Blackwater Islands You go back there when you’re done

You will tame the beast, or we will. Together. 

He tilts his head her direction a fraction. The determination and certainty painted in her tone almost surprises him. He knows it shouldn’t. He could tell from the day he met her that she was strong willed and ready for just about anything. And she seems willing to take on Alduin’s demons as well as her own. How chivalrous. Only he doesn’t know a way Banesteppe can be stopped, but perhaps she knows something he does not. 

She turns then, peering over her shoulder to beckon him closer. She’s off in seconds, but coercing him silently to follow her expectantly. But he only stands there. He stands there staring her down with a dark interest and maybe even a pinch of doubt that she will be able to solve this haunting.

It’s her next words that force his paws to take the next step forward. He hums low in his throat, a sound that seems more like a grunt of acknowledgment. Head held even with his back, he saunters languidly after his listener, coming to walk close beside her. There he prowls, eyes stuck forward as he tries not to get lost in his own head. Oh how displeased Banesteppe will be. Maybe this is why he ordered the hellhound to kill her. Maybe, just maybe, she could cure him. If her words are true.

“How will you do it?” He asks, but his tone makes it sound more like a statement.

He truly has no idea how to go about it but Alduin believes that Banesteppe will kill him the second he catches wind of any progress. He’ll let the shadow lead him along — he’ll play Alduin’s games and the second he sees any real progress he’ll yank the chain on his horribly short leash. Bombard him with incessant headaches, nosebleeds, sicknesses until Alduin complies. And Alduin wants to survive — he kills to survive — Banesteppe knows this and will use it against him.

Somewhere deep down Alduin knows this curse will keep him tied for the remainder of his life, but how he deals with it will make it all the difference.