Brother Adalvald was running through the winter snow, staggering along in a hurry, and rushed inside the Hall of the Vigilant. He closed the door behind him, leaving he elements outside, and continued to run past other Vigilants until he reached the Altar front.

There, Tolan and Carcette were discussing the Dremora sighting near Mehrunes Dagon's Shrine atop the mountain.

"I curse your predecessor, Carcette." Tolan muttered. "Setting this place up under a Deadric Lord's shrine. People must think we're damned stupid.'

"It's the best place to catch people in the act of Daedra worship," Carcette shrugged. "and Mehrunes and the Mythic Dawn caused the Oblivion Crisis, after all. It's only poetic that we'd be keeping watch here."

"Poetic, sure, but very inconvenient." Tolan scoffed as he took a sip of Mead.

"There was word of an execution at Helgen! And a Dragon attack!" Adalvald was barely able to catch his breath. "People... abducted... Darkwater Crossing... huff... huf... Ulfric... hufff... Stormcloak... Cura... Hilde..."

"Breathe, you fool!" Carcette slowed him down.

Adalvald took a moment, and slowly began to calm. "Our Field Watch... sent me a letter by Courier in Town."

"Do these Couriers have wings?" Tolan replied snarkily, impressed by the speed with which it was delivered.

He handed Carcette the letter that was given to him.

"Keeper Carcette, we regret to inform you about

Vigilant Cura's capture at the hands of the Imperial Army.

Vigilant Bruna was killed in the scuffle against the Soldiers,

but Vigilant Cura was brought to Helgen to be executed.

We assume it was due to her being in close proximity to the

Stormcloaks who were accompanying Ulfric Stormcloak at the time.

Helgen, however, was destroyed by what looked like a Black Dragon.

We do not know Vigilant Cura's status as of yet, but the deaths of

accompanying Vigilants Hilda and Bruna are certain. We will host a vigil in their names,

but with Stendarr's mercy, may Vigilant Cura remain alive.

signed, The Field Watch.

The light of Stendarr illuminates us all"

Carcette almost lost her footing upon reading this letter, but supported herself using the table. She was lost of breath, and her knees were weak. The Keeper seemed to stare into another world, as Tolan and Adalvald saw it.

"Keeper!" Tolan called out, extending a hand towards her.

Carcette turned away, and placed her hands on her forehead, and looked down. "I knew I shouldn't have relented. I knew I should have sent someone else! What was I thinking?!" She hit her hands down onto the table, and grit her teeth.

"She could still be alive." Adalvald held out hope. He knew how close Cura and Carcette were. "Maybe she escaped when the Black Dragon attacked."

Carcette thought about it. The Black Dragon. "Alduin." She looked up to the ceiling. The vision was foggy, but she could make out the Black Dragon, and the Four warriors. And the thundering shout.

"Alduin?" Tolan asked. "Not the Alduin."

"The World-Eater." Adalvald trembled when the name rung through. A weight carried through the air, and a collective chill swept the group.

"Then it is true, then." Carcette stated. She looked over to the shrine of Stendarr. "Great and powerful Stendarr," She went down on one knee. "the Dragon... it was what you had shown me all those years past... It has begun."

She went silent, and the two other Vigilants exchanged bewildered, albeit slightly concerned glances, before speaking up.

"Stendarr showed you a vision?" Aldalvald posed the question curiously.

"Yes." Carcette responded, turning her face slightly to meet his while still kneeling before the Shrine. "long ago, concerning Cura."

"Strange... I'd never heard of an Aedra communicating directly with someone before... at least not in my lifetime." Adalvald shrugged.

"Hah! A vision of the Lass surviving a Dragon attack?" Tolan scoffed. "Is Cura special, or something?"

"More than you'll ever know." Carcette responded, a sense of relief flowing through her, granted peace from Stendarr.

Adalvald scratched the back of his neck. "That kid has nine lives, sure, but I don't think..."

"There's nothing we can do to stop it." Carcette exclaimed. "Events will play out as they're supposed to. We can only stand back and watch."

"What events?" Tolan asked.

The Keeper turned to the Vigilants in the back of the room who were eavesdropping. "Continue with your duties as planned." she commanded. "And you, Adalvald, thank you, for bringing this to my attention."

He nodded. "Yes, Keeper."

