Daybreak in Dawnstar

Middas, 30 Heartfire

Having determined that I would not give aid to the bizarre daedric dog, I next made up my mind to find some quicksilver with which to forge myself a suit of armor.  I also had in mind to return to the mine inelegantly known as Soljund's Sinkhole, near the Old Hroldan Inn.  When I passed there during my search for the Bilegulch Mine, I had learned that the mine was closed.  While excavating new tunnels the miners had broken through to an ancient crypt infested with draugr.  I decided that Lydia and I should return to clear away this nuisance.  

Eliminating the draugr within the mine was no great challenge, though climbing down the vertical shaft to reach the crypt proved more difficult than I expected.  I was pleased to find that in addition to the usual assortment of grave goods, the mine contained some rare alchemical ingredients.  But it is not a quicksilver mine.  Once we had claimed the not inconsequential reward the mine owner offered, I asked him if he knew of a good source of the metal I sought.  He told me that the best quicksilver mine in Skyrim could be found in Dawnstar.  I had yet to visit that town, nor was Lydia familiar with it. 

I was determined to go there at once, but then had to choose by what method we should travel there.  We could of course go on foot and learn the lay of the land between Whiterun and The Pale, but we would also face the greatest danger.  I could purchase a horse, but horses are costly and one of Lydia's few weaknesses - aside from her propensity to interpose herself between me and my foes just as I am about to blast them with flames - is her inability to ride.  In the end I decided that hiring a wagon to take us to Dawnstar in relative safety and comfort at little expense was the most satisfactory option.

Though Dawnstar is as snowy as Windhelm, I find it far less oppressive and gloomy.  The town is home to two mines.  With the agreement of the mine owner I was able to acquire plenty of quicksilver, and it seemed prudent to take advantage of the presence of the iron mine as well.  The local smith allowed me to use his forge, and in short order I had created the armor I desired, crafted in the style of armor worn in my homeland in the Summerset Isles. 

It was as well that I exchanged my old Imperial armor for my new creation before I went to present myself to Jarl Skald.  He is a staunch supporter of the rebels.  When I entered his hall I overheard his housecarl telling him that he feared the jarl had sent too many of his men to aid the Stormcloaks.  The jarl only scoffed at that.  I hadn't come to support Ulfric's rabble and so Jarl Skald had no time for me.  I cannot say I am impressed with him, either.

Lydia and I spent the night at the local inn.  The townsfolk who were present were all talking about a plague of nightmares that seems to be rampant in the town.  When I spoke with the local priest he begged me to accompany him to the Nightcaller Temple to find the source of the fearful dreams and eliminate it.  I agreed, but I didn't want to go at once.  I have a premonition that this task will not be a simple one.

We had hardly set foot outside the door the next morning when a dragon came swooping down on Dawnstar.  Fortunately the jarl hadn't sent the entirety of his guard to the rebels and their arrows were of good use in defeating the beast. I hope that I am not becoming complacent about slaying dragons.  They are not easy to fight.  Without the aid of the guards I would have found it difficult to bring this one down, for it would not land and put itself within range of of my axe.  My magic is not enough to combat such a beast.

When I had taken its soul and collected its remains, I felt that I had taken advantage of all that Dawnstar had to offer.  I wanted to range out into the countryside to see what sort of challenges we might meet.  As we began our foray into the snowy wilderness we encountered a band of Khajit traders.  I sold them some of my acquisitions and purchased some additional potions.  I also chatted briefly with their guard, who told me a tale of having been set upon by bandits and losing an amulet his mother had given him when he was small.  I felt sympathy for him as another warrior far from home, in a land where all who are not Nords are often treated with contempt.  I offered to recover the amulet for him. 

Outside the town we came upon an ancient ruin, long abandoned and inhabited by nothing but skeever.  Yet somehow past looters had overlooked a chest containing a few valuables.  Not much further on we met with a trio of bandits, though they did not prove to be those who had stolen the Khajit's amulet.  Making my way down to the shoreline, I discovered an overturned boat that had become home to mudcrabs.  The mudcrabs here are no less vicious than those found elsewhere in Tamriel, and I felt no guilt for adding their meat to our supplies.  Under the boat I discovered the remains of some poor wretch who had fallen victim to the crabs' fierce temper.  I could see what appeared to be a shipwreck not far away which I wanted to investigate.  Though I am not fond of the snow and ice that is so common in this land,  it is very beautiful, and at times I want only to stop and admire the view.