A New Companion
Farkus had just rushed and punched Scott to the ground. Can't say I'm surprised after all Farkus wouldn't just let Scott go that easy. Not to say I felt sorry for the man, he deserved it, but I was still taken back by what I saw.
Scott had both killed a Dragon Priest and dodge a swing from my sword. Showing skill and power I've hadn't seen before. I may be still new to the adventurer's life but from what I could see. With the weapons, armor, and overall skill, I had gathered the impression that Scott was a mighty warrior of some kind. Maybe I had overestimated the man, or I was underestimating Farkus. I didn't know.
"That's for my shoulder," Farkus said looking down at Scott. I expected now Scott would take some form of revenge. I may not know the man but I doubt he would just accept the punch. Farkus had just basically challenge Scott to a fight. To leave that unanswered was, well just, blasphemy. I was now waiting to see the two go at it as Scott got up from the ground and started looking right through Farkus. It was then Scott let out a small laugh.
"Fair enough," Scott said, dusting himself off. Again, this man who proclaimed to be my protector surprised me. Instead of starting a fight right then and there, he had just pushed it to the side like it was nothing and just accepted it at that.
Well, at least now I know this man isn't a Nord or an Orc. Neither of those two races would just let a punch like that slide. No matter the assaulters reasoning. Or maybe he was. After, all he had just taken a punch by Farkus and had little trouble getting back up. I've sparred with Farkus before and he is no easy opponent. A few good punches from him can put anyone in bed for quite some time.
"Good," Farkus said back to Scott in his generally emotionless tone. I may not see it, but I was certain Scott was smiling under his mask.
"Well, with that out of the way. I think introductions are in order. I'm Scott Lazer. The new bodyguard for the Dragonborn over there." He pointed at me confusing my two companions. Not because he said I'm the Dragonborn, both Farkus and Lydia knew that well as did most if not all of Whiterun. Absorbing a Dragons soul made that information spread quick even before I was sure what it meant. No, both my companions and I were confused when Scott said, bodyguard. More specifically, my bodyguard.
"You may have saved my Thane from a Dragon Priest. But I doubt you're anywhere near being called her protector," Unseprisenly, Lydia was now becoming defensive after she heard Scott say he was going to protect me. Lydia was, after all, my Housecarl. Which means she was to be my protector in battle. She is, like me, still new to the position she found herself in. She had never had a Thane before making me the first she worked under. Over the time I've spent with her, she has proven not only to be a skilled fighter but also an ally I could rely on. Though, at times, she can be over protected with me. "My Thane. What are we going to do with him?" She asked me, giving me a question I haven't thought of yet. What are we going to do with him?
"I can answer that. You lead, I'll follow," Scott explained it as if it was obvious all along. Thinking it over in my head, though. It really was. This man may have put me and my companions in unneeded danger but he had also put an end to the bandits attacking the farmers in Whiterun and had also saved me from a fight I would have ultimately lost. He was also acting strangely 'polite' and wasn't giving me any real reason to distrust his word. Besides, all that was stated before. So, against Lydia's disagreement. I agreed with Scott.
"You're trusting him?" Even when I agreed to have Scott follow us. Lydia was still trying to convince me otherwise. Farkus didn't much care if Scott came along or not. He was content with just punching Scott in the face for his wounded shoulder. Lydia, though, cared a lot more. I could easily read it off her face. She distrusted this man even more than I do. The difference, though, was that I was now willing to give him a chance.
So, I pulled Lydia to the side away from the two men to try and convince her to listen to me. Once I was sure they weren't listening, I began talking. "I know you distrust him. I do as well. But right now he's giving us no reason to distrust his word. So, I say we give him a chance and see where it goes," I was now hoping my words could at least help her see things my way. I may have the power to just order Lydia to listen to me and do as she's told but she has proven to be a friend I can rely on. Ordering her to do something she disagreed with just didn't feel right to me. I would listen to her thoughts and if I disagreed with them. I will do my best to convince her otherwise and vice versa.
"We don't know who he is. He says he's your protector but all he's done is put you in danger. I say we part ways with him and let that be the end of it," The plan Lydia had was one I had thought of but shot down real quick. I have a feeling this man wouldn't just let us go so easily. I told Lydia this but still she went against haveing him come with us. "If he does, I'll have your back," Now she was thinking about the impossible.