A moment of silence passed, and Adalvald spoke again. "Ah, well... per my duties, I've continued my exploration of Dimhollow Crypt..."

"This again?" Tolan said dryly. "Adalvald, get over yourself. That Cavern is empty."

"Actually, on the contrary; more and more evidence of Vampiric activity has reared its head there." He began "Death Hound footprints in the caverns, Bats flying outside the cave...skeletons strewn about..."

"Bats inhabit caves. The Death Hound tracks could be Wolves. Draugr kill intruders." Tolan spelled it out to make Adalvald seem foolish. "Get over yourself, Adalvald. No Vampire would have the gall to come near the Hall of the Vigilant, unless they have a death wish."

"Isran was right!" Adalvald snapped. "Vampires have been becoming bolder and bolder every day! Not the ordinary Vampires, but more powerful, highborn ones! I'll wager that with the onslaught of Dragons about, they will capitalize on the public's current distraction! I've seen them enter Dimhollow Crypt-there must be something of importance in there! Something that could tip the scales in their favour!"

The mention of Isran hit Carcette in a sore spot. The Keeper already had half a mind to dismiss it entirely. "Just as Werewolves prowl at night, and as Necromancers summon Daedra. This is what we were founded to fight against. Though your thoughts on Dimhollow Crypt seem unworthy of concern, relative to everything else going on these days. I think Vigilant Tolan may be right."

"Keeper, please, we have to send in our best fighters! We have to find out what is in that crypt before the Vampires do!" Adalvald pleaded.

The Keeper pinched her brow with her index finger and thumb, rubbing it in annoyance. "Fine, we'll do something regarding the cavern." Carcette relented. "I won't send people to go in there to fight, but I will allow you to investigate further. If your explorations bear fruit, then I will send people in to clear the place out. Otherwise, it would be a terrible waste to send good men to die against Draugr and Wolves because of your paranoia."

Adalvald nodded. "Thank you, Keeper. I promise to do an in-depth study of the Crypt, and to return with my Notes presented for you to read over."

Carcette nodded. "You're dismissed."

Adalvald nodded before heading back outside. Tolan immediately began to cackle. "What an idiot! He's as paranoid as Isran. What's he gonna do? Light a fire inside? Blow up the mountain in the hopes of driving them out? Heh, heh, heh..."

Carcette did not respond. Instead, she continued to pray to Stendarr, for the sake of Cura, and for the sake of Skyrim. Tolan took the silence as a hint to resume his day.


The field was vast, and beautiful. Apart from a few Wolves, Cura enjoyed a relaxing stroll down the riverside. A large walled city could be seen far-off in the distance, but nearer, she could see a couple of farms, and a Meadery.

That has to be Whiterun,

she thought. now, I just have to get word to the Jarl, then I can return to the Hall of the Vigilant.As she continued down the path, she saw a few Imperial Soldiers with a Prisoner in tow, walking the road.

As she passed them, one unsheathed his sword and pointed it at her when she stared at the Prisoner. "Citizen, I'm warning you: you're interfering with Imperial Business! Be on your way!"

"Hm?" Cura looked at the Soldier. "No, I'm just on my way to Whiterun."

"Then get a move on, before we arrest you, as well." He narrowed his eyes at her.

Cura held her hands up. "I'm going, I'm going." She did not need to be arrested twice in the span of three days. Not could she afford to accrue a bounty.

She left well enough alone, and continued down the path westward, where she stumbled upon a group of warriors battling a Giant in a field.

The man with a greatsword hacked and slashed his legs, and a girl with a sword and shield stabbed him in the back, and a woman with a bow was firing arrow after arrow in his back. Cura came closer, and was enthralled by the spectacle.

The giant brought his club down, hitting the young woman with the sword and shield, then proceeding to pick her up from the ground, and Cura hurried down, and smashed his elbow with her mace, causing him to drop the girl.

The man with the greatsword smirked, then impaled the giant in the chest as the archer helped the girl up. Cura finished the giant off with a blow to the side of the head.

The mighty fiend collapsed to the ground, dead.

"You are strong." the man said. "You should come to Jorrvaskr and be a Companion."

Cura looked at the man, then turned her face away, blushing. "Me? Be a Companion? I...I don't think I'm that good."

