The Tale of Leon Grace - Part 1.5 - Punch Uthgerd to Establish Dominance

The Tale of Leon Grace - Part 1.5 - Punch Uthgerd to Establish Dominance

 

I... did encounter some issues as I approached the Southern Watchtower. Three Bandits were launching what looked like a suicide run on it. Whiterun's still technically independent of the Civil War. Jarl Balgruuf has yet to accept messengers from the Legion or Solitude, who would carry the call to arms. Neither has he accepted anything from Ulfric or his Stormcloaks. So... he's in a gray area.

It can't last. He's been in it for over a year. Eventually someone is going to push him to take a side... and Whiterun will stop being the Accorded Neutral Grounds. It'll be the Front Lines, as its the center of Skyrim. All Eight other holds connect to it, except Winterhold and there's nothing of stratigic importence there anymore. The College of Winterhold's there of course, but it's just as independent as the Companions or the Vigil when it comes to political conflicts. Anything short of the Gates of Oblivion being torn open wouldn't get the wizards out of their tower.

Ah... yeah. The bandits.

Two of them went down to my hands. They were the untrained rabble. Probably farmhands that decided that people were more fun to reap than wheat.

The third was dealt with by a rarity in every hold except Whiterun: A Guard.

 

The woman had shot the archer amongst the bandits. No muss, no fuss. Just a dead bandit.

I thanked her, and she asked what a Vigilant was doing in the area and if she could offer assistance. I said that I wasn't a vigilant, and she asked if I was a Wizard from the College.

Perhaps I might need to look into making it where I can say yes to that statement. My education in magic is a bit... poor. I know how to patch myself and other up after a fight, and how to make my flesh as hard as oak. Beyond that... well I might want to look into expanding my range of utility spells at the least.

I got another idea as to what I should do when I made it to Whiterun. I saw three people fighting a Giant in a field of crops. Being the... person I am, I tried to charge in to lend a hand. They didn't need it.

They just hacked the Giant's legs out from under it, put an arrow into its head, and stabbed it in the chest all within the space of time it took me to vault over a fence and try to join the fight.

The woman, who was apparently their leader, introduced herself as Aela the Huntress. I know her by reputation. She's a member of the Circle of the Companions, kind-of an advisory board to the whole group. She... did mock me slightly for my slowness. Then said that I might want to head up to Jorvasker if I was any good in a fight.

I've worked with The Companions before as a Vigilant, although never with a member of the Circle. They're mercenaries, but they're mercenaries that don't get involved with political disputes. They only do jobs against bandits, witches, anything that doesn't have a crown behind it really.

The Companions are an honorable order... if a bit abrasive at times. I might join up.

At any rate, Whiterun wasn't far away from where I met the Companions (Not all of them, just three). The main street was... incredible.

It stretched on for a fair distance, and Market stalls seemed to line the sides of the road at regular intervals, especially near intersections. Houses and stores seemed to be side-by-side with little planning, except around the Market Square in the distance where the main street ended. It was covered in Stalls, and lined with stores.

I've been here before... but I've never stayed here. The Vigil frowns upon staying in Inns. Too much opportunity for sin, in the eyes of the Keeper.

I found the local General Store pretty quickly. Belethor's a Breton, like me. He recognized me from when I once bought a new tent for myself and my brothers who were patroling Skyrim. The one we had been using was made back when the Septim Line of Emperors was still alive. It wasn't really a tent, more of a covering that let rain, wind, and cold in but protected us from being seen.

Belethor didn't remember me, but he was polite enough. If a bit... odd in his humor. "I'd even buy one of your relatives, if you're looking to sell." I sold him some things I'd found in that Bandit lair. Small things. Gems, a few daggers, and some other assorted junk.

Then I went on towards the Bannered Mare. It's the local Inn. I'd never been inside it before... but it was incredible when I did.

The Bard was the first thing I noticed. Music isn't something you hear often in the Vigil, much less music played well. The Bard knew his work... and he seemed to make the world brighter around him with the upbeat song he was twittering out on that flute.

I took a seat in the back of the room, after the Innkeeper told me to take a seat and she'd have someone over with a drink. A Redguard woman walked by not long afterwards. Name of Saadia, I think. I've probably misspelled it. I think that's a Forebear name... but Redguard Culture isn't one of my areas of study so I wouldn't take my word for that.

Anyway, she's apparently the local Serving Girl. Yes, I'm aware of the term "Tavern Wench." The Vigil's teachings compel me to some degree of modesty in my speech.

