's face, he shot Ice Spikes all around the dragon's eyes. The spikes shattering harmlessly against his scales but causing the dragon to wince and thrash his head from side to side in an effort to protect his eyes and clear the icy mist that shrouded his vision. Growls of irritation left the dragon, but Nathan didn't let up. The dragon tried to snap its jaws out at him, but Nathan moved too fast for anyone to really follow, causing the dragon to miss. The dragon arched its neck, preparing to unleash another burst of flames. Nathan continued to throw ice spikes at him, trying to distract him from following through with it. This time Jack threw up a Ward to protect him as the dragon unleashed another wave of flames. As the flames rippled over the Ward, Jack called out to him over the snarling dragon. "Back up! Back up!" Nathan obeyed, backing up in long strides as he started throwing more ice spikes at a slower pace. Just enough to make the dragon keep his focus on them. When their backs were practically at the keep doors, Nathan stopped throwing Ice Spikes and heard Jack yell up to the rafters. "NOW! DROP IT!"

Nathan looked up to see the guards kicking the blocks out from the rigging wheels, allowing the heavy arched pillory to fall rapidly down from the rafters. The dragon jerked its head up with sudden shock and surprise just a second too late. The bronze pillory slammed down over the dragon's neck, the force causing rolling latches to lock around its neck. The weight of the pillory was so heavy that it forced the dragon flat across the floor and shook the ground for everyone else. The dragon wailed in distressed anger and Nathan felt a sense of deep dread fill him. Seeing a creature captured and caged like this wasn't sitting well with him. As a monster himself... This event pulled at his heart hard. The dragon's tail swept the floor in the hopes of attacking anything that he couldn't see sneaking up behind it. The dragon's aggressive roars echoed off the walls, but to Nate... they were the sounds of a cornered and scared animal. All around, the guards cheered and shouted with excitement. "WE GOT IT!" While a knot twisted in Nathan's gut. Men rushed down from the rafters to get a better look at the dragon, surrounding it and laughing.

The dragon thrashed in the restraint, it's voice suddenly quivering with fear as it uttered out in defeat. "Nid!" Nathan swallowed, his hands shaking a little as he looked around at the cheering men. It upset him that they acted like they had conquered the dragon. When all they did was capture it. It was little more that poaching. Nothing to honor or cheer about. From among the men, the Jarl announced with confidence. "I think it's holding! Congratulations! We've caught the beast!" Nathan clenched his jaw as men cheered louder. The vampire in him was growing more distressed by the second. This could have just as easily been him in the dragon's place. Looking to the Dragonborn, he wondered if he approved of this behavior. If he did, then he'd feel nothing for dragging him to Harkon later. He'd feel differently if the dragon had been a problem... but the Dragonborn had summoned him. Had baited him to this fate. Jack slowly made his way up to the dragon. The dragon stopped thrashing, exhausted from his efforts. Panting heavily, the dragon started to murmur grimly to itself. "Horvutah med kodaava. Caught like a bear in a trap..."

Nathan noticed how Jack stayed within direct and clear eyesight of the dragon. His expression soft and caring. There was no victory on his face. The dragon lifted its head as much as it could, staring at Jack with rather gentle eyes as it told him respectfully. "Zok frini grind ko grah drun viliki, Dovahkiin." Nate blinked, not understanding a word of it, but Jack bowed his head in response. Before Jack could say anything, the dragon quickly stated out softly. "Ah. I forget. You do not have the dovah speech..." Nathan kept looking between them. Even if Jack couldn't speak it, he clearly understood it. He found that a little impressive and couldn't imagine how he'd learned such a dead language. The dragon then licked his scaly lips, clearly struggling to remember the mortal tongue when he said to Jack slowly. "My... eagerness to meet you in battle was my... undoing, Dovahkiin. I salute your, hmm, low cunning in devising such a... grahmidol. A stratagem." Jack bowed his head to the dragon again, gratitude filling his voice when he replied. "Thank you. Are you Odahviing?" The dragon gave him a stiff nod, nicely answering. "I am. Zu'u bonaar. You went to a great deal of trouble to put me in this... humiliating position."

Nathan watched Jack shuffle his feet and couldn't help doing the same. He hadn't expected the dragon to be able to converse like this. The stories he'd been told as a kid always said that they could... but it was one thing to read it and another to see them do it. Listening to their voice was rather soothing. Jack lowered his eyes, admitting in an apologetic voice. "I am sorry about that... but I didn't know if you'd come to simply talk with me." Odahviing snorted a light puff of smoke from his nostrils, chuckling out a little smugly. "Hind siiv Alduin, hmm? No doubt you want to know where to find Alduin?" Nate saw Jack tense, but he told Odahviing seriously. "Yes and no. I believe I know where he is. But I need your help." Odahviing tilted his head slightly to look upon him with one big yellow eye, before saying. "Rinik vazah. An apt phrase. Alduin bovul. One reason I came to your call was to test your Thu'um for myself." Odahviing let out a heavy sigh that blew dust across the floor, his voice a little reluctant when he continued firmly. "Many of us have begun to question Alduin's lordship. Whether his Thu'um was truly the strongest. Among ourselves, of course. Mu ni meyye. None yet ready to openly defy him. For no other Dovahkiin was able to wound him so before... You are smaller than I expected though."

A chuckle left Nate before he could rein it in. He hadn't expected Odahviing to say that. Wasn't everyone small compared to a dragon? Jack shot Nathan a light scolding glare, causing Nathan to clear his throat and look away. Jack's tone had a bit more tense pressure behind it now when he asked Odahviing. "Can we get back to you helping me find Alduin?" Odahviing winced, drifting back apologetically. "Unslaad krosis. Innumerable pardons. I digress." Nodding with forgiveness on his face, Jack let Odahviing say onward. "He has traveled to Sovengarde to regain his strength. Devouring the sillesejoor... The souls of the mortal dead. A privilege he jealously guards..." Jack's broken hearted look didn't get past anyone. Least of all, Odahviing. Spurring Odahviing to ask him coolly. "But you knew that already, didn't you? Judging by your reaction and the smell of your fear... Someone else is there?" Nate saw Jack's fingers curl into fists to keep his hands from shaking as he snapped out to Odahviing bluntly. "I don't have much time. I need to go to Sovengarde."

Odahviing raised a scaly eyebrow, uttering back in a cool tone. "The only way to Sovengarde is to go through his door. And his door is at Skuldafn. One of his ancient fanes high in the Eastern Mountains. Mindiraan, pak ok middovahhe lahvraan til. I surely do not need to warn you that all his remaining strength is marshalled there. Zu'u lost ofan hin laan... Now that I have answered your question, will you allow me to go free?" Nate eagerly awaited the answer to this question as much as Odahviing. However, before Jack could answer, the Jarl quickly butted in defensively. "You can't possibly consider this? You let it go and it will destroy everything! I'm willing to keep it here. We can interrogate it more on your behalf. Keep it from warning anyone until your return." Nathan straightened up, about to butt in on this himself, when Odahviing spat out with anxious reluctance. "Krosis... Before you answer that, Dovahkiin. There is one... detail about Skuldafn I neglected to mention." Jack walked closer to Odahviing fearlessly, asking light and casually. "Tell me what you know?"

Odahviing's eyes scanned the faces of the mortals that he could see, before locking eyes with Jack and smugly telling him. "Only this. You have the Thu'um of a Dovah, but without the wings of one... You will never set foot in Skuldafn." To Be Continued...