Chapter 2: The Land of the Nords
"A Dragon! I saw a Dragon!" An elderly woman announced on her front porch as Hadvar and I walked into Riverwood. It seemed to be a nice town wedged in between two mountain ranges, acting as natural barriers. Next to a trader store, I saw two children a boy and a girl talk about dressing up a dog as a Frostbite Spider. "Uncle Alvor!" Hadvar said, waving his hand to a blacksmith working on the porch of a house to our left. The man seemed to be experienced in the arts of smithing, as there were bits of ash upon his face from years of work.
"Hadvar? What are you doing here? Are you on leave from...Shor's bones, what happened to you, boy? Are you in some kind of trouble?" Alvor asked as he approached us.
"Shh. Uncle, please. Keep your voice down. I'm fine. But we should go inside to talk."
"What's going on?" He asked before looking at me. "And who's this?""
"He's a friend. Saved my life, in fact. Come on, I'll explain everything but we need to go inside." Hadvar insisted.
"Okay, okay. Come inside, then. Sigrid will get you something to eat, and you can tell me all about it." He said as we followed him inside. The house seemed to be fairly sustainable. After living in caves and worn-out shelters for so long, any well-constructed house would seem like decent living. "Sigrid! We have company!" Hadvar said. His wife hurried up the stairs along with their daughter.
"Hadvar! We've been so worried about you! Come, you two must be hungry. Sit down and I'll get you something to eat." She said. I took my seat at the table, placing my recently acquired helmet aside as Hadvar and Alvor did the same. "Now then, boy, what's the big mystery? What are you doing here looking like you lost an argument with a cave bear?" He asked.
"I don't know where to start. You know I was assigned to General Tullius's guard. We were stopped in Helgen when we were attacked by...a dragon." Hadvar said. Sigrid nearly dropped the jug of milk she was carrying to the caldron near the fire upon hearing that.
"A dragon? That's ridiculous. You aren't drunk, are you boy?" Alvor asked nervously.
"Husband. Let him tell his story." Sigrid requested.
"Not much more to tell. The dragon flew over and just wrecked the whole place. Mass confusion. I don't know if anyone else got out alive. I doubt I'd have made it out if not for my friend here."
"He speaks the truth." I vouched. "The dragon was as dark as blackest night and possessed the fiery red eyes of a Daedra. I had never been so terrified in my life."
"I need to get back to Solitude and let them know what's happened. I thought you could help us out. Food, supplies, a place to stay." Hadvar said.
"Of course! Any friend of Hadvar's is a friend of mine. I'd be glad to help however I can." He said before his attention turned towards me. "But I need your help. We need your help. The Jarl needs to know if there's a dragon on the loose. Riverwood is need to get word to Jarl Balgruuf in Whiterun to send whatever soldiers he can. If you do this for me, I'll be in your debt." Alvor said.
"Hadvar, did you really see a dragon? What did it look like? Did it have big teeth?" His daughter Dorthe said.
"Hush, child. Don't pester your cousin." Sigrid said as she started cooking.
"Alvor, how would I get to Whiterun from here?" I asked.
"Cross the river and then head north. You'll see it, just past the falls. When you get to Whiterun just keep going up. When you get to the top of the hill, you're at Dragonsreach, the Jarl's palace." He said.
"Anything I ought to know about the esteemed Jarl?" I questioned.
"He rules Whiterun Hold. A good man, perhaps a bit over-cautious, but these are dangerous times. So far he's managed to stay out of the war. I'm afraid it can't last, though."
"Ah, I forgot about this whole Civil War. Didn't really pay much attention to it spending the life I had in Cyrodill. What side does he favor?"
"I don't think he likes either Ulfric or Elisif much. Who can blame him? But I've no doubt he'll prove loyal to the Empire in the end. He's no traitor."
"I'm afraid I cannot recall who Elisif is. Care to tell?"
"Jarl Elisif, I should say, although only because she was married to High King Torryg before he was brutally murdered. Ulfric was the culprit, he walked right into the palace in Solitude and virtually shouted him to death, if you believe the stories. The Empire isn't one to overlook such an incident, and thus this wars began. Once the Jarls start killing each other, we're back to the bad old days." Alvor explained.
"So you support the Empire then?"
"Of course. Skyrim has always been part of the Empire. That doesn't mean I support everything the Empire's been doing lately, but Nords have never been fair-weather friends."
