The Dragonborn

Part 15

As much as the money appealed to Jack, he wasn't sure he should go on this 'favor run'.  The Jarl gestured for Mark to stand, before telling them casually.  "Since you survived Helgen, I have no doubt that you can preform this favor for me. Please, follow me to my court wizard. He can explain this grueling endeavor must better than I".  The Jarl gestured to an open room just off to his left, and casually started to make his way over there.  Jack grabbed Mark's arm tightly, before he could follow after him.  Whispering to him in a cautious voice.  "Mark, I don't think we should do this. We warned him about the dragon attack. I think we should go home now".  Mark leaned in closer to whisper back lightly.  "Jack, what if this is what Akatosh wanted you to do? The Jarl is only giving us this task because you survived Helgen".  Jack swatted Mark's arm hard, bitterly snapping back.  "I could spend my whole life thinking that Akatosh wants me to do this, or that! Were you even listening to what he said! He said no one he has ever sent has come back! Now, I don't care how much money he's offering. Let's just go home. Please"?

Mark shook his head, telling him gently.  "Jack, I guarantee you that 'THIS' is why we are here. Let's just hear them out".  The Jarl called out to them before Jack could think of a fast counter to Mark's logic.  "Is everything alright"?  Mark turned to face the Jarl, replying respectfully.  "Yes, my lord. Everything is fine".  Mark strolled off to join the Jarl and Jack scowled dragging his feet as he followed.  He didn't want to go looking for trouble... and that is what Mark was good at finding.  It made sense that Akatosh would send him on a suicidal path... but he didn't want Mark to be right.  Why couldn't he be sent to deliver a simple message?  The Jarl entered into the open room full of hanging herbs and shelves of dusty scrolls.  Standing behind the a long desk with one said scroll opened was a man in a blue hooded robe.  A court wizard.  The look was a dead giveaway.  The Jarl approached the desk, calling out to the wizard a bit sourly.  "Farengar? I think I have found some people who can help you with your dragon project. Go ahead and fill them in with all the details".  Farengar groaned, glancing up sarcastically from his scroll reading to look from Mark to him. 

Jack could already pin down his type.  He was one of those self-absorbed wizards.  Always lost in his work and hated being disturbed over trivial matters.  Jack had met a few back in Cyrodiil.  All the stuck up wizards seemed to work for those in power.  Believing themselves to be better than those below them.  Farengar rolled his eyes at the sight of them, dryly stating out.  "So, the Jarl thinks you two will be of use to me? Great. I doubt you will fair any better than the last ones".  Jack shifted his eyes toward the Jarl expecting a heated response from him.  However the Jarl simply folded his arms across his broad chest and stared Farengar down with a cool expression.  Jack could only assume that Farengar was a close friend, or had earned the right so speak so freely through some other means.  Turning his eyes back to Farengar, he saw the man step out from behind his desk to stand beside a large pinned up map of Skyrim.  Farengar crossed his arms over his slim frame and bitterly told Mark.  "I will need you to fetch a stone table from dangerous ruins that it may or may not actually be there". 

Mark raised a curious eyebrow asking back firmly.  "What does this have to do with dragons"?  Farengar raised an eyebrow in return, answering him a little amused.  "I have been doing research that has unearthed the existence of a stone tablet called the 'Dragonstone'.  On this stone it is said to reveal the location of every dragons burial site".  Mark shrugged, still confused.  Although, Jack was the one to ask Farengar curiously.  "Why would you want to know where dragons are buried? Are you suggesting that someone is bringing them back to life? Cause that is impossible. The power it would take to revive such a creature... no wizard alive could manage it".  Farengar stood firm and unfazed as he defensively shot back.  "That is none of your concern. Your job is to fetch me the tablet. Now will you go get it, or not"?  Jack stiffened up with rage.  How DARE this mage think he could talk down to him like this!  Mark gripped his shoulder to keep him in place, as he asked Farengar calmly.  "Where can we find this tablet of yours"?  Farengar uncrossed his arms to point at a spot on his map, telling them simply.  "It is rumored to be in Bleak Falls Burrow. An ancient nord burial tomb". 

Mark nodded and tried to steer Jack out, but Jack brushed off Mark's hand from his shoulder.  Staring down Farengar with sharp eyes as he defiantly asked him.  "Where did you get all this information from, huh? If your research dug this up, then let's see it! Cause from what I've heard you don't know anything about this tablet. Your research should have told you exactly where the tablet is! Not based off some rumor. So, why are you after this thing, huh"?  Farengar moved casually back to look over his scroll, half-ignoring Jack as he coolly answered in a distracted tone of voice.  "I have my sources and that is all 'you' need to know. Now go fetch me that tablet. I'm busy".  Jack scoffed loudly and made to lunge behind the desk, when Mark grabbed his shoulders firmly and pulled him back against his chest.  He wasn't going to hurt the asshole... just beat him into oblivion!  How DARE he treat him like this!  Mark kept him in a firm hug as he told the Jarl respectfully.  "My lord, it shall be done".  The Jarl smiled warmly at Mark, telling him happily.  "I wish you luck. Succeed at this and I'll reward you both. Whiterun will be in your debt". 

Mark forced Jack from the room, practically dragging him out of the keep.  All the while, Jack bitterly told Mark.  "Can you believe the nerve of that guy?! If you hadn't grabbed me, I would have clobbered him! That son of a bitch! Talking down to me like that! I bet I'm a better wizard than him! Sending us on this stupid errand with no real facts! What a mother fucker"!  Mark chuckled softly, telling him calmly.  "Save you're energy, Jack. He's an asshole sure, but he is protected by the Jarl. A trusted adviser. Now I will admit, the whole thing has me suspicious too. That is why I think we should go after this tablet".  Jack slipped from under Mark's arm to descend the stone steps as he shot back bitterly.  "Why?! Let the asshole go retrieve it himself"!  Mark stopped Jack with a firm hand to his chest, whispering softly to him in a stern voice.  "Jack, you want to know what he's up to, don't you"?  Jack nodded and Mark continued on.  "Then we go and find out. Simple as that".  Jack nodded again, starting to follow Mark through the upper district.  Only to solemnly tell him.  "But Mark... Hadvar told me that place is haunted". 

Mark patted Jack on the back with a sly smile, asking him playfully.  "Where did all that fight go? Just a few seconds ago you sounded like you could take on a dragon! And now you're afraid of some ghosts"?  Jack swatted Mark's arm, mumbling back a little embarrassed.  "Shut up. Dealing with a cocky wizard is one thing. A ghost is an entirely different matter. They're already dead".  Mark ruffled his green hair playfully, before telling him sweetly.  "I think I know something that will cheer you up and we can't go on our little adventure without them".  Jack raised his eyebrow curiously as Mark lead him out of the hold and toward the Whiterun stables.  To Be Continued...