Chapter 4: Dovahkiin, Thane, Chosen.
-Whiterun, just before Drago returned from the Barrow-
In the weapon store and armory known as "Warmaiden's" the Argonian wanderer Drago Bloodfist was busy bartering with the owner of the establishment: Ulfberth War-Bear.
The lizard man had been bartering long before the events of Helgen, and had become quite the negotiator. So much so that he was getting nearly the full value of everything he'd managed to snag at Bleak Falls Barrow.
"That's about it." The man said as he took the 3,500 gold from the owner of the store in exchange for the extra stock he just provided him.
"A pleasure doing business with you." Drago nodded as he took his leave from the store.
"Good luck out there." The bearded and muscular man nodded.
(Present)
Drago now followed Irelieth, Myron, Tengen and the rest of the Whiterun Guards to the Western Watchtower as the Dunmer Housecarl was making rallying calls to the men as they ran.
As they kept making their way to the West Watchtower, Tengen decided to ask Drago a question.
"Remind me, Drago. You said this dragon was tailing you since Helgen, correct?" He asked.
"Yes, well, I think it was the same one. It could be a completely different dragon." The Argonian responded as they kept running.
"What traits does it have that would help you identify it as the same dragon that's been following you?" Myron asked as the watchtower came into view.
"I recall gouging one of its eyes out." Drago replied as he thought it over.
"So one eye, and speckles." Tengen nodded as they reached the Watchtower.
"No dragon, but it sure looks like he's been here." Myron noted as they looked at the tower, which was toppled and burning at several places.
"Be careful men, it may not be here now, but that dragon could still be skulking around here somewhere." Irelieth told them as they neared the still burning structure.
"I recommend we search for survivors and see what they know." Tengen inputted.
"I second that." The dark elf nodded. "Everyone, fan out!" She ordered.
Drago was quick to start looking around the wreckage for any survivors, when a guard came running out of the town, mace in hand. He looked like he'd been through hell, soot and burn marks all over his body and face.
"Hurry, you gotta get out of here!" He told them. "Two dragons just attacked us, Snori and Tor got grabbed by one of them when they tried to make a run for it!" He added, almost out of breath as Myron started using a healing spell on him.
"Save your strength, friend." The elf told him.
"Hold on, did he just say two dragons attacked him?!" One of the Whiterun guards yelped in worry.
"Get a hold of yourself!" Irelieth barked. It was at that point a roar echoed through the air, one that Drago recognized.
"The dragons are here!" He yelled as he got his ax out.
"Kenerith save us, here they come again!" The same guard said as a dragon with brass colored scales and dark brown horns flew towards them with a familiar looking speckled and one eyed dragon on his tail.
"Zokahnir, siruth dakreehm suuth dah hii!" The brass scaled dragon barked at the speckled one as it set its sights on Drago. "Ruun tu va Dovahkiin estra lar Sovengard!" He bellowed, blasting the tower with fire as he did a swooping pass.
"Ann sakrem, Mirmulmir." The smaller dragon, Zokaknir, growled reluctantly as he swooped down, trying to grab a guard in his jaws. The guard was quick enough to dodge the attempt on his life and he soon got back to his feet.
"Irelieth, do these guards have steel arrows?!" Drago called as he kept his gaze on the one eyed dragon.
"Unfortunately no! Sourcing the Corundum ore and ingots to make steel has been quite–difficult lately!" The woman yelled as she fired her own steel arrows at Mirmulmir.
"Damn! We'll just have to make do!" The obsidian scaled Argonian hissed as he glared at Zokahnir. "Tengen, think you can get up there and force my one-eyed stalker to the ground?!" He called.
"With pleasure!" The tengu yelled as he took to the sky, katana drawn.
"Myron! Do you happen to have any ice spell scrolls on you?" The lizard man called to his long time friend.
"Indeed I do!" The half elf replied as pulled out a scroll.
"Toss it here!" The Argonian said, catching the paper as it was thrown. Conjuring his ice magic which he discovered after killing the Draugr Overlord, he charged it with the scroll and conjured a spell. "Ice Lance!" He yelled as two ice javelins formed out of the air and shot themselves into Zokahnir's shoulders.
The one eyed dragon roared in pain as the ice pierced his skin, causing him to fall to the ground with a crash. Mirmulmir saw this and roared at Drago in anger.
