Chapter 4: Bleak Falls Barrow
Whiterun
As Jarl Balgruuf sat in his throne with his housecarl, Irileth and his steward, Proventus Avenicci at his side, hearing the story about a dragon attacking Helgen. Even after countless witnesses, the Jarl couldn't believe it. There were also rumors about a mysterious being who nearly took out an entire squad of the toughest Imperials and is said to disappear into thin air.
As the Jarl sat in his chair, Avenicci said. "What are we going to do?"
Balgruuf replied. "I don't know. It is hard to believe this whole dragon situation."
"Maybe." Irileth said. "But we don't know that for sure."
"Still." Balgruuf said. "What we need to do is…"
He stopped mid-sentence when he saw someone walking towards them.
Irileth approached the individual while drawing her sword. "What's the meaning of this interruption? Jarl Balgruuf's not receiving visitors."
The individual known as Issei said. "This is about the dragon that attacked Helgen, I've also come to tell the Jarl that Riverwood has asked for some troops."
Irileth responded. "Well, that explains why the guards let you in. Come on then, the Jarl would want to speak with you personally."
Irileth led Issei to the Jarl but warned him to keep himself at a respectable distance, understandable of course since she seems to be his bodyguard.
Balgruuf spoke. "So, from I've heard you were at Helgen. You saw this dragon with your own eyes?"
Issei said. "I was. I still have all the bruises when the dragon threw me in a tower."
"By the gods." Balgruuf said. "This is bad."
Issei then said. "And by the way, Gerdur from Riverwood sent me to ask for help."
"I see." Balgruuf said. "Gerdur has always been that one pillar of her community. Very well, I will send some of my soldiers to Riverwood then."
"But my Jarl." Avenicci said. "If you send troops into Riverwood, the Jarl of Falkreath will see that as a provocation, he'll assume we're preparing to join Ulfric's side and attack him, we should-"
"Enough!" Balgruuf yelled. "I'll not have a dragon burn my hold and slaughters my people!"
Issei honestly thought the Jarl would be somewhat of an ass but instead has new found respect for the man for had the wellbeing of his people in his thoughts.
"Irileth." Balgruuf commanded. "Send a detachment to Riverwood at once."
Irileth saluted. "Yes my jarl."
Avenicci said. "If you'll excuse me, I'll return to my duties."
Balgruuf turned to him. "That would be best." Balgruuf then turned to Issei. "What is your name?"
"Issei Hyoudou, but please just Issei is fine." Issei replied.
Balgruuf said. "Well then Issei, I thank you for bringing this information. Here's something for your trouble."
When he flicked his fingers, a guard gives Issei a pouch that contained 500 gold coins.
As Issei got it, he replied. "Hey, it's what I do. If you need anything…"
"Actually." Balgruuf said. "There is something we need for you to do."
'Hopefully it's not too demanding.' Issei thought. "Okay, what do you need?"
The Jarl got up from his seat and said. "Follow me."
As Issei followed Balgruuf, he leads Issei into a strange room filled with selves of potions. There were two tables next to each other, one of them was an arcane enchanter and the other was an alchemy lab. Out of nowhere, the court wizard Farengar appeared before them.
"Issei." Balgruuf said. "This is Farengar, my court wizard. He will give you your task. Farengar, if you please?"
"Thank you, my Jarl." Farengar said as Balgruuf said. "So, I take it that you will assist me?"
"I guess so." Issei said. "What is it that you want me to do exactly?"
Farengar replied. "This involves the whole dragon situation, I need you to go to Bleak Falls Barrow to find and retrieve an ancient stone tablet."
"Bleak Falls Barrow." Issei said. "That's in…"
"It's near Riverwood." Farengar said.
Issei replied. "Oh yeah, I heard that place when I was with…"
He then shut up.
Farengar said. "With what?"
Issei said carefully. "With someone I recently encountered. Anyways, what is this stone I am getting?"
Farengar replied. "This 'stone' is called the Dragonstone. This stone contains a map of the dragon burial site across Skyrim. My 'reliable source' tells me that it is in the main chambers of the barrow."
"Great." Issei said. "To sum it all up, go to the deep, creepy cave, find the stone and bring it back, right?"
Farengar hesitated and said. "Of course."
There was a moment of silence when Issei spoke. "You don't know if it's in there, right?"
Farengar laughed and said. "What? Of course not. It' the fact that the stone we are searching for might not be there or the fact of what dangers there will be."
