Here we go! It's time for the main quest!

ForeverFictional - Yeah, Onmund's gonna go through a bit more angst before the end of this. And he's not the only one. It's never made clear in the game (that I've seen) what Onmund's family did to him besides not liking the whole magic thing, but the fact that he's relieved they cut off contact isn't a good sign I don't think...

J'zargo

When the group got back to Dragonsreach, J'zargo could immediately tell that the atmosphere had changed from last time. Farengar, the court wizard, was busy discussing something with Jarl Balgruuf. Even from the front of the hall, J'zargo could see that the jarl's face was dark with worry. Not only that, but the armored Dunmer woman from before wasn't around.

As the group approached, both Jarl Balrguuf and Farengar looked towards them. The court mage nodded and walked off towards his lab. The jarl sighed with relief. "I see my messenger reached you. Good."

Onmund stepped forward and bowed. "What's happened?" he asked. J'zargo was a little miffed that he wasn't the first to speak, but everyone else ignored him.

Jarl Balgruuf sighed and put a hand to his forehead. "We just got word that a dragon was sighted near Riverwood. We've dispatched some guards to defend the town, but..." He shook his head. "Last we heard, it was just flying around, but we can't be too careful. I apologize for calling you so suddenly, but you're the only ones here who have had any experience with dragons."

J'zargo stepped forward. "It is no trouble. Has your court mage found out anything from the Dragonstone?"

The jarl nodded towards the court mage's room. "Go ahead and ask him yourself. I'm sure he'd be more than willing to talk about it."

The group walked over to the room, where Farengar was leaning over the desk, looking at a large sheet of parchment. Beside him was a figure with a hood covering their face. Farengar was speaking to them. "...you see, I'm convinced this is a copy of a much older text. It could date to just after the Dragon War, which means I can use this to cross-reference other texts..."

The hooded figure interrupted him. "I'm glad you're making progress. My employers are eager for tangible answers." The voice was that of an older female. It sounded familiar, but J'zargo couldn't place it.

Farengar grinned. "Oh, don't worry! The jarl has now allowed me to devote most of my time to this research! It's really fascinating how-"

He was cut off again. "Time is running, don't forget. This isn't some theoretical game. Dragons have come back." The hooded woman sounded very annoyed.

Farengar looked away. "I...I know that! I just find this interesting is all!" He grinned. "Although the chance to see a real dragon up close would be tremendously valuable..." He finally noticed the group. "Ah, the Jarl's proteges! I assume the Jarl already told you about the incident in Riverwood."

J'zargo nodded. "Who is this one?" he asked, nodded towards the hooded woman.

The figure looked up. The hood hid the top half of her face, but her mouth had a few wrinkles around it and was set in a thin line. "So you're the ones who retrieved the Dragonstone? Nice work." She turned back to Farengar. "Just send me a copy when you've deciphered it."

And with that, she left without so much as a goodbye. J'zargo turned back to Farengar, looking for answers. The court mage shrugged. "She's the one who found out where the Dragonstone was, though so far she hasn't told me how she knew."

Brelyna frowned. "She must be bold, carrying around that kind of sword."

Onmund blinked. "Huh?"

Farengar nodded. "So you did notice."

Brelyna turned to the others. "I've only seen one of those swords before. It washed up on the beach of Solstheim. My uncle told me it was an Akaviri katana."

Minerva's eyes widened. "Like the ones carried by the Blades? Is that woman nuts?"

J'zargo thought. "Where did she get that kind of sword?"

Brelyna shrugged. "Family heirloom? That's my guess."

Farengar shook his head. "Honestly, I don't know, and I don't really care. She's provided me with valuable information, so I'm not complaining."

J'zargo shrugged. "By the way, have you found anything out from the Dragonstone yet?"

"We noticed that the back of it kind of looked like a map," Onmund revealed. J'zargo elbowed him in the ribs. "Oof!"

Farengar nodded. "Yes, I noticed that as well." He pulled out a charcoal rubbing similar to the one J'zargo had made. "I doubt I will be able to figure out what these markings represent without going to these locations myself, but from what I've been able to find, all of these locations were sites of Nord victories during the Dragon War."
Onmund shifted back and forth. "You know, I always thought that the old stories were being figurative. That the enemies of the ancient Nords were as fierce as dragons, not actual dragons." He chuckled weakly.