The Argonian didn't pay the larger dragon any heed as he charged towards Zokahnir and did a knee slide to avoid his fire breath–before leaping up into a handstand and vaulting himself up–kicking the giant reptile in his lower jaw and sending him crashing to the ground as the lizard man landed on his back.
Drago then poised himself to swing his ax down on his quarry's head before bringing it down, the blade of the weapon piercing the skin of the beast and cutting its nerves in half.
Tumbling off the smaller dragon he then brought out his long bow and then tipped some arrows with Frostbite venom and fired them at Mirmulmir, hitting him in the flanks and causing him to forcibly land as everyone converged on him.
The dragon roared as he blasted the others with fire, but the Argonian blocked it with his great sword Dragon's Bane and then slammed it into Mirmulmir's jaw, dazing him. Drago then leapt onto the reptile's neck as he thrashed around–before driving his sword in between the quarter sized spot on his head where his brain was–killing him instantly.
"I can't believe it… We just beat two dragons!" One of the guards exclaimed in amazement.
"Yes. The feeling of victory is quite surreal." Irelieth nodded before the two dead dragons started glowing orange. "Get back!" She exclaimed, and everyone did so. Instead of an explosion like everyone expected, something left both dragons and flowed into Drago, who felt himself grow… stronger.
Seconds after this, the Dragon's skin, muscle and other tissue slowly burned away. Leaving nothing but bones behind.
Everyone was shocked at what they'd just seen as the obsidian scaled Argonian put away his great sword and pulled his hood back on.
"I can't believe it. You're–Dragoborn." One of the guards said in shock and disbelief.
"What exactly is a Dragonborn?" Tengen asked curiously as he put his katana back in its sheath.
"It's a tale that goes back to when dragons still roamed Skyrim. The Dragonborn was said to be capable of slaying dragons and taking their power." The same guard explained.
"Is that what that was…?" Drago questioned as he looked at his hands in shock.
"If you are Dragonborn, try shouting. It should help prove it." The guard told him. The Argonian looked at him for a moment before looking away from them and…
"FUS!" He shouted, sending out a blue shockwave that blew across a short distance, stunning everyone.
"That was indeed a Shout. That proves it, you really are Dragonborn, then." The guard nodded as Myron and Irelieth approached the group again.
"So I'm best friends with a Dragonborn… Not gonna lie, I didn't expect this." The half elf admitted.
"This hasn't happened in hundreds of years. Not since the founding of the first empire." Another guard added.
"That sounds like a bunch of rubbish to me." The Housecarl huffed.
"You wouldn't understand, Housecarl, you ain't a Nord." Another guard added.
"Hey, anyone who can kill a pair of dragons is good enough for me. No need for that story based bogus." The dark elf woman shot back before looking at Drago. "You should head back and inform the Jarl that the dragons are dead." She told him.
"Right, but I'd also like to have these two skeletons claimed as mine. I plan on making some armor out of them." The obsidian scaled lizard man replied with a nod.
"I think that can be arranged." Irelieth nodded as she called for a couple carriages while Drago searched for any usable loot amongst the bones, finding a sizable chunk of 680 gold and several precious gems.
"Waste not, want not, as they say." Myron nodded.
(Later)
As Drago was entering Whiterun again with the others behind him, he saw two Redguard men arguing with one of the gate guards.
"You lot aren't allowed in here!" The guard barked.
"Please, we're only looking for a fugitive who may have taken refuge here in the city." One of the men said. "We only intend to capture her and bring her back to Hammerfell to stand trial, nothing more." He added.
"If there was a fugitive here, we'd have noticed by now! If you're done wasting my time with lies, get lost!" The guard barked once more, forcing the two Redguard men to sigh in aggravation as they walked away.
Deciding to learn more about the situation, his curiosity having been peaked, Drago walked over to them.
"Don't take it too personally." The Argonian told the two as they faced him. "Hadvar over there is just trying to do his job, it's nothing personal." He continued, looking back at the leaving guard. "The last Redguard man who was here tried to harass the owner of the Bannered Mare Tavern and Inn, you see. So he isn't too keen on letting new people in right now." He added, looking at the carts of dragon bones and scales as they passed by. "Especially with all these dragons about." He finished.
"Yeah, I guess I can understand that." The man nodded. "But, you look like a reasonable person. The fugitive we're looking for is a Redguard woman, but she'll probably be using a fake name. Keep your ears open." He told the Argonian.
