And here we go. Hope you enjoy and don't forget to REVIEW!

POV: Briljof

Leaving the Standing Stones, the four of us made our way towards Whiterun. From the stones our journey was going to take roughly a day and a half on foot. We could've gone faster but with the terrain completely unknown to me, we instead followed Skja. He took us towards the main road. When asked why we used the main roads it was simply because it was faster and with the Dragon around speed was paramount. Said it would take a day and a half on the main road.

We kept almost entirely to the road deeming to never deviate from it on the entirety of our journey. Eventually we came to Riverwood after a good half day of travel and saw Ralof with a woman near the mill by the river. From their bickering, their matching hair color and similar looks I assumed she was his sister. He was generous enough to pay for our stay at the inn in town which was nice. Though we found out it was cheaper than usual since the owner was going to be gone for a few days.

None of us had camping equipment on hand which would've made sleeping in the woods a hassle. Especially with my knowledge of Skyrim still so sparse and the land obviously dangerous.

I remedied my lack of knowledge on Skyrim that night with Skja telling myself and Braella as much as he could before we went to sleep with full bellies. He filled us in on everything that he had knowledge of. From the common game to all of the possible dangerous around Skyrim. What he told us of Trolls and Frostbite spiders catching most of my attention. The forest spirits as well but he added that as long as we stayed away from them and didn't over hunt the area or kill just for fun they would leave us alone.

While he talked to us about those things Braella stitched together her mage robes. It wasn't a professional job but it showed that she had some experience in it. Probably from her life as an orphan, no one to pay for new clothes so she had to learn to keep hers in decent condition.

The inn wasn't the best but it was more than serviceable and had good food and mead so there wasn't much to complain about. Especially the morning after when the barkeep was willing to sell us a book on Skyrim. Braella had asked if the owner of the bar would mind but the man just waved it off. Saying that if anything came of it he would deal with it.

Going through the book as we continued our trek in the morning it was disappointing. Not that it was a bad book. It had plenty of information on Skyrim and the customs of the land plus its history. All interesting enough but it had nothing on the animals or usual weather patterns of the continent; both extremely important to me. Having that information would save my life in the future, almost assuredly it would.

Regardless we made our way through the road quietly. Making idle conversation as we walked. Most of our attention on the woods around us as we walked. We may be on one of the official roads of Skyrim but Bandits were a problem across the world and these roads were good spots for ambushes. Hells, we had walked past no less than 10 excellent ambush spots in the half day since we left Riverwood.

The fact that no bandits had made attempts on us was curious to me. In Hammerfell, even during the war, there were still bandits who would try their luck with my team when we were in the open like this. Most of them deserters trying to survive but it still begs the question as to why we were left alone. There should've been at least one group to do something and since there wasn't my mind concluded on only one possibility. Someone already owns this road.

A bandit tribe, clan or whatever they call themselves owned this road and were either gone or deemed us not worth the effort. The latter option being the probable cause as we had nothing on us and looked intimidating. No money bags, basic armor and weapons with an obvious mage with us. All of us with obvious battle experience; we made a less than appealing target. Something that wouldn't stop the desperate; that fact reinforces my conclusion that someone already owns the road. If someone didn't then someone would've attacked by now

We kept our eyes roaming the woods surrounding us, Braella and myself being the most out of touch. If it had been a desert or something close to it we would've been able to spot everything hidden around us. Being a forest and unfamiliar with the territory we were in left us little better than novices. Only our experience from the war giving us an edge in a fight.

After half a day's worth of travel and with no interruptions the road opened up from the forest and we got to see the province of Whiterun. Mostly flat land stretching for miles around with a large hill jumping out in the middle with the city of Whiterun situated on it. It was massive, even from the few leagues away we were. A sprawling city scape with multiple sections of the city broken up between each other with an obvious rich and commercial district. There were no slums that could be seen from this distance which was surprising and at the same time not. Whiterun was in the prime spot in all of Skryim. Trade had to go through Whiterun and its territories to go anywhere. Making the place, probably, the wealthiest in Skyrim.