"You handle yourself pretty well, for a Vigilant of Stendarr. I didn't think they had anyone with any real battle sense in their Order." the redheaded archer came over to address her. "A shame though; you would have made a great shield-sister."

"She's a Vigilant?" the man asked. "How can you tell?"

"The Amulet, Farkas." The Archer pointed to Cura's necklace, depicting a drinking horn. "She's sworn to another group already. A group I frankly don't care for."

"You have issues with the Vigil?" Cura asked. "Why? We're pretty benign in cities. We stay out of Warriors' way."

"Well, I suppose that's true enough." The redhead shrugged as she mounted her bow on her back. "It's not my decision on whether or not to allow you into the ranks of the Companions. You'll have to speak to Kodlak Whitemane for that."

Cura nodded. "I'll keep that in mind. Thank you." She smiled in a friendly manner.

Before she could continue her walk, the younger Companion with the sword and shield approached, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Hey, I didn't get the chance because Aela and Farkas intercepted you first, but thanks for your help back there. I was afraid for a second. You saved me."

"It's all right." Cura smiled back. She looked behind them and saw Aela and Farkas lurking behind. She wondered what the issue Aela had with the Vigilants was about.

"No, I feel as though I should repay you." the girl said, cutting Cura's thoughts short. "If you need a voucher, I'll do it for you."

"Thank you..." Cura was pressing for a name. "Er..."

"Ria." the girl stated. "Ria of Whiterun. Newest member of the Companions."

"Congratulations, then." Cura smiled. "Do you like being with the Companions?"

"It's always been my dream..." Ria trailed off. "Haven't you heard the stories of Kodlak and Skjor fighting off a hundred-and-one Orc berserkers? Skjor says it was more like forty, but he's just being modest. Where else would I want to be but here? Learning from them, fighting at their sides."

"Wow... that many..." Cura was impressed by the numbers. Skjor must be the Dragonborn. It's the only explanation that could make sense. Perhaps she would tell him about the Dragon, after the Jarl.

Eventually, they reached the Town gate.

"Halt!" the Guard stopped Cura. "Who are you supposed to be? I've not seen your face before! City's closed. Official business only."

"Riverwood calls for the Jarl's aid." Cura stated. "They're in a bad way, since Dragons have returned."

"Oh, when you put it that way, I suppose we can make an exception for you." The Guard stated. "Go on in once I unlock the gate, and remember: we'll be watching you, so no funny business, and no lollygaggin'."

Cura nodded respectfully as she walked through the gate. She saw a beautiful little city with stone, wood, and clay houses adorning a cobblestone street. By the entrance, there was a blacksmith shop, and a few houses down was a general store, an Alchemist shop, an Inn, and a central community marketplace.

Immediately, she became aware of a man in Imperial armour talking to an Imperial woman in a blacksmith's apron.

"We'll pay whatever it takes. But we must have more swords for the Imperial soldiers." the man spoke boldly.

"I just can't fill an order that size on my own. Why don't you swallow that stubborn pride of yours and ask Eorlund Gray-Mane for help?" The woman suggested, as she was clearly overwhelmed by work enough as it is.

"Ha! I'd sooner bend my knee to Ulfric Stormcloak. Besides, Gray-Mane would never make steel for the Legion." The man laughed bitterly.

"Have it your way. I'll take the job, but don't expect a miracle." the woman returned to her workbench.

Immediately, the soldier turned to Cura and walked straight to her, face-to-face, loomingly glaring down at her.

"Gray-Mane or Battle-Born?" he asked, darkly

"Er, excuse me?" Cura asked.

"Got stones in your ears? I asked what side you're on, Gray-Mane or Battle-Born." he all but pushed into her.

"What are you talking about?" Cura posed. "I don't know what you're asking me." she glared at him as if he were a madman.

"New in town, huh? Whiterun's got two clans, both old and both respected. Difference is, the Gray-Manes turned their backs on the Empire and we Battle-Borns stayed loyal. So I'll ask again, Gray-Mane or Battle-Born?"

"I'm not picking a side." Cura shrugged. "I'd rather not involve myself in these Political matters, thank you."

The soldier scoffed loudly. "Coming from a Breton. That's rich!"

Cura scowled at this remark. What did being a Breton have to do with Politics?

"Sooner or later, we all have to choose a side." he slowly backed away and turned around. "Long live the Empire!" he continued down to the plaza, leaving Cura bewildered.

