Chapter 82
After leaving High Hrothgar, Jarl Balgruuf made his way back toward Whiterun alongside Irileth, his ever-vigilant right hand. Their footsteps crunched softly against the frost-covered path as the cold mountain wind brushed past their cloaks. For a while, neither of them spoke, the weight of what had transpired at High Hrothgar lingering heavily between them.
Balgruuf finally broke the silence. His shoulders sagged slightly as he let out a long, weary sigh, the breath visible in the cold air.
"When I look at Ulfric…" he began, his voice low and troubled, "…my heart grows heavy. He wasn't like this before." His eyes drifted to the distant horizon. "We were rivals when we were young always competing, always clashing but I respected him. Truly." He clenched his gauntleted hand briefly, then relaxed it. "Now… I don't know what remains of that man. I still hope he can change." He turned his head slightly toward Irileth. "What do you think?"
Irileth slowed her pace by half a step and inclined her head respectfully. Her expression remained composed, but her eyes held unwavering sincerity.
"My lord," she said carefully, "forgive me if my words sound harsh toward your former friend." She straightened, meeting his gaze. "But you are far wiser and more forward-thinking than Ulfric. You are different, my Jarl because you place your people above your pride, your anger, and even yourself."
Balgruuf stopped walking for a moment. He lifted his gaze toward the sky, watching the clouds drift slowly across the pale blue expanse. Then he looked forward again, releasing a heavy breath that carried both resolve and exhaustion.
"Being a leader is never easy Irileth," he said quietly. "You must answer the needs of your people at every turn. Yet those same people…" A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "…are the fire that keeps you moving forward, even when your legs feel ready to give out." His expression darkened slightly. "As for Ulfric… perhaps revenge has blinded him. I won't pretend I understand his pain fully. If I stood where he stands now, I don't know what choice I would make." His brow furrowed. "He despises the Thalmor and rightly so but hatred should not cloud one's sight to the point where his own people suffer."
Irileth's gaze softened. She placed a hand over her chest and spoke with quiet conviction.
"My lord, I am proud truly proud to serve as your right hand." Her voice was firm, unshaken. "If you ever find yourself burdened beyond measure, please do not hesitate to rely on me. I will stand beside you and lend you my strength without hesitation."
Balgruuf turned toward her, surprise flickering briefly across his face before melting into warm amusement. He laughed heartily and reached out, patting her shoulder with genuine affection.
"And I," he said with a grin, "am fortunate beyond measure to have you at my side. Hahaha."
The two continued down the road toward Whiterun, the bond between Jarl and warrior strengthened by words spoken from the heart.
After walking for some time, an unnatural stillness settled over the road. Then silence was broken by a massive shadow gliding across the sky, briefly swallowing the moonlight above them. The air grew heavy, and a chill ran down their spines.
Their previously relaxed pace halted at once. Both of them stiffened, instincts honed by battle kicking in.
Balgruuf's eyes narrowed as he looked up, his jaw tightening. His hand hovered near the hilt of his sword.
"Irileth…" he muttered, his voice grim and edged with regret. "I should have brought more soldiers. This was careless foolish of me."
Irileth immediately stepped closer to him, her posture straight and alert. She scanned the darkened sky, muscles tense beneath her armor, yet her voice remained steady and reassuring.
"It's all right, my Jarl," she said firmly. "You chose not to weaken Whiterun's defenses. If you had brought more soldiers, you would have worried about the city's safety, wouldn't you?" She glanced back at him briefly, her eyes unwavering. "Besides trust me. I will protect you with my life."
With a sharp motion, she drew her shield. The metal rang softly as it locked into place, and she planted her feet in front of Balgruuf, taking a clear defensive stance her body a wall between him and whatever threat loomed above.
A thunderous crash followed.
The dragon descended from the sky, its colossal body slamming into the ground and shaking the earth beneath their feet. Dust and loose stones scattered in every direction. Its massive wings folded slowly as it lowered its head, crimson eyes burning with predatory intent. Then it roared an ear-splitting sound that echoed across the valley, declaring them prey.
Irileth did not flinch. She raised her shield higher, her stance firm, unwavering.
"Stay calm, my lord," she said without turning back. "I will protect you. If an opening appears… run."
Behind her, Balgruuf inhaled deeply. Then, with deliberate resolve, he drew the sword from his waist. The blade caught a faint glimmer of moonlight as he stepped forward and pointed it directly at the dragon.
"A king does not run and abandon his people," he declared, his voice strong despite the danger. "You are also a citizen of Whiterun, Irileth." He tightened his grip on the hilt. "It is my duty as a leader to protect my people and that includes protecting you." His eyes hardened. "Besides, fleeing from a beast that swift would be pointless."
