'Halt! City's closed with the dragons about. Official business only.' Barked a guard as Shadow and Ziri stood before him.

'Please sir, we seek a bed in the nearest tavern.' The slender white Khajiit pleaded. 'There has been a terrible tragedy up at Helgen and we barely escaped with our lives.'

She batted her lashes at him and flattened her ears, appearing smaller than she actually was.

'You have news about the attack?' The guard grumbled.

'I didn't see it sir, but my little sister did.' Shadow said, indicating the smaller figure hiding behind her.

Reluctantly, the guard blew a short note on a horn at his side, the sound echoing off the hills around the city as the groaning of chains came from behind the great wooden gate. Two guards on the other side heaved against the chains and drew the gate open. The sisters shared a grin as they hastily thanked the guards at the gate, eagerly entering the first city they'd seen since Bruma.

To their immediate right lay a blacksmith, the awning of the building laced with pretty creeping ivy that provided green to balance the warm tones the city possessed, a pretty redguard working the forge there gave them a warm smile and a waved at Ziri. To their left two off-duty guards relaxed on a platform above the guardhouse, one calling a cheery welcome as he raised his bottle of mead to the newcomers.

Continuing up the street, Shadow and Ziri passed a modest home with a for-sale sign posted outside the door and a store named The Drunken Huntsman that had hunters coming and going with different luggage. The people they passed waved or at least smiled in greeting as they watched the awe come over the face of young Ziri. She had never been in a city more welcoming and homely than this one - the market they had just come into was bursting with colour and lighthearted chatter shared between customers who basked in the golden sunlight.

People of varying race and age were milling about, carrying baskets full of their daily shopping, hardly having time to offer the Khajiit more than a smile of welcome. A dark elf leaning against a pillar raised two lazy fingers and saluted to Shadow as she walked by, weaving through people to reach what was clearly the inn. A faded sign waved slightly in the currents created by the crowd, a painted horse rearing over a banner reading The Bannered Mare told the pair they had found their destination.

Waitresses came and went through double doors from the interior, bringing meals to the patrons outside, hardly sparing the khajiit a glance as they rushed about their work. Shadow pushed open the door and led the way inside, leaving Ziri to close it behind her. The innkeeper looked up from the mug she was drying, a tired smile coming to her face as she saw two new customers.

'Come on in. Let me know if you need anything, or take a seat by the fire and I'll send someone over.' She said in welcome to the two cats.

Shadow dipped her head and made her way to the bar. The taproom wasn't as full as it would be in the evenings, though nearly every table was taken. A fire burned low in a pit in the middle of the room, gaps in the roof allowing the smoke to escape. Shadow didn't doubt that later on it would become a roaring blaze to ward off the chill of the night. 

'I'm looking for work and lodgings for the night, as well as someone to watch the little one during the day.' She said, approaching the friendly Nord. 

'Work and lodgings I can do, but I can't watch your young. Talk to Olava the Feeble or Dancia up at the Temple of Kynareth. There are other children in the city if she wants someone to play with.' Replied the woman, rummaging under the worn counter for something. 'About work - the Jarl's men came by and left this bounty letter. Does that tickle your fancy?'

Shadow scanned the letter and, finding it to her satisfaction, pulled a rather large red journal from her pack and noted down the requirements of the bounty and marked the location on her map with a stick of charcoal.

'About that room - how much for a night?' She asked.

'10 gold per night, not including meals. I'm Hulda, by the way.' The innkeeper introduced herself.

'I'm Shadow and that's Ziri.' Shadow replied. 'I'll take the room. Can you keep an eye on the little one in the evening?'

'Two eyes, as often as I can spare them. I'll show you to your room.'

'Ziri, go with Hulda and see where our lodgings are. You are not to leave the inn until I return, and if Hulda asks anything of you, you must do it. I shall return sometime late this evening.' Shadow ordered, handing her pack to her younger sister as she gathered her weapons and other combat effects. She did not take food nor drink, and was geared to travel light.

Having secured rooms for a night, Shadow left the inn and made her way towards the Temple of Kynareth in search of the Dancia kind Hulda had spoken of. Spending time in the company of priests and priestesses would keep young Ziri out of trouble. She was yet to learn all of the Nordic religion, but she recalled that one of the Stormcloak soldiers had worn an amulet of the goddess Kynareth and explained that her Temple in Whiterun was devoted mainly to healing and worship.

Not bothering to knock on the door of the Temple, Shadow entered and was greeted with the melodies of wind chimes stirred by a refreshing breeze. There was a mosaic depicting a bird in flight upon the floor surrounded by shallow pools of water that barely came up to ankle height. Priests and Priestesses moved smoothly about, preparing salves and bandages for their patients as their colleagues performed healing spells on them.

'May I help you?' Asked a voice.

A robe-clad priestess stood behind the Khajiit, eyeing her weapons that clinked as she walked. Warriors were not uncommon here, though usually they were the Companions, not blatant outsiders.

'I am in search of Dancia.' Shadow replied.

'You have found her.' Said the priestess, pulling back the hood of her robes.

Dancia looked to be in her thirties and a kindly woman. She smiled now, though warily, at Shadow as the cat observed her.

'May I be of assistance?' The priestess offered again.

'I understand you may be willing to have a young one around the Temple. I can assure you she would be an eager learner and would take to any task you gave her with great care. You need only keep an eye on her during the day, if you accept. I am more than willing to pay for your services.'

Dancia gave a slight bow, opening her arms gracefully in a greeting many priests and priestesses used.

'We would be delighted to train the child in the way of Kynareth. I presume you are staying in the bannered mare?'

'As of the moment, yes. I do not want to stay long though - I plan on finding a more permanent residence. Have you any recommendations?' Shadow asked.

'I hear Honeyside is up for sale - 5000 gold according to the Jarl's steward. Perhaps, if you're interested, you should see the Jarl about work. If by work you seek diving into dungeons with the undead.'

'I'll see about Honeyside. Thank you for agreeing to this - I'll bring her in the morning. Her name is Ziri.' Said Shadow, adjusting her bow over her back as she headed for the door.