Chapter 10.
"Lydia, I need you do me a favor" Jarl Igrod Ravencrown whispered to the housecarl, "I won't be alive much longer, and I see that... others will need you. They will need your help" The old woman chokes out.
"Please, your ill, don't strain yourself!" says Lydia.
"No... this is important. I have ... visions. A woman will come to Whiterun tonight. When she arrives, you mustb ring her to me. I must speak to her"
"How do you kow this? What kind of visions?" Lydia asks nervously.
"I've always had them, it's unimportant now. But this woman... she won't stay long. I want you to go with her, she'll need your help" The old woman begins to cough.
Lydia reaches forward to help, "You're ill, please, you need to relax"
"No! It's of utmost importance. My time here is short, but you must do it for Whiterun... for the very fate of Skyrim!" She begins to cough and wheeze back and forth, "I feel... ill. Please, let me rest. Wake me when she has arrived." The Jarl orders.
"But what is her name?" Lydia pleads.
"Delphine."
The sun is beginning to set. The troll hunters have still not returned from their journey to Labyrinthian, and Delphine has just arrived at the city gate.
"I have not been to Whiterun in quite some time" Mjoll the Lioness states, as they walk through the streets, "Does the thieves guild have an infestation here too?" she asks.
Hadvar shakes his head, "Whiterun is an imperial and a warrior's city. No thieves could survive here"
"Friend, you are wrong" Ralof cuts in, "Whiterun is neutral in this conflict, but anyone with a brain in their head knows the Jarl will join the stormcloaks".
Esbern offers his own two cents, "Frankly, it's all pretty stupid to me."
Hadvar opens his mouth to argue, but a dark elf woman flanked by two guards calls them out.
"You there! You're the survivors from Riverwood. The Jarl will want to see you" The dark elf woman orders.
"And hwo are you suppose to be?" delphine asks.
"I am Irileth, housecarl to Jarl Balgruuf. This is not an arrest, the Jarl just wants to see you" Irileth orders again.
"Alright, we have news from Riften anyways" Delphine agrees. They follow Irileth through the city to Dragonsreach.
"I saw Riverwood myself" says Irileth, "We looked for the trolls, but found none. I hope you have fared better."
Delphine remains quiet.
They reach the top of the hill where the great hall of Dragonsreach sits. From the top they can see tundra and mountains for miles beyond the city wall. The open plains are only broken by a few scattered watch towers. The sun is quickly setting.
Irileth leads them inside the great hall.
The Jarl is seated on his mighty throne, surrounded by the companions, Proventus Avenicci and Olfrid Battle-Born.
"So, the survivors of Riverwood have returned. Good, I've been wanting to speak to you about the nature of the troll attack" The Jarl gestures them forward.
"We have greater news" Delphine cuts in, "Riften has been destroyed."
A silence fills the hall, only broken by a quiet curse from Olfrid Battle-Born.
"What do you mean? How could Riften be destroyed?" The Jarl demands.
"Trolls and giants"
"Preposterous!" Olfrid Battle-Born objects.
"It was true. I was lucky to make it out alive, if not for Delphine" Mjoll speaks, stepping forward, "The trolls and Giant's have formed some sort of alliance. They came from the mountains and smashed down the gates. While the guards rallied against the giants, packs of trolls swept through the city, ambushing all who attempted to flee."
"But... Riften was a walled city!" The Jarl interrupts, "It wasn't some loggers village, but a damned walled city!"
"That only served to trap the people inside. I watched trolls rip apart my best friend" Mjoll spoke. The Jarl starred off into the firepit.
"With Riften destroyed... this changes everything. We are losing too many holds" He whispers.
"What do you mean..?" Delphine asks, nervously.
"These trolls are spreading fast. Morthaal and Falkreath were both destroyed. Only two made it back alive from Morthaal. We've given up searching for survivors in the Falkreath forests."
This is news to them.
"Shor's blood" Hadvar whispers.
"How can this have happened?" Ralof asks, fear in his voice.
"There are many giants out on the Tundra. If the trolls in the rift could get them as allies, there's no reason it couldn't happen here. We need a counter strike."
