The Last Dragonborn

Chapter 8

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I had been trapped in the palace for three days. Well...maybe trapped wasn't exactly fair. It wasn't as though I was being kept prisoner. But Wuunferth still wouldn't tell me what favor he required. I was insistent the first day, obnoxiously following him from room to room as he went about his day. Now he refused to see me at all.

I had been steadfastly avoiding Ulfric since our strange interaction at the river and our conversation after. I didn't know quite what to think of the Jarl now and so, just like Wuunferth, I had taken to hiding in my room. I would have returned to the inn but staying close to Wuunferth was more important to me than my discomfort with Ulfric. I needed to complete this favor and get to Riften.

Three days was a long time for someone so used to moving around to be in one place. Even though it was late, I was restless. I didn't normally get a full nights sleep when I was on the road, often traveling late into the night. While I appreciated the comforts of the palace I couldn't stay inside a moment longer. I donned my cloak and headed down the stairs. I wasn't going to be able to sleep tonight and the walls were starting to make me feel claustrophobic.

I slipped through the great hall, trying not to be noticed. Behind me I could hear Galmar and Ulfric talking but I didn't want to hear any more about the war. That was all anyone talked about in the palace. I couldn't take this on and help them, no matter how much I hated the empire and more
importantly the Thalmor. So instead I slipped out of the doors of the palace like a coward.

I walked through the gates and the cool wind off the river hit me. I breathed deeply and kept moving. I walked through the first archway away from the guards. I needed to be alone. Ahead of me I could see more guards and people coming across the bridge to enter the city for the night. I stepped quickly into the small doorway to the right. I followed the stone hall down a level and past rows of arched windows. The hall went down a short flight of stairs and opened into a strange room I hadn't realized was under the bridge. There were tables and lanterns, presumably for the guards stationed outside the walls.

I heard voices coming and quickly slipped up another set of stairs that led to a breezeway lined with window arches. The last arch opened onto a Small balcony that overlooked the river. I stepped to the side so I was out of sight of anyone who walked by. I turned my back to the city and breathed a sigh of relief.

I frowned as I noticed for maybe the first time there were low hanging clouds that threatened rain. I had just escaped the confines of the Palace, I wasn't about to let a little rain chase me back. Feeling a little guilty I drew the shout to the forefront of my mind and lifted my chin to the sky.

"LOK VAH KOOR!"

The clouds were pushed away revealing the beautiful moon and starlight. It was beautiful looking up the river to the falls. I chuckled as I realized I was centered over the deepest part of the river looking up over my shoulder was the exact spot I had been thrown over the edge. I was lucky I had cleared this balcony. Slamming onto the stone would have broken every bone in my body. Instead the ice lined river had saved me.

Even at night I could see the ice capped peaks of the mountains that surrounded the city. The frost covered pines were beautiful. I closed my eyes and the sound of the river and rushing of the wind through the stone tunnels behind me reminded me of the flap of dragons wings. My eyes snapped open, but the sky was clear and I couldn't feel anything.

I don't know how long I stood there, letting the peaceful stillness of the winter's night surround me. I normally hated the cold, but this was different. This wasn't like the icy winds that blasted Winterhold. Windhelm was something else all together. It was the place where the warmth of the south forests met the snow capped peaks. It was an interesting mix. The city was so ancient you could feel it in your bones. I almost hated to admit how much I liked it.