Marcus was amazed as he watched Aela pull the two large sabre cats, as she called them. Each of the two probably weighed as much as a bear, and she was easily dragging them with no effort. He would have never imagined that someone with a slender and beautiful appearance like Aela could hide so much strength underneath it.
"What was it like?" Aela asked.
"What? What do you mean?" Marcus questioned.
"The Dragon. What was it like? How did it look?" Aela asked with excitement in her voice. She was clearly interested in the beast and was hoping to get the chance to hunt it in the future.
"Big, the Dragon was bigger than a building. Pitch black scales with sharp horns sticking out of them. Every time it opened its mouth, either shockwaves or fire erupted from it. Whenever it landed, the ground quaked from its strength. It's by far the scariest thing I've ever seen." Marcus explained.
"Yet, you survived and lived to tell the tale." Aela said.
"By luck. The only reason I survived is due to luck." Marcus said sadly.
"You can't survive a Dragon with luck alone." Aela wasn't buying it. There was something more. Something that he wasn't telling her. Or that's what she thought.
"Believe me." Marcus assured her. "Luck is the only reason I'm here." He didn't want to talk about it anymore, so he changed the subject. "How are you carrying those beasts so easily? Aren't you tired?"
"No." A short and blunt answer, leaving no room for further conversation. She was a bit apprehensive of Marcus. After the excitement of knowing that he is someone that her patron was interested in fell off, Aela realized that she had been exposed. She had been paying attention to him and how he would act, but so far, he didn't seem to be on edge, nor was he giving her weird looks. Aela would bring this up later with him, but now, she had to deal with her game. Her arms were starting to get sore from pulling the two sabre cats, but she wouldn't show that to him.
Half an hour later, the two reached the outskirts of Whiterun. Marcus was excitedly looking around every person that passed by them while trying not to stare too much. The vast majority of the people there were Nords, but there were a few different races as well. Every time they passed by one of those, his eyes would lit up. Aela paid attention to that, but if anything, she was confused by his behavior. Nords were known to be racist towards the other races, but he didn't seem to hate them. In fact, he was happy and interested to see them.
The path leading to the gates of Whiterun was full of people, but all of them moved out of the way to let her through. The Nords looked proudly at Aela and her two prey as if they were the ones to slay the two beasts. The other races had surprised looks on their faces, but they would recognize her and whisper. "She is a Companion. That's expected from her."
Aela stopped in front of a two-story building that had a sign of a knife stabbing a sheep.
"Why are we stopping?" Marcus asked.
Aela's response was kicking the door open and yelling. "Esdens, I have work for you."
A male voice came from inside the building. "Aela?" In a second, a brown-haired man, with a bushy beard, wearing a brown apron stained with blood walked out. He observed the door to see if it was still intact before turning to her. "You have to stop doing this. One day you knock it off its hinges." Esdens shook his head.
Aela grinned at him and motioned with her head towards her prey. Seeing the two beasts, Esdens walked up to them with a hop in his steps. Like an excited child, he carefully observed them from head to toe. Done with his examination, he turned to her. "So, how are we doing this? The usual? You get the hide, and I get to keep everything else?"
"The usual." Aela nodded.
"Good!" Esdens said. "I will put in a couple hundred septims as well since their eyes are in good condition. You can come pick them up tomorrow. I should be done by then."
Aela nodded, and without saying another word, she started walking towards Whiterun's gates and beckoned Marcus to follow her. They continued on their path when Marcus spotted a large crowd gathered in circle and cheering.
"100 septims on Norrmir!"
"80 septims on Morrmir!"
"120 septims on Norrmir!"
"150 septims on Morrmir!"
Marcus spotted two large, hulking Nords, wearing nothing but pants, fighting each other. They weren't blocking nor dodging. They were straight-up punching each other in the face. And by the looks of it, neither of them would go down soon. He watched them for a moment before Aela called out to him. "Marcus!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming." He wanted to see who would win, but now was not the time for that.
