บท 486: Dragon's Reach

Michael went on to explain the situation in Dawnstar to Vilkas, leaving out the fact that he'd slain the dragon that'd caused it. He definitely didn't want to be labelled the 'Dragonborn', that was way too much attention. Not only because he'd be looked towards to solve the crises, but because of all the other implications.

The biggest being he would technically be legible to rule the empire, something he wanted to avoid at all costs. Even if he wanted to rule, he'd tear down Cyrodil and rebuild it how he liked, without all the corrupt politics, nobles, and merchants ruining the place.

After speaking to Vilkas, Michael headed straight up towards Dragonsreach to speak with the Jarl. He was somewhat disappointed that Saeko hadn't yet returned to the Companions or even Skyrim by the sounds of it, but he was sure she was still alive and kicking the shit outta Thalmor in Hammerfell.

Inside Dragonsreach, Michael walks through the hall and spots Jarl Balgruuf, who looked distinctly different from how he usually does. His skin was pale with exhaustion and or stress, black bags hung under his eyes, and his forehead seemed to be permanently wrinkled.

"Jarl Balgruuf..." Michael tentatively greets as he stops at the bottom of the steps leading to the throne, halting the quiet conversation between him and Irilith.

"Michael Tahlin, Blade-Bearer..." he says, his voice as tired as his appearance, "Have you need for something?"

"No, I just felt the need to report something to you while I had time... Dawnstar was attacked by a dragon and almost completely burned, Skald the Elder is dead."

...

Balgruuf rests his face on his palm, looking ready to fall asleep as he does so, "So it wasn't just a one-off thing then. Is this the god's punishment?" he whispers the last part to himself, but Michael is able to pick it up with the help of some lip-reading.

"I was wondering if there was anything that could be done about the dragons, clearly regular defences won't work... Jarl Korir is scrambling to find alternatives with the help of the Eredar but it's slow progress." Michael asks, trying to bait out if the Dragonborn had passed through at all.

Thankfully, Balgruuf either doesn't care enough to keep quiet, or is too tired to notice his slip. "I've already sent some people to go looking for an artifact that may help. Though, this would be the third group... Hopefully they don't die like the rest."

"My Jarl..." Irilith mutters with a meaningful gaze.

Indeed, revealing information on a potential tool to use against the dragons wasn't a wise choice, especially since such a thing could be used and or sold for the benefit of Whiterun... Having someone else poaching it was something Balgruuf certainly wanted to avoid.

He waves her however while giving a long yawn, "Would you be willing to volunteer to acquire it if my hires fail the task?"

Michael shrugs, "Er, sure... If I have time. I'm pretty busy these days."

Balgruuf nods, "Especially with that tower of yours. A marvel if it does what my reports suggest, I thank you for ridding us of those Daedric scum, for however long this lasts..." he pauses, "Perhaps the dragons are another scheme to reassert themselves? Would your tower be able to withstand an assault?"

Michael grins, "Yes, and I pity the fool who would attempt it, dragon or not."

"Good. Then if that's all... I'd like to chat more but things are somehow even more chaotic than when the Civil War first started."

"When you were still neutral..." Michael adds, causing both Balgruuf and Irilith to turn somewhat hostile eyes toward him.

"I-... I did what I had to. And I will continue to do so, for my Hold and my family... I trust you to do the same and stop Jarl Korir from forcing your Eredar into battle for Ulfric." he says before waving his hand at Michael signalling him to leave, which he does so without issue.

Well, it seems that someone had been sent for the Dragonstone, whether it's the Dragonborn or not is still to be seen. He'd leave it as is for now, hopefully the plot would be similar to what he remembered... Though, if the Dragonborn died to some Draugr he might just pick up his shit and move to another world in sheer annoyance.

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Elsewhere :

Surtr ducks his head to relieve put his face out of the line of fire of the blizzard battering both him and his Companions. This 'Beak Falls Barrow' was proving to be a difficult job already, despite them not even having reached the damned place yet!

He'd warned the Jarl of Whiterun of the dragon threat and thought that the end of it, but while he was resting up in the city he'd been approached by the Court Wizard Farengar to find some 'Dragonstone' in an ancient Nord tomb... He wanted to refuse but, he realised that if this was a solution to the return of the dragons, it needed to be found at all costs... Plus, this way he could decide if such a thing would be better off in Ulfric's hands instead of the Imperial-controlled Whiteurn.

To help with this task he'd acquired the assistance of the legendary Companions, specifically, an Orc nicknamed 'Jackle', and a Redguard called Shakeesh. He didn't know either very well, but from what he'd seen, they were trustworthy enough if their role in the Companions itself wasn't evidenced enough.

The orc woman wielded two axes like wrath incarnate, while the Redguard man was very agile despite his size with those curved swords. Surtr hated to admit it, but both were as good or perhaps better than him when it came to combat...

Unbeknownst to him, his couple of years of experience amounted to their lifetime's worth of fighting. Making him stupidly talented in comparison...