The battle ended just before noon. The two nords gathered what was left of their supplies. Strangely enough all of the weapons were found and undamaged. They lost their food and clothes. The gold that was found was hidden in a glass boot. That was about a thousand septims, give or take. The map of Cyrodill was lost, but the notes survived at the very least.
The two left for Falkreath once more, the carriage driver Bjorlam left for Whiterun from what the tracks suggested. He was long gone. The walk was longer since without the carriage but also bandits, wolves, bears and saber cat and the occasional troll. When they did make it to Falkreath it was night, guards patrolled the grounds and looked at the two nords knowing the dangers Skyrim has within.
They both went into the Inn named "Dead Man's Drink", Arilid took the name as something to be aware of, don't drink anything in the Inn. They both rented a separate room for 10 gold each. Arilid sat around the fire and heard the Inn's doors open. Curiosity made him look. Probably the most promising sight he saw the entire day, Ralof has arrived.
Arilid stood up, took off his helmet and walked towards his fellow stormcloak soldier. "Good to see you alive, friend." Arilid said with a smile.
"I got your message, you helped lead the liberation of Skyrim, least I can do is to follow you on another adventure. Can you explain this adventure at the very least." The soldier clad in blue said to his ex-lieutenant.
"All in good time, you are not the only one I called upon" Arilid said "Rent yourself a room we will be here for a while yet."
Ralof left, Arilid went back to the fire, Ralof sat by him with two bottles of mead. "No thanks, I'm taking the name to truth."
Ralof laughed loudly "It's just a name, don't take it to heart."
"Names can explain a lot about something" Arilid said knowing it might sound strange. Ralof continued to chuckle at Arilid's 'logic'.
Arilid went to sleep not long after Ralof was flirting with a woman who was serving the other patrons. Lydia kept on apologizing to the woman named Narri and did her best to keep the drunk Ralof out of trouble. The last voice he heard was from the bard singing 'The Dragonborn comes'.
Arilid woke up early that morning. He walked out since he kept his armor on. It was quiet. Ralof was passed out on the bench by the fire. Lydia was no where to be seen. Arilid picked up Ralof and dragged the unconscious nord, recklessly to his room. When he got to the Ralof's room he saw a small body hidden beneath the covers of the blanket. He dropped Ralof and went to the unconscious body. He laughed quietly, Ria was asleep. Half of his chosen assembly is here. That leaves the mages. Arilid brought the drunk soldier to his room and practically threw him on the bed, hoping he will feel it when he wakes.
Arilid then left the Inn, leaving a message to his friends that he will be back. Arilid went out hunting. To his luck his luck he found a elk quickly. It had its leg bitten up badly and some burns. Arilid guessed it was from the dragon attack and stumbling upon some wolves. He started a fire and ate it quickly. He refilled his waterskin and headed back to the Inn. It was around 11:00 when he got back. He saw Ralof holding his head, most likely hung over.
Lydia was talking to some of the patrons when she noticed the dragonborn. She walked over to him. "Where did you go?" she asked, clearly angry.
"I went hunting." Arilid said quickly, not wanting the nord too angry, she is great in hand to hand combat. She sighed and walked away, knowing he talking sense to him is useless.
Ria took note of this and went to the Dragonborn, "Harbinger, you asked me to be here, I'm here, so what now?" the Imperial asked.
"You will know in due time, Ria, till then I suggest you stock up" Arilid suggested. This left the imperial more confused.
A week and a day has past and the mages still haven't arrived, Arilid was worried, they were late. In the mean time Ria took the Harbinger's advice and crafted a longbow, and bought steel arrows. The Harbinger made her a set of glass armor. Lydia bought some potions from the local alchemy shop called Grave Concoctions. Lydia went to the general trader called Gray Pines Goods and bought 4 bedrolls since none of them had one of their own. Ralof has taken some time to practice his archery and sword-play. That was when he was not in the Inn getting drunk, flirting with the local women or telling about his escape from Helgen or tales from the war.
Arilid over the week, beside making armor for Ria, making preparations with Lydia or training with Ralof. He would help the people in Falkreath, that is if they would want it. But all this time he would walk around the city, especially the main road and entrances to see any sign of the students of magic.
