Day 183 – Returning victorious

I have to say that that was one of the easier tasks I've been sent on.  There was no undead trying to eat my face off.  No strange traps.  Just a few bandits trying to mine some iron.  On top of getting the task done, I walked out of there with a nice bag of iron ore to smelt and sell.

The Jarl was quite happy to hear the news that the bandit leader was dead.  He not only opened up the possibility of buying a house, but he said that I could become a Thane of Falkreath if I helped out the people of his town.  His indiscretion to hand out titles to anyone – even honorary ones – made me feel uncomfortable.

I tracked down the steward in one of the upper rooms of the building.  She told me that there were no homes available in the boundaries of Falkreath but there was property outside of town that I could buy and then build my own home.  I bought it – 5000 septums – with the thought that it would be an ongoing project to work on when work is slow.  This should be interesting….

I walked out to the building site later that afternoon.  It is quite a walk from town but I like that.  It's secluded and away from both roads that access the area, giving me some privacy and it has a nice view of the lake.  And best of all, it's far away from the young Jarl's schemes.  The perfect sight for a vacation home, if you know what I mean.

As I stood there, three men and a wagon arrived with some preliminary building supplies from the Jarl.  Along with a drafting table and work bench, he had been nice to include a chest with enough materials to make a simple cabin.

Though it was nice of the Jarl to include such materials, it still doesn't change my feelings about the man.  After being here for just two days and meeting the Jarl, I can't help but feel uncomfortable about the situation.  I'm wondering if, once my little cabin in the woods is done, I shouldn't return to Whiterun and the Companions.    My only other option is to stay here and see what I can do to right things here.  At least I have plenty of time to decide.  Building this cottage by myself is going to take some time.

Day 182 – Arrival at Falkreath

For all of the carriage rides I've taken in the last few months, today's was one of the worst.  I think that driver aimed for every bump and rut in the road.

It was mid-afternoon when the carriage dropped me off at the gates of the town.  I headed straight for the Jarl's longhouse – the largest building in town.  When I approached the throne, I was surprised to see that the Jarl was a young man about my age.

The task he has for me is a strange one – he wants me to kill the bandit leader in Embershard Mine, a mine halfway between Whiterun and Falkreath.  When I asked why, he mumbled something about how they were not paying him his cut.  My eyebrow went up at the mention of "paying his cut".  Aren't Jarls supposed to think more of their people than of the septums in their pocket?

But as Falkas once told me, "A job is a job."  So, I will go out tomorrow, track down this mine, and take care of these bandits.  Even if it's not for the "good" of the Jarl, at least I will be taking care of some more annoying bandits who raid our towns and rob people.

Day 181 - Decision Made

Kodlak came to see me this morning.  "I heard you received a letter."

I was surprised he had heard anything about my letter and then I realized Falkas is one of his most trusted advisors.  Of course he would hear about it.

I pulled the letter out of my trunk and handed it to him.  When he finished reading it, he looked up at me with tired, wisdom-filled eyes.

"When do you leave?" he asked.

"I don't know," I replied, "I don't even know if I'm going to accept the offer."

"Of course you will take the offer!  You do not turn down the summons of a Jarl!"

"But Whiterun is my home and I am a Companion.  My job is here, helping you."

"Whiterun will always be here.  The Companions will always be here.  A personal invitation from a Jarl asking for your help is a fleeting dream.  You should grab onto it and let it take you to new heights.  And when you come down, you will always be welcomed back here at Jorrvaskr.  Once a companion, always a companion."

I guess my decision is made.  I leave tomorrow morning.