"Don't listen to that windbag." the blacksmith said, having overheard everything a few feet away. "Welcome to Whiterun."

Cura walked over. "Thank you. Is there anything you can tell me about Whiterun?"

""Hmph. Plenty. I'd say we're prosperous enough. Most folk don't go hungry, if they're willing to work hard. The city's ruled by the Jarl up in Dragonsreach. That's the fortress, there, up on the tall hill. But you're probably more interested in Jorrvaskr, mead hall of the Companions. Their deeds of war and valor are... legendary." Her voice trailed off in solemn admiration.

Cura looked around, but could not see Dragonsreach from her vantage point. Maybe walking around would yield better results. "Thank you. Have a good day, now."

The blacksmith nodded, and continued her work.

People walked about the plaza, and Cura noticed a blonde man leaning against a column at the General Store. He looked like a friendlier face.

"Hello," Cura waved as she came over. "do you know where the Jarl's hall is?" She asked.

"Aye, new in town are you?" the man asked. "It's all right. Some new blood in Whiterun can make things interesting around here." He laughed heartily. Then he pointed westward, past the stairs and wall. "You'll find Dragonsreach in the Cloud District. Huge castle. Ya can't miss it."

Cura nodded. "Thank you."

She continued on her way, up the stairs, where a little girl in blue nearly ran into her.

"Mila! Be careful!" the woman at the produce stand yelled.

"Sorry!" the girl said, running around Cura, causing the Breton to scoff in amusement.

"I'm sorry about my daughter." The woman at the produce stand looked a little embarrassed on her child's behalf. Cura simply smiled. "No, it's all right, really. Children will be children."

She brushed it off and continued up the stone stairs, when a snooty Redguard blocked her path accidentally. "Oh, excuse me, sir." Cura maneuvered to get around him. He looked down on the Vigilant. "Do you get to the Cloud District very often? Oh, what am I saying? Of course you don't." He snubbed her as he continued his trek down the stairs to the Market, leaving a confused and slightly peeved Cura behind.

"Well, then." She shrugged and continued moving. "Nice people, I guess."

"Lady, could you spare a coin?" A little Imperial girl with a green dress and dirty blonde hair sat on a bench in front of a rotting old tree. When Cura saw the young beggar, she felt her heart sink a few inches. "Oh, of course!" She reached into her satchel. "In fact-you can have 5."

She handed the girl 5 septims. "Oh, thank you. Divines bless your kind heart." the girl exclaimed, overjoyed.

Cura recounted her coin mentally. Now, she had 1001 gold. Hopefully, the Jarl would offer her some payment to cover travel expenses, at least.

"Why are you begging, little girl?" Cura asked. "Are you well?" She couldn't stay for too long; she had to get that message to the Jarl.

"It's... it's what Brenuin said I should do. He's the only one that's been nice to me since... since mama...Since she died." The little girl looked incredibly crestfallen. Cura felt bad for her: to be orphaned at a young age; it had to be hard. Then the girl continued. "My aunt and uncle took over our farm and threw me out. Said I wasn't good for anything. I wound up here, but... I.. I don't know what to do. I miss her so much..."

Cura placed a gentle hand on the girl's shoulder. "It can be hard," she began. "but keep your chin up. Our Keeper always says: "when you've lost so much, just remember that you can only stand to gain.'"

The girl looked down to the floor.

Cura sat down on the bench beside her. Perhaps she could spare a moment. "Hey, what's your name?" She asked.

"Lucia." the girl responded.

"That's a pretty name." Cura stated. "I think it means light in Cyrodiilic. Am I right?"

"Yes." Lucia smiled.

"Well, Lucia, I represent the Vigil of Stendarr." She began. "When I return to the Hall, maybe I can ask the Keeper if there is room for new applicants. How would you feel about becoming a Paladin in the future?"

"A what...?" Lucia was unfamiliar with the term.

"A warrior who defends the world against darkness in the name of a deity." She stated. "I'm a Vigilant of Stendarr. A Paladin who defends the innocent in the name of the God of Mercy-and delivers his justice to the evils that plague our world."

Lucia seemed to give it some thought. "I'm not sure..." she said. "I'd rather live a normal life."

Cura nodded. "Of course; I understand." She slowly stood up from the bench. "Well, I have an important message to give to the Jarl. I hope to see you again." She gave Lucia a friendly smile.

