I hadn't really paid attention to Whiterun before being allowed in its gates. The scale was impressive, and different in ways I hadn't expected as much. For example, there was an entire residential district where in the games there was half a dozen houses, and a small river dock off the back of the city for fishing and canoe sized boats.

The boats hauled small batches of supplies, or acted as fishing boats when there was no urgent river freight.

There was also the people. Hundreds, visitors, tourists, traders from deeper in the hold, and all the important pieces to a thriving, albeit somewhat medieval, economy.

That could have been overwhelming on its own, but then there was the smells and sounds. A baked goods store right near the front of the city, the sounds of blacksmiths working, children playing, merchants haggling... it was vibrant.

It was beautiful. It was also immediate to notice the disparity. Everyone knew everyone else, except for him. Boisterous conversation became curious whispers as he walked, and it felt as though every eye was on him.

So this was the negative to being a stranger in a foreign land. This tight knit sense of community was startling to experience, and somewhat depressing to be on the other side of. Nevertheless, I had but one task to accomplish.

The journey to Dragonsreach was both familiar and not, reminding me that the game developers had designed the cities to be representative of a scaled down version of their ideals, which greatly showed.

Regardless, I managed my path with a fair amount of ease, and was not prevented from entering Dragonsreach. Either the guards had sent along my errand, or they weren't worried about assassination.

"Hold." Irileth shouted as I approached the main hall, where the tables were. "What is your business here?"

"News from Helgen about Dragons." I replied, and was mildly amused by the expression she couldn't conceal, though I would have admitted that I'd be as dismayed and stunned if someone told me that spontaneously.

"Irileth, step aside. What brings you to my court, Breton?"

"News from Helgen, Jarl. Gerdur of Riverwood calls for aid. A dragon has attacked and razed Helgen."

"A dragon? Are you sure?"

"I was in Helgen as the dragon attacked. The Imperials had captured Ulfric, but he escaped in the chaos."

"By the Gods..." Balgruuf muttered aloud.

He discussed the issue with his advisor and with Irileth before deciding to send additional guards to Riverwood.

"You've done me a service, Breton. I would allot you a piece of armor as thanks, but it seems it would be insufficient given the quality of your own. Instead, I will offer you a monetary reward."

Irileth handed me a pouch full of gold before jogging her way out of the palace, presumably to dispatch the guards.

"You must be either skilled or lucky to have made it out of Helgen, and even more so to have made the journey all the way here without injury. As well, I've heard some fresh rumors about a man with a green sword helping the Companions exterminate a troll. If you like, I think I have a job for you."

"My apologies, Jarl Balgruuf, but I have a lot that needs to be done before I could think about taking on extra work. I'd like to spread the news of the Dragons a little further. Perhaps if I told the Jarl of Falkreath, he would be soothed by your reinforcement of Riverwood."

"That is kind, but unneeded. Proventus will be sending a message, without a doubt. He's an Imperial at heart, a political creature. But I sense you have a lot on your plate. Feel free to take some food or drink from my table and go with my thanks."

"Thank you, Jarl."

I proceeded to take a few large drumsticks of some sort of bird, and left quickly.

Speaking with the man, it was easier to sense the command he had, and to respect how well he ran his Hold. I actually sort of felt bad about the knowledge that he was one of the only independent Jarls in the country, and would be taken over, one way or another.

Maybe I should do something about it.

Quest added:

Whiterun: The Hold that Holds

Prevent Balgruuf from being absorbed or overthrown by either side of the Civil War

Rewards: ???

I suppose I had wondered if I was going to get additional quests. Maybe they had to be quests that I felt determined to do?

Int raised by 1 for logical reasoning

Of course. But first, to claim my namesake.

..."map" I spoke.

Nothing happened.

"open map." I tried.

Then, I imagined the map as best as I could, which was surprisingly well visualized, and suddenly I felt as though I had succeeded.

The entirety of Skyrim was arrayed below me, and I could even see some of the massive landmarks dotting the rest of Tamriel, such as the Imperial city.

Going off of basic memory, I put down a waypoint near where the Labyrinthian should be. If I traveled to Morthal, I should be around the closest I could walk to it from a carriage. Even better, it would be a decent place to go before heading off, as Morthal, even expanded as I feel it must be, probably doesn't have the same level of observation on people as Whiterun did, given the man who was seduced by a vampire, without anyone noticing.