InsaneJournal

Some of them are found outside in the open wilderness, and the others are buried deep in old Nordic ruins, usually guarded by some sort of powerful Draugr.

In the beginning, when Ysmir first discovered his identity as the Dragonborn, most of the Word Walls he discovered outside were guarded by dragons still loyal to Alduin. To access the information inscribed on the wall, Ysmir had no choice but to initiate combat and fight for his life against whichever dragon was perched, there.

Post-Alduin's defeat, a good number of the dragons have since swayed to Paarthurnax's pacifism. If Ysmir happens upon a Word Wall guarded by one of those dragons, they no longer attack on sight. Some of them will allow him to read the wall with no contest or fuss, but some of them still like to test the Dragonborn, to some extent.

Those dragons will allow Ysmir to read the wall, but first, he has to fight them. If they decide he's fought well or honorably, they'll allow him to read the wall and they'll also impart their knowledge of that "word of power" to him.

Occasionally, Ysmir will revisit those dragons just for the sake of a civil conversation, but he is also trying to learn Dovahzul properly, outside of the words of power. He wants as many dragon allies as possible. While Odahviing and Durnehviir are still the only two dragons he can summon for help, it's now a lot easier to travel Skyrim without being outright attacked.