It took a day and a half to reach Whiterun.

Just as Alvor had said, I saw it rise up over the plains as I made my way down the road. It was built on top of a large hill, with unobstructed views of the land all around it. Stone walls surrounded the city on all sides. At the very top, I could see a large wooden building rising above the rest of the city. I assumed that it was the Dragonsreach that Alvor had spoken of.

As I approached the city gate, one of the guards posted there stopped forward to block my way.

"Halt! City's closed with the dragons about. Official business only."

"I'm here because of the dragon," I said flatly. "Riverwood needs the Jarl's aid."

"Riverwood's in danger too?" The guard jerked his thumb toward the gate. "You'd better go on in. You'll find the Jarl in Dragonsreach, at the top of the hill."

I stepped through the gateway and into Whiterun. Buildings made of wood and stone lined the cobbled streets. Even though the sun was sinking lower in the horizon, the city was still packed with people going about their day. At the end of the street, I saw what looked like a market. I took a left turn that led to a road winding up the hill and past yet more houses. I passed a massive, dead-looking tree at the center of a plaza. A number of people milled around it. Several seemed to be listening to a man preaching before a statue of Talos.

"Today they take away your faith, but what of tomorrow? What then?" He cried. "Do the elves take your homes? Your businesses? Your children? Your very lives? And what does the Empire do? Nothing! Nay, worse than nothing! The Imperial machine enforces the will of the Thalmor against its own people!"

Turning away and biting the inside of my cheek, I climbed the final set of stairs. At the top a bridge covered with series of wooden arches led to the door of the palace. I walked up, pushed the door open, and stepped inside.

Dragonsreach was constructed mostly of wood: the walls, the roof, and the floors. Columns carved with knotted designs supported the vaulted ceiling high above me. Large woven yellow rugs covered the floor. I climbed a set of stairs to the raised portion at the back half of the main hall. Yellow banners covered with the designs of horses' heads lined the walls. A long fire pit ran along the center, flanked by two long tables. At the very back of the hall was the dais. Mounted on the wall above it was what looked like a dragon's skull. I heard arguing voices from the few people on the dais.

As I approached a figure broke away to walk toward me, drawing their sword. It was a Dunmer woman dressed in full leather armor. Her red eyes narrowed as she stopped before me.

"What's the meaning of this interruption?" She snapped. "Jarl Balgruuf is not receiving visitors."

"Riverwood is in danger."

She continued to stare at me. "As Housecarl, my job is to deal with all dangers that threaten the Jarl or his people, so you have my attention. Now, explain yourself."

"I was at Helgen. I have news about the dragon attack," I told her.

"You know about Helgen? Come on, then. The Jarl will want to speak with you personally." She sheathed her sword and led me up to the dais. "My Jarl, this woman was–"

"I heard," the man on the throne said. He looked at me thoughtfully, stroking his blond beard, and asked, "So, you were at Helgen? You saw this dragon with your own eyes?"

I nodded. "The dragon destroyed Helgen. Last I saw, it was heading for the mountains nearby. It may come here next."

"By Ysmir, Irileth was right…" He looked over at the man standing next to him. "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," the womer said, stepping forward.

Shaking his head, Proventus countered, "The Jarl of Falkreath will view that as a provocation! He'll assume we're preparing to join Ulfric's side and attack him. We should not–"

"Enough!"

The Imperial fell silent at the Jarl's barked order.

"I'll not stand idly by while a dragon burns my hold and slaughters my people." Indicating the Dunmer, Balgruuf said, "Irileth, send a detachment to Riverwood at once."

"Yes, my Jarl," she said with a bow. Turning, she marched out of the hall.

Proventus also gave the Jarl a respectful bow, telling him, "If you'll excuse me, I'll return to my duties."

"That would be best."

Once they were both gone, Jarl Balgruuf turned his attention on me.

"Well done. You sought me out, on your own initiative. If I may ask, what is your name?"

"Mara." I deliberately left off my surname. I didn't want to take that risk.

"You've done Whiterun a service, and I won't forget it." He hesitated. "There is another thing you could do for me. Suitable for someone of your particular talents, perhaps."

I fought the urge to let out an exasperated sigh. There was always something.

