Inheritance of Skyrim

Chapter 3

Legends and Lore

by. R. Reichelderfer

Heading into Dragon's reach Murtagh had half a dozen guards behind him, and in front of him another half dozen in front of him. The housecarl, Irileth as he heard her was tall, no nonsense. As they entered the palace Murtagh could see the fine wood carved posts on both side of a grand rug, that covered the stairs leading up to a large dining area. As they entered into dining area Murtagh had Thorn walking beside him as the guards began to fall back behind Murtagh, Thorn, and the Dark elf. The Battle-Borns and Grey-Manes had followed them as well.

In the middle of the room in a well insulated Stone depression was very much a large cooking or fire pit to help warm the palace room up. On either side were tables set with fine dining set upon white cloth. Looking up beyond the fire pit, there was a massive dragon Skull over the throne of the palace. On it sat a man who looked very serious, tall, strong,. Beside him was a massive Two Handed Axe. It was black, shined like a sliver of midnight with golden gilding on it. The man had beside him what Murtagh described as wizard robes.

"An actual Dragon hatchling." He said approaching Murtagh focused on Thorn, The man on the Throne said, "Farengar, I don't think..." But it was too late, Murtagh summoned the power in his throat and once more used his new power.

"FUS!" And the blast wave knocked dust, dirt as well as knocking the wizard off balance. Drawing his sword at the Wizard Murtagh threatened, "Come near Thorn and I will take your head off your shoulders."

That of course made the guard escort draw their weapons as the Jarl lifted his hand and it made the guards stand down. "Farengar, Come back here." His voice harsh as the wizard had recoiled bringing his hands up charged with lightning.

"Jarl?!" The Wizard said questioning his leader as Murtagh held his blade at the ready. Still the wizard backed off. The Jarl exhaled as he turned to address Murtagh.

"So it is true. You are Dragonborn. And it was you the Greybeards were summoning" He understood to premise around it but Murtagh had no clue what they were talking about.

With a bit of anger Murtagh asked, "Will someone please tell me what this Dragonborn is? Who are the Greybeards?"

"The Dragonborn is said to be uniquely gifted in the Voice - the ability to focus your vital essence into a Thu'um, or Shout. If you really are Dragonborn, they can teach you how to use your gift." Jarl Bulgruuf said as he sat down in his Throne. As he did a man coming out from around the corner spoke up with enthusiasm.

"Didn't you hear the thundering sound after you slayed the dragon? That was the voice of the Greybeards, summoning you to High Hrothgar! This hasn't happened in ... centuries, at least. Not since Tiber Septim himself was summoned when he was still Talos of Atmora!"

A balding man came up with a thin mustache and goatee "Hrongar, calm yourself. What does any of this Nord nonsense have to do with our friend here? Capable as he may be, I don't see any signs of him being this, what, 'Dragonborn.'"

The man who was in what looked like very light armor that barely offered any protection replied. "Nord nonsense?! Why you puffed-up ignorant... these are our sacred traditions that go back to the founding of the First Empire!" He was fairly annoyed at the smaller man as Murtagh was left out of the loop. Thorn moved in front of Murtagh sitting down at his feet.

The Jarl spoke up "Hrongar. Don't be so hard on Avenicci."

Listening to the assistant "I meant no disrespect, of course. It's just that... what do these Greybeards want with him?"

BalgruufSpoke up at that point. "That's the Greybeards' business, not ours." Turning to address Murtagh he said. "Whatever happened when you killed that dragon, it revealed something in you, and the Greybeards heard it. If they think you're Dragonborn, who are we to argue? You'd better get up to High Hrothgar immediately. There's no refusing the summons of the Greybeards. It's a tremendous honor."

Coming beside the dark elven lady spoke up, "With all due respect my Jarl, there is still the matter of why this man found the hatchling dragon, and more importantly if that dragon was it's mother."

The Jarl looked to his house carl and nodded. "Indeed." Turning his eyes to Murtagh the Jarl was conflicted. Dragonborn or not.

"No, Thorn is not from the dragon that attacked the City."

