Burlone saw a distortion when he turned to face the door to the Inn. Believing the Bard would probably be busy for a while, he decided to follow the distortion. He followed it out of town where he then started hiding behind trees so as not to be seen in case whoever was wanting to hide was dangerous. When they had a good distance between them and Riverwood, Burlone watched the distortion stop and turn into two figures.
The first was a tall man wearing a dark robe that left him hidden except for his hands and he was wearing a mask under the hood over his head. The second figure, to his bewilderment, was Bard. Burlone wondered why she is with this stranger, where they are going. He was about to step out from behind his hiding place so he could ask her but then decided to stay hidden. For several moments Bard and the man stood talking, Burlone could not hear what as he had put distance between himself and they and they were speaking quietly.
The two began walking, so Burlone did the same, moving from tree to tree, remaining unnoticed. By now they were a good distance from Riverwood, the sun had set and it was now too late to go back without risk of stumbling across a pack of hungry wolves, so Burlone kept following them. His luck had held up so far but he knew it was only a matter of time before he made a mistake, he then cursed himself for what happened next.
The wind had been blowing strong and caused a tree branch to break off and knock Burlone on the head, causing him to cry out, "Mother of Kynareth!" The man stopped, shot his hand up behind him, and a spike made of ice shot in Burlone's direction. Only the branch that knocked him down saved Burlone from instant death by ice. "Show yourself, now," the man said firmly. Bard recognized her friend's voice though, and immediately told Syndig, "Wait, I recognize that voice. Burlone, if it's you, come out."
Burlone pushed the branch off himself and slowly, with his hands above his head, stepped into the open. "What are you doing here boy? This is none of your concern" Syndig told Burlone in an intimidating voice. Very timidly Burlone replied, "Apologies, I only wanted to know what was going on with Bard, honest." "Go home boy, I have enough to deal with without having to babysit." "Wait, Syndig. Burlone is a good sneak, he followed us all this way from town and we didn't notice until just now. If what you told me is true, then you will need as many skilled people as you can get." "He can sneak, but can he fight is the question." Burlone spoke up, "I can learn, and I can pull my own weight." Syndig thought for a moment then spoke, "Fine, the boy can tag along, but if he is more trouble than he is worth he will go back to Riverwood.
Syndig then tossed a bag to Burlone and the three continued down the road. They walked for another hour, then decided to set up in a nearby cave for the night. The trio searched a nearby cave for any signs of life and found none. Burlone was the first to relax, followed by Bard, then Syndig who proceeded to make a spot for a small fire. When it was ready he held his hands close to the spot, and a flame quickly appeared.
Syndig took the bag he gave to Burlone and removed a loaf of bread which he then broke into thirds and passed around. "I did not plan for a third person, so we will have to have smaller rations," Syndig told the two children. He then lowered his hood and removed the strange mask covering his face. Syndig was clearly of Nord ancestry, his hair is pale white and hanging down to his shoulders, a single braid was at the side of his head, the start of a pale white beard was showing, and he has dark brown eyes. He looked like he had lived a long time, appearances can be deceiving though as he is not much older than twenty-five.
As Syndig began eating, Bard and Burlone both realized they were staring and looked towards their bread which they started eating as well. After a few minutes Bard broke the silence, "So where are we going?" Syndig swallowed a bite of bread and replied, "Solitude, my allies are gathered there." Burlone spoke up, "Solitude is halfway across Skyrim. Do you have a plan for getting us there?" "I have two horses at the stables just outside Whiterun, less suspicion that way." Bard, wanting to know who her new allies are, asked Syndig, "Who are these allies waiting for us in Solitude?" "I can't say, not yet. Now as much as I would love to keep talking we have to be on the road before dawn. I suggest we sleep." The trio then turned in for the night.
Bard was the first one to wake. She laid on the ground for a few moments longer blinking rapidly to get the thought of sleep out of her mind before quietly standing up. Then she tiptoed her way to the cave entrance and saw the sky beginning to fill with light. Bard went back and awoke Burlone and Syndig. The trio then packed up what they had and set out. There was not much conversation most of the morning and part of the afternoon, what little there was is just idle chatter between Bard and Burlone. Around noon they saw Whiterun in the distance. "Pick up the pace you two, we are almost there," Syndig told Bard and Burlone.