He turns to Irileth, "Prepare the guards. And the companions. And the reserves. Get everyone! We must hunt down and destroy the giants. Evacuate the settlements, bring them here. This matter must be dealt with as soon as possible! My brother will not like this."
"Sir, if you will excuse us, we do have a method. There is an ancient book written for the blades that may exist in Winterhold on how to defeat the trolls. It was written during the Great troll hunts-" "BAH!" The Jarl interrupts Delphine, "We have no time for these old stories and treacherous quests! We need action right now! If you will stay and fight, we welcome you, but if you intend to leave again, then Whiterun has no service for you!" The Jarl spits out.
The doors slam open at the end of the hall, the loud sound interrupting the conversation.
"Who is there?! Has my brother returned?... what... what has happened?!" The Jarls expression changes swiftly from anger to excitement to fear.
Jon Battle-Born approaches the Jarl. He is covered in blood, but appears to be unharmed. In one hand he carries a primitive looking axe.
"My son! What has happened! Where is you brother!" Olfrid Battle-Born rushes forward and grabs his son by the shoulders.
"Where is my brother!? Where is Hrongar!" The Jarl demands.
"Let him speak, get him some water!" Olfrid Battle-Born barks at a nearby maid. He walks Jon to the front of the room.
"What has happened?" The Jarl asks, quieter.
Jon Battle-Born shakes his head, "They're all dead."
A look of shock hits the face of everyone in the court.
"Dead? How?" The Jarl asks, fear gripping his face.
"They ambushed us. We reached labyrinthian, and it was deserted. Hrondar ordered us to spread out to cover more ground. The ruin is huge. We searched for their caves, and holes, ready for a fight. But then there was a scream , and they were upon us from every direction."
"What happened to Idolaf!? What happened to your brother?!" Olfrid shouted. He was shaking.
"I tried to find him. These were all frost trolls. Each one wider than a man, and a foot taller on their hind legs. Four of them rushed Hrongar. I saw him take one down before they... tore him to pieces."
"NO!" Jarl Balgruuf shouted. The others looked at him. He was beginning to sweat, but he quickly regained his composure.
"What about your brother?! What about Idolaf?!" Olfrid demanded again.
"A troll threw a man to the ground. Idolaf ran to help him, He stabbed the troll through it's ribs, but it only angered it. It broke his skull open on the ruins... Oh God... so much blood" Jon Battle-Born stopped speaking for a moment. He was shaking.
"How did you survive?" Irileth asks.
Jon shook his head, "They spared me. This... thing... it looked like a man. Or an elf. But not quite, something different. Something savage and evil. It ordered them away from me, made me watch as they hate my comrades. I could do nothing. I tried to save them, but one troll tossed me aside."
"What did the thing do to you after?" The Jarl asked.
Jon Battle-Born looked the Jarl straight in the eye, then tossed the primitive axe at the Jarl's feet, "He declared war."
It was an uproar, as all the men of the court all began shouting at once, arguing about the next move.
"This is preposterous! Trolls cannot declare war on a city!" Proventius shouts.
"My son! They killed my Son!"
"W must rally the guards! The city is at stake!"
"No troll will step foot in this town, I swear as the Jarl!"
"If you had sent out the companions, none of this would have happened!"
Delphine and the others step out of the argument, as the men begin waving their hands in the air in anger and confusion. A oung woman with black hair approaches and touches her arm.
"Are you Delphine?" She asks.
Delphine nods.
"You must come with me, Jarl Ravencrone wants to speak to you" says Lydia.
Delphoine looks at the others, "We'll be at the Bannered Mare, away from this" Ralof says.
"Alright." She follows Lydia to the private rooms of the castle while the rest leave behind the arguing court.
"What does she want with me?" Delphine asks.
"It's not my place to say. But It's very important. Please, shes just in here" Lydia opens the door to a small bedroom, where Jarl Ravencrone is asleep.
"I will wake her, take a seat nearby" Lydia carefully prods the old sleeping woman while Delphine pulls over a chair.
