Chapter 1: New Orders
With the *twang* of my bow, the final bandit fell where he stood, dropping like a stone. Finally, all was quiet. After taking a moment to relieve the bandits of their valuables, I gathered their bodies into a pile in the woods outside the city. Perhaps it wasn't necessary, but there were too many ashen remains in Helgen, Alduin at his finest. The creatures of the forest would take care of the bandits, their bodies returning to the ground.
It was difficult to think of Helgen without remembering how I was nearly executed. Wrongfully, I added. I did not hold any grudges the soldiers, though. They were simply doing their jobs and could not possibly know the truth. I myself tried not to think on that truth. It's over, I reminded myself, shouldering my pack, now heavier from the bandit's treasure trove. I would do well to sell those in Riverwood, as it was on my way to Falkreath. I preferred Riverwood to Falkreath, so the less time spent there, the better. After all, it was Riverwood's kind residents that took me in after I fled Helgen, namely Alvor and his family. So many memories of a time long ago, I mused. In truth, only a year had passed since the return of the dragons, though it seemed a lifetime. Traveling to Sovngarde and back can do that to a girl.
As I closed the gate, I cast the spell to summon Arvak. Horses tended not to live very long when your owner is the Dragonborn, as I had found out the hard way. They were simply too brave for their own good, picking fights with bears, draugrs, or even dragons. Thankfully, Arvak was already dead. His former master had entrusted his spirit to me while I was in the Soul Cavern. Shivers ran up my spine as I thought of the empty wasteland. All the gold in the world wouldn't convince me to return.
Mounting the pale blue steed, I set off in the direction of Riverwood. The barrage of memories flooded my mind before I had the chance to stop them. There on my left, was the rock that Hadvar-the soldier whom I had escaped Helgen with- and I had hidden behind as Alduin fled the scene of his crime. I had been a very different girl then and often wondered what the old Darian would think of her future self. Would she cast judgement upon her for the things she had done, for what she had seen? I let my mind still for a moment, the pounding of hooves replacing my introspection. No good would come from these thoughts.
"I did what I had to do. And I'm okay with that" I said aloud.
Arvak seemed to agree with me, snorting and tossing his ethereal mane slightly. I smiled at the horse, and saw the gate of Riverwood drawing near. Not wanting to frighten the villagers, I dimounted Arvak, who disappeared after a moment.
Waving a hello to Faendal, I ducked into the Riverwood trader. Removing my backpack as I headed to the counter, Lucan Valerius popped his head up from under the counter.
"Ah, Darian! It's good to see you again. What can I do for you?"
Lucan was a relatively cheerful man ever since I retrieved his golden claw. If only he knew how much that hunk of metal had changed my life, I mused. Setting my pack on the table, I unloaded my wares, mainly jewelry too dull for enchantment and weapons too bulky to carry. Scanning them over, Lucan named his price for the lot and handed over the gold.
"Thanks, Lucan! I'd stay and chat, but I'm wanted by the Jarl."
Lucan nodded and gave his goodbyes as I headed out the door. Before I left, I decided to stop for lunch at the Sleeping Giant Inn. The smell of baking bread and mead wafted through the air as I opened the solid oak door. Sven played a soft tune in the corner, though it was not loud enough to recognize the song. In past days, he might have given me a scowl if he noticed my presence. The marriage of Camilla and Faendal had meant that Sven's affections for the maiden had been tossed to the wayside, the source of his irritation towards me.
Of course, Camilla's affection had not been won by a false letter from him, as he had claimed, but rather in the honest and earnest expression of devotion from the elf. Through time and the love of woman from Windhelm, Sven's scowl had turned to a smile at the sight of me. The woman in question had accidentally let it slip to him that it was I who recommended that she take up residence in Riverwood. The rest was history.
Upon landing at my usual seat at the well-worn bench, I found—once again—that I did not have to place my order. I am too predictable, chuckling to myself. Riverwood had been my favorite lunchtime stop, resulting in Orgnar memorizing my meal: a bowl of leek and potato soup, cooked beef, and a load of crusty bread. And a bottle of mead, of course. I was a Nord after all. Lazily dipping my bread in the soup, I let myself be lost in the soft music filling the hall. Too soon, my meal was finished and I paid Orgnar the 20 Septims for it. Grunting his thanks, I headed out the door
Not wanting to be delayed further, I exited through the same gate I had entered, following the north road instead of the western road that led back to Helgen. Summoning my trusty steed once more, I was soon on my way to Falkreath.
The blue banners greeted me a short while later, the white fog enveloping me as I entered the city. I did not bother dismounting until I had reached the steps of the Jarl's longhouse. Wincing inwardly as Arvak screamed—the sound made when he disappeared—I climbed the steps and walked in.
Siddgeir was sitting in his throne, as usual, though he perked up fractionally as I entered the room. I was always divided on my opinion of the Jarl. He was a cocky bastard, that much was true. Yet he supported the Empire and for that I was grateful. His steward Nenya did a fine job running the hold for him, so it was almost a wash.
"Ah, Darian. You have returned. I trust the bandits are dead?"
"Yes, my Jarl. They will bother Helgen no longer"
"Good. There is a matter that I must speak with you, regarding Helgen. As you know, it has been a smoking ruin for quite some time now. Its ugly and it makes us look weak." He threw up his hands in frustration.
I wondered where this was going. Did he want me to somehow remove what was left of Helgen? Perhaps he wished for me to finish the job and burn it to the ground.
"What would you have me to?" I asked, inwardly regretting ever accepting this task.
"I received a letter from General Tulius a few weeks ago. Apparently, they wish for Helgen to be restored to its former glory. As you know, it is on the border of Cyrodill, which makes it an important for defense and trade. Darian, I need you to rebuild Helgen, whatever it takes."