I, Draugr Chapter 12 (Patreon)

"Leonidas, cease and desist."

"I'm going to have an aneurysm if I keep holding myself back."

"You cannot have an aneurysm, you dolt."

"Gonna give myself a fuckin' concussion then!"

"You can't feel that either…" Aurelia sighs, dragging me bodily across the ground even as I snarled and outright fucking barked towards my nemesis. The bane to my existence.

The motherfucker who had a youtuber kill him once a day for who knows how long.

Nazeem.

He is back, looking rather traumatized and jittery. Good.

"I'm gonna set your house on fire, boy!" I howled after that son of a bitch, "Sleep with one eye open! Am comin' for seconds!" Hmm… Perhaps I am going a bit overboard.

...Nah. Actually, I think I am being too lenient.

He is a squishy human, after all. He can't take backshots like the Dragons do.

"Why are you like this?" I lean my head back as I cross my arms, staring up at the nicely dressed Aurelia dragging me along the ground with ease.

All just to keep me from being a rabid animal in public and mauling Nazeem into a vegetable.

"I crave problems, not peace." Tis the meaning of my existence, after all. To shower the world with problems and my insanity.

...No shit Sheoggorath loves my dumbass.

Aurelia sighs deeply, as if she expected such an answer but was hoping for something else, "Of course you do." Is that amusement I hear in thy voice, my fair lady?

Anyway- "So… Where might you be dragging me?" I can walk, but this is fun. Plus, I'd definitely run after the skinnier and traumatized Nazeem if I am released within the next few minutes.

I am that much of a rabid animal.

"I'm going to the local Temple of Arkay." Oh dear…

"How unlucky that I cannot shit myself right now."

"Leo!" Aurelia sputters at my crude words, making me hold back a cackle as she nearly stumbles and falls.

"Forgive me." I sigh out, faking a sad tone, "Allow me to imprecate during mine last minutes in this world! For I shall soon stop… being non-alive, I guess?" How do I talk about dying, when I am dead already?

This is weird…

Aurelia huffs, giving my collar a fierce tug as she does so, "I'm never going to kill you, you dolt…" Why does her voice sound so cute?

"How cute." She huffs again, and I can tell that she is pouting even without looking at her. "Still, why the Temple of Arkay- Oooh, gotcha." Right, the Dragon Priest sealed beneath Whiterun.

Aside from the eight original Dragon Priests residing in Skyrim – Actually, nine Dragon Priests, as there is one hidden near Ivarstead that does not give a Dragon Priest Mask upon death. Arcwind point, I believe.

I remember the map giving out that Dragon Priests' location too, plus three others. One is currently in Whiterun, one in Arcwind point, one… Huh, the other one is near Ysgramor's Tomb.

And finally, the last one is very likely in Saarthal, remembering the area where I saw the mask on the map. So, perhaps I should fear a Dragon Priest juiced up on the Eye of Magnus.

"Not just that." Aurelia points out, making me perk up as she lifts me to my feet with laughable ease. "I want to buy some Spells too, now that my reserves are much larger." Huh, that is indeed a good investment.

Though, I do wonder how people here learn how to use magic. For me it just clicks once I create them, so it's quite easy.

"Any preferences?" I ask as I glance towards the large gray castle-like building with rainbow-colored windows.

It's very large, with a surrounding garden full of flowers and a few trees. At first sight, this wouldn't make me think that the place is a mortuary, but the crying family of a woman and a teenage kid walking out of the open doors tell me everything.

Aurelia watches them go quietly, gaze slightly downcast before she speaks up, "Probably a stronger Healing Spell-" I raise a hand to state that I have my own, but she swiftly waves me off, "-I can't always rely on you."

I pause, then fake wiping away a tear from my covered eyes, "You are growing up." And here comes back her adorable pout, heh!

"Anything else?"

A thoughtful hum, then a shrug, "I'll see what they have for sale." Fair enough. Still, it's surprising that they sell Spells in the temple of Arkay, but I guess I shouldn't like it is like in the game, where the one that sells Spells in Whiterun is Farengar.

