Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-3293219-20150715181657/@comment-5543592-20150721192153

Back at the inn, Ragnar minded his own business, drinking ale, and watching the patrons. He’d acquired a lute and what appeared to be a children’s recurve bow, some time ago and had them sitting next to him. The two objects were a memory of his past…

7 months ago…

Ragnar rolled over in the bed as beams of light stabbed through the windows, onto his eye lids. He slid from the covers and into a siting position, putting both feet on the floor, running a weary hand down his face.

Today was not a day he was looking forward to. He’d need to go speak to the High King- if you could call him that. The pompous fop was more of a provincial governor, a puppet for the Emperor. His request was a simple one and it had been rejected.

Constantly.

Ragnar reached down to the floor and picked up his trousers which he

“You going to see Winterhold today?”   Nadina asked, referring to the king. They just called them by their hold names. The Redguard had rolled over on her side to face him.

“Yes.”   Ragnar replied.

“You going to restrain the urge to kill ‘em?”

''I’d challenge him to a duel, but I don’t want his position. Not enough freedom.''   “Yes.”

“You want me to come with you?”

“No.”

Nadina reached over and touched his wrist. “You sure?”

“I’m sure.”   Ragnar replied, liberating his arm and rising to his feet, fully dressed. He strapped on his armor and nodded towards the door. “I’ll be back soon.”

He was out the door, before he heard her response.

Winterhold was bitter and cold, as usual. Nothing Ragnar wasn’t used to, though. He’d grown up in this weather. It was a short trek to the Castle Winterhold from the inn, he just had to turn a few corners. It wasn’t the most magnificent Hold capital, but it wasn’t the worse either. Most of the buildings were a gentle, finished stone, and lamps shone on every street. It was just enough.

Ragnar walked right up to the castle, and was not stopped once by the guards. Inside, he would have pulled off his helmet and held it by his side, but instead left it on. A small act of defiance, wearing the horned war helm in the king’s presence, and unusual for Ragnar. He was very compliant, as long as it got him what he wanted.

<p class="MsoNormal">He climbed the stairs, up to the king’s throne and stood before the High King of Skyrim. He bowed once, before staring into the King’s eyes. He was slighter than Ragnar, but almost just as tall. They were both Nord’s, after all.

<p class="MsoNormal">“You deigned an audience, Ragnar?”   Asked Winterhold, looking faintly interested, acting as if there was something more entertaining on the back of his hand. They both knew what this was about. The king was just giving Ragnar the run around.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yes.”   Said Ragnar coolly. “’Your Highness,’ I’ve come to speak with you, about your most recent concession to the Empire.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Oh, what is that?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“The celebration of Imperial holidays and dates as opposed to Nordic ones.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Is this matter, really, worthy of my attention?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I’d like to think it is, considering you are this land’s ruler.”   Said Ragnar, with barely concealed contempt, but managed to keep his voice neutral.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Ragnar… we are a province of this Empire. We have been for the last several hundred years. Why can’t you just accept that?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Ragnar didn’t even acknowledge the statement or its question. “Is that no?”

<p class="MsoNormal">The King finally spared a look at Ragnar, only to glare at him. The most powerful man in the kingdom did not like to be ignored. “This session is over.”   Declared Winterhold.

<p class="MsoNormal">It was over from the start. Ragnar though angrily, but with a blank face. His rage was demonstrated through how he practically whirled around and stormed out of the castle. He could have melted the snow through sheer will.

<p class="MsoNormal">Despite his anger, Ragnar new the king didn’t matter. There were ways of going around him. And he knew there were others who shared his… displeasure with the Empire’s regime.

<p class="MsoNormal">And if Winterhold wouldn’t listen, then they’d make him.