We enter Dragonsreach, and the heavy doors shut behind us with a resounding thud.
"I guess we'll be expected.." I mutter to myself.
We make our way inside, and scale the stairs, reaching the dining hall.
The hall is huge, massive pillars holding up the tall ceiling, this place could easily host half the city if they wanted to!
Ahead of us, I see the Jarl seated on his throne, 3 people are standing by him, talking. A female dark elf, and two other men, presumably Nords.
Delphine strides forward without hesitation, and I follow.
The female dark elf draws her steel sword and approach us. She also wear leather armor, she kinda seem similar to Delphine.
Besides the red eyes and gray skin, of course.
Delphine raises her hands calmly, signaling that we mean no harm.
"We're here to deliver urgent news to Jarl Balgruuf."
The dark elf, or Dunmer which they are also called, eyes us sharply, her blade still drawn but held low. "State your business, no one approaches the Jarl without good reason."
Delphine stands her ground. "News of a necromancer threat spreading througout Skyrim. We come from Riverwood- the Jarl will want to hear this."
The tension lingers for a moment longer, before the bodyguard gives a curt nod.
"Alright, you may approach. But I'll be watching you."
She steps aside, letting us continue toward the Jarl.
We walk closer, stopping at the bottom of a few steps, leading up to his throne.
Delphine bows her head respectfully before speaking.
"My Jarl, I am Delphine, innkeeper of Riverwood. We bring urgent news of dark magic stirring across Skyrim."
Balgruuf leans forward slightly, studying us with sharp, assessing eyes. His speaks with a calm, but firm voice.
"Riverwood, you say? Speak plainly then. What dark magic are we dealing with?"
Delphine continues.
"Necromancy, my Jarl! And we have evidence that there might be more of it across Skyrim."
Balgruuf narrows his eyes slightly, his tone growing heavier.
"What kind of evidence do you bring before me?"
"Oh, I have it here!" I say, taking off my backpack, looking for the letter from the necromancer's master.
"Here you go." I say, as I take the first step up the stairs to give it to him.
But before I can take me second step, his dark elf bodyguard draws her sword again and shouts.
"Not one more step stranger, I'm warning you!"
I freeze. "Umm.. ok.." I say carefully and step back down.
Balgruuf raises a hand calmly.
"Relax, Irileth. He's no threat."
The Dunmer scowls but sheaths her sword again, though she gives me a sharp glare.
Sheesh, okay, she is REALLY similar to Delphine!
The Jarl then gestures to his steward, one of the men who were at his side.
"Proventus, take the letter and read it."
Proventus Avenicci, a balding man with grey hair, where he still has some left, steps forward and retrieves the letter from my outstretched hand.
He is the father of Adrienne the smith, if I remember correctly.
He goes back to his place by the Jarl's side and unfold the letter, clearing his throat before beginning to read it.
Proventus reads the entire letter aloud for all who are present, the Jarl, Delphine, Irileth and his court wizard, Farengar and me.
The only points of interests in the letter that was still relevant was:
The necromantic plan to practice while raising undead near small villages and farms across Skyrim.
The order mentioned, called 'The pale skull'.
And finally, the necromancers master, Mordyn.
The letter hits hard, the gravity of the matter taken serious by everyone present.
I speak my mind without first being spoken to, wanting to share my thoughts.
"It seems that this Haldric may have found sentimental value in this letter, that might be the only reason why were able to-.."
Offended by my lack of manners, Proventus interjects and snap at me.
"Mind your manners, whelp! You don't-"
"Proventus! I'll allow it! The Jarl retorts, Proventus shuts up, and shifts uncomfortably.
"Now, stranger, what where you going to say?" The Jarl asks me.
I answer him, slightly bowing to show respect.
"I'm sorry, my Jarl... What I was trying to say is that the necromancer was supposed to burn the letter- thankfully, he didn't. We might have gotten insight to this threat at an early stage, the letter only mentioned that a plan was brewing."
Proventus comments on my words. "Hmph, but the letter may be old..."
Balgruuf, straightens up in his chair, clearing his throat.
"Proventus is right, the letter could be old."
He turns his attention to his court wizard.
A tall man wearing blue, hooded robes
His beard is shaved to create impressive sideburns, a naked chin- surrounded by beard.
It gives him an unique look, weird, but he's kinda rocking it!..
"Farengar" The Jarl address his advisor.
"What do you deduct from this letter? And 'The pale skull', have you heard of it?"
Farengar scratches his chin while thinking, which makes it easier for me to imagine how he would have looked like with a full beard... He probably should let it grow out, if he wants a fair shot with the ladies.
"No, my jarl" Farengar replies.
"I haven't heard about 'The pale skull' before. What we can tell is that our villages needs protection, that much is obvious."
Farengar is silent for a moment, thinking.