By night came he saw three figures toward the main entrance arguing with a guard. Arilid went to take a closer look.
What he saw was something he long awaited. A male khajiit, male nord and female dunmer. All dressed in robes. College robes.
Arilid hurried to the guard, "What's going on?" he asked
The guard quickly said to Arilid, "Stay back citizen, this is none of your concern."
"This is ridiculous. You won't let J'zargo in because this one is khajiit." The khajiit spoke impatiently, not caring Arilid was there.
"That is exactly why I'm not letting you in, khajiiti are forbidden to come into the city." The guard said, he was not racist, it was a law. Nords don't trust khajiit because they tend to think they are thieves. But there are rare cases. Joining the Companion, the Thieves Guild pay their way in and the College pays their way in too.
"I had him come." Arilid said protecting his friend. "I had all three of the come."
"And why would I listen to you?" The guard said trying to be intimidating.
"Because I'm the Dragonborn." Arilid said with a smile.
"Yeah, the 'Dragonborn' against the entire Falkreath guard, you should watch your tongue, boy" The guard said not believing he was the Dragonborn and thinking one man can fight at least 50 guards.
"What about this, OD AH VIING." Arilid shouted towards the sky.
The guard laughed "What was that, the Dragonborn is a joke." he and the guard argued for a good ten minutes when a roar interrupted their fight. "What in Oblivion was that?"
"This is my persuasion" Arilid said smugly, A large red dragon landed on the top of a house. Behind his helmet the guard stared in horror as the dragon stared at him. He was about to grab his bow when Arilid grabbed his arm.
"Dovahkiin, Thuri what is it you need?" Odahviing spoke
Arilid didn't answer Odahviing, he simply looked at the frightened guard with a smug smile "So will you let my friends in?" The guard nodded his head yes. When Arilid let go he ran away.
"J'zargo is impressed, you are worthy competitor indeed." J'zargo praised.
"You scared off a guard and had him do as you say, J'zargo is right, that is impressive." Onmund added.
"You really need to teach us that, after you explain why we are here." Brelyna said.
Arilid smiled, his once classmates now students, are easy to impress. "Odahviing, you are free to go," The red dragon did seem a bit disappointed but he obeyed none the less. He flew off with no argument. Arilid then said to his mages "Follow me and you will know everything."
As they approached the Inn, J'zargo took note of the sign. "So the Inn's name is Dead Man's Drink, yes. Remind J'zargo to not drink anything here." Arilid smiled, Great minds think alike.
Arilid had all of his companions gather in his room, it was bigger than theirs'. Arilid gave the note from the Emperor to Onmund. "Read it to all of us if you don't mind." Onmund read the letter to the small group. Whispers could be heard among them. When he was finished Arilid asked "So, what do you think."
Ralof stood forth "So you called us all, to hear that you got a note from the Empire, which doesn't matter to any of us. And you expect us to what, congratulate you. If you so much-"
Brelyna spoke up "It does matter to us," She grabbed the note from Onmund and said "It says its their is something that will shape the future of Tamriel, for the worst may I remind you. I'm am sure Skyrim is still a part of Tamriel." Arilid nodded his approval, it was good to know someone was listening.
"So the reason I called you is to not gloat. I want all of you to come with me. I thought this note over it could be a trap, and I thought of the ones I trust the most, the ones who need the experience, should come." Arilid explained his situation.
Ralof stood down, "If that's the case, you want us to be your bodyguards?" he asked.
Arilid thought on the name "No, I don't need protecting, if I did I would bring a dragon. I called upon you because if this is about the future of Tamriel, the future of Skyrim I want those who are willing to protect a different future, a prosperous future, a future where Tamriel will be safe from this threat, I don't need a bodyguard." Arilid then stood on a chair to look down on the group "Tamriel needs them, I for one will be a bodyguard for her. I call upon you because I've seen you fight, Tamriel deserves the best, and you are that, you are the best, whether you see it or not."
All was quiet. The silence was unbearable. "I will protect Tamriel," Ria spoke proudly. "So will I," Onmund joined in. One by one each of Arilid's friend came to agreement, Tamriel was their home and they will stop the dark shadow that threatens her.