I own nothing in Skyrim, except for my characters. Bethesda owns Skyrim and the Elder Scrolls series.
The ride to Whiterun had been long, and Dralera's backside was quite numb by the time she hopped off the carriage. She was sore, tired, and hungry. 'Best to find an inn...' She thought to herself. She sighed and grabbed her bag from the carriage, and started on her way up the road to the main gate. And then Gwen was beside her.
"...Right, I realize my behavior earlier was uncalled for." Gwen said.
Dralera sighed in response. "I am not really in the mood for this right now, Nord. I am tired, sore, and hungry. All I wish is for bread, a bath, and a warm bed for the evening." She took a breath before continuing. "However, after that, I will be happy to talk. Deal?"
"Deal." Gwen nodded.
They were both stopped at the gate by a guard. "Halt. What is your business in Whiterun?" He asked. Gwen and Dralera looked at each other, Gwen deciding to speak first.
"I wish to join the Companions. That is my business here in Whiterun." She said.
"An honorable path, friend." The guard said, then looked at Dralera. "And you, Elf?"
"I wish to make a new life in Whiterun, away from Windhelm and the war." Dralera said.
The guardsman nodded. "Just don't cause trouble here in Whiterun, or I'll haul you into Dragonsreach Dungeon myself." He said, then nodded and stepped out of the way.
"Wouldn't dream of it…" She said under her breath.
Gwen and Dralera walked through the gates and took a minute to observe Whiterun. The streets were mostly empty, most of the people in their homes for dinner, or at the tavern and inn. As they both walked through the street, the merchants were trying to sell off the last bit of their wares before the day ended for them.
"There it is." Gwen said quite suddenly, peering over the wall to look at Jorrvaskr. Dralera glanced at the building, quite unimpressed.
"Have fun trying to join a Guild that whack people with swords." Dralera said, walking up the stairs to the Bannered Mare and pushed the door open.
"Come on in! Just stoked the fire." The innkeeper called over cheerfully from her bar.
Dralera walked over, trying to tune out the Bard singing 'Ragnar the Red'. She hated that song. "Evening...a room for the night, please." She said, setting a bit of gold down.
"I'll show you to your room, right this way." Hulda said and headed up the stairs and opened the doors for Dralera. "Let me know if you need anything else."
"Actually, a bath would be nice. I'd be willing to pay." Dralera said with a small smile.
Hulda took a moment to look at the travel-weary woman in front of her. "No charge. I'll have Saadia prepare a hot bath and come get you when it's ready. How does a bit of soup and bread sound while you wait?" Hulda asked.
Dralera gave her a grateful a smile. "That sounds wonderful. Could I have my meal up here, though?" She asked.
"Of course! I'll bring it to you. Sit and relax, friend." Hulda said, turning and walking back downstairs.
Dralera sat on the little balcony outside of her room, looking down at the people. There was the bard, Hulda, a woman she assumed was Saadia, and she heard a few others talking. She pulled her cloak off, setting it on the back of chair. Pushing her long black hair back, she sighed and became lost in thought. She started a bit when Hulda returned and set a bowl down in front of her, a loaf of bread next to the bowl and a glass of wine.
"Thank you, ma'am. I appreciate it." Dralera said, quickly setting herself to eat the soup.
"Call me Hulda, please. I'll have Saadia get you when your bath is ready." Hulda said before she returned to her duties downstairs.
Dralera finished the soup and absently munched on the bread while she thought. 'So different from Windhelm, and this is only the inn. I saw a General Store, Alchemy Store, the Blacksmith...a house for sale...perhaps I should see about purchasing the house. But the first thing to do is find a job.' The thought of Gwen and the Companions crossed her mind, but she quickly dismissed the thoughts. 'I am not joining that Guild.' She paused. 'But who said anything about joining? Maybe I could be a servant there until I find something else.' She gave a sigh and shook her head. 'There's no way they would let a Dunmer clean their quarters. Perhaps the Alchemy...I always have loved the idea of potion making. I'll have to ask in the morning.'
"Ma'am?" A voice pulled Dralera out of her thoughts. "Your bath is ready."
Dralera stood and looked at the Redguard woman. "Thank you." She said with a grateful nod. She walked downstairs and through a side door into the bathing room, giving a satisfied nod at the sight of the warm water in the tub in front of her. She stripped of her travel clothes and climbed into the tub. She sighed happily, tilting her head back and enjoying the feeling of warm water against her skin. She dozed off a bit until she awoke and remembered the reason she had wanted a bath, quickly scrubbing herself clean.
She climbed out and pulled her clothes back on, quickly returning to her room with still wet hair. She found her bag on the bed and changed into a dark red dress she had. "One night over...the day begins tomorrow. A new sun rises with the dawn." She mused to herself before settling down for the night.