14 A Thane?

Broad wooden gates opened revealing a dishevelled duo, grime, mud, and blood covering their bodies. Dripping bits a dirt soiled the floor of the great great.

"Hey, Ciri." Lucius got the attention of the girl beside him. "Is there anything you'd want to do while we're here?... I think we deserve a little break." He finished, when the girl looked up to him.

"Hmm, i'm not sure. Do you have concoctions in this world?... Alchemy, i guess you can call it." She queried.

"Yes, although i didn't expect something like that to interest you." He said. "Any reason why?"

"The Witchers i mentioned relied on potions a lot, and even if they are toxic to humans some of them are really useful. I imagine i wouldn't have my organs coming out my mouth if i made potions in this world..." Ciri informed Lucius.

"You'd hope so. It all depends on the alchemist in my experience. I've only ever made cure disease and poison potions so i don't think i'd be much help there." Lucius said to the girl.

"What about you. Do you want to learn anything?" She asked him, as they began to climb the steps up to the dining area of Dragonsreach.

"Blacksmithing perhaps. I can enchant objects with my own magic as fuel, but the problem is you need an object to enchant...And preferably a human soul." Lucius mumbled the last bit out.

"Hmm, blacksmithing is great skill to have. I'm sure i spotted a giant forge as we climbed to the cloud district, under some eagle statue i think." Ciri hummed a response.

"Soo, take a week break where we learn or do our own thing? Could be pretty fun, honestly." Lucius sprung an idea.

"Are you trying to get rid of me, Lucius? It won't happen so easily, you know?" Ciri laughed.

The pair reached the top of the steps when the Jarls brother spoke to them.

"We were just talking about you. My brother needs a word." Hrongar said.

Lucius and Ciri approached the seated Jarl.

"So what happened at the watchtower? Was the dragon there?" The Jarl demanded.

"The watchtower was destroyed." Ciri informed, then looked at Lucius. "But, we killed the dragon." She finished.

"I knew i could count on Irileth, but there has to be more to what happened." The Jarl stated.

"Turns out. I may be something called the dragonborn. When the dragon died, i absorbed some kind of power from it." Lucius said.

'He'd find out eventually.' He thought.

"So it was true. The Greybeards are truly summoning you." Jarl breathed out.

"The Greybeards?" Ciri asked.

"Masters of the Way of the Voice. They live in seclusion high on the slopes of the Throat of the World." The Jarl answered.

"What do these Greybeards want with me? I won't be some tool for war, or converted to a celibate hermit because of some dragonblood. I happen to like a good fuck now and then." Lucius said forgoing formalities, causing Ciri to hide a rising laugh.

"Haha! You won't have to worry about that, friend. The Dragonborn is uniquely gifted in the Voice - the ability to focus your vital essence into a Thu'um, or Shout. If you really are Dragonborn, they can teach you how to use your gift." Jarl Balgruuf replied, not minding Lucius's blunt response.

"Good. Now, please tell me there's a rift to the mountain." Lucius asked.

"No. All 7,000 steps need to be taken. Some call it a pilgrimage it may do you good." The Jarl hid a smile.

"If you really are dragonborn, Skyrim could use your gift. Go to High Hrothgar and learn you destiny." The Jarl's brother, Hrongar, said.

The Jarl stood up from his throne.

"You've done a great deed for me and my city, Dragonborn! By my right as Jarl, I name you Thane of Whiterun. It's the greatest honour that's within my power to grant. I grant this weapon from my armoury to serve as your badge of office. I'll also notify my guards of your new title. Wouldn't want them to think you're part of the common rabble, now would we? We are honoured to have you as Thane of our city, Dragonborn." The Jarl happily announced throughout his hall.

"He's trying to give you an incentive." Ciri whispered.

"You don't say?" Lucius replied. "About the whole 7,000 steps...You can just flash us up there right?" Lucius asked hopefully.

"Maybe~" Ciri winked, turning around to walk to the great wooden doors.

"Ciri, can you? I'm not climbing that thing!" He hushed in her ear.

"I don't know. Can i?" Ciri teased, with a little grin.

The mischievous girl let the elf panic, not noticing an armoured woman with high cheekbones, blue eyes, and dark ebony locks approach them.