"The only other thing we can derive from this letter, is the name Mordyn.
I've never heard of him either, but the name, is Breton.
Their race are usually skilled when it comes to magic, seeing that they are of elven descent."
The Jarl leans back in his throne.
"A Breton... So this Master necromancer could be a powerful enemy then..."
Farengar shrugs his shoulders.
"Could be, but no one is born a master, no matter their race."
Balgruuf seems to be thinking, before speaking his mind.
"Alright, then we shouldn't underestimate this enemy."
He turns his attention to me. "I suppose you don't mind if I keep this letter?"
I shake my head. "No, of course not, my Jarl."
"Good" Balgruuf says to me, giving me a small nod of gratitude. "You're a friend to Whiterun, I'll see to it that you're compensated for your services!"
Compensation would be nice, hopefully I won't be broke for much longer.
Balgruuf turns to Proventus.
"Proventus, write copies of that letter, and send it to every Jarl in the other holds, explain the situation to them. And for our own hold, send a detachment of men to guard our towns and farms."
Proventus protests. "My Jarl! Our men are already spread thin enough as is, if we do this-"
"Enough!" Balgruuf commands with a strong voice. "Speak with Commander Caius, see what he can spare. I trust that he will keep what needs to be kept in the city, but I won't leave my people to fend for themselves!"
Proventus bows deeply. "My apologies, my Jarl... It shall be done!"
"Good.." Balgruuf says, his voice now calm, but still carrying a sense of authority.
He turns his attention towards Delphine and I. "You two, tell me what went down in Riverwood, and spare no detail."
Delphine speaks up before I can.
She lays everything out: how the necromancer tried to kill me, how he had murdered innocents to raise the dead, and how he could summon more undead with his magic.
She finishes by saying that I defeated him- but she makes it sound like I'm far more skilled than I really am.
Fortunately, she left out the part about me being brought to Skyrim by his magic, conjuration or whatever it had been.
"I see..." Balgruuf says, before turning his attention to me. "So you killed the necromancer. Tell me, what is your name?"
"My name is... Ragnar, of Rorikstead." I answer a bit awkwardly, needing a second to remember my alias.
Balgruuf leans back in his throne nodding, thoughtfully. "Ragnar of Rorikstead, huh... Then I shall send you along with the detachment to Rorikstead. Guards suddenly appearing could raise suspicion of danger amongst the folks of Rorikstead, but having one of their own protecting them should provide some comfort."
Shit!... Why did my alias have to be Rorikstead?!..
"My Jarl!" I start by saying, I must convince him to not send me!
"It is true that I defeated the necromancer, but that was more luck than anything else. If not for Delphine, I couldn't have done anything!"
"Enough, Ragnar.." The Jarl interjects. "You will go, your presence alone will be valuable there."
Shit... I turn to look at Delphine for advice, unsure if I can protest further or if refusal will mean jail.
I am met by her steely eyes looking back at me, that alone tells me that I am obligated to go... But there must be something I can do!
I think for a moment, I realize that I can't wriggle my way out of this, but an idea strikes me.
"My Jarl!!" I say with a loud voice, I didn't intend for me it to be so loud, but I'm filled with adrenaline. However, I got all eyes on me now.
"You spoke of compensation for my services, and as I am now, I am of little help in a fight... However, I recently discovered that I have magicka, and I believe that I might have the aptitude for magic."
Farengar raises his eyebrows in surprise.
"You're saying that you just discovered having magicka?... Yet, you look like you're atleast 25 winters old."
"Yes, I am actually 30..." I respond.
Farengar chuckles and shakes his head. "That doesn't sound like someone who has the aptitude, some can sense their magicka even before puberty... I've never heard of someone first realizing it even after turning 20."
"Farengar..." The Balgruuf says. "Why don't you test him and see if he actually has what's needed, it would certainly help our cause."
Farengar sighs. "I will try, but don't expect much."
The Jarl turns to me. "Then consider this your reward, Farengar will give you some guidance. Meet up here tomorrow morning, then you'll leave for Rorikstead with your detachment. You're dismissed."
Balgruuf turns to Irileth and Proventus, discussing what to write in their letters to the other Jarls.
Delphine comes over to me and put a hand on my shoulder. "You have magicka?! Since when?!" She asks with surprise in her voice.
I reply.
"Last night, but it all came very suddenly, I was-"
"Ragnar, follow me. I don't have all day." Farengar interjects, he starts walking towards his studies.
"No matter, find me at the inn later, 'The Bannered Mare' in the plains district. Follow the mage, and tell me later." Delphine says, before turning towards the doors leading to the city.
"I've got other business to attend to."
Alright, I've got a chance to finally learn some magic now, better not waste it! I follow Farengar to his studies, ready to see if I can even use make use of my magicka.