Dragonborn Ascendant (12)

A/N: And here's chapter 12, as promised.

-x-X-x-

So much liveliness, the sound of loud chater, booming laughs and twinkling giggles filled the air drowning the words of the bard singing in favour of a more popular song. It was a poem about an ancient jarl of Whiterun who traded his bride for a horse. A curious and certainly a very unique song.

And he rode, and rode, and rode

To the mountains Jorm rode

And with his horse and his hammer

To the mountains the Dwemer he drove

But, of course, as most things in Nord society, especially the ancient one, it had to somehow fit a battle or a fight of some kind.

It was still a very unique experience to go through. Certainly a tasty one. Nords did not spare any expense in food when it came to their feasts, I rather quickly learned. The cooks at Dragonsreach must have worked incessantly for the better part of two days in preparation for this, and that was while using the help of some of the local residents to prepare enough food to properly feed an army. And given by just how quickly it all ended, their assessment was not a wrong one which by itself was quite frightening. It was still a good atmosphere, happy and festive.

And to be an honour guest was also quite something, sitting with Balgruuf together with his children at his table, being regaled with stories of his and his and his family. It’s an altogether completely different experience from reading war stories about a fictional world through a computer screen, to hearing it from the mouth of one who took part in the battles and still had scars to show from the aftermatch.

It also really went to show just how alien my ‘generation’ was from his, and how young I am.

The year is 201 of the Fourth Era, and the Great War between the Cyrodiil Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion ended in 175 through the signing of the White and Gold Concordat, a treat that granted a stalemate for temporary white peace, provided that the Empire handed over some regions of Hammerfell, a decision that resulted in a civil insurrection in the imperial province which eventually split up to become its own autonomous nation from the Empire, waging war with the High Elves for another five years and, contrary to what many had expected, even managed to drive them back to Summerset Isle; as well as outlawing the worship of Talos.

If I was born in this world, the time of my birth would have been a turbulent one where the Empire would have been still recuperating from the war, and sometimes that makes me wonder, how much would I have changed if I was born in a situation like this? Would I have been a farmer simpleton, toiling at the fields with my father and brothers while my mother and sisters took care of our home?

It was a curious thing to think.

“So,” Balgruuf started in the late hours, after the party died down and many of the guests left or retired to sleep. Only Irileth and the jarl were still at the table, as was I, still working up the courage to go down to Jorrvaskr for a new round of drinking with Lydia at my side. “What are your plans for now, Magnus?”

I paused with the cup of mead near my mouth, looking at the blonde Nord from the metal rim of the cup. “That’s a good question.” I said, bringing it to my lips to sip some of the beverage.

“Winter is coming, my friend,” said the jarl. “The first snow is bound to fall in a few days, and when the season turns and the weather settles in, moving through the land will become a very difficult thing. Especially if you decide to go to Eastmarch or the Rift.”

“I wasn’t going to,” I shook my head. “Not at this time, at least. No, I have priorities in the west, if you remember well.”

“The Reach?”

“Not only that, but Rorikstead too,” I answered. “Did you forget I have a farm there now?”

“Hmm,” Balgruuf grunted, leaning back on his chair with a frown. “I was hoping to tempt you to stay here for longer with Breeze Home.”

“I’m sorry,” I smiled sadly at him. “Unfortunately, I can’t be shackled down to a single hold if the dragons are returning. I’ll have to travel through all of Skyrim and beyond, as I reckon.”

“Aye, I feared as much,” the blonde nobleman sighed. “Regardless, the papers have already been procured for it. It may not be much, but it’s already some of the reward I promised you.” He smirked. “Just speak with Proventus when you have the time. He’ll give you the keys.”

“I will,” I nodded. “Thank you Balgruuf.”

“‘Tis nothing,” he waved me away. “I’m only paying you what I promised. Now tell me, what do you think the situation in the Reach will be like?”

“It’s hard to say for sure,” I started after musing internally for a moment. Working my jaws and lowering my drink to leave it on the table I continued, crossing my arms and leaning back. “I sincerely doubt the situation is as dire as I fear, otherwise I’m sure news of general Tulius and his Legion moving to pacify the region would have reached our ears by now, but I also don’t think they are good.”

“I’ll be going to Markarth,” I declared. “To try and gauge how the city is faring. If all goes well, then I should be staying for only a week at most before departing to Solitude.”

“Going to meet Elisif?” Balgruuf asked with a raised eyebrow.

“No,” I shook my head. “Although I might go and visit a friend who is in the Legion. If he’s still posted there, that is. In any case, what I’m really intending to do is to take passage in a ship going to Winterhold or nearby.”

“Going to the college, I see,” the blonde nodded. “I think Farengar might have something for you that is where you are heading to.”

I only hummed in response. Farengar had already talked in passing with me about something of the sort, I was now only curious on what exactly he had planned. Guess I would have to figure it out myself when the time comes.

Eventually we had to leave, and I was followed to Jorrvaskr by a stone-faced Lydia.

Surprisingly enough, there were not many Companions awake at such a late hour in the night. I could only identify the members of the Inner Circle gathered together, except for Skjor, still a couple of weeks away; some of which immediately perked up as they caught sight of me.

“Magnus!” Farkas smiled. “Finally done with your fancy feast with the jarl, eh?”

“You know you could have gone too, right?” I said. “I know Balgruuf sent a messenger this way.”

“If someone was going,” Kodlak answered. “Then it would have only been you and Aela, boy. None of us took part in this dragon attack business. It wouldn’t be right to take credit for something we did not accomplish.”

“Aye,” Farkas nodded seriously for a moment. “And what a fight it must have been.” He sighed fondly.

There was a click of a tongue.

