Yew woke up with a start, to see Uthgerd's face hovering over him. Which wouldn't be a bad sight, if she wasn't still covered in a bit of blood. Thus it was quite startling.
"Hey. Finally awake. We've got some things to catch you up on." Uthgerd said. Yew got to his feet with a little assistance from Uthgerd. He was back in his room. His wolf peacefully asleep not far from him.
"What happened? Everybody ok?" Yew asked.
"There were some fatalities, Greta's alright though." Uthgerd said.
"What about the bandits?" I asked.
"A few of them got away. The mage had a warp spell apparently." Uthgerd said.
"Damn. What else?" Yew said. He felt a little weak and wobbly on his feet, but otherwise ok, so he must have been healed.
"Well, the Thane you were looking for is here. She helped bail our asses out." Uthgerd said. Yeah, that made sense. She had been throwing around those shouts. "Fus" or whatever and her and her friend had provided a good distraction, as well as killing quite a few of them, from what Yew was able to gauge.
"Alright then, where is she? I'll need to talk with her as soon as possible." Yew said.
"You sure about that? You should probably get some rest. Greta just didn't want you to wake up alone, not knowing anything." Uthgerd said.
"I...I suppose as long as the situation is stable, I could rest a bit longer." Yew said. He was still exhausted. The fighting and his bodies healing had taken a lot out of him.
"Sounds good. I'll be just outside the door if you need anything." Uthgerd said.
Yew sat back on his bed and processed things a bit more. That was probably about the closest brush with death he had since he got here, and he had his share already. He should have probably approached things more pragmatically, but something came over him. That desire for a challenge. He thought it probably was part of what drew Earth Yew to gaming and this world's Yew to his path.
He closed his eyes just for a second and a notification popped up. It showed he had increased several skill levels including Speech and Druidism. As well as a few he hadn't ever heard of or seen before, this being Planning, Lore and Occult.
Yew also had apparently leveled up the interface. Apparently Yew would now be able to see his character sheet every time he went to bed, instead of just at standing stones. That was pretty handy.
Apparently, though he hadn't leveled up his main character level. In fact, he should have received that skill level up screen when he was knocked out, but he couldn't recall that happening at all. Maybe it was different when he was knocked out due to injury as opposed to natural sleep.
Yew prepared his spells, prayed and meditated. After that, he begin to feel a lot better. The rest having done him some good. However, he was starving.
"Uthgerd. Could you grab me some food? Greta knows what I like, have her surprise me." Yew said.
"Of course." Uthgerd said and headed down, with her heavy, plodding footsteps. It wasn't too long before she came back up again and opened the door, armed with a good feast of a breakfast.
"Here you are." Uthgerd said.
"How long was I out?" Yew asked.
"Nearly a day." Uthgerd said.
"Any news?" Yew asked.
"Not really. Everyone is recuperating. The Thane will stay in town to talk with you, but otherwise, nothing much else has been discussed." Uthgerd said.
"I see. I'd like to thank you for all you did yesterday. I'd have been dead without you." Yew said.
"Your welcome and I feel the same way about you, Fey." Uthgerd said with a nod. The two kept their eyes on each other, the sense of respect gradually turning into mutual grins.
"I have a feeling it will be a great pleasure traveling with you." Yew said.
"Likewise Sir Fey." Uthgerd said.
Yew finished his lunch, and rested a bit more.
"Where is Greta? I'd like to see her." Yew said.
"Everyone's at the Keep. I'll bring you down there if you want." Uthgerd said.
"Let's go." Yew said. The two left, leaving Yew's wolf some food of his own.
The Bannered Mare was a mess. Much of the place was riddled with sword marks and scorch marks and broken plates and tables and spilled food and booze. Blood was everywhere.
"This place is a disaster." Yew said. He was a bit sad actually. It seemed like a good tavern to rest ones legs after a difficult adventure.
"Could have been worse. Could have burned to the ground. Everyone will ban together and get this place fixed up, don't you worry about that." Uthgerd said.
"That's good to hear." Yew said.
The two headed out. Whiterun guards stood on watch just outside the inn, resting their hands on their weapons.
"Ah. You must be the druid Greta told us about. I heard you fought well. I know you may have been fighting to defend yourself, still, you did much for this city by doing so. So I must extend my thanks." Said a female guard.
