Chapter Four: Elisif's Court (Loredas, 23rd of Last Seed)
Steffen woke early, despite only having gotten a few hours of sleep. He joined Illdi for breakfast, and she expressed her relief that he had returned from his errand unharmed.
"I couldn't believe it when I heard they had sent you to Olaf's tomb," she stated. "That was so dangerous! They gave you a much tougher task than they gave me."
"What was your task?" Steffen wondered.
"I had to retrieve a book from some collector in Windhelm," she replied. "Could've been dangerous, I suppose, with the war and what not, and the man, Calixto, I think his name was, seemed a bit crazy. I didn't really like how he looked at me. But he happily handed the book over when I showed him the large payment Viarmo had provided me with, and I was able to head right back here."
"What are you thoughts on this civil war?" Steffen asked, having heard all about the battle between the Imperials and the Stormcloaks from Talsgar.
Illdi shrugged. "I think it's a shame, honestly. So many people dying. My folks are loyal to the Empire," she added, "religion isn't all that important to them, really. I understand people not wanting to be told what gods they can and cannot worship, but from the way I understand it, if the Emperor hadn't submitted to the Thalmor's demands, we'd have lost the war, and things would be even worse. No offense. I know the Thalmor rule your homeland."
"None taken," Steffen replied. "My sisters and I left because of the Thalmor. They aren't any better to their own people than they are to others."
Illdi frowned at that, and Viarmo, who was the only other person in the kitchen at the time, aside from Bendt, joined the conversation.
"As a bard, I find the whole affair depressing," he commented. "There are no heroes in this war. No winners to be had and no real conclusion. In truth, if you're looking for something a bard can dig into, look to the dragons. A thousand years from now, Skyrim will have changed rulers a dozen times, but the return of the dragons? That's something that happens once an era." He stood then and looked to Steffen. "I will meet you in reception in an hour," he stated before returning his empty plate to Bendt.
"What's happening in an hour?" Illdi asked.
"I'm going with him to the court when he presents Olaf's verse to Elisif," Steffen replied.
Her eyes widened, surprised at his quick acceptance to the goings on in the college.
"I think, because I'm the one that retrieved it, he feels I'm owed a bit of the glory from such a discovery," Steffen replied with a shrug. "You could probably come along if you wished. Aren't these court times open to anyone?"
Illdi nodded. "Yes, but I'm due to spend a few hours working at the farm today," she replied. "Thank you, though. Have you given any more thought to my invitation for Harvest's End?"
"Not really," Steffen replied honestly. "With all the adventure of the last twenty-four hours, I've pretty much been running on pure adrenaline and not doing much thinking."
Illdi chuckled.
"I'll give it some thought when things slow down later today," he told her.
She smiled. "I hope you decide to come with me. I hate to think of you alone here on the holiday, and I'd be happy to show you another piece of Skyrim."
The Blue Palace, seat of the Jarl of Haafinger and High King of Skyrim, was an absolutely stunning building, like most in the lavish city. A reception area led to two sets of stairs that extended upward toward each other in a crescent shape. At the top of the stairs was the throne room. An attractive young woman sat upon the guilded throne, and the room was filled with people milling about and conversing.
Viarmo and Steffen stood to the side as the Jarl dealt with other business first. A few citizens had various petitions, and a spokesman from the town of Dragon's Bridge came to the Jarl with concerns of something odd happening in a cave near the town. Finally, the steward informed Viarmo it was his turn, and he stepped forward.
"Ah, Viarmo," Elisif stated when she saw him, "I assume you are here to petition for the reinstatement of the Burning of King Olaf Festival."
"I am, Jarl," Viarmo replied. "I wish to present King Olaf's verse, a previously lost portion of the Poetic Edda, recovered just yesterday from the bard's tomb."
"I was told you had something you thought would make me reconsider, but I didn't expect the discovery of King Olaf's lost verse," the Jarl replied excitedly, obviously knowing a bit about history and the arts. "Please proceed."
Viarmo spoke loudy in a smooth tenor as he recited the poem:
"O, Olaf, our subjugator, the one-eyed betrayer, death-dealing demon and dragon-killing king. Your legend is lies, lurid and false; your cunning capture of Numinex, a con for the ages. No shouting match between dragon and man; no fire and fury did this battle entail. Olaf captured a fast-sleeping dragon, a mighty feat which the meek would not fail. Olaf grabbed power by promise and threat; from Falkreath to Winterhold, they fell to their knees; but Solitude stood strong, Skyrim's truest protectors. Olaf's vengeance was instant, inspired and wicked. Olaf gave orders, friend against foe. Because Solitude would not soon bend knee, Olaf would hurt them while his status accrued. He sacked Winterhold, his only true ally, and cunningly, he blamed Solitude. So ends the story of Olaf the Liar, a thief and a scoundrel we of Solitude commit to the fire. In Solitude, bards train for their service; We also gather each year to burn a king who deserves it."
The court erupted in applause as Viarmo finished his performance.
"You have proven your point, Viarmo," Elisif finally stated. "The festival is truly a celebration of Solitude and a condemnation of false kings."
"I thank you, and the college thanks you, Jarl," Viarmo replied with a truimphant smile.
"Furthermore, I believe such a monumental discovery as this poem deserves some form of patronage," the Jarl continued. "The college will be generously rewarded for its valiant efforts at preserving our history and traditions."
"Thank you, yet again," Viarmo stated. "The college will put the money to good use in our research and training, and I will make sure that our student who was instrumental in the poem's recovery will be well rewarded."
The next petitioner stepped forward to address the Jarl, and Viarmo met Steffen at the top of the stairs.
"Unbelievable!" he said happily. "This worked out even better than I could have hoped. You've done us a great service here. I can't begin to thank you enough. I have a few errands to run now that the festival is back on for tomorrow. I need you to go speak to Jorn. He was in charge of preparing the effigy. I need to make sure he continues preparations if we want it to be ready by tomorrow night."