Getting to his feet, Balgruuf beckoned to me. "Come; let's go find Farengar, my court wizard. He's been looking into a matter related to these dragons and… rumors of dragons."

The Jarl led me into a room that branched off of the main hall. It was set up as some kind of laboratory. Desks covered in various bottles and a number of soul gems filled the space. Pushed off to the side was a board with a large map of Skyrim pinned to it. Behind one of the desks, a weedy man garbed in wizard's robes was rifling through a stack of papers and muttering to himself.

"Farengar," Balgruuf called, making the wizard look up, "I think I've found someone who can help you with your… dragon project. Go ahead and fill her in with all the details."

As he left the room, Farengar hurried forward. Clapping his hands together, he said, "So the Jarl thinks you can be of use to me? Oh yes, he must be referring to my research into the dragons." He looked me over critically. "Yes, I could use someone to fetch something for me. Well, when I say fetch, I really mean delve into a dangerous ruin in search of an ancient stone tablet that may or may not actually be there."

"Right. Where am I going and what am I fetching?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"Straight to the point, eh? No need for tedious hows and whys. I like that. Leave those details to your betters, am I right?" I frowned, but he continued on. "I, ah, learned of a certain stone tablet said to be housed in Bleak Falls Barrow. A "Dragonstone," said to contain a map of dragon burial sites."

Before he could say another word, I pulled out the stone I'd taken from the sarcophagus and held it out to him, asking, "Do you mean this?"

He took it from me with reverence, his eyes wide. "The Dragonstone of Bleak Falls Barrow! You already found it! You are cut from a different cloth than the usual brutes the Jarl foists on me."

I pointedly ignored his quip. "So what's next?"

"That is where your job ends and mine begins," he said, carefully setting the stone down. "The work of the mind, sadly undervalued in Skyrim."

I rolled my eyes. From behind me I heard raised voices and the sound of hurried footsteps. Then the sound of someone calling, "Farengar!"

I turned to see Irileth run into the room. She looked troubled about something.

"Farengar, you need to come at once. A dragon's been sighted nearby." She pointed at me. "You should come, too."

The wizard grinned. "A dragon? How exciting! Where was it seen? What was it doing?"

"I'd take this a bit more seriously if I were you. If a dragon decides to attack Whiterun I don't know if we can stop it," Irileth told him, frowning.

I followed the two of them up a set of stairs at the back of the main hall. The Jarl was already waiting at the top, facing a guard who looked like he was struggling for breath. As we approached, Balgruuf asked him, "So, Irileth tells me you came from the Western Watchtower?"

The guard nodded. "Yes, my lord."

"Tell him what you told me," Irileth said. "About the dragon."

"We saw it coming from the south. It was fast… faster than anything I've ever seen."

"What did it do? Is it attacking the watchtower?" Balgruuf asked, frowning.

"No, my lord. It was just circling overhead when I left. I never ran so fast in my life. I thought it would come after me for sure."

"Good work, son. We'll take it from here. Head down to the barracks for some food and rest. You've earned it." The guard bowed and left. When he did, Balgruuf turned to the Dunmer. "Irileth, you'd better gather some guardsmen and get down there."

"I've already ordered my men to muster near the main gate."

"Good. Don't fail me." Looking at me, he added, "I want you to go with Irileth and help her fight this dragon. You survived Helgen, so you have more experience with dragons than anyone else here."

"I should come along. I would very much like to see this dragon," Farengar said.

"No. I can't afford to risk both of you. I need you here working on ways to defend the city against these dragons."

With a sigh, Farengar nodded. "As you command."

"One last thing, Irileth," Balgruuf called out to her. She was already partway down the stairs. "This isn't a "death or glory" mission. I need to know what we're dealing with."

"Don't worry, my lord. I'm the very soul of caution."

I followed Irileth as she hurried out of Dragonsreach and back down through the city. At the gates, a number of guards were already waiting. Several of them were fidgeting nervously as she came up to stand before them.

"Here's the situation," she told them. "A dragon is attacking the Western Watchtower." Worried murmuring went up among the assembled guards at her words. "You heard right. I said a dragon. I don't much care where it came from or who sent it. What I do know it that it's made the mistake of attacking Whiterun."

"But Housecarl… how can we fight a dragon?" One of them asked.

