Northbound Pilgrimage II

Chapter LVIII - Unforeseen Circumstances

After an eventful night, Bishop and Aeyrin got up only barely before noon.

They shuffled out of their room tiredly into the almost empty tavern. It seemed like nobody was around for lunch. Maybe they were all hungover.

Aeyrin found her lute propped up against the bar, luckily in a similar state in which she gave it away last night. The drunkards have been playing it rather ineptly long into the night, but the two of them couldn't care less about the annoying noises as long as their attentions were completely absorbed in each other.

Before they could move to one of the tables, however, the bartender, Erik's father, had interrupted them.

"Lass! A courier came for you in the morning. Got a letter here," he nodded his head at her and handed her a small envelope.

Aeyrin took it from the man eagerly, but her blood turned cold when she noticed the insignia at the corner of it. A very familiar head of a bear.

This was a Stormcloak missive. What in the Gods' names could any of them want from her?

She shared a concerned look with Bishop and they both quickly moved over to one of the tables. Bishop sat himself right next to her, as close as he could, in order to be able to read the contents of the letter alongside her without wasting any more time. They were both equally nervous at the implications.

With a heavy sigh, Aeyrin ripped the envelope open and looked over the letter.

.

By the order of the True High King of Skyrim Ulfric Stormcloak

Due to unforeseen circumstances, you are hereby required to travel to Windhelm at the earliest opportunity. The True High King has ordered a mandatory audience with you and it would be in your best interest to comply. Your sentence is not waived. Upon entering the city, you will be instantly escorted by the soldiers to the Palace of the Kings for your audience.

Sincerely,

Jorlief, Steward to the True High King Ulfric Stormcloak

.

Before she could even process the information, her eyes were drawn to a hastily scribbled note in a different handwriting that was at the bottom of the parchment.

.

I hope that you remember well that one word from me can turn the might of the rebellion against you within a second. I expect you to report here immediately if you value your life.

.

The contents of the scribbled afterthought did not leave her guessing about its author.

Aeyrin's eyes slowly turned to Bishop with an uncertain expression on her face. What did this mean? What unforeseen circumstances was the letter talking about? And why in Oblivion would Ulfric want to see her at all? He must have needed something important from her. Something that he could not get from anyone else. Did he need her to kill a dragon? Did he want to stage it in a way that would make his followers think that Ulfric was the real Dragonborn?

"Fuck. Shit," Bishop groaned and ran the palm of his hand over his face. This was bad. Whatever Ulfric was planning did not bode well for them. They needed to find a way to avoid this, but... how? The 'might of the rebellion' was nothing to scoff at and Ulfric was just unstable and vengeful enough to make good on his threat.

"What... what do you think he wants?" Aeyrin looked at Bishop oddly pleadingly, as if he could provide her with the answer. She couldn't hide the fear in her voice. As much as she wanted to go back to Windhelm to see for herself how the people were faring, especially the elves and Jora, she couldn't help but shiver at the thought of seeing Ulfric again.