The three started walking faster, getting closer and closer to Whiterun. Finally they arrived at the city gate. "We won't reach Rorikstead by nightfall, we will have to stay at The Bannered Mare tonight. You two go ahead and explore the city a bit if you want. When you're ready to turn in head to The Bannered Mare is in the market center," before Syndig even finished talking Bard and Burlone were rushing off to see the big city. "Kids," Syndig muttered to himself.
Burlone ran the direction Syndig had pointed to, Bard however stood and took mental notes of her surroundings. A smithy called Warmaiden's just inside the city gate, a guard post just across the street, a fletcher called The Drunken Huntsman across from both. She then stopped a guard on patrol to ask for directions, "Problem girl?" "No problem, I'm just new to Whiterun and was wondering if you could tell me where a few places are at?" "What do I look like, a tour guide? Go ask Hulda at The Bannered Mare." The guard then continued on his patrol.
Bard irritatingly muttered, "I can see you don't have a lot of friends." She started down towards The Bannered Mare to speak with Hulda who she assumed is the innkeeper. Bard found her destination and stepped inside. Inside the Inn there were several wooden tables situated around a large fireplace far enough away to avoid unwanted fires while still receiving a bit of warmth. Other than a woman she assumed is the innkeeper and a few hungover drunks leftover from the previous night the inn was empty. Hulda heard Bard enter and greeted her, "Welcome! Have a seat by the fire and let me know if you anything."
Bard walked over to Hulda, a Nord woman, and asked her, "I was actually wondering if you could give me a few directions around town?" "Sure thing, the general store, alchemist, and several produce stands are just outside in the market district as I'm sure you noticed. The residential district is just past the Temple of Kynareth north of the inn. Jorvaskr, the Companions mead hall is directly west from the Temple. And no doubt you saw the keep, Dragonsreach, dominating the view. Anything else?" Bard placed ten septims on the counter and replied, "Just a sweetroll, if you have any." Hulda walked over to the kitchen and found where the barmaid she hired, Saadia, put the sweetrolls and picked one up for her customer. "We have a few sweetrolls left, pleasure doing business with you." "Thank you." With that Bard took her sweetroll and left the inn to find and memorize the landmarks in the city.
Several hours later…
Bard had wandered around Whiterun for a while, she drew a map in her head as she memorized where everything is at. The sun was starting to set though so she decided to head back to the Inn. Bard had wondered a few times what Burlone was up to, but since there was no sign of disturbances she decided to put it off. Still, she could not help but wonder what her mischief prone friend was up to, her question had been answered when she arrived at the inn and saw Burlone with a pint of mead in his hand, bothering a Nord girl not much older than them.
"You really don't understand 'no' do you?" the girl told Burlone. "But I promise you won't regret it." "You told me that, the answer is still no." "I swear every girl back in Riverwood has said it was the best experience they ever had." "I don't care, I'm not that kind of girl." Bard knew the longer Burlone talked the more likely he would say something to anger everyone there. She quickly stepped into the conversation, "Hello miss, don't worry about my friend, he just can't handle mead." "Obviously, he was asking to be smacked." "Thank you for showing restraint, do not worry, he will not bother you anymore tonight," Bard said as she moved her eyes to glare at Burlone. The first time drunk went off towards a corner of the inn to wait until Syndig arrived and paid for a room.
Bard walked over to the corner table Burlone had chosen to sit, "What were you thinking doing that?" Bard sat across from Burlone and waited for his answer. "Like you said, I can't handle my mead." "That girl could have called the guards, and I am not confident Syndig would have paid your fine." "I know I know." "What were you thinking anyway? After all the mead I saw you steal from Delphine back home I know this isn't your first time getting drunk." "I don't want to talk about it." "Burlone, why were you trying to draw attention to yourself?" "You wouldn't understand, ok? Please just leave it alone." "Fine, but we will talk about this eventually. Now I'm getting something to eat, want anything?" "A piece of that deer they cooked up would be good." "Alright, I'll be right back," Bard finished the conversation and walked towards the bar.
