It was decided three days passed since the meeting at Dragonsreach and a strong and diverse companions have been chosen. Arilid wished to go to the Imperial City. But like Vignar said he will need some blades and magic. He thought it through, and he knew who to take.

Lydia was a trusted friend and skilled in both archery, swordsmanship, blocking and heavy armor. Arilid needed some mages, J'zargo was his first choice, he had more power than others believed and a good lookout and scout for he could see in the dark and his sensitive ears. He contacted them and persuaded to take Brelyna Maryon and Onmund too. This will be a good way to learn more by visiting the Mages guild and having more chances to practice the arcane arts. The final companions that were to come are Ria from the companions, she can learn something beneficial by traveling so far from Jorrvaskr. Ralof from Riverwood is to come. He was the first person Arilid met in Skyrim and saved his life from Alduin in the destruction of Helgen

Now all that was to be done was to gather what will be need from his home. They were all to meet up at Falkreath in two weeks time. Since Fadayla gave him the message a week and a half has passed. It should take at least four days if they were to walk, by taking the main roads to get to Falkreath, and that is included with detours and delays. Once everyone is there they will head out to Bruma and straight to the Imperial City, it would take a month if all goes well.

Arilid looked around Breezehome, the home he bought in his first days days in Skyrim. He saw the shield he was rewarded with known as Spellbreaker, given to him be the Daedric Prince Peryite. Another shield was taken made completely of dragon bones. It was one of the best shield within present Skyrim. Arilid decided to take his dragonscale armor that was enhanced and upgraded for better defense, much like all his armor Both sword Dragonbane and Dawnbreaker were within their sheathe lying on top swords was Auriel's Bow with a quiver of both Sun Hollowed arrows, much to Serena's dismay, and some dragonbone arrows.

A amulet of Talos was around his neck, hidden under his armor. The Stormcloaks may have freed Skyrim from the Empire, but the Thalmor still have a foothold on the province. He wore it since to some magical means seem to help him perform a shout at a quicker rate. Two rings were on the Dragonborn's fingers one made gold and the other silver The gold ring was enchanted to help with archer while the silver was enchanted to heal himself or others by 50%, the White Phial was attached to his bag, far enough to not get damaged and grabbed quickly, but close so he will know when someone reaches for it.

Throughout the day he and Lydia packed food, filled waterskins, a map of Cyrodill, two sleeping bags, healing supplies and potions, sharpened their weapons, mended their damaged armor and bought a carriage to Falkreath. By the time they were done the two moons Masser and Secunda were high in the sky. Lydia left to say her goodbyes, Arilid gave orders to the companions that Aela will be the Harbinger while he was gone, to the college Tolfdir was to make sure everything was in check. While Lydia was gone, Arilid went straight to sleep, expecting an even longer day tomorrow.

A noise came from downstairs. Arilid stood up from his comfortable bed, he's covered in nothing revealing his well muscled chest covered in scars. He grabbed a steel sword off a weapon plaque and went to Lydia's room. He saw the fur blankets hiding a humanoid figure. She was in her bed asleep, so it was not Lydia. From the stairs he scanned what he could in the dark house. Everything seemed to be in order, so he went downstairs, still ready for a fight. Then he noticed it.

The weapons he had chosen were on the floor in a mess. A fur blanket covered a large bulge beneath it. There was a note on the top, Arilid read the note.

Dear Arilid

We don't do this much, but the Dark Brotherhood have decided to help your cause. You may not know it yet but we do. Many have sent contracts to you, but you seem to survive all our attempts to kill you, so we pulled off all contracts involving you. Fight well. HAIL SITHIS

The Dark Brotherhood

Arilid read the note again and again. This was from the Dark Brotherhood, an assassin was in his house and delivered him. What did they give me? Arilid asked himself. He used the steel sword and suspiciously lifted the fur.

Under the blanket was a sword and shield. But they were unlike what he ever seen. The sword's pommel had some indents showing what seemed to resemble a lizard of some sort made of gold and ebony. The blade's tip had some strange point, resembling an arrow, but not as aerodynamic. The back of the sword had some teeth facing forwards, while the front had some teeth on the top and bottom, leaving the middle exposed. It was interesting to look at, but what caught Arilid's eye was three engravings on either side.

The shield resembled the build of a imperial shield. but the most eye catching part of the shield was a skull of a large reptile on the ebony and gold shield. The shield had three engravings as well on the inside and out.

Arilid picked up the shield, even with it being so large, it was light as a leather shield. But it had ebony within it. How is it so light? Arild thought. He tried the sword, it felt completely weightless. I will worry about this in the morning, dawn will be approaching soon Arilid thought, he cleaned up the mess, making sure to keep the note with him, he went off to his room to sleep.