"So it would seem. I've also overheard that there has been quite an uproar amongst the Nords, something about the Thalmor. Care to elaborate?"
"People are rightly stirred up about the damn Thalmor being allowed to roam around arresting people, just for worshipping Talos. But was it worth tearing Skyrim apart, and maybe destroying the Empire? No, Ulfric will have a lot to answer for in the end. Nords have always supported the Empire, and the Empire has always been good for Skyrim."
"Ulfric is quite the figure of controversy, as I've had to learn the hard way." I said.
"Well, I'd better get back to work. You two make yourselves at home." Alvor said before heading back out to his smithing. Dorthe followed him. Before I headed down to Whiterun, I walked up to Hadvar, who was eating some goat cheese.
"I have some questions I'd like to ask you." I said, sitting down next to him.
"Sure, what would you like to know?" He questioned.
"You really think I should join the Imperial Legion?" I asked him.
"Of course! I know, today wasn't the best introduction to the Legion, but I hope you'll give us another chance. The Legion could really use someone like you, especially now. And if the rebels have themselves a dragon, General Tullius is the only one who can stop them." He expressed.
"But General Tullius is the one who ordered my execution. Why would I want to help him?" I asked, feeling a new sense of self-worth.
"I don't blame you for being angry about it. I would be, too, in your shoes. But it was all a mistake. You weren't supposed to be on that cart with those Stormcloak traitors. And the Imperial Legion needs your help, especially now, with that dragon out there somewhere, and Ulfric back on the loose." Hadvar sympathized.
"I'll…I'll think about it." I said.
"Sure, I understand. It's not easy to go from being executed by the Legion one day to joining up the next. But I think you'll see that the Legion is Skyrim's only hope for real peace right now. I know you'll make the right choice in the end." He said.
"It's moments like these that make me question what the right choice is, and when the end will happen. Care to tell me why the worship of Talos was outlawed?" I asked.
"I guess that wasn't such a big deal elsewhere in the Empire, but here it's caused a lot of resentment. Native son and all that. Even I'll admit it hasn't been the Empire's finest hour. But it wasn't like the Emperor had any choice, did he? If he hadn't signed the peace treaty with the Thalmor, they would have destroyed the Empire - then where would Skyrim be? That's the part that Ulfric's supporters always conveniently forget about. Unless the Empire stands together, the Thalmor will destroy us all." He said.
"Interesting. I'm forever grateful for your assistance in escaping Helgen." I remarked before standing up and heading out. I felt like if I was to head down to Whiterun, I'd run into some trouble. So I decided to ask Alvor if he needed any help so I can learn the basics of smithing. After I helped him, he said he had some blueprints on a set of light armor he was working on for a client that forfeit his order. So he taught me how to make it with some of his material. He called it Treasure Hunter's Garb, and fortunately for me, it fit like a glove. It felt practical and fortified at once. I then purchased a steel sword with the gold I found while I was under Helgen before I headed out. Sure enough, I indeed ran into some trouble, nothing more than a couple of ferocious wolves. I passed the Honningbrew Meadery and sure enough, I saw Whiterun, standing tall in all its Nordic glory. When I approached the main gates however, a guard stopped me.
"Halt! The city is closed under the orders of the Jarl." One of them said.
"I have come from Riverwood with news of the Dragon attack at Helgen."
"Fine, but we'll be keeping an eye on you." He said. I entered the city, and was introduced to a whole new type of world, one which was bound to keep living by tradition. I smiled at the new sight that stood before me. It felt as if I almost belonged here. I suppose being a bandit for so long, you start to feel a new appreciation for standing within city walls. I passed by what seemed to be an Imperial Soldier and a Redguard blacksmith. I passed by the number of stands that seemed to encircle the central well before heading up towards a sacred and giant tree that had long lost its beauty. A statue of Talos overlooked the particular area. It was then I was given the full view of Dragonsreach. To this day, I still doubt there is anything quite like it. As soon as I entered its halls, I was greeted with a couple of maids sweeping the floor, and the smell of cooked food reaching my nostrils. I began approaching what I presumed to be the Jarl sitting on his throne and overheard a conversation going on between him and his steward. "My lord. Please. You have to listen. I only counsel caution. We cannot afford to act rashly in times like these. If the news from Helgen is true... well, there's no telling what it means." The steward said.
