The World-Eater's Eyrie

Cerise; Dragon's Rising

  Cerise barely managed to stifle an eyeroll at the mention of fairy tales. The whole trip had been rather absurd and Cerise longed for the peaceful aura of the forest. The whole city smelled polluted and felt cramped. The nord woman sighed through her teeth as they entered Dragonsreach hold.

The walls were tall and made from solid stone brick with polished marble floors and cushiony chairs scattered about. Two large oak tables sat in the middle of the room before the raised throne and every surface held a shiny silver goblet or platter of steaming food. At least it smelled better here.

Ullr stood before the jarl and told her tale while Cerise stood back some and perched on a large velvet chaise. The fabric was soft and tickled her elbows as she leaned casually into the plump cushions. There was a break in conversation and her icy blue eyes lifted to take in the scene. Everyone was staring at Ullr like she had just given birth to a litter of mudcrabs before them and Cerise smirked at the thought. She wondered quietly if Ullr would be thrown in a cell for her incredulous stories or if Cerise was going to be stuck with a lying child forever.

Cerise scanned the faces of the jarl and his council, eyes meeting briefly with the Dunmer woman who stood especially close to Ullr as she spoke but kept her harsh gaze on Cerise. The nord made a small grimace at her and the woman narrowed her eyes.
"My Jarl, I don't believe this hunter was there." The gazes of everyone fell on the appalled face of Cerise who rose from her position on the furniture piece.
"Listen, I got this little runt all this way for her to stand here and fib about dr-"
"Your grace, there's a dragon attacking the eastern watchtower!" The desperate voice of a guard disrupted the small feud and the room burst into panicked shouting.

"Your grace, what do we do?"
"Send me, your grace, I can fight better than any of these useless squabblers."
"Oh my divine! What if it comes here?"
"We're all gonna die!"

"Enough!" The disgruntled voice of the jarl shook the swaying people with command. Immediately he began shouting orders, directing the Dunmer, Irileth, to lead the hunting party.
"-And take these two with you. One of them has at least seen a dragon before!"

Everything that happened next was quicker than expected. Cerise and Ullr were snatched up and ushered to the rear of the keep where a private exit led directly to the watch tower. Cerise was commanded to ride a black stallion with Ullr in the saddle behind her.

Irileth led the group of ten guards and the two companions at a fierce speed towards the watch tower.