Another woman showed up not long after Saadia took my order. She was wearing plate armor, and gave off a distinctly aggressive attitude. Granted, all Nords seem to be perpetually angry, but this woman seemed to be angrier than most Nords.

"Hello," I said, trying to be diplomatic.

"This is usually my table," the woman said. Her tone was a bit harsh, but it didn't feel aimed towards me.

"I took that from the way you sat down," I said.

She made a rather... indelicate noise at that. Then she said, "You're new around here, aren't you?"

"Close enough," I said, "I've passed through Whiterun a few times. Never for long though."

The woman made a sound a bit like: "Ungh." Then she asked, "What brings to to Whiterun then?"

"Hmm..." I said, "Money, Duty, a desire to help my fellow man."

The woman laughed, loudly enough to draw a few glances, then she asked, "You planning to help out with that fancy magic of yours?"

"Not entirely," I said, "I was also planning to swing my axe around a bit."

The woman laughed again, "What are you planning to do? Chop wood, and then light fires for people?"

I smiled, and then I said, "I was planning to fight. If I could find a way to do so."

The woman sobered at that. Then she asked, "Planning to join the Companions then? They'll probably take you, robes and all."

"I take it you're not a fan of the Companions?" I said.

"Humph," the woman grunted. I decided not to press the subject.

"All right then," I said, "I considered it. Decided not to. Better to just stick to bounty hunting, if there are any posted."

"IF there are any posted?" The woman half-laughed, half-shouted. "IF anything, you'll have trouble choosing which one to go after! With all the Jarl's soldiers in Whiterun, we've got a bandit infestation in Whiterun."

"Good to know," I said.

Saaida showed up with a bottle of Mead, and my Ale, a few seconds later. The woman thanked her, and I paid her for mine. I got the feeling that the woman was a regular.

"What's your name?" the woman asked, after taking a long drink.

"Leon Grace," I said, "formerly of the Vigil of Stendarr."

The woman nodded, and then said "Uthgerd the Unbroken." by way of an introduction.

"Joy to meet you," I said, "Now... if this isn't too personal a question... why are you wearing full plate armor in an Inn?"

Uthgerd grunted. I did not pursue the issue. But eventually, she broke the silence by asking, "Want to hear a little Nord wisdom, Grace?"

I took a drink, and then I said, "Why not?"

"You don't really know a woman," she said, "until you've had a strong drink and a fistfight with her."

"With her on your side, or the other side?" I asked.

Uthgerd grunted, and took another drink.

"The other side then..." I said, "Feel like a fight then, do you?"

The Nord blinked. Then she laughed. "You? Fight me? I could take anyone in town blow-for-blow!"

"Good," I said, "Then this will be fun. A hundred septims says I can knock you to the ground."

Uthgerd narrowed her eyes for a moment, and then she said, "You're on. Here and now?"

"Why not," I said, "can't let you leave to find a helmet, after all."

The woman laughed, and stood up. I stood up as well.

"No magic, no weapons, no crying," she said, looking me straight in the eye, "let's go."

In the interest of full disclosure, both Uthgerd and I drank much more than I've implied. We also talked a lot more. I trimmed out the dull bits... and the bits I only half remember.

Uthergerd and I were both fighting drunk, and the fact that nobody called for the Guards told me that this was a regular event with her. Either that or no Nord Party is complete without a fistfight.

It's probably the second one.

Uthgerd wasn't bad fighting drunk, but I was a bit better. I'd been casting some weak Restoration spells on myself between drinks, so I had less alcohol in my blood. I was fighting marginally smarter than she was... and I had the advantage of speed and co-ordination.

She had the advantage of being bigger than me, and much heavier in that armor. Stinking Nords and their giant's blood.

Still, somehow, I managed to knock her to the ground. I'd like to credit my training as a vigilant, but I'm betting that she was just drunk and couldn't keep her balance in the armor.

Anyway, her passing me the hundred septims she owed me from the bet was my last clear memory.

My... morning was waking up in a bed on the second floor of the Inn with Uthgerd still in full armor next to me. I suspect that nothing untoward happened since I wouldn't begin to know how to remove such armor (much less reapply it to someone)... but we have no witnesses. Reportedly, we would have had witnesses if Uthgerd and I had done anything more than pass out. She doesn't do anything quietly, or so I'm told.

Anyway, apparently now we're the best of friends by virtue of my having healed the bruises on her face this morning. Also a few more she got doing whatever she was wearing all that Plate for yesterday.