The only thing that guy will sell me is a middle finger after I nearly made him pop a vein.

Still, I should consider creating some other Support Spells myself. Other than Anodyne, which is a Healing Spell, I only have attack Spells.

Ray of Frost requires an upgrade too, as Arcane Cannon just outshines it by a massive margin.

...And I only have one final slot for Spells too, so I better make it count.

Shaking away those thoughts, I let my gaze wander as we enter the temple, which resembles a church from back home.

An altar, benches for people to sit on and pray, and a generally nice and calm atmosphere lit up by candles and lanterns.

I pause when Aurelia kneels down at the entrance, closing her eyes and resting her hands before her chest in prayer, a faint and beautiful smile on her lips.

She stays like that for just a few seconds before straightening herself up with a gentle breath, "It has been a while since I've been in a Temple of Arkay…" She muses wistfully, looking like a massive weight was lifted off her shoulders.

Her faith really gives her a lot of strength, huh?

"Have you ever been a man of faith, Leo?" Aurelia suddenly asks, her voice and gaze curious.

I hum and tilt my head, "In the past, I used to be." I state, my voice lacking my usual jovial tone, which Aurelia swiftly notices.

"What happened?" She asks softly, seemingly wanting to grasp my hand but relenting from doing so.

What happened indeed…

Faith in God was in the family back home, so I grew up the same… Then grew out of it and into being an Atheist.

"I had the belief that life is like being on a boat." I muse softly, earning a curious gaze from my friend, "But that you could only row the boat, and that God was the one steering it. So I had to row it through calm or raging waters, without ever knowing the destination ahead and what to expect."

"...But then the calm waters disappeared, and all I faced were raging waves and unending storms… Until I just said fuck it and stopped rowing, uncaring if the boat capsized." I shrug, "I gave up on achieving my dreams and simply decided to be content with what I had."

And so, I started a slow life of working odd jobs and just playing away. I had my pets, I had my games, and I made enough to live. That, in my eyes, was more than enough.

My dreams were costing me too much to chase, and they weren't really a must that I needed to achieve to have a nice and comfortable life.

"Be content with what you have, huh…" Aurelia repeats my last words softly, a distant look in her eyes.

"Septim for your thoughts?" She startles back into focus, then shakes her head a few times.

"I just thought that, after all these new developments… Despite being disappointed in my own weakness, I'd prefer still being that weak, than… Than being the Dragonborn."

A heavy burden indeed. Especially when the 'You are supposed to save the whole world' thing just hits you all of a sudden.

Like, what the fuck?

In a game that's kinda fine, but in real life that's just… Not nice.

"There shall come a day when I will throw hands with Akatosh for you." I give her a thumbs up, and she gives me a look.

And she just stares at me, flatly, for several longs seconds. "I do not know if you are joking or not… But why do I have this fear in me that you will find a way to achieve that?"

"Believe in the me who has the power of Sheoggorath and sheer crackhead energy on his side." Her lips twitch.

Then a snort escapes her and she turns away, covering her mouth with a hand despite her shaking shoulders. "How do you come up with such idiotic phrases…?"

I was about to answer when a tall man in yellow robes steps out from the back, pausing shortly at the sight of us standing at the entrance.

But he swiftly recovers, and a welcoming smile spreads across his bearded and aged face, "Welcome to the Temple of Arkay, how may I be of assistance?"

Man… What kinda reaction would come outta this dude if he learned that I'm an Undead?

An Undead, within the Temple of Arkay. Heh…

Aurelia steps forward, a warm smile on her own beautiful face, "Two things; First, I was hoping to make a purchase. Do you perchance have Restoration Spells?" The priest straightens himself and nods, smile growing just a tad bit.

"Of course!" He waves us closer as he steps behind the podium on the altar and leans down to gab and pull an aged book into view. One which he swiftly opens up and turns towards us, "Here's what we have on sale- Oh, and the things that have a cross beside them are out of stock, unfortunately."

