Flame-Child introducing One-Eye: Chapter Fifteen - The ReturningâŠ
 âUnderstandable. The Jarl will want to see you.â
 âIndeed. And I him.â
The soldier headed toward the throne room but was cut-off by another guard. âLady One-Eye! Glad to see you back in one piece maâam.â The girl saluted stared attentively at the soldier.
 The soldier sighed. âOne piece physically anyway.â
 âMaâam?â
The soldier called One-Eye leaned in closer and motioned the guard to do the same. âWhiterun was attacked.â
 âDamn Stormcloak bastards.â
 âActually Iâm not sure about that.â One-Eye said scratching her head. âActually only a tower outside of Whiterun was attacked, and the area around that seemed to have been razed by fire.â She shivered. âPowerful magicks were at work there.â
 The soldier shook her head. âNo. I donât know. But whatever it was, it wasnât human. And from what Iâve been hearing from rumors around the Whiterun-Riverwood area, if they are true, then this Civil War will be the least of our worries.â Seeing the guardâs face flush, the soldier patted her on the shoulder. âBut no worries, as long as we do our jobs there is nothing that can possibly breach Markarthâs walls.â She saluted and gave the girl a nod before continuing.
Heading further in, One-Eye could see the Mournful throne and her heart skipped a beat. (Igmund⊠my loveâŠ) She shook the thought from her head and continued walking. Her duty as a soldier and as a citizen of Markarth was to report her findings, and in her heart One-Eye knew this. Any feelings beyond this would have to be dealt with at a later time.
Just outside of the throne room the two guards posted were about to salute when One-Eye waved them off. âNo time for pleasantries I need to speak to the Jarl at once."
 The guards on duty simply nodded and allowed her access.
As soon as she entered the throne room a loud voice shouted, âHalt! Who dares approach⊠Heilda!â
 âIâm glad to see you as well, Faleen,â the soldier said, smiling. âWhatâs with the hair? One of the Jarlâs requests?â
 Faleen smiled. âIndeed. I lost a bet, and this is the result. But enough dilly-dallying. Please, approach the Mournful Throne.â
Heilda ascended the stairs toward the throne and stopped just short of it.
 âAh. So youâve returned, Heilda,â Jarl Igmund said finally acknowledging the soldierâs presence.
 She immediately took to a knee. âThat I have, and with grave news.â
 âSpeak.â
âMy lord, Whiterun was attacked.â
 âBy the Stormcloaks?â Igmund said. âDamn Ulfric and his men to Oblivion.â
 âNo My Jarl, it was not the work of Ulfricâs men.â
 âThen by who? Quick now, hurry and tell me girl!â
 Heilda swallowed hard, realizing how foolish her next words were about to sound. âI believe, My Jarl, and I say this with full confidence, that Whiterun was attacked by a dragon.â
 Silence fell over the throne room, everyone too stunned to say anything⊠that is until Igmund let out a laugh. âDragons? In Skyrim? Ha!â He rolled his eyes. âThis is all probably some ruse that Balgruuf, in his pacifist ways, is trying to put this war to a halt.â
âEnough with the jokes One-Eye and give me your report,â Igmund said.
 Heilda simply looked at the Jarl, which prompted his steward to act.
 âIgmund, please at least entertain the girlâs words. I would not believe that one of your best soldiers would lie to you outright like this.â
 âBut dragons? Really Raerek? Do you really believe that those creatures from legend have returned to Nirn? Do you know what that would mean?â
 âAye I do,â Raerek said. âAnd that is precisely why we shouldnât wave off the girlâs words. Divines pray that she is mistaken.â
Raerek turned to the soldier and said with a grave look on his face, âHeilda One-Eye, child of Markarth, warrior of the Reach, is the information that you delivered hear today indeed true?â
 Igmund looked from Raerek to Heilda both who seemed to be expecting something from him. âDammit,â he finally said. âIf the dragons have returned, then we must send word to General Tullius. Nowâs not the time for Skyrim to be fighting amongst itself.â
 âI will get right to it,â Raerek said.
 Igmund nodded then looked at Heilda. âYouâve done Markarth, no, all of Skyrim a great service this day. Well done.â He looked around like he was contemplating something then nodded. âNo longer will you be known by your failure, One-Eye. Go onward from this day forth and be known as Oath-Keeper.â
 âI think it suits you,â Faleen said, happily.
