Sat at a large dining table were Clans Battleborn and Graymane, two great households of the city of Whiterun. They talked merrily with each other as servants served the meal, a feast of a large boar as well as many side dishes. Tonight they were discussing a future merger of their families, between Jon Battleborn and Olfina Graymane, the said two sat across from each other, smiling dreamily with reddened cheeks. Of course the two of them would wed, they had grown up together and were quite close. As talk turned away from union, it started to get a little tense. After the Great War and the White Gold Concordat had been signed, there were a lot of issues throughout Skyrim. The banning of Talos worship being a major one.
"It just doesn't make sense, what do elves know about the Nord way? Talos has been a sacred deity for centuries! And they think banning it will just make a god dissapear? Bah!" Vignar Graymane folds his arms across his chest, shaking his head in frustration.
"Careful now Vignar, you know the Empire had to agree to the elves demand for the good of the people. You and I both know many friends who have died in the war, it needed to end, even if it means we can't worship Talos anymore. The Empire knows what's best for us," Olfrid Battleborn tries to calm his lifelong friend.
"Ha! The Imperials of Cyrodiil know what's best for true blooded Nords? Can you believe that Eorlund? Prissy Imperial nobles who turned their back on the man who founded their Empire!" Vignar continues to rant against the Empire, the Battleborn begin to look uncomfortable, Idolaf the most, seeing as he himself served some time as a Legionnaire, he didn't fight in the Great War as he joined afterwards when they needed to recruit the lost numbers in the aftermath.
"Watch what you say about the Empire old man, you know I'm proud to have served for the Emperor." Idolaf interrupts the older man's rant with a sneer.
"Aye, the traitor Emperor that allows the Thalmor to haul off those who still openly show their faith, proud to have served under that?" Avulstein spits back, his brother Thorald nodding in agreement.
"Now now boys, show some respect, we're guests of the Battleborns," Fralia tries to calm her sons, recognizing that if they don't cool their tempers, the argument could escalate to a fight.
"I agree, you are guests. The Thalmor are guests in Skyrim, they're only upholding the law, as Talos worship is illegal. You should know better by now, it's been over twenty years since the treaty was signed." Olfrid condescendingly stares at the two brothers, daring them to go against their mother to start something.
Jon and Olfina worriedly look between each other and their families, not knowing what to say. Of course they knew of their families' beliefs, but they hadn't realized it would cause much conflict between the clans, they've been allies since the five hundred Companions settled Whiterun ages ago. Perhaps this dispute won't go further.
"Come now friends, why talk of politics? The war has been over, like you said, for over twenty years. Why bring up old war wounds?" Jon attempts to bring peace to the discussion, hoping that his words soothe the tempers of those around him.
"Old war wounds? Our people are being snatched in the night, dragged from their homes, and you think this is about old war wounds? This about the present injustices against the Nords! You may not have been old enough to remember Talos, but he is a true Nord god that represents our way of life!" Thorald stands up abruptly and puts his hands against the table angrily as he speaks.
"There are those of us who want to do something about it. There are others who don't want to bow down to the Empire, who's now nothing more than a dog to their Thalmor masters! Ulfric Stormcloak is planning a revolution against the elves! He calls for all true sons and daughters of Skyrim to join in his cause. I may just join myself. I spit on the polished boots of the Empire. It's time Skyrim freed itself from the tyrants who would ban our faith, our heritage!" Vignar nods approvingly at his nephew's outburst, a smug smirk on his face seeing Idolaf's own redden in anger.
"Why you disrespectful piece of shit!" Idolaf stands up as well and throws a punch at Thorald, hitting him straight in the jaw, causing him to stagger backwards into his chair. Avulstein leaps to his feet and steadies his brother, before readying his fists for a brawl. He vaults over the table and tackles the Battleborn, punching him over and over.
Chaos breaks out as the other members try to breakup the fight, eventually Eorlund manages to pull his son off the now unconscious Idolaf.
"I want you all good for nothing treasonous bastards out of my house! There will be no union! I want that whorish wench to stay away from Jon! From this moment on, consider us your enemies. Now out!" Olfrid bellows at everyone from Clan Graymane, Begritte taking Jon by the arm to pull him away from Olfina.
"I hope kissing the Emperor's boots is worth it Olfrid. You'll regret this when Skyrim is liberated and you and your kin are ousted for being loyal to the ones who oppress us." Vignar scowls at his once great friend, leading his family out.
Olfina cries out, "no! It can't end like this! Our families have always been there for each other, you can't let this tear us apart!" She tries to reach for Jon, but her brothers stop her, each having to hold her arms as she struggles against them relentlessly.
"It's too late now girl, you can thank your brother there for breaking up your little dalliance with Jon. You are to never see him again, I don't want you or any of your family to come near mine." Olfrid glares at the Graymanes, a servant closing the doors after their emotional departure.
"Alfhild, my dear, go and get Danica for Idolaf. He needs a healer after that scum Graymane attacked him. The nerve! To do such a thing in my own house!" He walks off ranting as Alfhild rushes to get a healer for her husband.
And so began the feud between the two great Clans of Whiterun, as well as the plotting from Olfrid. He didn't get his family rich by being dull, oh no. He's a great businessman, and he didn't let what Thorald say slip his mind. Talk of a rebellion? Him joining up? Interesting. Perhaps a letter to some of his contacts in the Empire would net him a reward. After all, they'd be quite interested to know of the civil unrest brewing in Skyrim. Can't let some backwater fools giving the Empire a bad name, especially if there's Talos worshipping going on. He bets the Thalmor Ambassador would love to hear what he has to say at her next party. Wartime can be very lucrative for business, being that business is information. He'll also have to hire some mercenaries to keep an eye on Thorald and Avulstein, they are very likely to join any rebellion if it goes against the Empire. If they ever leave the city to enlist, his mercenaries will be waiting to bring them to the Thalmor as traitors and Talos worshippers.