Now... I'm going to head downstairs and buy breakfast. I'll leave Uthgerd to sleep some more, she's pretty hung-over since she doesn't have the advantage of being able to strip the poison from her blood through focused application of Magic.

Got work.

Uthgerd asked Hulda, the Bannered Mare's owner, if there were any bounties posted in Whiterun. Apparently the Jarl's men bring notices through here since a lot of "Adventureous Souls" like to stop here to spend their hard-won gold.

There are some bandits at a place named Valtheim keep. I think I'm familiar with it, old Ancient Nord Watchtower between Whiterun and... whatever the name of Windhelm's hold is. Good position for archers, which means that Uthgerd and I need something to counter Archers. Either a proper Mage, Spellsword, or our own Archer.

Fortunately, Uthgerd had a friend. Well... more of an acquaintence really. Name of Jenassa.

Jenassa's a Dunmer, no House name so she was probably born outside Morrowind. Apparently she's a Mercenary, but she owes Uthgerd enough to accept a third of the Bounty as payment... if paid in advance.

I'm not exactly running low on Septims here... but my pockets are getting uncomfortably empty. Still, Uthgerd vouches for Jenassa's skills... and I can tell she knows how to fight by just watching her walk. That armor's a second skin to her... and I doubt that untrained bandits will give her any more problems than they do me, even if she's using a big old Greatsword instead of a war-axe.

The Tale of Leon Grace - Part 1

The Tale of Leon Grace - Part 1 - Today my Vigil Ends

Keeper Carcette and I finally had it out. It's been a long time coming... a long time.

I have been unhappy with the Vigil for the last year or so. I haven't been too vocal in this belief but... it's there enough for my fellow Vigilants to notice. I... I suppose I'm just broken.

I've forgotten why I ever joined the Vigil. Every day I'm away from this hall, out in the field, I see people hurting. I see mothers whose children have been torn from them by war, and victims whom I am not allowed to help. Unless there's a Witch, Werwolf, Vampire, or Daedroth involved... I cannot help people. I cannot grant them the mercy of my help... and that has torn at me for many years.

Like I said, Carcette and I had it out. Publically. Very publically. Every Vigilant in the Hall was there to witness whatever happened. I doubt it was what Carcette intended it to be.

She accused me of Heresy, of ignoring the fundamental teachings of the Vigil. I admitted to such, and said that the Teachings were flawed.

That floored her. I used to be so dedicated to the Vigil... but the fire in me is just gone. I ripped my Amulet of Stendarr from my neck, and let it drop to the floor. Then I said, and I feel these words will likely be burned into my mind:

"I don't need the Vigil to help people. I am no longer a Vigilant. I am a simple man, who is here to help his fellow Man, Mer, and Beast. If you have issue with that... may Mara's mercy and love fall upon you and heal your heart. Should your issue bring us to blows... may Stendarr have mercy to spare for you. For I shall defend myself to the death, if need be."

Carcette didn't respond. She just stood there, mouth slightly agape, as I turned around.

Perhaps I spoke rashly... but it doesn't matter.

Before that display in the Hall... I was suspected of being a Heretic. Now I have removed any doubt. The Vigil holds no love for me anymore... and they'll only leave me be if I'm very lucky.

No matter. I'll find some way to make it by. Perhaps I'll try to track Isran down. With that mouth of his, I figure it will take me maybe a week to track him down. I'll just follow the trail of angry and insulted people, as well as vampire corpses.

Or... maybe I'll look for work with my mace. With this war on... there has to be a demand for a strong arm somewhere. Maybe Whiterun... as I don't really want to stay in the same hold as the Hall.

Mara's Mercy, what have I done?

My trip to Whiterun was delayed slightly when I came upon an old Fort. The stonework looks Imperial to me. I believe its name is Fort Dunstaad. I'm not overly familiar with it. My time as a Vigilant required we keep a certain distance from political powers, including the Imperial Legion which used to keep a skeleton crew manning this fort.

Apparently there was once a time that the Forts of Skyrim were fully manned by the Legion... but that time ended with the Great War. Now all the Legions are kept near the southern border, except for the one they sent north to put down Ulfric. Skeleton crews were left in the forts... but they've been recalled to Solitude or the Loyal Cities for the msot part.

So... this fortress should be abandoned. But it's not. Vultures that prey upon the innocent and the weak have decided to nest here. The Bandits launched arrows at me as I approached, they missed but it gave me enough warning to know that the Fortress was hostile.

