BLEAK FALLS BARROW

The door shut behind me with a thud that echoed inside. However, the only person that seemed to notice was a guard at the door next to me that simply turned his head to observe me.

I looked around in awe. I couldn't remember any building I had been in that was as beautiful as this. The pillars were articulated with carvings, and light poured from the top of the steps leading to the main hall. It was no wonder why everyone was in such good shape around here with all the stairs...and lack of cars.

I approached the steps and noticed a balding Nord in Banded Iron Armor at the top. A strong, raspy female voice rang out.

"What's the meaning of this interruption? Jarl Balgruuf is not receiving visitors." I stopped half-way up.

"Ah, Housecarl Ireleth!" The Nord dug through the pouch on the back of his armor. "I came to redeem this bounty letter. Is now a bad time?"

A dark elf woman in an intricate set of mail adorned with the horse of Whiterun came into view, her sword drawn and on her shoulder. "Yes, it is. Now go!" she pointed down the stair in my direction. She turned her head as he walked past me, and upon seeing me, her red eyes narrowed, and she scowled. "Do I need to repeat myself?" she muttered as her sword returned to her shoulder.

"Ah, no - uh, I'm here on important business, actually!" I pooled all the confidence I had.

Ireleth's eyebrow rose in annoyance and came with a grimace. She started walking down the steps toward me. "And what 'important business' would that be? Important enough to interrupt this court meeting?" She looked me up and down, her red eyes piercing right through me.

I returned to what the Guard at the gate had said, "Riverwood calls for the Jarl's aid...Gurdur sent me."

Ireleth's other eyebrow shot up in surprise. "That explains why I don't recognize you. Well, as housecarl, my job is to deal with all dangers that threaten the Jarl or his people. So...you have my attention." She stopped a step above me and let her sword-arm rest at her side, and seemed to look even deeper into my mind. "Now then, explain yourself."

I gulped. "As you probably know, a dragon destroyed Helgen. Last I-"

Irileth cut me off. "Wait. You know about Helgen? Did you see what happened with your own eyes?"

"Uh, yes?" I responded, thrown off a bit.

Irileth sheathed her blade. "This is 'important business,' as well as the topic of discussion. The Jarl will want to speak to you personally. Approach." Irileth gestured forward. I nodded and climbed the rest of the steps, with her following close behind.

The hall was even more breathtaking. A firepit roared and was flanked on both sides by long tables with well-dressed nobility dining, with cooks moving food and silverware. My stomach grumbled slightly at the sight of it. Banners flowed down and rustled lightly, and at the end of the hall, Jarl Balgruuf sat on a throne below a giant dragon skull. He was in a heated debate with his court.

I barely heard from his steward, "My lord. Please! This is no time for rash action! I just think we need more information before we act!"

As I approached the firepit, the Jarl rolled his eyes from looking at his steward. His eyes fell upon me, and he narrowed his eyes, then looked past me to Irileth. "I just…" his steward started but was halted at a hand. "Who is this then?" the Jarl called out to Irileth. All heads turned to Irileth and me.

"A witness," Irileth called back. I nervously climbed the steps before the throne. All eyes were on me.

"So," The Jarl started. "You were at Helgen, then? Saw this dragon with your own eyes?"

"Yes!" I replied, a little too eager. "Burned it down, along with several Imperials. Riverwood needs help. Last I saw it, it was flying north towards Bleak Falls."

"By Ysmir, Irileth was right," Balgruuf muttered. He turned to the side in thought.

The nobles started whispering all around. I looked around and tapped on my bracer in anticipation.

"So, Proventus, what do you say now? Shall we continue to trust in the strength of our walls? Against a dragon?" Balgruuf chuckled.

Irileth approached and bowed with her fist to her chest. "My lord, we should send troops to Riverwood at once." She stood straight, hand on her sword handle, "It's in the most immediate danger, if that dragon is lurking in the mountains-"

Proventus cut in, flustered, "The Jarl of Falkreath will view that as a provocation! He'll assume we're preparing to join Ulfric and attack him!" Balgruuf looked at the ceiling, clearly annoyed. His steward continued, "We should not-"

"Enough!" the Jarl stood. Even I took a step back. "I'll not stand idly by while a dragon burns my hold and slaughters my people!" Proventus turned away, and Balgruuf turned to Irileth. "Irileth, send a detachment to Riverwood at once."

Irileth smiled and bowed again, "Yes, my Jarl." She walked down the steps to the entrance.

Proventus also bowed. "If you'll excuse me, I'll return to my duties." Jarl Balgruuf gave him side-eye, "That would be best." Proventus walked down the steps as well, leaving me alone with the Jarl. I watched him go, then turned to the Jarl, who was studying me.