As Issei stares at Farengar through his helmet, he said to him. "So you are sending me somewhere where the thing I'm looking for may not be there and might be a chance there will be something inside that barrow that will try to kill me?"
As Farengar nodded, Issei sighed. 'This better not be a waste of time.'
[Oh come now partner, don't tell me you don't feel a sense of adventure?] Said Ddraig in his head.
Issei said. "Fine, I'll go to this barrow and get this stone."
"Thank you." Farengar said. "If you do this, you will be greatly rewarded."
"Alright." Issei said. "Okay, just go in and get the stone and come back, what's the worse that can happen?"
Near Bleak Falls Barrow in the mountains
"I-I am g-g-oing to f-f-f-ucking kill him!" Issei shouted.
It has been almost a day since Issei left Whiterun. When it was night, he traveled back to Riverwood and spends the night at Gerdur's. When the morning came, he continued his way to Bleak Falls Barrow. Along the way, he encountered Skyrim's wildlife, from the harmless deer to the vicious wolves. With ease, Issei kills them using Ascalon. As he traveled into the mountains, he noticed that the weather was getting colder. When he was walking higher and higher, but as he continued, the weather started to affect his body. Sure he was used to the weather in the dragon mountains in the Underworld when training under Tannin. But the cold weather in Skyrim was in a whole new level of cold and was pissing Issei off.
"If I survive this, I am going to fucking kill that wizard bastard!" Issei said in a furious way.
[You and I both know that it'll take more than simple weather to kill you, so don't be so dramatic.]
Eventually, he made it to Bleak Falls Barrow. Before he was going to take another step, an arrow out of nowhere flew right past Issei's helmet. When he looked up, he saw a bandit getting another arrow from his back.
The bandit said. "That's the closet you are going to get there. Turn back, you fool."
Issei took out his sword and said. "How about you put that piece of wood away and surrender, you dumbass."
"That's it!" The bandit said. "Prepare to die!"
The bandit then shot his arrow at Issei, only to bounce off of him. Issei then ran towards the bandit and stabbing the bandit's torso, causing him to scream in pain. Alerted, two more bandits rushed towards the entrance, only to meet Blackheart by the entrance. Issei formed two energy shoulder cannons and fired them at the bandits. After he killed the bandits, Issei made it up the stairs and into the barrows. Once inside, he saw two more bandits, one male and the other female. It seems like they were talking about something, using his new dragon senses, Issei was able to listen to the conversation.
When he was near, the male bandit said. "I am telling you, we are going to be rich!"
The female bandit said. "I know that stealing that gold claw from that one merchant was easy. But Arvel and the others are still down there."
"Relax sweetheart." The male bandit said. "All we had to do is keep guard. Besides, if stealing that gold claw was easy, then taking the treasure is even sweeter."
Suddenly, a voice out of nowhere said. "Thanks for the information, douche-bag."
The male bandit quickly got up and said. "What the…"
The male bandit was cut short when Issei grabbed his sword and sliced the bandit's head off. As the female bandit cried as her dead companion, she took out her iron dagger and pointed in front of her. All of a suddenly, Issei appeared before her and just stared at her. The female bandit quivered in fear as Issei towers over her looking through his green glass visors.
Issei then said. "You want to live?"
As the female bandit nodded, Issei said. "Then run."
And with that, the female bandit ran the fast as she can from Issei and out the barrows. Issei turned and proceed down the hallway. After a few minutes walking down the hallway, he saw a bandit with their back turned. Thinking things through, Issei formed a small dragon shot, aimed at the bandit and fired, killing him instant. Issei then walked into the room, on his left were three small columns that had the pictures of a hawk, whale and a hawk. Near the closed gate was a lever. Thinking back at the caves when he was with Ralof, Issei walked up to it and pulled the lever. Instead of opening the gate, darts were sent flying towards him. Luckily, Issei had his armor on and the darts didn't penetrate.
"Okay." Issei said to himself. "What now?"
[Seams to be a puzzle of some sort, I were you, I'd look around for clues.] Ddraig advised.
The moment he looked up, he saw two pictures on top of the gate, on the left side was a snake while the right was a whale. In between them was nothing more was a huge destroyed wall. But when he looked down, Issei saw the picture of another snake. When he looked at the columns, he knew what to do. When he turned the columns to match the pictures he saw: snake, snake, whale, he pulled the lever once more and the gate opened.
"Huh." Issei said. "So that is how it works. Thank god I have high intelligence."
