Northbound Pilgrimage II

Chapter LX - A Warm Welcome

Their first stop, after the city was finally open to the both of them, was the notice board by the inn.

Warnings about the Butcher's inevitable return were plastered all over the place, along with crude drawings of the supposed next victim of the vicious murderer. The last thing they knew about the city was what Bishop had gathered during his last visit. The murders have stopped completely, kind of reinforcing the rumors about Aeyrin being the Butcher, nonsensical as that was. But the orders didn't stop. There were the random house searches and arrests, and now there seemed to be a new one among the scores of warning messages and crude pictures.

.

By the order of the True High King Ulfric Stormcloak,

due to the many instances of unrest and violent protesting from inhabitants of the Grey Quarter, precautionary measures are taking effect immediately. Any person of elven descent seen antagonizing or in any way provoking or assaulting a citizen of Nordic descent will be arrested immediately and punished accordingly. The city of Windhelm will not tolerate insubordination from its citizens in times of crisis. Sentences for crimes against Nord citizens have increased in severity due to the ongoing issues plaguing our proud city.

We thank the people of Windhelm for understanding and urge every citizen to stay safe.

Jorlief, Steward to the True High King Ulfric Stormcloak

.

It was as concerning as ever. Every time either of them visited the city, a new order had appeared, regardless of the state of the actual murders. It begged the question whether the killer hadn't already been caught and now Ulfric kept things quiet, just so that he could harass the elves longer. The order didn't even mention Imperials or Redguards at all. It was clear what Ulfric's goal was – ridding the city of the elves. How long before they got fed up and left their homes? They probably would have done so already, if they had enough money for a journey.

But that would mean that Ulfric had won.

It was hard to say which option was worse. Windhelm's suffocating tense atmosphere seemed to be worse with every one of their visits. Then again, this time, it may have had something to do with Aeyrin's 'negotiations' with Ulfric.

The few people that were walking outside were all looking at the two of them constantly. It was the same thing as always in Windhelm – disdain, uncertainty, curiosity. But this time, there was also palpable fear in some of them. Namely some of the Stormcloak guards. It was oddly empowering. And a little worrisome. There was no telling how all this might eventually escalate, but at least for now, they were free to roam the city without anyone giving them trouble. Well... within limits. There were still the orders prohibiting Aeyrin from moving around at night and... generally doing anything suspicious.

The two of them spent the rest of the day browsing the nearly empty markets and gathering supplies for the road. They had to do all of that before it was sundown and they had to head inside because of the curfew.

They spent the night at the Candlehearth Hall, suffering through more curious looks and barely subdued whispers from all the patrons, before they retired to their room with a clear plan for the next day. After lazing around the inn for the first part of it, of course.

They were both already eager to spend the afternoon and the subsequent night at the cornerclub. To see how the elves were doing under Ulfric's restrictions and possibly to forget all their current problems under the influence of Dunmer spirits.

...

"Hey, everyone! Look who it is!"

Revyn's voice carried through the cornerclub the second that the door shut behind the two of them.