"Jarl Ravencrone, this is the woman you wanted me to get" She whispers.
The old woman awakens, "ah... good... yes... please, stay with us" She orders Lydia.
The old woman sits up and stretches her arm, before taking Delphine into full view.
"Ah... yes. You are the one."
"What is it you want with me?" Delphine asks immediately.
"Have patience, I am old and frail, but what I have to say is very important" the old Jarl croaks out.
Delphine sits patiently. Lydia stands in the corner, unsure what to do.
"You are Delphine." The Jarl states.
"Yes... how do you know?" She asks.
"It doesn't matter. You seek an old book in Winterhold. You are going on a dark quest, and many will die before it is complete" She coughs, then continues "The Jarl here does not take heed of this matter. He seeks to fight the trolls in war, and risks all. Dark days for Whiterun. But you're journey will unite Skyrim under one banner. You're journey will unite this land" The Jarl's voice has turned to a whisper.
"How? How do you know this? How will this unite Skyrim?" Delphine asks eagerly.
"You know the saying. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. I see a long journey ahead, with many companions, but all loads lead to darkness in Solitude."
"Solitude? The city? The book is in Solitude?" Delphine asks.
The Jarl shakes her head, "No... the book is not the end. But you must retrieve it. I... I am feeling weak" The old Jarl is starting to tremble, "I cannot focus... but help will come to you" She looks to Lydia and beckons her over, "Lydia... you are strong. Go with Delphine, it is my order"
"But I am a Thane to Jarl Balgruuf. I cannot abandon my post" Lydia objects.
"No, he sent you to assist me. I do not need assistance, I am going away soon. But you must help Delphine... This is beyond Whiterun" She is trembling all over.
"Yes... Jarl Ravencrone." Lydia accepts her new position.
"Good... go ... I need to rest" The Jarl turns over and lays down in the bed.
Lydia nods her head and the two women leave the room.
"The Jarl is not well, I do not think she is-" "Listen, that woman knew too much, but I have a feeling she saw the truth. What good are you as a companion?" Delphine asks.
"I am a housecarl of Whiterun hold. I have trained in swordplay and martial warfare for my entire life" Lydia declares.
"I need a carriage and horses. Can you get these for me?" Delphine asks.
Lydia shakes her head, "I have my own horse, but I can get gear from the barracks. You will need it if you intend to journey to Winterhold" Lydia offers.
"We. I have a feeling we will need you. I've seen the carnage these trolls wrought. Please come with us" Delphine pleads.
Lydia looks around, "Send for me before you go. I will patrol the streets of the city. I don't know why I am doing this... but I feel like that old woman is on to something."
"I agree" Delphine nods, and heads off.
She finds her comrades at a table in the Bannered Mare, seated in the corner. A man in ornate Nordic armor is sitting with them. He is from the companions.
"She returns!" Esbern calls out, "Our leader returns!" He bursts into laughter.
The man from the companions turns and looks at her. He has cold calculating eyes and a difficult to read expression.
"I am Vilkas, of the companions" he extends his hand to her.
"Delphine" She replies , shaking his hand.
"Our friend here says he would like to help our cause!" Esbern laughs. An empty mug of ale sits beside him.
"I see that" Delphine says. She notes the scroll detailling the great troll hunt rolled out on the table.
"While the Jarl disagrees with you, the companions found it very interesting. We know the Jarl will not support you, but we would like to" Vilkas proposes.
"I see, how would you help?" Delphine asks.
"We have gold. We can provide you with horses, supplies and a carriage to reach Winterhold." Vilkas offers.
"That's a very generous proposal, but there must be more to it. We have very little money" Delphine replies, searching for the catch.
"No catch" Vilkas says, "But I would like to accompany you, as would my brother, Farkas."
Delphine raises an eyebrow, "Really? You saw the trolls declare war on Whiterun. Wouldn't two top members of the companions be more interested in protecting the city?" She asks.
"Come on, don't send away help!" Esbern yells, "I need some more ale!" He adds.
"I spoke with Kodlak Whitemane, the Harbinger of the companions. While he agrees all hands will be needed for the battle, he agrees that this book is more important. The companions know there is more to this than just trolls getting a little more aggressive than normal."