I decided to head in anyway. If I'm rededicating my life to serving my fellow man in all ways... I might as well start with clearing out some bandit scum.

I lead with what I've always lead with: Oakflesh. We Vigilants, and former Vigilants, fight in robes, with only our feet and arms armored. I didn't see any reason to abandon my skills along with my allegiance... and I'd rather not get my skull caved in.

The protective magicka flowed around me quickly... and I knew that it would hold against all but the fiercest strikes.

I nearly found one of those Strikes with one of the Bandits from the Keep's wall. They had setup wooden ramps leading onto it outside the Fort's main gate. Normally that would compromise a fort, but they've also errected a palisade wall. It won't stand up to Battlemages, wood rarely does well against Destruction Magic, but it will force the local Jarl's forces into a chokepoint.

Unfortunately for them, I'm just one man. Chokepoints aren't as much of an advantage. Especially when you don't have enough men on the wall to make a Killing Field.

I met a bandit in hide and rags who bore a warhammer. He was untrained, had to be since he lead with a powerful overhead strike that he might as well have advertised by Courier for all the notice he gave me.

I darted in, using a similar strike, and cleaved his head in before he could bring the Warhammer down on me. My Oakflesh would probably disperse most of the blow... but enough force would get through to give me a headache and probably a bit of bruising. As I'd rather not have to heal that... well I killed him quickly.

Another melee-focused bandit came at me soon afterwards. She was fighting in the old Sword-and-Board style and was wearing real armor... that didn't look like it fit very well.

Still, she had a shortsword and a way to keep me from just cutting her limbs off. So she was more prepared than the last guy. Unfortunately... she wasn't very well trained.

She dropped her guard entirely when she tried to stab at me, and I got out of the way. I brought my axe down on her neck, which wasn't covered, and she dropped dead.

I had to hurry down into the Keep's courtyard because of two Archers that had apparently come outside and seen me deal with the Shield-Bearer. They drew their bows, which were already strung (do none of these bandits know how to care for their weapons?), and began peppering my general vicinity with arrows.

Sadly, for them, they couldn't aim well until I got pretty close. Most of the arrows managed to bounce off my Oakflesh. One managed to get through, but it was just a flesh wound. Barely made it through the skin, and I healed it right up with a bit of the ol' Magicka.

The Archers were not so fortunate.

Now, Leather armor's pretty good stuff if it's made right. Boiled leather's harder than human skin by a fair margin, and it can turn aside a blade just as often as it will catch one. Piercing the stuff's pretty difficult too, even with an sharp axe like mine.

Sadly for the Bandits, they were wearing what looked like uncured animal hides draped over themselves. My axe encountered slightly more resistance than it would have found dealing with a Witch's robe.

I... found myself with no further enemies at that point. The courtyard was clear... which meant that I needed to enter the Keep itself and make sure that I had cleared the infestation to its roots. If a Bandit were left alive, they could reconstruct this clan from the desperate and the deserters from the War.

So I claimed the Shield-Bearer's shield as the spoils of war, and went to enter the Keep.

 I was treated to an... unusual sight within the keep to say the least.

They were holding pit fights with animals. I'd heard of such things from my Brothers with... less than savory pasts. 'But these weren't quite like the Wolf-Pit Fights I'd heard about. For one thing, they weren't wolves, they were Skeevers.

Giant Rats, penned in together and half starved. They were surrounded by Bandits, spectators really.

I drew my axe the moment I saw them all. They were turning a Bastion of Order in Skyrim into... into... a glorified Blood Sport stadium. The Bandits all turned to face me, nearly in unison. I knew there was a fight to be had here... and that I was outnumbered in a confined space.

This was not my best choice.

The Bandits didn't rush me all at once. They saw the blood on my axe, and knew that I'd killed more than a few of them coming in since they hadn't heard anyone calling the alarm. That had a silent meaning to them all: I could be overwhelmed, but I'd probably take the first few of you with me.

It was all that saved my life. That and the fact that everyone with a bow was outside. Not that it would have mattered, really. Shooting into a melee's usually a good way to kill a friend.

I managed to kill one of the Bandits, who was using what looked like a Quarterstaff, before he could really process what was going on. Two more rushed me, one with a two-handed weapon that I couldn't identify from behind my shield.

They battered and beat at the shield, but I knew how to use it to turn their blows aside without absorbing too much of the force into my arm. I've seen a lot of Brothers get their arms broken in training...

Eventually, I managed to do more than turn the woman's two-handed whatever aside. I managed to get the shield up under it and push it a bit more. That put her off balance, and she knocked into her friend. I made an underhand cut with my axe, cutting into the exposed flesh below the jaw.