On the way, Marcus saw numerous stalls and tents selling all kinds of items. One tent, in particular, caught his attention. A short elf with pale green skin and black hair, surrounded by all kinds of bows, was sharpening an arrow. Shortbows, longbows, and even composite bows. Marcus cursed himself for losing his pouch with money and not being able to buy one right now. He remembered where the stall is and hoped it would be there when he gets some septims.
They soon reached the gates of Whiterun, where more than a dozen soldiers were standing guard. All of them were wearing steel armor with a yellow garb over it. One of the soldiers walked up to the two, raised his hand, and said with an intimidating voice. "Halt! Only those who are on official business can enter Whiterun!"
Aela was having none of that. She walked up to his face and asked. "So, you going to stop a Companion from returning to Jorrvaskr? Has the Jarl decided to kick us out of Whiterun?"
The guard's eyes widened, and he got flustered. He didn't know how to respond, but at that moment, a guard with a more ornamental armor walked up to them. He recognized Aela and said. "Of course not. You are free to enter Whiterun." The guard then turned to Marcus. "But I don't recognize him. He will have to stay outside."
Before Aela can say anything else, Marcus spoke up. He couldn't let others do the talking for him. Not if he was supposed to be the Dragonborn. Whatever that may be. He didn't fully trust the words of the madman, but that was the only information he had on why and how he is here. "My name is Marcus. I'm here to report what happened at Helgen."
"You a survivor from Helgen? Is it true? A Dragon destroyed the city?" The guard asked and walked to his face.
"Yes." Marcus confirmed.
"By the Divines! We haven't seen any survivours from Helgen yet. The Jarl would like to hear about this." The guard said, and his eyes turned fierce. "But if you are found lying to sneak into Whiterun, we will have your head!"
"I understand. I promise I'm speaking the truth." Marcus said.
"You better! Now follow me." The guard walked up to the gates as they opened. Before entering, he turned towards Marcus. "This is your last chance. If you are lying, I will personally kill you! I've been a guard captain for 4 years, and I don't want to lose my position because of someone like you."
Marcus nodded and stared at him with conviction. He had promised Sigrid that he will report the situation and ask for guards to be sent to Riverwood. He will make sure to keep his words. Seeing the look in his eyes, the guard captain was satisfied and turned around. "Follow me then. I will lead you to Dragonsreach."
"I'm also coming." Aela said. "I've brought him here, and I will also take responsibility if anything happens." That wasn't the true reason why she was going with them. She wanted to keep an eye on Marcus and hear what he has to say. If he decides to expose her true nature, and the Jarl finds out that she isn't the only one, the Companions might really get kicked out of Jorrvaskr. Or worse, the guards might be sent to exterminate them all.
"I wouldn't expect less from a Companion. All of you are honorable fighters." The guard captain accepted. This way, if Marcus is found to be lying, he wouldn't be the only one guilty for letting him in.
Their journey to Dragonsreach was a silent one. The guard captain didn't want to get friendly with someone that might end up getting killed soon, and Marcus didn't know what to talk with him. He mostly looked around and observed all the buildings in the city. All of them were made of wood, something the Dragon will have no problem destroying.
They passed a large tree that looked as if it had been struck by lightning. A few women dressed in priest clothing were surrounding it and praying in the name of Kynareth. Nearby, there was another priest reverencing Talos. The people of Skyrim were religious, very religious, Marcus noted. But then again, if they knew for a fact that Gods existed, why shouldn't they be.
After climbing about a hundred or even more stone steps, they finally reached the gates of Dragonsreach. Marcus was finally able to get a good look at the castle, which was made of wood and stone. Mostly wood, though. Again, Marcus thought that, although the Dragon will have a slightly harder time, it would still be able to destroy it. It would just take the beast a bit longer to do it.
Two guards, wearing steel armor and holding pikes, were standing in front of the castle's doors. One of them walked up to the tree. "Captain Ranmlof, why have you left your post at the gates? And why have you brought them here?"