"That's a fair question. None of us have ever seen a dragon before, or expected to face one in battle. But we are honor bound to fight it, even if we fail. This dragon is threatening our homes, our families. Could you call yourselves Nords if you ran from this monster? Are you going to let me face this thing alone?"

Beneath the confirmations that they were with her, I heard one of the guards mutter, "We're so dead…"

"But it's more than our honor at stake here. Think of it – the first dragon seen in Skyrim since the last age. The glory of killing it is ours, if you're with me! Now what do you say? Shall we go kill us a dragon?"

The guards all roared and followed the Housecarl out through the city gate.


The tower was in ruins by the time we arrived. Smoke rose from fires in the grass around it. Chunks of stone littered the ground.

Irileth stood on top of a boulder and gazed out at it, shielding her eyes against the light from the setting sun.

"No sign of any dragon right now, but it sure looks like he's been here." She climbed down from her perch atop the rock and nodded at the ruins. "I know it looks bad, but we've got to figure out what happened and if that dragon is still skulking around somewhere. Spread out and look for survivors. We need to know what we're dealing with."

We split up, picking our way through the smoldering wreckage. I climbed up some of the rubble toward the tower itself. I'd almost reached the top when a man hurried out, waving his arms. His armor was torn and his skin was covered in burns.

"No! Get back! It's still here somewhere!" He shouted. "Hroki and Tor just got grabbed when they tried to make a run for it!"

I heard footsteps behind me. It was Irileth. She hurried up to meet us, shouting, "Guardsman! What happened here? Where's this dragon? Quickly now!"

"I don't know!"

There was a roar in the distance and we looked up to see a dark shape swooping down from the sky toward us.

"Kynareth save us," the guard breathed, his eyes wide. "Here he comes again…"

"Find cover and make every arrow count!" Irileth shouted at the rest of the men.

Everyone scrambled into position. Hopping down from my vulnerable spot atop the rubble, I picked my way through and looked for a good spot to shoot from. Crouching low, I drew one of my arrows and waited.

As it flew overhead it released a jet of roaring flame. I ducked and gritted my teeth, hoping I didn't get roasted. When the fire died away I popped my head out. The dragon was flying around the watchtower in a loop. Taking aim, I shot at it. My arrow stuck in its chest and it roared again. More arrows flew from all directions. Most went wide, but some struck. I fired another arrow. It missed as well. The dragon was just too damned fast!

With an earth shaking boom it landed in the open plain near the watchtower and released another torrent of flame. Once it was done I hopped out of my hiding place and charged at it, drawing my blade. It snapped at me with teeth as large as swords and I barely jumped aside in time to avoid them. I slashed across its face and managed to tear a gash in the scales across its muzzle. It hissed in response. Taking advantage of its momentary distraction, I jumped up, raising my sword above my head. The dragon's eyes seemed to widen.

"Dovahkiin! No!"

My sword plunged down into the dragon's skull and its whole body collapsed. Wrenching my blade out, I stepped back, breathing hard. The battle over with, I could see it better. It was not the same dragon that had attacked Helgen. That one had been black as midnight. The one before me was almost silver. Even in the dying sunlight it was an unmistakable difference.

There was more than one dragon in Skyrim.

I had barely formed that thought when the corpse began to glow, the scales burning. The light rushed toward me in tendrils. I hastily stepped back, but they just kept coming, whirling around me in bright waves. A sound like wind roared in my ears. Then the light flew right into me and I gasped as I felt the jolt of its impact. It tingled through my bones and buzzed inside of my head.

"I can't believe it. You're… Dragonborn…"

I turned to see one of the guards standing behind me, staring at me in shock.

Dragonborn, he'd said. Dragonborn was what they'd called Martin. That wasn't me. That couldn't be me.

"What do you mean?"

"In the very oldest tales, back from when there still were dragons in Skyrim, the Dragonborn would slay dragons and steal their power," he explained. "That's what you did, isn't it? Absorbed that dragon's power?"

I stared at my hands, still feeling the remnants of the tingle. "I… I don't know what happened to me."

"There's one way to find out. Try to Shout. That would prove it. According to the old legends only the Dragonborn can Shout without training, the way the dragons do."

"That's right! My grandfather used to tell stories about the Dragonborn," another of the guards said as he walked over. "Those born with the Dragon Blood in them. Like old Tiber Septim himself."

