Right before we enter the hall I gently put my hand on Aealynn's arm, stopping her. She freezes and looks down at my touch, a question already on her lips. Before she can ask anything I cut her off. "I can't be carried into the hall. Being carried or wheeled around here is consider something only cripples need. I shouldn't have to tell you how cripples are viewed here.". She nods in understanding and places me on my feet, but I'm clinging to her arm like a toddler to its mother. There's no other way. I'd fall without her help. Once I'm finally steadied I motion at the door and tell her, "Come on. Can't keep the people waiting.". She nods and we both take a step forward, opening the door and finally entering the place.
The Great Hall of Markarth has been completely transformed. Three gigantic tables are horizontal from the door in the lower area, and two others are up top in front of the Jarl's throne. All doors are closed, metal brazens holding fire are lining the walls, and the entire place has been freshly cleaned. Decorative banners are also lining the walls. Dwarves building the city, the era of the Forsworn, Ulfric Stormcloak freeing Markarth, The Empire taking Markarth back from Ulfric, and any other bit of history this place has. For a moment I enjoy the history, then see something that causes me to pause. A familiar face is on one banner.
A twisted version of Kaie sits on a throne of bones, but she's only halfway transformed. She looks like she did when Aealynn threw her from the cliff. A crown of thorns adorns the woman's head, and the Forsworn that surround her have antlers nailed into their skulls. The woods around them is red with blood tripping from the tops of the trees. Maybe I shouldn't take all these banners at face value. I'm certain it's suppose to be symbolic, but what's going to happen when everyone from the battle is dead and the stories are skewered because of time? People will look to the banner for knowledge, and it'll make Kaie out to be something she isn't.
I'm still mulling over the banner when the scents of the place finally wash over me. Burning wood, rich wines, and amazing foods. I'm struggling to keep up with Aealynn, so I take a moment to rest and look at the food. Hundreds of soups, different varieties of broth, fresh fruits, crunchy salads, a hundred wheels of cheese, golden chicken, bloody steak, fried fish, roasted pork, lessor fruits, colorful cakes, puddings, wines, ales, and beer are all the most common dishes. However, that's nothing compared to the centerpiece of each table. A sculpture made of sugar. The one on the nearest table is a snarling werewolf crouched down and ready to pounce. Aealynn elbows me and whispers, "I wonder who that could be?".
I chuckle and my leg suddenly starts shaking. A slight pinch strains my muscle, but it's not painful. Yet. I should probably go sit down to be safe. I nudge Aealynn and motion for her to lean in. Once she does I place my lips close to her ear, allowing her hair to cover my words. "I need to sit down.". She nods and pulls back, then starts walking up the stairs. It takes us longer than I would like, and I'm sure the pause in between steps is noticeable. However, Aealynn fills the gaps in by occasionally stopping, pointing at a banner, and whispering something to me. It makes us look like tourist who don't realize the banners will always be there, but I'd rather be seen as somewhat rude than weak.
Finally, we reach the table the Jarl's sitting at. It's exactly like the ones below, but the sculpture is different. A gargoyle screaming at the sky, its wings outstretched in a challenge. Aealynn's horn has been chipped off, one of her arms is partly eaten away, and a good chunk of her back is missing. But it's still a nice sculpture, and I can see my Breton companion puff up and smile when she sees it. There are two empty seats by the Jarl's right side, and when he sees us he motions to them. Without communication we both start walking. My leg is still occasionally twitching in a small form of protest, but it holds steady until I'm sitting.
Once I'm finally down I feel the Jarl lightly touch my hand to get my attention. I look over and see the man looks absolutely dreadful. His scraggly stubble is uneven in length, his bloodshot eyes have bags beneath them, and even from here I can tell he needs to take a bath. He motions for me to come closer and I lean over without thought. He whispers in my ear, "The battle is over, but the Forsworn haven't gone. We had a few locked away in our prisons. There were some extremist in the city that claim we were wrong to kill them, and decided to 'help' them.". I fill in, "Someone popped the tigers' cage, and ended up getting mauled.".
He nods and agrees, "They weren't from here, so it was easier for them to pity the Forsworn. However, the Forsworn had no pity for them. We only had a few pregnant women, children, and cripples in our cells. It's enough to make a small camp, and I'm sure their numbers will grow. They always have before.". I nod and whisper back, "They're like damned rats. If you see one, then you can guarantee there's a thousand more you don't see.". A server suddenly taps me on the shoulder, pulling me away from the Jarl with the social obligation of answering. The woman is offering me a chunk of pork and some ale. I realize my plate is empty, and quickly take the offered food.
