Traveling through The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim

"What's the matter, kid? Do you know this man?"

I must have failed to hide my surprise well, because I did know the name. Ion Bjorn and Astrid, the leader of the Dark Brotherhood, were married. He was indeed a werewolf, and in the game, if the Dragonborn talked to him as a werewolf, he would confess that he had once joined the Companions.

"I... am just very shocked by the carelessness of the Companions in handling this matter. If a person has become a member of the Circle, he must have mastered a lot of secrets. Such a person is also full of resentment towards the Companions. How can you let him leave Yuevaska alive?"

"To be honest, I don't know how the Circle made the decision at that time. Einberjorn is several years younger than me, but he is extremely talented. So when he became the Son of the Full Moon, I was just a middle-level figure, not as high-ranking as Eric is now, so I naturally had no right to ask about this matter. Moreover, when the incident happened, I happened to be in charge of the liaison office in the Riften Territory and was not in Whiterun. The reason announced by the prophet at the time was that Einberjorn was keen on killing others and ruined the reputation of the Companions. Considering his past achievements, he was only expelled."

“No one cares where he goes after he’s deported?”

"Skyrim was already in great chaos at the time. Do you think Lord Ulfric was the only one who opposed the White-Gold Accords? He was just the first rebel who was not quickly wiped out. The Companions were busy distancing themselves from various political forces, so it was impossible for them to be too persistent in tracking down a certain person. We were not even sure if he was still in Skyrim. It was three years later that I became a member of the Circle. The disturbance at the time had long since subsided, so I naturally could not casually ask to reopen the investigation into the matter. Moreover..."

I picked up Krako's words before they even hit the ground.

"Besides, to promote a new member of the circle, someone needs to endorse him, right? After causing such a big mess, I'm afraid the person who promoted him in the first place would like everyone to forget about it."

Krako's eyes dimmed for a moment, then he smiled bitterly and shook his head.

"Kid, there are some things you can just guess, there's no need to tell them. Anyway, I never heard any news about this person again."

"If that's the case, then things will be difficult to handle. This is a personal grudge, and it will most likely end up in a fight to the death."

"That's exactly what I'm worried about."

The conversation was going on till this point, and there was no possibility of going any further. Krako reiterated that everything was just his personal speculation, and there was no evidence at present. And I also promised to use my own channels to inquire about the whereabouts of Einberjorn and the news of the Silver Hand Mercenaries. In order to take care of the newlywed Eric, Krako appointed him to be responsible for the liaison affairs of the Companions in the south of Skyrim, Falkreath and Rift Valley. In this way, he can live in Helgen Town with Angie, and only needs to come to Whiterun to report on his work regularly.

We chatted for a while, and Krako wanted to keep me for dinner, but I was thinking about Lydia, so I stood up to say goodbye, and found Sebastian waiting in the hall. When he saw me come out, he thanked me again.

"I have talked to Madeline, and she agreed to go to Markarth with me to see if it is possible to install a Dwemer mechanical arm. I really have to thank Lord Locker for this matter. If it weren't for your quick wit, I would have caused a disaster."

"Sir, you are so anxious that you are in a state of panic. Please tell Madeline that there is no precedent for this plan we have come up with. It will definitely be difficult at the beginning. Please don't give up easily, because this is not only related to herself. Sir, can you imagine that if this is really accomplished, then those who are disabled in Tianji due to war and accidents will have another way out? This is a great merit!"

Hearing what I said, Sebastian's eyes lit up, and he held my hand and patted it hard.

"Your Excellency is right. I will tell her this so that she can rest assured during her treatment. I am grateful for your kindness. If you need my help in the future, just let me know. The premise is..."

"I will naturally not speak up about anything that puts you in a dilemma."

"Well, well, you are an interesting young man. I have one more thing to ask. Since that gentleman is with you, I guess he wants to talk to you about the axe?"

Sebastian raised his hand towards Barbas. I nodded in acknowledgement.

"I have already told Madeline the whole story. We are willing to return the Axe of Regret to Lord Weir."

"That's great. Lord Barbas, please also ask you and Lord Weir to keep your promise and let this father and daughter go."