"I will." The large lizard man nodded. "If I may ask, what crime is she being accused of?" He questioned, his muscular arms crossing over his broad chest. "I'd like to know the details of the situation I'm getting myself into." He added.
"She's wanted by the houses of Hammerfell for treason." The other Redguard man replied.
Treason.
For some reason, Drago's blood started boiling when he heard the word leave the man's lips. He also felt a strong compulsion to hunt the fugitive down and see her brought to justice.
"I… Understand." The Argonian nodded. "I'll see what I can do." He told them, letting them take their leave.
Next, he decided to go over to the Warmaiden's tanning rack and spend some time trying to make some leather out of the various pelts he'd collected.
"You don't mind if I use your tanning rack, do you?" He asked Addriane Avenicci, daughter of the Jarl's steward.
"Go on ahead. You look like you'll know what you're doing, so shout out when you're done." The store manager nodded.
Drago nodded and got to work, making a good bit of leather from the deer and fox hides he'd gotten, as well as a new fur cape from the bear hide he got from the cave under Helgen.
After this he made one last stop before going to Dragon's Reach: Belethor's general goods. A store run by the Bretain man of the same name.
"Something I can help you with?" The man asked upon seeing Drago walk through the door.
"I've got some things to sell, Belethor. If you're willing to buy." Drago responded, setting the jewels, rings, necklaces and the freshly made bear fur cloak on the table.
"Oh wow! That's quite an assortment! " The trader exclaimed in surprise at what he was presented with. "Give me some time to look these over. Once that's done, I'll give you the septims you've earned from them." He told the reptilian man before taking the items to be examined.
"Take your time." The Argonian wanderer nodded as he waited. After a few minutes, Belethor put the things away before placing a coin pouch on the counter in their place.
"There you go, that's 3,520 Septims." The trader said as Drago took the pouch. "A pleasure doing business with you." He added politely.
"The feeling is mutual." Drago nodded, shaking the man's hand before he left for Dragon's Reach–passing a member of the Greymane family as he exited the store.
However, as he left the shop, a loud and thunderous sound boomed from off in the distance, shaking everything in the city, startling everyone and nearly causing the reptile to lose his balance.
"Dovahkiin!" Drago heard as he looked skyward.
'What was that?' He thought to himself warily. As everyone started calming down, they went back to what they were doing, some conversations going to the sound as a subject.
Deciding to continue to Dragon's Reach, the Dragonborn made his way up the steps, and saw Avenicci and Jarl Balgruuf conversing with Irelieth, Myron and Tengen at the throne.
"You heard the summons, too? It was hard not to hear." The Jarl stated. "The Greybeards, but who could they be summoning?" He wondered aloud.
"I think I may know the answer to that, Balgruuf-sama." Tengen said as he pointed to Drago as he approached them.
"Ah! The man–or lizard, I should say–of the hour!" Myron grinned as he gestured his friend over. "Come on, we were just talking about you." He added.
"Sorry I was late. I had a few things to take care of." The obsidian scaled Argonian said as he folded his arms.
"It's of little consequence." Balgruuf replied, waving it off. "Back to the matter at hand, though. What could cause the Greybeards to send out a summon?" He wondered once more.
"It would have to do with the dragons." Drago replied. "When I killed them, I absorbed their souls. Apparently I'm what you Nords call a Dragonborn." He added.
"Dragonborn?" The Jarl parroted seriously, sitting forward, his face hardened. "What do you know of the Dragonborn?" He questioned, though it sounded more like a demand.
"That's just what they called me." The man shrugged, but saw that the answer didn't satisfy his conversation partner. "But I have a feeling that it has something to do with what I did to the dragons. And well, this." He added before turning to the hall and taking a deep breath before shouting. "Fus!" He yelled.
The blue shockwave blasted forward and sent the tables of the hall and the silverware flying–causing it to almost hit a guard–and extinguish the hall's fire.
This left the Jarl of Whiterun in a state of shock, as did Avenicci and the Jarl's brother, Hrongar.
"So it is true. You are a Dragonborn. That means the Greybeards are calling for you." Balgruuf said after pulling himself together. "Only Dragonborns can shout without training. If anyone can help you get a grasp on your gift, it's the Greybeards." He added.
"The sound you heard earlier, that was the Greybeards." Hrongar said. "Summoning you to High Horathgar." He continued. "This hasn't happened in… centuries, at least.. Not since Tiber Septim himself was summoned when he was still Talos of Atmora." He added before Avenicci spoke up.
