Chapter 6

Thanes and a House

When we last left our heroes, they were victorious against a dragon attack at the western watchtower of the capital of Whiterun. Renee, the Nord swordswoman; and J'Kiir, the Khajiit thief; Rahm-Ku, the Argonian mage-in-training; and of course Hiccup, the Viking Dragon Trainer; defeated each of the four dragons that attacked the watchtower in their own ways. But such celebration and ideas of separation were dashed when the four mysteriously absorbed each of the four dead dragons' individual power. And according to the guards that were with them, it seems our four were apparently special people known as 'Dragonborn.'

Now, as they were at the threshold of Whiterun, a loud shout echoed from a neighboring mountain with so much power that the four of them had to kneel as they covered their ears in agony. The word being 'Dovahkiin'. Eventually, silence helped stop the ringing in their ears as Hiccup looked to the mountain.

"What was that?"

"I don't know, but currently I am glad that I can still hear after that." J'Kiir replied.

"Aye. I'm surprised my ears haven't started bleeding." Renee growled as she began to stand up.

"I hope the Jarl can shed some light on this. First, this 'Dragonborn' business, now this." Rahm-Ku muttered.

The quartet agreed and while Hiccup flew off on Toothless to the place Irileth told him to land, Renee and the others began to make their way to Dragonsreach on foot. As they walked on through Whiterun, they took notice of the gossip going around town.

"Did you hear that just now?"

"What? The loud booming noise? Aye."

"Not that! I mean the rumors from the watchtower. Apparently, the four teenagers who went to fight there are Dragonborn."

"Dragonborn? You mean like in the old stories?"

"Aye. And four of them are found. I wonder what this could mean."

"I just hope it doesn't mean disaster."

The trio kept silent as they continued onward to Dragonsreach. Hiccup, on the other hand, landed on the an area known as the Great Porch and allowed Toothless to rest there while Hiccup joined his new friends in the throne room where the Jarl, Proventus, and another man were waiting for them. Proventus stepped forward, startled at the appearance of Hiccup walking in from the Great Poarch but addressed the four as if they all came in the front door.

"Good. You're all finally here. The Jarl's been waiting for you."

It didn't take long before the Jarl practically demanded a report.

"So what happened at the watchtower? Was the dragon there?"

Renee was the one who gave the answer.

"Not just the one dragon, but three more joined it. We, along with Irileth and the guards, fought fiercely. We are sorry to say that there were some casualties, but we killed the dragons. I'm certain Irileth will give you a detailed report when she returns."

The Jarl sighed in both relief and exhaustion.

"Thank the Divines."

He then returned his gaze to the young Warrior, his eyes glistening with enquiring.

"But there must be more to it than that. I know you have said Irileth would give me a full report upon her return, but I must know. Was there more to the battle other than increased numbers?"

"Actually, there is one thing, milord." Rahm-Ku spoke, gaining the Jarl's attention.

"And that is, lad?"

Swallowing his already frayed nerves, Hiccup answered for Rahm-Ku.

"When we killed those dragons, something happened. I think we absorbed the powers of each dragon that we killed."

J'Kiir nodded at Hiccup's answer.

"According to the remaining guards, it turns out the four of us are something called 'Dragonborn.'"

This caught the attention of the three men, especially the Jarl.

"So, it's true. The Greybeards really were summoning you."

Now the four had more questions to ask.

"The Greybeards, sir?" Renee asked.

The Jarl answered them, despite him still trying to wrap his mind on the very idea that the four children before him were such legendary characters from old lore.

"Masters of the Way of the Voice. They live in seclusion high on the slopes of the Throat of the World."

"What do they want with us?" Rahm-Ku asked; his curiosity vast.

The Jarl answered the inquisitive Argonian.

"The Dragonborn is said to be uniquely gifted in the Voice – the ability to use your vital essences into a Thu'um, or Shout. If four are really Dragonborn, they can teach you all to use your gifts."