"What would you have me do, then? Nothing?" Jarl Balgruff asked.
"My lord. Please. This is no time for rash action. I just think we need more information before we act. I just..." The steward said before the Jarl turned his attention towards me.
"Who's this then?" He asked before his housecarl, a fellow Dunmer pulled out her sword, and aimed the blade towards my neck.
"What is the meaning of this interruption? Jarl Balgruff is receiving no visitors." The housecarl said, intent on protecting the Jarl to any extent.
"Easy now, I mean no harm to any of you. I bring news from Helgen about the dragon attack that occurred." I replied.
"Well, that explains why the guards let you in. Come on then, the Jarl will want to speak to you personally." She said, sheathing her sword, allowing me to approach the Jarl.
"So, I've heard you were in Helgen. Did you see this Dragon by any chance?" Balgruff asked me.
"Yes your eminence, it basically leveled the entire city. Last I saw, it was heading northeast, over Bleak Falls Barrow." I responded.
"By Ysmir, Iritleth was right!" The Jarl said before his gaze fell upon his steward. "What do you say now, Proventus? Shall we continue to trust in the strength of our walls? Against a dragon?"
"My lord, we should send troops to Riverwood at once. It's in the most immediate danger, if that dragon is lurking in the mountains-" Irileth intervened.
"The Jarl of Falkreath will view that as a provocation! He'll assume we're preparing to join Ulfric's side and attack him." Proventus interrupted.
"Enough! I'll not stand idly by while a dragon burns my hold and slaughters my people!" Irileth, send a detachment to Riverwood at once." The Jarl commanded.
"Yes, my Jarl." She said before walking towards the exit.
"If you'll excuse me, I'll return to my duties." Proventus requested.
"That would be best." The Jarl said before he turned his eyes towards me. "Well done. You sought me out, on your own initiative. You've done Whiterun a service, and I won't forget it. Here, take this as a small token of my esteem."
"Nothing better to do I guess." I said shrugging. "But it feels nice feeling acknowledged. I don't suppose you have anything else?"
"Actually, there is another thing you could do for me. Suitable for someone of your particular talents, perhaps. Come, let's go find Farengar, my court wizard. He's been looking into a matter related to these dragons and…rumors of dragons." He said before standing up and walking towards Farengar's study. We then discussed about the task he and Balgruff had in mind for me. I had to retrieve something called the Dragonstone. Apparently, according to research which he denied to share with me, it had to be related to the recent Dragon attacks, in which the stone would reveal where they'd be coming from in the first place. Seeing as how I didn't want to live the life of a bandit anymore, I had to find some way to make a living for myself. As of now, finding and retrieving the Dragonstone was my only viable option. On that note, I made my way down past the main gates intending to continue to Bleak Falls Barrow when I heard some commotion at the stables. The owner quickly jogged his way towards me. "You, you there, you're a mercenary right?" He asked.
"I suppose." I replied.
"I need your help with something, quick now." He complained.
"Will I regret asking what you're having trouble with?" I asked as I walked towards the stables.
"This-this woman! This crazy woman, she was drunk over her head when she stumbled into my stable half naked and collapsed right there. I tried to wake her up, but nothing has worked so far." He said. "I'll pay you whatever, just get her out of here!"
"A woman?" I asked as I approached the figure, who was fast asleep in the certain stable. He looked pretty attractive for a Nord. Seeing how I had no water with me, I knelt down and poured some mead on her face and giving her face a nudge. "Oi, fetcher. Wake up." I said. The woman soon began to come back to her senses, if she had any.
"What? Where am I? Ugh…my head." She muttered before she looked at me and stood upright. "Oh! It's you!" She said.
"I beg your pardon, have we met before?" I asked.
"Uh…I mean what? No. Never seen you before. No idea who you are. It's not like I've been stalking you or anything." She said in a tone I couldn't tell if it was sarcastic or sultry.
"Um…alright then. I have to go now." I said.
"Wait! Don't leave! I'm…injured. You have to take me with you, otherwise I might die. And you wouldn't want that on your conscience."
"You look quite alright to me."
"Well that's because…Okay fine, if you take me with you I will make it worth your while."
"You are quite modest then?" I asked, crossing my arms. "Alright then, welcome aboard."