"I won't be going anywhere." The young Imperial said dryly, a hint of sadness draining her words.

Cura's smile slowly faded, and she walked around the tree, almost stepping into the miniature ravine instead of the small bridge on the stonewalk.

"We are but maggots, writhing in the filth of our own corruption! While you have ascended from the dung of mortality, and now walk among the staaaaaaaars!"

Cura turned to look at the passionate Nord hooded Monk prosthelytizing in front of the large statue of Talos to her right.

If she wasn't mistaken, did the Empire not ban this?
Why wasn't the Battle-Born fellow pulling him down, then?

As she headed up the stairs, she could still hear his bleating.
"But you were once man! Aye! And as man, you said, "Let me shoooow you the power of Talos Stormcrown, born of the North, where my breath is looooong winter! I breathe now, in royalty, and reshape this land which is mine. I do this for you, Red Legions, for I love you!"

She had heard a few things about Talos growing up, but he was never much of a focus. All she knew was that if Talos were around, he would probably not like her, Carcette, or even Celann, as he had apparently dominated the Altmer in the past. She wondered how Talos must have felt about Bretons, being both man and mer. Mongrels. He must have been a Dragon, for certain.

The stairs were steep, with no railings. She looked to the waterfalls and the water basin below. Very dangerous. Got to be cautious when it snows, for sure. Thankfully, it seemed to only be early Autumn in Whiterun.

"Aye, love. Love! Even as man, great Talos cherished us. For he saw in us, in each of us, the future of Skyrim! The future of Tam-ri-eeeel! And there it is, friends! The ugly... truth! We are the children of man! Talos is the true god of man! Ascended from flesh, to rule the realm... of spirit! The very idea is inconceivable to our Elven overlords! Sharing the heavens with us? With man? Ha! They can barely tolerate our presence on earth!" Heimskr continued to wail loudly, filling the air.

She walked past a Whiterun Guard, and he saw her irritated expression. "Let me guess; someone stole your sweetroll." he asked condescendingly.

Cura ignored his ignorant remark, and headed inside past the giant double doors, entering the grand hall inside of Dragonsreach. Her mind was blown the minute she stepped inside. Tall windows to her left; tall windows to her right. Gorgeous woodwork architecture spanning from the floor in columns to the ceiling in rafters and arches that connected the ogives in the ceiling. She could make out a couple of balconies beyond the very tall flight of stairs adorned with large torches.

She was awestruck as she climbed. When she reached the top, she could see two separate tables with a firepit between them decoratively, as well as a forum off in the distance, where the Jarl, a man with blonde hair with a wonderfully-kempt blonde beard, a gold and ruby circlet, and a blue set of robes adorned with tufts of white fur on the shoulders, sat. He was speaking with a balding man and a redheaded Dark Elf.

The Dark elf in question immediately drew her sword and headed towards Cura. The Breton almost instinctively reached for her mace, but remembered her surroundings.

"What's the meaning of this interruption? Jarl Balgruuf is not receiving visitors." she stated, her tone falling to Cura suspiciously.

"Alvor from Riverwood sent me; they need the Jarl's help." Cura stated plainly. "A Dragon has destroyed Helgen, and it continues to circulate the region. They're defenseless!"

"You know about Helgen? The Jarl will want to speak to you personally. Approach." TheDark Elf sheathed her blade and led Cura to the forum. Above the chair, Cura immediately noticed the skull of a Dragon, hung on the wall. How long had it been there? Would it come alive? Gods, she hoped not.

"I've got my eyes on you." the elf reminded her with a hiss.

Cura knelt before the Jarl and bowed her head in respect. "My Jarl."

Balgruuf was taken aback by this gesture; he was not accustomed to people bowing before him, though the respectful formality he was used to. "Rise." he commanded.

Cura then slowly stood up, so as to not cause alarm in the court. The Jarl's eyes were piercing, like two Ebony Daggers veering from his sockets. "Well. I trust you have something vitally important to tell me. Important enough to interrupt me in the middle of council?"

She felt a heavy flow of anxiety in her chest. Never before had she addressed a Jarl directly, unprompted before. This could go one of two ways: either she would be shooed out of the court, or arrested for disruptions, or the Jarl would take her seriously and send aid to Riverwood. Surely he was not used to seeing a Vigilant of Stendarr at Dragonsreach.