Aurelia approaches the altar to draw the book closer, a curious look in her eyes, "Doesn't Skyrim have a Magic College?" She asks as I approach her side to peek at the book, listing countless scrolls and magic tomes of all different names.

It even has short descriptions of the spells on them. Quite detailed.

The priest nods at the question, "We do, but they don't really sell in large bulks, or that often. We'd usually get the majority of things from Helgen, and one of our orders… Well, I think you can imagine." Damn, so Alduin very likely scorched their order and they are running a bit dry.

It's gonna be very hard for Skyrim in the long haul. Hell, it feels like Alduin struck there on purpose so to deal a heavy blow to Skyrim's economy, but I know that wasn't it.

"I'll take this one." Aurelia speaks up, tapping her finger on a spot on the book, making me peek over to see what caught her fancy.

'Healing Blast – Conjure a sphere of light and crush it to release a wave of Restorative Magic. The longer the charge, the greater the radius and healing effects.' Huh, that's a cool one.

The priest nods and notes it down, "Anything else?"

I see Aurelia pull back with a hum, so I reach forward to tap a spot on the book, "How about this one?" It's the first one I noticed, and it look quite good, even if it's under the 'Expert Tier' of Spells.

'Wardskin – Create a powerful Anti-Spell Ward and wrap it around your body as a second layer of skin and armor, capable of dampening the effects of most Spells.' It is insanely good, and since Aurelia will mostly fight Dragons, having it at her disposal will help her a great deal.

Aurelia's eyes light up at the sight of the Spell description, but she soon nibbles on her lower lip nervously, "The cost is quite high, though…"

I shrug, "We can come back after the auction." I point out, then turn towards the priest, "Can a tome be put aside for us, or…?"

Fortunately, the priest nods with a gentle smile, "Of course. You can come and pay for it at your leisure." Aurelia visibly relaxes at that, "Anything else I can help you two with?"

A glance is shared, and I make sure there is no one around before giving the priest a look, "This is a bit private, but also a matter that we want to check up on due to being concerned about it." At that, the priest grows serious and nods.

So I do not hold back, "Some time ago, me and my friend here happened upon an ancient relic that revealed the location of several powerful Undead beings that used to serve Dragons, back in the Merethic Era." I do not miss the flash of understanding in the priest's eyes. Good, so he knows. "One of said beings seems to be here. Within or beneath-"

"It is here." The priest cuts me off with a sigh, "I know what you speak of. I've had many Paladins come and try to fell the creature, but… They all just died the moment they stepped past the erected barrier sealing it." Well… Fuck.

Aurelia reaches into her pocket and pulls out a badge of sort, one with a strange circular symbol that I find familiar, yet can't recognize quickly enough. "I am a Paladin of Arkay myself. What can you tell me about this Undead creature?"

"Not much, I am afraid." The priest sighs, a heavy frown on his face, "For all I know, the damn thing can break the barrier and escape with ease, but it just stays there."

"So it's awake?" I question, and the priest nods grimly, making me curse beneath my breath.

He visibly hesitates, but a quick glance at the badge in Aurelia's hand melts it away, "I think it's best I just show you." He motions us to follow him, and we swiftly do so as we step behind the altar and through the doors he came from.

Beyond the doors is a long staircase that leads downward and into a large room filled with other priests and their disciples, each tending to a different corpse and covering them in white and wet long robes.

They pay us no mind as the priest leads us to the right of this large room, opens the door, and starts walking down yet another long staircase.

As we do so, I do not miss the visible and heavy shudder going down Aurelia's whole body. "This feels… Horrendous." She whispers, and the priest nods.

"It gets worse as we draw closer…" He states grimly, while I wonder what the fuck they are feeling.

Having no senses is really so fucking annoying…

Aurelia grows paler and paler as we walk further down, reaching a point where she tightly grasps my hand for support as we near the bottom, where a large pair of armored metal doors lay.

The priest, very pale in the face himself too, turns towards us with a face drenched in cold sweat, "Beyond here is the barrier sealing the damn thing…"

I nod, then look at the downright terrified Aurelia before I step forward to slowly pull the large armored door open with my free arm.

