We might have to share the top of that chain though. I've heard distant rumours from a forum far far away (spoiler forum
) that our bear brothers might return to Skyrim and bolster our forces.
Page two.
My shoulder was fully healed. I suppose that is the advantage of having beast blood. Though the pain really is excruciating. It has become a bit of a reflex, changing when you’re wounded. Though it does give you the shivers beforehand. As you know what’s coming next. Thank Talos I was getting used to it.
I decided to return to Jorvaskr. I took a chunk of the stone remains with me to show to the blacksmith. On my way to solitude I passed by the Elves’ fortress again. Reluctantly I greeted a patrol which was on it’s way there. Their leader nodded, but didn’t bother to look me in the eyes. Probably thought of me as a local hunting drunk. As his nose was pointing at the sun. And the sun… well it was midday..
When I arrived at Solitude I decided to stay for the night. I can’t take the risk of traveling with horse and carriage while the moons are out. I accidently changed once in a carriage. The owner was less than pleased when he came back after running off scared. The carriage was a mess, but so was the horse. Anyway, I walked towards the gates and as usual the guards greeted me and commented on the lovely weather. I nodded and passed through. I could hear the thick metal doors closing behind me.
At the Winking Skeever things were rather calm. The bard was sipping on a mug of mead and there was only one customer. I inquired at the innkeeper and asked why it was so quiet. He said that something had the people of Solitude spooked. Ghost tales from the local fishermen. He did not know the details though. I paid for a room for the night and decided I would pay a visit to the docks in the morning.
That morning I thanked the innkeeper and traveled to solitude’s docks. It was awfully foggy and there was something aerie about it. All the boats were still docked… I saw someone tying his boat to the dock and approached him. He was startled when he found out I was standing next to him. Even though I could see the fear on his face, I could even smell it. This fisherman was scared out of his mind. I asked him what had him so spooked. He talked gibberish and said: “Fortress, black fortress, creatures, mist.” With those parting words he ran off. Probably to this home.
The word creature was something I immediately linked to the gargoyle I had fought the day before. But I hadn’t seen a black fortress. The elves’ fortress certainly didn’t seem like the thing the fisherman meant. I felt that I was running out of time, though I did not know what for. I ran to the Solitude stables and took the carriage to Whiterun right away.
When I arrived everything seemed normal at Jorvaskr. Aela tapped me on my shoulder. “Eased your mind?” she said with a smirk. Damn that woman. She’s way too smart for own good. “I ehh… There’s something I want to talk to you about, but I have to talk to Eorland first.” I said.
“Come to my room in the evening. I’ll have the mead ready.” She answered. Although I knew what she was aiming at, I feared we would have to save it for another time and I was right.
That late afternoon I went to see the blacksmith. “We need to talk.” I said when I approached him. “Can’t you see I’m working boy?” he replied annoyed, but he saw the look in my eyes and immediately changed tone. “Let’s go to my house, boy.”
We sat down by the fire. His wife Fralia offered me their mead, but I refused. “You’re not drinking, boy? You’re starting to scare me now.” Said Eorland. I laughed, though Eorland did not. “Out with it then.” he growled. I reached for the pouch and took the black stone out. I gave it to Eorland. “What do you make of this, blacksmith?”
“A piece of rock. Black as coal, though light does not seem to touch it. Where did you find it?” he asked. I told him about my recent encounter and what had transpired after. With a worried look on his old worn face that I had never seen before he sighed. “These are truly dark times.” He tossed the rock into the hearth fire and it dissolved with a thick blood red smoke cloud. I flinched and covered my eyes. After the smoke was gone I looked at Eorland who kept staring at the flames. “You crazy old hammer! Who knows what might have happened! Why did you toss it into the fire?” I asked angrily.
“Hold your horses, boy. I’m thinking!” He abruptly answered. He just kept staring at the flames and I was getting impatient. I stood up and asked: “Well? Tell me, old man! Why did I run into that thing and why was it there!”
“Sit down, boy, before you hurt yourself.” He replied with a surprisingly calm tone. But then it suddenly changed. “I said, sit down, boy ! Or I will fell you with my hammer, companion or not!” I obliged and sat down, feeling very intimidated. There was something about the old Graymane I could not put my finger on. Even though he was not part of the circle let alone the companions, something demanded respect from this man.
“That chunk of rock was part of a gargoyle. There is no questioning this. I do however want to know where it came from. If what I fear is true, then all of Skyrim is in great danger.” Said Eorland. “With all due respect, old man. But will you at least tell me what is going on?” I asked hesitantly, fearing being reprimanded again. “You’d best take your mate with you on your upcoming travels, boy. We’ll do some investigating of course, but there’s something I want to you to confirm.” He paused for a brief moment. “I want you to confirm if the Volkihar have returned…..”
» Fri Jun 22, 2012 11:05 pm 
, I swear it was a dragon convention or something. As soon as I left Ivarstead an ice dragon spotted me, I made quick work of it 
But as I made my way to Helgen another ., an ancient dragon this time and it was bouncing between attacking me and the bandits that have mad the ruins of Helgen their home. The dragon killed everyone within Helgens walls and then turned it's attention to me, a glorious battle ensued and the dragon was torn asunder.