The Breton cleared her throat. "A dragon destroyed Helgen. Alvor is afraid that Riverwood will be next."

"Alvor? The smith, isn't he? Reliable, solid fellow. Not prone to flights of fancy... And you're sure Helgen was destroyed by a dragon? This wasn't some Stormcloak raid gone wrong?" Balgruuf leaned forward in his seat, and scratched his beard lightly."

Cura became a little frustrated, and she blurted out. "Yes. I had a great view while the Imperials were trying to cut off my head!"

A moment of silence hung in the court, and Cura just realized she may have said the most idiotic thing that could have possibly come from her mouth. She then grit her teeth as she noticed everyone staring at her.

Balgruuf looked surprised at the statement, and responded appropriately. "Really? You're certainly... forthright about your criminal past. But it's none of my concern who the Imperials want to execute. Especially now. What I want to know is what exactly happened at Helgen."

"I was in the wrong place at the wrong time..." Cura put it simply, in a low and high-pitched voice. She then shook it off, and got down to details. "The Imperials were about to execute Ulfric Stormcloak. Then the dragon attacked."

"I should have guessed Ulfric would be mixed up in this." Jarl Balgruuf looked off to the side as he muttered.

"You know Ulfric Stormcloak?" Cura asked. "Could he have had something to do with the Dragons?"

"It's highly unlikely." Balgruuf stated. "The Stormcloaks have ferocity and mighty numbers, but even they could never summon a Dragon." He turned to his Steward; a blading Imperial man in a blue tunic. "What do you say now, Proventus? Shall we continue to trust in the strength of our walls? Against a dragon?"

The Dark Elf housecarl in leather armour turned to Jarl Balgruuf. "My lord, we should send troops to Riverwood at once. It's in the most immediate danger, if that dragon is lurking in the mountains-"

Proventus interrupted her in the middle of her sentence. "The Jarl of Falkreath will view that as a provocation! He'll assume we're preparing to join Ulfric's side and attack him. We should not-"

Cura snapped in. "But you can't just leave Riverwood defenseless! They're in a terrible position! They could-"

The Jarl, growing impatient, snapped back at everyone, like a cranky dog. "Enough! I'll not stand idly by while a dragon burns my hold and slaughters my people!" He slammed his fist on the armrest of his throne, before composing himself once more. "Irileth, send a detachment to Riverwood at once."

The Dark Elf gave a half bow. "Yes, my Jarl."

Proventus, feeling outmatched, decided to walk back to his side of the forum. "If you'll excuse me, I'll return to my duties."

"That would be best." Balgruuf stated, sending him off.

Cura was a ball of nerves, wondering how Balgruuf was about to deal with her after her awkward entrance, and her near defiance in front of the court moments ago. She braced herself for the worst.

"Well done. You sought me out, on your own initiative. You've done Whiterun a service, and I won't forget it. Here, take this as a small token of my esteem." He clapped his hands, and one of the servants came over and presented Cura with a pair of enchanted Steel Boots. From the looks of them, they would provide resistance to fire.

"Th-thank you, my Jarl!" Cura was greatful. "I don't deserve this..."

"Well, there is another thing you could do for me. Suitable for someone of your particular talents, perhaps?" His voice lilted, and Cura became intrigued. "Come, let's go find Farengar, my court wizard. He's been looking into a matter related to these dragons and... rumors of dragons."

The Jarl pushed himself off his chair, and headed to the room on the east Court, where Cura could make out a Wizard in a Blue robe set with a hood, and a woman in leather armour with a brown leather hood pulled down, obscuring her face."I'll introduce you to Farengar. He can be a bit... difficult. Mages. You know." the Jarl elaborated, and Cura nodded.

When Cura came closer, she eyed the woman suspiciously. Something about her seemed familiar. The woman glared at Cura, to try and intimidate her, but after facing Bleak Falls Barrow and Jarl Balgruuf, nothing could measure up at this point. She simply rolled her eyes.

"You see? The terminology is clearly First Era or even earlier. I'm convinced this is a copy of a much older text. Perhaps dating to just after the Dragon War. If so, I could use this to cross-reference the names with other later texts." The wizard looked to the woman beside him and the paper she had scrolled out on the table.