Farengar sighed. "As did I. At least until a few weeks ago..."

That's when the armored Dunmer from before, Irileth, rushed into the room. "Farengar! You need to come immediately! A dragon's been sighed just outside the city!"

Farengar rushed over. "A dragon? What was it doing? Where was it?" He seemed more excited than scared. What a strange man.

Irileth glared at him. "Take this seriously, Farengar! If a dragon decides to attack the city, I'm not sure we can stop it!" She looked at the group of mages and nodded. "You should come, too. You'll want to hear this."

Irileth led the group back out to the main hall, where there was someone new in front of the throne: a guard with a pale face who was shaking head to toe. J'zargo hadn't seen such a scarred expression since one of his littermates had walked in on their parents doing the sideways tango.

Irileth nodded toward the guard. "Tell them what you told me. About the dragon."

The guard swallowed a few times, then nodded and began to speak, addressing the Jarl. "I was posted at the Western Watchtower. It was a normal day...but then..." He shivered. "It came from the south...it was so fast...faster than anything I've ever seen..."

"Is it attacking the Watchtower?" the Jarl asked. He was no longer reclining, instead sitting on the edge of his throne.

The soldier shook his head. "N...no my lord. It was just circling overhead when I left. I...I've never run so fast in my life...thought it would come after me..."

Jarl Balgruuf nodded. "Good work son. Head down to the barracks for some mead and rest. You've earned it for certain."

The guard muttered his thanks and rushed off. The Jarl turned to the group. "It seems I will need your help again. I haven't forgotten the service you did by retrieving the Dragonstone for Farengar. But you all survived Helgen, after all."

"It's no trouble, sir!" J'zargo turned to see Minerva swinging her arms in excitement. "I've been waiting to kick that thing's butt since Helgen!"
Brelyna pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. "Minerva, not now..."

The Jarl chuckled a bit, though there was a bit of confusion and concern in his eyes. "I appreciate your enthusiasm, but this isn't a death or glory mission." He turned towards Irileth. "That goes for you, too. Gather some guards and get down there, but I need to know what we're dealing with."

Irileth bowed. "Not to worry, my lord. I am the very soul of caution."

Something about the Jarl's expression told J'zargo that wasn't the case. "I'll come too!" said Farengar.

The Jarl shook his head. "No, I can't afford to lose both of you. And I need you here to gather more information." Farengar pouted.

Irileth nodded. "Get what you need from the shops, potions, weapons, anything, then meet me near the main gate."

Brelyna

The shopkeepers weren't in the mood to haggle, so it was lucky that Onmund knew how to make healing potions. They managed to pick up some ingredients and a breastplate for J'zargo before meeting at the gate. Waiting there were five or six guards, none of them looking very sure of themselves. Irileth had not yet arrived, so they were mostly muttering amongst themselves. One of the guards looked at their arriving group and snorted. "You're kidding me. This is our backup?" He looked at Onmund and sneered. "What're you doing with this kind of group, boy?"

Wow. Onmund looked away and blushed. "If you have something to say, then just come out and say it," said Minerva snippily, putting a hand on Onmund's shoulder.

"Actually-" The guard was cut off as he saw Minerva's glare.

"I wouldn't complain about backup if I were you," Brelyna said coolly. "We all saw what that dragon did to Helgen."

One of the other guards spoke up. "Yeah, Aesel, you know Irileth uses magic too, right?"

Aesel turned to snap at the other guard, but was cut off by Irileth coming around the corner. She stood in front of the group and crossed her arms. "Glad to see you all here. I'm sure you all know, but just in case, here's the situation. A dragon is attacking the Western Watchtower."

The guards muttered amongst themselves. "A dragon?"

"Gods above..."

"We're doomed!"

Irileth cleared her throat loudly. "Yes, I said a dragon! I don't know where it came from, I don't know who sent it! All I know is that it's made the mistake of attacking Whiterun!"

