All at once Sevria was awestruck with wonder and amazement at the bright, welcoming beauty of the city. Its stone walls towered mightily over her head, and she wondered what it must have taken to build such massive and powerful structures. Surely it must have taken years! Decades... to say nothing of the magnificent city around her! Everything looked so bright, and cheerful... it felt very much like home, despite being nothing like Valenwood. Children ran excitedly through the streets, the market district was lively, and the air was crisp and clean.
"Welcome to Whiterun, my friend!" Talsgar said happily, "Where your burdens may be eased, and your spirits lifted!"
"It is beautiful..." Sevria responded, sounding almost spellbound.
"Isn't it? Truly it is the jewel of Skyrim."
Sevria nodded and continued to walk through the city streets. There was so much to see! To her left was what looked to be a tavern, to her right was a blacksmith shop, and all around were residential houses with a humble and simple feeling to them. These buildings were different than the ones in Falkreath, yet similar in design; the wood was pure and white, with golden roofs that seemed to complement the warm atmosphere of the sprawling city. The ground was paved with stone, and grand mountains loomed in the distance. Just then, one of the children noticed and approached the newcomer.
"Hey! Are you new here?" The little girl asked.
"Yes, yes I am." Sevria nodded.
"Wow! A new person! I'm Mila, what's your name?"
"Sevria."
"Are you gonna be staying here?"
"Well I am just visiting... but perhaps I'll settle in one day? Your city is very welcoming."
"Thanks. Hey, wanna play tag?"
"Tag?"
"Haven't you played tag before?"
"Well, um..." Having lived among a tribe of warriors during a time of war, Sevria never quite got to enjoy such things as a child. "No."
"Really? Well it's where you chase someone, and when you catch them, they're it."
"Oh? And then what?"
"Well, then you run from the person and try to stay away."
"Who is the winner?"
"Um..... I don't know. I guess the winner is the one who can't get caught?"
"That's all?"
"Yep." She tapped Sevria's leg. "Tag, you're it!"
And with that, Mila ran swiftly through the streets of Whiterun. Sevria decided to slow herself down at first, so as to be fair to the little one, but quickly found that Mila's speed seemed comparable to her own! She sped up her running page as Mila turned a corner -- only to disappear when Sevria passed by it. She looked left and right, then spotted Mila running across the upper level of the city. How was it possible for someone so small to run so fast? Thinking quickly, Sevria climbed up the rooftop of a local shop, Arcadia's Cauldron, and sped nimbly toward the Wind District. At last she pounced down behind Mila and lightly tapped her shoulder.
"Oh darn, you got me!" Mila exclaimed. "Alright, I'm it!"
Sevria darted away in the opposite direction and climbed speedily over the market stalls of the Plains District. Swiftly she ran through the streets, narrowly evading the residents walking casually around the city. They were justifiably confused as to who this new person was, not to mention what she was doing rushing through Whiterun at such speed, but their glances meant little to Sevria. Playing this 'tag' game made her happy, and as she ran she could not help but laugh joyously, almost acting like a little child herself. At length she had lost sight of Mila, and so she stopped running to scout the situation. No sooner had she done this, when Mila popped out from behind her and tagged her.
"Gotcha!" Mila giggled. "You're it!"
"Oh no, no, no." Sevria laughed, catching her breath. "I don't have the energy. You win this time."
Mila laughed. "You're the best! Can you live here?"
"Maybe." Sevria shrugged, "I haven't had this much fun in ages."
A woman approached Mila. "There you are! I was wondering where you'd run off to."
"Oh, sorry mama."
"It's fine, I'm just curious about your new friend here."
"She's really nice, and she's great at tag!"
Sevria extended her hand to the woman. "My name is Sevria. What is yours?"
"Carlotta Valentia." She shook Sevria's hand. "I'm Mila's mother."
"It is a pleasure to meet you. Mila's a sweet girl."
"Thank you, she really is. Now, I'm afraid Mila's got some chores to take care of, isn't that right?" Carlotta looked at her daughter.
"Aww, do I have to?" Mila asked.
"Afraid so, kiddo."
Mila looked at Sevria. "Well it was nice meeting you!"
Sevria nodded with a smile. "You too, Mila. Have fun."
"Thanks!" And so Mila returned to her house, to tend to her and her mother's produce.
Carlotta looked back at Sevria before returning to her stall. "Thanks for playing with Mila. She needs more friends around here and most everyone is obsessed with the war that's going on."
"I have heard of this war." Sevria acknowledged, "But is Whiterun not neutral territory?"
"It is, but that doesn't mean people aren't concerned..." Carlotta sighed. "No matter. Enjoy your stay."
"I will, thank you."
And so Carlotta returned to her market stall, and Sevria returned to Talsgar.
"Had some fun, did you?" Talsgar inquired with a grin.
Sevria nodded. "Yes. Yes I did... I haven't run like that in ages. It was invigorating."
"Good! I'm glad you're enjoying yourself."
"What about you? Have you enjoyed yourself?"
"I have, in fact. Bought myself a new blade from the smith, Adrianne Avenicci. Got a fine forge, she does... but it pales in comparison to Whiterun's most famous forge."
"There is another one?"
"Aye. Let me show it to you." Talsgar led Sevria up into the Wind District, and toward a staircase carved into the mountainside. At the top, Sevria beheld a grand sight: a unique forge, sitting beneath a massive statue seeming to represent a proud and mighty eagle.
