Sotek entered what he presumed to be the great hall, except it wasn’t great at all; it was massive. Two long rows of tables stretched out lengthways across the hall, both of them covered with exquisite plates, cups and candleholders with pitchers of wine filled to the brim. Everything was set out like they were expecting royalty. The elaborately carved ceiling rested on grand wooden pillars that towered up beyond the two balconies either side of the hall.
The rows of tables were separated by a large stone fire pit which crackled as the flames lit up the entire hall chasing the shadows to the far corners, and intricate tapestries lined the walls.
On the far side was a raised platform. Here sat Jarl Balgruuf, on a wooden throne. Although it was only wood, Sotek felt any king would be proud to have it as their own. On the left side walking up to the Jarl was an official looking character. He went by the name of Proventus, and on the other side was where the captain of the guard Irileth who Sotek met earlier, would stand when she wasn’t on duty.
The Jarl sat on the throne watching as Sotek approached. Proventus stepped forwards eyeing him up with discord and disgust.
“What on earth? Who are you to come here?” His voice held a definite sneer.
Balgruuf scolded his advisor.
“Proventus, don’t be so harsh. Step forwards Argonian. I’ve heard of your, shall we say… Handy work with the giant. Tell me, did any of the crops survive?” He looked sternly at Sotek then gave a broad grin and laughed.
Sotek allowed himself a smile as he thought back to the giant’s battle. Then his face turned serious.
“I have been sent by Irileth to report about the dragon attack”.
With that the Jarl stopped laughing. The very air itself changed to a dark depressing mood.
“What happened? Are they alright?” The jarl spoke with genuine concern in his voice fearing for his people.
“Two guards died but we killed the dragon. The guards think I‘m dragonborn whatever that is”. Soteks voice was heavy feeling that the Jarl would suffer the loss of his men.
The mage who up to this point, was out of sight in a side room. Unable to contain his excitement, he shouted out even surprising the Jarl.
“By the nines its true… Dragons!”
“Calm yourself Farengar”. Assured the Jarl as he quickly turned around to the mage.
He then watched Sotek carefully. He scrutinized the Argonians features as he tried miserably to read Soteks face.
“Dragonborn? Well that’s unexpected. But then so was the dragon, aye?”
Proventus couldn’t help but ask.
“But what of the Greybeards? What have they got to do with it?”
“Greybeards! Who are they?” Sotek looked perplexed as he had never heard of them.
The Jarl looked a bit surprised at the fact that Sotek had no idea who they were, but he quickly recovered his stature when he remembered that Sotek wasn’t from Skyrim. He quickly asserted the simple fact that due to Soteks gear, the Argonian was new to Skyrims lands and culture.
“The Greybeards live at the top of the mountain to the east. Surely you heard that shout?"
“What, the thunder?” Sotek was desperately trying to keep up with the conversation hoping something would make some sense.
“Yes. That was a shout. The Greybeards summoning you to their monastery high up in the mountain”. Proventus wearily explained.
“I’ll instruct the carriage to take you to Ivarstead. From there you will have to climb the seven thousand steps to get to High Hrothgar". The Jarl stated giving Sotek the opinion that he had little choice.
“What?” More travelling then climbing some mountain wasn’t what Sotek was banking on when he brought the message to the Jarl. Especially not intending to climb seven thousand steps. His limbs were aching, while he felt hungry and tired.
Upon seeing Sotek’s face, the Jarl grinned.
“Oh don’t worry, there’s not actually seven thousand steps”.
“Well that’s something” Sotek stated but he still wasn’t happy.
Farengar couldn’t help but add to the conversation.
“Indeed, it’s more like nine thousand”. Then he looked at the Jarl. “Maybe Sotek can sort that other problem out?"
The Jarl turned to him but all the while his eyes stayed fixed on Sotek
“Maybe he can, but he has a voice of his own so ask him”.
The mage slowly went over to Sotek.
“My problem is such that I need a stone tablet bought back from Bleaks Fall Barrow. It’s probably guarded by draugr. Bandits are to be confirmed as to using the outer area as a base”. He then paused for the information to sink in. “My solution, is for you to bypass or kill the bandits, fight past the draugr and find the stone tablet which is probably in the final chamber. Once you have it, return it here to me”
“Could you do it?” asked the Jarl.
“Is it important?” Sotek asked. Inside he wondered how was the best way to play the situation.
“Oh very important”. Exclaimed the mage excitedly. “You see we need it. It’s about these dragons”
“But what would I get for my troubles? Bandits, undead... To try to find something which may not even be there” Sotek asked.
The mage paused for a few seconds as he tried to work out if Sotek was serious, before glancing down at Sotek’s weapon.
“I can teach you how to enchant your sword, here I have these soul gems”. He pulled his hand out of a large pouch and showed the soul gems to Sotek. All of them were different sizes and the various colour’s glistened brightly from the souls trapped within the crystal prisms.
Enchanting, now that was worth something. Sotek knew about it but couldn’t do it and here was someone willing to teach him.
“Agreed, learning enchanting would be useful. How long will it take?” Sotek asked.
Farengar was thrown back a bit by the question.
“What, to get the tablet? ermm”.
Sotek discreetly chuckled to himself as he watched the mage shuffle about nervously.
“No... To teach me enchanting”.
Farengar breathed a sigh of relieve while he composed himself.
“Oh no time at all. Once you have the tablet, I’ll teach you straight away”
Sotek reached into his pack and pulled out the stone tablet.
“Good then teach”. This time it was the mage who looked surprised.
The Jarl roared with laughter slapping Farengar on the shoulder.
“I like him”.
Still feeling perplexed, Farengar went off to prepare to show Sotek how to enchant while the Jarl had a hot meal set out for him. After the much needed food, Sotek felt better in himself and headed off to the mages study. And so over the next hour the mage taught Sotek how to enchant. First he learned about disenchanting, working on an old fire enchanted dagger. Then he learned fortifying blocking from breaking up an old shield from the Jarls personal armory. Next, it was using Soul gems transferring the soul energies into Sotek’s blade. The Jarl even gave Sotek a shield which he added block to. He even learned a new spell ‘Soul trap’. Farengar handed over some small empty soul gems explaining how the soul trap spell worked.
By the time they finished it was well into the night. The Jarl was informed that the carriage was ready to depart. The driver gave a rough estimate on their arrival time. With a clear road, Sotek expected to see Ivarstead by dawn. He said his farewells thanking Farengar for the gems and his knowledge and thanking the Jarl for his generosity and the meal, then he headed out to the carriage.
“The Jarl told me where to take you, it’s not my normal route but I know the way”. The carriage driver stated happily. He didn’t seem put out at all despite the lateness of the hour.
“I’m sorry to put you out like this...” his voice trailed off as he tried to apologize but the carriage driver was happy enough.
“No need for sorry my friend, I’m earning a hundred gold for this”. With that simple statement, the horse reared up before tugging on the harness. Seconds later the cart lurched forwards along the road disappearing in the darkness.
Sotek tried to stay awake for a while but his whole body ached while his mind wandered. With the rocking of the carriage, staying awake was one fight Sotek could never win.
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"He quickly asserted the simple fact that due to Soteks gear, the Argonian was new to Skyrims lands and culture." He's not really asserting anything here, more realizing so a better... more