Aesel spoke up. "But housecarl...how are we supposed to fight a dragon?"

"A fair question! None of us have ever seen a dragon before, much less fought one. But we are honorbound to fight it! This dragon is threatening our city and our families! But even setting aside all of that, think about it! The first dragon seen in Skyrim since the First Age!" She drew her sword and raised it above her head. "The glory of killing it is ours, if you're with me!"

"And if we have to sacrifice someone, I volunteer the one known as Aesel," Brleyna heard J'zargo mutter. Brelyna shushed him as Minerva snorted, while Onmund began coughing suspiciously loudly.

Luckily, the guards around them raised their weapons and let out a battle cry, drowning out their remarks. Though Brelyna could have sworn she heard one of them mutter something like "We're so dead..."

With that, Irileth turned and pushed open the gates to the city, everyone else filing out after her.

They'd barely reached the farms surrounding the city when they saw the smoke. "Is that..." whispered Onmund, pointing.

The guard who'd talked Aesel down earlier shivered. "That's...that's the Watchtower."

Irileth nodded and turned to the group. "We have to hurry!"

The group broke into a jog, the guards' armor clanking with each step.

The Watchtower was a mess. Chunks of the tower had been torn out and thrown about willy nilly. The barricades set up around the tower were all but kindling and rubble. Irileth looked around. "Well...I don't see a dragon. Sure looks like he's been here." She turned to everyone. "Don't lose your nerve, now! We have to find out what happened, and if that dragon is still skulking about." She drew her sword and summoned a fire in one hand. "Spread out and look for survivors!"

While the others searched under the rubble or scanned the skies, Brelyna and Onmund made their way up the half-destroyed steps. The tower door was half caved-in. Onmund shoved his shoulder against it and it caved in the rest of the way. Inside, in the back of the tower, was another guard. He was curled up in a ball, his face streaked with tears. He shrieked as the door caved it. "It's okay!" said Onmund quickly . He walked up to the man and knelt beside him. "We're from the city. We're here to help."

The man shook his head. "N...no! You have to leave! Now! Hroki and Tor just got grabbed when they tried to run for it!" Onmund reached out a hand but the man slapped it away. "I'll only slow you down! Please! Save yourselves before-"

There was a scream from outside, then a loud roar. The man began sobbing. "Kynareth save us, here he comes again!"

Onmund and Brelyna sprinted outside just in time to see a large shadow fly overhead. They looked up and saw it.

A great grey dragon, circling the tower. Wait...grey?

Brelyna felt her stomach twist. "That's not the one from Helgen. That's not the dragon from Helgen!"

There was more than one. Azura save them all.

"Here he comes!" yelled Irileth. "Find cover! Make every arrow count!"

The dragon roared again, but it sounded like laughter. Then it dove towards them.

Minerva

"Brit grah! I had forgotten what fine sport you mortals can provide!"

Minerva ducked behind a chunk of the wall as fire came from the dragon's mouth. "Great! He's taunting us." She poked her head out from behind the stone and bit her thumb at the dragon. "Screw you too, buddy!"

Brelyna shot fire from her staff. "Don't encourage it, Minerva!"

"Why not?" questioned J'zargo, who was shooting ice spikes. "He's trying to eat us in any case."

"Still!"

The fighters threw arrows, fire, and ice at the dragon flying high above them. He didn't seem to flinch. He let out a deep, raspy laugh, swooped down, and landed in the middle of several guards. The ground shook as he landed, dust clouds forming around him. He stared at the guards. "Thurri du hin sille ko Sovngarde!" He bent his head and snapped up a guard in his jaws. The guard screamed as the dragon thrashed his head back and forth, throwing the guard around like a ragdoll. Finally, he released the guard, who was tossed so high into the air that he disappeared from sight.

"Oh shit!" yelped one of the other guards. He dropped his bow and ran.

"Wh...what did it say?" yelped Brelyna.

Onmund shook his head. "Something something Sovengarde? I don't know." The dragon took a swipe at him with one of his wings. "Yikes!" The claw on the tip of the wing sliced Onmund's robes, leaving a long tear down the back. "Gah!"

