CHAPTER V

The small and terrified group of guards ducked behind a rock, peering out at the smoldering watchtower. The yellow tunics of their fallen kinsmen lay in tattered and charred piles, dotting the field of battle.

"No sign of him now...But it sure looks like hes been here." Irileth squinted in to the ruins, analyzing the destroyed scene. "I know it looks bad." She said, addressing her men. "But you must steel yourself. Spread out! Look for any survivors."

The shaky guards poked around the collection of desecrated stone, calling out meekly for a victor in the loss.

I sprinted up the crumbling tower steps, where the entire tower had collapsed in on itself.

"Take cover!" A voice commanded.

I jumped as a frazzled guard scrambled to his feet, dashing out of the rubble.

"That thing is still out there!"

I followed him out, narrowing my gaze against the dazzling sun. I lifted my arm, shielding my eyes to examine the clear blue sky.

There was a low rumbling in the distance, which shook the ground beneath my steel boots.

"God's...Here it comes again."

Against the picturesque mountains, a massive, black beast rose, and in three powerful flaps of it's mighty wings was right above us.

"Make every arrow count!" Irileth commanded, drawing back an arrow of her own.

I perched atop the fallen tower top, begging the dragon to come closer. It gave another roar, and scorched the ground with flame as it made it's sweep just above us.

I stumbled as it coasted by me, too close for comfort. I banged my sword against my shield, readying myself for it's next pass.

"Come on then, you rancid bastard." I whispered. It reared against the smoky wind, hovering before me.

I took a few paces backward, before falling in to a sprint up the incline of the tower piece. I leaped up with a shout, catching my sword in it's heated throat.

The dragon wailed, thrashing about as I clambered up it's scaly neck. I chopped at it's gnashing jaws, creating sparks as my blade grazed the razor teeth behind bloody jowls.

It flew around in panic for a moment or two, before nose diving in to the dirt. I hopped off it's back, slashing some more and bashing it's bloodied snout with my shield. With one final stab, the dragon let out it's final sulfur scented breath.

As it reared back it's ugly head, it let loose a very human sound.

"Dovahkiin no!" It wailed, before faltering.

I wiped the sweat and blood from my brow, breathing hard.

Just when I thought the battle was over, the carcass of the dragon began to crackle. It's scales burst in to flame, turning to ash as pale bones became visible through the flame.

I took a step back, a ball of light forming from the charred dragon. Purple and gold swirled in the air, and came rushing in to the center of my chest. I gasped, as the light flowed through me, imbuing me with some kind of magic. My muscles felt stronger, my senses heightened. As the strange power entered my body I felt ready to take down the entire world.

Then it faded, just as quickly as it came, leaving only a faint drumming and the chant of odd words in my ears.

I laughed, clenching my fists and inspecting myself.

"I don't believe it." A guard said in awe, removing his helmet and gaping at me. "You're Dragonborn."

My eyes widened at the word. "Dragonborn?" I repeated more to myself. My mind whirred back to the old legends of the Dragonborn. Tiber Septim was the last. Powerful men who possessed the souls of dragons, who hunted the beasts with mighty thuum's. The languages of dragons. The gift was rare...Only the purest of souls and bravest of men could inherit such power. I hardly qualified.

"There's only one way to find out...Try shouting."

I blinked slowly, drawing in a big breath. The word etched in to the wall back at Bleak Falls stirred in the back of my mind, blazing behind my eyes. 'Fus'. I reared back as the dragon had, and when I thrust my self forward, drawn by my the word, the guard tumbled backwards, staring bewildered at me.

"Dragonborn." He whispered again. The guards grouped around me, arguing among themselves on the Dragonborn's of old.

I simply stood in the middle of the crossfire, staring at the charred ground.

"Irileth. What do you have to say about all this? You're being awfully quiet."

"I'm not putting my faith in some old wives tale."

"Bah. You don't understand. You ain't a Nord."

The elf scoffed. "I've traveled all over Tamriel. And seen all kinds of outlandish things." She rolled her eyes, examining the dragon remains. "What we have here is a dead dragon. And that's good enough for me."

The guards mumbled to themselves, shuffling back towards the city.

"You should go speak with the Jarl." The elf suggested, never looking at me. "Tell him about this Dragon."

I nodded, and jogged past the guards up the cobblestone path. As I reentered the gates of Whiterun, the sky cracked with a thundering sound. So loud, my brain rattled beneath my skull, and I found myself crashing to the cobblestone.

"Dovahkiin!"

The clouds above trembled at the sound, but morphed back to serenity within seconds.

"The Greybeards..." I murmured. An Ancient order, of men who spent their lives learning the dragon language. I read about them as a child, though I doubted they existed. I supposed now was my chance to find out.

But first...

"A drink." I murmured. Perhaps the Jarl would give me a reward to fund my relaxation.

I made the trek all the way up to Dragonsreach, presenting myself to Jarl Balgruuf.

"Ah. The hero returns." The Jarl rose from his throne. "Tell me of the battle."

"The beast is slain." I said carefully. "If you no longer require my services I'll be on my way."

"Surely there is more to the tale than that." The Jarl pressed, raising his brow.

I sighed, taking his bait. "When the dragon died...I absorbed some kind of power from it. The men think I am...Dragonborn."

Jarl Balgruuf chuckled. "And you do not?"

"I do not know."

"Surely you heard the thundering sound as you entered the gates." A vicious looking Nord boomed, drinking mead a few paces off from the throne.

"Please, Hrongar. Thundering voices, mystical beasts...It's all rather silly if you ask me." Proventus said, still wringing his hands.

"You wouldn't understand, Proventus." The warrior replied. "You ain't a Nord."

"You do not think it mere coincidence that a dragon appears in this age, as the Dragonborn arises..." Balgruuf asked, narrowing his eyes at me. "Do you?"

"I do not know what to think." I shot.

The Jarl rubbed his chin, but said nothing more. "Either way...Whiterun is in your debt. As Jarl, I grant you permission to purchase property within my hold, and honor you with the title of Thane."

I shook my head, holding up a hand to stop him. "Jarl Balgruuf please...This is all too much. I would just like to be on my way." I protested.

The Jarl smiled wickedly. "You decline my gracious offer?"

"I just...I do not deserve such an offer."

There was a twinkle in Balgruuf's eye then, and my stomach twisted.

"At least let me have you as my dinner guest." He pressed. "Really. It's the least I can do."

I sighed heavily, but nodded.

"Wonderful!" The Jarl boomed, rising from his throne. "On the overlook then, at sundown."

I gave a halfhearted smile, awkwardly backing away. "I will be there." I assured, turning on my heel and beelining for the door. I let loose a long breath, trodding down the sturdy steps back to the market square.