Seeing it come into our vision the four of us shared small smiles before continuing to the city. As we began to get close to the city we saw a giant fighting a group of four humans. Far beyond our ability to hear we still charged in regardless. Giants were everywhere, though incredibly rare in the Empire and Hammerfell. They were annoying to fight for their strength, among other things. The group of four could use our help.

Skja and Nelkrr charging the Giant straight up while Braella and I hung back. My first shot aimed for hits neck flew low and punched into the Giants shoulder; bow didn't have the range my old one did, good to know. The shot got the Giants attention however as its club arm fell limb for a moment before it flexed its shoulder and the arrow broke off. Arrow must've pierced into its socket if it had immobilized the arm.

When it turned to me it was met with both Skja and Nelkrr who slammed the swords into the giant's right leg together. Their swords sticking in halfway into the Giants shin as it bellowed in pain before falling to the ground. Both Skja and Nelkrr leaving their weapons lodged and getting out of the way for Braella who sent three master level lightning bolts at the giant. All three slammed into the giant's chest while I fired another shot.

Her lightning pushed the giant backwards, almost toppling it to its back when my second arrow hit the Giants neck. Finally pushing the beast onto its back but missed the windpipe which had been my target. Falling on its back sending a small shock through the ground the archer woman with the group fired two arrows at the top of the giants head, both hitting their target. The giant giving a final death throe before another of the four brought its sword down on its face, silencing the giant.

The four we had helped took deep breaths at the end of the fighting, having been fighting long before we decided to help. The body of another giant and mammoth a good hundred or so paces to our left evidence of that. All four of them in various degrees of exhaustion with the youngest looking of the four bent over with her hands on her knees. One of the sword wielding men leaning on his sword while the other taking massive gulps of air. The archer woman the most in shape as she took some stabilizing breaths. All of them taking the time to nod to us in thanks though as Skja and Nelkrr retrieved their swords.

The huntress stalking over to both Braella and myself after a moment of looking at us. She truly did stalk too, it was like watching a wolf or something akin to it approach a prey animal. Was actually ind of fascinating to see it happen in a human; she must've been like me and been hunting for years. Even looked like she had some war experience as well with maybe a winter or two on Braella. The woman completely ignored me and stopped in front of Braella, both women staring at each other in a quiet contest.

"So you finally decided to pay a visit milk drinker," the huntress spoke with a familiarity that was rare amongst people who hadn't fought together. Her wording confirmed my suspicion that she was a veteran of the war. Likely served with Braella too if she talked like that to her.

"I'm surprised to see you without a glass of mead in your hand drunkard," Braella shot back immediately.

"Still cowardly with all that magic I see. No wonder no true Nord man has wanted you," okay, maybe they were rivals of a sort. As long as they didn't fight right now I'd be okay with this.

"It is a shame but I'd rather it be that way than have everyone know what's between my legs. Tell me, what is that like?" well that took a turn. I had an arrow in hand just in case, fights had been started for less and as much as it was bad for us to do so now we needed to get our information to the Jarl.

"You certainly weren't complaining when you joined me in bed," a predatory smile came to the archers face. I'd be a liar if after that I wasn't more invested in their conversation now.

"I faked it all. For all your experience you were rather disappointing," the archer adopted a scandalized face. The silence hung in the air for a moment before they burst into laughter and hugged each other. Releasing all the tension that had building up.

From there they began to excitedly talk to each other about the past few years. The rest of us not in the know shrugged and went with it. Following them all the way to the gates of Whiterun. We were stopped by the guards about the burning of Helgan and the unknown cause Aela, as she was now named, called out to be let in on account of her group being Companions and that the rest of us were friends of them. The guards let us all in without question.

As for the Companions I had heard of them. They had been put to good use in the war and were known for their infiltration and sabotage missions primarily. That's not to say they weren't a force on the battlefield when they joined it. Other than that it was common knowledge that they were a millenia old mercenary group and housed one of the most impressive forges and blacksmiths in all the land. Joining them wasn't out of the questionn once this whole situation passed. They had a good reputation and steady work coming in; it would be good money for me.

After we passed the gates of the city, Aela and Braella broke away from each other promising to meet for drinks later. When they did, she got looks from all of us as she walked away from Aela smiling like a loon. She noticed our staring and rolled her eyes at us before taking the front of our little group with me. Skja and Nelkrr walking behind us like our own personal bodyguards.