Babas wagged his tail and walked around us in style.

"Of course I trusted you before, and now you can trust me too."

It was already late, and Krako personally escorted me to the gate of Yuevaska. Although I had asked Lydia to wait for me at Mare Banner, she still stood guard at the gate of the Companions. Seeing that I was leaning on a cane and had difficulty moving, Lydia stepped forward and scolded me harshly.

"Your comrades are going too far! My master is so kind that he risked his life for your sake. Is this how you repay him?"

Krako knew he was in the wrong, but he couldn't bring himself to apologize to a junior. I quickly stopped Lydia and said it was just my carelessness. Lydia glared at Helgi, pushed the little girl aside, and supported me as we walked towards the hotel. Helgi saw that she was so aggressive, so he didn't dare to say anything. He followed us dejectedly with Babas.

"Lord Danger specially arranged for you to wait for me in Whiterun, but something happened at home?"

Lydia had booked two rooms at Mare Banner. She brought the ordered food and wine into the room and began to examine the wound on my leg.

"I have been at the Bloody Throne, dealing with matters that my lord has asked me to do. Lord Danger sent me a letter saying that he would come to Whiterun to meet with Lord Balgruuf and Lord Skade, and asked me to accompany him and stay here until my lord returns. He wanted to meet my lord at the statue of Talos south of Lake Irinatar, but he did not tell me what they were going to discuss."

"In that case, you will accompany me to meet Lord Balgruuf tomorrow, and then go and tell Lord Danger that I am back."

"Leave the delivery of the letter to Hayou. I'll stay with the adults." Lydia glanced at Helgi who was having dinner. "They are too unreliable!"

Helgi lowered his head and struggled hard with his dinner.

"Okay. Let's eat first, and then tell me about the Bloody Throne."

Lydia rebandaged my wound, washed her hands, and then helped me sit down at the table.

"Mrs. Rigel sent two documents to me, saying that the Lord had asked her to hire someone to investigate the backgrounds of Herata and Ariana. I opened them and read them without permission."

"You did all right. You and Lund can do what you want while I'm gone."

Lydia bowed.

"Thank you, sir. I have talked to both of them separately, and the answers I got are consistent with the contents of the document. Ariana is 26 years old. Her hometown should be in the south of Hammerfell, which has been destroyed by the war. She fled to Dragonstar City with her family when she was still an infant, so she doesn't know exactly where her hometown is. She came to Skyrim with the intention of being a mercenary and followed an orc named Gatak, who died at the hands of Skuna. Helata is from Cangyuan, 24 years old, and fled to Whiterun to avoid military service. He has a wife and a young son in his hometown. The woman thought Helata was dead and has remarried, but Helata doesn't know yet, and I didn't tell him. I have locked the file, and you can see the detailed report when you go back, sir."

These two people are indeed minor characters, just as Cindy said, without complicated backgrounds. This is good, at least I don't have to worry that they are spies planted by other forces. I nodded and signaled Lydia to continue.

"Lahlan said they took a ship to Solitude and then entered Skyrim. He himself had never left Elsweyr before, and he didn't even know that the Pale Pass was a passage connecting Cyrodiil and Skyrim."

"Aigis is also very annoying."

Helgi, with a piece of chicken breast in his mouth, tried to get a word in.

"Lund said that Jakir agrees with what they say."

"Could it be that they colluded?"

"Probably not."

Helgi swallowed the chicken in her mouth, choking and rolling her eyes. After saying this, she picked up the tomato soup on the table and took a big gulp. She patted her chest before continuing to explain.

"Aigis told me a lot about the scenery at sea and life on a ship. Although I have never been on a ship, she described a lot of details, which I don't think were made up."

"So we still can't be sure whether there are other passages in Mount Jerrol. As for the Pale Pass, I arranged for Ariana and Lachlan to explore the situation there. Last month, I went to see it in person with Stein. Last year's avalanche was very serious and triggered a mudslide. The original checkpoint is no longer accessible. There is only one entrance left in the entire Pale Pass. The snow melted and then froze. Even if we organize all the miners in the Blood Throne, it will be difficult to completely clear it before winter."