The Jarl then shifted his gaze from the suspected 'Dragonborn' to the far side of the fortress, as if he could see the mountain where the noise from earlier came from through the wall.

"The Greybeards…"

It was then the third man next to the Jarl spoke to the younglings.

"Didn't you hear the thundering sound as you entered Whiterun?"

"Heard it? Our ears kept ringing as we made our way to Dragonsreach after it happened." Hiccup replied with a hint of sarcasm, only to be given a glare from Renee and Rahm-Ku. But the new man laughed as he answered Hiccup.

"I don't blame you for feeling agitated, lad. Almost over half of Whiterun agrees with you. But that was the voice of the Greybeards, summoning the four of you to High Hrothgar. This hasn't happened in…centuries, at least! Not since Tiber Septim himself was summoned when he was still Talos of Atmora!"

But Proventus interrupted the man's astonishment.

"Hrongar, calm yourself. What does any of this Nord nonsense have to do with our young friends here? Capable as they may be, I don't see any signs of them being these, what, 'Dragonborn'."

The third man, Hrongar, became angry at the steward.

"Nord Nonsense?! Why you puffed-up ignorant…these are our sacred traditions that go back to the founding of the First Empire!"

Trying to quell the bickering between the Nord and the Imperial, the Jarl spoke up.

"Hrongar. Don't be so hard on Avenicci."

The steward then spoke.

"I meant no disrespect, of course. It's just…what do these Greybeards want with these children?"

All four teens became irritated at being called children so discourteously. Thankfully, the Jarl came to the rescue again.

"That's the Greybeards' business, not ours."

He then turned his attention from Proventus to Hiccup and his fellow recently-discovered Dragonborn.

"Whatever happened when you killed that dragon, it revealed something in you, and the Greybeards heard it. If they think you are Dragonborn, then who are we to argue? I suggest you get up to High Hrothgar as soon as you can. There's no refusing the summons of the Greybeards. It's a tremendous honor."

He then looked on dreamily at the wall again, thinking about a distant past.

"I envy you four, you know. To climb the Seven Thousand Steps again… I made the pilgrimage once, you know that? High Hrothgar is a peaceful place. Very…disconnected from the troubles of this world. I wonder that the Greybeards even notice what's going on down here. They haven't seem to care before."

The Jarl then shook his head out of his trance before speaking to the quartet again.

"No matter. Go to High Hrothgar. Learn what the Greybeards can teach you."

The Jarl then sat up straighter on his throne, alerting the four teens.

"Speaking of honor, you four have done a great service for me and my city, Dragonborn. By my right as Jarl, I name you Thanes of Whiterun. It's the greatest honor that's within my power to grant."

Hearing that they were now christened Thanes by the Jarl, Renee was surprised while her foreign companions remain confused, but silent as the Jarl continued to speak.

"I assign you Lydia as a personal Housecarl, and a gift from my armory to serve you as your badges of office."

The Jarl then whispered something to Proventus, who then left with four guards to the upper parts of the fortress, returning with hand-axe, a metal bow with feather-like designs on it, a green and brown dagger that looked crude, but sharper than a sword; and a set of clothing with twelve books stacked on them. The books were in sets of two and arranged by color. There were two purple books, two grey books, two orange books, two yellow books, two red books, and a maroon book and a green book that both looked poorly put together.

Seeing the books, the Jarl spoke in surprise as he recognized the holder.

"Farengar. What with all of those books? I called for the robes."

The court wizard answered the Jarl.

"A thank-you and payments on my behalf. I have seen the dragon that is perched on the Great Poarch had a saddle on its back. I am thankful for them saving Whiterun, but I also wish to learn of this ally dragon and the dragons the foreigner from the far north is familiar with."

Exasperation rose in Hiccup while Rahm-Ku was in agreement with Farengar, leaving Renee and J'Kiir sympathetic to the young Viking. Balgruuf sighed as he spoke to the Viking.

"I am sorry. Farengar tends to be a bit…enthusiastic about the subject of dragons. I may have to ask that you and your fellow Dragonborn stay in Whiterun for a few days. You are free to stay in the house I also included in your gifts."