"Haha, you are so funny." She said. This time I could definitely tell she was being sarcastic. "I'm just being honest and anyone else who says otherwise is clearly jealous. Can you name someone better than me? I didn't think so. Anyways, thanks I guess."
"So…what happened to your clothes?"
"What!?" The lady remarked before she looked down, and blushed profusely. "Ugh, I have no idea. My memory is a little fuzzy. Maybe I left them in the Bannered Mare last night. Oh and stop staring at me. It's not like you've never seen a semi-naked woman before."
"Actually, I haven't." I corrected, making sure to keep my eyes forward.
"Seriously?" She gave a deadpan stare.
"So why are you out here and why do you smell like mead?" I asked.
"Am I not allowed on my own now? I guess I had a little too much to drink. I guess I must've passed out. So what?"
"So what? Lady, you were snoozing where a horse usually excretes. You're lucky you slept upon a fresh pile of hay. If you are so tough and independent, why do you need any help?"
"I don't, I thought I would help you out." She said.
"I didn't ask for any help however."
"Well, I was kind of hoping you could keep me company. Look, I know it sounds weird but it's no fun adventuring on my own."
"An odd request, but where would you want me to take you?"
"I don't know, I'll just go wherever you're going. I will repay you in kindness by fighting alongside you. Surely that is an offer you can't refuse."
"Well, since I am new to Skyrim I suppose you can help me. Do you know this land well?"
"Are you kidding? I know Skyrim like the palm of my hand." She remarked.
"Then it's a deal. Just…make sure to keep track of your clothes." I said as I pulled off my scarf and gave it to her for some decency. We headed back into Whiterun to look for her clothes.
"Oh, I haven't introduced myself haven't I? My name is Sofia. I'm quite well known in Skyrim, but I'm sure it's not for the right reasons. I see myself as an adventurer, although it's no fun without anyone to witness my heroic deeds such as…well I'm sure there's probably something. I like to get drunk, kill stuff, and be a nuisance. So what about you?" He said.
"I'm Adonis K'hotei. I am a native of Solstheim, and a stranger to Skyrim. I spent my youth there before I…"
"What is it?" She asked.
"Well, you see this thing on my head?" I asked pointing to the bandages, still wrapped around my forehead.
"What happened?"
"That's the mystery. I don't know how it got there. And what's more, is that I can remember very little about my life in Cyrodill to begin with. I think I was a farmer at one point. What I do recall is that I used to be a bandit stationed along the Jerral Mountains."
"That is strange." She remarked as I walked back into the city, heads turning to witness the nearly nude figure standing behind me. As we entered the Bannered Mare, Hulda the Innkeeper turned her head towards Sofia. "You. Why have you come back here?" She asked in a stern tone of voice.
"Aheh, who me? What are you talking about?" Sofia replied nervously.
"Don't think you can play innocent with me milk-drinker. Do I have to remind you that you're no longer welcome here, especially after what happened last night?" Hulda asked banging her fist on the bar.
"So what if I do drink milk? I think it's healthy for you. And in case you're wondering, my head is still a little fuzzy. I'm just here to get my clothes."
"They're behind the counter. Take them and get out of my sight." She said before her eyes met my own. "That goes for you too whoever you are."
"Just her travel companion." I replied as Sofia got dressed in the back rooms in some Rogue armor. Just as we were about to leave though, Hulda said, "Wait. Dark Elf."
"The name's Adonis K'hotei." I replied.
"There is a letter for you here. A courier sent it." She reached under the bar.
"A letter? From whom?"
"Some individual named Inigo." He said.
"Inigo." I paused and thought for a moment. "Why does that name sound familiar?" I asked myself before I read the letter.
Recipient: Adonis K'hotei, Dark Elf, left eye red and one eye purple. Messy hair and 6 ft apx.
Adonis,
I am ready to repay for what I have done to you. Come meet me in the Riften Jail as soon as you can to extract your vengeance upon me.
Inigo
I paused and looked at Sofia. "Who is he?" she asked.
"I don't know. But he seems to know me. My only question is why would he want to meet me in a prison?"
"Who knows? He might have something useful."
"Or be a waste of time." I said. "Do you really think we should meet up with him?"
"Why not? If we convince him perhaps he can help us. The more the merrier." She said. She had a point. I was hardly battle hardened myself, at least I thought I was. Soon enough, we hopped on the carriage and headed to Riften.