Bard walked up to the bar where Hulda was wiping down a passed out drunks spilled drink. Hulda greeted her, "Hello miss, I hope my bad directions got you where you wanted to go?" Bard smiled and replied, "They weren't too bad, I only got lost once." "Good then. So, another sweetroll perhaps or maybe a section of fresh venison?" "You read my mind, actually two portions of the venison, one for my friend and one for myself." "Excellent, that will be twenty septims. Saadia!" A woman clearly a Redguard found her way past the various patrons and replied, "Yes mum?" "Fetch two portions of the venison for the back corner table." "Right away, mum." Bard placed twenty septims on the counter as Saadia went off to the kitchen. Hulda picked up the gold coins and stepped away from the bar to lock up the coins.
Bard was about to return to the table Burlone was sitting at when she was stopped by the drunk slowly regaining consciousness next to her. "Hold up lass, you look as good as a pot full of Honningbrew Mead," the drunk said with a slur. Bard replied rather sarcastically, "I bet you say that about all the girls." "Hmm, only the ones I like. How much?" Acting very innocently, Bard asked, "I'm sorry?" Still with a slur, the drunk replied, "How much for what you're selling?" A fake light went off in her head as they both dragged out, "Oh" for several seconds. Bard then told the drunk, "I'm sorry, but I'm a bit out of your price range." "Well I am not going to take no for an answer." "Sorry, I have to go." Bard started to Burlone's table when she was stopped by the drunk grabbing her arm, "You aren't going any-"
Bard stopped, turned around, and grabbed the drunk by the place that shall not be named. The drunk froze, afraid of what this girl would do if he did. The tavern went silent as everyone stopped to look at the scene. Bard thought to herself for a moment, then she smiled and said, "Just as I thought, your coin purse feels far to light to afford me." Several of the tavern's patrons laughed upon hearing Bard speak. "I am suddenly feeling generous though so I will give you this one for free," Bard told the drunk. She then let go of him and immediately her head shot forward and smashed into the drunk's nose, shattering it.
The drunk cried out in pain as he stumbled backwards into the barstool he had been sitting in. Blood had almost immediately started oozing out and had soaked half his face in just several seconds. Certain that the scene was over, everyone continued on with what they had been doing. Bard looked towards her and Burlone's table and saw the barmaid had brought their orders, so she walked quietly back over to the table and began eating her food.
A short time later Syndig arrived at The Bannered Mare and rented the rooms he, Bard, and Burlone would be sleeping in. He then walked over to where the two children were sitting and told them, "I rented the rooms we will be staying in tonight, now let's turn in." The two yawned, "Okay." The trio walked to their rooms and turned in for the night.
Meanwhile, at the peak of Skyrim's tallest mountain…
At the very peak of the Throat of the World sat Paarthunax, an elder dragon, a son of Akatosh. Paarthunax was looking out at the seemingly peaceful land. There was not much else to do after several thousand years in seclusion, but even this had become tiresome. Every day he thought about leaving the mountain and finding civilization but he dared not, for what would the people of Skyrim's first thought be upon sighting a dragon? He longed for someone to have conversation with, but it was not likely that anyone would speak with him before attacking. The elder dragon would just have to resist the urge to set out like so many times before. After a while, Paarthunax left the ledge he was sitting on and moved over to the word wall with several phrases in the dragon tongue printed on it.
He was about to begin meditating when suddenly a rift opened nearby and a familiar figure emerged. It was another dragon, this one larger than he and black as night. Paarthunax's memories of The Dragon War returned to him as he said, "Alduin." Alduin turned to face Paarthunax and replied, "Hello brother, did you miss me? My thought is you believed me dead." "I knew you would return." "And you must have spent all this time finding an excuse as to why you betrayed me." "I did what I believe is right. All life deserves a chance." I am the first born of Akatosh, domination is my birthright! Or did you forget?" "I know this brother, but I will not allow you to destroy this world." "You will not stand in my way, Fus-Ro-Dah!"
Alduin's shout knocked Paarthunax against the word wall. Alduin did not hesitate to advantage of the opportunity and took to the sky. Paarthunax was about to follow when he stopped himself. He knew if he fought his elder brother he would surely lose and thousands would die pointlessly. He could sense however, a very powerful soul nearby, if the Divines have a plan it must be related to this soul. He would have to trust this feeling, as there is nothing else to be done.