"I never heard of Tiber Septim killing any dragons."

"There weren't any dragons then, idiot. They're just coming back now for the first time in… forever!"

"But the old tales tell of the Dragonborn who could kill dragons and steal their power. You must be one!"

All the guards had reached me by then, and every one of them was staring at me expectantly. My hands clenched into fists. I didn't know what they were talking about. I had no powers like that!

"What do you say, Irileth?" One of them called. "You're being awfully quiet."

"Come on, Irileth. Tell us. Do you believe in this Dragonborn business?"

The Housecarl had been busy examining the corpse of the dragon, which was no more than bones. When she turned to face them her face was stony. She let out a disapproving noise. "Some of you would be better off keeping quiet than flapping your gums on matters you don't know anything about."

Pointing to the skeleton, she went on, "Here's a dead dragon, and that's something I definitely understand. Now we know we can kill them. But I don't need some mythical Dragonborn. Someone who can put down a dragon is more than enough for me."

"You wouldn't understand, Housecarl. You ain't a Nord."

"I've been all across Tamriel. I've seen plenty of things just as outlandish as this," she scoffed. "I'd advise you all to trust in the strength of your sword arm over tales and legends."

The other guards mumbled amongst themselves, but the first who had spoken said to me, "If you really are Dragonborn, like out of the old tales, you ought to be able to Shout. Can you? Have you tried?"

"I… I don't…"

There was a strange feeling coiling and buzzing around my throat and on my tongue. It was hot and sung with power. A memory, a word I just couldn't quite understand. I felt it build and let it go.

"Fus!"

A burst of raw power knocked the men standing in front of me to the ground. Staggering back, I clapped a hand over my mouth. Had I really just done that?

The guard pushed himself up onto his elbows, laughing, "That was Shouting, what you just did! Must be. You really are Dragonborn, then."

I backed away, my head spinning. I had magicka, yes, but I was only ever able to use it for healing. What just happened was something so far beyond even simple spells. There had been no indication that I had ever been able to–

My shadow had been able to throw fire from her hands. To knock me to the ground with just a word.

Fists clenching and breathing hard, I turned away.

Irileth prodded the dragon's skull with her boot. Without even glancing over at me, she said, "That was the hairiest fight I've ever been in, and I've been in more than a few. I don't know about this Dragonborn business, but I'm sure glad you're with us. You'd better get back to Whiterun right away. Jarl Balgruuf will want to know what happened here.

Nodding to her, I hurried back up the road toward the city. The sun had set below the horizon and stars twinkled in the fading blue sky overhead. Except for a breeze rustling over the dry grass and the sounds of my footfalls, everything was quiet. In the distance Whiterun was a haze of firelight in the gathering darkness.

A roar like thunder suddenly filled the air, echoing over the vast emptiness of the plains. The ground beneath my feet trembled.

"DOVAHKIIN!"

I dropped to a crouch and drew my bow, looking around wildly for the source. I almost expected to see another dragon. Nothing.

What was that?


Proventus was waiting for me near the hall's entrance when I stepped back into Dragonsreach.

"Good. You're finally here," he said, letting out a sigh of relief. "The Jarl's been waiting for you."

Balgruuf was seated on his throne when Proventus led me up to the dais. He seemed to be talking to an armored man whose face was covered in blood-red tattoos. The Jarl leaned forward, rubbing his temples.

"You heard the summons," he said to the other man. "The Greybeards…"

Proventus cleared his throat and Balgruuf glanced up at us.

"So, what happened at the watchtower? Was the dragon there?" The Jarl asked me.

I nodded. "The watchtower was destroyed, but we managed to kill the dragon."

"I knew I could count on Irileth." He leaned forward, frowning. "But there must be more to it than that."

"When the dragon died I…" I hesitated. "… I absorbed some kind of power from it."

Balgruuf sat back, watching me with interest. "So it's true. The Greybeards really were summoning you."

"The… what?"

"The Greybeards. Masters of the Way of the Voice. They live in seclusion high on the slopes of the Throat of the World."

"What do these Greybeards want with me?" I asked.

"The Dragonborn is said to be uniquely gifted in the Voice – the ability to focus your vital essence into a Thu'um, or Shout. If you really are Dragonborn, they can teach you how to use your gift."