It's covered in rust and is mottled from age, releasing a very loud groan as I drag it across the floor below, revealing the golden see-through wall beyond it.

And past that wall is a massive circular room with a large pyramid-shaped staircase structure right in the middle, the stairs leading up to the middle of the pyramid high in the room.

At the top of it, seated on the open square at the top of the pyramid, is a robed and clearly very Undead figure clad in a simple black, tattered robe clearly decayed by time.

The hood is up, and the skull is covered by a featureless pitch black mask.

On the ground, past the large doors, lay the remains of countless armored figures, their armor now rotten and decayed together with their weapons, their bodies naught but broken skeletons.

And resting on top of the knees of the skeleton sat atop the pyramid is a long blade that I instantly recognize.

"For fuck's sake…" I curse out, then scoff heavily as I push the doors closed.

The would-be Dragon Priest tilts its head towards me as I do so, but says nothing as the doors slowly slam shut.

"Leo…?" Aurelia nervously ask as I turn around.

But a quick look at her makes me refuse to elaborate yet, "Let's go back up for now." I say, and she does not disagree. Neither does the priest, as he swiftly leads the way back up until we are by the doors leading to the mortuary.

Releasing a long and deep breath, the aged priest turns to give me a look, "You know something." He points out, but not rudely so.

Aurelia looks much better now, so I nod. "The weapon that damn thing is holding is a Daedric Artifact- The Ebony Blade of Mephala, to be exact." And they pale once more.

I'd recognize that damn thing everywhere, but thought it would still be in Dragonsreach, not in the hands of that fucking weird ass Dragon Priest.

"Can you tell me what happened to those that stepped past the barrier?" I ask the Priest, hoping he had some insight on the capabilities of that damn thing down there.

"They just…" The man gulps, face going slightly green, "I've only seen it once, compared to those before me, but… Once they step past the barrier, their organs and blood just flow out of their mouth and into the sword on that things lap."

Yeah, fuck this shit. The Ebony Blade is clearly different from the one I know of.

I bet that thing grows stronger with blood and murder, not with just killing those close to you.

"And its name?" I saw it move and look at me while I was closing the door, and the priest did confirm that its awake, so perhaps it also gave a name.

Maybe we can find records of the fucker somewhere, or question the other Dragon Priests once we go and beat them up.

The Priest falls silent for a few seconds before he answers my question, "I do not know what it means… But my grandfather said that it called itself… Dinok?"

Aurelia pales heavily once more. Right, she can somewhat understand the Dragon Language now. "What does it mean?" I ask her softly.

Her dread-filled eyes flick towards me.

"Death."

In the end, we left the Temple of Arkay with a single tome and a rather concerning discovery.

The mere fact that even after absorbing the Soul of a Dragon as powerful as Yolosqah, Aurelia was downright terrified and whimpering just from the presence of that damnable thing is… eye-opening.

It's unnerving, and also annoying. A pressure on our shoulder that we did not need, especially when Aurelia already has a massive weight on them.

I sigh softly and clench my hands together, keeping my gaze on the quiet and seated Aurelia, resting on a bench outside of the Temple of Arkay.

It's best I distract her for now.

"Say…" I start, drawing her attention to me as I sit down next to her, "How does learning a new Spell work?" She blinks, then narrows her eyes out of pure confusion. So I elaborate. "I'm weird, as they just click for me instantly. But I doubt that's the same for you."

I feel like I just said something horrendous, because Aurelia is staring at me with a gaping mouth and horrified, jealous eyes.

"If you say that to other mages, they will want to murder you with their bare hands…"

"Bet." I nod, "Weapon for me to use against mages aside, could ya elaborate?"

She whines and palms her face, letting out a long and heavy sigh that one can only release when interacting with yours truly.

If she didn't already have white hair, then she would have sure as hell gained them after interacting with me for a week.

Shaking her head and giving me an exasperated glare, Aurelia straightens herself and smiles softly, "Well, the way we start to learn a Spell is through the chant."