[I'm sorry? You have high intelligence?! If that were true you wouldn't have gotten yourself killed in the first place!] Ddraig yelled.
"Alright already! You've made your point." Issei said.
He continued to walk and when he entered the other room, he made a left and downward the wooden stairwell. After he go off the stairwell, that is when Issei encounter a few skeevers. Issei just formed one shoulder cannon and shot them dead. As he walked down another room, he saw two items on the table, a scroll of fireball and a weal paralysis poison. After he got the two items, he proceeds down the tunnel up ahead.
All of a sudden, he heard a voice saying. "Is…is someone coming? It that you Harknir? Bjorn? Soling?"
When Issei made a left turn, passing through the spider web, on the far side of the room was a bandit trapped in the web. Before Issei took a step, a humongous frostbite spider appeared from the ceiling in front of him. This frostbite spider was three times the size of the normal spider that Issei first saw. Before Issei fired his weapon, the frostbite spider spits its venom at Issei. In a fast reflex, Issei dodged out of the way, took his aim and fired away. Unlike the other spiders, this one wasn't talking that much damage, but at the same time, it was hurting it. After a few blasts, Issei took out Ascalon, rushed up to the spider, and with one good stab, he brought the spider down, killing it.
After he put his weapon away, he walked up to the bandit and said. "You did it. You killed it. Now cut me down before anything else shows up."
Issei said in a sarcastic way. "You're welcome for saving you life, asshole. Where's the golden claw?"
"Yes, the claw." The bandit replied. "I know how it works. The claw, the markings, the door in the Hall of Stories. I know how they all fit together. Help me down, and I'll show you. You won't believe the power of the nords have hidden in there."
Issei sighed and said. "Okay, hold still."
"Hold still?" The bandit said. "How can I…"
He stopped sentence when he saw Issei's two plasma cannons. In rapid speed, Issei shot around the bandit, shooting the webs off of him. When the bandit got up and then rushed off to the tunnel behind him.
"You fool!" He shouted. "Why should I share the treasure to anyone?!"
'Great.' Thought as he chased after him.
[Did you actually think he would be of any help?] Ddraig asked.
'No, thought he would try to weasel his way of getting most of the supposed treasure, if there's any.' Issei replied.
After a minute, he saw the bandit in sight. The room that Issei walked in really freaked him out a bit, the room was filled with corpse sleeping in the walls. Before Issei grabbed the bandit, the bandit stepped on a pressure stone and a wooden wall with spikes lunged forward and killed the bandit. The wooden wall quickly retracted with the bandit in it.
"Okay." Issei said. "Note to self: think first then act. Otherwise, I'll end up like that bastard. He probably deserved it."
[He definitely deserved it.]
All of a sudden, three of the corpses were crawling out of their sleeping state. These corpses were called Draugr. One of them had an Ancient Nord Sword, another one had an Ancient Nord War Axe and Iron Shield and the last one had an Ancient Nord Battle Axe. Since this was close combat, Issei took out Ascalon and prepared himself. The Draugr with the axe and shield attacked first and swung its axe. Issei blocked it and countered by swinging his sword to the shield. The shield broke and broke the Draugr's arm in the process. Issei took another swing across the Draugr's head and the head flew off from the body. The one with the battle axe swung its axe at Issei, but he then quickly spins around the Draugr and stabs the blade through the Draugr's head. The last one brought up its sword only to be stopped by Issei kicking the Draugr in the knees, causing it to bend backwards and then he grabs the face and smashes it to the ground. After dealing with the Draugr, Issei carefully walks towards the dead bandit's body.
'Fucking zombies!' Issei thought. 'Man I hate this place!'
Once he was near the body, he quickly checked the body to see what he was looking for. He eventually found it, the golden claw, it had three 'fingers' and it was pure gold. He then found the bandit's journal in him and decided to read it.
My fingers are trembling. The golden claw is finally in my hands, and with it, the power of the ancient Nordic heroes. That fool Lucan Valerius had no idea that his favorite store decoration was actually the key to Black Falls Barrow.
Now I just need to get to the Hall of Stories and unlock the door. The legend says there is a test that the nord put in place to keep the unworthy away, but that 'When you have the golden claw, the solution is in the palm of your hands.'
When Issei closed the journal, he said. "Bastard. At least he's dead."
As Issei looks at the claw, he said. "Looks like I found the claw after all. After I am done, I am returning it to Lucan."