Walking through the town it was truly a beautiful city from within with massive sprawling sections of the city. Multiple markets but you could tell the one near the inn was the most frequented from the sheer amount of people there. The district with the richest people was cut off and raised from the rest of the city but that was to be expected. Gotta have superiority somewhere. Guards went around professionally with their hands on their swords at all times; I assume crime was at least semi frequent here.

There was even a slum near the corner of the city away from everyone else. Didn't look as bad as a few I had seen but it was still a slum. At least it wasn't infested with feces and poor hygiene. Whiterun might've been one of the cleanest overall cities that my feet have ever graced. That was impressive for the amount of people walking around.

Walking past all of it we focused on the massive building at the top of the hill. What the book on Skyrim called Dragonsreach. It had apparently been able to house a Dragon at one time. Being the first place I would get work from it must've been a good omen to know it was capable of housing one of those monsters. With one running around who knows when it'll be needed.

"Halt. State your business with the Jarl?" one of the five guards outside the doors of Dragonsreach barked as the four of us approached.

"We come bearing news of the destruction of Helgan. We are survivors of the city," the guards exchanged glances between each other.

"Wait a moment," the one that spoke before said as one of them went through the massive doors. We waited for a few minutes before the guard came back out and whispered to the speaker. He nodded and turned to us.

"You may enter but we ask that you relinquish your weapons. You are not citizens of the city of Whiterun," we agreed to his demand and put all of our weapons on the floor, Braella didn't have a weapon though as she was a literal weapon already. I handed my personal ebony dagger to the guard who had been speaking though.

"Do not lose or misplace that. I will come back for it," the guard nodded and stepped aside. One of the others opening the doors for us and we walked it. Escorted with three guards, one on each side and one behind us.

The inside of Dragonsreach was as beautiful as it was old. You could just tell how old it was from the sheer atmosphere it contained. This place had seen empires rise and fall along with hundreds of Jarls. It was a masterpiece of craftsman ship and held secrets just as ancient as it was, if not older from things that had been stored here.

Two floors that were visible with plenty of extra room. Those places probably reserved for the Jarl, his immediate family and his most trusted advisors. In other words, completely off limits to us. Only place we were allowed was the hall we were currently in but it was breathtaking. The smell of the food on the long tables, with a hint of alcohol in the air. Plenty of guards sitting near the fires but all of them with hands on their weapons upon seeing us. The atmosphere was kind and welcoming regardless of the guards though. Seeing everything that it had to offer was worth it by itself.

Walking forward, the guard of the Jarl, evident by the marks on her shoulder, watched us with her red eyes as we approached. Not much of a fan of Dark Elves myself because of the general untrustworthiness of the average one. If they make it to an actual position like the one in front of me then I knew they were honorable and trustworthy. To the ones above them at the very least.

When we got about to the foot of the short stairs to the Jarl, she planted a hand on her blade, couldn't tell what it was made of but from the handle alone it was a good blade. Probably from the companions legendary forge. Either way, we took the signal to stop. A balding man talking in hushed whispers to who mus've been the Jarl judging from his clothes and the fact he sat on the throne. It wasn't much of a throne but where it was positioned was obvious enough to what it symbolized. At least to me.

"My men say that you are survivors of Helgan," the Jarl spoke as the other man left his side. His voice deep and wary of us as he looked us over. Experience shining through his eyes; he must've been a veteran of the war as well. "What can you tell me as to why Helgan is burning?"

"Dragon," Braella voiced for us in a simple tone. The reaction it got was a scoff from both the assistant and the head guard but the Jarl did not scoff at us. Instead, he leaned forward in his chair and inspected us further. His eyes settling on Nelkrr for a moment longer than the rest.

"Truly?" He finally spoke to us. Not letting any emotion into his voice beyond curiosity.

"Yes sir," I stated getting his eyes to stick to mine. "Myself and Braella," I motioned to her. "Bore witness to it as it landed in the city and proceeded to burn Helgan to the ground. We were able to escape it through the tunnel within the Prison that led outside of the town. All of us witnessing it as it flew away from the city."

