Chapter 82 - Windhelm

We took off in the morning!

Five Flame Atronach Horses carried everything we looted from the dungeons.

"Hooman!"

"Yes!"

"Sing a song!"

"You are a very demanding cat, you know that!"

"What does she want?" Jull said.

"She wants me to sing for her."

"Sing for me too." Jull rode closer and was making kitty eyes.

I can resist puppy eyes but not kitty eyes.

So destructive.

I used to sing with Svidi when I was young but now I can't sing like before. My voice changed for the worse ever since I reached the puberty age.

Okay, let's pick a good song...

'System! Look for the lyrics of that song... yes now keep it on view!'

"Ehem! Ladies, I present to you the mag..."

""SING ALREADY"" They both said in unison.

Okay,

"There lived a certain Dragon,

in Skyrim long ago,

It was big and strong,

in his eyes a flaming glow.

Most people looked at it,

with terror and with fear,

But to Dragon Cults,

It was such a lovely dear.

It could turn any village to cinders,

Breathing flames and fear,

But he also was the holy creature,

Nords would revere,

Al Al Alduin,

World's eater dry and green,

There was a cat that really was gone,

Al Al Alduin,

Skyrim's biggest death machine,

It was a shame how it carried on.

***

This dragon's just got to go,

Declared its enemies,

But the cultists begged,

don't you try to do it please.

No doubt this Alduin,

had lots of devotees,

Though he was a brute,

they just fell to their knees.

Then one night some men of higher power,

Set a trap, they're not to blame.

Come to fight us they kept demanding,

And it really came.

Al Al Alduin,

World' eater dry and green,

They shouted at him during his flight.

Al Al Alduin,

Skyrim's biggest death machine,

He fell down and said I feel alright.

Al Al Alduin,

World's eater dry and green,

They didn't quit they took out an Elder Scroll.

Al Al Alduin,

Skyrim's biggest death machine,

And so they send him in a time stroll.

Oh, those Nords!"

[A/N: I totally murdered 'Rasputin song.]

"Hm! You like it?"

"Did you just turn one of the most argued about historical events into a song for your cat?" Jull was giving me that look again.

"It was great wasn't it?"

"Sigh! Just leave me alone."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The journey kept going and I kept murdering more songs for Nefertiti.

After a day, we reached Anga's Mill.

Anga's Mill is a small wood mill built along the north bank of the River Yorgrim, west of Windhelm. The mill is owned by Aeri, a Nord woman who inherited the sawmill from her father who died in the Great War.

I made some agreement with her and paid her money to deliver lumber to Winterhold.

We spent the night near the inn in our camp then set out at the next morning. If we are lucky, we may reach Windhelm by sunset.

The walls of Windhelm started to appear after a few hours of riding.

Windhelm is a city in northeastern Skyrim, close to the border with Morrowind, and is the only substantial city in the Hold of Eastmarch.

It is not only the oldest city in Skyrim, but is the oldest continuously inhabited human settlement in Tamriel.

Windhelm was once the capital of the First Empire of the Nords and the old palace of the Ysgramor dynasty, the Palace of the Kings, still stands in the center of the city.

Windhelm was founded by the legendary Ysgramor and the crew of his ship, the Ylgermet, following the Battle of the Moesring in the late Merethic Era. (The Ear Before the First Era)

According to Nordic tradition, after the Five Hundred Companions disbanded, the Ylgermet's crew stumbled upon the barrow of Yngol, Ysgramor's son.

When Ysgramor looked south and saw where the White River flowed into the Sea of Ghosts, he decreed that a great city should be built there to serve as a monument to the glories of mankind, a place from where he could gaze upon the hill of Yngol's barrow, and a gateway to guard Skyrim's interior against incursion via the river.

Captive elves were forced to build the city in the architectural style of their captors, and it is alleged that as many elves died during Windhelm's construction as were killed by the Ylgermet's crew before they had arrived at the site.

The city's great bridge was designed to allow a vigilant watch on the White River for elven attacks, and Ysgramor's palace, the Palace of the Kings, towered over the city to show man's dominion over the very winds that had caused Yngol's death on the voyage from Atmora.

That was what I could recall about the city's history. It is not just a city. It is the stronghold of the human dominance over Skyrim.

Of course, the city declined after the War of Succession when the last Emperor of the Ysgramor Dynasty died which marked the end of the Nordic Empire. After that, Olaf One-Eyed became the king and the capital city title started moving from a city to the other until it reached Solitude.

Nowadays, lying near the coast on the very northern tip of Eastmarch, Windhelm is an extremely cold city and frequently experiences blizzards.

The main gate can only be accessed by crossing a long stone bridge over the White River.

The Jarl of Windhelm is Big Bad Ulfric Stormcloak, who resides in the Palace of the Kings.

Windhelm is going to be home to the Stormcloak Rebellion, so most people in the city will support them in the Civil War.

Due in part to this, anti-foreign sentiment is common in the city from the Nord majority.

Due to Stormcloak presence, Windhelm does not comply with the Imperial ban on Talos worship and features a Temple of Talos in the city. The temple and inn lie along the main avenue of Windhelm, in the Stone Quarter.

The oldest section of the city is known as Valunstrad, which means "Avenue of Valor" in the old Nord language, and contains the palace and several residential buildings.

Because of its proximity to Morrowind, Windhelm also contains a sizable population of Dark Elves, who sought refuge in Skyrim after the eruption of Red Mountain.

The Dark Elves are confined to a cramped slum below the rest of Windhelm called the Gray Quarter, previously known as the Snow Quarter.

The Dunmer are not violently persecuted, but the local Nords are suspicious and outwardly xenophobic while Ulfric Stormcloak turns a blind eye to their plight.