After he put the claw away, he continue walking down the dark hallways. Unfortunately, he encounters more draugr along the way. Using his shoulder plasma cannons, he shoots down every one of those walking corpses along the way. After countless minutes of killing draugr and walking down the tunnels, he eventually found lit torches with a double wooden door. When he was near, out of nowhere, a restless draugr appeared with an ancient greatsword at hand. As Issei whined, the draugr rushed up to him and swung the sword. As Issei already had his sword at hand, he blocks it, but the impact made him unbalance. Issei realized that this draugr was stronger than the rest. However, he was stronger. As he gripped his sword, he parried with the dragur for a couple of minutes until Issei breaks the draugr's knee and then drove the blade into the dragur's chin all using his sword. As the dragur fell dead, Issei walks towards the door and opens it.
He couldn't believe it. After encountering more traps and more draugrs, he made another mental note to kick Farengar's ass over this. Once he made it over the bridge and through more tunnel, he found yet another door. When he opened it and readied himself, there was nothing. The room had an arch shape ceiling and in the far end was a wall. The wall had a circle structure in the center with strange designs on it. There was a picture of a claw and above from the bottom up was a picture of a bear, owl and a dragonfly.
"Fantastic." Issei said. "A dead end."
[I wouldn't be so sure, remember the bandit's journal? 'The solution is in the palm of your hands.']
He took out the claw and when he saw the palm of the claw, he saw the pictures: an owl, dragonfly and bear. Issei turned the pictures around until them matched like the ones in the claw. When Issei placed the claw in the center and turned it, the middle and top pictures turned to the picture of the owl and the wall was slowly moving down, opening a pathway. When Issei entered, it was part cave and part tomb. As he proceed to the tomb and was about to open it, the top of it burst open, revealing a Draugr Overlord.
Issei then cried. "You've gotta be kidding me?!"
The Draugr took out its sword and shield and started attacking Issei. When the Dragur swung and missed Issei, the blade touched to floor, causing it to freeze.
"What the hell?!" Issei said. "It freezes?! You have got to be kidding me!!."
[So magic weapons exist in this world? Interesting.]
The Draugr swings its sword again, but Issei blocked it with Ascalon and then gets one of his plasma cannons and aimed at the Draugr's head. As he kick the Draugr away from him, Issei fired at the undead warrior's head. Once the blast made contact the head was gone leaving only a headless corpse.
Afterwards, Issei searched the dead body and found what he was looking for, the Dragonstone. He also got the ancient nord sword of cold to find out more about it. Before he took a step, he saw a strange word on the wall and it started to glow. When he approached the wall, energy started to flow out of the wall and into Issei's body. His vision started to blur and after a few seconds, his eye sight recovered and the glow was gone.
"Whoa!" Issei said in a surprised way. "What just happen?"
[Hmm if I had to guess, I'd say you've gain some sort of power.]
He looked around and said. "Well whatever I guess. Now I just have to get out of here."
Riverwood
"Are you alright, brother?" Camilla asked.
Lucan replied. "I can't get over the fact that I lost our father's most valuable item."
She placed her hand on his shoulder and said. "I know how you feel. That claw is also important to me as well. That's why when we have the time, we go look for it, together."
Lucan smiled and said. "Thanks for the encouraging, but that man said he'll get it for us."
Camilla shook her head and said. "And how do you know if he'll keep his word? Even if he does have the time, it will take him days, weeks, months or even years to find it."
"Find what?" A voice said when the door opened.
When they both turned, they saw Issei walking into the door.
Surprised, Camilla asked. "What are you doing here?"
Pretending to be hurt, Issei said. "Ah! I have been gone for a day and you guys are not happy to see me? And here I was going to give you a gift."
"Gift?" Lucan asked. "What gift?"
On cue, with a smile on his face, Issei took out the golden claw and said. "A little birdie told me where I can find this claw. And as soon as I get back to Whiterun, I am going to kill it."
Almost gasping for air, Lucan and Camilla were on the verge of tears.
"You found it!" Camilla cried. "But how?"
Issei just replied. "Simple: I am awesome."
[Great Red give me strength.] Ddraig spoke annoyed in his host's head.
As Issei handed the claw to him, Lucan said. "You have no idea what this means to us. Thank you so much."
Issei said. "Ah, it's no biggy."
Out of nowhere, Camilla hugs him around his neck and kissed him on his cheek.
After the two departed, Camilla said. "We'll never forget this…oh by the Divines forgive me, we forgot your name."