“Stop acting like an Orc, you battle crazed buffoon,” Aela muttered, a scowl on her face.

“Bah, you just don’t understand, Huntress,” the brunette shook his head. “Battling a dragon, like in the legends of old. Can you imagine?!” Exclaimed the man rather excitedly, only to be met by an unimpressed look.

“I can. In fact, I did,” the redhead deadpanned. Her expression twitched. “And I tell you, you wouldn’t have been able to pull it off. Not without all of the Jorrvaskr with you and Magnus at your side.”

“That’s oddly nice of you, Aela,” I muttered, sitting down next to the four of them. “Are you alright?”

“You shut your mouth, Magnus.” The woman growled, and I heard a shifting behind me. Throwing a look over my shoulder there was Lydia looking vaguely unsure, a hand resting on the pommel of her sword.

I raised an eyebrow.

“Ah, yes,” Kodlak breathed out then, an action that broke the silence that had settled. “I heard the news. You are a thane now, hm? Quite a prestigious position.” The grizzled warrior commented, prompting the twin brunettes to congratulate me for a moment while Aela just simply huffed and scowled, leaning back on her seat to cross her arms. “I assume this is your housecarl. She seems like a reliable lass.”

“She is,” I nodded after a short moment of silence. “Her name is Lydia, and I suppose she will be following me around for some time. Lydia, this is Kodlak Whitemane, Harbinger of the Companions, and these are Vilkas, Farkas and Aela.”

“I, uh, it’s an honour to meet you,” the housecarl offered a curt bow, tension leaving her shoulders even if her hand did not move.

Kodlak must have seen that as he chuckled. “Don’t worry lass,” he smiled. “Those two hate each other’s guts something fierce in front of us, but I bet when the lights are out and any prying eyes are away they have another kind of fight under the furs.” He laughed, implication clear.

“I-I see.” Lydia stuttered, face flushing lightly, the tip of her ears going a faint red as she fidgeted in place, eyes darting between the redhead and I with a different light behind them.

Aela and I scoffed as soon as our eyes met.

“In any case,” Vilkas, ever the voice of reason, cleared his throat to catch our attention, though I did notice the look he was giving me. “In light of recent events,” started, “the Harbinger and us of the Circle currently present here at the Jorrvaskr gathered to discuss something, and we came to an agreement that it has been more than enough time for you to be properly inducted as one of the Companions.”

“Hear, hear!” Farkas raised a mug of mead.

”Now,” he continued. “By this point this is merely a formality, but traditions must be held, and a new job has been made available to us.” He said, nodding to Kodlak.

“A scholar came to us while you and Aela were gone,” the elder Nord man started. “He said to have found another fragment of Wuuthrad, in an ancient nordic tomb not too terribly far away. Although I do not trust his words entirely, honour demands that we seek the truth of his claim.”

“We decided that this will be your Trial,” said the Harbinger. “Do well and you will be counted amongst the Companions. As one of the Circle no less, our best warriors.”

“Wouldn’t that raise a few eyebrows?” I asked.

“Hardly,” Kodlak shook his head. “Although a few might have complained, were you anyone else then perhaps their words might have had some truth. But Aela has already spoken in your favour, and Vilkas tells me frequently of how quickly you improve, as if you were aided by the gods themselves. Not to mention this new dragon business and my own observations.”

“Farkas volunteered to be your Shield-Brother in this mission,” Vilkas continued. “You’ve already more than proved the might of your arms, to me and everyone else here. Now let’s see if you have what it takes to lead someone.”

“We will indeed.” I shrugged.

“Right,” Farkas got up. “We’ll be going in the first light of the morning. I hope you have all your things ready by then.”

“I can do that,” I nodded. “And where are we going for that matter?”

“Dustman’s Cairn. Just follow the road to Solitude and turn on the first right. You’ll see a mound and some ruins above a hill, it’s where we are heading. I’ll show you the way.” He said, and pausing for a moment to throw a look at Lydia, he added. “Your housecarl will have to stay though.”

“I’m sorry?” Lydia bit back, an almost imperceptible growl on her voice as her expression darkened.

“This is a job for the Companions,” the man said, his tone firm.

“And I am sworn to follow my thane. Wherever he goes,” my housecarl returned just as unyielding, and I swear I saw Farkas’s nostrils flared in that moment, where he turned and almost took a step forward before I stood up between the two of them.

Throwing the Companion a look, I watched as Farkas frowned for a moment before eventually letting up with just a click of his tongue and an annoyed grunt, though that did not stop him from glaring at the almost smug shield-maiden that smiled lightly when I turned to face her.

“You are not going.”

“B-but my thane-” she sputtered, eyes wide with surprise, though I swiftly interrupted her before she could speak against my decision.

“It’s nothing against you, Lydia,” I said, raising a placating hand in front of the housecarl. “But this is a test only I should take.”

“But it’s my duty to follow you, my liege,” the brunette insisted. “I am your sword and shield. It would be against my oath to leave you!”

“It’ll be just something temporary, Lydia,” I said. Then an idea came to mind. “Look, I have a task for you. I need some farmhands to come work for me, as well as several construction materials for the farm I own at Rorikstead. Buy me all the materials I require, and recruit me half a dozen people willing to work by the time we return. What do you say? Can you do that for me?”

“I…” she worked up her jaw for several moments before eventually sighing. “I suppose…” The woman grumbled, although I knew she wasn’t happy. “I will require a list of the materials you are looking for, my thane.” She asked in a much more subdued voice that almost made me feel like I kicked a puppy.

Almost.

She’s a grown woman after all, she can deal with some disappointment in her life.

“Excellent,” I smiled. “I’ll be trusting in your judgement then.”