Leaving Riverwood via the bridge over the river. I looked back at the pretty little village and then up at Bleak Fall, a shudder going down my spine. I was still finding that blasted Draugr dust in my pockets and beard. Rather than feel happy that I was moving my heart ached for my family and my beloved shop.
I was now on another errand and no closer to telling them I was in good health. I took a deep breath of the crisp air. My mind began to wander, forming images of my family falling from grace, the shop going to waste and that double crossing back stabber Altan no doubt jumping in my still warm shoes behind the counter.
I shook the thought from my minds eye, those runes on that wall in the Barrow taking their place. Why was I seeing them still, I had no understanding of what they meant yet they felt seared into my brain.
The path started to wind down a steep mountainside alongside the white rapids of a huge waterfall. The tall pine trees filling the air with that revitalising fragrance. A gap appeared through the broad trunks and I saw the city of Whiterun for the first time in the distance. I stopped beside the path and ate some lunch and took in the vista.
I made the decision that once I was in Whiterun I would speak to the Jarl and try to find out how to get a message back home. I'd managed to collect together around 3000 gold which would make a nice start for me getting back to the Imperial city.
I continued down the path and dropped onto the plains, dotted with farms and windmills. The Honningbrew Meadrey was on the left as I started to approach the outskirts of the city. I had developed a taste for the meads of Skyrim. I made sure I would return and try to set a trade up and to get some of the honeyed elixur back over into Cryodill.
Whiterun was situated ontop of the only outcrop of rock on the plain for many miles. A high wall skirted the edges of the town with Guard towers posted up to the main drawbridge and gate. Higher up still a grand fort of stone and timber overlooked the whole city and the surrounding plains. The Gold emblem of a horse fluttered on the white banners adorning either side of the main gates.
Walking up towards the entrance of the hold a guard stopped me in my tracks
" HALT, the hold is closed due to the threat of dragon attack. Entrance is only permitted under official business."
I smiled and fixed the guards stare
"Of course, Of course my lad. Im a survivor of Helgen. Im bringing word from Riverwood for the Jarl".
At that the guards expression softened a little
"Oh I see, well you had best report up to Dragons Reach straight away. But no funny business we will be keeping an eye on you."
Whiterun is my kind of town. Entering into the Lower district I walked up the main street. Introducing myself to the different merchants and getting an idea of the sort prices I can look to charge and pay. In the main square was Belethors Goods opposite the town inn The Bannered Mare.
Belethor was extremely friendly. We chatted and commented on what a nice place he had and if business was good. I found out that there was a shortage of traders on the roads. At least there was an opportunity to make some money if the need arose. This hold seemed situated in the middle of most of the trade routes across Skyrim.
To my frustration there was no sign of any Imperial presence. I headed up to the upper part of town. A huge dead tree in the square at the top was surrounded by some more grander houses of the clans of Whiterun. To the right an extremely old looking Hall covered in nordic carvings sat in its own enclosure. Obviously older than the rest of the hold.
Past the old tree another flight of steps led upto Dragons Reach. Pushing on the big wooden doors I walked through the entrance hall towards the big hearth at the centre of the room. Beyond sat the Jarl on his plinth wrapped in his fur cloak.
My progress was impeded by a Dark elf who stopped me with the point of her sword.
"How dare you approach the Jarl, whats your business here in Whiterun?"
I told her I brought message from Riverwood about the Dragon attack. She sheathed her weapon and directed me to approach the Jarl.
I introduced myself and told him that Helgen had been attacked and destroyed by a Dragon. He immediately started a dicussion with the Dark Elf, Irileth was the Jarls House Karl. She wanted to send troops straight away but the fussy looking advisor didn't put much stock in the rumours. The Jarl ended up deciding to send the troops and thanked me for bringing the message and gave me a suit of Steel Armour. It didn't have any imperial insignia on it but it was a lot sturdier.
I bowed excusing myself and went to turn and leave the hall and try to make contact with some Imperials. Before I could turn away the Jarl's face lit up
"Actually there is something else you might be able to help me with."
