[Encanto] 26 – Whiterun Part 2

Stepping past the gates of Whiterun, I was half expecting to see the two Redguards that harrass the player or the blacksmith getting talked to by one of the clans, requesting weapons for the war. It was a scene that was ingrained in my memory with how many times I had to restart the game in my Legendary No Death runs. I knew about every inch of Whiterun from memory, as well as all of the possible quests associated with the city and the surrounding area.  If there was any province in which I spent the most time, it was undoubtedly Whiterun's hold. I knew every inch of the valley, every location, every nook and cranny.

I could already see significant differences between Whiterun and what I knew. For one, the lower district, which probably had a dozen or so houses, was multiple times larger than it was shown in the game, and Dragonsreach, which was visible from here, was even grander than what I remembered. 

Part of me expected it, but even still, it was better than I imagined. There were so many new things I could explore and learn, and I couldn't wait, but for now, I had some business I had to do. 

The first thing on my to-do list was to visit the Priestess of Kynarath, who oversaw the Gildergreen, the ancient tree at the center of the cloud district and in front of the Companion's hall. I wanted to see if I could lend her a helping hand and if possible, see if I could fix the Gildergreen before it began to die, if it hasn't already, that is.

I knew it might be a long shot, but if need be, I can always get Eldergleam Sap or a new sampling. That's what the Gildergreen originated from, after all. The Eldergleam was an ancient tree, one so old no one knew how old it was exactly; it was so old that it had a whole host of Spriggans protecting it if the player decided to carve away at the tree, harming it, to get the sap.

As I walked through the lower district, I noticed many glares directed my way, but many more people ignored me, focused on their work or daily lives. Guards patrolled the streets and guarded the market, many keeping an eye on me due to my robes. Even now, Whiterun was more accepting of Mages than most of the other Holds.

Once I reached the market place in front of the Bannered Mare, the General Store, and that one Alchemy Shop, it was far larger than I expected, dozens of stalls, merchants selling their goods, townspeople buying things, mercenaries, guards, and so much more.

Stepping up to a stall that looked to be selling some food, I asked, "Hello there! How much for a sweet roll?"

"Six septims," the breton woman informed me.

Smiling, I grabbed ten septims and placed them on the counter, taking a sweet roll for myself in the process. "Thank you!"

"Divines bless your heart!" Called out the woman from behind me as I turned around and headed up for the cloud district. Feeling a bit better, I took a bite out of the sweet treat and started climbing up the stairs to the plaza that held the Gildergreen and the small temple for Kynareth and a small shrine Talos, and as I reached the top of the stairs, the Gildergreen stood before me, its thick roots digging into the earth while its trunk stood tall.

Yet...it was not as magnificent as I expected. It was slowly withering, even now. Part of me wanted to reach out and try to restore its prime, but I stopped myself, instead focusing on the many people around the tree looking at it with complex expressions. Some saw it for its slowly deteriorating beauty; others looked upon its branches with worship for the Divine, praying, while some looked at the Gildergreen like it was a waste of space, nothing special.

Little did they know how wrong they were. I could see what it was and what it could be.

Walking past the crowd, I stepped into the Temple, where I could see multiple priests and priestesses taking care of those in need, whether it be a guard who had an injury to his hand or a farmer with a bloody knee. This was a place of healing, and this was primarily why I chose to stop by. I wanted to see if I could offer my services free of charge.

"Excuse me?" I spoke up, stepping up to one of the hooded Priests.

"Yes, what may this humble servant of Kynareth do for you?" The Priest asked, giving a slight bow in greeting.

"I'm an Expert-ranked Mage with the College of Winterhold, trained in Restoration magic. Is there anything I can do to help?" I asked directly, noting the man's brief surprise before he schooled his features.

"An Expert-ranked Mage? May I ask why you seek to help us with those in need?" The Priest asked with a hint of suspicion before the Head Priestess spoke up from behind him.

"It is not our place to question those who wish to help, Lothar. She wants to help," The Head Priestess of Kynareth chided the younger priest before turning to face me.

"Greetings, my name is Danica Pure-spring. I am the Head Priestess of Kynareth in Whiterun. How may I be of assistance?" Danica asked,

"It's nice to meet you, Priestess Pure-spring. My name is Salem, and I am a Mage with the College of Winterhold. As I told the Priest right here, and as you had overheard, I wanted to offer any help I could give within my realm of expertise, I am a somewhat accomplished Restoration Mage, and trained to deal with all manner of injuries, sicknesses, and natural health conditions," I introduced myself with a bit of flair, conjuring a pulsating sphere of magic that orbited around my hand, golden and visible to the naked eye.

She looked at me with an appraising eye before speaking up, "You do not mind if I test your skills, do you? And I hope you know we do not have much money to offer you if that is what you are looking for."

I shook my head, the pulsating orb of magic above my hand dissipating back into Magicka, and I reached out and took it back into my body. "I do not need money; I only want to give what aid I can."

"I see," Danica expressed a hint of disbelief and surprise before she beckoned me to follow.

"Come, let's go see who needs help," she spoke, eyes already focusing on the nearly two dozen people sitting around the temple, some hurt, some seeming fine, and a few who were profusely bleeding, getting tended to by some of the other Priests.