Chapter Three: Thane of Haafinger (Loredas, 13th of Hearthfire; Sundas, 14th of Hearthfire; Morndas, 15th of Hearthfire)
Steffen made his way into the throne room of the Blue Palace nervously. He had been summoned for a private meeting with the Jarl herself. He couldn't imagine what she could possibly want with him, and he was immediately worried that he had been discovered by the Thalmor.
Elisif was young and beautiful. She sat on her throne in fine robes, a jeweled crown sitting atop her brunette head. From what Steffen could tell, she was a good leader despite the fact that she had only ever intended to be the High King's wife and not a ruler herself.
"Ah, Steffen, thank you for coming," she stated with a soft smile. Her voice was soft and sweet, and her smile set him a bit at ease. "I'm sure you're wondering why I asked to see you. You were a great help in retrieving King Olaf's Verse from the bard's tomb, and I have an errand for you if you're willing."
"What is it you need, my Jarl?" he asked with a slight bow of his head.
"When my husband died, I gave an offering to all of the gods, except Talos," she explained. "My husband was a true Nord, and despite the Thalmor's laws, he worshipped the great Talos. I do not feel right not making an offering to him in Torygg's name. I feel as if I will rest easier knowing it has been done. It is what my husband would have wanted. I cannot do this myself, of course. Any shrines to Talos in our city have been destroyed nor am I aware of any located within the hold. And I am being watched. I'm sure you realize what would happen if it was discovered that I was making any sort of tribute to the outlawed god."
Steffen nodded his understanding. She would be taken into custody by the Thalmor, and Haafinger would, once again, be without a Jarl. Ulfric Stormcloak would have an easier time in his bid for the throne without Elisif vying against him.
"Perhaps, because of your race, your presence at such a shrine would be less suspect," she continued. "If you would be willing to do this for me, I would consider it a personal favor as well as a service to our hold in honoring my late husband. There would be a reward in thanks."
"I will do it," Steffen stated, though the task frightened him. There was an excellent chance the shrines would be being watched by the Thalmor, and he had no desire to encounter any of them.
Elisif thanked him and handed over her husband's war horn. She then pointed him in the direction of a shrine she had once visited with her husband in the far north of Whiterun Hold.
Steffen hired Balrand's services to aid him on his journey. He wasn't brave enough to wander into the wilds of Skyrim alone, and this way, he would have some protection should he encounter any Thalmor at the Shrine. He had been given leave from his classes on Morndas as soon as he had presented the headmaster with a note from Elisif explaining she had hired Steffen to perform an errand for her. Viarmo was obviously curious as to what that errand could be but didn't ask any questions.
They rode in the hired carriage for nearly a full day before arriving in the city of Whiterun.
"There's a shrine to Talos here," Balrand stated as they walked the streets of the beautiful Nord city. "You could just do it here and not worry about the Thalmor."
"As appealing as that sounds, Elisif was quite specific as to which shrine she wished for the tribute to made at," Steffen replied.
After securing a room at the inn and making certain that Balrand was all set with a meal and plenty of mead, Steffen asked around and was directed toward Jorrvaskr. He approached the ship-shaped hall, but when he saw two warriors in a scuffle outside the entrance, he decided not to go any closer.
"Steffen, you're a damn coward," he muttered to himself as he returned to the inn. He tried to tell himself Aerenwen probably wasn't there anyway, but he wondered if he'd ever find the courage to seek his sisters out. After all they had done for him, he couldn't even approach a group of warriors and ask a simple question.
The shrine of Talos Elisif had spoken of was northeast of Whiterun, located in the snowy mountains. Balrand stood guard as Steffen quickly laid the war horn atop the alter. They were making their way back toward the road through the trees when a Thalmor justiciary and two soldiers appeared.
"Halt!" the justiciary announced. "What is your business here?"
Steffen assumed they hadn't actually seen him at the alter. The Thalmor weren't usually ones to ask questions first if they felt they had enough proof to act, so he lied. "I'm touring Skyrim with my bodyguard in search of the magical standing stones I read of during my studies in the Imperial City." He tried to make his voice sound confident and strong, doing his best to channel his parents and sisters and hide his nerves. "I was told there was one near here, but we seem to have lost our way. All I've seen is a statue of some Nord warrior and that certainly isn't what I am looking for."
The justiciary seemed to relax at that, and he motioned for his soldiers to sheath their weapons. "You must be looking for the Ritual Stone," he stated with a nod. "It is located to the south of here, just a short distance." He pointed through the trees.
"Thank you," Steffen replied with a nod. "I suppose I am quite fortunate to have come across you kinsmen here."
The justiciary smiled the smarmy sort of smile most of their race shared. "We are tasked with guarding that statue you happened upon," he explained. "Believe it or not, it's a shrine to that blasphemous Nord god, Talos."
Steffen widened his eyes as if he had just learned that for the first time. "I had no idea! Why hasn't it been destroyed?"
The justiciary frowned. "It would be best if it were, but it was decided it would be useful as a trap. The number of Nords we've taken into custody when they visited the shrine is astounding, really. Such simpletons." He cast a look of disdain in Balrand's direction.
"Well, thank you for your assistance," Steffen stated after a moment. "We'd best be off. I'd like to be off the roads well before dark. This province is dreadfully dangerous."
The justiciary nodded in understanding and wished them safe travels before he and the soldiers disappeared through the trees toward the shrine.
"Quick thinking," Balrand muttered.
Steffen took deep breaths in an effort to calm his racing heart, and thanked the gods he had spent the time reading that book about the ritual stones after first arriving at the college. It hadn't been such a waste of time after all.
"In recognition of your service to your Jarl and the people of our fine hold, I grant you the title of Thane of Haafinger," Elisif announced in front of a small audience Morndas afternoon. "It is an honorary title, mostly, though I will sometimes call on you to act as an advisor or perform tasks for me. With the title comes property in the city as well as a your own personal housecarl. I think you will be happy with my choice for your residence. Proudspire Manor is located next door to the Bard's College."
Steffen thanked the Jarl and bowed gracefully. He handed over a sum of coins to the steward for the renovations of the house and was informed it would be a few weeks before it was habitable. Apparently it had sat empty for quite some time.
Back at the college, he told Illdi of his journey, and she reassured him that he would find his sisters. That his inaction in Whiterun hadn't caused any delays on that front. Steffen couldn't help but feel he was letting them down again.