"We first practice the chant, activating the Spell countless times to get a feel for it. Then you can shorten the chant, memorizing the way Magicka weaves inside your body to replicate the effects of the longer chant."

"And finally, you can forgo said chant once you fully memorize the Magicka weaving process. Though, some Mages still use an incantation or two before using the Spell, as chantless Spells are a bit weaker than the ones with a chant."

I lean back with a hum and cup my chin in thought. So it's not really an easy to master Magic, and it clearly requires a great deal of concentration, sense and also patience.

But this chanting thing is interesting. In fact… It just gave me an idea.

Could I possibly create a Support Spell that makes use of that? If I can empower my Spells before launching them through chanting, it can be quite a game changer.

Problem is, from what Aurelia said, using the chant isn't something all Mages do after they master a Spell. They add it if they want to add an additional bit of power to the spell, but it's not a must. Or a game changer.

Unless…

"Leo?" Aurelia speaks up, head tilted cutely to the side to stare at me after I fell quiet for quite a bit. "What's wrong?"

Could this shit even work? "I just came up with a crazy idea…" I drawl out, my focus going towards the lone Dragon Soul in my 'inventory'. "What if I replace chants… With words from the Dragon Language?"

And now she is gaping at me once more, eyes wide in shock, "C-Could that even work…?"

Let us fuck around and find out, shall we?!

[A Dragon Soul has been used!]

[A Unique Spell has been created!]

[Draconic Chant]

Through the mix of normal Magic Incantation, Mana Weaving method and the Reality Bending Thu'um, a new type of Chanting is born.

Before launching a Spell, Chant a Word of Power that matches it to enormously enhance its power.

Currently, a single Chant can be used. Increase the number of Chants to be chained by upgrading this Spell through the usage of only Dragon Souls.

This Spell cannot Evolve.

(0/10)

Of course, after seeing this wonderful success, I started cackling like a crackhead high on his next dose.

"L-Leo!?"

I ignore Aurelia's startled shout and grasp her hand to pull her along, "Let us go, my friend! My homie Hircine requires my assistance, and we need to prepare for our travels!"

"H-Hircine!? Leo, you can't just say this stuff and not elaborate!"

I, of course, do not elaborate.

                                                                                      …

"The auction has already started?" I give our personal Hostess a surprised look, and the cute girl nods with a light smile on her lips.

"Indeed! In fact, I believe your item is next in line?" She seems unsure about that, but it doesn't really matter. "We can go check it out, if you two want to."

I hum, then give Aurelia a look. She just shrugs, "Has anyone asked about us?" She asks instead, and the Hostess nods, growing a tad bit more serious.

"They have. Though, while the Imperials gave up after asking once, the Stormcloaks were the ones that insisted the most." Oh? General Tullius doesn't seem desperate in acquiring the Crown. "I've heard that some of their soldiers even went around asking the civilians, which angered Jarl Balgruuf a great deal."

"I'm sure that after the auction, the Jarl will summon both Jarl Ulfric and General Tullius to Dragonsreach." Guess their asses are in trouble, heh…

"Well, that's amusing." Aurelia giggles softly before shaking her head, "Either way, does your Merchant Guild have any good greatswords for sale?"

At that, the young Hostess perks up with a smile, "We have many indeed, but I am sure you'd require the best ones among our selection." Aurelia nods, gaze serious.

After all, she needs a weapon good enough to fight against Dragons and tear through their tough scales.

"Yes, something that can last me for a good while would be preferable." The Hostess nods at Aurelia's words.

"For one, I suggest putting in an order with the Companions, about possibly having a sword forged with the bones and scales of one of the Dragons you have felled." The petite woman suggests, "It will take a while, and may take even longer to Enchant the weapon. So until then…"

"We have an ancient Dwemer greatsword for sale. Perfect condition, and Enchanted to be sharper and much heavier than normal. That is, by far, the only weapon that I believe can truly assist you."

Aurelia hums thoughtfully, then nods, "Put it on our tab. You can take the money out of the finalized auction."

The Hostess nods with a cute little smile, "Then feel free to check out the auction while I go and get your order ready!" And with that, the little lady hurries away, making my gaze turn towards the large doors to our left.