"This one." Ranmlof pointed at Marcus. "Claims that he is a survivor from Helgen. He came with the Companion, and she is coming along to make sure their honor is not stained."
The guard stepped back without turning his back to them and said. "You can enter, but make sure to inform him how to properly approach the Jarl."
After entering Dragonsreach, two more guards stopped them. "Any weapons that you have, must be left here. With the current situation in Skyrim, only the guards of Whiterun are allowed to keep their weapons in Dragonsreach."
Aela complied and handed her bow, quiver, and two steel daggers to the guards, and they looked towards Marcus. "I don't have any weapons on me."
"We'll see about that." One of the guards walked up and inspected him carefully. "He's clear. You can speak with the Jarl now."
Before they can walk the stairs leading to the main room, Ranmlof addressed Marcus. "Approach Jarl Balgruuf the Greater slowly from the left side of the firepit and speak with the respect that he deserves when you are addressing him."
'Jarl Balgruuf the Greater? The Greater of what? Marcus thought but nodded. '"I understand." He started slowly walking towards the Jarl. Before he could even pass the firepit in the middle of the room, a Dark Elf with red hair and wearing iron armor stopped them. With her sword already unsheathed, she asked. "What is the meaning of this? Jarl Balgruuf is not expecting any visitors!"
Marcus was a bit unnerved by how the woman spoke without making any facial expression, but he said. "I bring news of the Dragon attack in Helgen."
"He claims he is a survivor from there." Ranmlof added.
The Dark Elf stared at Marcus with her piercing red eyes, and he stared back at her. Unlike humans who conveyed their emotions through their facial expressions, elves did through their eyes. Irileth, the housecarl of the Jarl, had learned how to read human expression a long time ago, but this was the first time she had seen a human convey so many emotions through his eyes. For a moment she was fazed, but she found was she was looking for. He was scared and confused, but he also had conviction in his eyes. An assassin might be scared yet ready to accomplish his mission, but he wouldn't be confused. That much, she was certain of. Still, it didn't hurt to be safe. "Walk in front of me."
Marcus walked past the fire pit, with Irileth an arms reach behind him, ready to strike him down if it comes to it. He reached the Jarl, who was sitting on a wooden throne, and for a moment, he hesitated. He wasn't sure how to start the conversation. Was he supposed to kneel down first? Was he supposed to wait for the Jarl to address him? In the end, he bowed his head in a sign of respect and said. "Greetings, Jarl Balgruuf. I bring news from Helgen. About the Dragon attack."
The Jarl was sitting with a relaxed posture on his throne, but when he heard Marcus, he leaned forward. "So, you were at Helgen? You saw the Dragon with your own eyes?"
"Yes, I did. I was at Helgen when it attacked and destroyed the city." Marcus confirmed. The Jarl stayed quiet for a moment with a hand cupping his chin. "And why were you there?"
Hearing his question, Marcus's heart started beating wildly. 'This is it.' Oh, how he wished to avoid talking about this, but the Jarl had to ask.
"I... I was about to be executed." The moment his words left his mouth, all the guards had their weapons aimed at him. They knew that Ulfric had been captured and to be executed at Helgen, so they assumed Marcus was a Stormcloack who was here to either assassinate or convince Balgruuf to join them. Before any of them could take action, the Jarl raised his hand to stop them. Marcus was forthright and didn't lie why he was at Helgen when the Dragon attacked, and Balgruuf respected that. At the very least, he would listen to him first before he decides how to deal with him. "And why were you about to be executed?"
"I don't know... I really don't know. One moment I was at my home, the next thing I know, I wake up on a wagon with Ulfric and his Stormcloaks. When we reached Helgen, and they checked our identity, I wasn't on their list." Marcus replied truthfully.
"Then why would they order your execution? Have the Imperials grown so overbearing that they would execute whoever they please, even if they are innocent Nords?" Balgruuf asked.