"Lydia, with or without our approval this man will most likely follow us, and if we try to fight him I fear we'll find ourselves in Sovngarde far too early. Trust me. I know what I'm doing here," I may not have fully convinced her but now she was at least willing to go through with it. Of course, though, she had made a few conditions. One was that Farkus will be behind Scott all the way back to Whiterun. The other condition was that she had to be right next to me just in case. So, without many other choices. I agreed.
We walked back over to the others and away from Scott's ears, told Farkus the plan. He only nodded showing his agreement. "Very well. You can come with us back to Whiterun. Once we're there though I'll have more questions I'll like you to answer," I told Scott who simply nodded along as we now started our trip back to Whiterun.
The walk back to Whiterun was, thankfully, uneventful. Usually, I would have been at least attacked once or twice by some wild animals like wolfs or bears. The Gods, though, were kind this day. Making our walk back not any more stressful than it was. The usual talks we would have were gone and replaced only with silence as no one wanted to start a conversation. The whole walk back to Whiterun was filled with an awkward silence as well as Lydia constantly looking back at Scott. Waiting for him to do something that would never come about.
We had now, finally, arrived back to the city of Whiterun. Passing by the many farms that surrounded the city, with both guards and farmers alike watching us. Or more specifically, Scott. The man just asked for attention with the armor and weapons he kept on him. Looking back at him myself, I wondered if he really is a Daedra that I've never heard of before. I have never dealt with Daedra myself but if I had to guess they would look like this man Scott. With those red eyes that looked right through your very being.
"So, this is what this town looks like up close," Out of nowhere Scott had decided to finally talk as we walk up towards the main gate into the city. I was surprised he had decided to talk at all. Assuming he would wait for me to talk with him later. More surprisingly, though, was that he just called Whiterun a town. I know it doesn't look much in comparison to Cyrodiil or Solitude. But who would call Whiterun a town? With high stone walls, large expense of buildings, and the Jarls home, known as Dragonreach, that overlooked the whole city.
Before I could ask why he called Whiterun a town, one of the cities guards came up to us with his sword drawn. "Ok, Companions. Explain! Who is this?" The guard demanded out of us. Sounding more scared than he did threatening. I was sure he was asking about Scott.
"You fool. You can't just run at people with your sword drawn," Another guard appeared with his sword still in its sheath. "Get back to your post," The first guard put his sword down only after looking back at Scott. He walked away leaving us with the new, probably more experience, guard. "I apologize for my man there. We're still training the new guards the Jarl asked for. So, don't hold it against them too hard if they pull stuff like that again." The guard left, leaving us perplex as to what had happened.
"Guess I should remove my mask if the guards here are scared enough to run at me with weapons out," Scott confirmed with what I was thinking. Though, even as we entered the city. He never took off the mask.
From the outside, this 'city' didn't look like much. Sure that large palace looking thing at the top of it all was quite impressive. But it didn't hold a candle against the Lucky 38 back in Vegas. I had passed by this place well tracking down those raiders. A few of them ran right back to their home, allowing me to find the place with relative ease. I stayed there, even after I cleared the place out because I was told the Dragonborn would find me at two towers overlooking a river. Maybe those raiders were part of my employer's plan, cause that home of their resembled were I needed to be in finding the Dragonborn.
But that's old news. Now, though, I followed Arthur through the cities main gate into the cities center. A stone path was laid out before us leading to, I presume, anywhere in the city. I could smell burning metal to the left of me as I followed Arthur deeper into the city. Looking left, I could see a blacksmith's shop with a woman hammering in a large sword. Looking straight again, the cities market center was filled with people all trying to get the best prices for both food and jewelry. I also saw signs for shops and an inn that were both right next to the market. Passing by all that we walked up some stone stairs leading into a park of some kind. At its center was a large tree that looked to dying with well-kept grass and benches around it. Again we passed by the more interesting stuff going up some stories towards a long wooden building. The whole time hearing a priest ramble on about some 'God' name Talos with a statue of a man behind him. I could only assume the statue was that of "Talos".
"Scott!" I was too busy looking around, I didn't notice Arthur was holding the door open. She didn't look happy. "I need to turn in a job. Just wait here," Then she left leaving me outside.
As much as I hated being left behind, this did give me a perfect opportunity to think about what has happened and what I should do in getting this girl to trust me. Trust is a hard thing to get so I'll need to think up a good plan for when she comes back. The girl was clearly still young and experience. Meaning I'll have to pull overtime if I'm going to make sure she lives and I don't go back into that void.