Delphine ponders it for a moment, "Alright. We would be honored if two members of the companions came with us, and we can use the help."
"Here here!" Ralof and Mjoll shout in unison. Hadvar remains silent, looking into his mug.
"Whats wrong Hadvar, scared that the companions will take all your kills?!" Ralof asks jokingly, clapping him on the shoulder, "Or are you a bit afraid of a little snow!?"
Mjoll burst out into laughter at this.
Hadvar shakes his head, "I'm staying in Whiterun."
"What?!" Delphine is taken aback by this, "But... you've been with us all this way. And you're a capable fighter, we could use your sword arm"
"No... I saw what happened in Riften. I can't let that happen here. I'm staying here to defend the city. The Jarl's right, if you're not here to help, then Whiterun has nothing to offer you." He takes a drink from his mug, " Besides, I got to prove that the Empire is all what this place needs!" He winks at Ralof.
A drunk man stumbles forward. He faces Delhpine and spits at her "You're the one abandoning this city, eh? You're a fool! You won't last a day against those trolls!" He shouts.
"And who the hell are you!" Hadvar jumps to his feet.
"Woah, big man gettig angry!" The drunk laughs.
"You will show this woman respect, If not for her, I would be dead in Riverwood!" Hadvar spits back.
"Ha! A milk drinker like you would be dead in an instant living out in Morthaal!" The drunk splutters, "I am Benor! I am the strongest man of the Hjaalmarch, and I proved it by being the last survivor aside from the Jarl!" He takes a long drink from his mug, "The old useless witch would have left us all to die if her housecarl hadnt stepped in! Blasted worthless woman, and a worthless hold out in a freezing cold swamp!" Benor spits as he speaks.
"You show some respect!" Hadvar repeats.
"Hah! I'm the strongest man in Morthaal, and I could take you no problem!" He yells, and the whole bar is watching him. He turns to Delphine and flicks her shoulder.
"You won't last two- Damnit!" Hadvar charges him and wrestles him to the ground. He is quick to react, and they are soon in a brawl, punching and grabbing each other on the bar floor.
"Beat him down!" Ralof shouts.
"Take out that Milk-Drinker!" Mjoll adds.
"What a drunken fool!" Esbern splutters out, waving around his empty mug, "And another ale, please!"
The entire tavern surrounds the scuffling pair, except for one man who taps on Delphines shoulder. She turns around prepared for a second drunk wanting to fight, but is surprised to see Jon Battle-Born, who is quite sober.
"I heard you were leaving" He says.
"As soon as possible" Delphine replies.
Several people cheer as Benor gets a good punch at Hadvar's face.
"Seeing as someone just left your group... I want to tag along" He asks.
Delphine considers it for a moment. The crowd cheers again as a Hadvar elbows Benor in the jaw.
"We're pretty full as it is" Delphine replies.
"Please... I need to get away from this town. My father is going mad since Idolaf died. If I stay here, I will surely die" His reasoning is sound.
"Will you be a burden?" Delphine asks.
"I can fight, I have my own horse and supplies and I can live light. But there s more. I've studied being a bard, but I've never been able to travel. And this is the perfect opportunity. Bring me along and I will immortalize you in song and history" He is very desperate to leave Whiterun.
Delphine ponders it for another moment, "Are you good with a bow?" She asks.
"Top in my class" Jon Battle-Born replies.
"Alright. You can come with us. Just don't play Ragnar the Red, the bard in Riverwood has played that song to death"
"Alright, can do! Thank you! I will go prepare right now!" Jon Battle-Born is ecstatic, and he quickly leaves the pub.
An off duty guard moves in and finally separates the fight, breaking apart the bruised Hadvar and Benor, ("Alright, break it up you two!")
"You can really throw a good punch. I can see you being a good friend" Benor says, extending his arm.
Hadvar looks at it for a moment, then shakes, "And you can really take a hit... friend."
The crowd cheers some more.
"I STILL NEED A NEW DRINK!" Esbern shouts.