The journey back to Skyrim was a sombre one. My mind constantly wandered to the warmth of my shop. The sturdy counter with all the shelves busting with the finest goods and equipment. The many years watching my daughter grow up in the Imperial city and the smile my wife always bore when I returned home.
Farkas and Aela had become aware of my moments of quiet reflection and constantly started up new conversations. Farkas's favorite was trying to convince me to track down the Masked Stalker. Aela was more of the mind to return to Jorvaskkar, sort out all the problems, get the Companions back to full strength and then strike out to find Altan and my family. One thing they both agreed on and constantly brought up was the matter of me being "Dragonborn". Both insisted I would have to visit the Greybeards at some point as the entire world could be at stake.
I deflected all their attempts to distract me telling Farkas that we could still track the man. Someone would remember an arrowed man appearing on horse back from the mountains and the wound would take time to heal. Aela, only after repeating that if the Dragon hadn't shown up she would demand I honour my deal to the Companions but finally agreed that she new I would honour them once I'd found my family. But she stressed that it might not be so easy to convince the other members.
The Greybeards too would have to wait a while longer. My only priority was to find my family. The only problem was I would have to contact the Imperials here in Skyrim. They would be the most likely people to have information on the Stormcloaks and hopefully Altan. I still didn't know if I was an enemy to the Empire or not, after my escape and confrontation with the Stalker in the Imperial city. I had to risk it and hope they had heard of my adventures whilst I was helping Solitude.
We didn't encounter any problems on the road and it was dark by the time the torch lights of Whiterun came into view. The Sky was crystal clear, the constellations stood proudly on their carpet of black velvet and that hypnotising ripple and swirl of green, blue and pink light danced on the crisp night air. It felt good to be back in this wonderful realm. Cyrodill only bore hurtful memories for me now. We could hear the evening feast was already under way as we started up the steps to Jorvaskkar. Laughter, Light and Song emanated from within. The smell of the hearth roasting the spiced and honeyed meats wafting and drawing us into the warmth of the Long House.
Our entrance brought a silence to the old hall. Quickly followed by a loud cheer, tankards thrust at us, a shower of mead and a chant of welcome. Kodlak rose laughing and singing along until he shushed them raising his arms in the air so that mead swilled over the rim of his tankard
"My Friends, We welcome back our Shield brother and sister from a most honourable quest. Please Farkas, Aela take you seats, fill your bellies and feast!". Another cheer went up as they took the chairs round the hearth. Leaving me stood facing the long table of feasting Companions staring back at me. Kodlak remained stood and with a outstretched hand fixed my gaze
"So, Larz, you have returned will you now be joining us. Becoming a brother and helping restore honour and Wuuthrad to the House of Jorvaskkar?" All eyes in the room now switched their gaze on me. I shifted in my armour and stood tall
"I will, but first I must try to locate my family and save them". With that the room erupted in shouts and chants of "Coward" and "Imperial Oath Breaker". Vilkas was on his feet, slamming his now empty cup on the desk demanding I honour my oath. Trying to plead my case over the din was useless and Kodlak was powerless to control the mead furlled rantings of the Companions. From nowhere and to my complete surprise my head tipped backwards and my Shout unleashed itself into the rafters.
"FUS!"
Silence as the dust and cobwebs of aeons slowly drifted down bringing a strange haze and glow from the light of the fire. Kodlak sat down simple saying
"Dragonborn, I'm sorry please finish." No one countered his order this time not even Vilkas who still stood leant over the table a gape at what had just occured. I thanked them and went about telling our story of the trip into Cyrodill. Aela and Farkas both stood and verified and even went so far as to say that I had already proven my honour in their eyes.
Skjor rose and said that to prove my honour and truly be inducted I should retrieve a fragment of their ancient founder, Ysgramor's blade Wuuthrad. He said they had recently heard word that a piece was located in Dustman's Cairn. I didn't have much choice I would have to honour them.
"You have my word of honour that I will return with the fragment." As I nodded to Kodlak and turned to leave Farkas stood
"I will accompany you to Dustman's Cairn. The Companion's can trust me to judge your performance and report back." Looking round the table Farkas got confirmation nods from all. "Very well then Larz come see me when your ready to go." With that I left Jorvaskkar and headed down out to Drago.
I spent the night in the Bannered Mare I didn't want to stay in Jorvaskkar. Until I knew I could commit my attention to them I wouldn't take advantage of their hospitality. Mounting Drago in the fresh morning breeze, the clear night had led to a beautiful sunrise. I didn't want to waste time so set off for Solitude only this time I tried cutting across the wide plains west of Whiterun.
In no time I had a pack of four wolves on my tail. Drago was even mightier off the cobbled roads and kept a good distance. The wolves kept up with us and by chance I came upon a group of bandits taking shelter in a nearby ruin. They charged out to cut my path but I sped Drago on circling back in a wide arc across the tundra. The bandits were now slap bang in the middle of me and the oncoming wolf pack. I charged through forcing the bandits to turn into the jaws of the ferocious wild animals. In the confusion we managed to slip away and continue on across the grassy hillocks and streams. Eventually I found the road just before Dragon Bridge and stuck to it all the way through to Solitude.
At the opposite side of the hold to the Blue Palace is Castle Dour. The Imperials built the huge grey stone castle with its back to the mountains the dropped into the sea. Walking up the ramp to Beirands Smithy, a huge Stone archway with a raised iron portcullis led into the large courtyard. Imperial Troops practised drills in formation against wooden adversaries whilst the captain shouted orders. Another arch on the far side led out towards the Blue Palace. To my left two guards stood either side of the door to the castle. My stomach churned once more, I was either walking into my death or the slim chance I might find my family. I gulped down my apprehension and nodded to the guards as I pushed on the door.
On entering the entrance way was poorly lit but through the lit doorway ahead I could here a man and a women discussing battle plans, whiterun's jarl and Ulfric's plan to attack the strategic hold. They didn't seem to agree on the best course of action. I strolled in to the chamber. I large wooden table and chairs sat in the centre of the room covered in books, charts and a large map of Skyrim. All the holds identified with little flags. The tension in the room was palpable.
The women in heavy Imperial Armour I recognised immediately as the Legate that oversaw my attempted execution. The man stood up straight from the map he was lent over studying as he argued. I recognised his rank from his armour and simultaneously we recognised each others faces
"Larz!?"
"Tullius!?"
Comments
Excellent work once again, keep going!