"Aye," Skja voiced behind me and could only assume Nelkrr nodded along. The Jarl said nothing to anyone for a few moments as he looked over us. He did so for maybe two minutes before his eyes shifted to his head guard.

"Irilith. Send a contingent to Riverwood and the towns within our borders. I know not if they speak the truth but four would not come here and give this information without reward if they spoke lies," the woman nodded and made to walk off but was stopped by the voice of the balding man on the Jarls other side.

"Sir. Falkreath and the others around us may take it as an act of aggression. With the Civil War as it is right now we could add instability to the situation. Might it be better to be cautious and send out scout parties instead."

"Possibly but I will not let our people be undefended if this Dragon decides to burn their homes and slaughter our people. Send our people out Irilieth," the Dark Elf woman walks off without another word. The Jarl continues to stare at us for a few more moments before turning his head to the side and looking at a room just out of view from me before turning back to us.

"If you four would go to the room on your right. Farangar, my court mage, will have a task for you. His… theories, now have merit with your words and you will be compensated if you complete the task he gives you," we look between ourselves silently for a moment before walking off to the room.

Farangar, I assume by his mage clothing, is hunched over a table with a map in the middle of it. A woman with leather armor and a hood over her head is hunched over the table across from him. She was instantly someone to watch in my mind for one reason or another, no one goes around with a hood without something to hide. Especially if they are wearing the hood in the palace of a Jarl of all places.

As we entered, Farangar looks up from the table and sees us with the guards around us. He looks us over for a moment, trying to decide on how we could be useful, his eyes linger over Braella for her obvious Mage look. The hooded woman doing the same but her eyes rest on me and stay there. Her eyes weren't visible behind her hood as she barely turned her head but I could feel her eyes on me. It wasn't hard to determine that, her body freezing up at seeing me being a clear indicator; she must have some intel on me as my amputated pinky was not hidden at all.

"You four must be here for the task I asked the Jarl to agree too," Farangar speaks as he finished looking us over.

"Aye. What are we doing?" Farangar nods at my no nonsense tone.

"Bleak Falls Barrow is the final resting place of something called the Dragon Stone. It should give us a decent map of where the Black Dragon is headed. It won't give us all the answers but it will put us on the right path," the four of us nodding at the mans words.

"What type of opposition should we expect?" There was no way he would've just let something like that stay where it was unless there was someone already at the Barrow. Be it bandits or Draugr, a type of undead meant to protect final resting places as depicted in the book I had gotten the previous day.

A group of Bandits, some Frostbite Spiders and Draugr. Nothing else beyond that," good enough information but I still have nothing on the animals of Skyrim. More information was needed.

"Do you have any books on the wildlife of Skyrim?" I ask getting a curious look from the man. One that is answered by Braella.

"My friend and I are from Cyrodil and have spent the last five years in Hammerfell. We may be Nords but our knowledge of the Homeland is scarce," the hooded one stiffens further at her words if that was even possible. As for Farengar he adopts a thoughtful look before turning on his heel and looking over the books he had on his shelfs. He looks for a few moments before taking one off the shelf and handing it to me.

"Thanks," I then begin rifling through the book. The rest of it was all things that could be looked at later, the information on Frostbite spiders was the most important. Skimming the provided information my initial fears of the are both answered and quelled.

While they do indeed grow larger, some reached the size of a horse or bigger, they are typically weak. The largest of them being the most dangerous but that was because they don't loose their speed the bigger they grow. Their venom, while able to be spit at people, it weak and will only cause mild annoyance to most and next to nothing against someone like me with built up resistance to poison.

Their feet and mouth are dangerous though as they can pierce steel armor with the tips of them. Beyond that their bodies are easily punctured and are generally 'squishy' as the term goes. Susceptible to fire as well but have a natural immunity to both Ice and lightning. An odd combination to be immune to but good information regardless. They also travel in packs, or hives as the book says, and where you find one you will almost always find 10 more waiting. However, they are not able to build nests near stone and must do it near actual ground. Good information to know.