"I feel humbled for doing so. I wouldn't say I was fighting for the city, but I was fighting for my life, the lives of my companions and the lives of the people in the Bannered Mare at the time. I can take credit for no more additional heroism." Yew said.
"That still makes you a fine man in my eyes. May the Divines keep you safe." She said and bowed her head a bit. Most of her fellow guards did the same.
The pair walked through the city practically unhindered. Most of the citizens had apparently retreated to their homes. Travelers had ostensibly just fled to other inns or public houses, perhaps even brothels. It was quiet, as it had been since Yew woke up, and fairly dreary. Yew and Uthgerd ascended the stars to DragonsReach. The guards letting him go in with a nod from Uthgerd.
There was a long table placed in the center of the hall. Greta, the redguard bard from the Bannered Mare, the tall female nord warrior who had been the Redguard woman's companion. as well as several other people were conversing at the table. Above them sat a nord man sitting on a throne. He was looking down at them carefully as if listening closely, but his eyes raised when the door to the hall opened. At either side of the throne stood a dunmer woman in leather armor and a richly dressed imperial man. It was a diverse court, which made sense for a powerful trade center in one of the Empire's key provinces.
"What do we have here? That's Uthgerd the Unbroken there, well known in this city for good and ill. And you must be the druid from High Rock. Yew Fey." The Jarl spoke.
"That I am, my lord." I said and bowed deeply.
"I am not overly familiar with the lore of High Rock, but I have heard tell of your kind. Gathering power yet again since the fall of the mages guild." The Jarl said.
"Yes. Though I myself have much to learn of my order. I was sent here mostly by a twist of fate. Otherwise I would have continued learning with my order." Yew said.
"Indeed. I understand you helped to save my citizens by dealing with a group of bandits."
"I happened to be at the Bannered Mare at a time when a hero was needed. I did what I could. However, I mostly was concerned with the lives of my companions and myself. " Yew said.
"That is to be expected. Still, your aid has done my city good. You will be compensated for your efforts." The Jarl said. Yew gave a bow.
"My lord are you sure? We do not know this person's motives." The Imperial said.
"Are you disobeying the Jarl, Avenicci?" The dunmer woman said.
"No! I was merely reminding him of the precarious situation we are in. What if he is a rebel too? We can't afford to associate with such people when we are in such a delicate position of Neutrality." The Imperial said.
"Proventus. Irrilith. Stand down. We owe this man for his heroism. And we could use someone of his talents." The Jarl said.
"I'd be pleased to hear of how I might be of use. However, I would like my payment first." Yew said.
The court was eerily silent. Then The Jarl let out a bark of a laugh and gestured to Yew enthusiastically.
"I like this druid's grit. Get him his payment." The Jarl said. Proventus bowed and disappeared upstairs.
"Jarl. If I may be so bold, is that redguard woman the dragon slayer?" Yew said.
"Yes. I am." The redguard bard said.
"A bard, who may be the legendary dragonborn, and a druid of High Rock appearing in my court. Along with the return of dragons and this damned civil war. These are unusual times." The Jarl said.
"Dangerous. The world is out of balance." Yew said.
"Balance you say? Yes, I suppose so." The Jarl said.
"How do you mean balance?" The Redguard bard said.
"The world has it's own harmony and it is now out of tune." Yew said.
"Huh." She said. Yew thought she looked troubled.
Proventus handed Yew a pouch of gold and a dagger. It was enough that Yew could get by for a good number of days. The dagger looked like another good fallback weapon.
"I thank you. Now then. What would this task be?" Yew said.
"I'd like for you to help me solidify control over my hold. You've been on the roads. They are thick with bandits. Adventurers eager for gold and glory journey to old tombs and awaken dragur and darker things. Chaos grips the land. I must protect my people and I must preserve order. Elsewise this fragile neutrality, which is likely the only thing preventing this civil war from breaking out into battles and sieges. So far, it's just been skirmishes and little else. If things get bad here or we are forced to pick a side, even if that side is our own, then this will turn into a bloodbath that won't end until Jarl Ulfric or Jarl Elisif is dead or made a hostage." The Jarl said.
