A Series of Daedric Events (a Skyrim fanfiction)

Chapter Seven - The Mind of Madness

Solitude was attacked by Hermaeous Mora's army. Half of the people were massacred and many of the buildings burnt down and destroyed. The Blue Palace managed to survive, but little else did. That left a lot of refugees and people desperately needing help. 

"We can barely protect our own people here in Whiterun, much less the people of Solitude!" Aela exclaimed when mother decided to delegate some of the Companions to Solitude to help rebuild and protect the people. 

"I will not stand by and let the people of Skyrim be slaughtered and terrorised," mother replied. "I may not be the Champion of the Daedra but I am the Dragonborn and it's my fault Hermaeous Mora is terrorising everyone!"

I had volunteered to go to Solitude, as had Marcurio. Blaise had had to go back to Winterhold to help fortify the town and the College, in case of another attack. But I doubt anyone would go for such a small and insignificant town. Then again, the same could have been said for Morthal...

"Such a wonderful city," Marcurio said appreciatively. "What are we doing first?"

For a week we simply distributed food and blankets to those that needed it and helped repair buildings. Marcurio hated the manual work but, after a week, things in Solitude began to look slightly better. 

"Hail, Companion," a guard of Solitude salutes me. "Might I make a request of you?"

"Certainly," I reply. "What can I do to help?"

"There's an old beggar near the Bards College. Causing some disruption, making people uneasy. Perhaps you could settle him and ease his mind?"

"Of course," I nod.  "I'll be back," I inform Marcurio. 

"I'm going for a nap," he announces. The only work today was hoisting about three bricks. Lazy bastard.

I walk through Solitude, feeling a pang at how the beautiful city was destroyed and ravaged by Hermaeous Mora. Maybe it was stupid of me to think that things were getting better after I've only gotten my hands on six Daedric artifacts. 

I find the beggar easily enough, a Bosmer, and his appearance startles me. It looks like he's gauged out his eyes, but then on closer inspection I realise that it's just smudged war paint and his naturally black eyes. 

"Please take pity on an old madman!" he calls to nobody in particular. "Hear my plea! My master, he is lost between worlds and I cannot bring him back!"

"What seems to be the problem?" I approach the beggar cautiously. 

"You! You'll help me! You help people, right? That's what you do?" he looks at me desperately. It looks like he's about to grab my arm and I take a step back from him, just in case. 

"What do you need?" I ask wearily. 

"My master has abandoned me! Abandoned his people. And nothing I say can change his mind. Now he refuses to even see me. He says I interrupt his vacation!" the beggar exclaims. "It's been so many years...won't you please help?" 

I sigh. More reuniting lost souls with their masters?

"Where can I find him?" I smile brightly at the beggar. The beggars and lower class citizens of Solitude have suffered the most from this Daedric attack and I'm here to help them, not to mock them. 

"Last I saw him, he was visiting a friend  in the Blue Palace. But no one as mundane as the Jarl. No, no...such people are below him. No, he went into the forbidden wing of the palace to speak with an old friend. Said it had been ages since they had last had tea," the beggar rambles. 

"Well...I suppose I'll be on my way," I say uncertainly. I shouldn't have too much of an issue getting into the Blue Palace, after all being the Dragonborn's daughter and a member of the Companions has its benefits. But the beggar's insane ramblings, coupled with the mention of a 'forbidden wing' doesn't sit  right with me.