Closing the book after getting the information I may to give it back to Farangar but he shakes his head. Nodding to him in thanks the book goes into the belt at my side. A pack for carrying things is needed soon. Hopefully they'll give us something like that before we set out. Seemingly hearing my thoughts, the woman grabs a pack that was next to her foot and tossed it to me.

That lone act got a look of astonishment from Farangar. The woman didn't seem to mind from her body language however and nodded to Farangar before leaving. She slipped something into my gloves as she walked by, a piece of paper possibly, before continuing her walk. Not looking after her to not arise suspicion and simply jostling my glove to let the note fall further into it.

"Do you four know where the Barrow is?" Farangar asked after breaking out of his stupor at seeing the act of the woman.

"Aye," voiced Skja. "Is it possible for mounts to be provided? It would cut down the travel time."

As Skja spoke I couldn't help but be curious as to why they were helping us with this. They had no obligation to do so or even to travel together with us, Ralof had been with the both of us longer and ditched us at his first opportunity. There was something else going on with them but as long as they were helping us no complaints would come from me. That's not to say my eyes wouldn't be on the two just in case.

"I will speak to the Jarl. One moment," Farangar left the room leaving us to stand and wait. He was gone less than a minute before he reentered the room. "Your request has been granted. You will be provided lodging at the Inn, The Bannered Mare, for the night."

"We thank you for the generosity. Are we free to leave the palace so that we may get to our lodgings?" Braella asked Farangar who simply nodded then and we left the room together. Escorted by the guards out of Dragonsreach.

Exiting through the massive doors we were greeted by the other two guards standing around with our weapons. All of them on the ground, including my knife, we picked them up and either sheathed or slung them on before leaving. The guards letting us go as we made our way down the steps. There were still people in the market even with the sun almost completely down but it wasn't crowded like it had been upon our entrance to the city. We were able to make the walk to the Inn and got inside.

Whoever the barkeep was looked over us once before walking over. She didn't say a word but simply motioned for us to follow her and we did. She quickly took us to a pair of rooms with double beds in each. Skja and Nelkrr took one while Braella and I took the other. I could have taken the time to get to know Braella a bit more but my body demanded sleep and it was going to get it. The moment my body hit the bed, my eyes closed and my mind drifted off.

Waking up some time later to see Braella still asleep, barely having moved at all in her bed. I got out of bed and dressed before heading downstairs. Paying for a small breakfast and eating it, the plate of bread and slices of dried meat was almost empty when the rest of my team joined me. Braella taking the seat on my right while Skja and Nelkrr took the ones to my left and across from me.

They ate their food in silence as well. Once we were finished left together and walked through the mostly empty city as the sun was just barely starting to peak out over the mountains. Through the gates and to the stable a hand was already there and up waiting for us with four horses. Thanking the young man for getting them ready for us we mounted them and went on our way.

Skja and Nelkrr leading the way in front of us as we got a good distance from Whiterun before spurring the horses into a gallop. Keeping a steady pace for most of the ride. Stopping only once around midday when the sun was the highest to eat and give the horses a rest. Doing so in the wide open field in case of possible ambushes. It was a paranoid move but it wouldn't hurt to be careful. Who knows how many eyes are out here.

After getting the horses their rest and filling our bellies we continued our trek. After a couple hours slightly past midday that the Barrow became visible. On top of a small mountain the spires sprouting out from the top of it were easy to spot and indicate what it was. We went on for another hour or so before Skja found an abandoned and empty cave to put the horses up.

Leaving them there we made the rest of the journey on foot with me in the lead now. The air around us growing colder as the wind picked up as we pushed up the mountain. Making it close enough to start spotting people around the entrance of the borrow with still an hour of daylight left. Closing ranks at the sight and moving slower we progressed closer to the barrow until we were about 50 paces from the first sentry. An obvious bandit with how he was dressed and his armor.

Haphazard leather armor that had been repaired a dozen or more times judging from the stitching without going to an actual blacksmith. Weapons that looked like they had been through a lot with not much maintenance and were low quality. Something you would see in someone's home for protection than actual soldiers. They also had no discipline from how they barely inspected the land around them with literally all the advantages on their side. Getting as close as I was now against the Thalmor was almost impossible but with this guy it was too easy.

