The sun had only just risen when Uhther, Gregor and Quaranir accompanied the Companions to the gates of Whiterun. The streets were quiet and a pale mist seemed to hover above them as they walked. Uhther could not tell if that was natural or more of Sheogorath's work.

Uhther felt ashamed of himself, and the splitting pain behind his eyes was not helping matters. He had intended to leave last night but telling the Companions about the Towers and the coming war with the Thalmor over a mug of ale had turned into three mugs. Then four. Then reliving the old days and telling tales of the things they had done then and since. The next thing Uhther had known he was waking up, half dressed, peeling his face from the wooden table that had become sticky with spilt beer, with Quaranir looking at him with an expression of clinical interest. The sorcerer had still been sipping from the glass of Alto wine he'd been drinking the night before.

Fortunately, neither he, nor the Companions, were strangers to waking up early in their condition and, after re-dressing himself in his dragonscale armour and buckling on Dragons Breath's sword belt, he hadn't had too much difficulty in rousing the others. Farkas and Aela had helped with that a great deal once he'd gotten them awake.

And now they had left Jorrvaskr and descended in a small procession to the city walls.

The guards by the gate looked more haggard than they had when Uhther had arrived. Dark shadows were under the eyes of both of them, clearly neither had enjoyed a decent sleep. There was a third man by the gates, one who had clearly enjoyed the recent days more than any other citizen of Whiterun.

'Lord Uhther, you are leaving so soon?'

'Lord Nelkir,' Uhther gave the small, dark haired young man a curt nod, 'business calls me elsewhere. I was merely checking in on your father after hearing word of his condition.'

The youngest son of the jarl leaned at his leisure against the stone wall and regarded Uhther with a condescending look.

'A shame your sorcerer couldn't do anything to cure him, after all,' he said, smiling, 'Irileth was so disappointed. But then, you and I both know he never had much chance.'

Uhther gave the lordling a searching look. He recalled, as a younger boy, Nelkir had been taken with Mephala. Had he transferred his worship to another Daedric Prince? That would certainly have helped Sheogorath get a toe hold in the Jarl's mind.

Uhther changed direction mid-stride. From behind him he heard the others stop. He knew they would not interfere. He kept walking until he was toe to toe with Nelkir. The young man suddenly looked a lot less cocky as he looked up into Uhther's glowering face.

'If I ever find out it was you who brought Sheogorath into your father's mind, I will be giving your master what's left of you in a bag. And I promise you, neither he nor your brother will lift a finger to stop me. In fact, Frothar may even help.' He said this all quite calmly, but he could tell from the look in the young man's eyes that he'd successfully put the fear of the gods into him.

Uhther turned away and returned to the small column. The little horker-shit wasn't worth his time. Gregor looked approvingly over Uhther's shoulder to where Nelkir had slumped back against the wall, but Quaranir did not seem to have noticed.

'I must return to Winterhold,' the Psijic said, 'Safiya will be in need of my council.' He turned and bowed to Uhther. 'I believe the battle you desire will come soon, Dragonborn. We may not meet until that battle is joined. But I have hope that we shall triumph and keep the Snow Throat Tower alive.'

'As do I,' Uhther answered.

With no further words, Quaranir turned and seemed to step into the air, then vanished from sight.

'It always creeped me out when mages did that,' said Vilkas, catching up with them. He turned to Uhther. 'You are sure you will not join us on the road? With horses we can be at Solitude by sundown.'

Uhther could not deny he was tempted. To spend the day riding beside the Companions, laughing with Farkas and Torvar, maybe to go hunting with Aela for lunch, would have been a treat. But he forced himself to shake his head.

'I'm afraid I cannot afford to lose even a day,' he said, 'Gregor will accompany you, but I must return to Solitude as soon as possible. I've been away too long as it is. The Queen will certainly be wanting a word by now.'

A chorus of chuckles went up from the Companions. Uhther turned to Vilkas, the shield of Ysgramor held in his left hand.