"I'd be pleased to help, as long as the payment keeps coming. Just to let you know that I don't intend to work for anyone faction. I merely exist to serve Nature and her gods. As long as your purpose serves the balance or doesn't disrupt it and the payment keeps coming to support my existence in this city, then I will gladly serve you as well." Yew said.
"I hope you don't mean the continuation of this war serves some kind of cosmic balance." The Jarl said.
"Of course not. That would be absurd. Wars don't often serve anyone but lords and kings. This civil war is none of my concern in any way. At least not for the moment." Yew said. The dragons were his concern of course. Everything else was a distraction.
"Then let us hope that cooler heads will prevail." The Jarl said.
"In any case, as soon as you are fit, I would ask of you to hunt down that bandit leader who attacked you in the Bannered Mare. He and his mage will quickly become a thorn in our sides again. And I can't let criminals think they can get away with attacking this city." The Jarl said.
That was when another notification popped up.
Quest- Find and Kill Noctis Tharn
Rewards- Exp
Gold
The Jarls trust
Leveled equipment
?
?
Part of the main Questline.
Yew blinked. A main questline huh? And killing this random bandit leader was apart of it? It was strange. What kind of game was this that he had been thrust into by the gods?
"What say you?" The Jarl asked.
"I'll accept the deal. If need be I'll do it alone. However, if my companions are still interested in traveling with me-" Yew started.
"I'll help." Greta said.
"As will I." Uthgerd said shortly thereafter.
"You seem to have gained some loyalty from your friends here. Considering the two individuals in question, it speaks highly of your character." The Jarl said.
"Before we leave I must have a conversation with your new Thane. Considering the objectives of my order, her abilities are of utmost interest to me." Yew said.
"I'd be pleased. I want to talk to you myself;f." The bard-thane said.
"Well then, I'll set you free. Talk. Gather what supplies you can and prepare, then set off. Those two could be anywhere." The Jarl said.
"They couldn't have gone too far, my lord." Said a refined male voice. It was a nord clad in the blue robes of a mage.
"Farengar, what do you mean by this?" The Jarl said.
"Well, Teleportation magic is quite difficult. And while it is true that this bandit lords mage whore is quite powerful, she isn't an Archmage. She couldn't be more than a league away. Most likely far less. She was most likely simply able to pop outside the city, in some shady spot she had marked ahead of time, just in case." Farengar said.
"I see. Yew, this is my court mage Farengar. Farengar this is-" The Jarl said.
"Yew Fey. An initiate of the Druid Order. I am well aware. Folk of your order don't tend to stray outside High Rock. These truly are interesting times if they have chosen to send someone barely able to cast first level spells." Farengar said.
"Farengar. Do not berate our guest. He has proven himself worthy." The Jarl said.
"I suppose he has, my lord." Farengar said.
"Anyway, make sure to use Farengar for any magical aid you may require." The Jarl said.
"I'll be sure to." Yew said.
"Now then. You are free to talk in my hall or stay any time you like." The Jarl said.
"Thank you for your generosity and hospitality." Yew said.
"Let's meet elsewhere, if that's alright. There's an inn I know called the Laughing Maid. It's no Bannered Mare, but it will work for our purposes." The Bard said.
"Alright then. I'll follow you there. Is it alright if my companions come along?" Yew asked.
"Certainly. I'll be bringing Freya." The Bard said.
"Hardly. I'd be going to that inn anyway. The Jarl's hall is grand enough for an after battle feast. But it's no place for a shieldmaiden of Skyrim to spend her life. No offense Lydia." Freya said.
"None taken Freya. Your ways are different from mine, which is just what's best for both of us." Another warrior woman said. She wasn't bad looking herself. Apparently this world was a haven of attractive people. Yew reckoned that was a fine thing, as long as the distractions didn't get him killed.
"Indeed. Let's get a move on. I'd rather we resolve this quickly. I always need more sleep after a good fight and a good feast. Only things left are a good fuck and a good rest." Freya said.
"Well, I certainly don't want to keep you up. " Yew said.
"Yes, you do." Freya said. Yew's libido had kicked into overdrive, he was going to have to take care of that himself. Either with someone's help or alone, as quickly as possible.
The Bard merely got up and began leading everyone out.