[A/N: My 7 years old laptop reached the end of its journey yesterday, I rewrote this chapter on my phone, and don't expect any editing because my shoulder is stiff as hell. Also don't forget about Patreon and Discord links in the end of the chapter]
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I went out of the college's manor in a good mood, some shocking events happened but I managed to find a fast ship to Winterhold.
Better head home now, this day was too much for my mental health that I want nothing to do with it anymore.
This night, I'll sleep on a different side, new day new me.
Next morning I woke up with a headache and hangover.
Seriously now, nothing goes how I want these days.
I had to drink some hangover remedy potion, it tastes awful.
Today was the last day of the archery competition, which no one for some reason takes seriously.
The horsemanship, on the other hand, is one of the best features of this tournament.
One needs a horse to participate and luckily, Jon Battle-Born has one so we will be using it, one each day.
But today, I have more important matters. I need to make a plan to get rid of the trouble that the assassins caused to themselves by targeting me.
First, I need to know how the place looks on the inside. Second, I need to know how to get to the girl. Finally, I need her to cooperate with me.
The first one is actually sneaking into one of the most fortified places in Skyrim, the second was a prison infiltration and the last was nuts.
The castle doesn't seem like anything from the game so let's put the game data aside, I need at least to have way in and out.
I went to the main yard of the castle which was used as the arena and kept going back and forth looking at the place, no one would ask me anything, as a known participant I have every right to be here.
Next thing was to determine which place was the fastest way in and out of the castle and of the city, I also need to survey the sewers.
I remember a place from the game that could lead to outside the city under the tower near the heart of the city, that was so exposed but I can think it is well-guarded now.
As my escape route was roughly planned, I can now think of how to get in. What's more important to a thief is knowing how to get out before knowing how to get in.
I remember that in the game there was a cell in the jail that one can break its wall and escape through the sewers, and unlike the game, each city has a sewer system, that is the best way to make a quiet escape.
The place where they should keep the evidence is either a place that is locked well or a place that is considered an office.
These answers need to come out of the guards themselves.
The man I can talk to about that was, of course, Captain Aldis.
The man was watching the duels right now, he didn't stand in the VIP area or any special area, he just found a place near the seats and sat there taking his rest.
"Wel-met Captain." I said while walking to him.
"White Wolves' Jon, wel-met." He greeted back.
"How were the matches?" I asked.
"Heated, the teams from Solitude are clashing with each other fiercely, it's sad to see infighting from the same city kids." He said.
"Oh which teams?" I asked.
"Wolf Fangs and Wolven Storms." He said.
"Strange, aren't those the teams supported by Thane Erikur and Thane Bryling?" I acted as if I was taken aback, those who played in Solitude a lot knew about the bad relationship between Erikur and Bryling.
"So you know who sponsored them! It's more sad to see the politics affecting the sport, but a man of my position shouldn't talk about such matters." He said.
The man didn't want to involve himself in politics it seems.
"So, you hear for something?" He asked.
"As a matter of fact, Yes. I was just going to ask about the interrogation." I asked.
"I really wanted to tell you that we got something good from the girl other than the singing and the strange words she says, but all we could do we just writing down what we could understand." He said.
"So, can't I by any chance at least know what she said, maybe I can get a clue of who wanted me dead." I said.
"... Oh! Okay, follow me." He said.
What! Just like that?!
Well, this is getting easy for some reason.
The man headed towards the jail and I followed, the jail was right next to the arena.
After we entered the atmosphere inside was cold and desolate, it was poorly let yet the place was mostly clean.
We just turned right to a room with a few chairs, chests and a desk.
It was a bit empty but it fitted with the atmosphere of the jail.
He offered me a seat and went to a certain chest then he took out a note.
He handed it to me and sat, I had to read it even it wasn't my goal.
Well, this was interesting, seems that the mental state of our friend is not going so well, she started talking to herself and questioning her was hard, even after she was tortured she kept talking crazy stuff.
I had to make myself useful so I started saying nonsense, "She seems to be under some severe mental stress or some backlash of an emotional shock, maybe the death of her partner was too much for her, it can be considered Post Trauma Stress Disorder, and... blah blah blah."