"Hrongar, calm yourself. What does any of this Nord nonsense have to do with our friend here?" He questioned. "Capable as he's proven to be, I don't see any real signs of him being this so-called 'Dragonborn'." He added dismissively. "He could just be a user of the Voice, like Ulfric."
"Nord nonsense?! Why you puffed up, ignorant–these are our sacred traditions going back to the first empire!" Hrongar snapped before the dark elf of the group jumped into the discussion.
"I thought so too, at first." Irelieth chimed in. "But then I saw this Argonian consume not one, but two dragon souls." She continued. "I believe that there could be some truth to these claims." She added.
"I'll take your word for it, Irelieth." Balgruuf nodded. "And if the Greybeards think you're Dragonborn. Who are we to argue?" He added, turning to Drago. "You've done my city a great service, Drago Bloodfist. Before you leave, I hereby make you a Thane of Whiterun. It is the greatest honor that I am able to bestow." He continued.
"Thank you, Jarl Balgruuf." Drago nodded, kneeling respectfully as the man approached him, which made him take notice of the reptile's newly upgraded ax.
"Hm? That's quite an interesting ax you've got there." He noted.
"I made it from aHeadsman's Ax from Helgen, some steel, and then a Draugr Lord's cold ax after getting it disassembled." Drago replied.
This last bit caused Balgruuf to pause. "And this Draugr Overlord, was he in Bleak Falls Barrow?" He asked.
"Yes." The Argonian wanderer nodded.
"What about it, sir?" Myron asked.
"That Ax you used to fortify your weapon was originally the ax of one of Whiterun's previous Jarls." The man replied. "His name was Fárbauti the Fimbulwinter. Named for the six years of harsh winters that he helped the city through during his reign." He continued, getting everyone's attention. "It is said that he was immune to the cold, and that his prowess with frost magic was so great that he could cause the ground where he stood to turn to ice–as could his ax." He added as he placed a hand on Drago's shoulder–only to recoil as he felt his hand almost freeze to the bone. "And it would seem that his weapon's power hasn't diminished." He finished.
"I… I hadn't realized I had gone that far." Drago uttered, stunned by the revelation.
"It's of no concern, but this does give me an idea for a new title to give you." Balgruuf told him.
"That being?" The man asked as everyone turned to the two as the Jarl drew a steel war ax from his belt.
"Dragonborn, I dub you Drago Fimbulwinter in honor of the power you now possess, and I christen your weapon Winter's Edge. May it help you in your quest." Balgruuf said, touching his shoulders with the ax, before handing it to the Dragonborn. "I also assign you Lydia as a personal Housecarl and this ax from our armory as your badge of office." He continued as Drago took the weapon. "I'll also inform the guards of your new title. Wouldn't want them to confuse with the common rabble. Now would we?" The man added with a hearty laugh.
"No we wouldn't." Drago chuckled in reply as a Nord brunette approached him. "You must be Lydia." The Argonian wanderer said, facing her as Myron and Tengen passed them, patting the man on the shoulder. "I am Drago Bloodfist–or I suppose Fimbulwinter now…?" He continued before trailing off, shaking his head. "But feel free to just call me Drago, for simplicity's sake." He concluded.
"And you're the one who killed the two dragons." Lydia nodded. "Yes, Jarl Balgruuf assigned me as your housecarl. It's an honor, you're a hero, etcetera etcetera." She continued, not sounding very enthusiastic.
"Not one for formalities, I take it?" The Dragonborn questioned with a raised scaly eyebrow and a smirk, his arms folded.
"I'm just having a hard time believing that you killed those dragons. It could have been Irelieth or Myron for all we know." The woman stated.
"Perhaps a demonstration would help ease your suspicions?" The Argonian asked as they walked out of the reach.
"It would make things about you more believable." Lydia nodded as they walked. "So, shall we get going to High Horathgar?" She asked.
"Not just yet. There's some dragon based armor I intend to forge." The Dragonborn Argonian replied. "Would you be interested in a set, by chance? There should be enough for two sets." He offered. Lydia seemed to perk up at that.
"Since you're offering, I think I'll take you up on that." She nodded in reply.
"Alright then, follow me." Drago told her as he led her to Warmaiden's, where the dragon bones were waiting. Speaking of which, the one in charge was practically bouncing around in joy.
"This is amazing! We could make a good many weapons and armor with these!" Adriana said giddily.