 (As do I.) âIt is an honor, My Jarl,â Heilda said, not able to mask the happiness from her face.
Igmund sat back on his throne and sighed. âNow then, it there anything else you have to report?â
 âAye, My Jarl. Apparently when they were dealing with the dragonââ
 âI need to see the Jarl! It is very very important that I talk to him!â
 âWeâll decide whether or not what you have to say is important or not,â said one of the guards posted outside of the throne room.
 âWould you like me to handle this, My Jarl?â Heilda said.
 Igmund slammed his fist on this throne. âNo⊠I will do this myself.â
 âAs you wish.â Heilda rose, descended the steps and posted up on a wall.
 Igmund took a deep breath. âGIRL, I SHALL GRANT YOU AN AUDIENCE!â His voice resounded throughout the keep.
The intruder eagerly made her way into the throne room. âThank you so much, your excellency. I was afraid thatââ
 âWho do you think you are to approach the Mournful Throne so flippantly,â Faleen said, scowling. âYou are out of your element Nord. The Jarl may have granted you an audience, but I suggest you leave.â
 âBut I have news regardingâ!!â Faleenâs cold stare stopped the girl short.
Igmund waved his housecarl off. âWho are you girl?â
 âLucari Pure-Shot,â she said, her fear of Faleen completely washed away.
 âWhat is it that you wish to speak of?â
 Faleen shot Lucari a look. âChoose your words wisely.â
 âVampires, Daedra and Forsworn have breached Markarthâs walls,â Lucari declared. âThe people arenât safe. Something needs to be done!â
 Igmund rose to his feet. âSo youâre the one who has been spreading vicious lies about my guards and the security of my city.â He clenched his fists. âI should haul you off to Cidnah for your fear mongering and blatant attempts at demoralizing my citizens.â
 âCalm down nephew,â Raerek advised. âJust like earlier, there may be someââ
 âI will NOT be calm Uncle. What I will do is end this nonsense here and now!â
âPure-Shot, what pleasure do you receive from this? Clearly youâre a wolf trying to set my sheep into disarray.â He looked Lucari dead in the eye. âBut youâve made a grave mistake, girl. I know who you are, what you look like, and from the rumors going about I know exactly who your accomplice is.â
 âYou donât understand! Iâm only trying toââ
 âIf your name or actions find their way into my ears again,â Igmund said, ignoring the girl. âI promise you youâll never see the light of day again. That goes for your friend as well.â
âThis is insane! People are dying by the day in your town and you choose to turn a blind eye to it?â Lucari said. âThis is crazy⊠this is madness!â
âMadness?â Igmund laughed and nodded toward his housecarl. âTHIS, IS, MARKARTH!â Cheers filled the keep at the sound of her decree.
âW-what is wrong with you people,â Lucari said, her eyes filled with bewilderment.
âIt seems that this creature canât seem to take a hint,â Igmund said as he sat back down. âMaybe the guards she thinks so ill of can help her with that. RAEREK!â
âHe means you should go child,â Raerek said. âUnless mining silver until you cough it up is how you envisioned spending the rest of your life.â
âThis is hopeless,â Lucari said. âIâve got to find her⊠sheâd know what to do.â The girl turned and ran from the throne room.
Heilda watched her as she made her way out of the keep. âThat was a determined look in her eyes, My Jarl,â Heilda said. âSheâs definitely going to stir up trouble if left alone for much longer.â
 âCan I count on you to handle her, if things get out of control, Guard Captain?â Igmund asked.
 âOf course.â
(Dragons, Vampires, Forsworn, Daedra, wannabe heroes, and a mortal that can slay dragons? Now is definitely not the time for war⊠Nor is it the time for Heroes to be cooped up in cities playing guard.) Heilda smiled having come to a conclusion. âI guess Iâll have to remind them all why I used to be called the Steel-Warden of the Reach.â (And maybe I can get my hands on the bitch that gave me the moniker âOne-Eyeâ.)
âACHOO!â
 âWhatâs wrong Inferno? Feeling a bit chilly.â
 âN-no.â Niyleen said wiping her nose. âI feel fine.â
 âThat bs about people talking about you isnât real,â Carciel said, rolling her eyes. âSo get your shit together Flame-Child. Weâve got recon to do.â