Inheritance of Skyrim
Chapter 1
The Cold Reality.
By. R. Reichelderfer
Finally waking up to the incessant hunger, Murtagh looked around. He could see Thorn beside him resting as he was covered up in the blanket beside his rider. Finally as he gently nudged Thorn awake the pair of them looked around Both hungry. Thorn had been all but starved by Galbatorix, So the two bird had been wolfed down by Thorn. Slowly standing up, Uncovering himself Murtagh and Thorn went out into the daylight, it had to be nearly noon.
Looking to the Strong house he felt his stomach sour at how high the top of the mountain behind it was was and wanting to avoid climbing he spied the horse who seemed no worse for wear. The house was brown, with a thick coat of fur. The saddle had bags on it as he came over to investigate and finding a large bag with oats, Murtagh almost tore into it, but the nickering of the Horse made him reconsider. The bag had enough for two or three days for the horse. And he noticed some other provisions. Dried meat and fruit as Murtagh tried to offer some meat to Thorn the young dragon refused as his belly was still bulging some from the two birds he ate last night. Murtagh ate the meat and fruit as he started to drink down a few bottles of ale he found. The meat was good, as was the ale, but nothing he had tasted before.
looking around as he get the feed bag for the Horse to eat the oats placing it on the bit and bridle. Murtagh saw a rock outcropping behind the tent and it was high enough he could get to the top of with out too much effort. Climbing up, he knelt down as he had a good view of the mountains behind him as well as to the left and right, he couldn't tell what directions he was looking but all around was a thick conifer forest with ever green trees covered in snow, to his left he could see a ruined fort, in some tree clearing, smoke rose from the inside of the fort and beyond it leagues of forest.
Looking to his right gave him some more interest. The forest while spreading long came to an end, maybe four or five miles away, spreading into wide open plains. In the far distance what he could see appeared to be some sort of strong hold, very large, very high and thus large. It was not Urur'baen, that was for sure. But he felt the urge to go and explore due to the compulsion of his oath. Looking around Murtagh could not figure it out, if someone has rescued him... why were they not here? He gritted his teeth in anger. Lost and alone with Thorn. No notes, no map, nothing in the way of survival. Murtagh allowed the Horse to finish eating as he began to break camp.
-
Having gathered the small tent, the bedroll, he went around the area and found a number of Saddle backs with goods and supplies. Including a hood he was now wearing to keep his head warm. The bags and sacks had a couple of things he could use, some more coin, some clothes, a dagger made of steel, he put on his belt, even a leather shield. Finally when he was sure that he had everything he could carry on his horse he loaded the Stallion up. He was a fine steed, Strong, healthy. No sign of injury or ill treatment. He checked a few things and ran his hand over the fine brown coat. He was a healthy Bay stallion. His fetlocks were thick with hair and Murtagh smiled seeing no identifying marks on him chose to not to name him. Just in case someone claimed him.
Looking at Thorn he did not like the idea of Thorn in the open so exposed. More so in an area he did not know. So it took some effort but he managed to get Thorn wrapped up in a blanket to hide him as he put him on the horse's saddle in front of him, and mounted up. The Horse was unsteady as Murtagh put his weight on the stallion with the saddle backs packed up he began to move the stallion guiding him down the same trail he brought him up from the side of the mountain. He wanted a bow and some arrows but he didn't have one so he would have to buy or trade for one.
Keeping an eye on his surroundings he bit his lip as the stallion moved down the path and finally entered into the tree line. Kicking the sides of the horse gently Murtagh increased speed to a trot as the two moved through the thick Evergreen trees. Finally when he was sure they were not on the loose rock of that mountain, Murtagh picked up the pace to a gallop. Moving through the trees, Murtagh was surprised when they exited the forest onto the plains much sooner than expected, he could see for miles around as he slowly rode over the hill. The expanse of grass lands and the snow started to fade as he left the forest and soon hit over the grass.
