Whiterun

After waking up in the morning, I traveled along the path east of Riverwood until I got to the outskirts of Whiterun.

It was an amazing sight, and the smell of honey brewed mead on the horizon made it even better.

But my attention was quickly drawn away by a battle going on between a Giant and some Nord fighters.

I rushed in to assist, hacking at the giant's legs with my axe, he fell to his knees from all the blows and then I finished him off by burying my blade in his enormous skull.

"You handle yourself well. You could make for a decent Shield-Brother." Said the woman who approached me.

"You are the Companions, then?"

"Good, you've heard of us. Yes we are The Companions.

The giant went on a rampage, endangering the farm workers and travelers to the city. The Jarl of Whiterun asked us to deal with it. Three Companions against one giant will earn us no great glory. But, it's good training for our newest Shield-Sister here."

I've always had a admiration for The Companions but I never had the confidence to try to join them... Until now

"So uh... Do you think I could I join the Companions?"

"Not for me to say, You'll have to talk to Kodlak Whitemane up in Jorrvaskr. The old man's got a good sense for people. He can look in your eyes and tell your worth. If you go to him, good luck."

She told me goodbye, and walked back towards the city. There was something about her...

Part of me was...enthralled with her mysterious attitude, but another felt like she was overly defensive of something, like she had a grudge against me even though we had just met.

After that I continued towards the city and I walked past a conversation going on between the stable master and a rather large nord woman.

"By Ysmir, it's true. A jester, funny suit and all. Just north, by the Loreius Farm. Fool had a coffin in a cart, with a broken wheel."

"Well, sounds like you've had quite the journey Uthgerd. But you were gone longer than usual. Got to thinking maybe you weren't coming back..."

"You sound like my ma. Figured I was lying dead in a field somewhere, is that it?"

"Thought did cross my mind, yeah. War brewing, talk of a riot in Helgen, and now jesters? Skyrim's gone mad, girl. You need to be careful out there."

"Careful, huh? Thanks, Skulvar. I'll remember that. Ha ha ha! Ha... Yeah, right."

I also passed a Khajiit Caravan outside the walls, they apparently weren't welcome inside the city for... obvious reasons..

When I got to the gate, I was stopped by a guard telling me that the city was closed because of the rumors of dragons. I told him I had news from Riverwood about the attack and he reluctantly let me in.

I entered the city and looking around the view was breathtaking, I had been to the outskirts of Whiterun before while I did mercenary work, but never inside. I'd wait outside the walls whenever a client had business there.

A conversation was going on between a man in imperial armor and the woman running the blacksmith shop.

"We'll pay whatever it takes. But we must have more swords for the Imperial soldiers."

"I just can't fill an order that size on my own. Why don't you swallow that stubborn pride of yours and ask Eorlund Gray-Mane for help?"

"Ha! I'd sooner bend my knee to Ulfric Stormcloak. Besides, Gray-Mane would never make steel for the Legion."

"Have it your way. I'll take the job, but don't expect a miracle."

I walked down the road further into the city, into a market area and a man standing outside a general store beckoned me towards him.

"Well met, kinsman. What brings you to Whiterun?"

"I'm here to help, in any way I can."

"Truly? Ha! By Shor, this city could use more like you. Best head up to Dragonsreach, then, and see the Jarl. He's lord of Whiterun, and can set you on the path."

"You live here?"

"Aye, that I do. Have all my life. We Battle-Borns have been here since the beginning. Along with the Gray-Manes. Our families been close as kin for generations.

But Ulfric Stormcloak's uprising has divided us. Now seems we can scarce look at each other without comin' to blows. Petty and foolish, that. They're sayin' dragons have returned to Skyrim. Now that there, that's a real problem."

"Sure is.. Well, until next time."

After that, I headed up to Dragonsreach.

The Jarl was talking with his steward at the time when I entered, they both looked... perturbed.

"My lord. Please. You have to listen. I only counsel caution. We cannot afford to act rashly in times like these. If the news from Helgen is true... well, there's no telling what it means."

"What would you have me do, then? Nothing?"

"My lord. Please. This is no time for rash action. I just think we need more information before we act. I just..."

"Who's this, then?"

A Dark Elf woman then approached me with sword in hand, probably his Housecarl.

I told her I had news about the dragon attack on Helgen and she granted me audience with the Jarl.

"So. You were at Helgen? You saw this dragon with your own eyes?"

"The dragon destroyed Helgen. And last I saw it was heading this way."

"By Ysmir, Irileth was right!

What do you say now, Proventus? Shall we continue to trust in the strength of our walls? Against a dragon?"

Irileth: "My lord, we should send troops to Riverwood at once. It's in the most immediate danger, if that dragon is lurking in the mountains..."

Proventus: "The Jarl of Falkreath will view that as a provocation! He'll assume we're preparing to join Ulfric's side and attack him!"

Balgruuf: "Enough! Irileth, send a detachment to Riverwood at once."

Irileth: "Yes, my Jarl."

Proventus: "We should not..."

Balgruuf: "I'll not stand idly by while a dragon burns my hold and slaughters my people!"

Proventus:"If you'll excuse me, I'll return to my duties."

Balgruuf: "That would be best."

"Well done. You sought me out, on your own initiative. You've done Whiterun a service, and I won't forget it. Here take this weapon from my personal armory."

He gave me a Skyforge Steel Sword.

"There is another thing you could do for me. Suitable for someone of your particular talents, perhaps. Come, let's go find Farengar, my court wizard. He's been looking into a matter related to these dragons and... rumors of dragons."

He led me to the Court Wizard's Labratory where Farengar is researching the source of the dragon threat.

"Farengar, I think I've found someone who can help you with your Dragon Project."

"So the Jarl thinks you can be of use to me? Oh yes, he must be referring to my research into the dragons.

Yes, I could use someone to fetch something for me. Well, when I say fetch, I really mean delve into a dangerous ruin in search of an ancient stone tablet that may or may not actually be there."

"All right. Where am I going and what am I fetching?"

"Straight to the point, eh? No need for tedious hows and whys. I like that. Leave those details to your betters, am I right?

I, ah, learned of a certain stone tablet said to be housed in Bleak Falls Barrow - a 'Dragonstone,' said to contain a map of dragon burial sites. Go to Bleak Falls Barrow, find this tablet - no doubt interred in the main chamber - and bring it to me. Simplicity itself."

Balgruuf: "This is a priority now. Anything we can use to fight this dragon, or dragons. We need it, quickly. Before it's too late."

Farengar: "Of course, Jarl Balgruuf. You seem to have found me an able assistant. I'm sure he will prove most useful."

Balgruuf: "Succeed at this, and you'll be rewarded. Whiterun will be in your debt."

Knowing I had to return to Bleak Falls Barrow made me really uneasy, I barely made it out of that place alive last time. I wasn't sure if I was ready now.

So I decided in the meantime I'd train with The Companions until I was, but first it was time to turn in for the night so I headed to the inn to get lost in a bottle and fall asleep.