CHAPTER VI

I pushed open the heavy wooden door leading to the Bannered Mare, feeling the worry melt off me as I entered. Merriment, song, and free flowing mead.

Sights set on a table tucked away in the shadowy corner, I gave a polite grin to the older woman behind the bar as I passed. She returned the gesture, with a warm smile, and kind eyes.

"Welcome to The Bannered Mare." She said.

I sat heavily in the chair, setting my gauntlets on the rough wooden table.

'Gods above I am tired.' I thought, running a shaky hand across my eyes.

"What'll it be-"

I glanced up, catching the gaze of the barmaid. A pretty redguard woman, with dark hair and equally dark eyes. She instantly began batting her long lashes at me, and smiling coquettishly.

"Well…" She sighed a little, flipping her hair out of her face. "Hello there. I can't say I've seen you around before."

I chuckled, lowering my gaze to the floor. "I am simply passing through."

"Is that so? A strapping nord like you...Surprised you're not here to join the Companions."

I felt my cheeks warm at her words. "No. I have never been one for guilds or company."

Her brow furrowed. "What a shame. You look like you could use some."

I smiled. "Are you offering?"

"I might be." She teased. "What's your name?"

"Sicarius." I answered.

"Sicarius." She mused. "I heard that there was a prisoner who escaped Helgen. And his name was Sicarius. Sicarius Aesir?"

I paled, and she must have noticed because she gave a lighthearted laugh. "Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me."

I breathed a sigh of relief.

"My name is Saadia."

"Good to meet you." I replied.

"What can I get you, handsome?"

"Just...Just mead please." I said quietly, patting my coin purse.

"Nord, Honningbrew, or Blackbriar?"

"Nord."

"Coming right up." Saadia replied, sauntering away.

Absent of social stimulation, I once more became aware my fatigue. Where would I go next? Every Imperial in skyrim was after me...Not to mention every bounty hunter. Tullius was a rich, and desperate man. The reward for my capture would be great. My gut turned to rot, and my head ached as the reality of what I had created in my escape became clear to me.

I was a scared child again...Fearful and bending to wants of a dead man.

"I need help." I moaned, pinching the bridge of my nose.

"One nord mead." Saadia purred, setting the cool bottle before me.

I licked my lips, awaiting the amber liquid within. "Thank you." I said, lifting the bottle and gulping greedily. The sweet mead warmed my throat, leaving behind it's cooling minty aftertaste in it's wake.

"Can I get you anything to eat?" Saadia asked, wiping her hands down the front of her dress.

I gasped, lowering the drink with a smile. "No. Thank you. I have dinner plans."

She raised a single black brow. "Oh? Who's the lucky host?"

"The uh...The Jarl actually."

"Of course! You're the one who killed the dragon!"

I smiled shyly.

"Gods...You could have said something."

"It was nothing. And I had help."

"Come on." Saadia teased, smacking my shoulder.

I looked up at her, cracking a playful grin.

"That means your the mighty Dragonborn then."

"Now now...That I cannot be sure of. Not yet at least."

Saadia eyes scanned me hungrily, and I shifted uneasily beneath her gaze.

"Well now that all of Skyrim probably knows who you are and the Imperials are on a manhunt for you...Maybe being dragonborn wouldn't be so bad."

I sighed, finishing off my drink. "What do I owe you?"

"It's on the house, handsome."

"Please do not give me special treatment." I rose from my seat, looking down at her.

She laughed, shaking her head. "You sure are humble for royalty."

"I have not been royalty for a long time."

"And with that attitude you'll be hard pressed to regain the title." Saadia had taken a step closer, her bust brushing against the steel of my chest-plate.

"Please. I do not wish to raises suspicion."

"There's no suspicion. I dole drinks out to attractive men all the time."

I chuckled, and she began to crane her neck upwards. Her eyes closed, and her lips puckered. I slipped some coin in to her hand, and leaned in closer. "Thank you, Saadia." I whispered, and slipped past her. I left the Bannered Mare behind me, and stumbled out into the darkening Whiterun streets. As the day died, Whiterun seemed to come alive. The city was almost as lively as the tavern, with the sweet scent of mead in the air, and laughter sounding from every corner.

I took only a few steps down the cobblestone road, when I was stopped by a commanding female voice.

"So. You're the one who killed the dragon, eh?"

I glanced over my shoulder, taken aback by a ferocious looking Nord woman. Dressed in furs, with a quiver and deadly bow strapped at her back, her eyes burned in to me. Three navy lines of warpaint marked her otherwise smooth skin, and a tangle of red hair ran down her strong back.

"Yes." I answered looking her up and down. "I am."

"Hmph. You don't look all that tough."

"That so?"

"Besides...You weren't the only one there. I'm still doubtful you delivered the killing blow."

"I did have help. The guards were very brave." I looked her up and down once more. "Though I must say...I did not see you around."

The nord woman scowled. "I was...Busy."

"With?" I pressed with a smirk.

"I don't have to explain myself to you." She took a threatening step forward, a hand instinctively reaching for her bow.

I remained stalwart, only raising a brow at her. "You wish to display the bravery you lacked then now?"

"I should kill you where you stand!" She

I opened my arms, leaving myself completely vulnerable. "By all means. You'll be doing the Imperials a favour."

At the mention of the imperials, her brows came together in confusion. Then her eyes went wide with realization. "You're-"

"Aela!"

The warrioress' head snapped to the source of the call, relaxing as she caught sight of it. A burly looking nord with dark hair.

"Off with you." He ordered "Leave this man at peace."

Her jaw worked as her teeth clenched, and she narrowed her eyes at me. She stalked off, fuming.

"Sorry about her. She's a little...Temperamental." The man who took Aela's place smiled apologetically at me, crossing his arms over his chest.

"No apology needed. I was teasing her a bit."

"Bad idea." He laughed.

"You're companions aren't you?" I said, noting the fur lined armor. It echoed the armor donned by Ysgramor himself. The descendants of those who fought alongside the first king of Skyrim. But to call them descendants was a compliment. I had heard the tales of their true value. They no longer fought in Ysgramor's memory. They fought for their own glory. For gold, and because they were good at nothing else. No better than thugs now. The vision laid out by their predecessors lost.

"Aye." He nodded. "My name is Vilkas."

"A privilege. I am-"

"Sicarius Aesir." He said with a smile. "Yes...I know all about you."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. I studied your histories as a boy. Jorvaskr used to be filled with stories of your line. Until…" a sadness washed over him.

"Tullius." I finished.

Vilkas nodded. "His extermination was quick, his word law. We did not fight them. Though Talos knows I wanted to." His sadness morphed to anger. "We should have been there fighting. Protecting the king and queen…"

"What's done is done. There is no benefit in regret now." I assured him.

"Know this…" Vilkas said, his hand clasping my shoulder. "I will gladly raise my blade in your name. When the time comes, I will march alongside you against Tullius."

"And I will be honored to fight at your side." I assured him.

"Thank you, my king."

"Sicarius will do just fine." I said, chuckling.

"Of course." Vilkas grinned.

"I must be going." I said.

Fist over his heart, Vilkas gave a slight bow as I turned to leave.

As petty as it seemed, being a king would take some getting used to. My entire life I had remained in the shadows. Deliberately stayed out of the line of public sight.

And now...Everyone knew my name.

The people were behind me...If only the people of Whiterun.

Nevertheless, they were ready for change.

They were ready for another Aesir.

And I was their only choice.

"Lucky them." I muttered sarcastically, once more climbing the stairs to Dragonsreach.