Astrid
It seemed like time had frozen still within the Temple of the Divines; but the rising radiance of the sun gave the lady praying to the Shrine of Stendarr. The God of Mercy and Justice, Astrid thought. Dolwan was strong with this blessing. One of the priestess, Freir, walked towards the shrines as Astrid finished praying. "Have you been here all night, milady?" she asked.
"I've wanted to say a few prayers for the best from the War," she replied. Astrid took three septims and threw it into a donation plate.
"Would you care to break fast with me?" Astrid followed the priestess to the living area. Freir brought in pork sausage with pheasant eggs and poured two glasses of Alto Wine. Astrid pecked at the meal and took small bites. Freir took another sip as she noticed the noble's concern. "Something on your mind, lady Selwyn?"
"It's just…matters at the Blue Palace. Jarl Ophelia and her brother have been at odds for a meeting with Jarl Ulfric," Astrid answered. "She still believes that there is a glimmer that she can convince him for a ceasefire."
"And her brother is at odds with this notion?" The priestess took another bite of sausage.
"He is willing to muster his troops in the Reach to join the Legion and go after Windhelm." Astrid poured another glass of wine. "It's a good thing that I can turn here as a sanctuary. Those two would probably be enough to start a Civil War enough that Ulfric would be the least of the realm's worries." As she finished her eggs, she got up and sets her cup and plate aside. "If you could excuse me, I think I should be going. It would help to step out and get some air." The priestess nodded in agreement. Astrid left the Temple of the Divines and crossed by the training field; Legion soldiers and a few of Dolwan's men were training alongside each other. He said that he only brought fifteen with him from Markarth, but the times she passed the yard seemed much greater. She kept walking through the courtyard as some of the guards were clearing the way. "What's going on?" Astrid asked one guard helping a farmer move his cart.
"An order of Jarl Ophelia," he answered, "she wanted to allow Jarl Selwyn and his party to pass through. Astrid passed through as four her brother rode in on a black horse. Brynjolf was on his right and there was also this girl behind Barrett in a green dress with short black hair. Behind them was about twelve of his own guard; they wore grey-brown leather armor with a dark grey cowl.
Barrett dismounted his horse. Shadowmere, I believe they say is the horse's name, Astrid thought as her brother approached her. "Astrid!" Barrett shouted while hugging her. His brown hair was as long as her golden hair and his stubble was almost becoming a full beard. "Don't you look quite lovely?"
"Thank you, brother," she replied while kissing him. "How was the road from Riften?"
"It was peaceful. Thankfully, no bandits tried to rob us on the road."
"Thank the Divines." As the siblings finished hugging, Brynjolf and the woman joined them. Astrid turned first to her brother's advisor. "Hello Brynjolf. I hope you have been helpful for my brother."
The two of them chuckled in unison. "Aye lass," he replied. "I'm the first person he turns to in making decisions."
"Wonderful." Then she turned to this new girl that rode with Barrett. "Now I don't believe we've met before."
"We haven't, milady." She curtsied in front of Astrid. "My name is Elise."
"Elise. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Barrett walked over to one of the guards and threw a coin purse at him. "Give this to the stable boy." He nodded but gave a dirty look at him. The party went with Astrid to Proudspire Manor. "Have our cousins said anything about my visit here," he asked.
"Yes. The two of them agreed that it would be best for you to rest and get settled in, before any meetings occur." At least there was something those two could agree on, she thought. "I was thinking perhaps we could spend the evening to catch up on things from here to Riften."
"That would be nice. Would it be okay if my party were to join us?"
"Yes it would."
Astrid led her brother and his party to Prouspire Manor. The Manor was a grand home, neighboring the Bard's College. After settling, Barrett left with Elise to the College. Astrid walked in to see Brynjolf looking over a couple books at the table; she joined him as he picked up the wine bottle. "Care for some lass?" She nodded and sat down. Brynjolf poured her a glass and she took it.
"Thank you," she said after taking a sip.
"I should be the one thanking you, lass," he replied. "Appreciate the hospitality."
"The pleasure is all mine. What…are you reading?"
"Ah. This is just a little light reading. Old whispers about men seeking glory." She kept drinking and watched Brynjolf reading through and sipping his glass. "What's on your mind?"
"I was just…curious. When you and Barrett were on the road, did he say anything about his plans?" This was a question their cousins were asking since he stepped up as Jarl. There were also Stormcloaks that observed one of their holds turn neutral; his decision will change the course of the war.
"All he mentioned was he'd talk to the two of them and hear each end." Astrid looked down. "I'm sorry, lass. He and I rarely talked about this meeting since your courier came to the Rift."
"It's alright." Astrid poured herself another glass and left the table as her brother's advisor went back to his book.