Inheritance of Skyrim
Chapter 2 Dragonborn Awakened
By. R. Reichelderfer
Coming out of Warmaidens Murtagh was surprised at how well the armor he now had fit him. Steel Plate armor, a Fine steel sword, Large steel shield, and a Bow with nearly fifty arrows. Adrianna had everything he needed. But sadly he didn't have enough coin to pay for it all. Full plate was highly expensive, and steel armor was almost as good.
So after getting a room at the Bannered Mare, Murtagh with some reluctance had spent most of the day running errends back and forth. Thorn was safely inside the room at the Bannered Mare under the Bed he had been munching on some dried meat and drinking water.
As long as he stayed Still and Quiet he would not be discovered. Whiterun was massive, there had to be thousands of people in the City. No he was not in Alagaesia anymore. He had seen elves wandering about in the City at the Drunken Huntsman, at the markets and stalls. Adrianna had told Murtagh that Eorland Grey-Mane had been looking for a set of Ancient Nordic Armor, The very armor Murtagh was wearing, so with some bartering and haggling Murtagh was able to get enough gold for the Armor at Warmaidens. Barely.
He was impressed with the Skyforge. There was something special about it, he could feel the power. Finally once he had the gold he needed he had decended from the Companion's Forgemaster. Then much to his annoyance, he had been stopped by a stocky, man in that military Armor, and an older man who looked like some sort of fat pompous noble. The young Man then asked point blank.
"BattleBorn or Grey-Mane?"
Much to Murtagh's annoyance he learned that the War was in fact a Civil war. Apparently the Country Skyrim, was part of an empire, and there was a civil war. Whiterun was in the middle and divided as well. Apparently the two most predominate families The Battleborns, who were Imperial supporters, and their rivals the Grey-Manes supported the Rebel faction lead by some Ulfric Stormcloak. Apparently Ulfric murdered the High King, and was trying to secede from said empire.
And now he was being questioned on who he was loyal to. Murtagh Flat out told him, he was loyal to himself. And when he was told that was the wrong answer, Murtagh told him. "I am loyal to myself. And if the goods are high quality, and the prices reasonable, I'll buy and sell from whom I damn well please. I am not taking sides, nor will I get involved in your petty family feuding." And Murtagh very bluntly left the two men as he headed back to Warmaidens. It took an hour or so for the armor to be fitted and adjusted. But now, he was clad head to toe in Full plate armor. Fine quality, Adrianna threw in a Steel sword, Bow, and the arrows for free. Claiming he needed a break.
With the Shield over his shoulder Murtagh headed back to the Bannered Mare. The Night air came to him and as he looked around he looked up at the moon, and dropped his shield. Not moon, Moons. There were two in the Sky as he stood there. Both of them lined up, a smaller moon, and far larger moon rose into the City. After staring for a few moments, most likely looking like an idiot. Finally he came over and picked up his shield after it had rolled away. He headed back to the Bannered Mare wanting to get back and close to Thorn before someone discovered the young dragon.
Through out the day Murtagh had heard tales and stories of dragons. How a big black dragon had destroyed a city named Helgen, about how dragons had returned, and how many thought it was madness. Murtagh had a vested interest to get out of the City this Night, but he was also extremely tired. Moving up the street he saw a man in iron armor resting against a wooden post. He had a beard that had a tie in it at the bottom of his chin, with long blond hair tied into a pony tail. Moving past him Murtagh heard him say, "Dun let muh Pa and muh brother bother ya, We Battle-Borns have been here since the beginning. Along with the Gray-Manes. Our families been close as kin for generations. But Ulfric Stormcloak's uprising has divided us. Now seems we can scarce look at each other without comin' to blows. Petty and foolish, that. They're sayin' dragons have returned to Skyrim. Now that there, that's a real problem."
Turning to the stranger Murtagh said sharply, "They had best be careful, or they may find a Grey-Mane supporter who voices their support with a blade, rather than words." That raised the brow of the man as Murtagh continued onto the Bannered Mare. Once inside he could see a large number of patrons as well as a man playing a lute next to a woman who seemed to be rather annoyed at his presence. She stood up as she pushed the lute player away he laughed and said loudly,
"Oh Carlotta, You fiery young Widow, Your heart will be mine, I'll conquer you as a True Nord conquers any Harsh beast!" It only made her Scoff. Annoyed Murtagh walked up approaching the Lute player, said trying to cool his fiery attitude.
"You need to stop this, she is clearly not interested in you." Murtagh said trying to be diplomatic about it. But the bard laughed, and with a fairly loud voice, "What did you just say? All I heard was the sound of jealousy." Taken back by the Statement the smirk on the Bard's face broke Murtagh's temper.