The woman continued her conversation, tying it up. "Good. I'm glad you're making progress. My employers are anxious to have some tangible answers."

She seemed like she wanted to say more, but held back from prying ears.

The Jarl addressed his wizard. "Farengar, I think I've found someone who can help you with your dragon project. Go ahead and fill him/her in with all the details.""Farengar, I think I've found someone who can help you with your dragon project. Go ahead and fill her in with all the details."

"Of course, Jarl Balgruuf. You seem to have found me an able assistant. I'm sure she will prove most useful." He looked at Cura, up and down, processing what was before him. "Hmm.."

Balgruuf placed a hand on Cura's shoulder. "Succeed at this, and you'll be rewarded. Whiterun will be in your debt." He then continued walking back to his throne.

"Er-hello." Cura greeted Farengar. The mysterious woman continued to pick her apart visually, much to the Vigilant's chagrin.

"You think you could help me? I really don't think so." Farengar spat. "You don't look intelligent enough for even the most basic instructions."

Cura took that as an insult, and challenged the wizard back with a snide comment of her own. "Look out - you're about to step in your own Shock Rune." She sneered back at the insufferable mage.

"What? I never even cast..." Farengar searched around himself frantically for a moment before realizing her trick. "...ah, I see. You have some knowledge of the Higher Art."

"I do." Cura responded. "In fact, I am Adept in the School of Restoration, and I have some generous knowledge in the Schools of Destruction and Alteration, as well."

"Most impressive," Farengar was genuinely surprised. "if you want to hone your craft, I recommend applying to the College of Winterhold."

Cura nodded. "I... will look into it. Eventually. Now, what do you need help with?"

The wizard was eager to begin. "Yes, I could use someone to fetch something for me. Well, when I say fetch, I really mean 'delve into a dangerous ruin in search of an ancient stone tablet that may or may not actually be there.'"

"What does this have to do with dragons?" Cura raised an eyebrow.

"Ah, no mere brute mercenary, but a thinker - perhaps even a scholar?" He stared at Cura's Novice Robes, and scratched his chin. "You see, when the stories of dragons began to circulate, many dismissed them as mere fantasies, rumors. Impossibilities. One sure mark of a fool is to dismiss anything that falls outside his experience as being impossible."

"Oh, yes." Cura responded. "An Innkeeper I met could have done well to hear that."

The woman in the hooded armour gave Cura a little sneer, then turned away to not arouse suspicion.

Farengar continued. "But I began to search for information about dragons - where had they gone all those years ago? And where were they coming from? I, ah, learned of a certain stone tablet said to be housed in Bleak Falls Barrow - a 'Dragonstone,' said to contain a map of dragon burial sites. Go to Bleak Falls Barrow, find this tablet - no doubt interred in the main chamber - and bring it to me. Simplicity itself."

"Wait a second!" Cura held her hand forward. "I just came from there. I think this may be it, actually..." She reached into her bag and took out the Dragonstone she had retrieved from the dead Draugr Overlord, and presented it to Farengar.

The Wizard's eyes widened at the sight of it, and he pursed his lips, pleased, as he took the stone into his hands. "Ah! The Dragonstone of Bleak Falls Barrow! You already found it! You are cut from a different cloth than the usual brutes the Jarl foists on me."

"So your information was correct after all. And we have our friend here to thank for recovering it for us." He handed the stone to the mysterious woman, who looked impressed, herself. She then turned to Cura. "You went into Bleak Falls Barrow and got that? Nice work."

Cura cleared her throat. "So... I overheard the two of you mentioning the Dragon War. I'm curious about it. What happened?"

Farengar nodded, and sat down in his chair, leaning back. "I'm not surprised you've never heard of it. Even I used to think it was just a myth. But not anymore. The Dragon War was a real event, although only the barest glimmer of the actual events has come down to us. Far back in the Mythic Era, the dragons were worshipped as gods in Skyrim. Many of the monumental ruins that still dot the landscape were, in fact, built as temples to the dragons. The details are lost, but at some point the Nords rebelled. After a long and terrible war, the Nords overthrew their dragon overlords."

"With the Dragonborn, right?" Cura added in.

"It's believed so, yes." Farengar stated.

Cura was interested. "History is very fascinating."

"I agree." Farengar nodded.