He stumbled backwards, and the woman regained her step. She tried another blow, which I turned to the side, and then I countered with a strike to the side of her head. She was dead on impact.

A few more came, but never in pairs. These Bandits weren't disciplined. They were individuals fighting individually. If they had worked as a team, they could have overwhelmed me. As it was... they just came at me almost single-file.

It was a slaughter. The last guy tried to hold back. He was terrified... but he also thought he could take me down. Bandits are still human... and I'd probably killed a few people he'd call a friend right in front of his eyes.

He had a quarterstaff. He tried to knock my skull from my shoulders... but I didn't let him. I turned the blow aside with my shield, redirecting his momentum across my body, and then I bashed him square in side of his arm. I didn't break it, but the pain made him flinch and release the grip on his weapon.

He was dead the moment he let go. I didn't just kill him... I practically executed him. One blow to the neck, head taken off.

Then... I turned my attention to their little "pets" in the pen. The Skeevers were trying to climb out, to eat some of the freshly fallen blood.

I didn't allow it. I opened the gate and cut into each rat individually. Didn't have to bother with the shield, just one clean chop is all it took.

I stopped for a moment, and surveyed my surroundings. Seven men and women in bandit's hides, dead. By my hand.

I've killed men before. I still remember the first one... a girl about sixteen years old. A Coven Witch who had been sent out to find a human sacrifice. Fool girl tried to seduce me... but I played along to lead my Brothers to the coven.

They killed them all... but I killed her. I remember the look in her eye. The not-quite innocence that I saw there. I knew that she... she had to have been raised in that environment. Her mother was probably one of the Witches, or a Hag... and that realization made her human.

I still wish I had stayed my blow. Maybe... maybe I could have reasoned with her. Helped her find another path to walk. But... no. The Vigil's principles declared that all who cavort with the Daedra, or the Old Gods of the Reach (which were probably Daedra), had to die.

I don't regret these seven though. I... wonder why. Has killing just gotten easier... or is my new crusade filling me with the same firmness in my belief that I had before.

No matter. They're dead now. If I am mistaken, may Arkay have mercy upon my soul when it passes into his domain.

As it was, I healed myself and then went to explore the rest of the fort. I found three more Skeevers... but everyone in that area came running when they heard the fighting.

The only odd thing was... a humanizing element of the Bandits. I found two things in their... it had to be a privy. The first was a Potion of True Shot. The second was a copy of a Child's Anuad. These bandits were reading religious texts... if vastly simplified. They also had a sense of humor.

I... I still don't regret this. Their sentry shot at me.

But did he do it because the Bandits wanted to hold this fort... or because they saw a man in a Vigilant's Robes walking down the road from the hall?

Best not to think about that.

I moved on. Another area to clear out... or at least make sure it was cleared out.

My questioning of the Bandits' motives has been eased a bit in that prison. I found a suspended cage... but the skeleton in it can't be recent. It's been picked too clean... and I don't see the marks of blades or teeth on the bone. He was allowed to rot... and that would have taken a long time.

Perhaps he was in there when the Empire abandoned this place, and the Bandits arrived after he was gone and never removed him. Assuming it's a him at all.

Of course... he had a her in the room. A living her with a warhammer.

I've learned that these untrained bandits prefer large weapons, those that can't be wielded at all without two hands. That makes sense, they're compensating for their lack of ability with raw power.

Still, skill and power combine into a far more potent mix. I used my usual process on her. Block and turn the weapon aside, smash them in the face, then eliminate the enemy.

Of course... there were more deeper inside. The Prison had three more men. One was an archer, but he didn't last long since I got the drop on him. A charge, a slash, a dead bandit.

The other two had armor. The first was... laughable. Shield and weapon, but he didn't know how to use either properly. I drove my sheild into him, putting my shoulder behind it and practically tackling the man. I heard something snap, probably his shoulder out of joint. He groaned in pain, and I finished him by going for the joint between his helm and his armor.

The third man... was a Legion Veteran, or City Guard, or from somewhere you could get training. He... knew how to fight. It probably took me a minute to down him... but it worked eventually. He slipped up before I did, probably because of the heavy armor. A Vigilant's Robes are much... lighter than Banded Iron. He tired first, he made the first mistake, he got his wrist broken when I turned his maul aside, and he died when my axe gave him a new haircut.

