Isekai From Hell: Modded Skyrim

After get dressed in some fine merchant's clothes befitting a thane and slicking back my hair, I pull out a dagger and quickly shave the stubble that's grown on my face off.

Feeling a little refreshed from the earlier melee, I then make my way outside the inn meeting with Serana who states at me with narrowed eyes as if evaluating a cow to be sent to the butcher's.

"What? Something wrong? Not feeling hungry are you?" I ask Serana, taking a step back as I stare back at her, preparing to cast a flame spell should I need to dissuade her hunger.

"As if you could satisfy me." Serana says rolling her eyes before continuing.

"I was just about to say you clean up rather nice for a stray. Now let's get moving, I'd prefer not to dwell around such a boisterous place, it is... Exhausting." Serana says as she begins making her way towards Dragonsreach.

Making me jog a little to catch up as these clothes restrict my movement somewhat.

"Well, thank you for the compliment nonetheless. And should you need, I'm sure we can find something to sate your hunger." I tell her, remembering she hasn't eaten since I woke her up and we began our journey together.

"That's a nice offer, but I'm fine-" Serana says before she is cut of by a rather annoying evangelist.

"Talos the mighty! Talos the unerring! Talos the unassailable! To you we give praise! We are but maggots, writhing in the filth of our own corruption! While you have ascended from the dung of mortality, and now walk among the stars!" Heimskr shouts loudly in front of the shrine to Talos.

"Actually, annoying proselytizers make exceptional palette cleansers." Serana says, glaring at Heimskr as we walk past him and towards the staircase up to the jarl's palace.

"Ha, nice one." I say with a laugh as we make our way into the entryway of the place. Seeing dozens of servants and aids running about in a hurry as Balgruuf finally sees me and raises his voice.

"ENOUGH! Everyone out! I need to speak to my thane." Balgruuf orders quickly clearing out the room, save for Irileth and Serana. Both being reluctant to leave.

"My Jarl... I don't think it's a good idea to leave your side with the chaos going on outside the gates and in the temple." Irileth protests.

"Irileth, I don't think my thane posses a threat do you? If you're so concerned, you may guard the entrance to the palace." Balgruuf orders her as she eventually relents.

"As you wish, my Jarl." Irileth says as she walks past us, tensing slightly as she passes Serana.

As the doors close behind Irileth, we make our way up to the Jarl's throne as he rests his his chin on his closed fist, sighing in exasperation.

"And, who is this young lady?" Balgruuf asks looking at Serana.

"She's... An important client and prospective aid in the coming endeavors. She's been brought up to speed so we can speak plainly." I assure him.

"Alright... What in Oblivion is going on outside the gates?! I've been getting conflicting reports over the last hour, werewolves, traitors, and disappearing Khajiit." Balgruuf questions me heatedly.

"Ah, well you see..." I recap to him the events of what happened during the battle and my ascension to the position of Harbinger.

"That's unexpected... But, rumors about the curse afflicting the Companions have been making their rounds since my father's father was the Jarl. I never paid them much mind untill that attack on the guards some weeks back. I don't know how I feel about the Companions remaining in Whiterun if they're afflicted with this disease." Balgruuf says after some thought.

"Yes, that was an unfortunate incident that won't be repeated." I tell him as I recall a little of what I did after becoming a werewolf.

"However, think about all the benefits of having a troop of werewolves able to tear into the sides and rear of an enemy formation. They could be invaluable in securing your independence should Ulfric press you to choose a side in the civil war." I try to convince him.

"I will need to think on these recent developments... But, so long as the Companions don't cause any issues and keep their deadric ties away from the public... I'll allow them to stay. For now... I hope you know what you're doing, Silvantus. As for the other matter... Have you made any headway in securing collaborators for your... Grand ambitions, is that why she is with you?" Balgruuf eventually agrees to the Companions remaining before asking my progress on solidify my claim to the throne.

"That's not the intended goal of my employment with her, but I wouldn't object to the help." I say looking to Serana with a smile as she continues to look around the feasting hall with disinterest.

"We'll see, depends on how well he does his job." Serana says dismissively as she circles the edge of one of the long dining tables.

"Ha! I like this one, reminds me of my first wife." Balgruuf says with a laugh, relaxing somewhat from our earlier conversation.

"Yes, isn't she just a gem. As for progress, I've gathered a tribe of orcs and giants under my command and I have retrieved the Jagged Crown, next I will begin laying the ground work to secure the support of the holds of Falkreath, Hjaalmarch, and the Rift. But, I noticed you've been having an issue with refugees?" I give him an update while I start to get an idea on how to help each other out.

"Don't even get me started. With this war, bandits, and now the damned dragons... People are flocking to my city for protection and work since I've been the only one to remain neutral, but there's not enough work to go around and food prices are only skyrocketing. Aventus has been harping on me the last week about barring entry to non-residents and anyone not a merchant to keep down the growing number of food thefts." Balgruuf says in exasperation, rubbing his temple to alleviate a headache just thinking about his troubles.

(Author's Note: Hey everyone, hope you had a good holiday season. The big storm effecting the United States has slowed my submission time having to prepare and deal with the snow. Hope you enjoy.)