"Farengar! Farengar, you need to come at once. A dragon's been sighted nearby." Irileth arrived at the door, and she seemed more high-strung than normal. She then turned to Cura. "You should come, too."

"Er, yes! Of course!" Cura nodded.

"A dragon! How exciting! Where was it seen? What was it doing?" Farengar's scientific curiosity was getting the better of him. His cohort even shook her head disapprovingly at him before leaving the hall.

"I'd take this a bit more seriously if I were you. If a dragon decides to attack Whiterun, I don't know if we can stop it. Let's go." Irileth wasted no time, and began to move towards the stairs east of the throne. Cura diligently followed her.

A Dragon.

Memories flashed of the black dragon as it descended upon the tower at Helgen.

"FUS RO DAH!"

The storm, the whirling meteor shower, the fire. The smell of burnt flesh. Death everywhere.

Cura grit her teeth in remembrance of the horror, and instinctively clenched her arms with both hands.

She would get that Skjor fellow involved in this. It was clear he was strong. If he were the Dragonborn, perhaps he could help slay it.

They reached Jarl Balgruuf, who was having private council behind the throne room, in a split hallway with a large door to the left of him, presumably leading outside.

One of the Whiterun guards, wearing a yellow tabard with a shield depicting a horse on it was shaking as he stood, speaking to the Jarl.

"We saw it coming from the south. It was fast... faster than anything I've ever seen." the Guard trembled.

"What did it do? Is it attacking the watchtower?" Jarl Balgruuf inquired, placing a hand under his elbow in a thoughtful position, looking dead-on into the Guard.

"No, my Lord. It was just circling overhead when I left. I never ran so fast in my life... I thought it would come after me for sure." The Guard said, trembling like a young tree in the wind.

"Good work, son. We'll take it from here. Head down to the barracks for some food and rest. You've earned it." the Jarl commanded the Soldier, who took him up on it, hurrying down the stairs.

"Irileth, you'd better gather some guardsmen and get down there." Balgruuf instructed. He hadn't needed to elaborate much further. She bowed loyally.

"I've already ordered my men to muster near the main gate." Irilleth declared with confidence.

"Good. Don't fail me." Jarl Balgruuf dismissed her. Irileth nodded, and turned towards the stairs.

Balgruuf turned to Cura. "There's no time to stand on ceremony, my friend. I need your help again. I want you to go with Irileth, and help fight this Dragon."

Cura nearly leaped when he said this. "M-me? Fight a Dragon? I.. I don't know if-"

"Don't sell yourself short." Balgruuf said in a friendly manner. "You survived Helgen! You have more experience with Dragons than the rest of us here. That was no small feat." He was visibly impressed. "And I also hear that you went through Bleak Falls Barrow, and survived. You're a strong little Breton. I am sure your help will be invaluable agaisnt this Dragon."

"Well... I specialize in Restoration Magics. I will do what I can, my Jarl." Cura said, attempting to bolster her own courage.

"Very good." The Jarl assuredly smiled. "You've done much for us, Vigilant. As a token of my esteem, I instructed Avenicci that you are now permitted to purchase property in the city, should you desire it. And please accept this gift from my personal armory." He clapped his hands, and Proventus came over with a case.

"I can see that you like to use Maces." Balgruuf put it plainly. "This is Skyforge Steel-it was a gift from Eorlund Gray-Mane years ago, but I've found no use for it. You may have it."

When Avenicci opened the case, a Steel Mace rested inside, but it had an interesting shine to it. Was this the Legendary Skyforge Steel? Even up in the Pale she'd heard of the miraculous metal.

"I... I am honoured, my Jarl." Cura said, as she took the mace and observed it under the dim lighting. It shined brilliantly, and small ember remnants remained within the steel-a reminder of te Phoenix adorning its forge. Incredible. She then hung it on her hip, and bowed to Jarl Balgruuf before heading down the stairs, past Farengar.

Jarl Balgruuf the Greater was much different than Jarl Skald the Elder, that was for certain.

Cura had fought Trolls, Wolves, Ice Wraiths, Draugr, and Frostbite Spiders, sure. But now it was time to really test her mettle. If she could do this, she would never have to fear combat against anything so coarse as a Dremora, Werewolf, or Vampire.
After all, what more of a daunting foe could there be than a Dragon?

Cura headed out the double doors.