Irileth turned her head slightly, surprise flickering across her face. Then she smiled a small, proud smile and stepped to stand beside him instead of in front.
"Heh…" she said softly, lifting her weapon. "I am truly honored to serve you, my lord."
Side by side, Jarl and warrior faced the dragon, ready to meet whatever fate awaited them.
The dragon's massive belly began to glow from within, an ominous red light pulsing beneath its scales. Heat rippled through the air, distorting the space around them. The beast inhaled deeply, its chest expanding as flames gathered in its throat.
Balgruuf felt sweat bead beneath his helm. His grip tightened around his sword until his knuckles ached. Beside him, Irileth lowered her stance, shield raised high, muscles locked in place.
So this is it…
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke. They braced themselves fully prepared to meet death.
Then
A deafening crack split the sky.
A bolt of lightning tore through the darkness and slammed directly into the dragon's head. The impact forced its jaws wide open, and the torrent of fire erupted sideways, scorching the ground far from them instead. The night was filled with thunder, sparks, and the dragon's pained roar.
Balgruuf staggered back half a step, eyes wide. Irileth sucked in a sharp breath, her shield lowering just slightly.
They had been one heartbeat away from dying.
Before either of them could react, a furious voice rang out across the battlefield.
"HEY, LIZARD!!! You'll regret ever being born into this world!"
The shout carried raw hostility, cutting through the dragon's roar like a blade.
Immediately after, a second voice followed calmer, weary, almost exasperated.
"Alex… that's enough. Don't get angry again," the woman said with a long sigh.
Balgruuf's eyes widened in recognition.
"Irileth… that voice "
"I know," she replied, already turning.
From the darkness emerged two familiar figures. Astrid stepped forward first, her presence steady and unshaken, while Alex walked beside her with casual confidence, lightning still crackling faintly around him.
Alex glanced at the scene and scratched the back of his head.
"Oh hey. Looks like you guys were having some trouble."
Astrid immediately moved past him and approached Balgruuf and Irileth, her eyes scanning them for injuries.
"Are you two all right?" she asked.
Balgruuf let out a laugh half relief, half disbelief as he lowered his sword.
"Yes, we're fine. You arrived just in time. If you'd been any later, Irileth and I would've ended up as roasted meat. Hahaha."
While the laughter still echoed, Alex had already stepped forward, placing himself between the dragon and the others. Astrid didn't stop him she didn't even look concerned. She trusted him completely.
Alex raised one hand.
The air distorted.
Invisible force wrapped around the dragon's neck, lifting its massive body off the ground. The beast thrashed violently, claws scraping uselessly against the earth as it was choked midair.
"You little !" Alex snarled, his voice low and dangerous.
He clenched his fist.
The telekinetic grip tightened. With brutal force, Alex slammed the dragon into the ground once, twice each impact shaking the earth like an earthquake. Dust and debris exploded outward with every strike.
Astrid, Irileth, and Balgruuf could only watch in stunned silence.
Irileth's eyes trembled slightly. So this… is his true strength.
She recalled how she had once underestimated him and silently vowed never to repeat that mistake.
With a final motion, Alex twisted his hand sharply.
There was a sickening crack.
The dragon's head snapped unnaturally, and its massive body went limp, crashing lifelessly into the dirt.
Silence fell.
Alex released his grip, rolled his shoulders once, and calmly adjusted his clothes as if he had done nothing more than swat an insect. Moments later, ethereal light rose from the dragon's corpse and flowed into Astrid its soul absorbed without ceremony.
Alex turned back toward them, exhaling lightly.
"Phew… looks like it wasn't an ancient dragon. Just a regular one." He shrugged. "Not too difficult."
Irileth finally found her voice.
"I… I can't believe what I just saw."
Balgruuf burst into warm, genuine laughter.
"Hahaha! It seems I owe you my life both of you."
Astrid shook her head politely.
"It's nothing, my lord. We were simply doing our duty."
Balgruuf stepped closer and patted her shoulder with gratitude.
"Even so, you could have chosen to walk away. Come allow me to repay your kindness."
Alex tilted his head, thinking for a moment.
"How about a house in Whiterun?"
Balgruuf's smile faltered, worry flashing briefly across his face. Alex noticed immediately.
"Of course," Alex added, waving a hand, "in exchange for the dragon's bones and scales. I know that right now, you can't just spend gold freely. You have your people to think about, don't you?"
Balgruuf laughed, feeling thoroughly exposed.
"Hahaha! Sharp eyes you have. Still, if I only trade bones and scales, my debt wouldn't truly be repaid." His expression turned sincere. "So let me offer this instead if you ever need my help, I will give it to the best of my ability."
