The debate within the court soon came to an end.
With the Jarl’s final word, they would send reinforcements to Riverwood, and Whiterun would also prepare for war to face the dragon threat that could appear at any moment.
…At least it was much quieter now.
Sio couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief; hearing a bunch of adults argue incessantly in front of her always gave her the urge to cover her ears and run away.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t leave right now.
All she could do was tightly grip the hand of the person beside her.
Looking on the bright side, it didn’t matter even if she showed a weak side now.
“I recognize you two.
Sio…
and Kaye, you have done well.” Jarl Balgruuf’s gaze swept over the two young people.
As the Jarl of Whiterun Hold, he naturally knew of the noteworthy “travelers” in the city.
“You have made such a great contribution to Whiterun; I will not forget you.
Take this as a token of my gratitude.” As soon as he finished speaking, a guard in the hall stepped forward and handed over two exquisite badges.
Engraved on the badges was the crest of Whiterun Hold, a “gift” that was hard to measure with money.
Although these badges were not the symbol of a Housecarl, they served as proof of honor.
People like Nazeem, who had come to cause trouble before, wouldn’t even dare to breathe loudly upon seeing them.
“I shall treat this as an honor~” Sio elegantly accepted the badge and bowed to the Jarl in thanks; Kaye also gave a steady return of etiquette, though he couldn’t do it as naturally as Sio.
“You are very talented, and I just happen to have…
a job suited for geniuses.” Balgruuf said, his gaze lingering on Sio for a few extra seconds.
“My court wizard, Farengar, is researching dragons…
and some rumors about the dragon race.
He would be very happy to see another mage outside of Winterhold.” Having finished, the Jarl even stood up of his own accord and led the way.
Now it would be hard to refuse!
She couldn’t lose her manners!
Sio had no choice but to follow quickly.
Watching Sio, who was like a little bird, Kaye politely remained silent and moved closer to her.
Balgruuf had specially prepared a laboratory for his court wizard, right inside Dragonsreach.
When the Jarl entered the lab with the two young people, the thin man wrapped in dark robes was studying a magical map of Skyrim, completely unaware of the visitors’ arrival.
“Farengar, I’ve brought some young people who can help you.
Tell them the details.” “Forgive me, I was too focused.” The Jarl cleared his throat, which was enough to make a mage stop his work and turn to greet them.
“You are…
a Breton.
I can sense the Dragonskin magic on you, but its nature is somewhat different…” Perhaps Kaye’s current combat strength was much stronger than Sio’s, but mages were always drawn to one another.
Farengar’s gaze fell on Sio, seemingly quite interested in her unique traits.
“I might know more than you imagine, Mr.
Farengar~” Sio wore a proper smile, lifting the hem of her skirt with both hands to perform a light curtsy.
“I’m not very good at dealing with court etiquette; let’s get down to business.” Farengar waved his hand and turned the conversation to the research he was conducting.
“When stories of dragons began to circulate, many thought it was just fantasy, rumors, things that were impossible.
But that is the thinking of the worthless.
A clear sign of a fool is being so self-centered as to think that anything they haven’t personally experienced is impossible.” Clearly, this mage had his pride, yet he was somewhat polite to Sio and Kaye, willing to talk freely with them.
…As expected, those court manners were useful; she had him fooled.
“I am not like them.
I started collecting news about dragons long ago.
Why did they disappear, and where did they go for thousands of years?
And now, I happen to have heard of a stone tablet, the [dragonstone], which is said to have a map of ancient dragon burial mounds engraved on it…” “Then I guess that dragonstone must be this little fellow~” Sio winked and pulled out the dragonstone, waving it in front of Farengar.
Farengar, who had been focused on his explanation, suddenly looked up, his gaze immediately fixed on the dragonstone.
“You’ve already found it?” Farengar’s tone was filled with uncontrollable surprise and excitement as he reached out to take the dragonstone.
But Sio nimbly stepped aside, a sly smile playing on her face.
“It was just on the way~ Mr.
Farengar, since we’ve been so diligent, shouldn’t you show some appreciation?” From the polite lady just now to the sly brat now, the image Sio presented was so contrasting that perhaps both faces were merely her masks.
“Al…
Alright, what do you want?” Farengar shook his head and had no choice but to agree to Sio’s conditions.
Compared to the data within the dragonstone, money and such were merely worldly possessions…
“I’m very interested in a court wizard’s collection of books~ It would be best if you could let me borrow them for a read!” Sio pressed her hands together with a smile, making it look as if she were the one making a request.
At least it wasn’t too excessive a request.
Farengar handed Sio a key to unlock the book cabinets.
Sio could browse the books he had collected over the years at her leisure, with no time limit, as long as she didn’t damage them.
“If there’s nothing else, my labor is about to begin—mental labor.
Unfortunately, it isn’t very highly valued in Skyrim…” Clearly, Farengar couldn’t quite handle the quirky young girl and just wanted to send her away as quickly as possible.
Sio was quite well-behaved, waving for Kaye to come to her side—she didn’t want to waste time bickering with a mage either!
But before leaving, she made a point of looking back to mention something.
“Oh, right!
Mr.
Farengar, there’s no need to decipher the text on the back of the dragonstone~ I’ll tell it to you!
Ahem, listen carefully—” The girl translated and read the Dragon Language text engraved on the back of the dragonstone once more.
“[Here lie our fallen lords, until Alduin of old should at last awaken them.]” Except for Kaye, who had already heard Sio’s translation once, every Nord present had a grave expression.
How could they not know the significance of that name?
But Sio no longer cared to pay attention to their reactions; her thoughts had already drifted toward the court wizard’s library…
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!”