It wasn't a dark day, nor was it a light day. The sun was shining, shining high in the sky and it looked down upon her, Ingrid. She stood outside of the shop Arcadia's Cauldron, just observing the town and everyone in it. Ingrid didn't think much about Whiterun, it was not a dull city but no a very exciting one. Solitude was a place that Ingrid had liked to visit, it's people were richer and that usually meant more interesting affairs and situations. Since Ingrid had not seen Solitude in so long she had almost forgotten the things that made her excited but it didn't matter today because today Ingrid was going to forget about everything and just stand in the not dark or light day and focus on nothing. Or so she had hoped.

"Ingrid!" A voice called, it was Violet.

"Violet, what business do you have in Whiterun?" Ingrid asked.

"Ingrid, I have news. News that needs to be told to someone of high importance to this hold. They won't let me in to see the Jarl and I thought I should come to you" Violet replied. "Let's go inside your home, we can talk there."

As they walked down to Breezehome, Ingrid couldn't help but wonder why Violet was in Whiterun. She worked in The Blackbriar meadery in Riften and rarely visited her cousin Ingrid until now. When they approached the house Ingrid took out her house key and put it into the keyhole and turned it, then pushed open the door and they both walked inside the house. They sat down at the pot and then Violet started to explain her unexpected arrival.

"Riften. It was attacked by vampires" Violet said nervously. "I barely made it out alive."

Ingrid sighed then stood up. She thought, if the Jarl wouldn't listen to Violet then she could go to his palace, but they would question her being there as the last visit to the palace began with a note, but ended in horror.

The note had read:

Ingrid,

the Jarl is hosting a very important dinner. Jarl Elisif will be attending. If you would turn up at eight tomorrow to represent the Jarl as his thane then you will rewarded. From Avennichi.

Ingrid had dressed appropriately and had turned up on time, but there was one problem - Lydia. Lydia was Ingrid's housecarl, which means she stayed in Breezehome most of her time and guarded it. She didn't fail but at the Jarls dinner she had embarassed Ingrid slightly, but Ingrid knew that the Jarl would never look at her the same. At the dinner Lydia was requested to turn up too, so when she did arrive the Jarls chefs took the orders from each guest. Elisif ordered first, the Jarl second, Avennichi third and then it was Lydia. Lydia ordered a human head for a joke but the Jarl, Elisif and Avennichi weren't impressed. Lydia blamed the whole thing on Ingrid, claiming that it was her idea to tell the rather unfunny joke but luckily Ingrid was given a warning and told to leave the palace and Lydia was given the same sentence. Now Ingrid was about to go and face the the Jarl, thinking about it made her blush in embarrasment.

"I can take you to the Jarl" Ingrid said. "But please tell me more about what happened. Were you bitten because I..."

"No, I am fine but they attacked so suddenly and I had to notify someone" Violet said.

"Good, I will take you to the palace now then. They will let me in."

Then Ingrid and Violet travelled up to the Jarls palace, Ingrid fearing facing him again. When they go there the guard questioned Ingrid's purpose for being there as she had expected. So she explained to him that she had to tell something important to the Jarl and he let her and Violet into the palace, then they both approached the Jarl.

"Ingrid" The Jarl said. "I have not seen you in a long time." The Jarl sat on his throne, slouched. He looked just as nervous to see Ingrid as she was to see him.

"Yes, my Jarl. Vampires have attacked Riften, my friend Violet here came to Whiterun to notify you but was unable to so she came to me" Ingrid explained.

"So that was who that woman was. Sorry, but the Rift doesn't concern me. The war has me thinking too much to deal with vampires, Ulfric could attack Whiterun at any moment" The Jarl said. "However, you could pay a visit to Fort Dawnguard. They're hiring vampire killers and could certainly use your help."

Ingrid couldn't help being disapointed in the Jarl, but she was happy to help this dawnguard. "Where is this fort?"

"I think somewhere just outside of Riften" The Jarl replied.

"That's great news, we could travel there together" Violet said.

"I don't know, I wouldn't want to get you killed" Ingrid replied.

"Oh. Well I'll visit the alchemy shop, the shopkeeper might want some help since I can't go back to Riften" Violet said. "I'll see you soon, Ingrid." Then she walked to the door and exited the palace.

"Best wishes for your journey" The Jarl said.

Ingrid then exited the palace and walked down to the stables, she was going to have to hire a carriage to get to the Riften stables. She paid Bjorlam twenty gold and then climbed into the carriage, she thought about the dawnguard on her way and knew she made the right choice.