Alex smiled and extended his hand.
"Deal."
Astrid nodded in agreement, her expression calm but satisfied.
The bond between them was sealed not by gold, but by trust and shared battle.
Alex suggested that they all return together, gesturing casually down the road toward Whiterun as if the recent battle had been nothing more than a minor inconvenience. Balgruuf considered it for only a moment before nodding in agreement, and Irileth naturally fell into step beside her Jarl, her alert posture never fully relaxing.
As they traveled, the tension from earlier slowly faded. Alex and Astrid spoke casually, their voices light, occasionally breaking into soft laughter. At times, Alex would demonstrate his abilities without warning lifting stones from the roadside with a flick of his fingers, stopping them midair, or casually dispersing them as if gravity itself answered only to him.
Each display left Balgruuf and Irileth visibly stunned.
Irileth crossed her arms, eyes narrowed in disbelief. Balgruuf shook his head with a dry chuckle.
"Every time I think I understand your strength," the Jarl said, "you prove me wrong again."
Alex grinned. Because he trusted Balgruuf, he decided to reveal something more. He tapped his chest lightly.
"I don't just fight with power," he said. "I also have an invisible inventory"
At his words, the dragon bones and scales far too massive to be carried normally vanished from the ground in an instant, dissolving into nothing. A moment later, Alex snapped his fingers, and the items reappeared briefly before vanishing again.
"It allows me to store items without carrying them physically," he explained. "Makes traveling easier."
Balgruuf stopped walking altogether, staring in open disbelief. Irileth's lips parted slightly before she quickly composed herself.
"…That explains a lot," she muttered.
With the burden removed, their journey continued smoothly.
Before long, the stone walls of Whiterun came into view, bathed in torchlight. At the gates, a guard straightened immediately upon seeing Balgruuf and struck his chest with his fist.
"Welcome back, my lord. The city remained safe during your absence."
Balgruuf nodded approvingly.
"Good. Maintain the patrols."
"Yes, sir!"
They passed through the gates and made their way up toward Dragonsreach. Inside the grand hall, Balgruuf was immediately met by his steward, Proventus, who hurried forward with visible relief.
"My lord! Thank the gods you returned safely!"
Balgruuf smiled, his earlier tension finally gone.
"Yes thanks to them," he said, gesturing toward Alex and Astrid, "I didn't end up as dragon barbecue."
Proventus turned to them at once and bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Astrid the Dragonborn and Alex, her partner. Because of you, our Jarl returned unharmed."
Balgruuf then gave his orders without hesitation.
"Proventus, prepare a house key for the two of them. Furnish it completely. And see to the dragon bones Alex brought with him."
Proventus blinked, confusion flickering across his face. Dragon bones were enormous yet neither Alex nor Astrid carried even a single bag.
Before he could ask, Alex raised a hand.
In the center of Dragonsreach's hall, the air shimmered. A massive pile of dragon bones and scales suddenly materialized with a heavy clatter, filling the room in an instant.
Gasps echoed through the hall.
Farengar, who had been observing from the side, froze for half a second then his eyes lit up like a child's on festival day.
"Incredible… magnificent…" he muttered, practically vibrating with excitement.
"Farengar," Balgruuf said firmly.
The court wizard stiffened.
"You may take half," Balgruuf continued. "The rest will be reserved for other needs."
Farengar's shoulders drooped slightly, but he quickly nodded, forcing a grateful smile.
"Of course, my Jarl. Half is more than I could have hoped for."
With matters in Dragonsreach settled, Astrid and Alex made their way to the house Balgruuf had granted them. When they stepped inside, they were greeted by an empty, dusty interior bare floors, scattered debris, and not a single piece of furniture.
The moment the door closed behind them, Alex staggered forward and collapsed flat onto the floor.
"Aaagh…" he groaned, spreading his arms. "I won't complain. I'm just… really exhausted."
Astrid looked down at him, amusement softening her expression.
"Well, the journey was long, and we didn't rest along the way either "
Before she could finish, Alex's breathing had already evened out.
He was fast asleep.
Astrid blinked, then let out a quiet laugh.
"You idiot…"
She lay down beside him, brushing a strand of hair from his face before leaning in to kiss his forehead.
"Good night, my love."
The exhaustion finally caught up with her as well. Moments later, Astrid closed her eyes and drifted into sleep beside Alex, the quiet house filled only with the steady rhythm of their breathing.
Status
Main level 40 -> 41
Perk Point 7 -> 8
Health 220
Stamina 200 -> 210
Mana 250
Alteration 78 ->87