Store Bugs In Coat and Bag

I come up with an idea, glancing back down the path I’d already covered. I didn’t want to lose all the little soldiers I still had, so I backtrack a bit, just far enough to reach a few more pockets of life.

Once I can feel a decent number of them, I command the bugs to come to me. Immediately, every bug within range—which is quite a lot even despite the cold—responds, crawling out of their hiding spots and making their way toward me. Fleas, beetles, ants, flies swarm up my legs and under my coat, I feel their tiny legs skittering across my skin, and yeah, it’s about as creepy as you’d imagine. I shudder, trying not to squirm, but at least it’s warm.

So, this is my life now. I’m wearing bugs as insulation. Great.

It’s funny. I’m not even grossed out, really. I think that says something about me… or maybe it says something about Queen Administrator. Have I just gotten used to bugs, or did the shard take care of that squeamishness for me? Either way, it’s a little disturbing that I can’t tell where I stop and it starts.

I keep walking, driving off another couple of wolves and a literal saber-tooth tiger with my swarm. Thanks for the heads-up, Barknar. The bugs aren’t doing any serious damage—more like distractions than actual attacks—but it’s enough to let me avoid a fight. Which is fine by me. I’m not exactly looking forward to a showdown with a giant prehistoric cat.

Eventually, I reach the next etched stone, where a woman is sitting cross-legged in front of it, her breath coming out in slow, steady puffs of steam. She glances at me, then goes back to her meditation, or prayer, or whatever it is she’s doing. I’m not in the mood for conversation, so I just nod in acknowledgment and step past her to read the tablet.

“The fledgling spirits of Men were strong in Old Times; Unafraid to war with Dragons and their Voices; But the Dragons only shouted them down and broke their hearts.”

There’s something tragic about that, isn’t there? Humans, full of spirit, going up against these god-like creatures, only to be crushed by sheer power. Kind of reminds me of my situation, except my “dragon” is whoever kidnapped me, who I really hope isn't god-like.

The wind starts to pick up again as I move past the woman, and I tug my coat tighter, trying to trap the warmth from the bugs. I rush forward into a stone outcropping. Enjoying the brief respite from the **** cold, I, ironically, freeze as a deep, guttural roar sounds from above. Instinctively, I look up, and my heart just about stops when I see it.

A large, almost lanky white-furred creature—a troll, judging by the tusks and hulking frame—leaps down from a stone overhang, its _three _eyes locked onto me. My brain barely registers what’s happening before it’s charging straight at me.

Panic. Pure panic. Without even thinking, every single bug on my person surges toward the troll. The swarm descends on it, and while the bites and stings don’t seem to slow it down, that’s not really the point. The bugs swarm its face, crawling into its eyes, its ears, its mouth. They go down its throat, **** it from the inside.

The troll howls, thrashing wildly as it claws at its own skin, trying to get the bugs off.

And I run.

I sprint up the steps as fast as my legs will carry me, barely feeling the cold now with the adrenaline coursing through me. My lungs burn, my legs scream in protest, but I don’t stop. Not until the sounds of the troll’s struggle fade into the distance.

I only stopped when the troll was at the edge of my range, where I watched as the troll's movements became slower, sluggishly clawing at the air. The bites aren’t doing much—it had regeneration apparently—but the suffocation? That’s working. After a few minutes, the troll collapses, face-first into the snow, its body twitching once before going still.

And then, a screen pops up in front of me.

Troll Slain: +10 Points

Ten points? For killing the troll? That's... certainly something. Apparently, killing things gave me points. I feel like there are a lot of moral implications there, but I'll think about the later. Right now, I’ve got bigger things to deal with. Like not freezing to ****.

I call back what’s left of my swarm, though it’s clear a good chunk of them didn’t make it. Maybe a fifth died? Some were crushed by the troll, others probably froze to **** from exposure. I stuff the survivors back into my coat and backpack, then walk past the troll’s corpse toward the next tablet.

“Kyne called on Paarthurnax, who pitied Man; Together they taught Men to use the Voice; Then Dragon War raged, Dragon against Tongue.”

So this is turning into a “no more dragons” kind of setting, huh? I’m getting a clearer picture of the world’s history, but I’m not exactly thrilled by the idea of more dragons in the future. The “Voice” sounds like their version of magic, and if dragons had it, and humans learned it from them, then maybe I can pick it up too. That’d be helpful.

The next few tablets are easier to reach, no trolls or wolves in sight, thankfully. I read them quickly, not wanting to linger too long in the cold.

“Man prevailed, shouting Alduin out of the world; Proving for all that their Voice too was strong; Although their sacrifices were many-fold.”

“With roaring Tongues, the Sky-Children conquer; Founding the First Empire with Sword and Voice; Whilst the Dragons withdrew from this World.”

“The Tongues at Red Mountain went away humbled; Jurgen Windcaller began His Seven Year Meditation; To understand how Strong Voices could fail.”

By the time I reach the last one, I’m high up enough that the air is biting, and every breath stings my throat. But none of that matters because, standing in front of me, maybe a hundred feet away, is a massive stone fortress. I quickly read the tablet which said, "Jurgen Windcaller chose silence and returned; The 17 disputants could not shout Him down; Jurgen the Calm built His home on the Throat of the World" before practically sprinting towards the building that _had _to be High Hrothgar monastery.

I’ve made it. I’ve actually made it!

Stopping just outside, I catch my breath, and wait. The screen should appear now, right? The quest completion or whatever? But… nothing. Don't tell me this place really isn't High Hrothgar? It literally has to be, there's no way for me to get passed it!

I frown. I probably just have to go inside. Reaching for the handle, I push... then I pull and... nothing. It's locked.

Fantastic. Just copacetic.