From what I could read from her friends. The man Farkus probably wouldn't mind going a few rounds with me. He looked more battle-hardened than the other two but acted more like dumb brute athan anyone intelligent. He's someone I could work with if I needed to. But I'm sure that girl, Lydia, was someone more close to Arthur and she wasn't giving me anything to work with. It was easy for me to hear their conversation earlier and if it wasn't for Arthur. I would be tracking them down all the why back here. Coming up with a whole different plan to get Arthur's trust. Probably would have told her all about why I needed to protect her if it wasn't those damn rules my employers put on me. Holding information from people who you're trying to earn their trust didn't end with the best results. The truth is something people needed no matter how bad it hurt. Especially when you needed trust and I'm left having to hold back the truth. Three-Dog wouldn't be happy with me.
Truth or not, though. I needed to complete this mission and if a few morals are dropped then so be it. I've done it before I'll do it again.
I could just knock her out and hide her somewhere no one could find her making sure nothing kills her and do whatever mission she needed to do myself. But then I remembered this was her world and not mine. I know no good place to put her and she would have allies. Allies that would see me as the bad guy and try to save her. Making my job ten times hard. No, I have to work with this girl until she completes her mission. Whatever it may be. Meaning I needed trust.
Time passed on as I thought of the best why to get that trust when finally Arthur came back. "Thank's Farkus," Arthur came through the door keeping it open for Lydia. The two came out of the building looking both tired and exhausted. As if they came back from some large battle. "I need to catch up with my jobs," I could only wonder what had happened when Arthur and Lydia looked up at me.
"What happened with you?" I was now fully concerned for both the girls seeing them in this state. Arthur fought a Dragon earlier this day but whatever came at her in there left both her and Lydia in this sorry ass state.
"Just a friend of mine. She's just asking me to work harder," Whoever this friend was, scared Arthur more than that Dragon did. "But work can wait. Now we drink." Arthur raised her fist in the air gaining a surprise burst of energy.
"My Thane, I don't think going for drinks is a good idea right now," Lydia said trying to calm down Arthur. I wasn't against food or drinks so I wasn't going to stop Arthur if that's what she wanted to do. If anything, it gave us a perfect reason to talk. "We have him to worry about after all," Lydia now was trying to be quiet but I heard what she said. She may be more work than Arthur.
"Lydia, we killed a Dragon today and a Dragon Priest. If that's not a call for celebration then I don't know what is," Arthur had a point. Killing a beast like that Dragon was no small feet. Even if she could have done better. I was now fully behind the plan for drinks. "And we also have a new friend here. Drinks would be a great way to get to know each other,"Now I know what Arthur was doing. Lydia did as well when she let out a small grin for just a second. Now she to was behind the plan for drinks knowing what Arthur was planning. Which was obviously to get me drunk. Making it easier to get answers out of me. Unlucky for them I can't get drunk but they didn't need to know that.
Instead, now was a good time to get behind them and go for some drinks. Meaning I'll need my mask off. Moving my hands back, I pulled off my hat and started to remove the old riot mask. Once it was off, I could see the surprise faces coming off the two girls. "How about some drinks then?" I asked the girls smiling right at them.
Scott had finally taken off his mask allowing me to see his full face. It wasn't at all what I expected. He was nothing but an old man. One that could carry both those weapons and armor, but an old man none the less. He may not be as old as Kodlock but his hair and beard were almost completely gray, with only a few brown spots here and there. Like Kodlock, though, he had blue eyes showing off a life filled with experience. His face was covered with scars making me only image what the rest of his body looked like.
No wonder he was able to knock me to the ground, kill the Dragon Priest, and take a hit from Farkus. This man has clearly seen and done his fair share of fighting. More so than I have that's for sure. Experience, as I was guessing, this old man to be. I still needed information out of him. Hopefully explaining who he was and why he's saying he's my bodyguard.
This lead me to plan out a night of drinking. Getting this old warrior's lips to open and tell me all I needed to know. Though, I hadn't expected him to take the Mead as well as he was. I knew going in he'll be able to hold his drink, all true warriors could. I had expected that much. But as my gold started to run dry and my vision started to blur. Any hope of getting this man drunk first began to leave my mind.
We had just earlier entered the Bannered Mare getting strange looks from those around us. As we took our seats, before any conversations started, I went and got our Mead. I was able to convince Scott to a challenge to see who could handle the most liquor. Hoping this could both lighten the mood and start the process in making him drunk and more open with his thoughts. Now we were five bottles in and he wasn't showing any signs of becoming drunk. I on the other hand.
