The journey for the Dragonborn from the Bannered Mare in Whiterun up to Riverwood, Helgen, Past the Old Fort Neurgrad, then finally to the border post that sat at the Pale Pass had been uneventful. It was cold up near the pass from Skyrim into Cyrodiil. He had to come here to get the official pass as there were other ways into the capital provenance of Cyrodiil but this was where the official had been sent to allow people to pass legally into that land.
When he arrived there was a group of four guards posted there outside of the actual home and office of the post and its residences. One of the guards approached him and said, “Hey men, here’s another one, what a beauty.” He approached the Dragonborn then asked, “Looking to cross the border friend! The price is 100 gold coins.” The Dragonborn paused then replied, ” I am here to collect an official pass.” The guard that had approached him then responded with, “No need for that, it could take hours to get that processed and signed. A few gold coins and you’ll be over the border in no time.”
The Dragonborn immediately responded, “Is this a shakedown?” The guard replied, “Nah, just trying to do you a favor friend.” The guard walked back to the fire with the other guards. The Dragonborn walked up the stairs to the door of the post and entered it.
Once inside he immediately heard a conversation taking place in another room between a man and his wife, “Sarmenti, my dear, please, I’m trying my best. Hopefully I can get a new appointment somewhere else in the Empire.” Sarmenti could be heard responding, “Well, your best is not enough. We have been stuck out here for nearly two years, how much longer do I have to put up with those beasts they call guards outside?” The man responded, “Everything is going to be just fine.” His wife, Sarmenti replied, ” The way they look at me, it’s only a matter of time…what are you going to do about it. I am in fear of my life…” The man exclaimed, “Oh Sarmenti…”
It was then the man notice he was sitting there patiently waiting when he said, “Hello, my name is Stultus. Are you in need of some assistance?” The man who had identified himself as Stultus came and sat down then asked, “Well met, what can I do for you?” The Dragonborn replied, ” I am here to collect an official pass to cross the border into Cyrodiil” Stultus replied, “Ah, you must be…one moment.” Stultus stood up again, walked to a hallway and could be heard saying to him, “Yes, Captain Grimbold of the Bruma garrison informed us you would probably be coming, no one gets into Cyrodiil without an official pass.” He returned with an officially sealed document in hand and said, “This one is signed by the house of Bruma, be sure to show it to the New Imperial Guards when asked.”
The Dragonborn picked it up, unsealed the document and open it to see it read, “Provincial Border Pass, Border Pass Issue No 3009, dated 4E205. This document is to certify the holder is permitted full and free passage to the Province of Cyrodiil and the Empire, and that the holder has acknowledged to uphold the law at all times. I declare, full allegiance to the Emperor, the laws and citizens of Cyrodiil and the Empire. I declare full compliance with the laws and decrees set within the ‘White Gold Agreement of 4E 203 and do understand failure to comply with the laws of this agreement will render me, my family and known associates and representatives liable to summary execution.” The Dragonborn looked at Stultus then continued, “Signed for the issue: Sigunn of Bruma per procurationem: The Countess of Bruma. Issue Officer: Stultus Aprilis On behalf of the Lord Chancellor Martin Blackwell.”
The Dragonborn looked up and asked Stultus, “New Imperial guards?”. Stultus replied, “Have you not heard? A lot of changes have recently occurred in Cyrodiil. The…Emperor is very “serious” on immigration control and is quite ruthless in his implementation of…zero tolerance. To not be in possession of an official document can be, how shall we say…fatal.” The Dragonborn replied, “The guards outside didn’t seem serious. Even offered to open the gate for coin.” Stultus replied, “Those…guards, are nothing more than criminal scum and people traffickers. They would wave you through for coin knowing how it would end..like it has for so many others…those poor souls.”
The Dragonborn thought briefly then replied, “Do you want me to take care of them for you?” Stultus only replied with, “Let’s just say I have seen them letting whole families through the gates, men, women, and children. All hoping for a new life, only to end up bloody frozen rags in the snow..its’ quite sad. They are actually meant to be here to turn away the economic migrants and protect me as a diplomatic service. The New Imperial border guards are shall we say..more robust in their duties…hence the pass. Your friends had good cause to make sure you adhered to the official channels.”
The Dragonborn pondered what he had just heard, then asked, “Is there anything else I should need to know before I leave?” Stultus replied, “Cyrodiil is a civilized province. Acts of aggression against any citizen are met with extreme prejudice. In some cases entire families can be held responsible by the actions of one. As you now officially represent the House of Bruma…need I go on?”
The Dragonborn replied, “It sounds all a bit extreme if you ask me.” Stultus then responded, “Of course you can defend yourself and people do carry weapons in case of the odd renegade or wild animal. But you’ll find those…inconveniences virtually eradicated apart from the border regions, so please act accordingly to the law. Before you leave, do you require an further assistance?”
The Dragonborn replied, “I was told you might have some letters for me here.” Stultus responded, “Do you know the name of the sender?” The Dragonborn replied, “Rigmor, Rigmor of Bruma” Stultus began to rise and said, “One moment.” He returned to the back hallway and then responded with, “Ah, here is one.” He returned and set the letter down on the desk while saying, “Dated mid 202, almost 4 years ago.” Then Stultus said, “let me check to see if there are any more in the back room.”
The Dragonborn paused in thought for a moment as all these feelings concerning Rigmor came rushing back in. He thought to himself, “I can’t believe I still love her so much after all this time has passed. I am almost afraid to read the letters.” Stultus came back and set another letter down saying here’s one more dated early 203.” The Dragonborn then picked up the first letter and began to read,
After reading the first letter the Dragonborn sat in meditation as his mind was flooded with a fast moving flood of images and emotions concerning Rigmor, He silently thought, “how he first met her, what he felt, how they adventured together, grew closer together, and eventually fell in love with each other.” He then paused and began to pickup the second letter written about a year later.
After reading this final letter the Dragonborn looked up and met the eyes of Stultus who had been watching him closely as he read the letters. The Dragonborn spoke, “These letters are years old. She must think I ignored them. Why were they not returned? Stultus replied, “There’s been a lot of change, especially over these last few years.” There was a slight pause then he continued, “We received a lot of undelivered correspondence dating back years when we set up this border post. You must remember the last letter was sent during a most unsettling time. The good news is Cyrodiil is experiencing growth and stability since the new administration. Even more so after the expulsion of the Thalmor and the possible reinstation of the Nine throughout the Empire. I am sure your stay will be most pleasant and enlightening. And there’s one more thing, this was left for you too.”
The Dragonborn stared at the sword and thought to himself, “There must be potential for Rigmor to be harmed if this sword, ‘The Sword Of Destiny” has been given to him again to be its keeper. His eyes began to swell with emotion. He then asked Stultus, “What’s the next step?” Stultus replied, “Are you ready to continue?”
The Dragonborn thought, and saw his scared wife fixing dinner for them. He responded after thinking about the hardships he and Rigmor had experienced and now these people are experiencing because of people who had bad intent, “After I have killed these guards.” Stultus immediately replied, “Ahem, I think I have forgotten something out back, would you excuse me for one moment?”