"I really don't know. I was hoping that someone might be able to explain my situation there, but I remember an Elf, I think, wearing black robes whispering something to a captain. After that, they ordered my execution." Marcus said.
"Damn, Thalmor!" Balgruuf cursed. "After the White-Gold Concordat, they've acted as if they are the true rulers of the Empire." The Jarl let out a sigh. "I would assume that you are a Talos worshiper, which is why they ordered your execution."
Marcus shook his head at that. "I don't worship Talos. In fact, I didn't even know about the Gods until yesterday."
Everyone who heard him froze in place and stared at him dumbly. Aela let out a sigh of relief, her tensed muscles from expecting the worse, finally relaxed. If he truly didn't know about the Gods, then he shouldn't have recognized her patron.
The silence was shortly broken by a tall bald man standing to the right of the Jarl. "Liar! I will have your head for lying here!"
"Brother, be quiet." Balgruuf said and turned to his housecarl. Irileth, who had moved to stand on the left of the Jarl, said. "He speaks the truth." Both his eyes and facial expression were ones of honesty. Marcus wasn't lying that much she was certain, but that didn't stop her from being surprised that he didn't even know about the Gods. She could understand if he didn't know about the Daedric Gods since most Nords didn't care that much about them and might not even know their names. But, to not know about the Gods of his people was unheard of.
"And how did you learn of the Gods?" Balgruuf asked in amusement.
"Hadvar told me about them. He is an Imperial soldier, and the one who helped me escape from Helgen." Marcus answered.
"Preposterous!" Yelled the one the Jarl called his brother. "You first tell us that the Imperials ordered your execution, and now you tell us than an Imperial helped you escape!" The man turned towards Balgruuf. "Brother, let me execute this one!"
The Jarl looked at his brother with fury in his eyes. "Hrongar, I do not want to hear another word from you, and you will address me as Jarl! Do you understand?" Hrongar shivered from the tone his brother used. Meekly, he nodded and kept his mouth shut.
Balgruff then turned towards Marcus. "Your story does sound a bit... ridiculous, but I don't believe anyone would be foolish enough to make it up."
'I wonder how would he have reacted if I told him a Stormcloak also helped us.' Marcus though but didn't say it.
"On behalf of Whiterun, I Jarl Balgruuf the Greater, thank you for confirming that a Dragon has appeared in Skyrim. For this, you will be rewarded. What is it that you wish?" Balgruuf purposely didn't offer a specific reward, but wanted to see how much Marcus valued the information he delivered.
"Please spare a few of your guards and sent them to Riverwood. The people there fed me, gave me a place to sleep, and provided me with equipment to reach Whiterun. They are afraid that if the Dragon attacks any more cities, the bandit activity in Skyrim will increase. I don't think I saw more than 4 guards in the entire town. Just a few more would be enough to protect them." Marcus bowed his head and begged him.
Balgruuf stared at the young Nord in bewilderment. He didn't ask for gold. He didn't ask for a weapon or armor from his personal collection. He could have asked for any material reward, but he didn't. Instead, he asked for guards to be sent to protect a nearby town. Balgruuf relaxed back into his chair and smiled fondly. He was sure that Marcus spoke the truth, but even if he didn't, he didn't care at this point. Even if the young Nord in front of him made up such a story only to get a town more protection, he would accept his request.
"Admirable." The Jarl said softly and turned towards his housecarl. "Irileth, order a squad to go to Riverwood and protect it."
"As you command, My Jarl!" She bowed to him.
"My Jarl." Another bald-headed man who was standing near Balgruuf said. "We can't do that. The Jarl of Falkreath might assume it is an act of aggression!"
"Shut up, Proventus!" Balgruuf barked in anger. "I don't care what he thinks. Riverwood will be protected!" Proventus didn't dare say another word.
The Jarl then addressed one of his guards. "Go to Ferandar, and tell him to start researching whatever information we have about Dragons."
"Yes, my Jarl!" The guard said before leaving.
