I haven't had time to write much in the past few days, and only now do I find myself in a tavern in Whiterun. I'd already be asleep if not for being situated in a room above the main tavern area. Next to a doorway with no door. Above a bard who refuses to give it a rest. I think he may even be singing about me now. That's right, me.
You see, almost a week ago, I came face to face with a dragon, and ran like a scared little kitten.
Tonight, I stuffed a dragon full of so many arrows he may as well have been a pincushion. That's right, Esias, a Dragon Killer. Even more so, the locals are calling me something else: Dragonborn. But lets start a bit earlier.
After arriving in Whiterun from my walk from Riverwood, I explored the city at length, getting to know the residents and shops. Though surprised a Khajiit actually walking around inside the city, most of the folk treated me all the same, as long as I had gold in my pocket that is. I even met a woman who expressed interest in my kind, and doing business with them. It seems many people in Skyrim look down on my kind, believing all of us to be thieves and murderers. To be fair the thieving aspect has crossed my mind a few times, but I haven't met anybody worth stealing from yet. Yet. Anyway the woman wants a mammoth tusk so that she can buy the tavern and do business with my Khajiit brethren, who apparently are quite the traveling traders here. I know I don't owe her anything, but it is nice to know not everyone hates my kind.
I met a lot of other people too, including two feuding families. The Battle Borns seem to be pretty full of themselves, and are backing the Empire, while the Greymanes seem more down to earth, and support the Stormcloaks. While I haven't officially sided with anyone, I decided to give the Greymanes the benefit of the doubt and hear them out. Apparently one of them joined the Stormcloaks and hasn't been heard from. They believe the Battle Borns know more than they are letting on. I figured it wouldn't be too much trouble to look into it. Using my natural cat-like grace, I snuck in to the (unlocked) Battle Born house and prowled around. Surprisingly, the place was empty except for a small child, who either didn't notice me or didn't care. At any rate I found a book detailing Imperials confirming capture of one of the Greymanes. I guess the Battle Borns really are a foul lot. Remind myself to consider stealing more than just a book from their house.
After a little more wandering (Side Note: What is it with Nords and keeping undead creatures in their burial sites? Walking skeletons beneath the city? Who does that???) I found myself at Dragonsreach, the Jarl's Fortress. As usual, I was met with a sword in my face, before explaining I was here to report the dragon attack on Helgen. This seemed to please the Jarl, who wanted my assistance in any way I could. I wasn't sure what I could do, until his court mage asked for details, and a mysterious Dragon Stone hidden away in a barrow. A barrow I had recently plundered. The Jarl and mage seemed extremely pleased at this, which was sadly broken by the announcement of...you guessed it, a dragon. I was unceremoniously tasked with locating said dragon. Apparently surviving a bunch of fireballs with your hands tied makes you an expert on dragons.
I approached the last known sighting of the dragon - a now crumbling tower with several small fires surrounding. This looked grimly familiar. I had barely time to start looking for survivors with the Jarl's men before I heard it. The ominous thunder of wings flapping. And that roar. And so for the second time in a week I found myself staring into the angry eyes and fire breathing mouth of a dragon. Not sure if he was the same dragon who nearly killed me last time, but it helped to imagine I was finally about to get some payback. Or be burned alive. I quickly took cover behind some stone and began peppering the dragon with arrows. I felt that he was at least noticing the pain since he turned and started lighting me on fire. Thank any God for health potions. The guards were putting up a brave fight, and I took the opportunity to poison a few of my better arrows with spider venom. The good kind of spider venom. Taking careful aim I scored several hits along the dragon's face. And then...he crashed into the ground, defeated. I could scarcely believe it. As I approached the rapidly disintegrating corpse, I hoped desperately that someone else would take the credit for this. I'm no hero, I'm just trying to survive.
And yet, as I drew close, I felt the dragons very essence rise into the air and strike me. I felt winded..and then...knowledge. Suddenly my mind flashed back to the inscription I had seen on the wall. I knew what it was. I knew....how to speak it. I opened my mouth and to my shock, someone else's voice sprang forth. By sprang I mean roared. It's hard to translate, let alone describe. FUS! I shouted and beheld a mighty wave of pure energy roar across the landscape. the Jarl's guards that had gathered around me stared, mouth agape. "You. You are...Dragonborn!" one of them whispered. Apparently there are those..descended from legend, that can speak the dragon language. Not only that, but they absorb the souls of the dragons they defeat to power their own magical 'shouts'.
So much for letting someone else take the credit.
As I returned to inform the Jarl of what had transpired, I heard another shout...far off..and not from my own mouth. Not an everyday occurrence I imagine. With much modesty, I told my story to the Jarl. Before I knew it, I was not only called a Dragonborn, but I was also made a Thane of Whiterun, by the Jarl himself! Suddenly I was getting all kinds of respect and praise, the privilege of being able to buy my own home (which I desperate need) and my own Housecarl to serve me (I don't even know what that means!) I was also informed the distant shout I heard was other Dragonborns... who had somehow heard of what I did and had summoned me to their home on top of mountain somewhere. Wonderful. My head is still spinning from all of this. I had to tell my Housecarl, Lydia, to stand down for the moment. I suppose she can guard my house to be...I think better on my own, for now. Before leaving, I took the opportunity to try my hand at enchanting. It seems pretty simple, and with a soul gem and an old sword, I enchanted my trusty bow with the power of ice. A new magic bow deserves a new magic name, especially on a day like this. I named it Frost Whisper. If I have any enemies, they will freeze with dread upon hearing its whisper.
That sounded a lot cooler in my head.
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