"Behold the Skyforge!" Talsgar said proudly, "Where the finest smith in all of Skyrim, Eorland Gray-Mane, crafts the greatest steel weapons in Tamriel!"
"Incredible... are they for sale?"
Talsgar laughed. "No, no... at least, not to us. Gray-Mane reserves his steel for The Companions, a guild of warriors who make their home in Jorrvaskr, the grand mead hall right over there."
"Oh, I see. Well this is still very impressive."
"Aye, it is. You might want to consider joining the Companions sometime; they're a fine guild, and from what I hear, they're hiring new recruits."
"Oh, I couldn't possibly join their ranks; they want warriors, no doubt, and I am just a humble archer."
"But you've a stout heart and a mighty spirit. We Nords value that sort of thing."
"Thank you... but for now, I shall remain a wandering huntress. It is what I am comfortable doing."
Talsgar shrugged. "Suit yourself. Now, what say you to a nice mug of mead? You look like you could use one."
"I have grown fond of mead, yes. Where might we find it?"
"At the Bannered Mare, in the Plains District. Come with me."
Sevria followed Talsgar's lead once more, as he led the two of them to the Bannered Mare tavern. Once inside, the inkeeper Hulda recognized Talsgar instantly and welcomed him.
"Ah, Talsgar!" Hulda called out, "Good to see you again, friend! Who's this that you've brought with you?"
"Her name's Sevria." He replied, "She's a visitor from Valenwood lookin' to see what all Skyrim has to show her."
"Well take a seat by the fire, you two, and we'll see about showing her our fine drinks."
Sevria took a seat and was offered a mug of some specialty mead. "Here, give this a try." Hulda said, "Right from Honningbrew, the best meadery in Whiterun. 'Few mugs of this and you'll know why Skyrim's called the mead capital of Tamriel."
Sevria nodded and sipped her drink. "Wow... it's sweet like other mead I've tasted, but... different... in a good way. What's in this?"
"Dunno. Honningbrew's always been good about keepin' their ingredients a secret." Hulda explained, "Don't want other meaderies like Black-Briar catching wind of them."
"Others? There are others?"
Hulda nodded. "I can only think of Honningbrew and Black-Briar off the top of my head. I'm sure there's others, but they aren't as well-known... not to mention cheaper."
"It is bad to sell cheap mead?"
"The cheaper the drink, the cheaper the quality. That's why we prefer the more expensive mead around here."
"I see. That does make se--" Sevria's attention was suddenly diverted to one particular man in the tavern: the bard, Mikael, singing his song 'Ragnar the Red'. As he performed, Sevria found herself nodding along with the beat of the tune, and becoming entranced by Mikael's singing voice. After he finished playing his song, he took note of the visitor and approached her.
"Good day." He said, "Don't think I've seen you around here before."
"I've only just arrived here." Sevria said with a nervous tone, though she did not understand why she felt so jittery. "My friend here offered to buy me a drink, so he brought me to your inn."
"Ah, I see. It's good to see a fresh face around here... goodness knows Skyrim is in great need of more lovely ladies like yourself."
Sevria blushed, though it was difficult to tell due to her skin tone. She chuckled at Mikael's compliment, but Talsgar kept an eye on him... he could tell that something was up.
"Where do you hail from?" Mikael inquired.
"Valenwood, originally. Things got... complicated... so I've come to your homeland. I have seen many great things here."
"You're a traveler, eh? No doubt you come with great stories of adventure and discovery."
"Some... writing new ones every day."
"You know, stories about travels can make for some of the finest songs. Perhaps you would like to help inspire some of mine? Though truthfully... your beauty could inspire plenty on its own."
Sevria blushed again and giggled innocently. "W-why thank you... you say such heartfelt things. Do you treat all newcomers this way?"
"We don't get many newcomers around here. I'm being as sincere right now as I've ever been."
"You flatter me."
"Come... if you would... I would very much like to write a new piece, with your help... and your inspiration."
Before Sevria could answer, Talsgar interrupted. "I'm sorry to intervene, but Sevria's had one drink too many... I can see it in her eyes. She needs to lay down for a moment."
"Oh?" Mikael responded, "Well, if you insist. Not everyone's got a head for mead, I guess."
Nodding curtly, Talsgar led Sevria to the guest room upstairs and closed the door behind them.
"Why did you do that?" Sevria asked, "He wanted my--"
"He wanted something, yes. But that man is not to be trusted... let's just say he cares more for your beauty than for your stories."
"He does? How could you tell?"
"I've dealt with him before... I don't wish to burden you with details. In any case, you do look weary... I've already purchased this room on your behalf, so don't fret over the cost."
"Thank you... you have been most considerate." Sevria said politely, laying herself on the bed as Talsgar pulled the sheets over her.
"Consider it my way of saying thanks for saving my life twice." He replied, "Now I'm afraid I cannot remain here; I've received a letter from the Bards College of Solitude that my services are needed there."
"Shall we meet again, my friend?"
"If the gods wish it... or if you ever happen by Solitude."
"I shall remember that.... until next we meet, Talsgar."
"May the gods watch over your travels, Sevria."
And with that, Talsgar the Wanderer departed from the Bannered Mare, as Sevria drifted off into a serene and peaceful sleep...