As he rode out of the forest Thorn stuck his head out of the blanket to get a good look of the surrounding area. The Sun shined through the Sky as he slowly the horse to a slow canter. He did not want to tire the horse out too fast slowly as he rode through, he was amazed at the sights and sounds. He could see a mountain in the Distance beyond the large strong hold, nothing in his memory, or what he heard of matched the description of any place like in the empire. He had no idea or clue where he was.
As he looked around he could hear some sort of very large steps on the ground as he pulled his horse back. The sounds were of something massive, through the trees he could see something massive moving, as the creature came out of the forest Murtagh went wide eyed as he could see this massive beast. Covered in long shaggy brown fur. From the head of the beast it's nose was massively long, flawing about moving and sniffing the ground, the shaggy animal had four massive... tusks from it's face curved and elongated. Instantly Murtagh knew, he and Thorn were not in Alagaesia any more. The creature walked on four strong sturdy legs. The creature gave a bellow and it was enough to make Murtagh Kick his steed and bolt off into the distance. He did not know if it was hostile, nor did he want to know. He had never heard of any animal remotely like what he had just seen.
As he raced across the land Murtagh headed to the large stronghold riding hard and fast making sure he was out of sight of that beast. He covered Thorn up making sure his companion was not able to be seen. As he slowed his stallion down Murtagh wasn't sure how long he had been ridding but as he tore over the land he came into the sight of what looked like a Stone road. Looking back to make sure the Beast had not been following him, he exhaled allowing his stallion to slow his heart beat as the two cantered to the road. Looking around the place Murtagh kept his eye out for being ambushed. Coming up the road he could see what looked like a windmill and a farm. And on the road what looked like a wagon stuck with a very large crate in the back of the wagon. What captured his focus more was a guard approaching his way on patrol.
The guard was dressed in what Murtagh could see was what amounted to a light military uniform. The shoulders had armor chain over it, as the over all tunic was layered in leather with armored strips of metal. He had a Bow and quiver on his back along with a sword at his left hip. he was walking with the posture and experience that told Murtagh he was a trained soldier. But the uniform was nothing like that of Galbatorix Armor. Nor Surdan armor. Slowly as he stilled Thorn he asked the Guard. "Forgive me sir, Last night my horse got spooked and I spent most of the night trying to chase him down. Could you tell me where I am?"
The guard looked up at him and with a fairly deep voice said. "Ended up getting lost did ya?" There was a soft Chuckle, as the guard said, "You are in the Hold of Whiterun. The City of Whiterun is over there if you follow the Road it will lead you around to the main gate, traveler. If you need bed and a meal, The Bannered Mare is a good place to stay. You can get better armor and weapons at Warmaidens as well." The guard said. Murtagh had never heard of any place like Whiterun, or Hold of WhiteRun. Something in the pit of his stomach told him he wasn't in Alagaesia any more. Maybe some how he was magically brought or sent to another part of the world?
Thanking the guard Murtagh turned his Horse to move out of the guard's way and move on. As he began to follow the road he came upon the wagon and heard the man who was dressed as a Jester scream out,
"Agh! Bother and befuddle! Stuck here! Stuck! My mother, my poor mother. Unmoving. At rest, but too still!" The outburst caught Murtagh by total surprise. It made the Horse start causing the Jester to turn around looking at Murtagh. Looking into his brown eyes Murtagh could see the fact that his eye held an insane gleam to his eyes as Murtagh swallowed as he could feel Thorn encourage him to try and help and against his better judgement he asked.
"Is something the matter?"
"Poor Cicero is stuck. Can't you see? I was transporting my dear, sweet mother. Well, not her. Her corpse! She's quite dead. I'm taking mother to a new home. A new crypt. But... aggh! Wagon wheel! Damnedest wagon wheel! It broke! Don't you see?"
Very true that the wagon wheel was broken as Murtagh asked against his better judgement. "Is there something I can do to help?" He had intended to help by sending someone from the city, but the Jester said prancing around. In all Despite the insane gleam in his eye which could have been an act Cicero said.
