The Dragonborn had made his way towards the Bannered Mare, which was situated in the market area where the General Goods and Alchemy and Potions shops were as well as several other outdoor stalls that sold various items such as fruits, breads, vegetables, fresh meat, and jewelry made by a famous blacksmith who work was famous because of the forge he used, called Skyforge. He did mos of his work for the companions, a company of mercenaries of sorts.
When he entered the inn, he scanned the room looking for familiar faces, he saw Hulda, a Nord, who was the innkeeper and owner, the bard, Mikael, also a Nord and the author of “A Gentleman’s Guide to Whiterun” who was currently playing a local favorite, “Ragnar the Red”. He also observed that several of the waiters and some of the regular locals were there. He had expected to see this familiar group of people, one of the reasons he came here as it helped to stir the memories of old with Rigmor. He sat at an open table and waited to see who would show up as a friend as the message said and what news they needed to deliver to him.
It wasn’t long before he heard footsteps approaching him from behind, he actually expected it to be Saadia, a Redguard living and working at the inn as a waiter asking him if he wanted anything to eat or drink or maybe both. He only had a moment to muse about it when a figure he had not seen for a long time came around immediately stating, “Greetings Dragonborn, you don’t know the trouble I’ve had finding you. Got a letter ‘ere for ya. Special delivery!”
After he greeted the Dragonborn, he sat down at the table in an open chair. The Dragonborn greeted him kindly, “Tendril Sethri, thief, disciple, messenger, mage, landlord and now courier. How long has it been since we last saw and spoke to each other?”
Tendril Sethri sat down crossed his arms while Olfina Gray-Mane, a Nord, and a part of the Gray-Mane clan, stood watching the inn, as she worked there as one of the waiters along with Saadia. Sethri responded to the Dragonborn question by replying, “He-he, too long Dragonborn, too long. I’d say by a whisker, it’s been four years since we last saw each other. Our last conversation was back at the old farmhouse located near Riften. Unfortunately, it was when I had to deliver that message to you concerning your need to stay in Skyrim.”
The Dragonborn replied, “If you’ve been sent to find me, this delivery must be very special indeed!” Sethri responded, “For your eyes only, straight from Bruma, don’t suppose you’ve heard what’s been going on in Cyrodiil these last couple of years?” The Dragonborn paused in thought a moment, then replied, ” I’ve had my hands full in Skyrim to be honest with you. But I am sure you being a disciple of Azura must already know about those times.” Sethri then looked at him and asked, “Not heard from young Rigmor then?” The Dragonborn replied, “I’ve not heard a word from he since we last saw each other at the border post up in the Pale pass to Cyrodiil. I am guessing this letter is from her?” Sethri said, “No, not this one. Although I do know Rigmor did write you.” The Dragonborn responded, “Well, I never received anything from Rigmor, I just assumed she got tired of waiting for me and moved on with her life.” Sethri, then placed a letter on the table in front of the Dragonborn. At the same time Ysolda, a Nord who lived in Whiterun, and enjoyed listening to and speaking with newcomers to Whiterun sat down at an open chair at the table and quietly listened.
Sethri replied to the Dragonborn, “Yeah, well the letters never got returned, so it may be worth your time to check with the border post to see they got buried up there in some sort of unknown person bag or something. You know you weren’t exactly easy to find.” The Dragonborn exclaimed, “The border post?” Sethri chuckled then said, “You have to go there anyway , to acquire the pass from the official assigned to that post.” There was silence at the table for a moment, the room had more of the locals arriving such as Lucia, a local orphan who would sit under the big tree and beg for some coins to buy her next meal. Sethri then interrupted the silence by saying, “Well, that’s why they sent me. I think you’d better read that letter there to understand.”
The Dragonborn picked up the letter, broke the seal, and unfolded it to read, the letter was dated 4E 205 and read as follows: “Dragonborn, If you are reading this, then we have at last managed to find you. You must have heard of the recent events in Cyrodiil, and although some stability has returned, freedom has not. We must speak in private, and certain names have been omitted in this correspondence, but I am sure you know to whom I am referring.She did try to write you, but you could not be located and gave up on ever seeing you again. I don’t think she ever got over losing you. But she is fine, and well and has moved on. You know her, never one to sit still, always looking for trouble if it doesn’t find her first. And trouble has found her. Of course she just waves it off, talks tough and I do realize you have moved on with your life, but I have no choice but to contact you for help. We fear she is in grave danger Dragonborn. Please come to visit us at our residence so we can talk further. Show the border guards the official pass.” The letter was signed, “Sigunn of Bruma”.
The Dragonborn folded the letter again and slipped it into a pouch he carried on his waist, he then looked at Sethri and asked, “What kind of crap has she gotten herself into this time?” Sethri replied, “These days, with the border locked down, it’s near impossible to get anything through. You must get the official border pass to enter Cyrodiil. If anyone tells you otherwise or offers a way over for coin, be wary of them, very wary. That’s if you decide to respond of course.”
The Dragonborn replied, “Don’t worry, I’ll get the pass.” Sethri then chuckled slightly, “Must be like a blast from the past right? The Dragonborn asked, ” Have you seen Rigmor lately, do you know how she’s doing?” Sethri replied, ” Ah, well! All will be revealed Dragonborn, all will be revealed.” The Dragonborn replied back, “Why is it I feel my stomach churn every time you say that?” Sethri responded, “Ha ha, let’s see…um, foreboding? The Dragonborn chuckled, “That’s it…yes, foreboding as in something bad is about to happen.” Sethri looked at his friend and replied, ” I’m sure it’s nothing you can’t handle, must be important seeing’ as you ain’t had no contact with anyone from back then in a such a long time!”
The conversation continued where in Sethri revealed that Cyrodiil wasn’t like Skyrim, they were civilized and had apparently set down very harsh penalties for violence against any law bidding citizen. Sethri had also warned the Dragonborn that something wasn’t right, he used an old saying, “I can fell it in me water like.” He paused then told the Dragonborn there was nothing civilized about what he saw crossing the border. The Dragonborn asked, “What did you see Sethri?” Sethri replied, “Just make sure you keep a cool head, you’ll see.”
The conversation then continued on a different track where the Dragonborn asked Sethri what he had been up to all these years since they last saw each other. He told him about the fact he was still living in the old farmhouse and how he had gone on a pilgrimage to Winterhold. To the shrine of his mistress, Azura. Sethri then spoke about a pretty young thing there that had taken a bit of a shine to him, Aranea was her name. He then told him with him that he hoped to coax her down from the mountain and into his little ‘ol farm.” The conversation was coming to a close, the Dragonborn could sense and said, “Well good luck with that, It’s so good to see you again Sethri.” Sethri replied, “Likewise Dragonborn, likewise, it’s good to see you too my friend.” Sethri in closing said, “Now then…my part in this is done and I have a date with destiny. So until next time Dragonborn.”
The Dragonborn watched in silence as Sethri turned, open the door and disappeared to the road again. He paused briefly then thought to himself, “I guess I better prepare for a journey to Cyrodiil to understand more about what’s going on with Rigmor and why her mother Sigunn felt the need to bring him back in their lives again.”