The hamlet was situated near a river and the buildings were constructed out a wood with some stone here and there. Hadvar walked up to the smithy and began conversing with the blacksmith. Saya quickly learned the two were related and that the smith's name was Alvor. Hadvar was informing Alvor of the dragon attack at Helgen.
"Hadvar, you've had one too many drinks. Come on inside." Alvor said.
"No. Hadvar's story is accurate. I was there." Saya cut in. Alvor went inside without a word, Hadvar following. Saya shrugged and went inside.
"A dragon attack? At Helgen? What in Oblivion happens now? What if it comes to Riverwood?" Alvor fretted.
"I'm sure the Jarl will know what to do. He's not going to leave Riverwood defenseless." Hadvar assured his relative. "Could you tell the Jarl about Helgen?" He asked Saya. She nodded and departed for the Hold's capitol of Whiterun. The city was several hours north of Riverwood. Daylight quickly succumbed to nightfall as Saya continued up the road. She reached the gate well after midnight. A guard stopped her.
"The city's closed, citizen, with the dragon attack at Helgen. The Jarl has given me strict orders not to let anyone in without urgent business."
"I'm here to tell the Jarl that Riverwood is almost defenseless against the dragon. And to ask for his assistance." Saya explained.
"Riverwood? Go on in. The Jarl's in Dragon's Reach. Large palace on the northern end of the city, hard to miss." Guards unlocked the gate into the large stone city. A blacksmith's forge was on her right and the door to the Guard Tower on her right. The main thoroughfare was composed of cobbled stone and led straight through the middle of the settlement. Saya jogged along it, following it through the residential area, the market and eventually to the Jarl's palace.
Another guard stopped her. "The Jarl's busy. Unless you have urgent business, I'm afraid I'll have to send you back home."
"Riverwood's defenseless against the dragon that attacked Helgen."
"That counts. Go on in." The guard stepped out of her way after unlocking the double doors into Dragon's Reach. Saya entered the large banquet hall and walked passed the fire pit. The Jarl's Housecarl stepped between Saya and the Jarl.
"What's your business?" The dark elf asked briskly.
Saya introduced herself and again repeated her reasons for being in Whiterun. The Jarl bid his Housecarl to remain calm.
"What's this talk of a dragon attack?"
"I was at Helgen when it happened. And now Riverwood is a prime target."
The Jarl's steward scoffed. "These are but rumors, Barlgruuf. She is in a state of fancy."
"Can anyone back up you claims, citizen?"
"Yes, Sir. The Riverwood blacksmith, Alvor. Hadvar's uncle. He said he'd vouch for me."
"Well, there you go, Proventus. Alvor is not one for fancy talk. If he was, I'd trade out all of my mead for Skooma." The Jarl's Housecarl cracked a small smile. "Yes, Irileth. As much as I hate Skooma, I'd trade the mead out for it if Alvor were to be delusional."
"About the dragon, Sir." Saya returned to the matter at hand.
"Yes?"
"Is there anything we could do to help Riverwood?"
The Jarl's steward spoke. "Aside from stationing guards there, which may be viewed as provocation by Falkreath, I see little options."
"Irileth?"
"I say we post guards there and send a courier to Falkreath letting the Jarl there know."
"I advise we wait and see if the dragon is even interested in Riverwood and keep the guards on standby."
"We'll be sending the guards to Riverwood. I won't sit idly by while a settlement in this hold is threatened. Saya, is it?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Speak with my Court-wizard. He's quite concerned with the dragons. Hopefully you can provide some insight."
"Of course." The Jarl stood and led Saya to the wizard's study.
"Farengar, you have a guest. She may have some insight on the dragons." The Jarl motioned for Saya to enter, then returned to his throne.
"One moment, please. I am involved in conversation." There was another woman in the room. She had robes and a hood. The two were discussing something called the Dragonstone. Their discussion ended quickly and Farengar turned to Saya. "Jarl Barlgruuf informs me that you have insight on the dragons. How much exactly?"
"I barely escaped Helgen with my life."
"Ah. Well, it seems I have a job that needs doing. The Dragonstone my associate and I were discussing lies in a large and dangerous ruin, not far from Riverwood, actually. I think your the right person to go and get it. Also, if you're interested, I'll reward you for your troubles."
"I'll do it. Where am I going?"
"A ruin called Bleak Falls Barrow. According to my associate, the stone lies in the largest chamber deep within the ruin."
"I'm off." Saya left Dragon's Reach and out into Whiterun. It was now morning, with the sun rising in the east. She headed to the blacksmith's near the gate. A Redquard woman was working the forge. Saya quickly shoved the thought of Alendi's death away before stepping toward the smith.
"You're new around here, what can I help you with?"
"I was actually looking for some better equipment. What do you have?"
"Arms, armor and a few raw materials if you're looking to forge things yourself."
"Can I have a look at you armor sets?" The woman nodded and led Saya to the outdoor armory. There were a few sets of iron armor, a few shields leather armor. She traded her Imperial armor she got in Helgen for a full set of Iron armor. It was heavier, but would certainly stop an arrow or two. "Also, do you have any swords of better steel or rarer materials?"
"I have a few steel weapons. But I don't get regular shipments of the materials needed for anything else, really." The Redguard explained while moving to the weapon racks.
"Thank you, I'll just take the armor, then. I'll come back if I need anything." Saya then turned to the gate and headed south back to Riverwood. Hadvar had pointed out the Barrow on their way from Helgen.
Quests: Main Quest Act I: Unbound, Before the Storm, Bleak Falls Barrow.