"Well, feel free to keep what's left. I only need enough for two sets of armor and two shields." The lizard man replied.
"Thanks, we'll pay for the remaining stock, of course. I'm sure these beasts were a hassle for you to take down." Ulfberth states.
"I had a fair amount of help, but you're right." Drago nodded as he looked at the smaller skeleton. "That one in particular had been harassing me since Helgen–for gouging out its eye and poisoning it back in Emeril Veil." He added as he grabbed the requisite amount of bones and scales and started getting the work.
"Should I sit and wait until you're finished?" Lydia asked.
"Yes. The forging is going to take a while, so you'd best get comfortable." Drago nodded.
(A few days of forging later.)
Drago adjusted himself in his new Dragonplate armor–which he had reinforced with some of the steel from his old armor–and then pulled on his new hood, which was now lined with dragon scales and ridged with dragon backbone.
His cap was also refitted with chain mail from the armor that Balgruuf gave him when he first got there on the inside and dragon scales on the outside–the neck and shoulders of the cape being under the large dragon bone pauldrons of the armor.
Lastly the entire thing glowed a whitish blue, reminiscent of a frost enchantment, and the air around the Argonian seemed to turn into icy mist, even as he breathed.
It seemed that the power that he got from the Draugr Overlord was pouring out of him now.
After getting himself fitted, he then approached Lydia and handed her the second set of armor, which looked similar but wasn't black and silver and seemed much more feminine in shape. Fitting for her body type, which was quite fair and voluptuous, with a C-cup rack and an equally beautiful plumb shaped ass.
"Give me a bit to get changed into this." She told him as she went into a changing room to get her new armor on. After a few minutes, she came back out, and she would be a liar if she said she didn't feel great right now. "Now I feel like a Housecarl worthy of a Dragonborn." She chuckled, dragon scale shield and dragon bone sword in hand.
"And hopefully I can live up to your expectations." The man nodded as he took the 700 gold which Ulfberth paid him for the remaining dragon bones and scales. As the two left the city, the Argonian began thinking. "You know, once we're through at High Hrothgar, I think I may consider buying that Breezehome house next to Warmaiden's from Avenicci." The man said idly as they approached the stables.
"Why? You seem like the type that would be more at ease wandering Skyrim." Lydia noted as they approached two horses.
"While true, that was before I had titles, stakes and reputation in a hold." He explained. "I also know when it's time to stop and take a break from the constant moving about." Drago replied.
"Then I would be happy to act as a steward for you at your new home, if you so choose." The woman nodded as she hopped onto a painted horse.
"How much for the brown one with the stripe on its nose?" The Argonian asked as the owner turned to him.
The man was about to respond before he saw the Steel War Ax at his belt, recognizing the Whiterun horse head on the pommel.
"For you, Thane? I'm willing to part with her for four hundred Septims." The man replied.
"Seems fair, she's a fine horse." The lizard man nodded as he stroked the animal's nose. "What's her name?" He questioned.
"Her name is Freya, she's one of my finest steeds." The man replied. "Hopefully she serves you well." He added.
Freya was a rather stout looking Nord horse, which were crosses between draft and quarter horses who were typically prized for their heartiness and endurance. She had mostly broken hair with a single white stripe going down her face, a black main and tail, and also white hair on her feet which was long enough to cover her hooves. But what really made her stand out was the white crescent on her left rump.
The saddle and bridle she came with was fairly standard, but the Argonian honestly didn't mind.
Handing his new horse a carrot as a peace offering, he hopped onto her, beckoning for Lydia to follow him as he rode in front.
Next stop: High Horathgar.
Dragon Emperor0: This chapter was essentially meant to start off a series of smaller chapters that will be more episodic in nature, to fit into the Lone Wanderer aesthetic. Which will focus more on Drago and Lydia's developing dynamic, especially since she'll be the first wife in his harem.
ThermalsniperN7: Yeah, and we gotta make sure it's built up and established well. Anyway, Drago killed two dragons, one of which being his stalker, and used their scales and bones to give himself and Lydia some kickass new looks.
Dragon Emperor0: Additionally we're using the improved follower dialog mod for this, in case any of you are wondering. And we also plan on having Drago "claim" Lydia as more than a simple Housecarl not long after they return from High Horathgar. Maybe before they go to retrieve the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller.
ThermalsniperN7: Somewhere around there. Anyway, see you next time.