"And how are you going to Prove this?" The Dark Elf said.

Loosing his temper Murtagh Said with a Snap. "Because I and Thorn are not from Skyrim!"

"I think that begs the question, where are ya both from?" the Jarl asked.

Realizing that the Oath he held to Galbatorx would keep him from revealing anything of his master. Because he would want to conquer this land as well. Murtagh had to offer some explanation.

"I come from a land called Alagaesia. Thorn hatched there."

"I have never heard of Alagaeisa. Atmora, Akavar, but Not Alagaesia." Farengar had said firmly.

"It's a distant land. All I know is that Thorn hatched for me there, and after going to sleep I woke up out in the wilderness. I never heard of any place called Skyrim."

It had taken only a moment for Murtagh to realize that he had made a mistake because the Jarl at that point asked. "What do you mean Hatched for you?"

Murtagh bit his tongue as the Jarl looked into his Jarl could see Murtagh was both frightened and anger. Choosing to approach Murtagh as he would one of his children rather than a stranger. "I can see you are scared lad, barely a few years into adult hood. I'll tell you what I tell every one who comes before me. I appreciate honesty, That will get you farther with me than anything else." Balgruuf said.

With some resignation Murtagh could only relent. "Alright. But keep in mind what I am about to say is an incomplete history." Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes. "Thousands of years ago, the elves of my lands made a pact with the dragons after a series of long and bloody conflicts. To seal the pact, the elves and dragons combined their powers in magic and wove a binding enchantment that bound both races. This allowed for the creation of the Dragon Riders. At first the Riders and their Dragons simply kept the peace between the Elves and Dragons. But they also became protectors of Alagaesia. When Humans arrived in Alagaesia, The Elves included humans."

The Jarl listened intently despite his relaxed posture he was listening for the tell tale halts that one is spinning a wild tale. But so far, Murtagh's story was either very well rehearsed, or was the truth. "The Riders stood for about three thousand years protecting Alagaesia, until one of their own, A rider named Galbatorix, had his original dragon killed. Driven insane by the loss. He murdered a young rider, stolen their hatchling dragon. And with dark and foul magic, bound the hatchling to him. Then all but destroyed the Riders slaughtering the entire dragon race."

"What became of this... Galbatorix?" Farengar asked.

"He became King of Alagaesia. What else." Murtagh responded.

"Alright, I can hear in your voice that you are speaking the truth." Murtagh was surprised that Balgruuf had believed him. This gave Murtagh some small comfort as the JArl asked. "Now where did... Thorn's egg come from."

"Let's just say, Galbatorix didn't slay all the dragons of Alagaesia." Murtagh was truthful of that, but when the Jarl looked at him to press for more information. Murtagh simply gave a sour look. As if he had explained enough. Apparently not wanting to offend him, the Jarl asked.

"Now your Dragon. As he grows he won't be come a danger to my city will he?"

That question caught Murtagh off guard. "No, Thorn's as intelligent as you or I. And Saphira... Another dragoness. Joined to my Brother Eragon. She was strong willed, opinionated, but no. She never displayed anything I would call hostility or violence."

Murtagh and the Jarl studied each other for a period of time. Finally he spoke. "You have done my city a great service Dragonborn, and Dragon Rider by protecting it from the dragon that attacked. By my right as Jarl, I name you Thane of Whiterun. It is the highest honor I can bestow upon you that is within my power." A woman in steel armor began to approach from out of the shadows as Irileth was shocked at Balgurrf's declaration. "I grant you Lydia as your personal Housecarl, and the property of Breezehome as your residence in the City. While you are Thane of Whiterun, I want you to understand. That I will hold you responsible for any harm your Dragon Thorn causes."

The declaration made Murtagh uneasy. "What if another dragon shows up and attacks?" Murtagh asked. He knew the Jarl was simply trying to curry favor with him.

At that point the Wizard Farengar spoke up. "Sooner or later another dragon will come regardless. Dragon attacks have been on the increase since they were sighted returning after hundreds if not thousands of years."