Standing up he started to walk over to a little room off the hall.
"But, I was trying to....." My protest fell on deaf ears. The Jarl continued as we walked into the room.
"My court wizard has been researching the topic of dragons ever since these rumours started you might be able to help him with his research and in turn help me."
The court wizard had risen from behind the dusty tombs he leaved through as the Jarl introduced me saying that he had found someone to help. With that he turned and walked out as I held my hand up in protest. He ignored it and I let it fall.
Before the wizard could start I interjected
"Im sorry but your Jarl has got it wrong.I need to leave as quickly as I can. I have more pressing matters to attend to."
The court wizard frowned "But you look so capable, Ive been searching for one of the ancient dragon stones. They supposedly map the dragon burials I thought if I got one I might be able to figure whats going on here. I ve tracked one down to Bleak Fall Barrow, I just need you to go retrieve it, simple."
The wizard caught my expression change when he said Bleak Fall Barrow. I pulled the heavy stone I found in the chest back in that Draugr invested pit.
"Is this what you're looking for?"
The smile that spread across his face as he took the stone out of my hands made him look like a child eating his first sweet roll.
"If that it is all I shall take my leave" I said as the wizard turned away mumbling rubbing the ancient tablet with his fingers. Turning to leave I found my way blocked by Irileth again. I lowered my brow frowning at her but this time rather than a sword I found fear staring back at me.
"What is it?" I enquired.
"Reports of a Dragon attacking the Western Watch Tower, the Jarl wants to see both of you now"
She turned and headed up a set of stairs next to the throne.
I shouted after her "But I need to find....."
It was hopeless, how did I end up in the same place as another Dragon. I followed after Irileth not to go after the dragon but to excuse myself. It had been over a week now since I last spoke to my family. That was my priority not these fool hardy tales of dragons.
At the top of the stairs the Jarl was stood next to a large wooden table with maps and plans. He turned and greeted both myself and Irileth. Then proceeded to ask to much of me again. He told me I had to go along as I had the most experience of Dragons. It took all my decorum not to laugh in the Jarls face. If he knew I had been dragged through that fort of desimation, not even daring to look at the Dragon nevermind fight it or defend helpless citizens from it, he might have a different opinion of me.
Irileth took her orders and headed for the gates of the city with her men in tow. I said that I couldn't as I needed to get word back to my family in the Imperial city. The Jarls brow furrowed
"The only way you will be able to do that is if you get to Solitude to the North West. But you would have to go past the watch tower to get there. Help my men and then you will be free to go get word to your family. Here note down the holds loyal to the empire off the map."
Nodding at the biggest map on the table with little red flags for Imperially loyal holds, blue for the Stormcloak I agreed and went about marking down the locations.
The walk to the Western Watch tower was further than I expected. If I was going to ever get to Solitude I would need a Horse. No way in the name of the Divines would I walk there Skyrim is just to big a realm.
I spotted Irileth and her men standing fast a little back from the Tower. It stood like a finger of stone in the plains only now the ground around was in flame and parts of the ramparts had been destroyed but no sign of a dragon. Irileth said a small speech to rile the morale of her men before we started approaching.
Everybody was nervous, I could tell by the number of times heads tipped backwards to appraise the blue sky above. Whiterun's guards lay dead on the ground, charred and broken. A few survivors milled about as Irileth order everyone to spread out and be vigilante.
I made may up what was left of the ramp to the entrance of the tower. As I was about to step inside a white faced guard came blindly stumbling out of the archway screaming
"IT'S STILL HERE, IT JUST TOOK TWO MEN OFF THE TOP OF THE TOWER!"
With that the air erupted in noise and wind as the Dragon soared over the top of the tower. Men tumbling from the stonework to the their dooms.