"The problem now is that we have no news from Bruma. What if they refuse to give up and instead mobilize manpower to dig? Wouldn't that be like handing Pale Pass over to someone else?"

Lydia frowned and tore a piece of steak fiercely. Helgi cut a roasted leg of lamb into small pieces and fed it to Miko. As for Babas, the half-demon was disdainful of tasting such earthly food.

"Brother, I have seen the atlas among the books in the fortress. When I go back, Lucia and I will look through it carefully to see if there is anything you want."

"Okay. Wait! Those books..."

Helgi and Lydia both looked up at me.

"Nothing. It suddenly occurred to me that someone might know something, but now... forget it, I'll talk about it after I meet Lord Danger."

The next morning, Lydia and I went to Dragon's Reach, while Helgi took the two dogs to visit Erlund Graymane. Yesterday in Yuevaska, the old man told Helgi that her emerald necklace had been made and asked the little girl to go to his house to get it.

Lord Balgruuf was as enthusiastic as ever, but he didn't hold a big banquet this time. He just chatted with me for a while and then mysteriously told me to meet Danger as soon as possible. As for what they talked about with Skade and the purpose of my coming to Whiterun, he didn't say a word. Of course, I could feel his deliberately concealed absent-mindedness. Thinking of when I was in Solitude, Governor Rikke once mentioned that General Tullius was planning a military operation, and my heart couldn't help but skip a beat.

The host was not in a good mood to talk, so I tactfully said goodbye and left. After meeting Eric, Angie and Helgi, we left the gate of Whiterun. The Companions sent someone to take over the carriage, and Hayou was sent to deliver a letter to Danger, and we headed towards Riverwood along the official road. Our plan was that Eric and his wife would accompany Helgi to the Shame Cave of Hema, and Lydia and I would go directly to see Danger.

The Talos statue on the south bank of Lake Irinata is built on the hillside. We once made an alliance with the Whiterun leader here, so we built some wooden houses. When I arrived here, Danger had been waiting for a long time. The old fox was traveling light, with only his maid Tecora and two followers. He looked good and looked quite relaxed, which made me feel relieved. It seems that the situation is still under control.

I took two quick steps forward and saluted him.

"Lydia said that my Lord summoned me to discuss something."

Danger patted my shoulder and led me into the room. Lei Mei stood at the door with one hand on the sword. The furnishings in the hut were simple, with a table, two chairs, and a small stove with a pot of pine needle tea boiling on it.

"Sit down, my child."

Danger waved to Tecora as she filled our teacups.

"You should also go and have some rest. I think Lord Locke wouldn't mind taking care of an old man like me."

Danger picked up the teacup, blew on it gently, and took a sip. When we were the only two left in the room, he slowly spoke.

"This trip was exhausting. There are no outsiders here, so there is no need to be polite. You have been away for a long time this time, and a lot of things have happened in the territory. I would like to talk to you in private first."

"Sir, please speak."

The old fox smiled and raised his hand to stroke his beautiful beard.

"Where should I begin? Let's start with the big story. You may not know this, but a dragon has flown into Falkreath."

"what?!"

I sprang up from my chair.

"Sit, sit, my child."

"Did we kill the dragon?"

I guess Danger was so calm because he must have dealt with this guy.

"No. It entered from the Riften Territory, passed between the town of Helgen and the fortress of Nugra, and then disappeared. The garrisons in these two places reported this matter, so it should be true. However, no one in Falkreath saw the dragon, so it must be hiding in our territory. I have sent people to search for it. Since the guards of Whiterun can kill dragons, I believe we have the same ability. In addition, for safety reasons, I brought the lord's wife and mother to live in Falkreath."

Dragon! I almost forgot about it. The last time I heard about the dragon was in Whiterun. The Companions received the mission to slay the dragon, but were ambushed by Silverhand on the way. That was about four months ago. However, this dragon has now entered Falkreath and is lying dormant. It is hiding right in the middle of the four strongholds we control. What is its plan?

Danger didn't give me much time to think. He drank the tea in his cup and continued talking about other things.

"There is one more thing I think you may already know. General Tullius has captured Morningstar City."

"what?!"

My butt had barely touched the chair when I jumped up again.