As Issei put on his helmet and made his way to the door, he said. "Call me Issei. Now if you excuse me, I have a wizard to kill for sending me on a suicide mission."
After he left the store, Lucan placed the claw on a shelf Camilla spoke. Do you think we'll see him again?"
"Who knows." Lucan replied.
Camilla thought. 'Issei, what an interesting name for a kind hearted person like him.'
Whiterun
Issei returned to Whiterun when it was already night time. As he entered the city, he saw a few Whiterun guards confronting two Redguard warriors, or otherwise known as Alik'r. They seem to be arguing over something, but Issei continue to walk away. However, one of the Alik'r notices him and walks up to him.
"Hey." He said to Issei. "Hold it."
Issei looked at him with his helmet and said in a menacing way "What do you want?"
The Alik'r warrior slowly backed off and said. "Whoa, calm down. I just want to know if you know a Redguard woman. She's one of us. Just help us find her and we will leave."
Issei spoke in a bone chilling tone. "I have no interest in your women problems, so do me a favor and piss off."
Before the guards were going to do anything, the Alik'r warrior said. "Okay! Okay! We'll leave, but we will not give up."
And with that, the two Alik'r warriors left Whiterun.
"Thank you." One of the guards said. "I thought they would never leave."
Issei replied. "That's fine. Those guys were giving off some bad vibes."
The guard asked. "Are you here on business?"
Issei replied. "I'm suppose to give something to the wizard."
"Oh him?" The guard said. "Yeah, there are all resting. You should get some rest over at The Bannered Mare. The rooms for only 10 gold pieces for one day."
"Do you know where the Bannered Mare is?" Issei asked.
When Issei followed the guard to the Bannered Mare, Issei thanked him and entered the tavern. The place was packed with rowdy drinkers. Issei took off his helmet to catch some air and walked up to the Innkeeper, Hulda.
"Excuse me I'd like to get some cooked beef, grilled chicken breast, bread, baked potato and Honningbrew mead." He ordered.
Hulda said. "Of course that'll be 33 gold pieces."
Issei took out 43 gold and said. "Here's 33 for the food, and 10 more for you."
Hulda smiled and said. "Saadia will bring you your meal in a bit."
"Thanks." Issei said. "And by the way, have you heard about anything around here?"
Hulda then said. "I heard that the Jarl is having problems with one of his children. Some say he is ill, but no one knows."
"I see, thanks for the info."
As Issei walked around to find a seat, each one occupied drunken people singing random songs that didn't make sense at all. Eventually, he found an empty table in the corner where there was a lady drinking her mead. This lady was Carlotta Valentia.
Issei sat in the seat and said. "Excuse me, do you mind if I seat here."
Carlotta looked at him and said. "As long as you don't try anything."
Issei tilts his head and said. "Like what, exactly?"
Thinking about something different, Carlotta said. "Look, I know what you men are interested in. But like I said, I am not looking for anyone right now. What I care about now is my daughter and my job."
There was a moment of silence between them until Issei said "What? You think I am interested in you?"
As Carlotta nodded, Issei chuckled and said. "Lady, I'm 17 and I recently got over a break up."
Even though he and Rias weren't an official couple they were still close enough to be called one, so it still counts as a break up.
"Oh." Carlotta said. "I just assume that you are…"
Issei then said. "Sorry, but I would rather go for someone around my age. No offense."
"None taken." Carlotta said.
Issei said. "Let me guess, you just want to be a single parent?"
Carlotta nodded and said. "Have a beautiful daughter, Mila. I had he since she was small."
Issei said. "Normally I would say 'I'll drink to that', but I don't have something to drink with, so yeah."
He then said. "I was lucky enough to be raised by both my parents"
Carlotta said. "Where are your parents if don't mind me asking?"
Issei said. "Back home where I left them, which is very, and I mean very far away."
Carlotta said. "Why'd you leave? I'm sure they must be worried about you."
Issei said. "Perhaps, but they're not alone. Few months before I left there was this girl named Asia, a timid flower that would trip just from a little stone. We took her in and it didn't take long for us to get along, my parents saw her as a daughter and I saw her as a sister."
Carlotta then said. "I see, sorry if I made remember something discomforting."
"It's alright." Issei said. "But hey, it feels go to be single, huh?"
As Carlotta laughed for a bit, she said. "I am glad for that. However, some apparently don't get the hint. You see, the bard here, Mikael, doesn't know when to stop. He always asks for me."
"Where is this guy?" Issei said.