Balgruuf then turned towards Marcus with a fond smile. "Marcus, was it? Thank you for your service, but I will ask one more thing of you. Stay in Whiterun for a few more days. My court wizard would look into what little information we have about Dragons, and he might need your assistance. After all, you are one of the few that had survived and seen one in the flesh."
"I will be glad to help, but... I don't have a place to stay." Marcus said.
"Whiterun has more than a few inns inside and outside the walls. The guards will be informed that you are allowed to move freely between then." Balgruuf informed him.
"I know. I saw some on the way, but... I don't have any money." Marcus told him, and the Jarl burst out laughing. The young Nord didn't have a single septim to his name, yet he asked for more guards to be sent to protect a town. He was liking him more and more by the minute. Before he could offer Marcus to stay at his castle, Aela who had been silent until now, spoke up. "You can stay at Jorrvaskr."
"The Companions would accept him?" Balgruuf asked with a raised eyebrow.
"The Companions accept those with honor and the skill to fight. You can't teach someone honor, but you can teach him how to fight." Aela answered.
"Well said! I will send a guard to Jorrvaskr when Marcus's presence is needed." The Jarl said.
Marcus bowed to Balgruuf before leaving. "Thank you for listening to me and sending guards to Riverwood. May the Divines watch over Whiterun and keep it safe."
The Jarl stood up from his throne and walked up to Marcus. He shook his hand the Nordic way and proudly said. "You are a good man and a good Nord, Marcus! May the Divines watch over you as well."
Once they left Dragonsreach and started walking towards Jorrvaskr, Marcus told Aela. "Thank you for offering me a place to stay when you didn't need to." She stared at his blue eyes for a moment before turning around without saying a word. She was doing this for her own benefits. One of them being, to see what's so special about Marcus that her patron deemed him a worthy prey in the future. But hearing his sincere words, she felt... guilty for her actions.
Marcus's feet were starting to hurt after walking for so long in his iron boots, but thankfully, Jorrvaskr was near Dragonsreach. After descending the stairs leading to the castle and turning left, the two reached an oval-shaped building made of wood with multiple shields lined just above the door.
They were a distance away when the doors to Jorrvaskr opened and an older hulking man, wearing steel armor and a longsword strapped to his waist, walked out. He had two horizontal war paints on each cheek, long white hair tied into a ponytail, and dark grey eyes. Well, one dark grey eye since his left one was pure white.
"Skjor!" Aela greeted him. "Just who I was looking for."
"Aela." Skjor greeted her and noticed Marcus who was following behind her. His eyes turned fierce as he stared at him. He and Aela were the only two from the Companions' inner circle that belied their gift is a blessing, rather than a curse. The two would often go hunting at night together, and he treated her like a little sister. Seeing a man following her, he was prepared to bash his head.
"Come." Aela told Skjor and lead him behind the building. "You come as well." She said to Marcus.
They reached what appeared to be a training ground of some sort. Aela led them to a more obscure corner. She took a quick look to make sure there is no one around that could possibly eavesdrop on them, before saying. "I met Hircine. Or more like, I was possed by him today."
"Truly?" Skjor asked excitedly before his head snapped towards Marcus, who was visibly confused. When Aela said. "He was also there." Skjor already had his sword drawn ready to strike him down. He would rather risk going in jail for killing an innocent than risking the lives of his brothers and sisters.
"Stop!" Aela stopped him. "Hircine came because of him!"
"What?" Both men said. Marcus thought that she had a blackout like Camilla and hadn't heard what the being had told him. Skjor carefully studied the young Nord and said. "And?"
"He said that he will be a worthy prey in the future, that he had longed to hunt one of his kind, and for Marcus to grow stronger as fast as possible. I think... that was also a message for me to train him." Aela explained.
"Hmm. I see. So, you plan for him to join the Companions?" Skjor asked.
"Yes, but not now. He has honor but no fighting skill." Aela said, and Skjor grinned. He popped his knuckles and looked at Marcus. "Well, let's change that."