One thing about the Dragonborn, for the years that I've known him, is he always knew his limits. Well, sometimes, or at least occasionally, that is when he's sober for the most part. But when he's swimming in mead, that's where things get out of hand. When I went to the Silver-blood inn in Markarth after I came back from the apothecary, a body flew just a few inches next to me as I entered the door. The body held a loud thud as it smacked to the wall and fell to the ground. Oddly enough the man was laughing as he stood up and ran back to the crowd. About two other men were in the middle of what seemed to be a brawl. Bottles flying everywhere, tables turned and the laughter and cheering of the crowd filled the stony room. Another man went flying from the room, wrecking the table as he landed there. The crowd cheered again as the drunk and energetic Dragonborn stood up on top of the shop counter, the innkeeper getting out of his way.

"HAHAHA, nobody…PUTS DOWN ..the *hic* DRAGONBORN!" he proudly declares while holding two bottles of mead in both hands and engulfed them both, the sweet liquid ran from his mouth to his bare chest.

"Oh no…not again." the crowd cheered and before he could let out another cry, a man pounced up to him and they both fell on the ground letting out an even louder thud.

The innkeeper, Kleppr, handed me a list of damaged properties after the chaos that night. Since he was a Thane, and contributed a huge help in the forsworn dilemma and the extraction of daedra in Markarth, the least the inkeeper could do is to make an exception in some wreckage namely the broom that drunk broke while being bashed by it. I went back to Vindrell hall to check on the still wasted Nord. I wiped some sweat and dried blood from his face, applying some compress on his bruises. As I got up, he held my hand and looked up to me, eyes almost half closed from the purple swelling.

"Thanks." He said as he stretched his busted lip to a smile.

"You owe me more that thanks.." I countered "Hehehe, I know, don't i? You've done so much for me, more than a houscarl and a friend could give. I'm glad your with me." This was one of those post drunk moments where he get so dramatic and calm. Usually I would've been angry to the bones with him after what he did, but somehow I couldn't stay mad at him. He could've not done the same if I was in that brawl, not that I would ever be, hell he would even make me breakfast in bed the next morning. A person like the Dragonborn is someone who is not undesirable no matter how worst the situation is. And he's the kind of person who would feel the same way for someone, specially for the ones he cared for the most.

"I don't know how to repay you for all you've done.."

"Well, how about 8050 gold for the battered inn. We cant leave until we paid Kleppr in full." I held out a smile as the cold room filled it with his warm laughter.

"Were screwed."

You never get lonelywith a man like him around. Walking on a dark lonesome road at night with only a torch as his guide while singing Ragnar the Red in full broad voice. You'd get annoyed the first time but if you traveled with him long enough, you'd get the hang of it then before you even realize you'd be singing along with him like an idiot. One time the noise got the attention of several bandits but he continued to sing as we knocked them out one by one, ending the battle with a falsetto finale. I laughed so hard i almost tripped on one of the bodies. He could be a pain in the ass when getting into trouble, but is worth it when you have him as company.

We went deeper into the cave not far from where we were standing. we heard two people talking. We crept into the shadows and just below from where we were we saw a vampire stabbed a Vigilant of Stendar, just before we could stop him. "Wait!" I called out to the Dragonborn as he dashed down the stairs towards the master vampire. I took my bow and started shooting at the thralls, a minute later the vampire's head rolled down the floor.

"I guess were too late again.." he sheathes his axe behind him. "no, they haven't got to what they were coming for." I pointed towards a pedestal in the middle of a circular balcony. The Dragonborn went close and out of curiousity rests his palm on the pedestal. A scream of pain escaped his mouth as the blade pierced entirely through his palm. I ran towards him making sure he was alright.

"yeah..it's nothing." Then suddenly purple lights emerged from the cracks on the ground. It was a curious sight as the waves of light danced through the openings. "what…the.." I mumble as I slowly backed away, not noticing the pedestal behind as I leaned back to it. It moved through the cracks and stopped at some point until another wave of light travelled to another direction. "I think we have to get these pedestals in position." I suggested and as we applied them in the right order, the ground suddenly trembles. A chunk of rectangular stone emerged from the middle. We examined the stone and the Dragonborn's touch suddenly triggered some sort of door. To our surprise a woman, was inside it. She fell to the ground from exhaustion while we backed away slowly.

"I could've sworn that woman was dead." The Dragonborn exclaimed while pointing to her in surprise.

"What…ugh…"she gently gets up, gathering her strength while she rubs her head. We were shocked and speechless that moment. Who would've locked a woman inside a stone coffin? Was she the "artifact" that Tolan was referring to.

"Who…Who are you?" the mysterious woman asked with a curious, and somewhat hostile look on her face.

"Who were you expecting?" the Dragonborn replied with a mutual look.

End of Chapter 2