"Dragonborn. My name is Lydia." The woman bowed with the utmost respect getting the bickering duo's attention. "The Jarl has appointed me to be your personal housecarl. It's an honour to serve you."

Nought but the gears in Lucius's mind and the uncontrollable laughter of Ciri was heard.

"What.... The Jarl said nothing about a housecarl." Lucius stated, confusion plastered on his face. "What exactly does a housecarl do, Lydia?" Lucius drawled.

"As my Thane, I'm sworn to your service. I'll guard you, and all you own, with my life." Lydia said, with almost no emotion showing.

"This Thane business? What does that mean, any duties or responsibilities for me?" Lucius asked the woman.

"I imagine defending the hold would be one." Ciri said after getting hold of herself.

"The Jarl has recognised you as a person of great importance in the hold. A hero. The title of Thane is an honour, a gift for your service. Guards will know to look the other way, if you let them know who you are." Lydia said.

"...Wait, that's it! I just get a some perks without having to do anything?" Lucius's suspicion grew.

"You're hero to our hold, my Thane. This title is a reward for your service in slaying the dragon." Lydia said noticing his doubts.

"Hmm, well. You can do what you want. I already have one runt following me." Lucius shut her down, walking out into the city.

Ciri poked her tongue out at Lydia before following Lucius.

"She seemed like she had a stick up her...And, i'm not a runt either!" Ciri punched Lucius's shoulder, catching his armour. "Ow!"

An amused breath left Lucius's nose. "I think there's an alchemist in the market. Do you want to ask about some training while i head up to that forge?" He asked, stopping at a withering tree.

"Sure. Meet at the inn then? We still have a lot of daylight, so at sundown?" Ciri asked.

"Sounds good to me. Use my title if you want, i don't mind. See you later." Lucius said, waving to the girl as he climbed the steps to a building made of an upside down boat.

"Bye now." Ciri waved back.

Lucius made his way past the mead hall and up to the huge forge.

An older man with a grey mane and long beard sat on the side, tending to a dented shield. He sported hide strapped armour and boots, studded with steel.

"Impressive forge, old man." Lucius spoke up, eyeing the gaping hole of heat.

"The Skyforge? Aye, my clan-fathers have worked it since the first Gray-Manes came to Whiterun. Skyforge Steel is all the Companions will use, for good reason." The blacksmith said, not looking up from the shield. "You here for something, boy? Spit it out, i'm a busy man." He finished with a gruff tone.

'Oh the doggies again. Interesting.' Mused Lucius.

"I'd like you to teach me the art of smithing, jewellery in particular." Lucius request, a nice smile painted on his pale face.

"You blind, boy? I'm a blacksmith. Any half-wit could see that. I make blades and armour, not trinkets." The man replied.

"I heard you were the greatest blacksmith in Skyrim...If you can't even craft a ring, what good are your swords?" Lucius kept his smile, even though his tone was mocking.

"Hrm." He huffed.

"Fine, i'll pay you. Is that what you'd want?" Lucius continued.

"My name's Eorlund. I'll teach you if you pass my test. How's that for you." He asked.

"Perfect, what's the test." Lucius asked.

"Find the owner of the shield and deliver it too them. I'll not give you any information." Eorlund seemed pleased with his challenge.

"That's fine with me. Shall i get started?" Lucius's eyes twinkled.

"Aye lad, on you go." Eorlund said shoving the shield into Lucius's chest.

'These Nords know nothing of magic.' Lucius grinned as he turned.

______________________________________________________________________________

More of a filler chapter to set up for the next two. Sorry.

Question.

Do you guys want to see them learning in depth or are timeskips fine? Example of the timeskip being:

(x day):

This happened so he learned this...

(y day):

this happened so she learned this...

Yeah, it's looking like some form of Serana romance will win, but there's still two days. Who knows what might happen. I'm still gonna write it my own way: So if i feel it doesn't work...it won't work. I don't want to ruin the feel or the story i have in mind for a romance.

I'll likely release a chapter again tomorrow morning and maybe another at night.

Also, review pls? No pressure i don't mind.

Have a good one.

Your "patently evil" Author ;)