Unslinging my bow and knocking an arrow I took aim at the sentry. It would've been a mildly easy shot with my old bow but with this one with a decent crosswind and the lower quality of my arrows it became harder. Still easily within my ability and after a few seconds of lining up the shot the arrow was released. Sailing through the air, cutting through the wind the arrow found its target right in the bandits throat.

Blood spurting out as he grasped at his neck before falling forward off the ledge he had been looking out from. Waiting a moment in case any had seen the man fall we heard no shouts of alarm or anything before moving forward. Braella casting muffle on us as we pushed forwards. Spotting another sentry as we moved forward near the dead sentries spot. Another shot sailed through the air and planted itself in the womans eye. Falling backwards dead.

Knowing we didn't have much time before the body was discovered we started pushing forwards faster. Getting to the steps that brought us up top to the entrance of the Barrow there was another sentry who spotted us before my shot could be lined up.

Unsheathing his sword the Orc roared out getting the attention of the other bandits before charging us alone. He was less than ten paces away when I let my arrow loose. Straight into and through his open mouth and he dropped like someone had cut the strings controlling him. Following his death we charged up the stairs to make sure that we weren't fighting at a disadvantage upwards.

As we got to the top of the stairs there were eight bandits between us and the door to the barrow with four behind us to the ledge where the sentries had been. Splitting up Braella, Skja and Nelkrr took the ones between us and the doors while I had the four behind us. Two of them were archers as they lined up shots on me.

Firing at the farthest archer she was able to dodge the first shot but not the second I had fired immediately afterwards. Catching her in the ribs and punching straight through her chest out the back she fell to the ground gasping for air as blood filled her lungs. The second archer firing a shot the moment my second had been released. Barely dodging it as it ripped across the mail on my side I dove to the right to dodge the follow up shot.

By that time the two Nord bandits with greatswords were on me. Spinning around one as he brought down his sword where my body had been my dagger was already out and stabbed straight into the armpit of the second one. Shouting it rage and pain the man froze for a second which allowed me to grab him and put him in front of me as the archer fired again. The arrow sinking in to the mans back thigh as he collapsed to the ground.

Ripping out my knife and diving to the left to avoid another shot from the archer I charged them as the other Nord bandit got up and ran at my back. Dodging to the side to avoid another shot the archer tried to knock another arrow only to find that their quiver was empty. Looking down at it in astonishment their eyes leaving me it cost them their life.

Kicking the archer backwards they stumbled the two or so paces and lost their balance falling off the edge and straight down to the rocks a good 15 paces below. Their bones and body breaking on impact with the rocks. Not able to enjoy the kill I spun and deflected the greatsword with my dagger throwing the Nord off balance. Grabbing them by the scruff of their mail and spinning they too were thrown off the edge and down to the rocks.

With three dealt with and the last one dying they still had enough strength to get back up. Their armpit bleeding profusely and limping from the arrow in their leg they charged me nonetheless. Not wanting to wait on the man to make it to me I fired three shots in rapid succession. All three finding their marks in the man chest and he collapsed onto the ground dead.

Ripping the arrows out of the fallen Nord and sprinting over to Braella, Skja and Nelkrr they still had two Bandits to finish off. They never gave me the opportunity to help them as the remaining bandits were both killed by a singular fireball. Landed right in the middle of them and exploded. Scorching both and leaving charred bodies on the ground.

Looking at them, they looked fine except for some mild tiredness. Thinking on it that fight seemed to go a bit easier than it should've. I'm just going to assume that the bandits here aren't as good as ones who had deserted during the war. The dismal quality of their armor and weapons an obvious sign of that. Hammerfell bandits cared for their gear like their lives depended on it, which it did. Plus, all of whom had been deserters of the army and equipped well before and after they deserted.

They also fought as a unit. The bandits here fought more as individuals instead of an actual group. At least the ones we had fought here so far. Wonder if there were any true bandit companies in Skyrim. If there were, they were probably being employed as mercenaries by the Empire or the Stormcloaks. Something to think about at another time. For now we were going to head into the Barrow.

"Ready?" was my simple question to them, getting nods from all three before I slowly pushed open the doors to the Barrow and stalked inside.

Hope y'all enjoyed. See u next week.