"Onmund!"

"I'm okay!"

Minerva scowled at the dragon and sprinted around to hack at his side with her axe. "Hey, we're already having a bad day! Why're you having to go and make it worse, dickface?"

The dragon laughed again, then turned his head to look at Minerva. "You are brave, little joor. Your death will bring me honor!"

It took a breath, but then an arrow hit him in the nostril. "I got it!" one of the guards yelled happily. "I got-"

The dragon turned and scorched the poor guard, and the poor guard's cheers turned into screams. "Devious! While I was distracted! Balaan hokran!"

The dragon started flapping his wings, making to take off again. "Oh no you don't!" Minerva grabbed part of his wings and pulled herself onto his back.

"Minerva, what in Oblivion!"

Irileth ran forward. "You're going to get yourself killed, stupid girl!"

Minerva ignored them and clambered along the dragon's neck until she was perched on his head. The dragon swiped at her and shook his head, but despite the flailing around, Minerva hung on.

"Stay! Down!" screamed Minerva, swinging her axe towards the dragon's eye.

Her axe hit, and the dragon roared, trying to focus on her. Once it did, Minerva saw it's eye widen. "Dovahkiin? Niid!"

Minerva didn't know what that meant. She didn't ponder it before she slammed her axe into its eye again.

The dragon screeched, swinging its head side to side rapidly. Minerva lost her grip on her axe, and she was sent flying towards the ruined tower. She felt her body hit a hard surface with a loud thud, then she fell to the ground, a groan escaping her mouth.

She groaned and looked up. Her vision was fuzzy at the edges. But she could still see the dragon thrashing for a bit longer.

Then it was still, and didn't move again.

Onmund

Onmund saw Minerva soar away from the dragon and slam into the wall. She fell to the ground with a thud and lay still. "Minerva!" he heard Brelyna yell.

Onmund sprinted over to her side. As he knelt beside her, Minerva groaned and tried to sit up. "Are you okay?" He readied a healing spell.

Minerva waved him off, but her eyes were unfocused, and one of them was purple and swollen. "I'm fine, I'm-" She began coughing, and red dots spattered her hand. She looked at her hand with a dazed expression. "Oh...that's not good."

Onmund paled. "Okay...okay...I just need to do some healing..."

"What on Nirn?"

Onmund looked behind him and gasped. The dragon was glowing. Or...no, it was burning.

"Get back!" shouted a guard. Minerva tried to stand again, but her legs gave out. Onmund put up a ward. He wasn't sure if it would do much good, but...

But the dragon's body didn't explode like everyone was expecting. Instead, pieces of it gently glowed, peeled off, and burned away. Less the fireball they were expecting, and more like a campfire.

At least, until ghostly energy started pouring out of the corpse. It wasn't like any magic Onmund had ever seen. His ward did nothing, not because the energy broke it, but because it swerved and avoided his ward entirely.

Onmund spun around to check where it was going, and saw Minerva lifting slightly off the ground. The ghostly energy had coalesced around the small Breton, and seemed to be going into her body. Onmund saw her eyes glow briefly.

Then the energy was gone, and Minerva fell about an inch so she was back on the ground again. She sat up with a loud gasp. "Wha...what in..." The cuts on her face had vanished, and her black eye was gone.

Minerva stood up, staggering a bit. She looked around at everyone staring at her. "What..what just happened?" she asked.

Onmund looked back at the dragon. There was nothing left of it now but bones. It was just a hollow shell, like Minerva had absorbed its very essence.

Wait...absorbed...

One of the guards put the pieces together for him. "You're...you're Dragonborn."

Onmund felt his face pale. "Shor's bones..."

He was so screwed.

Whew, that was a longer chapter then I thought it would be. I'm glad I was able to get in everyone's perspectives, though.

Dovahzhul Translations:

Brit grah - Good/beautiful battle

Thurri du hin sille ko Sovngarde - (My) lord/master will feast on your souls in Sovngarde

Joor - mortal

Balaan hokran - (a) worthy enemy

Niid - No

Next chapter: Minerva finds out what the dragon said, and the all mages head back to Winterhold...except one.