3 Tests

Tonight, the 23rd of Frostfall, I rest high in a tower to the west of Whiterun.  Having searched out all I could find in the library, I decided it was time to seek out the staff of Magnus to see if the power of the orb has anything to do with this.


No dragons made an appearance on the long journey back.  I'm getting to know the road well between the college and Whiterun, though I do stop for the sites.  Too little time.

Arriving in town, the guards told me I was summoned to the Jarl and escorted me up into those noble halls.  I was uncertain as to my crime, but found instead that I was was to be recognized for my role in defending the western tower and the slaying of that first dragon. He named me Thane of Winterrun and assigned a personal guard to me.  Lydia, the epitome of a northern Nord woman.  I would not want to fight her.

My first test for her was a loyalty test, as I told her I was seeking secret chambers in the keep.  We searched but could not find them.  I didn't share with her that I was looking for the ancient dragon cell from the which the keep takes it name.  I found hints that spaces lay below the dungeon, but could discover no way in.

But she kept my trust and shared out mission with no one.  So I upgraded her gear, enchanting some armour for her with the court mage's device.

Returning home I found a letter from my cousin the south.  Indeed our family does have estates, at least my grandmother's family does, not all that far supposedly from here.  A place called Dragon Falls Manor.  How appropriate.  Supposedly on the lake near Ivarstead.  I may pass near there on the way to the staff of Magnus.

My second test for Lidia came the next morning at the 4th candle.  I had heard of bandits camped in the cliffs below the town that no one, not even the town guard, wished to handle.  Lidia handled herself incredibly.  The only real challenge for her was the mage, who I handled but he was a challenge for me as well.

The next day was the 22nd of Frostfall.  I had planned to begin our journey east for the staff.  Instead it became our third day of testing.  For we were tested in the crucible of combat as just outside the bridge spanning the river to the east of Winterrun we were attacked by a ferocious blood dragon. This one did not want to die.  The garrison in the region suffered heavy casualties.  Lydia's bow sang and I brought the power lightening from the sky.  In the end, with a wound dragon on the ground, but yet dangerous in pain and rage, Glamdring once again drew forth its soul.

We continued onward, stopping the bury the body of a dead Vigiliant we discovered on the road, burned beyond recognition.  That afternoon I saw a glimpse of a ritual stone on teh hillside above.  I had Lidia guard the horses and went up to examine its type.  I was accosted by a twisted mage of death - sending resurrected skeletons after me.  Magic seemed to have little effect on these, but Glamdring saw them done.  The mage didn't fare much better.

Early evening we were approaching Valtheim Towers only to be attacked by bandits who had taken up residence here.  I begin to wonder if anyone does an honest days wage outside the cities.  Bows were very handy as it was mostly a ranged battle until their chief and a couple of warriors tried to swarm us.  They did not expect the power of the word. We discovered quite a stash of weapons and armour.  Some enchanted and also the family sword of young guard I knew from Winterrun.  So we backtracked the next morning to return the sword, check the enchantments on the weapons to see if their mysteries could be unraveled.

By the 24th of Frostfall we were back and spent the night ready to journey forth on this morning of the 25th day of Frostfall.  Tomorrow, it will be ten weeks since the attack on Helgen.

My gift is returning, perhaps aided by the dragon blood or power or whatever it is that is coming alive in me.  My arm begins to feel as strong as always.  Soon we shall set forth for new lands.