I turn back to the Jarl, but he's talking to someone else. I shrug and decide to enjoy my food. I've barely raised the pork to my lips when a horn sounds from somewhere. On instinct I drop my meat and look around. A stout man in steel armor has blown the horn, and from the band around his arm I can tell he's from the Jarl's household. The man is a little ways away from the table I'm seated at, a box and podium beside him. The Jarl clears his throat once everyone falls silent, then stands and announces, "This is the brave man who led our charge. He would like to say a few words.". Everyone remains silent as the Jarl sits down and the man stands onto the box.
He leans against the podium and starts speaking, a strange accent crawling into his voice as he does. "We won a great victory. Not just for ourselves, but for everyone is Skyrim.". He pushes himself off the podium and stands up straight on the box as he keeps going. "Our brethren died that day.". He starts looking around the room. "They died in a strange place, surrounded by savages, and with the taste of victory barely on their lips.". He turns and looks at Aealynn and I as he continues. "But all of it would have been for naught unless two brave women hadn't defeated the monster leading The Forsworn.". He gives us a small bow.
Once he stands up he finishes his speech. "Our brethren wold want us to celebrate. Their deaths are tragic, but there will be time to mourn tomorrow. So, for now drink and be merry! Our friends would want it.". Everyone politely claps and the man walks away, sitting down at one of the lower tables. The Jarl turns to me, but leans forward so he's looking at Aealynn. "Would you care to go next?". I turn to the Breton and whisper, "You were giving a speech?". She nods and stands up, answering both of our questions. Everyone quiets down when Aealynn gets up on the box. I can see what they're thinking in their eyes. A Breton. My friend is nothing like the Forsworn, but the people are still wary of anyone that could have anything to do with them.
Including a common race. In their eyes it doesn't matter that Aealynn killed Kaie. All that matters is she isn't a Nord. I inwardly sigh. When will people grow up? Apparently never because everyone tenses up when Aealynn begins to speak. "I've seen a lot in my life, and fought a lot of battles. Won almost all of them. I was the one to kill Kaie and left The Forsworn leaderless.". She looks at me out of the corner of her eye, then returns her gaze to the audience. "But I couldn't have done it without one woman who constantly stayed by my side throughout it all.".
She straightens up a little, and everyone slightly relaxes. Of course, they don't mind when she's giving credit to someone else. It only matters if she's trying to say she did something important for all of Markarth. "I pride myself on being somewhat cunning and smart, but by the time we attacked Kaie she already saw me as an enemy. This woman got me into the camp, lured Kaie to the highest ledge possible, and tried to assist me in taking down Kaie. The only reason Kaie didn't die by being set on fire is because the savage was clever, and poisoned my companion so she couldn't assist me.". Aealynn suddenly smirks and seems to puff up once again.
"But Kaie couldn't do anything to stop me from transforming.". She seems to realize how she's acting and tones it down a bit, but I can tell it's more for the citizens' benefit than her own. "Now Kaie lies dead, the battle is won, and The Reach is safe.". Everyone seems happy with her speech, but she continues. "For now. I've already learned Skyrim is a harsh place, and it'll strike out when you least expect it.". She nods and finishes, "So celebrate. We don't know when we'll get the chance to do it again.". More polite clapping as Aealynn hops down and returns to her seat, but this time I can tell people aren't nearly as willing. Once the Breton is seated I turn to her.
Someone else is getting up to give a speech, but I'm more interested in the Breton. I whisper, "You should give yourself more credit.". She shrugs and suddenly tells me, "Your speech is after this guy.". I groan a little and ask, "What am I going to say? How am I going to stand?". Aealynn flashes me a beautiful smile that makes my face heat up, and the woman turns to look at the door. "You know, I think you might have eaten a little too much.". I don't follow her for a minute and stupidly question, "What?". The woman turns back to me and explains, "If we claim you're still a little full and your stomach hurts, then we can get going a little early.".
She must see the skeptical look on my face because she explains, "Nobody will miss you. All these people came here for is to drink and eat. You aren't a server, so you can't do that for them. Come on, we can go back to the infirmary and check on your ability to walk ". She looks down at the floor as she barely whispers, "And what we do next.". I'm still thinking about it when the clapping starts and I realize the man must be done speaking. "Okay. Let's go.".