Captain Aldis looked at me as if he had some headache, "Okay okay, I don't really understand any of what you said, can you make it a lot easier?"
"Ehem, what I said was some healer terminology, but these were mostly guesses, to give a certain answer I need to do an examination, unfortunately your rules say that no unauthorized people are to enter the jai.." I was pulling his leg.
"I can make an exception." His leg got pulled.
"Oh, thank you. I can't promise anything but I'll be helpful as much as I can."
So far so good, as the victim of the assassin, I am the last person they need to worry about.
But after going into the dungeon, I could feel that matters are not as simple as I thought, this place is really a castle.
Thick walls and strong structure, every door is locked and every corner is watched.
That will result in more planning and tools.
The dungeon was deep like a well, so we went down to the lowest floor, it seemed that this part of the building is older than the rest.
The cells which were in the deepest part looked very dark, old an cold, only a few candles let the place from outside.
In there, I could see a horror scene. I girl in rags setting on the ground hugging her knees and moving her body forward and backward repeatedly. Her hair was on her face and madness was in her eyes, she looked left and right like she was feeling something threatening.
She was saying something in a low voice and replying to herself, Captain Aldis stood far from the cell door and looked at me, I walked to the door and stood under enough light for the girl to see me.
"What's up?" I said.
The girl looked at me like she found the cause of her suffering, her facial expressions didn't have any hint of anger yet her black clear eyes looked like the abyss and glared at me.
I am not a fan of horror movies, this really is creepy, still, I need to see how far this girl can think.
I started talking but all I said was parts from the poems in her note, once I say anything she starts to repeat after while looking to space me and say the poem to its end.
She was trying not to forget the things she wrote so she ignored everything else and made herself mumble all that she wrote, such love for poetry is unhealthy.
"I think some light can enhance her mental state, she just can't calm down after witnessing her friend's death, being chased and tortured, she will be better in a dozen days or something." I gave Captain Aldis what he needed to hear.
"Fine, after the tournament, if she doesn't talk, she will just be executed." He said.
I was turning away and leaving with him, just as he turned to lead the way out, I took something and put it into the cell without him noticing. I couldn't see the girl's reaction though.
On my way out I made a promise to him that I'll come once again before the tournament ends as I was leaving after it does. This is the best way for a nosy guest like me to drop by once again, just make the promise on the way out, always works.
Just as I got out I heard someone calling, "I challenge Jon of the 'White Wolves'."
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Who was that? It was Argir Swift-Hilt from 'Golden Swords', Solitude most dazzling junior.
Among the main 31 participants, few were undefeated, on top of that list was me and Argir, as well as Vilkas from 'Companions second team', Ralof from Windhelm's 'Stormcloaks', As well as Lydia from Whiterun's 'Warmaidens'.
[A/N: See what I did there?]
Looking at mister Handsome, it really seemed that one beak cannot hold two tigers.
I walked in a lofty manner an stood right in front of him.
"And I accept your challenge, Blondy" I said in a dramatic way, "When?"
"This after noon." The Blondy said as he made an irritated face from being called 'Blondy'.
"Fine by me, prepare to eat dust." I turned away while saying.
Some of the people were glaring at me after taunting him like that, some girls started taking sides and it was a bit hectic.
Returning to the inn, I informed the boys about the challenge and borrowed Battle-Born's sword.
Facing Argir with a weapon as heavy as Agni-Ra is not a good idea, after all this guy hits like a machine gun.
There is only one hour left to the afternoon so I wore my full gear and warmed up.
They are:-
....
-Amulet of Akatosh (Magicka regen 25%)
-Gold Ring from Nurina (Magicka regen 150%)
-Reinforced Sneakers (Speed up 15%)
-Reinforced Gloves (Magicka consumption down 10%)
-Belt (Link Magicka and Stamina 25%)
-Plate Armor (Fortify Armor 40%)
-Reinforced Leather Arm protector (Health Regen 75%)
-Reinforced Leather Leg protector (Stamina Regen 75%)
-Steel Masked Helmet (Awareness 4 meters)[A/N: Summermyst mod, fixed to fit the story]
-Battle-Born's sword 'Cold Song' (Ice Damage)
.....