Without warning he used his steel plate gauntlet and struck him in the gut knocking the wind out of him making him keel over. Grabbing hold of his hair Murtagh yanks his face down as he brought up his right knee allowing the Bard's face to impact the protective kneel plate breaking his nose, letting go of his hair Murtagh used his left hand to back hand the bard as hard as he could knocking him back and into a table breaking it in two.
The entire room had jumped back as Murtagh asked very firmly. "If you are looking for a 'hot' time, there is a fire pit in this room I can introduce you to." Murtagh said as the Bard's face, broken, bloody and spitting blood, "Alright you win you win, on my honor, Carlotta won't have to worry about me again."
Spitting at the Bard Murtagh drew his sword, "Your Honor, What honor?" Bringing the edge and point of the blade to his throat Murtagh said, "Your life?" Almost making the Bard Soil himself.
"On my Life, Carlotta won't have to worry about me again." He said backing against the wall as Murtagh started to head upstairs, before vanishing Murtagh Looked to the Woman he was wooing and simply nodded to her, as the Bard coughed and attempting to salvage his pride moved off to a dark corner. The room was held in a stunned silence at what Murtagh had done.
Getting upstairs Murtagh walked to his room and making sure the room was still secured, he began to walk inside closing and locking the door behind him. He could feel Thorn as the dragon came and then jumped up onto the bed and then into Murtagh's arms as the two held each other closely before settling down to sleep for the night.
Come morning Murtagh had woken up, had a meal in his room privately. He had also gotten a large backpack so that he could put Thorn in carrying him out of the City. Getting in his armor, it wasn't as hard as he expected. The armor was almost like pulling on a pair of clothes. Very bulky clothes, but fairly easy. Murtagh's goal now was to get out of the city as quickly as possible. As he opened up the backpack Murtagh helped Thorn into the pack as he whispered. "It's alright, we will be out of the city soon enough." Closing the pack Murtagh picked it up and placed it on his back and he hefted it up as he gasped. "Much heavier and you won't be so easy to carry." Thorn gave an indignant Squeak, and settled down. Picking up his helmet, strapping his dagger to his belt, putting his sword on his belt and grabbing his shield Murtagh began to leave the room after getting his Bow. Thankfully his quiver was on his backpack. Tossing the owner a gold coin he headed for the door.
Stepping out into the sunlight Murtagh saw a number of people in the market place, including several guards and the two Battle-Born clan members talking with some guards. Walking down and into the middle of the Market, Murtagh watched a number of the guards suddenly draw their weapons and approach him. The Two Battle-Born simply sneared at Murtagh as one of the guards said, "You have been accused of Crimes against Skyrim and her people, What say you in your defense?"
Looking at the Battle-Borns Murtagh bared his teeth as the guard said, "Drop your weapons, and pack, we'll be taking any and all stolen goods from you!" At that point Murtagh Knew Thorn was going to be discovered as there was a massive Gust of Wind behind him as he heard some on scream out.
"DRAGON! Run for your Lives!"
Turning around Murtagh watched as a Dragon, almost twice the size of Saphira from when he last saw her, landed on the roof of the Bannered Mare. Taking the opportunity to bolt the dragon roared out as Arrows flew at the dragon with a number impacting the dragon's hide and bouncing off. Murtagh was taking the chance to escape from the city. But as he ran down the path to the main City Gate he watched the Dragon fly off in front of him turn around and land over the gate. Murtagh watched as the Dragon looked right at him and roared, "DOVAHKIIN!" And then opening his maw, Murtagh Ducked to the left as he got behind a Stone building that protected him from fire, Grabbing his dagger he slit the straps to his backpack and Thorn clawed his way out of the back pack and ran up under the building to hide. Taking an Arrow from his quiver Murtagh watched as the dragon came around the corner as he drew his bow back and with a focused aim, launched the arrow just as the dragon opened his mouth placing the arrow into the roof of it's mouth making him recoil.
The Dragon's scales were a stoney gray and dull as Murtagh lunged out of the corner with murder in his eyes. Having two arrows drawn Murtagh could see the dragon was build very much like Saphira, two wings, four legs. As he launched the two arrows at the dragon. One bounced off the hard boney scales of the dragon as the other one actually landed in his eye. Making the dragon roar out in pain and agony. Murtagh ran behind the Buildings as the Dragon pursued him. He could hear guards yelling and shouting as he stowed his bow and drew his sword leading the dragon out into the open market. The Dragon did not bother to come around the Corner, he chose to bust through the building knocking it down as he came at Murtagh with snapping jaws. and rending claws. Suddenly an intense burst of cold came from the dragon's mouth biting into Murtagh's skin, this cold was unnatural, instantly chilling him to the bone. Bringing his shield up offered little help as the Dragon lunged.