'I've carried this for years,' said Uhther, indicating the shield, 'ever since we helped Kodlak to Sovngarde. You are the Harbinger now, though so I think, by rights, it belongs to you.' He held the shield out to Vilkas.

Vilkas looked at the shield, his face oddly blank. Then shook his head.

'I believe that was left for you by Ysgramor,' he said. 'You may not hold the place of Harbinger, but it is still you who leads the Companions. You are Ysgramor's successor so it is you who should carry his shield.' His face was solemn, then became mischievous. 'Though I will take Wuuthrad back, if you are not going to make use for it.'

Uhther laughed. 'Consider it done.'

'Well,' said Vilkas, turning to survey the land around them, 'we'd better be on our way. We will find you when we reach Solitude.'

He and Uhther clasped hands then Vilkas led Gregor and the Companions down towards the stables. Uhther turned and headed for an open field he knew lay close to the city. His own mount would need space to land.

'O dah viing!' Uhther roared to the sky, his Thu'um echoing in the mountains. Soon after, a second roar followed his own. A red shadow flew across the sun then swooped in to land before him in the field.

'Drem Yol Lok, Dovahkiin, Thuri ahrk bahlaan fahdoni,' Odahviing lowered his head formally. Uhther returned the bow by inclining his own head.

'Pruzah ven, Odahviing,' he responded, echoing the dragon's formal tone, 'I have need of your aid once more.'

Odahviing stretched his wings, as if showing his eagerness.

'Frin, Dovahkiin,' the red dragon's voice rumbled like an oncoming earthquake, 'I am ever ready to serve.'

'We must first go to Solitude,' said Uhther, 'I shall explain the rest on the way.'

Odahviing lowered himself so that Uhther was able to climb upon his neck, just as he had years before when the former lieutenant of Alduin had carried Uhther to Skuldalfn so that he might slay the first and mightiest of the dragons, and many times since.

But even after all those times, Uhther still found mounting the dragon difficult. But he finally managed it and Odahviing took to the air. The leathery wings beat heavily, pushing both dragon and rider into the sky. Uhther clung on as best he could; this was always a terrifying part. Soon though, they were high above Skyrim and soaring north-west.

Before long, the city of Solitude came into view, the Blue Palace standing proud on its rocky outcrop above the sea. With a rush of wind and wings and Odahviing began to descend, swooping in wide circles down and down until they finally came to land in a copse of trees just north of Dragon Bridge.

'You bear a heavy task, Dovahkiin,' Odahviing rumbled. Uhther had told the dragon all that was to be done, as best as he could, as they had flown together, 'and a worthy goal, to defend Zok revak stunmah, the most sacred mountain, and all of Lein.'

'But will the dragons fight beside us?' Uhther asked, heart in his throat. The Thalmor would undoubtedly have powerful weapons at their disposal but surely nothing like an army of dragons. But Odahviing was shaking his head.

'Ni Pogaan,' the dragon rumbled, 'I will join you, of course. But most of those who are left now follow the Way of the Voice and live scattered in far and quiet places in the world. You must understand that the Dov made peace with the death of Lein, of Mundus, when we followed Alduin. Very few will fight for its survival. Krosis.'

Uhther felt his stomach sink. It had been the answer he had expected yet he had hoped, for a moment, that the dragons would come for this. Still, he supposed Talos had only needed one dragon at his side, and Uhther still possessed the power of the Thu'um. And of course, there was the other.

But Odahviing was not done.

'Hind, Dovahkiin,' he said, 'have hope. There are some who I believe will join me. Goraan Fen Grah! The hot-blooded who still wish to test their voices, those who saw your worth against Alduin's.'

Uhther nodded, not daring to hope.

'I shall call when I have need of you again,' he said. Odahviing nodded in acknowledgement then took off, flapping his great wings until he was once again high in the air. He circled overhead, let out a roar of farewell and then soared away to the south.

Uhther watched until Odahviing was a speck against the blue sky before sighing and turning north. Hand on the hilt of Dragons Breath, he began striding towards Solitude.