That evening, as the sun cast its closing crimson rays over Whiterun, Amy leisurely made her way up the jagged steps to Dragonsreach. With the bustling of people in the streets behind her, the peaceful lull of the water surrounding the keep calmed her. She was nervous, and rightfully so. She didn't even know if Vignar would permit her to lure Odahviing – as Ulfric hadn't been clear about whether or not he was pitching it to the Jarl or if she was.
If he didn't accept, surely Ulfric would step in to exert some power over the situation… at least she hoped he would. As she was crossing the ornate wooden bridge leading to the Keep, she nodded at the hails from the Stormcloak guards that were gathered around the entrance and took a deep breath, preparing herself for what was to come.
She quietly entered through the double doors which were already ajar and looked around the entry hall of the keep. There were far more people inside than she had hope for. Folks that she recognized as nobles from around the town were dressed their finest and socialized merrily among each other.
A party?
She hated this. She hated it more than Alduin himself. Multiple heads turned to gawk at her when she entered and she unpinned her cloak from her armor, folding it neatly over her arm and making her way through the seemingly endless sea of people.
"Look! It's the Dragonborn!"
Enthusiastic whispers of the folk reached her ears as she awkwardly maneuvered between them, trying to find a familiar face. Never being one for crowds, she could hear her pulse in her head and felt her face burning with embarrassment.
"Dragonborn!" The first semblance of a familiar voice reached her ears and she whipped around to face the direction it came from. Through the mass of people approached Olfina Grey-Mane, an old acquaintance of hers and Vignar's housecarl. She smiled at the woman, who embraced her in a hug.
It was rather uncomfortable, as Olfina's admiration of Amy had been something that was difficult to read and the woman had always treated Amy as an old friend, although they never really were. However, Amy was glad to see someone she knew personally.
"What brings you here?" Olfina asked while taking Amy's cloak and beckoning her to follow.
"I was supposed to meet Jarl Ulfric and Jarl Vignar this evening." Amy struggled to keep her tone hushed as the bustling of people around them made it difficult.
"There right over here…" Olfina cheerily announced as they neared the edge of the people, next to the hearth and table. Amy spotted Jarl Vignar and Ulfric seated next to one another, surrounded by several people she did not recognize.
Ulfric was smiling politely and speaking animatedly to the people that encircled them. It was best she didn't interrupt, she figured, and she looked to their right and behind them, where Galmar stood obviously in contempt.
"Thank you, Olfina. I'll take up with Galmar for now." Amy smiled and thanked the woman who had helped her.
Olfina smiled back, "of course. In the mean time I'll put your cloak away for you." She took off and Amy looped around carefully, as to not interrupt any of the conversations that took place around them.
Galmar caught a glimpse of her and his deep frown faded into an expression of exasperation, "Talos, woman, where have you been?"
"I just got here… what in oblivion is going on?"
Together, the two viewed the mass of people and Galmar mumbled, obviously disgruntled, "I don't know. Ulfric didn't come get me like he promised so I came here to look for him. Then all of these people arrived and Vignar dragged him away." He motioned in annoyance to the crowded hall before crossing his arms.
