I am Laeilwyn Riverpool (A Skyrim Adventure)

Chapter Sixteen: The Royal Decree

-Erandur's Perspective- 

Elle sure is taking her time in there isn't she? I thought to myself. Suddenly, I was tapped on the shoulder. I turned around and Elle was standing right behind me. 

"Looking for me?" She asked.

"How did you ge- never mind. Did you find what you were looking for?" I asked as we began to walk towards the Winking Skeever. 

"Indeed. This next bit shouldn't take very long. You can do what you please while I handle this." 

"What do you mean? I don't get to come help you?" 

"No offense Erandur, but you aren't the best at being stealthy." 

I was a little offended she didn't want me along, but she wasn't wrong. Becoming a priest made me forget any training I might have had in combat skills when I was a child, and even when I became a mercenary, I was much better at using magic, which was often loud and attracted attention. 

"Fine then. I'll take in the wondrous sights of the city, maybe I'll have a discussion with Jarl Elisif about those despicable swits she allows to operate their blood money company out of her city." I raised my eyebrow, waiting for Elle's response. 

"Or, you could check out the Bard's College like you've always wanted to?" She proposed. 

We reached the doors of the Winking Skeever. Before Elle went in, I grabbed her arm. "If you need my help, give me a shout right?" She nodded. "Alright then, I'll see you at midnight at Katla's Farm. Be safe." She nodded again and disappeared behind the doors. 

I turned around. The sun had risen, but the day was still young. What to do, what to do? I thought. As I pondered my options, a female Altmer dressed in fine robes walked by me, talking excitedly with another female Altmer about some decree the Jarl was about to make. 

"Excuse me ladies?" I stopped them and took my helmet off to speak to them. "What's this decree all about?" 

They both looked me up and down in disgust, like it was beneath them to talk to me. "I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you over that tacky armor!" One of them said. 

I was taken aback by the rudeness of her comment. "What? Tacky?" I looked down at my elven gilded armor. Sure, it was a little dented and the spots that took frequent impact were rusty, but it didn't seem that bad to me. 

"What is it you want?" The other one asked rudely.

"I... I was just wondering about the, erhm, decree that was going to be announced?" 

"Oh. That. We're on our way to the Blue Palace now. Jarl Elisif is making an announcement about the ties with the East Empire Trading Company." 

"That sounds wonderful. I'd certainly like to hear it!" I replied excitedly. 

"IF you're going the the Blue Palace, you might want to rethink that outfit." The first woman said. Before I could get in a response, they began to walk away. 

"Thank the gods for the end of yet another pointless conversation." The second one muttered to her friend, thinking I was out of earshot. 

Is my armor that bad? I thought to myself, looking down. I looked into my satchel at the robes I brought. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to clean up a bit...

*** 

In no time I strode out of the Winking Skeever looking fit to meet a Jarl. I washed and combed my hair, trimmed my beard, and put on the fine robes I brought with me. I had strapped my dagger to my ankle, just in case those rude women decided to insult my appearance again. I made my way over to the Blue Palace where everyone had gathered in an outdoor courtyard, looking anxiously up at a balcony. Just as I took my place at the back, a hush fell over the crowd, and a man with a bright red beard appeared at the balcony.