"Didn't you hear the thundering sound as you returned to Whiterun? That was the voice of the Greybeards, summoning you to High Hrothgar!" The other man said to me, incredulous. So that's what that was. "This hasn't happened in… centuries, at least. Not since Tiber Septim himself was summoned when he was still Talos of Atmora!"

I cringed a little at the thought. Me? No. I couldn't be comparable to Talos himself! That… That was impossible.

At that moment Proventus cut in, saying, "Hrongar, calm yourself. What does any of this Nord nonsense have to do with our friend here? Capable as she may be, I don't see any signs of her being this, what, "Dragonborn.""

"Nord nonsense?" Hrongar spluttered. "Why you puffed-up ignorant… These are our sacred traditions that go back to the founding of the First Empire!"

Balgruuf sighed. "Hrongar. Don't be so hard on Avenicci."

"I meant no disrespect, of course. It's just that… what do these Greybeards want with her?"

"That's the Greybeards' business, not ours," The Jarl told Proventus in a firm voice. To me he said, "Whatever happened when you killed that dragon, it revealed something in you, and the Greybeards heard it. If they think you're Dragonborn, who are we to argue?"

Balgruuf let out a long sigh and leaned back in his throne. "I envy you, you know? To climb the Seven Thousand Steps again… I made the pilgrimage once, did you know that? High Hrothgar is a very peaceful place. Very… disconnected from the troubles of this world. I wonder that the Greybeards even notice what's going on down here. They haven't seemed to care before. No matter. Go to High Hrothgar. Learn what the Greybeards can teach you."

"If that's all, then–"

"Hold a moment," he said, getting to his feet. "You've done a great service for me and my city, Mara Dragonborn. By my right as Jarl, I name you Thane of Whiterun. It's the greatest honor that's within my power to grant."

"My lord, I can't… I haven't even been in Skyrim that long!"

"And in that time you've done more for my city than most. I have made my decision and I'm sticking to it." Letting out a loud whistle, he called, "Lydia!"

A moment later a dark haired woman wearing steel armor hurried into the hall and bowed to him.

Pointing to her, he told me, "I assign you Lydia as a personal Housecarl and this weapon from my armory to serve as your badge of office. We are honored to have you as Thane of our city, Dragonborn." I grunted as he handed me a greataxe that glittered with some sort of enchantment.

"Thanks."

"Lydia, show her down to Breezehome."

She bowed again. "Yes, my lord."

Proventus stepped forward and handed me a key. Nodding, he told me, "Good luck."

I took the key inclined my head to him before following Lydia out of Dragonsreach.

The city was quiet as we made our way down. Lydia took a different route than the one I'd used before. She led me around the massive tree and down toward the market. I rearranged my grip on the axe I still carried. Damn, the thing was heavy.

"What exactly does a Housecarl do?" I asked her.

"As my Thane, I'm sworn to your service," she explained. "I'll guard you, and all you own, with my life."

Great. A bodyguard. Just what I needed.

Stopping, I held the massive axe out to her. "Hold this. I feel like my arms are going to fall off."

"I am sworn to carry your burdens," she said with a sigh as she reached out to take it.

I let out a short, surprised laugh. Sarcasm. She'd actually responded with sarcasm. Maybe this wouldn't be as bad as I thought. Lydia stared at me and I shook my head.

She led me down the street to one of the houses. Like the rest in the town, it was built of wood and stone. Wooden shingles covered the steep roof. I unlocked the front door with the key Proventus gave me and stepped inside. Moonlight filtered in through the small windows along the walls. In the center of the main room just ahead was a firepit set into the floor. Several chairs sat beside the firepit and Lydia propped the axe against one of them. In the back of the room was what looked like a dining area. Wooden stairs led up to a second floor. I climbed up to the landing. Several doors led off of it.

"Are you staying here as well?" I asked Lydia.

"Yes, my Thane."

"Mara," I said. "My name is Mara."

I pushed open one door and peered inside. It was a fairly large bedroom. Mumbling a goodnight to Lydia, I stepped inside and closed the door behind me. I stripped off the layers of armor and clothing I wore and flopped down onto the bed. Exhaustion finally catching up with me, I fell asleep almost instantly.