Argonians also populate Windhelm but are prohibited from entering the city itself and are forced to live and work on the docks.

We finally reached the bridge of the city and joined a long line of people who wanted to enter the city.

Previously, I banished the Atronach horses and carried the whole loot on my back. It wasn't something heavy for me but I am sure it was around 250 Kgs.

During the wait in the line, some people gazed at Jullanar who intentionally didn't hide her appearance. She was in the mood to make trouble.

Jullanar who is a half Nord half Dunmer may face double the prosecution from both races but I would love to see anyone so much touches her.

Having the thought dwelling through my head, my blood started boiling. For a second the people around me flinched in fright and didn't look at my Jull anymore.

Jull who was used to my impulsive sways of mood smiled at me and seemed to get faltered by my support for her.

Lately, I have become able to release my killing intent and overpower people with it.

It was the first stage of having an 'Aura'. One must release his overpowering bloodlust then control it accordingly.

It needed a strong concentration ability to not get consumed by the bloodlust and go all berserk.

I think it may take me a month to get a hold of this ability.

I also was talking with Jull about our future fighting style.

Up until now, we were really focused on everything but we needed to get specialized in a certain martial way.

Jull was a great archer, she could take on Aela the Huntress with ease any day. (made appearance in 'Tourism in Whiterun' chapter)

She also wanted to mix magic with archery.

I fully supported her in her quest and started developing a new way to imprint Runes on the arrows while shooting them.

Jull is going to be a [Magic Archer]. I think I will see some good results at the end of the journey.

I still haven't made my decision about myself as I am good at both combat and magic.

But I think something like [Melee Combat Magician] is something unheard of. Only spell blade practice the combat and magic separately.

Oops, I spaced out. My turn has come.

"First visit! Pay a silver for yourself. Two for her." The gate guard said.

Hmmm! Because she is an elf?

No problem! I can't argue with idiotic people anyway.

"What do you think you are doing? Do you know who are you scamming here?"

Another guard came out and scolded the guard.

I can't see the face under the helmet but he was clearly some of higher standing among the guards.

"Captain Ralof, I didn't know you are here?"

"No, you were just pretending to be stupid." Ralof replied, "This is the person who won the last tournament. Even the Jarl invited him to the city!"

"Sorry captain, I had no idea."

"Of course you had no idea, I am scolding you for trying to scam people!"

Ralof turned at me and greeted, "It has been a while friend!"

We shook hands and did a cool manly shoulder hug.

"Been a while indeed, hope you are doing well, Ralof of Riverwood."

"You too Jon of Riften."

"it's Winterhold now!"

"Why the change?"

"I gained the Thaneship of Winterhold few months ago?"

"Thaneship? And here I thought I became the captain of the gate would make me compete with you guys!"

"Worry not! I am not doing much better anyway."

I started a heated conversation with an old friend as he started guiding me beyond the gate.

"Do you still remember Ongeim from the competition?"

"Scar-Mouth? Yeah, I do."

"Did you hear anything about him lately?"

"Yeah, I heard that he became a captain of some ship and works for a mage. He is also recruiting people in Candlehearth Hall, the city's biggest inn."

I thanked Ralof for the information and asked for directions to the inn.

As soon as I reached the main avenue, I found a big central building with an inn sign. Much bigger than the game's version.

The building was originally home to a great warrior named Vundheim from the early Fourth Era. When he died in 4E 38 his son, Deroct, lit a candle above the hearth in his honor. Since that day, the candle still burns and as such, the inn owes its name to this phenomenon.

The inn is owned by Elda Early-Dawn, a middle-aged Nord woman.

Just as I entered the inn, a woman behind a counter greeted me, "This here's Candlehearth Hall. Great room's upstairs, an' there's a bed for rent on the ground floor."

"Where I can find Ongeim Scar-Mouth?"

"Another recruit huh! Captain Ongeim is upstairs."

I nodded and headed to the stairs.

"Boss!"

And as soon as I went up, he spotted me.

"Come set over here Boss!"

"Been a while Ongeim! Yes, Boss, Winterhold lost half of its liveliness after you left."

"Oh! What happened?" I asked as I sat down.

"The Pirates we were waiting for started moving just after you left!"

"Oh! Horrible timing!"

"It didn't end here! The old blacksmith died and left a lot of work to the amateurs."

"Oh! I neglected that possibility!"

"Well, I didn't want to waste our funds on expensive college items so I had an audience with Arch-Mage Nurina. She told me to go contact Sir Wulfur earlier than planned."

"Oh! Did you bring Wulfur? Well done!"

"We also came with the money you asked for."

"Good! I'll rest the night and go out to the docks tomorrow."

"What for Boss?"

"Ship Shopping!"

"Ship Shopping?"

"Yeah, will buy ourselves new ships."

"Amazing! This will be of help in the future for both protection and trading."

"Anything else you want to report?"

"Ah yes!" Ongeim came closer and whispered, "I met two Firemane ladies, one of them is probably the Boss's teacher."

"You met Hilda?"

"Yes boss, she said she will be monitoring the situation and will only support us only if needed."

Hmmm!

That's good news!

*Grurururu*

That wad my stomach demanding for food.

Strange! I started eating a lot lately. I don't know what is the cause of that but my hunger started becoming very demanding lately.

"I will order dinner before I head to bed. Let's chat and eat together!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-Bonus-

▪Back during the ride.

"Sing another song!" (Jull)

"Can you dance while walking?" (Jon)

"Yes, what do you want me to do?" (Jull)

"I'll sing and you dance while walking!" (Jon)

"Okay! I am down now, sing!" (Jull)

"Ehem 1, 2, 3! Kiki, do you love me? Are you riding?

Say you'll never ever leave from beside me

'Cause I want ya, and I need ya

And I'm down for you always." (Jon)