Reacting more on Instinct Murtagh bashed with his shield knocking the dragon's face out of the way as he slashed with his sword striking just behind the jaw as the blade cut deeply into the soft scales, slicing deeply as a massive spurt of blood escaped from the wound. Fighting against the Numbness Murtagh pulled the Blade back and then plunged it into that wound, he could feel the muscle and sinew slice and yield to the sword. As a massive gout of blood escaped spraying over Murtagh's armor and then he felt something just snap as the tension in the dragon just faded away very slowly.
The dragon's wound pumped out more blood, gallons of the sanguine fluid flowed out on to the ground as the dragon just fell down giving a death rattle. Staggering back, Cold, number as he saw the dragon was covered with arrows, and then he felt strange, as if some massive surge of energy was flowing into him. That was when he noticed the dragon's scales and hide were starting to burn and turn to ash. People yelled for them to get back, as Murtagh watched as ribbons of smoke and energy swarmed around him, filling him with warmth, and soothing the cold he felt. What he could only describe as pure power flowed into his body as he screamed out a single word.
"FUS!"
And with it came a wave of force from his voice knocking aside the dragon's body as the scales, and muscles converted into the energy flowing into him. When the swirling energy stopped, Murtagh watched as the dragon had been reduced to a skeleton with few scales remaining. As he collected his thoughts he heard the crack of thunder, followed but ancient and mystical sounding voices. It instantly caught his attention turning to the tall mountain to the West as the Voice called out.
"DOVAHKIIN!"
Turning to a Guard who came to him as Murtagh was ready for trouble, as the guard said, "I can't believe it, You're Dragonborn!"
Still terrified of being arrested, "Dragonborn? what do you mean?"
As The guard set about explaining he could see the two Battle-Born clan members looking at Murtagh with absolute shock, but also fear and a little disgust. "In the very oldest tales, Back from when there were still dragons in Skyrim, The Dragonborn would slay Dragons and Steal their powers. That's what you did, isn't it? Absorbed that Dragon's power."
"I don't know what happened," he said still flushed from the rush of energy he got from the dragon. Murtagh said very concerned for Thorn, as he reached out to search for his companion's mind. He could feel Thorn, and could tell someone had found the pack Thorn had clawed his way out of as the Guard continued.
"You can shout now, you couldn't before. That proves you must be Dragonborn."
There was a very large crowd gathering around Murtagh making him very nervous. There came shouts from some place as Murtagh instantly knew Thorn had been discovered. Pushing his way in a panic, Thorn scrambled out from cover and began to run as fast as he could while Murtagh watched a guard bring up an Axe to take a swing at Thorn. Feeling the power come in his throat he roared out once more.
"FUS!" As the wave of force came to hit the guard as Thorn jump into Murtagh's arms as he draw his sword pointing it at the guards, "First one to harm this Dragon DIES!" He roared out.
This Caught all them off guard as he watched a Dark skinned elf come down the stairs in bright emerald green armor with an entourage of soldiers. She held a command of high authority as she called out. "Stand down all of you! NOW" As the guards who had their weapons drawn, looked at her she narrowed her blood red eyes and then demanded. "NOW What has happened? We got word of a dragon attack, and now some Dragonborn?!"
Finally one of the Guards approached the Dark Elven lady and told her of the events. Claiming that The Battle-Borns said that Murtagh had stolen the armor from someone in Whiterun. At that point Eorland Gray-mane Came forward. "No, he was sent to me by Adrianna knowing I was looking for Ancient Nord Armor, so he could buy the armor."
Adrianna then came forward, and said she had personally sold and fitted the armor to Murtagh. Gave him his Sword, Bow, and arrows free of charge. At that point they explained what happened when he came out of the Bannered Mare, and then to the attack and slaying of the Dragon. As well as the fact they believed Murtagh was Dragonborn, then the Greybeards calling for Murtagh.
The Dark Elf listened as in her stern voice. "Jarl Bulgruuf will want to speak with you. As for your... Pet Dragon."
That got a snarl out of Thorn as Murtagh said, "He's no more a pet than..." Murtagh bit his tongue. Wanting to call her a harlot as the two glared at each other.
"As for your Dragon. Keep it under control. Now follow us." She said as Murtagh held his ground.
"You can come of your own free will, Or the guard can beat you into submission and we can take you there in Chains." She said very coldly.
Looking around at nearly four dozen guards Murtagh hadd to relent. "Alright." He would last maybe a minute at most with so many guards, and most likely Thorn would be killed leaving him little choice but to comply.