"I think you had enough, my Thane," Lydia was next to me and as much as she wanted me to win. She too was seeing the signs. I was going to lose.
"Your partners right," Scott said in a voice only a cocky old man could pull off. "I know my limits and let me tell you. They far exceed yours. So how about we skip the drinks and move on to the talking. Come on I know you have more questions, so ask away," He went back to drinking knowing full well I wouldn't be able to keep my vision clear for much longer. It wasn't every day I became tired with Mead but today was one of those days. So much for the plan. That's twice in one day this man has beaten me and it was starting to become irritating.
With my defeat now being admitted, much to Lydia's sad and joy mixed face, our plan had failed. Meaning straight up talk was our only option. "Fine. Here's my first question. Who are you, and don't say your name. I want to know who exactly you are and why you're interested in me," I made my question as clear as possible. Now I just hoped he didn't give me the same answers as last time.
Without his mask, it was a little easier reading his facial expressions. I could see he was considering his answers as our table became silent. Then he grinned. "As I told you before, my name is Scott Lazer. The reason I'm here and looking for you is the fact my employers asked me to protect the Dragonborn, which is you. First time I've ever got a job here in 'Skyrim', so I'm a little lost in everything I'm seeing," He said the name of my home with such puzzled tone it was hard not believing him.
"So, you're a mercenary. Working for the highest coin which leads you here. If that's the case then why didn't your employers tell me about any of this? It's not hard. That Courier running around somehow always finds me even in the middle of nowhere," Now thinking about it, how does that courier find me. One time I just cleared out an old ruin and he was waiting for me right outside it.
"They're the secret type. All you need to know is that I'm order to help you. So, if you need it just ask of me and any problem in front of you will disappear," Help wasn't something I'll normally refuse. But looking at Scott's face and from my gut feeling, I knew he was holding back information. It wasn't like the rest of the companions or even with Lydia. I knew all of them had their own secrets and I was fine with that. But with Scott, there was something more to it all. Something that screamed danger whenever I got a good look at him.
"If I refuse your help then what would you do?" I had to ask. My gut was still telling me to refuse any help from this man but my brain told me to look deeper. Whatever this man is going to do if I refuse is help is the most important thing. If he was going to do something harmful I'll have to stop him. If not, though, I'll let it go and see where things turn out from there.
"That's simple. I'll help you anyway," That was an answer I didn't like. "Don't think I'll do anything extreme. I'll just watch over you making sure you don't die. Cause if you do it's me that's paying the price for it," Scott went back to drinking giving me time to think about what he said. He was either a great liar of what he said was the truth. He shuddered when he said he'll pay the price if I was to die. Meaning his employers will do something big if he fails at his mission.
I could only guess how much control they had over Scott but now I knew at least a few new things. I wouldn't need to stop him from doing anything that could harm me or the people here in Whiterun. The other was that his employers had large control over him. Meaning some information he may have will undeniably stay hidden. Maybe this guy wasn't so bad after all. He's under the control of someone else so that explains the odd behavior. If I could help with the trouble's of what I could assume was a great warrior in his past. Then it is only right I do so. "Very well. If you wish to help me in battle than I welcome it," I smiled and laugh out throughout the inn disturbing all those around us.
"Very well. If you wish to help me in battle than I welcome it," I took my drink and lift it into the air for my new companion. Lydia may dislike the company but I'm sure over time this man will prove to be a great ally. I needed all the help I could get if I was going to fulfill the duties of the Dragonborn.
"My Thane. I don't think we should have him coming with us on your adventures. After all..." I would have normally let Lydia talk but I had to stop her.
"My adventures Lydia? No, they're both our adventure and now we have a third member to help succeed with whatever dangers we may face. So I say we drink in the name of our new companion," Lydia knew now there was no arguing over it. I was going to drink and we were going to have Scott join us. She knew my mind was made up so instead of fighting it any further, she to went and joined me. Though, she was rather reluctant about it.
This left all but Scott to join us in his celebration. Looking down at him he had a concerned look on his face. "You should stop drinking. I don't want to end up carrying your unconscious body out of here," For a man who says he'll look after my health. He sure became cold when talking about it.
"You just don't know how us Nords work," I said to him as I went on to finish both my drink and three more. After that, my vision became to blurry and I soon found myself in bed and falling to sleep. Looks like I'll have to continue any work left undone tomorrow.
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