Looking at Renee, Hiccup sighed before he answered the Jarl.

"That's alright. If I talk more about the dragons from my homeland, then maybe I can contact my father and tell him to send reinforcements without upsetting the people of Skyrim. Besides, we have a few…errands here that may take a while to complete."

Renee knew what he meant. He was talking about her joining the Companions while discovering what happened to the Gildergreen.

"Very well. I will notify the guards of your new titles and of your…unusual friend. Wouldn't want them to think you're part of the common rabble, now would we? Your new home is unfurnished, so speak to Proventus about furnishing the place. I will also have some carpenters build an extension so that your dragon could stay. We are honored to have you as Thanes of our city, Dragonborn." The Jarl spoke one last time before dismissing the Dragonborn to turn to matters of state.

After thanking the Jarl, the quartet made their way to the front door, still trying to wrap their heads about being Dragonborn and becoming Thanes. But the boys in the group were trying to figure out just exactly what a Thane was. But before they could ask Renee, a woman just several years older than them approached them. She had shoulder-length brown hair and was dressed in short-sleeved metal armor. She carried a shield and had a sword attached to her belt.

The woman spoke as she approached them.

"Pardon me. But the Jarl has appointed me as your housecarl. It's an honor to serve you, my Thanes."

"I take it your name is Lydia?" Hiccup asked.

The woman nodded, letting the teens know that Hiccup was right. Rahm-Ku then asked Lydia a question.

"What exactly is a Thane and what does a housecarl do?"

Lydia answered her Argonian Thane.

"The title of Thane is given to those who earn the right to be called that. It's the rank second to the title of Jarl. By defeating the dragons at the watchtower, the Jarl has seen fit to call you Thanes. Fully recognized heroes of Whiterun so to say. And as for what a housecarl does; as my Thanes, I'm sworn to your service. I'll guard you and all you own, with my life."

Lydia then turned to the doors and ushered the new Thanes forward.

"Come. I will lead you to your Whiterun home."

Nodding at each other, the Dragonborn followed Lydia out of Dragonsreach and into the town. Wanting to see where their new home was before she could head to either Jorrvaskr or the Temple of Kynareth, Renee kept her focus on their housecarl as they walked down from the Cloud District, past the Wind District, all the way to the Plains District. They walked until Lydia was in front of the door of a large house that was nestled between the blacksmith's shop and the general store.

Pulling a key from her pouch, Lydia unlocked the door and opened it as she spoke.

"Welcome to Breezehome, My Thanes."

Following Lydia, the Dragonborn entered the house and were met by dust. The interior of Breezehome was less kept than the outside, with dust and cobwebs covering every nook and cranny. Rahm-Ku dared himself up the dusty stairs to see what the rooms were like, and found there were only two rooms, one for the housecarl and one Thane. The beds were frames with prickly hay for a mattress.

After the Argonian relayed his discovery, three of the Dragonborn and Lydia walked outside and allowed clean air to enter their lungs, while J'Kiir worked on opening every window in the house. Coughing, he spoke from one window.

"How long was this place empty? Since the Oblivion Crisis?"

After the new homeowners stopped coughing, Rahm-Ku spoke.

"Looks like the rest of us are going to be busy. You can go and join the Companions, Renee. I'll look for some work to get the place furnished while Lydia and the cat can clean."

J'Kiir hissed at Rahm-Ku as Hiccup got in between them, trying to prevent a fight, even though J'Kiir was still in the window. Lydia only nodded and spoke.

"As you wish, Thane Rahm-Ku."

"What about Hiccup?" Renee asked, catching both the Viking and the Argonian's attention. Hiccup answered an exasperated tone.

"I'll be going back to Dragonsreach and try and keep Farengar from dissecting Toothless. I may be gone all day, so don't wait up."

In agreement, the quintet began their assigned duties. But little did the Dragonborn know that Daedric influences are watching them, in particular Renee and J'Kiir…for the moment.