There are still many things to handle; I can’t rest yet…
Leaving Bleak Falls Barrow through the secret passage, Kaye didn’t let Sio lead the way this time.
Instead, he checked the map himself—heaven only knows what strange routes that girl might lead them on!
Without lingering too long on the road, despite their fatigue, they headed non-stop toward Whiterun.
The packhorse they had left behind before entering the barrow was still waiting for them.
Skyrim’s horses have thick coats and are extremely cold-resistant.
By the time the two arrived outside Whiterun, they could clearly feel a strange atmosphere.
Perhaps news of Helgen had reached here.
It was only natural for the guards to be more alert.
However…
guards who had taken arrows to the knee wouldn’t dare block Sio and Kaye.
Their eyes weren’t just for show; after all, Nords don’t have a habit of using rapiers.
Who hadn’t seen these two youngsters visiting Jorrvaskr and chatting happily with the high-ranking members of The Companions?
Though the situation had been tense lately, connections were still the best protection.
The guards decisively let them through, and the two returned to Whiterun without hindrance.
While Kaye went to The Bannered Mare to report the situation at Helgen to the landlady, Sio stood on the stone steps leading to the Wind District, gazing at Dragonsreach at the city’s highest point.
Next, they would go there to report the situation.
What kind of etiquette should one observe when meeting a Jarl…?
Sio was fretting over such trivialities, her hands unconsciously fiddling with the silver buckle on her cloak.
At that moment, someone seemed to notice Sio standing still.
An unfamiliar face, looking a bit uneasy…
and a young girl at that.
Isn’t this exactly the kind of person most suitable for some mockery?
“Do you get to the Cloud District very often?
Oh, what am I saying—of course you don’t.” The moment the man spoke his first word, Sio turned her head as alertly as a wild wolf, her emerald eyes flashing with a chilling light in the shadows.
Those eyes, without a doubt…!
They were even more heart-stopping than being stared down by a member of The Circle from The Companions!
“Instead of loitering here, Mr.
Nazeem, you should care more about the business of your own farm.
As for me…” Sio gave a light hum and pulled out the letter of appeal the people of Riverwood had entrusted her to deliver.
“I happen to have very important matters to report to the Jarl and no time to chat with a nouveau riche.
Kaye, we should go!” As soon as the girl finished speaking, Kaye pushed open the tavern door and stepped out, standing by her side.
The tall Kaye merely standing there was enough to shut the other man up.
Nazeem, who had intended to show off his prestige before an outsider, could only give a sheepish smile and walk away as if nothing had happened.
“Ran into trouble?” “Just met an interesting little clown~” Sio chuckled, covering her mouth, took her companion’s hand, and turned to climb the steps of the Wind District.
Beneath the statue of Talos, a robed priest was preaching about the deeds and love of this Divine.
After the White-Gold Concordat, the worship of Talos had been deemed taboo, yet his statue could still be seen in Whiterun, and preaching was even permitted…
a testament to the city’s tolerance.
The Jarl would probably be easy to talk to, right?
There’s a difference between reality and a game; one must always be more careful when meeting such a big figure…
Simply by showing the letter, the soldiers guarding the gates of Dragonsreach let the two pass.
These officials were much better informed than the nouveau riche, knowing the youngsters before them had once chatted and laughed with the Harbinger of The Companions…
As the two stepped into Dragonsreach, the atmosphere here was…
subtly tense.
“Then what would you have me do?
Nothing?” “My Lord, please, stay calm.
I only suggest we proceed with caution.
Our finances do not allow for reckless actions, and whether the news from Helgen is true or not remains to be seen…” The man sitting on the Jarl’s throne was arguing with his Steward, clearly having no mind for the new visitors.
But someone noticed their arrival.
A Dark Elf woman guarding the Jarl’s side drew her longsword and walked slowly toward Sio and Kaye.
She had the eyes of a warrior.
One look was enough to see the ‘power’ these two young people possessed.
They were certainly not opportunists here to flatter Jarl Balgruuf.
Thus, as the Jarl’s Housecarl, Irileth felt it necessary to be wary and remind these two to state their ‘position’.
“Jarl Balgruuf has no time for visitors right now.
State your business.” “We bring news from Helgen and Riverwood.
Riverwood needs Whiterun’s aid, and the reason…
concerns a dragon.” Just being stared at by the Dark Elf before her made Sio feel uneasy all over.
People said Dark Elves were natural mages and assassins, and the Morag Tong was an assassin organization as famous as the Dark Brotherhood.
And so, she decisively took out the letter, unwilling to waste more breath on Irileth.
Irileth’s gaze swept over Sio’s eyes, a common tactic used in interrogation.
Sio’s gaze didn’t flicker at all, though she unconsciously tightened her grip on Kaye’s hand.
“…The Jarl will want to hear this.
Come.” Sheathing her sword, Irileth made way for them.
The Steward who had been advising the Jarl also shut his mouth at the right moment and stood quietly by the Jarl’s side.
Jarl Balgruuf of Whiterun was a robust Nord man.
The sword hanging at his waist had no ornate decorations but bore the marks of many battles.
He gave a slight nod, his sharp gaze scrutinizing the two.
“You bring news from Helgen?
What, did you see the dragon with your own eyes?” “Yes.
I…
we, happened to see the dragon flying away.” Sio bowed and presented the letter with both hands—of course, it was Irileth who took the envelope.
It seemed they were quite wary of Sio’s status as a mage.
The Jarl’s gaze swept over the words on the paper, and his brow gradually furrowed.
“By Ysmir, Irileth was right!” Balgruuf’s tone was somewhat heavy as he handed the letter to the Steward beside him; no more words were needed, as the so-called truth was all in this letter.
“What say you now, Proventus?
Shall we trust to our walls to keep a dragon out?
We must take action.
A dragon is burning my holds and slaughtering my people; I will not stand idly by.” Clearly, compared to the potential risks, leaving the people of his hold exposed to a dragon disaster was what he found unacceptable.
While the court members argued incessantly, Sio simply stood with Kaye, watching the situation unfold.
She had already instructed him beforehand that all negotiations after entering Dragonsreach would be handled by her, the young lady!
Even with her memory loss, she wouldn’t lose her sense of propriety in terms of etiquette!
It was just that…
the brave Miss Sio needed Kaye’s support more than ever right now.
She had unknowingly gripped his hand even tighter.
…Compared to standing here listening to others argue, perhaps facing a dragon directly would actually make her feel more at ease.
Why on earth was that?
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
“And If you’re enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!”