Irileth shouted the order and the arrows began to fly as the dragon circled. Swooping down and flaming as it went the Dragon seem unpreturbed by the volleys. Guards dropped to the ground each time it made a pass. I tried to keep my distance to get the best range and angle for my arrows. As sudden as it appeared the dragon seemed to drop crashing to the ground gouging a tremendous rut in the soil. It gathered itself up and tried to lift from the ground again but one of its wings gave way and crumpled under its massive weight and it stayed grounded.
Men ran at the beast, it biting and swiping the guards like they were leaves on the breeze. The dragon had become bloodied though and it was becoming more irratic and verocious.
I don't know what came over me next, a feeling welled up inside me, before I knew what I was doing my sword was drawn and I was running head long at the bleeding reptiles face. I brought my sword above my head as I charged slamming the tempered steel in a double strike into its head. The second strike bust a large crack in the monsters skull. With an almighty roar the Dragon rose its head from the blood soaked earth in one last deathly trumpet to the skies and fell its muzzle not feet in front of where my blade lay.
Cheers from the remaining guards broke my gaze off the corpse. But as I continued to look the very flesh of the Dragon began to smoulder like paper. Lifting off the bones, again that darkening of the world. The flesh turned to wind, light and rushed into me like the runes of Bleak Fall. Only this it was much different, the winds more violent, the light brighter somehow and visions. Visions of that Black dragon talking that undecipherable language, soil, earth then light, blue sky and mountains rushing by, blood and steel, the tower and finally an image of me? It was though I was seeing through the Dragons eyes but how was that possible. Again before it started it was over and the world came back to me.
Irileth and the Guards stood staring at me in silence. Before I could articulate my words I felt it start growing within my chest. That low rumble, the runes off the wall, building bigger I couldn't control the intake of breath as it burst forth from my lungs in a ear bursting blast
"FUS!"
The air rippled from my mouth and sent any loose material, guards included tumbling away from me in a force of air I can only say I experienced once before at Helgen.
"Did you see what he just did" exclimed one of the guards "He absorbed its soul"
Another snapped back "He can't of thats a myth"
The first answered back "But you saw it, he did a shout. Only the Dragonborn can do that"
"Dragonborn?" I questioned.
"Aye, my Grandfather used to tell us tales of men of the north born with the blood of the dragon. Capable of killing and absorbing the powers of the Dragons."
I couldnt believe what I was hearing. Irileth stepped forwards shaking the incident off her back. Ordering the men to take their positions back and told me to head back to Whiterun to tell the Jarl the Dragon was dead.
As I returned to the gates of the hold another rumble built and that word. The word I heard in the black echoed off the very mountains and plains.
"DOVAHKINN!"
Making my way into Dragons Reach once more I headed straight for the Jarl and told him we had killed the Dragon. He sat and looked at me puzzled.
"What else happened?" He inquired.
"I absorbed its soul after it was dead, Im not sure whats happening to me" I answered.
"You must be Dragonborn, did you not hear that booming sound just before you came in?"
I nodded showing my lack of understanding.
He continued "That was the Greybeards summoning you to High Hrothgar up on the throat of the world. Its not happened for centuries but it has been told that the Dragonborn would return. The Greybeards spend their whole lifes up the mountain dedicated to the mastery of the Thu'um or shout. Dragons can focus their very essence into a word or shout that can burn or freeze even stop time. The Dragonborn is said to be able to absorb that power to destroy the Dragon for good. It is a great Honour to be summoned. You must make your way straight to High Hrothgar up the 7000 steps, it is your destiny."
Before sending me on my way the Jarl thanked me for my invaluable service to Whiterun, gave me the Axe of Whiterun and made me Thane of the hold as reward for my services.
Back out in the fresh air of Whiterun my head spun what was I doing here? Why was this happening to me? All i wanted to do was hug my wife but now I didn't know if I would ever see them again. Did I really want to climb a mountain to fulfil an old wifes tale?
I felt honour bound to fulfil this new found destiny but then my heart yearned to return to the familarity of the Imperial city and my family. If I was confused before I made this journey from Riverwood now I was totally lost.
