Skyrim: Rise of the Dragonborn

Chapter 18: Dragon Sighting

Beric trudged through the grass carrying the Dragon as he looked over his shoulder again. The elves had still been in the village when he left. He hoped that they hadn't seen him. Fortunately, there was a thunderstorm approaching, which covered the pale moon with it's dark and gloomy clouds. Beric saw the wall of rain pour out between a dark sky and even darker horizon as thunder growled over Whiterun. He started to feel drops of water splash onto his shoulder as he quickened his pace.

"Who goes there?" yelled one of the guards that eyed him as he approached the gate.

"My name is Beric. I'm bringing in something that the court wizard sent me after,"

"Hmm, well, you don't look too dangerous," the guard said looking him over, "I guess I'll let you in. Don't make me regret it," he said trying to intimidate Beric as he knocked on the door, "Open up!"

The gates slowly opened up as they had before. Beric eagerly rushed inside as more drops started to fall. He started to run up the stairs of stone as the sky poured out it's torrents on the city.

"Hold it," one of the ten guards commanded as Beric reached the entrance to Dragonsreach, "What's your business in the keep?"

"I'm here to see the court wizard. He sent me on an errand. I'm reporting to him," Beric said trying to sound as professional as possible.

"Beric?" asked the guard.

"Y-yes, how'd you know?"

"Farengar told us to expect you and one other,"

"He's in Riverwood recovering. He's wounded,"

"Understood. Open up, boys," he commanded the other guards.

As the guards heaved the doors open, the guard ushered him in out of the rain. Beric looked up into the large hall as the feeling of loneliness struck him. He'd have to do the talking now. He gathered himself together and marched up the stairs and walked to his right to Farengar's quarters. Beric was surprised to see a hooded figure leaning on one of Farengar's tables.

"Oh, you survived, well one of you at least. That means you're a cut above the usual brute the Jarl sends my way," Farengar said surprised as Beric cringed inside. Farengar seemed not to care anything about Drake.

"He's recovering in Riverwood. He wasn't as fortunate as I was," Beric corrected holding up his hand.

"Oh, I see you've been practicing your flame spell,"

"I guess you could say that," Beric shrugged as anger started to rise, "You might have mentioned that the flame would burn my hand,"

"Not if you do it right. Obviously, you didn't. It's not my fault you failed to emit the flames from the air in front of you hand instead of from your actual physical hand," Farengar criticized, "Do you have something for me?"

"Yes," Beric sighed pulling the Dragonstone from the sac, "Here,"

"Well done," Farengar said snatching it from his hands, "I must say I had my doubts about your abilities to retrieve the stone,"

"We had help. The leader of the bandits was betrayed by his own men. He helped us get through the barrow. In fact, I'm not sure we could have done it without him,"

"Well, then, it appears luck was on your side,"

"This was a great help. I'm sure Farengar will greatly reward you for this," came a woman's voice from the hooded figure causing Farengar to cough.

"That's what he said," Beric nodded.

"I do believe that 'certainly be rewarded' was exactly what I said. I never said the word 'greatly'," Farengar said uncomfortably.

"Oh, please, Farengar. Just pay the man," the hooded woman erupted, "Even I would have had trouble getting that. We owe him,"

"Fine," Farengar said walking to a chest and opening it, "How does one hundred septims sound?"

"Great," Beric answered surprised at the amount.

"Good," Farengar said pulling a large coin purse out and closing the chest, "You really have earned it," he said dropping it on the table as the coins clanged together inside.

"Thank you," Beric said grabbing it.

"Thank you for your service," Farengar smiled, "Forgive my stinginess. I only have so much gold I'm allowed to spend,"

"Well done," the hooded woman nodded to Beric, "May I have your name?"

"Beric, ma'am. Yours?" Beric slightly bowed as he noticed her mouth tighten.

"You'll have to forgive her. My associate prefers to remain as anonymous as possible," Farengar answered sharply, "She's a fellow researcher in Dragons. She has a few theories as to where the dragons are coming from,"

"Farengar!" came the voice of Ireleth, the Jarl's housecarl, "A dragon's been sighted at the Southern Watchtower," Beric spun around to see the gray skinned elvan woman with a guard, "Come with me. You as well," she said pointing to Beric.

"Yes, ma'am," Beric said as he followed her up a flight of stairs. When Beric and Farengar caught up with Irileth, the guard she was with was already telling the Jarl about the dragon he saw.

"Irileth, take half the guards to the watchtower and look for this dragon. We need to know what we're dealing with. This is not victory or Sovengarde, Irileth. Don't even engage it unless necessary,"

"Yes, my lord," she nodded as she returned down the stairs with the guard.

"I've no right to ask this of you, but she could use your help," the Jarl said addressing Beric.

"Mine?"

"Am I looking at anyone else?" the Jarl looked around impatiently, "You're not dressed for battle. Come with me," he said motioning for Beric to follow as he walked into a room. Beric looked around at the many sets of armor and weapons. He was in the Jarl's personal armory, "Get this on quickly and take this sword and shield," Beric couldn't say that he was impressed with the set of armor that the Jarl pointed to, but it was better than anything he'd had thus far. He quickly took off the rough clothed tunic that Alvor had given him and started putting on the armor. It was mostly leather but had several plates of metal in it. The shoulder pad had two horns jutting out of the top and there was chain mail on the inside of the torso. It was actually quite comfortable despite the weight. The Jarl then grabbed the helmet. It had two goat horns on the side that curved down parallel to the wearers jawline. Beric leaned his head forward as the Jarl placed it on his head.

"Can I go along, my Jarl. This would be a great oppor-..."

"No. I need you here figuring out ways to defend the city should they fail," the Jarl cut him off, "I wish you luck, boy,"

"Thank you, sir," Beric bowed.

"Now, go regroup with Irileth," he said giving him the sword and shield, "May the nine divines be with you,"

"On my way," Beric answered as he buckled the sword on the belt. He felt invincible as he exited the doors of Dragonsreach. Beric thought that this is how the great heroes of lore must have felt as he felt heard the rain splash on his helmet and armor. He then remembered that he was heading out to possibly be incinerated by a dragon as the invincible feeling left, "Right," he said to himself as he charged down the stairs to catch up with Irileth.