Then I Took An Arrow In The Knee

Chapter 6

After dropping off the golden claw to Lucan Valerius, who is apparently the shop keep in Riverwood, I made my way to Whiterun. I felt it was about time I actually visited this Jarl and told him about what happened. I made my way down the road and found myself at the gates of the hold.

As soon as I made my way to open the gate, I was stopped by the guard. "Halt, city's closed with the dragon's about. Official business only."

Well at least they're that well informed...

"Riverwood calls for the Jarl's aid."

"Riverwood's in danger too?" He paused for a moment then spoke up. "You better go on in. You'll find the Jarl in Dragonsreach at the top of the hill."

"Thank you."

The doors opened, and I see little houses lining the streets that looked perfect for two and three person families. There was a blacksmith's shop just to the right of the front gate that looked very busy. Up the street there were bustling shops for jewelry, meats, and fruits and vegetables. There was a general store and even an alchemist shop. There was even an Inn in plain view of the gate.

This place looked well organized and didn't seem like there was much conflict anywhere. I wanted to stay and observe the peaceful people but I had to find the Jarl. The guard sajd that I could find him at the top of the hill. Looking up, I had to say that it did indeed look look like it was a step down from the king. I climbed the steps and stepped inside the great castle.

The inside was lavish with great banners hanging from archways to display pride for their city. I climbed the stairs and could see a fair headed man sitting on what looked like a throne and looked to be in a very serious discussion with another man. I kept walking and I didn't even notice that my feet kept walking until my attention as very abruptly brought from the Jarl to the dark elf standing infront of me with her blade drawn.

"What's the meaning of this interruption? Jarl Balgruuf is not receiving visitors."

"I have news from Helgan. About the dragon attack."

"Well," she said," that explains why the guards let you in. Come on, then. The Jarl will want to speak with you personally." The lady put her sword away and allowed me to approach the Jarl.

"So you were at Helgan. You saw this dragon with your own eyes?" Asked the Jarl that looked like he was about to fall out of his chair with how bored he was.

"Yes, the dragon destroyed Helgan. And last I saw it was headed this way."

A look of surprise passed his face. "By Ismer, Irileth was right! What do you say now, Proventus?" He said looking at ths man he was arguing with when I walked in. "Shall we continue to trust the strength of our walls? Against a dragon?"

"My lord," the dark elf spoke first,"we should send troops to Riverwood at once. They're in the most immediate danger."

The stewart and the dark elf woman began arguing between each other until the Jarl got tired of hearing them. "Enough! I'll not stand idly by while a dragons burns my hold and slaughters my people. Irileth," he looked at her with almost a ferocity, "send a detachment to Riverwood at once."

"Yes, my Jarl." She said walking away.

"If you'll excuse me," Proventus said, looking like a scolded dog," I'll return to my duties."

The Jarl then turned to me, and quite honestly I thought I was in for a round of ass chewing too. "Well done. You sought me out, on your own initiative. You've done Whiterun a service, and I won't forget it."

We talked for a little while longer until he said that he had something for me to do. Said it was something suitable to my talents.

He walked me over to the court wizard and he began to fill me in on a project he needed my help with.

"Go to Bleak Falls Barrow, find this tablet, no doubt interred in the main chamber, and bring it to me. Simplicity itself."

Tablet?

"Do you mean this tablet? Man I'm glad I went on to clear that ruin."

"You found it!" He said with a smile. He went on to tell me how good a job I did, but he was cut off by Irileth racing into the room.

"Farengar! You need to come at once. A dragon's been sighted outside of Whiterun."

She turned to me, looking almost a bit frazzled, "You should come too."

Shit...