The Winking Skeever was charmingly rustic, a subtle blend of Nordic culture and Imperial prosperity. Laughter and music would dance around the building without becoming overbearing, but just enough to cast out the eerie silence most of Skyrim's taverns were now plagued with. The people clearly needed a safe place to drink away their worries, and Corpulus Vinius provided that haven for Solitude. Aesar and Servius, however, were not partaking in the merriment like the rest of the patrons - they sat aways from the locals, shuffling through parchments generously sent from the Imperial City, as well as a few begrudgingly provided by Castle Dour.
"It seems this Hero of Kvatch is much like you, Aesar" Servius muttered, turning yet another page over, "So many rumours regarding his fame and infamy."

"A hero to some is an enemy to others, I suppose" Aesar replied as he squinted at the parchment in front of him, "Bendu Olo, Champion of Cyrodiil, yet also the Listener for the Dark Brotherhood, if this report from Cheydinhal is true."

"And don't forget Master of the Fighter's Guild. Or Archmage of the Imperial Mage's Guild. And, of course, the Divine Crusader. I believe that last one to be true, mind you. The Thalmor made enough of an effort to eradicate the Knights of the Nine, there must have been good reason." The crowd became a little hushed at the mentions of the Aldmeri Dominion, a few worried glances were made across the room. Corpulus quickly encouraged Lisette to lighten the mood with another song, and the chatter resumed.
"Maybe steer clear of any ... elven reports?" Aesar mumbled. "I've seen the hospitality of the Embassy first hand, and I'd rather spend the night here."
"Yes, of course," Cato replied, "But I imagine they've destroyed some rather useful information. The Priory of the Nine would probably have held all the information we need, but they wated no time razing it to the ground, what with it..."

"Yes, I know," Aesar interrupted, "Let's not bring the Divines into this."

"If not the Divines, then maybe the Daedra...?" Servius asked.

"By the Eight, are you trying to get us removed?"

"No, see here - these reports from Leyawiin say Olo disrupted a dinner party hosted by the Countess in the name of Sangunie, recovered the Eye of Nocturnal from some Argonian thieves, and then fulfilled the K'Sharra Prophecy at Border Watch."

"Yes, the Rain of Burning Dogs" Aesar said sarcastically, "It's more likely he was the Archmage and the Listener than that nonsense."

"Not nonsense, my boy, Madness," Servius corrected, "The prophecy was nonsense, yes, but those ... 'Signs' were Madness, brought down by Sheogorath. It seems Olo may have been something of a Daedric prodigy,"

"The Champion of Cyrodiil, chosen by the Divines to defeat ... Umaril the Feather or whoever it was, also became Champion of all the Daedric Princes? I think you've had enough spiced wine..."

"No, it's not that" Servius said, shuffling through the papers in front of him, "Here. A report from... Bravil, early 4th Era." He read directly from the parchment:

"Gaius Prentus of the Bravil guard witnessed the appearance of an island in the Niben Bay. Upon investigation, numerous citizens emerged from a portal afflicted with terrible Madness, often hostile, but all naming Sheogorath as their Lord. Prentus states that Bendu Olo, the Champion of Cyrodiil, entered the portal with intent to destroy it. Shortly after, however, the island began to crumble, and sank into the Niben, but Olo never emerged. There is no confirmation of Olo's involvement, or the trustworthiness of Prentus' account. If Olo was present, and sacrificed his own life to destroy the island, then Bravil owes him a debt of gratitude it cannot repay. Viera Lerus, Captain of the Bravil Guard."

"So... he's dead," Aesar said, "Another hero claimed by the Daedra."

"I ... don't think so," Servius said, glancing over the pages scattered on the table. "These reports, they may all be true. Think about it - if Olo went into this portal, and suffered the same Madness all those others did, then maybe he did come out, just ... different. If he suffered this madness, maybe he thought he was a Mage, or an Assassin, or a Daedric Champion, or..."

"Cato, enough." Aesar said sharply, "The wine has definitely gone to your head - do you really think that a Madman could become the Archmage? A disciplined, competent spellcaster? Or the Fighter's Guild Master? If he really did escape from the portal, he would have been just as mad as the others, NOT some all-powerful legend!" The Winking Skeever lay totally silent now - all eyes were on them, an even split of worry and anger.

"If you don't mind, Gentlemen," Corpulus said approaching the table, "Some of us would prefer a night of drink and song, not Gods and Daedra. If you want to argue about ... Madness, go outside and find Derevin. You would be better off in his company."

"Apologies," Aesar said, standing from his chair, "Perhaps we need some fresh air, yes."

"Who is this Dervein?" Servius asked as he gathered up the papers from the table. Aesar shot him a scowl that went ignored.

"A rambling lout, a perfect challenge for you," Corpulus snapped, "Now please leave, before I call the guards."

"Of course," said Aesar, pushing Servius towrds the door, "Here," he dropped a small coin purse on the table, "For your trouble, and for your bard to resume her music. We'll find other lodgings for the night." He strapped his sword and shield to his back, then quickly made his way outside. He looked for Servius, ready to Shout him into Oblivion for barring them from the only inn in Solitude, and saw him talking to one of the imperial guards parolling the streets. He stomred over and caught the last of their converation.

"...skulking around the Blue Palace again," the guard said, "Watch yourself with him - no telling what a Madman like him might do. Probably worships Sheogorath or something." Servius thanked him, then scurried off towards the Blue Palace.

"CATO!" shouted Aesar, starting to run after him. It was as if Kynareth herself called a wind to carry Servious along, and Aear had to resist the urge to summon a Thu'um to catch him. When at last he did, he found him accosting a Bosmer beggar. "Cato, stop, you'll get us both thrown into Castle Dour!"

"HUSH!" Servius bellowed. He returned to the elf, "And your master, is he Sheogorath?"

"Has he sent you to me?" Dervein said excitedly "Oh, he has sent you for the bone, for the hipbone! He must have! He needs it for his party, of course! Can't have a party without the hipbone! My Master is in the Palace. A party in Pelagius in the palace! You must take him his hipbone! Then he wil un-bandon me and we can return, back to sweet Mania, yes?"

"Ye, yes, of course," Servius said, taking a human hipbone from Dervenin with an ounce of disgust, "But where is he in the Palace?"

"In Pelagius! He is having a party in Pelagius!"

"In ... Pelagius..?"

"Cato," Aesar said desperately, "He's clearly..."

"Mad?" asked Servius, "Of course he's Mad, Mad as they come! Now, Dervein, he's in Pelagius? The Pelagius Wing, perhaps?" Derevin looked at him with confusion, then dejection. He suddenly started bawling, and sank to his knees, muttering about being abandoned and wanting to go to 'Mania'. "Nevermind, we'll find your master." Servius turned back to Aesar, still holding the hipbone. "He's here."

"Who's here?" asked Aesar, "Whatever this beggar is suffering from has clearly rubbed off on you."

"Sheogorath. Prince of Madness. Here, in Solitude."

"Cato, you can't be serious?"

"I am, my boy. And we're going to find him," Servius said. Aesar stood speechless. Not even a Shout welled up inside him. "If Olo found Sheogorath, and defeated him or joined him or and closed that portal, then we might find him. Or find out where he went or ... something. And yes, maybe it is the wine, or the Madness, but the Empire had a Hero that may yet live, and a Mad Hero is better than no Hero and no hope. You said yourself in Whiterun that the Hero of Kvatch might have the answers I need. And those answers might be right here, in the Blue Palace, locked away in a mind of madness. If you want to save the Empire like I do, Dragonborn, then please..." Servius held out the hipbone, "Take this thing to the Madgod and find him!"