Then I Took An Arrow In The Knee

Chapter 8

"Dragonborn? What do you know about the Dragonborn?"

After coming back to Dragonsreach, I told the Jarl about how the dragon was killed and how there were minimal casualties. He was happy at first, until he started to ask about what else happened. I began with immediately after the dragon fell to after the strange thunder shout coming from the mountain.

"It's just what the men called me." I say with a shrug. There really was nothing more I could add to it, because I didn't know anything else.

"Not just the men. The Greybeards seem to think the same thing." He said while leaning forward in in seat.

"The Greybeards? Who are they?"

"Masters of the Way of the Voice. They live in seclusion high on the slopes of the Throat of the World."

Way of the Voice? Did he mean Shouting? I am so confused....

"What do they want with me?"

"The Dragonborn is said to be uniquely gifted in the Voice -- the ability to focus your vital essence into a Thu'um, or Shout. If you really are Dragonborn, they can teach you how to use your gift." He said.

A man stepped forward that looked like he took the skin of a snake that had horns like a goat and make some armor. He began talking about the history of the Dragonborn, while this Proventus man began to trash talk everything the snake/goat man had to say about the topic.

If it had been any other day in any other century, I would be standing in the background with a bottle of ale and a rabbit leg enjoying the show. Now, I'm the star of the show in this drama, and I have no script the actors are going haywire and the director jumped off a bridge and got eaten by a troll.

The next thing I know the Jarl is talking directly to me instead of running as a guard for snake/goat man and sir Provents-a lot.

"You've done a great service to me and my city, Dragonborn. By my right as Jarl, I name you Thane of Whiterun. It's the greatest honor that's within my power to grant. I assign you Lydia as a personal housecarl, and this weapon from my armory to serve as your badge of office. I'll also notify my guards of your new title. Wouldn't want them to think you're part of the common rabble, now would we? We are honored to have you as Thane of our city, Dragonborn."

I didn't even have time to ask what thane even meant before he went back to work with mister provent-us-from-doing-anything. It felt like I had been given an order so I took my leave. I didn't feel the rush to actually run to this 'Throat of the World' place so I took my time leaving Dragonsreach.

Who were these 'Greybeards'? The Jarl seemed to respect them. They're name makes them sound wise, but also makes them sound like my grandfather.

He would always say "Myra Girl, don't listen to those old buzzards. You'll become a fine mage yet, don't you worry. They've got nothing for them except a gray beard. That's a sure sign that they've lost the last bit of sense that Akatosh gave 'em."

"But Grandfather, you have a gray beard, too!"

It was then that he would always flick my nose and ruffle my hair. "Watch your mouth, Crab." He gave me that nickname after he tried to wake me up once as a child. I don't even remember doing it, but he said that anytime he took the covers off me I would pull them back over and pinch his legs.

I was trying to get back on topic with myself when I was suddenly met with, "The Jarl has appointed me to be your housecarl. It's an honor to serve you."

The woman before me had fair skin and dark hair. She wore steel armor and wore a shield. She looked well prepared for battle. What did the Jarl call her earlier?

"Lydia?"

"Yes," she said, confirming her name and asking for instruction.

"Um... Okay then. Would- uh... Would you follow me? I've never been to the Throat of the World and I think I might need help getting there."

"Of course." She then bowed slightly and then waited for me to make the first move.

Why do I feel like I've made a horrible mistake?