Past them is the enormous hall where the auction is being held, and where Ulfric and Tullius are surely throwing shade at each other.

"I want to go in there and cause chaos." I just wanna charge in there on all fours, screeching like a psychopath, while also wearing nothing and be this Draugr that appeared out of nowhere.

"Leo, no." Aurelia sighs and palms her face.

If I could, I'd give her an enormous grin, "Leo, yes!"

And with that, I pounce towards the doors and push them open-

"Eighty-thousand Septims!"

"Hah! Since when did the Imperials have so much money?! Have you been sucking off the hairy cocks of your filthy Thalmor overlords for that!?"

"Like you didn't go around begging for scrap money from even children before coming here to bid for a stupid crown, Ulfric."

"One-Hundred-thousand Septims!- True Stormcloaks will do anything to aid our worthy cause! And need I remind you that you are here bidding for said 'stupid crown' too?"

"Indeed, but for an honorable cause. One-hundred-twenty-thousand Septims!- I'll acquire it to stop you from sending young, innocent folks to their deaths by using the damnable thing. You'll use it to turn the young people of Skyrim against each other, like you did with your own High King!"

"Hah! It was a fair duel, but of course that Thalmor worshiping whore doesn't want a real Nord as a High King after her pathetic husband! One-hundred-and-fifty-thousand Septims!"

"Who the fuck shows up for a 'fair duel' with a fucking army at their back? I know you are an insecure little bitch, but still… Two-Hundred-Thousand Septims!"

I whistle and lean against the door at the banter filling the hall while Aurelia gapes with flushed cheeks.

I've heard far worse, and can personally spew out something that can even horrify Sheoggorath, but still… I am impressed.

Still, the last enormous bid shouted out by Tullius clearly makes the Stormcloak side very nervous, with Ulfric seeming hesitant and seeking advice from the wolf-fur wearing man to his left.

At first, I do not see Tullius's face, but when he turns to grin at the man to his right, I instantly have an inkling to his game.

He doesn't want the crown, does he?

I rub my chin with a hum, wondering if I am just having this feeling or if it is an actual plan from General Tullius. To have the Stormcloaks throw away a great deal of money for the dusty, useless crown.

Two-hundred-fucking thousand Septims… I got a tenth of that shit when I german suplexed the fucking Emperor in his own goddamn ship.

I see Ulfric visibly grit his teeth and glare murderously towards the smug Tullius, and just when I think he is going to give up- "Two-hundred-and-five-thousand Septims!"

I whistle at Ulfric's idiocy while General Tullius shrugs and waves towards the Crown, "Make sure to clean it up before putting it on, Ulfric." And with those last words, the man and his associate stand up and leave, barely giving me and Aurelia a glance as they do so.

I look at them leaving, then shrug and give Aurelia a look, "Guess we are rich." I feel like she is about to faint.

This went far better than I expected and hoped, and have now procured myself a large amount of funds that… I do not know what to do with, but oh well.

"Now come on, let us go and get your sword. Aren't you happy Ulfric bought you such a wonderful present?"

Pretty sure the dude is throwing a hissy fit back in the hall, as he must've gotten fucked over by Tullius.

Hopefully, this shit won't complicate matters for us. This damn Civil War should really be put on hold.

                                                                                         ….

"I allowed you entry into Whiterun to conduct your business in the auction, but what I did not allow was for your soldiers to harass my citizens without reason!"

"Jarl Balgruuf, they were indeed a bit heavy-handed and rough-"

"I do not care, Ulfric!" Jarl Balgruuf's voice boomed across the hall of Dragonsreach, his voice tinged with fury and his fist hammering down upon the armrest of his throne, cracking the wood in the process.

He fixed the scowling Jarl of Windhelm with a scathing glare, "The failing of your soldiers reflect upon you, Jarl Ulfric." He growls out, inwardly glad that they did not discover the ones who put the Crown up for auction beforehand.

He knows that it was the Dragonborn and her strange but powerful companion that retrieved the Crown from the ruins he requested them to clear of Necromancers.