Carlotta replied. "He's the one playing the lute."
Issei looks over and sees Mikael playing his lute away.
"Excuse me then." Issei said as he placed his helmet in the table and made his way to Mikael.
Once he was near Mikael, he looks at him and said. "Hey there, is there anything you want to recommend?"
Issei replied. "Yeah, I recommend you to stop making you move on Carlotta over there."
When he points at Carlotta, Mikael said. "Nay, I fancy that lady over there. It's best if you look for someone else."
"I am not interested in her." Issei said. "I am saying to leave her alone."
"Oh?" Mikael said. "And who will stop me? You?"
Mikael poked on Issei's armor thinking he was tough. Boy was he going to get it.
Saadia was getting her recent order done. She was worried, she had seen the Alik'r warriors in the front gate, but was lucky for not being seen. She had to remain under cover so that she can live a new live. As she got the tray that contains cooked beef, grilled chicken breast, bread, baked potato and Honningbrew mead, he made her way to the main room. Once she was there, Mikael the bard was sent flying through the room and crashed onto a table.
Issei made his way to him and said to him. "Okay, I am going to say this once, leave the lady alone."
All Mikael could do is nod and was then knocked unconscious. After the crowd cheered after the action that taken place, Issei returned to his seat and said to Carlotta. "Okay, he won't bother you anymore."
Carlotta smiled and said. "Thank you. And are you sure he is okay?"
Issei looks over to see two men lifting up Mikael's body.
Issei said. "He'll be fine."
Saadia then walks up to him and said. "Your order."
Issei got the tray and said. "Thank you…"
He stopped when he saw Saadia and said. "Hey, aren't you a…what did those guys call it?"
Carlotta said. "She's a Redguard."
"Right." Issei said as he began to eat his food. "I saw two men out there looking for someone like her."
Saadia's eyes widen when she heard that.
'Could it be that this man is after me?' She thought.
After Issei finished his food, he gets his helmet and said. "Well, I appreciate the talk we had, but I have to rest in. See you later?"
"Sure." Carlotta said. "And thanks again."
When Issei made his way to the Innkeeper to buy a room, Saadia walked up to him and said. "Excuse me."
Issei turned to her and said. "You need something?"
Saadia replied. "Would you follow me for a bit."
Issei just shrugged and followed her upstairs. When they entered Saadia's room, she closed the door and made her way to the wardrobe. Saadia then takes out an Iron Dagger and points it at Issei.
"Okay." Saadia said. "Who hired you? Why don't you people leave me alone?!"
"Whoa, Whoa, Whoa!" Issei said in a surprised way. "I don't know what you are talking about."
"Don't lie to me." She said. "Tell me or I will cut you in half."
Issei just stood there and said. "Cut me in half? With that knife? Lady, you might need a bigger knife than that."
Before she could do anything, Issei said. "Look, all I know is that I saw two Redguards as you guys call them, made them leave the city and made my way here."
Stunned, Saadia said. "So…you are not working for anyone?"
Issei replied. "Work for anyone? I just got to Skyrim since yesterday."
Feeling completely ashamed, she said. "I am so sorry! I had no idea!"
"No idea what?" Issei said. "What is going on here?"
Saadia hesitated and said. "The truth is, I am not from Skyrim at all. My real name is Iman and I am a noble from House Suuda in Hammerfell. Those Alik'r are hired thugs from the Aldemeri Dominion. They wish to exchange my blood for gold. So, I fled to Skyrim to hide from them, I guess I was wrong."
"I don't believe this." Issei said. "And what did you do so that these people want you dead?"
She replied. "I spoken up against the Aldemeri Dominion publicity; I suspect that's why these men were hired to hunt me down."
"Uh huh." Issei said. "I can't believe people will kill anyone to keep their mouths shut."
She then cried as tears came down her face. "Please, you have got to help me! I'll do anything!"
"Calm down." Issei said. "I'll find whoever is hunting you."
Saadia then hugs him and said. "Oh, thank you! Thank you, so much!"
When she lets go, she said. "The leader name is Kematu. One of his men is being held here in Whiterun."
"Okay." Issei said. "Once I get some sleep and finish my business with the Jarl, I will find these guys."
Tears were coming down her cheeks as Issei left her room.
Before he left, he said. "Don't worry, just stay here and relax until I come back."
He proceed downstairs where he saw Hulda, rented a room and soon feel asleep thinking tomorrow will be another day. But what he didn't know is that his destiny will soon be revealed.
End