"An Imperial Sword, a set of Imperial Bracers, and an Imperial Bow." The Jarl chuckled. "If I didn't know any better, I would have thought you were another Imperial messenger, here to bring me the "commoner's perspective. What is your name, boy?"

"It's Guy, pleased to meet you." The Jarl turned to his throne, and I continued, "So...been getting a lot of propositions then?"

The Jarl sat in his throne and sighed. He definitely is tired of it, I thought to myself.

"It's no matter." The Jarl waved his hand. "However, well done. You sought me out, brought this to my attention. Your work here has done Whiterun Hold a service, and I won't forget it." He turned to the guardsman to his right, "Bring this one down to the armory, and fit him in some of Leather." OH, BOY, I thought to myself, more free shit!

"Haha, thank you, my Jarl," I gave a similar bow that Irileth did.

"There is another thing I need you to do for me, you see." The Jarl continued. "Seems suitable for someone of your talents of seeking things, perhaps." The guardsman stood next to me, and the Jarl continued, "Return from the armory, and we shall discuss it further."

The guard and I bowed, and I followed the guard into the armory. It was filled with several weapons and sets of armor, and the dark stone around was lit by torchlight. The guard came upon a few sets of Leather and began to go through them.

"This should do well for your size," the tall Nord guard said, lifting a set I had never seen before.

"What kind of armor is this?" I took it and examined it. The leather was thick and hardened, but it wasn't of the typical Skyrim design. It was made up of a thick cloth gambeson and several boiled leather straps positioned vertically close together on top of it. It also had some thick pants and some harder leather pauldrons. "I mean, it's Leather, but it isn't Leather Armor." I looked at the guard, confused.

"What do you mean? Yes, it is!" The guard looked down at me. "It's a Cyrodillic style if that's what you mean. It's the only thing I believe that will fit you here." The guard held out his hand, "You can return to the Jarl with nothing as well, of course."

I looked down at the set and then at the others. "No, no, it's fine." I guess at least I don't have to have my nuts freezing in the skirt the standard set has.

"You may change there." The guard pointed. "I will escort you back after."

I changed into my new Leather Armor, and it fit pretty well. I stretched and moved, and it didn't hamper my mobility much either. It was also certainly warmer than the Belted Tunic. I shoved the Tunic into my bag.

I came out and followed the guardsman back to the throne room. The Jarl stood upon seeing me. "That's much better. Come, let's go find Farengar, my court wizard. He's been looking into a matter related to these dragons and...rumors about these dragons."

I followed the Jarl past the table of nobles, who stared at me as I passed, likely judging me. We entered the door of Farengar's study, which was filled with him sitting at his desk and assistants experimenting.

"Farengar!" Balgruuf called. Farengar turned his hooded head towards us and stood as we entered, placing down a book he was reading. The Jarl continued, "Farengar, I think I've found someone who can help you with your 'dragon project.'" The Jarl put his hand on my shoulder. "Go ahead and fill him in with the details."

Farengar forced a smile and nodded to the Jarl. "Ah, Indeed?" He looked to me, the fake smile still active, "Oh, yes, the Jarl must be referring to my research into the dragons! Yes, I could absolutely use a dog to fetch something for me." "Farengar…" the Jarl warned.

"My apologies, my Jarl." Farengar continued, "Well when I say fetch, I really mean delve into a dangerous ruin in search of an ancient stone tablet that may or may not actually be there."

"Wait," I replied. "You don't actually know if it's there or not."

"I have my sources...reliable sources." Farengar scowled. "Are you willing to fetch it or not?"

Well, I kinda have to. "Sure, why not. Just tell me the details, and I'll be on my way."

A real smile appeared on Farengar's hooded face. "Ah, you are eager to begin then? Excellent. Sooner begun, sooner done, heh." Farengar walked to the map next to his desk. "I, uh, learned of a certain stone tablet said to be housed in Bleak Falls Barrow - a 'Dragonstone' if you will - said to contain a map of dragon burial sites." He pointed on the map at Bleak Falls, "Go to Bleak Falls Barrow, find this tablet - no doubt interred in the main chamber - and bring it to me. Simplicity itself."

Balgruuf stepped forward. "This is a priority now, Farengar. Anything we can use to fight this dragon or dragons. We need it, quickly. Before it's too late."

Farengar's fake smile returned, "Of course, Jarl Balgruuf. You seem to have found me a useful assistant. I'm sure he will prove most useful."

Jarl Balgruuf led me out of Farengar's study. "Succeed at this, and you'll be rewarded. Whiterun will be in your debt." I gave another little bow, and he nodded and left me there, heading back to the throne.

My stomach instantly grumbled, but the food was no longer being served in the hall...and I probably wasn't invited. I headed out of Dragonsreach and down the stairs to the Gildergreen path. I looked at the ground, thinking about going to the Tavern and all the delicious food.