<div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;">The Bannered Mare</span></div><br/>Lethander seemed to grow worried when Ru rose from her seat. His eyes stayed on her as she ventured about the room, though they quickly locked upon her motions and the drawing as she came back to the table. The Captain analyzed the sketch before him, and his eyes narrowed as she explained what it was. It was obvious he wasn't familiar with magics, but he was familiar with tactics used by mages. So it seemed he understood what she was saying, and an exasperated sigh left his lips at her theory. As she continued with questions about the Jarl, it seemed he couldn't help but let out a dark chuckle.<br/><br/>The Captain leaned back a bit then, and with a finger tapping the table he began to explain.<strong>"Whiterun is at the center of Skyrim. There is no shortage of people that'd want to take it fer their own. Control of Whiterun would be the first step toward controlling the cenrtal plains, and that would be useful to anyone who wanted to take control of the region."</strong>The words seemed dark, like he was reflecting on a fact that often gave him trouble when he was charged with the defense of it. The Captain didn't seem a man to back down from that sort of task, though; and it showed with determination in his eyes.<br/><br/><strong>"As fer what they may want; well, there is something. The Item came into the Jarl's possession some years back. I can't say with certainty what it is, or even if it's to blame at all. He didn't mention it to Lucretia, and she's the one who gave it to em in the first place. She's a member of the Blades; or was until a year past."</strong>Lethander explained, giving her more information then he should have on the subject. It was obvious the Captain wouldn't normally have given such things away, but it seemed he was beginning to trust her. And trust from a man who's job was to be suspicious of others, wasn't something easily gained.<br/><br/>Lethander's eyes narrowed a bit more, though; and sigh followed as he shook his head.<strong>"Even still, that wouldn't explain it all. One item wouldn't draw the Thalmor. It'd be a prize fer sure, but if they are here they'd want the Keep. Beneath it rests a Dragon, and the hold itself is more valuable to their kind then anything it may house."</strong>He explained with certainty, seeming to be sure that this wasn't merely an attack on Whiterun; this was the start of a full scale invasion on Skyrim as a whole.