Farengar had his suspicions on who was buried within those ruins, but Balgruuf had no desire in acquiring the useless thing, even if it could have procured him a nice amount of Septims.

It was best to have fallen in the Dragonborn's hands, so that the woman could make use of it to get a nice amount of gold on her side for any needs she will have in the future.

That was the best he could do to assist her and her companion, especially if they will keep Whiterun safe in the long run.

"I gave you enough courtesy in trusting you within my city, so I had no guard trail you constantly. And that is how you repay me? By bothering my citizens?!" Balgruuf's glare does not diminish as he leans back against his throne. "At least you did not go out of your way to pick a fight with the Imperials."

And thank the Divines that did not happen, as General Tullius only had two Imperials on his side while Ulfric took with him a total of ten soldiers.

Sighing through his nostrils and schooling his expression, Balgruuf turns his gaze towards the quiet General Tullius. Despite his emotionless face, Balgruuf could tell that the man was amused at the bullshit Ulfric walked knee-deep into by his own actions.

"General Tullius." The soldier straightens himself at being called out, "I have sent a request for a Moot to Jarl Elisif many days ago, but I still have not received an answer. May I ask why?"

At his inquiry, the General frowns in confusion. Something that makes Balgruuf's eyes narrow. "I was not informed about such a request, Jarl Balgruuf." So the woman is ignoring his request?

A scoff escapes him, "When you go back to Solitude, please make her aware of it. It is important we hold a Moot." His gaze fixes down on Jarl Ulfric too as he speaks, "And that you attend it too, Jarl Ulfric."

"This Civil War needs to be put on hold until the damn Dragons are dealt with."

Ulfric goes to speak while General Tullius nods grimly, but Balgruuf cuts the man off, "Or would you prefer weakening Skyrim for them to burn to the ground with far greater ease, Jarl Ulfric?"

The man's mouth clicks shut, a glowering scowl upon his face.

Balgruuf could tell that his action may seem as if he was antagonizing the Stormcloaks and favoring the Imperials, but he couldn't give a flying fuck currently.

The thing he cared about the most right now was the safety of his citizens, and the possible survival of Skyrim as a whole.

He blinks and watches as guard comes up from the entrance, Irileth swiftly approaching the man and grasping the letter within his hands.

Said letter is then swiftly delivered in his own, "From the companion of the Dragonborn, my lord." Irileth whispers, making him narrow his eyes and pop the letter open.

"Jarl Balgruuf,

Forgive me for sending you a letter instead of meeting you directly, but it was a bit urgent and I couldn't wait for until you finished dealing with the squabbling fools.

Me and my friend must quickly go to Falkreath to deal with an important matter, shouldn't take more than a day, of that I can assure you- And fear not any attacks from any Dragons, as they can unfortunately track the presence of my dear friend.

Our return shall be swift, but I must boldly request something from you, Jarl Balgruuf.

Please, make sure the mountains around Shearpoint are always under watch. It is of great importance that area is not approached under any circumstance. If anything happens around that area… Pray that we come back as soon as possible.

Until then, do take care.

Leonidas and Aurelia."

His eyes narrow as he reads the last part of the letter several times.

What is so important about Shearpoint? Aside from the Dragon they slayed, which used to circle that area?

No, it is of no matter. "Irileth." The woman stands at attention, "Have the guards with the most keen eyesight keep watch of Shearpoint from now on. Inform me of any development."

His trusted aide does not question his order and swiftly sets out to fulfill it, and Balgruuf sets the letter in his hands on fire through the torch by his side.

He had interacted little with the strange, carefree man named Leonidas, but he had no reason to turn down such a simple yet serious request.

He only hoped nothing would come of it.

A.N. I had to hold myself back from writing Leonidas joining the shit-talking session between Tullius and Ulfric…

Very outta character of him, that is for sure… But if he did join, that place would have turned into a Modern Warfare 2 lobby and somebody would have caught a body. Probably Leonidas.

Either way, hope y'all enjoyed the chappy!

Toodles!