"Oh. Oh yes! Yes, the kindly stranger can certainly help! Go to the farm - the Loreius Farm. Just over there, off the road. Talk to Loreius. He has tools! He can help me! But he won't! He refuses! Convince Loreius to fix my wheel! Do that, and poor Cicero will reward you. With coin! Gleamy, shiny coin!"
The idea of getting more money appealed to him as he looked to Cicero and then the Farm, Murtagh said. "I will do what I can to convince him." Turning the horse to the right Murtagh lead his stallion up the path to the farm. Looking around it was fairly massive. Well kept, and the crops doing very well. Unlike many farms in the Empire he had seen, the farm house actually looked well maintained. Indicating that where ever he was, the empire wasn't taxing people to near death.
Riding up the path careful of the crops, cabbages, potatoes, wheat. He could also see cows, goats, and chickens as well. On the porch Murtagh could hear the man and woman talking about some old burial, and the man not wanting his wife going there. As he rode up to the farmhouse he heard the farm exclaim. "And what do you want?"
"The Um, little man really needs help with his Wagon."
"That Cicero feller? Hmph. Tell me something I don't know. Crazy fool's already asked me about five times. Seems he's not satisfied with my answer. Why can't he just leave us alone?" The Farmer scoffed. He was dirty and showed signs of hard word. His clothes were decent, not like the rags some people were made to wear.
"I am sure he will pay you for your help."
"Pay me? You think this is about money? Have you seen the man? He's completely out of his head. A jester? Here, in Skyrim? Ain't been a merryman in these parts for a hundred years. And he's transporting some giant box. Says it's a coffin, and he's going to bury his mother. Mother my eye. He could have anything in there. War contraband. Weapons. Skooma. Ain't no way I'm getting involved in any of that." The suspicion in the man's voice was apparent.
The talk of war contraband made Murtagh nervous. War, young, healthy strong men were forced to serve in the army, Murtagh expected the same here. But regardless he still needed coin. Once he was out of the city he would be able to head into the wilderness and hide there for a good long time while Thorn grew, until he reached a size large enough to carry Murtagh away from this place.
With a soft exhale, "You know you should really help him." Murtagh said,
"What? And just who in Mara's name are you, anyway? Hmm? Come here, telling me my business. And for what? To help a... a... a fool!" Murtagh had an inkling of what he was meaning.
"He's someone in need of help, and you know you should help him." Murtagh said firmly. He tried to make himself believe it, but wasn't sure how he came across the the Man's face seemed to soften and then turn more to understanding.
"Look, I... I... You're right. You're right. Feller might be nutters, might not. But fact is, he needs help. I turn him away, what kind of man am I, hmm? Look, um... Thanks. And I'm sorry for my neighborly reaction. If you talk to Cicero, you be sure and tell him I'll be down to help soon." The man's disposition seemed to Chain as he started to talk to his wife that he needed to get his tools. Heading inside as Murtagh turned to ride down the path, Murtagh returned to Cicero and told him the good news.
Prancing about in ecstasy, Cicero said, "Oh stranger! You have made Cicero so happy! So jubilant and ecstatic! But more! Even more! My mother thanks you! Here, here. For your troubles! Shiny, clinky gold! A few coins for a kind deed! And thank you! Thank you again." A fairly large bag was handed to Murtagh as he nodded and began to ride off. Looking into the bag of coin he could see it was all gold coins. There had to be More gold there then Murtagh had ever had in his life. Perhaps Cicero was a smuggler, or just very skilled at his job, but Murtagh didn't care, all he wanted was to get to the city and get supplies and some good food, and escape. He could feel Thorn seem to be pleased with his attempt to help Cicero.
As he rode around the hold it was massive, at least a third the size of Uru'baen, the area was breathtaking. Tundra plains as far as the eye could see, the roads well maintained. Cared for. Mountains all around, to the far north, south, east, and west. The West had to be one of the largest mountains he had ever seen. Even the Beor mountains paled as he looked up in wonder.