I found evidence that has alleviated my conscience greatly at the top of the Prison's tower. It was a dead Altmeri male... and what had to be torturer's tools. I counted a mace, an embalming knife, Frostbite Spider Venom, a mild poison, and healing potions amongst the tools. I can see how they would have worked... but I won't give voice to my concerns.

Blood Sport and torture... my consience is clear regarding these bandits... but I do find it off that I'm listening to it. I mean... I've never really bothered to do this before about killing people. Except that first time...

I wonder if this shall become a liability.

There was another room, above the Rat Room. I summise that it was once the Fort Commander's room, and perhaps still was. The Skilled Bandit probably slept there... which raises certain implications about the Mage I found hiding inside.

She was not a Witch, as far as I could tell. Granted, I had no ducks to compare her with, but she seemed to be free of Daedric influence all the same.

She died far too quickly to be a witch. She raised a Ward in her defense... but Spell-Wards don't do much against an axe.

I... did see something of significance in that room alongside a collection of potions: Skooma.

Refined Moonsugar, mixed with other ingredients that I don't know about. Highly addictive, and a slow-acting poison besides. I'm familiar with the substance, it's one of only a few that the Empire absolutely forbids... which only increases its price and allure to those who are of a rebellious nature.

I wished I could conjure fire as I stared at those bottles. The stuff burns, I know. I would have piled it within the building, and burned it as I left to avoid inhaling any fumes if I could have.

As I left the Fortress proper, and entered the Palasade Courtyard, I noticed the building that stood across from the Fort. I wondered when it had been built... and if there was anything of interest inside.

So I opened the door, which was unlocked. Then I heard the bandits speaking downstairs, and dropped into my combat form.

 

They were in the basement. The first was a warrior. Dual weapons, another untrained bandit playing at overwhelming force. He died quickly, as he could not effectively turn aside my axe with just a pair of weapons.

 

The woman was an archer, wielding a shortbow. It's not the form of bow that could pierce plate armor easily, nor did she have that form of arrows, but I knew that they would hurt all the same if they managed to overwhelm my protective magic.

So I did what was wise, I raised a shield to protect my head and my heart, and put my shoulder and weight behind it as I got close enough. I forced the woman back into the wall, and knocked the air out of her lungs with the impact.

Then I finished her.

 

I saw the dead man once that was done.

Killed in his bed.

I don't know his name. I don't know his story... but I knew he wasn't one of the bandits. So... I lowered my hood and looked in his eyes. The bandits had left them open.

I closed them, that he might look to be asleep if one could ignore the bloodstains on his chest. Then I whispered a few words to Arkay, hoping that the God of Death might treat the man with mercy. He was not a Nord as far as I could tell, and he hadn't died of battle... but Arkay took those that did not belong in Shor's hall.

 

I saw that the building was a crude inn. A waystation for travellers. The old man was probably the proprieter, and the Innkeeper. I saw a strongbox on the counter, some scattered coins, and even an axe behind the bar. A weapon to scare off hagglers and lone highwaymen... and the old man was one after my own heart (and arm). An axe man, that one.

The items over the mantle implied that he was a hunter at one point in his life. I don't know if the stuffed sabercat head was his kill, or that of somone else who was willing to sell it. But the sword has seen use. Real use. Two handed, and forged from steel. The wear on it looks like a Vigilant's blade. Warping from intense heat, twisting patterns in the metal, chips along the side... that blade had a history of violence... and of shielding its master from a blow.

Soldier, Hunter, Innkeeper. I don't know who you were old man... but you lived something of a life.

 

With that, hopefully the last of the bandits, cleared up... I continued on.

The Pale isn't a very interesting place. It's basically one big cliff face where it isn't premafrost. Why anyone would willingly live there is beyond me, except maybe in Dawnstar. The Hold Capital has two thriving mines, one of Iron and one of Silver, in it. That does a lot for trade.

I did catch three members of the Legion walking along the road... in Stormcloak territory. The Pale's hostile to them... but I guess the Roads are safe enough. There's not much Guard presence in the Pale, beyond those in Dawnstar. Nobody wants to live anywhere else, and those who do aren't wealthy enough to justify the manpower.

Or at least, so I was once told.

I... caught sight of Whiterun shortly after I crossed the Hold Border. It's not the first time I've seen the City, as being a Vigilant does tend to make one well travelled, at least in one hold.

Dragonsreach still takes my breath away, even at a distance. I've walked in that hall, once. It's incredible. The Skull of Numinex rests over the Jarl's throne, and the hall puts every other Jarl's palace to shame.