When Val arrived at Ivarstead, he jumped off and placed a Mark.  [i]Three more left.[/i] he thought.  While his teacher could maintain 17 different marks, Val could only handle 4 at a time.

"See you later, friend." said the Nord carriage driver as he got down and tied his horse to a nearby bush.  Val ignored him and headed to the bridge.  There he verified with a local Nord that that was indeed the way to the Greybeards, and started up the mountain. After passing the first few markers, making sure to read them in case they held some hint as to how to deal with the dragons, he started shivering.  [i]Damn this cold[/i] he thought as he cast a flame cloak around himself to try and keep warm.

Eventually, however, he reached the top and went inside.  "Greetings." said an old Nord with a long beard.  "I am Arngier.  If you are here to join the Dovahfeyn, I must inform you that they left yesterday for a dragon burial site outside the town of Kynesgrove."

"I am here on behalf of the Aldmeri Dominion," he said.  "We were recently attacked by a dragon in Soltheim, and I was one of the few survivors. I have come to learn how to fight them more effectively, and judging by the sconces on the way up, you know the language of the dragons, and how to fight as they do."

"We are not a violent order." said the old man.  "the Way of the Voice must not be used in that manner."

"But their tongue was used in the past to fight back.  Taught to men by Kynereth and Parthanax, whom I can only assume was a dragon, as I've never heard of someone named that."

"I'm sorry, but we cannot teach you if you intend to use it for violence.  The voice must only be used for worship of the gods."

"Then, if you won't teach me, I must find the original source.  If Parthanax is a dragon, then perhaps he returned as well.  How could I find him?"

"The master would not speak with you." he said plainly, "and the way is blocked to all who don't have the power of the voice."

"So your dragon master has sequestered himself away from all but his servants?  I can understand that.  In that case, do you mind if I visit your library?  I can still learn of the dragons, and maybe learn their language, should I need to speak with them."

"If all you ask of us is access to our Library, then I must accept.  You may stay here while you conduct your research."  Arngier then lead his to a room full of books and scrolls.  "This is our library.  Feel free to ask me questions about what you read here, just know that I cannot help you if you intend to use what I teach you for violence."

Val placed a Mark in the middle of the room and nodded.  "Very well, then." he said as he plucked a book from the shelf.

Several hours of reading later, he decided to take a break.  He walked into the courtyard and saw several of the men there use their Voice to rapidly move through closing gates.  As he looked around, though, he saw a walkway with what appeared to be a blizzard just beyond it.  [i]Some sort of spell?[/i] he thought, as he walked over and placed his had just past the boundary.  He immediately pulled it back as his skin started to freeze.  After healing it he began to wonder why they would have such a spell cast here.  It then dawned on him.  Their master, a dragon, was hidden away where only those that knew their brand of magic could get to him.  Combined with a Dragon's fabled love of mountains, that meant....

"Your master is at the top of the mountain." he said, and Arngeir walked over.

"So, you've discovered his location.  You won't be able to reach him, though, so what does it matter?"

"[b]You[/b] might not be able to reach him, as you would have to pass through the blizzard.  [b]I[/b] however, can go around it."  With that, he cast Levitation on himself and quickly moved upwards.  Should it take longer than the spell would last, he always had restoration potions.