I don't like the chainmail or the heavy arms and leg protection, they put too much wight and it affects the Stamina consumption speed.
After getting the hang of the sword, I switched completely to one and a half sword style. Unlike the game, weapons can't be classified easily as two handed or one handed, even some swords that doesn't look like a great sword must be held with two hands, actually most swords should be carried in two hands unless you are holding a Saber, Rapier or an arming sword[swords with short grips that get used with sheilds] for example.
Other than that most swords should be carried with two hands such as the katanas of the Blades. Also, no sword can be classified as a greatsword easily though, an actual greatsword length might overcome two meters like the Zwihander swords and they only fit the big grunts.
Axes and blunt weapons are much simpler but there is an art to them too.
That knowledge was bestowed upon me by the Hilda, I remember when she asked me about weapons and I classified them as one handed and two handed like the game with full confidence, my ass was handed over to me that day.
Back to the topic, Battle-Born's sword was nearly 120 cm long bastard sword with excellent craftsmanship, I saw the damn thing and I fell in love with it, one can only love such a sword.
The hilt's grip was made of white wood that probably came from Riften, the pommel was round, engraved and beautiful, and the crossguard was straight and had good thickness and balance. As for the blade part it can be called Strong which is the wider base of the blade attached to the hilt, and Weak which is the thinner half to the blade's point, the edge of the blade was sharp and the point was steady.
I sheathed it after getting used to its length and wight, can't afford to miss any detail in this fight.
I also made preparation for the spell 'Bound Sword', the sword I can conjure is a Daedric Sword, its style and balance were all over the place though, as it had the length of a saber with the thickness of a cutlass. And thanks to the chance, bound weapons are a bit lighter due to its spectral properties. In the end I can wield two swords yet I am not optimistic about the damage they can deal.
I regretted not learning more bound weapons spells as it can make my style much more diverse, I'll learn how to bound a spear and a bow once I get to the college.
I was in deep thinking until the time came, I and the boys followed by Svidi reached the arena.
But what the hell is that? The place us just too crowded, did the jarls duel each other or something?
I planned to wait and see but I found that everyone was urging me to go into the arena.
So that crowd is for me? I kinda feel flattered. Hey, aren't those Torygg and Elisif? Skald the Grumpy, Balgruuf my friend, Creepy Idgrod, Big Bad Ulfric, Depressed Korir, Sleeping Laila, Dengeir of Stuhn Paranoia and The plainest Jarl of them all Igmund. [A/N: I just don't have any impression of that guy]
Beside them, there was the Bard's College Headmaster Viarmo, Maven Black-Briar, Eorlund Grey-Mane, Kodlak Whitemane, Wizard Faralda, Thongvor Silver-Blood and all the heavyweights that that came to the tournaments.
What the hell is that? Did they decide to end the tournament today or something?
Suddenly I heard a horn blowing, Viarmo popped out on some platform and blew the horn of the match, then he spoke, "Welcome, People of All Holds, Today is a day of duels, a day that some of the best juniors of Skyrim will meet each other in front of your eyes, the participants are here, the guests are here, the fighters are here, then let's begin." After that, he pointed to me and Argir to get to the arena.
"Ehem, Behold Argir of clan Swift-Hilt. His name holds fame long has been built. The challenger he is, on the west right now. Unsheath your blade and give us a bow."
After Viarmo said his introduction, the spectators made an applause for Argir who bowed to every direction.
"On the east is Jon, known as Dare. With iconic hair as red as a flare. His style is fair, magical and bold. Will fight in ways that no one foretold."
Viarmo introduced me and many cheers erupted. I raised my hand and made a V sign.
The horn was blown again and Viarmo kept speaking, "With fighters being all here. Give them a hearty cheer. And fighters, hold no grudge. As there will be a judge. But the beginning will be true. As the king do say so."
Torygg was who smiling stood up and everyone in the VIP stood to him but he signed for them to sit. Elisif stood beside him and he whispered something to her.
As he finished, Elisif stood forward and raised a hand, then she spoke, "In the name of the High King, Let the match begin."