章 136: Back At Dawnstar

"So you managed to find a cove that they used to inhabit, but it seems that they left? And you didn't see them on the way there, meaning they were either very far out at sea, or they went further east? Interesting..."

I nodded, standing beside Brina as I looked down at the map, telling her where the cove was and giving her a rundown of the story I had planned beforehand.

"Signs of them being there recently; they had to have set off a few hours before we got there, so we'd have seen them if they were heading here. Hell, y'all would've seen them already if they were coming here. So I think they either went deep into the Sea of Ghosts, or retreated out east to a new cove or something. I mean, honestly, the sea around Winterhold and Windhelm is treacherous, sure, but there are some safe havens around those parts. From what I hear, anyways."

Brina frowned as she studied the map, before pinching the bridge of her nose as she stood up, looking towards Horik, Madena, and Jod, the former Housecarl of Skald who decided that his loyalties lay with the people and not the man.

"I think it'd be best to focus our attention inwards. Begin rebuilding and recuperating from everything. Skald's death, your rise to Jarl, the attack, the freedom from those damnable Cultists up at Nightcaller Temple! It'd be wise to turn towards the basics and rebuild this city back better than before!"

The last person nodded after saying that, his pale blue skin and neatly trimmed beard out of place with the rest of us; Erandur was still inside Dawnstar, remaining with the people to help them through these troubling times and give them the guiding light of Mara to soothe their tumultuous hearts.

A good thing too, since I still had to break this man so that Vaermina would grant me a new, changed Artifact, giving me the ability to wield Dream Magic and empower myself even more.

"I agree, Jarl Brina. We should begin by shoring up the defenses first; a proper wall, and some lookout towers near the main road, the road leading up to Nightcaller Temple, and two on either side of the inlet to provide sight on all sides. To start, we can use magic to create earthen ramparts before building them properly with the stone quarried out of the mines."

The older Nord nodded as she gestured to Horik, saying "Give me that older map of the city, Horik. We'll begin planning the walls first, before planning the rest of the city. Madena, draw up a list of any and all ingredients that can grow inside our cold soil; anything at all. I don't care if its just mountain flowers, let me know about it. Jod, gather up the guard and begin to perform drills. Get them in better shape and begin training all of them in archery.

Priest Erandur, if I might be so bold, could you motivate the populace some? We need them to work in the mines for just a week, to gather materials for this wall. Any and all who are able to work would be much appreciated. You... have a better way with words than I do, and at the moment that finesse is needed. They're troubled, after all... with what just happened, I don't think I would be the best choice."

Everyone nodded and began to do as the Jarl asked, before she turned towards me and said "Jeleia, like we had discussed before, I'd like to make you my Thane. Something Horik told me though was that you already hold one such position down in Falkreath, beneath the new Jarl there; Nenya."

Giving her a small smile, I turned and leaned against the table as I replied "I am. And if my cursory understanding of Skyrim's laws is correct, I can be Thane of all the Holds if I show the ability. After all, it is merely an honorary position. I'm a... warrior masquerading as a Noble when I get that title, no? I have no true responsibilities besides to not break the law, and to support this place to the best of my abilities?"

Brina stared at me for a few moments, eventually letting out a sigh as she said "Aye, that's correct. I don't mind, but... do understand that some might be bothered by a woman becoming Thane in two separate, neutral Holds. If you do so in Whiterun as well, people'll get the wrong idea... not that it matters; Dawnstar and Falkreath aren't influential enough to matter, whilst Whiterun is its own, deep rooted Hold. No one can change that easily, not even Ulfric Stormcloak... not since him and Balgruuf are similarly lauded in strength, save for the Voice."

The woman sighed again, taking the map from Horik with a nod before she picked up a quill and began to speak to me about the city, taking my input and suggestions seriously as we began to plan Dawnstar's rise in influence, which all started with a significant upgrade to the city itself.